Groupon today announced the acquisition of Disdus, one of Indonesia’s leading group-buying sites, as it expands its presence in Southeast Asia. The newly renamed Groupon Indonesia will join 46 other markets in Groupon’s network including Groupon’s recent acquisitions in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
“In just a few months after its launch, Disdus has become the market leader and a first class example of collective buying site. Groupon Indonesia will harness strength of the Groupon network to sharpen the way local businesses reach customers throughout Southeast Asia,” said Rob Solomon, former Groupon President and COO, who announced his resignation from the Chicago company on March 22.
Disdus currently serves Jakarta and Bandung and will expand its market throughout Indonesia by the end of the year. Its merchants range from companies and franchises under the Mitra Adi Perkasa group, one of Indonesia’s largest retail groups, Sushi Tei, Cold Stone Creamery, Amazing Water World, blitzmegaplex cinema chain, hotels, recreation centers, and many more.
Groupon Indonesia will be led by Disdus founder and CEO Jason Lamuda. While this is East Venture’s first exit among its investments in several Indonesian startups, managing partner Willson Cuaca declined to comment on the acquisition.
Below is the translated press release which was sent to us originally in Indonesian:
Groupon (http://www.groupon.com) announced the launch of Groupon Indonesia through the acquisition of discount site Disdus (http://www.disdus.com) without further details of the acquisition agreement.
By using the principle of collective buying, Groupon negotiated unique discounts with leading business people and disseminate this discount program to customers via daily email. Groupon has created a new marketing tool that’s very effective for local stores in thousands of cities around the world. Innovative approach using e-commerce has successfully brought millions of dollars of additional revenue for local businesses and generate savings of nearly 2 billion dollars for consumers around the world.
The launch marks the continuing growth of Groupon to Indonesia and expanding its reach throughout Southeast Asia. Disdus currently serve Greater Jakarta and Bandung, with plans to expand its reach into major cities in Indonesia by the end of 2011. Disdus known as a Indonesia’s leading collective buying site. Disdus currently overs discounts from businesses such as Sushi Tei, Blitz Megaplex, Amazing Water World, and many more.
“In a few months since its launch, Disdus has become the market leader and first-class example of collective buying,” said Rob Solomon, president and COO Groupon. “Groupon Indonesia will harness the power of marketing using Groupon’s network to sharpen the way local businesses reach customers throughout Southeast Asia. ”
Groupon Indonesia joins the global network, which offers the most lucrative transactions for millions of customers in 46 countries. Groupon has more than 6,000 employees worldwide.