Building a successful startup is never easy. It involves risk, failure, and constant iteration. For Dayu Dara Permata, co-founder and CEO of Pinhome, an Indonesian property transaction platform, this journey of building her business from the ground up has been no exception. But for her, failure isn’t something to be feared—it’s something to embrace.
Pinhome’s Journey: From Garage to $75 Million in Funding
At just 36 years old, Permata has built Pinhome into a company that’s raised over $75 million in funding, turning it into one of the leading players in Indonesia’s real estate transaction space. The platform connects homebuyers, sellers, and agents, providing an efficient, tech-driven solution to the country’s traditionally fragmented property market.
What makes Pinhome’s journey even more remarkable is its humble beginnings. Permata started the company in her own garage, bootstrapping the business with limited resources. Over five years, she and her team have navigated the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, working tirelessly to grow and refine their product.
Failure is Part of the Process
For Permata, failure isn’t something to avoid at all costs—it’s a key part of growth. Reflecting on her journey, she tells CNBC Make It: “Entrepreneurship is really hard. There’s no instant success… You just have to be ready to fail.” Permata believes that those who try to avoid failure altogether are simply delaying their growth.
“Maybe you’re not trying enough — that’s why you’ve not seen failures, but what it does is it’s really hindering growth,” she adds. In her experience, failure is often the necessary ingredient for figuring out what works. It’s not about avoiding mistakes, but rather learning from them and continuing to improve.
The Mindset of a True Entrepreneur
What sets successful entrepreneurs apart from others is their mindset. Permata’s approach to failure is a prime example of the resilience needed to thrive in the world of startups. While failure may feel like the end of the road for some, she sees it as a learning opportunity—a stepping stone to building something greater.
Her message to budding entrepreneurs is clear: don’t fear failure, embrace it. Instead of letting it stop you, let it fuel your determination to innovate and grow.
The Hard Truth About Startup Success
Though Pinhome has seen significant success in raising funding and expanding its reach, Permata doesn’t shy away from the tough realities of startup life. It’s not an easy road, and there are no shortcuts to success. She notes, “Success is not instant. It’s about continuously adapting, iterating, and pushing forward—even when things seem uncertain.”
For Permata, every setback is a lesson learned, and every success is a direct result of those lessons. She knows that without the failures, there would be no growth. And without growth, there would be no Pinhome.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Pinhome
With $75 million raised and a proven track record, Pinhome is now poised for even greater success in the future. The company plans to continue expanding its tech-driven solutions in Indonesia’s real estate market, improving the way people buy and sell homes across the country.
But for Permata, the journey is far from over. She’s still pushing forward, ready to face whatever challenges and failures come next. For her, success is not a destination—it’s a continuous journey of learning, growing, and evolving.
