Technology for a Future of Transparent Investing
In the dynamic landscape of consumer investing in Indonesia, traditional investment models often fall short in meeting the evolving needs of investors. Comprehensive feedback and research suggest misaligned incentives, limited insights, higher fees, and an offline-centric customer journey hinder the overall investor experience, which have created a significant gap in the market. Active DIY platforms, including trading and brokerage platforms, despite their online presence and improved user interfaces, pose challenges for professionals with limited time for thorough research, resulting in suboptimal investment outcomes. Compounding these issues is the diminishing trust in conventional financial institutions due to recent industry scandals, emphasizing the urgent need for transformation.
Recognizing these challenges, my co-founders, Julian and Nick, and I were resolute that establishing a digital asset management firm would emerge as a strategic solution to bridge the existing market gap. With Simpan, our tech-enabled approach is rooted in identifying the limitations of offline, traditional models prevalent in the Indonesian asset management industry and the demand for a more streamlined, transparent, and user-centered investment platform.
At the heart of Simpan’s value proposition as a digital asset manager is our distinctive investment management system, Backoffice, an API-driven solution built and maintained by our engineering team. The integration of this system has driven a comprehensive front-to-back office transformation within our entire asset management organization, optimizing every aspect of our workflow from the initial client interaction and onboarding to the backend processes governing our fund operations. Beyond its current capabilities, we envision Backoffice evolving into an all-in-one tech platform that not only unifies and scales the investment management process but also incorporates advanced risk management and portfolio analytics capabilities. This forward-thinking vision reflects our commitment to continuous innovation and the creation of a seamless, end-to-end experience for our investors.
The adoption and continuous improvement of Backoffice have paved the way for Simpan Portal, a sophisticated web-based client gateway that extends the capabilities of our system. Portal, along with our upcoming client platforms, signifies our commitment to redefining the customer investment journey by offering advanced portfolio monitoring capabilities, better access to portfolio analysis, and enhanced customer service. Built with Simpan's institutional clients in mind, our aim for Portal is to go beyond the conventional display of investment amounts and returns, and provide them with a nuanced and actionable understanding of their portfolio. We recognize the institutional demand for customized discretionary mandates and Portal enables these clients to obtain the insights they need to foster a more informed and strategic approach to managing their investments.
Grounded in transparency and a genuine commitment to putting clients first, Simpan’s digital platforms, steered by Backoffice, are not just a testament to our ongoing dedication to disrupting the industry; they also represent our aspiration for a future where technology seamlessly enhances and elevates the investment experience. In recognizing that there is still much ground to cover in this mission, we extend a warm invitation to you to stay connected with us. Your support and insights play a pivotal role in shaping our vision. We eagerly look forward to the journey ahead, where together, we can foster a more inclusive and informed investing environment for everyone.
The author, Matthew, is a Co-Founder at Simpan with over 6 years of experience in software engineering. He has worked across various tech companies in the United States, Singapore, and Indonesia. Previously associated with ByteDance and Microsoft, Matthew is an experienced technology professional skilled in building systems and applications utilized by more than 20 million users, spanning from e-commerce to fintech.