Universitas Indonesia (UI) held a Pitching Day x Networking Session with the theme “Innovate and Elevate: Transforming Ideas to Impact” at the UI Science Techno Park Building, 1st Floor, on November 2, 2024. This activity was initiated by INNOVARE UI, a business and innovation club under the Department of Student Empowerment and Innovation, Student Executive Board (BEM) UI.
In her remarks, the Vice Rector for Research and Innovation, Universitas Indonesia, drg. Nurtami, Ph.D., Sp,OF(K)., said that innovation is very necessary in creating a healthy business research climate. “Innovation and collaboration are very important in supporting the development of Sustainable entrepreneurship in Indonesia in order to create synergy between academics, industry players, and government institutions in realizing common goals,” she added. Head of Student Reasoning and Creativity Sub-Directorate, UI Student Affairs Directorate, Mr. Helman Arif, S.E., M.M., also said that UI is always present to support positive student activities, especially to encourage the growth of young entrepreneurs who produce impactful startups.
This activity began with networking, where participants and audiences had the opportunity to interact directly with the judges, venture companies, angle investors, and industry partners. Continued with a pitching session, where participants from eight universities competed to introduce the business innovations they designed, ranging from technology, health, and MSMEs. Each idea was presented with the aim of attracting the attention of professionals and investors such as representatives from the UI Alumni Association (ILUNI UI), Arkana Venture, and PT Lintas Teknologi Evolusi.
The Business Pitching Day event was guided and judged directly by a team of judges who are experts in their fields, such as Budi Thomas, CEO of Jacquelle; Mohammad Ikhsan, Co-founder of Pahamify; Gumelar Setiaji, Founder and CEO of PT Bina Mutu Bangsa; Aurelia Beryl Foustine, Junior Investment Associate at SPIL Venture; and Dhiera Anarchy Rihi Lay, Program Officer at Future Lestari. The judges provided critical feedback on students’ business ideas related to innovation and long-term potential, business scale, marketing and market appeal, and scalability of production technology.
This event is the culmination of a series of INNOVARE UI activities that were previously carried out by INNOClub activities, namely a business boot camp platform to support business development for entrepreneurs, startups, and professionals. INNOClub was held online for two months and was attended by more than 20 teams from various universities in Indonesia. This activity was carried out to build a business mindset, validate business models, increasing capacity, competence, and business networks. Participants have the opportunity to connect directly with expert mentors who help them hone their skills, as well as get practical guidance in realizing sustainable and innovative business ideas.
Head of Business Incubator Sub-Directorate of Innovation and Science Techno Park (DISTP) UI, Prasandhya Astagiri Yusuf, Ph.D., expressed his appreciation to all committees and participants and hopes that this activity can continue. “INNOClub INNOVARE UI activities are very important and the best prospective founders will be encouraged to join the UI INCUBATE DISTP UI program with direct funding to further develop their businesses,” he said. INNOVARE UI also collaborates extensively with DISTP UI, the Pijar Foundation, and the Indonesian Ministry of Finance to provide support for the sustainability of the INNOVARE UI event.
With the success of the Pitching Day and Networking Session activities, INNOVARE UI once again shows its commitment to supporting the development of young Indonesian entrepreneurs towards sustainable growth. This activity is an important momentum in preparing students as prospective innovative and resilient entrepreneurs, who are ready to face the dynamics of the global market. Business Pitching Day 2024 creates a space to share insights, develop networks, and encourage a spirit of collaboration among creative and solution-oriented young generations.
