Gaia Wins First Place in the University of Indonesia's Largest Young Entrepreneurship Competition
A team from ITB has once again achieved success in a prestigious competition. This time, Team Gaia emerged as the first place winner of the 5th UI Studentpreneurs competition held by the University of Indonesia. The winners were announced on Awarding Nightwhich was held on Saturday (20/02/2016) at the BULOG Building, East Kuningan. The Gaia team consisted of Muhammad Syarifudin (Petroleum Engineering 2012), Fajar Bahari (Electrical Engineering 2012), and Nadia Talitha Tanjung (Industrial Engineering Management 2012), and was one of four ITB representative teams competing in this event.
The 5th UI Studentpreneurs is the largest youth entrepreneurship competition at the University of Indonesia. The event, which ran from Tuesday to Saturday (February 16-20, 2016), included competitions. business plan, a national seminar, and an academy & young entrepreneurship summit as the main event. This event aims to instill positive values in young entrepreneurs, namely Impactful Entrepreneur And High Innovation Business Idea.
From hundreds business plan who entered, 10 were selected business plan which came from the ten best teams. Next, these ten teams departed for the University of Indonesia to participate in a series of competitions consisting of training sessions, seminars, and the culminating competition, namely pitching final presentation in front of angel investor and judges from various companies and venture capitalists seperti David Soukhasing (Head of ANGIN of GEPI), Adi Putera Widjaja (Founder Garudapreneurs), Nazier Ariffin (Associate of Fenox Venture Capital), Melisa Irene (Associate of East Ventures), Joshua Agusta (Head of Indigo of MDI Ventures), and Aryo Ariotedjo (Managing Partner GRUPARA. Inc).
“The most memorable experience was when ., because we . in front of investors. The questions were different, asking about our readiness, what we had in mind. They didn't ask about business plan", but rather asked about our team's readiness to implement it later," said Titha (Nadia Talitha's nickname). "After a week, we received training and attended seminars with speakers who excel in their fields, finally we were given time to present our business concept & value from our business, so we can persuade the judges in just two minutes," added Syarif.
A Glance at the Gaia App
Gaia itself began with the founders' concerns about how and what systems could be implemented to curb the consumerism that is truly occurring around them, especially in Jakarta. "Gaia is trying to transform the concept of the sharing economy, which is expected to disrupt this problematic system by utilizing the concepts of services, technology, and the creative industry in an integrated manner," said Fajar.
Gaia is a mobile app which facilitates rental fancy dress specifically for women. The advantage of this application is that besides simplifying the rental process, Gaia empowers local designers. Gaia is not only about profit, but also serves as a platform for developing their work. For local designers, the biggest obstacle they often face is marketing, so by utilizing service"We believe that by developing technology and the creative industry through Gaia, we can help them (local designers - ed.)," said Syarif.
Konsep technology based business chosen because nowadays people want something that is fast, easy, and can reach as wide a reach as possible. “In addition, nowadays many people use smartphone"The point is to provide easy access," Titha added. This business hasn't been implemented yet due to funding and time constraints. Fortunately, through this competition, Gaia met investors and incubators interested in this idea.InsyaAllah "We will soon really make this business a reality," the three Gaia founders hope.
Differences in Majors and Backgrounds Provide Added Value
The three members of Team Gaia come from different majors: Electrical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, and Industrial Engineering Management. Their diverse backgrounds provide diversity within Team Gaia. "Although our business concept doesn't align with our educational backgrounds, this allows us to better...explore "With the concept we have now, we can see all the strengths and weaknesses from a more diverse perspective," said Syarif. "At first glance, these different backgrounds might seem like weaknesses, but in the end, they actually become our strengths," he continued.
Each member of the Gaia Team has their own role in the success of their product. Structurally within the Gaia organization, Syarif, who is a Petroleum Engineering graduate, is also... Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Gaia, acts as a communicator, becoming a liaison between GAIA and designers as the most important part of the Gaia application. Fajar, from Electrical Engineering acts asChief Technology Officer (CTO) who is responsible for any information regarding mobile appswhich is a key platform for their business operations. Titha from Industrial Engineering Management plays a role as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), has a vital role in this team to work on the financial and marketing aspects.
"A good competition that comprehensively summarizes the essentials of doing business. It's a platform like this that ITB students need today to actualize themselves, not focusing on becoming something, but on being able to accomplish something," Fajar explained when asked about the role of competitions for ITB students. Regarding tips and tricks for participating in competitions, Syarif advised, "Don't let our backgrounds be a limitation, but rather make them our starting capital to create. If you have a solution/idea to solve a problem, don't hesitate to take that role."
Sumber : http://www.itb.ac.id/news/5086.xhtml