When a Startup Was Underestimated, But Now It Takes Over the World
First established in 1995 in a cramped garage. Let's call them Budi and Joni. They were both struggling with an old computer that often crashed. Their idea was simple: to create software that could help people work more efficiently. The problem was, at that time people believed more in calculators and notebooks than technology.
"Who needs a computer for work? Calculators are still good, and paper never errors!" was the comment of a friend who heard their idea.
However, Budi and Joni didn't care. They believed the world would change, even though at that time the internet was still using dial-up and it took five minutes just to open one web page. They spent months writing code, staying up late with sachet coffee, and surviving on instant noodles.
The first challenge came when they tried to find investors. Every presentation they did ended with heads shaking. "Do you think people will pay for a program like this?" asked an investor with a condescending smile. Even Budi's own mother once said, "Why don't you just open a meatball stall? More certain!”
But they persisted. With the capital from selling their old motorbike and some donations from sympathetic friends, they designed their first product: a simple software that... failed miserably. The program often crashed, its appearance was worse than a final year student's thesis page, and worse, their first customer asked for his money back.
They were desperate. Joni almost accepted a job offer at a photocopying company, while Budi considered returning to his hometown and helping his family's business. However, they decided to try one more time. They fixed the system, learned from their mistakes, and within two years, they released a second version—more stable, faster, and starting to get attention.
Customers started coming in, albeit in small numbers. They offered the product to small companies, who were initially skeptical but then surprised by how efficient the program was. Gradually, word about their product began to spread. Investors who had previously refused were now interested.
A few years later, they got a big round of funding. With a growing team, their technology became more sophisticated. Big companies started using their systems, and suddenly, within a decade, the little garage startup had become one of the world’s biggest tech giants.
Today, billions of people use the technology they created. Their names are etched into industry history, their companies’ stocks are soaring, and they’ve become icons of innovation. Those who once laughed at them now claim that they “knew it would work.”
Never underestimate a small idea. Sometimes, the things that are considered trivial are the ones that change the world.
First Established In…