Alumni Business Network 2014: How to Get Funding for Your Business?

UPH Alumni Center held another Alumni Business Network with the theme of “How to Get Funding for Your Business?” on December 12, 2014 in Penang Bistro, Kebon Sirih, Jakarta. This event was aimed to reach out to alumni who have their own businesses so that they can exchange information between one another and establish networking among alumni. This event is a continuation of Alumni Business Network (ABN) which was previously held successfully and received a positive response. This second ABN presented two speakers who were also alumni of UPH, they were Hansel Kusnawa, PT. Sidojodo, Management 2003 Alumni and Rama Datau, Chairman-President of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneur Association Jakarta (HIPMI). Around 40 alumni ranging from class of 1998 to 2010 were present in this second ABN.

“Many of our alumni are already contributing in the business world either as an entrepreneur or professional. Through events like this, it becomes more than merely alumni gathering but also a means to learn. Aside from college, learning is also far more obtainable from networking. Therefore, we have set this event on a regular basis and we are planning to hold an Alumni Professional Network this February”, said Budi Legowo, Vice Chancellor for External Cooperation and Business Development.

Hansel Kusnawa sharing the story of his family?s business in obtaining capital

Hansel Kusnawa of PT. Sidojodo had the opportunity to open this event by sharing on how his family business obtained its capital. PT. Sidojodo is a company that produces herbs and spices that are later sold to traditional markets as well as to other companies (B2B). At first, Hansel was a professional who worked in an insurance company. However, the economic crisis in 2008 affected the capital of PT Sidojodo and his father fell ill so Hansel must resign from his work to replace his father.

Finally, Hansel was then ‘forced’ to participate in his own family?s company and was immediately trusted to handle the capital division. With good lectures and work experience in finance as his assets, Hansel was confident to take care of the capital of his family?s company. But in reality, Hansel who had prepared detailed financial statements with sharp analysis, still had difficulty in obtaining capital from the Bank.

“The difficulty that I felt most as that time was trust. The first time I went to the bank, I wanted to meet with the head of the bank, but it was not easy, and for the umpteenth time, I was rejected by the bank. ” said Hansel. From this experience, Hansel understood that we have to be trusted before dealing with a bank, because bank is a trust business.

He said that attitude is the most important thing in filing capital to the bank. Attitude meant by Hansel are to be honest and be humble. “If we want to file for capital to banks, this is very important. Be honest, with the data that we give to the bank. Never do a mark-up because banks will not believe. We also need to hear and have a humble attitude.”, said Hansel.

We should also be clear and understand fully the financial data that we have. So that when we are applying for capital, we really understand all the financial activities of our own company. Personal touch is also not to be forgotten, where we need to build a good relationship with the bank.

The second sharing session was hosted by Rama Datau, Chairman-President of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI). He shared his experience in obtaining capital from networking. One thing that Rama considered very important in business is Networking. “No matter how good our business idea is, if we do not have networking, it will be very difficult for us to run our business and receive funding,” said Rama.

Rama Datau sharing his experience in gaining capital from networking

The second sharing session was hosted by Rama Datau, Chairman-President of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI). He shared his experience in obtaining capital from networking. One thing that Rama considered very important in business is Networking. “No matter how good our business idea is, if we do not have networking, it will be very difficult for us to run our business and receive funding,” said Rama.

At that time, Rama who has just initiated to start a business faced the difficulty of obtaining capital. Aside from his father?s lack of support on him starting his own business, Rama?s new business does not yet have a supportive track record to invoke capital from banks. Eventually, Rama utilized networking, by submitting his business ideas to his father?s co-workers.

Rama?s work was not in vain, finally there was someone who trusted him to use the capital that was given to run his business idea. Finally, it was managed and it actually obtain a satisfactory profit. “At that time, I was 30 years old and my new venture was successful. I felt very successful because I was trusted to run my business with a capital from my colleague earlier and was able to provide satisfactory results as well,” said Rama.

In the question and answer session, how to obtain capital for companies engaging in e-commerce was discussed. Rama explained that there are actually many sources to obtail capital, one of them is by following competitions held by investors as start-ups, and then expanding the connections and sharing our business idea to investors who we considered potential. Hansel added that recognition and trust are also very important to facilitate capital gain. He agreed with Rama?s statement that by following the competition held by banks, we can raise capital more easily.

Tips on how to make a projection or forecast of new businesses acquiring capital was also discussed. Both speakers emphasized that the forecast should be realistic and detailed, because when the business runs, it should match and not deviate from the forecast. Hansel added that in addition to realistic and detail, all the data should be based on surveys, so that the bank can see that we really know and are ready to run this business.

After the question and answer session, participants ate dinner together and took advantage of this opportunity to establish relationships among the alumni. Photo sessions and doorprize distributions to the alumni were also not forgotten. (ca)

Participants doing the re-registration

The two speakers of the 2nd ABN: Rama Datau and Hansel Kusnawa