In support of the development of interest in entrepreneurship by millennials, UPH SPARKLABS becomes the means provided by Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH) in encouraging the development of business ideas based on technologies around university students. UPH held the Startup Competition from 26 to 28 November 2019 at UPH Lippo Village campus.

According to Radityo Fajar, Director of UPH SPARKLABS INCUBATION, this is the first time they held a Startup Competition, which focuses on idea-building processes to solve existing problems among the people. The competition is open to all students from all levels. The aim is so that there is an interaction of ideas that can be evaluated at all levels, starting from the freshest ideas to ideas that have been carried out not to its fullest.

The competition takes on a theme of ‘Dare to Take Risk and Fulfill Your Dream’, which is based on the fact that future entrepreneurs are still hesitant. The first step we want to take is to push them because the first step in becoming an entrepreneur is to be brave in making decisions for their business ideas.

Fajar explained, “The first step we want to take is to push their courage because the first stage in becoming an entrepreneur is to be brave in making decisions.”

Furthermore, in the judging process, we involved a competent and unique judging panel, comprised of the education industry, the CEO of a multinational company, a successful alumnus, and an internal incubator.

Ivan Tandyo, CEO of Navanti and a member of the panel, said, “I believe that a person who is eager to work in entrepreneurship must have a purpose. Entrepreneurship can’t be forced, but it must be a calling accompanied by perseverance. On the technical side, an aspiring entrepreneur must observe the market and come up with solutions to every problem because where there is a problem, there is an opportunity. From there, we develop business. According to me, the participants have carried out the first step properly. What UPH is doing with Navanti right now is something I have not experienced when I started, so I feel that this is a good thing.”

The main factor in the judging assessments is how the idea produced is able to become a solution for many people. Another criterion is how the idea falls within the Business Model Canvas (BMC). The BMC can help measure what the target market is and how possible is the revenue stream such that the idea can be worked on as a solution and such that it will be sustainable. This is also such that the idea will be used not for profit.

The competition has 31 participants divided into five groups with its own business ideas. The five ideas cover many areas.

Radityo said, “The five ideas are unique. The first is a business idea that strives to answer problems in education through an application called Tutoria, which is an application that connects tutors and students. The second idea is a Market Helper with a mission to empower traditional markets to become modern markets and to connect millennials with few times to choose ingredients according to their wants. The third idea is an auctioning application for Indonesia because it is underdeveloped as of now. The fourth idea is to help farmers in remote areas to create manufacturing products such that they will be the first suppliers. The final idea is to create a drone that is equipped with AI technology that can detect fertilizer content in farming areas.”

After completing the assessment phase, it was announced that the first-place winner was Tutoria, which was the business idea that connects tutors with their students. The second-place winner was Mata Nusa, which is the consultation business idea for oil palm businessmen. The third-place winner was Lalang Team, which created the application for auctions in Indonesia. The first- and second-place winners received gifts sponsored by Nobu Bank.

The first-place winner team Tutoria was comprised of six International Management 2017 students, who are Wesly Kevin, Alvin Harwin, William Rafel G., Yonda Windya, Marvin Liang, and Michael Japardi. They all felt that this competition was beneficial to their experiences.

Wesly and his five friends said, “Participating in this competition is the right decision for us, who had the business idea for over one year. The idea came up when we realized that it is difficult for us to find a tutor that can help us in university. Therefore, our ideas converged to the Tutoria app, which can help solve this problem. The competition motivated us to keep on trying. It is amazing how beneficial the competition is because we get professional mentoring and we learned a great deal over the course of three days.”

The competition did not stop here. It was continued at the Pitching Day stage, where students will compete to receive funds for their business ideas and to develop it. This will happen on May-June 2020.