Pintarnya: Bridging Employment and Financial Services in Indonesia
Pintarnya, an innovative Indonesian platform that goes beyond traditional job matching by integrating financial services with full-time and side-gig opportunities, has successfully secured a $16.7 million Series A funding round. This significant milestone was led by Square Peg, with additional support from existing investors such as Vertex Venture Southeast Asia & India and East Ventures.
Founded in 2022 by Ghirish Pokardas, Nelly Nurmalasari, and Henry Hendrawan, Pintarnya aims to address two of the most pressing challenges faced by Indonesians: earning enough income and accessing responsible borrowing options. According to Hendrawan, co-founder of Pintarnya, traditional methods of job searching in Indonesia often involve offline job fairs or word-of-mouth, leading to inefficiencies for both employers and job seekers. Additionally, many workers rely on informal lending sources, which can be risky and exploitative.
“By digitizing job matching through AI, we make the hiring process faster and more efficient. We also provide safer, healthier lending options that are designed around what users can reasonably afford, rather than pushing them further into debt,” said Hendrawan.
Addressing the Needs of the Informal Workforce
Approximately 59% of Indonesia’s 150 million workforce is employed in the informal sector, which presents significant barriers to accessing formal financial services. These workers often lack verifiable income and official employment documentation, making it difficult for them to obtain traditional loans or credit. To tackle this issue, Pintarnya partners with asset-backed lenders to offer secured loans using collateral such as gold, electronics, or vehicles.
Since its seed funding in 2022, Pintarnya has grown rapidly, serving over 10 million job seeker users and 40,000 employers across the country. The company's revenue has nearly quintupled year-over-year and is expected to reach break-even by the end of the year. Its primary user base consists of individuals aged 21 to 40, many of whom have only a high school education or a diploma below university level. This demographic represents a large portion of blue-collar and informal workers in Indonesia, and Pintarnya is focused on meeting their unique needs.
Beyond Job Matching: A Holistic Approach
Through its journey in building employment services, Pintarnya discovered that users required more than just job opportunities—they needed access to financial services that traditional banks could not provide. The platform uses AI to streamline job matching and offers safer lending options tailored to users’ financial capabilities.
While platforms like JobStreet, Kalibrr, and Glints cater primarily to white-collar roles, which represent a small fraction of the workforce, Pintarnya focuses specifically on blue-collar workers. It provides features such as quick-apply options for walk-in interviews, affordable e-learning courses, supplemental income opportunities, and seamless connections to financial services like loans.
Fintech Challenges and Opportunities
The fintech sector in Indonesia also tends to focus on white-collar or upper-middle-class consumers, leaving blue-collar workers underserved. Traditional credit scoring models, which depend on steady monthly income and bank account activity, often exclude these workers from financial services. However, Pintarnya is working to change this by offering alternative lending solutions that consider the unique circumstances of its users.
When asked about the most in-demand financial services, Hendrawan highlighted that lending is currently the top priority for Pintarnya’s users. The company plans to expand its offerings in the future, introducing micro-savings and investment products through strategic partnerships.
Future Growth and Expansion
The new funding will allow Pintarnya to enhance its platform technology and broaden its financial service offerings through strategic collaborations. With most Indonesian workers employed in blue-collar or informal sectors, the co-founders see substantial growth potential in the local market. Leveraging their experience managing businesses across Southeast Asia, they are also considering regional expansion when the timing is right.
“Our vision is for Pintarnya to become the everyday companion that empowers Indonesians to not only make ends meet today, but also plan, grow, and upgrade their lives tomorrow,” said Hendrawan. “In five years, we see Pintarnya as the go-to super app for Indonesia’s workers, not just for earning income, but as a trusted partner throughout their life journey.”
Pintarnya aims to be the first stop for anyone looking for work, a place to upgrade skills, and a reliable guide for making financial decisions. By addressing the unique needs of Indonesia’s informal workforce, the platform is setting a new standard for employment and financial inclusion in the region.
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