Budi Rahardjo, Technopreneur Inspiratif Berjiwa Rocker
*Budi Rahardjo gave a public lecture in the West Hall of ITB, (30/1/2019)
BANDUNG, itb.ac.id - Becoming an entrepreneur isn't easy, but that doesn't mean it's difficult. Especially in this era of Industry 4.0, where numerous changes are occurring, one must be able to keep up with technological developments and understand what society needs in the digital age.
At the Studium Generale KU-4078 Wednesday (31/1/2019), the Bandung Institute of Technology invited Ir. Budi Rahardjo, M.Sc., Ph.D., as a speaker. Lecturer from STEI ITB who is a member of the Expertise Group Computer Engineering He has several professions. Budi Rahardjo is not only an entrepreneur. In addition to teaching at STEI and SBM ITB, he is also an IT expert, writer, researcher, speaker, information security consultant, blogger, and musician.
His IT expertise, coupled with his entrepreneurial skills, has made Budi a technopreneur, someone who runs a technology business. In this public lecture, Budi shared his experiences building his company with 700 ITB students in the West Hall.
* Sandro Mihradi (Chairman of LK), Budi Rahardjo, Luqman (Budi's son), and M. Amin Sulthoni (moderator)
Budi is someone who has founded many companies more than once. He has also established PT Riset Kecerdasan Buatan, Digital Beat Store, ID-CERT, and PT Insan Infonesia, among others. He is also an investor in startups. Of the companies Budi has founded or invested in, only a few have been successful. The reasons for their failure are usually due to a lack of human resources or having an idea that was 10 years too young and therefore didn't have a market.
But these failures didn't discourage Budi from pursuing entrepreneurship. The rock music fanatic continued to create products, seek investors, and try to market them. A strong reason he persevered was because Budi believed it wasn't about the money. "I want something to contribute, something I create, that is useful in solving problems. I want to make a dent in this universe," he said enthusiastically.
Budi also offered powerful tips to students aspiring to become entrepreneurs. First, if you don't know what you want to create or sell, start by asking yourself, "What problem do I need to solve?" Second, invite colleagues who share your vision. If you have different visions, your company won't run smoothly. Third, analyze market needs. Finally, keep trying and never give up. "Failure is inevitable," he said, comforting the students.
"Failing is acceptable and forgivable. What's not acceptable is cheating," he said. At the end of the event, he entertained the Studium Generale attendees by singing Queen's "We Are the Champions," accompanied by his son's guitar accompaniment.
* Budi Raharjo singing Queen's song at the end of his public lecture
The seminar was opened by the Head of the ITB Student Affairs Organization, Dr. Eng. Sandro Mihradi. In his remarks, he stated that based on tracer studies conducted by ITB over the past few years, 7% of ITB graduates choose to become entrepreneurs. However, in the third year after graduation, this figure drops to 5%.
"Some say their entrepreneurship is temporary; others see their businesses go bankrupt and choose to become regular employees," he said. Sandro hopes ITB students will find inspiration to become resilient entrepreneurs like Budi Rahardjo.*