Inspirational, Senior Lecturer at STEI ITB, Expert in Entrepreneurship in the Technology Sector

When it comes to the world of entrepreneurship, there are certainly advantages and disadvantages. The advantage is complete control over the business. However, the challenges are no less significant. For example, you must manage your income and expenses to avoid losses.

This challenge did not stop Mr. Syarif's enthusiasm for entrepreneurship in a field rarely touched by others. The man whose full name is Dr. Ir. Syarif Hidayat He was the first person in Indonesia to write a doctoral thesis on lightning. Interestingly, he is currently focusing more on the technical and business aspects of submarine cable deployment.

“I consider myself to be engineer. That is, I measure my own performance by the product I create. But the product doesn't always have to be an object. So, it can be... software, "Policy. Well, I happen to be focusing on the manufacturing aspects of the product," explained the man who has produced various products from his thesis, such as lightning detection devices, lightning protection devices, and lightning test equipment.

It was the production of technological goods that led Mr. Syarif to the world of entrepreneurship. This desire arose when he saw that not many people were brave enough to venture into this field. One of his current businesses, the phenomenal deployment of electrical cables, is one.

"It seems funny, doesn't it? I went to school as the son of Zeus, but ended up pursuing a profession as the son of Poseidon," joked the man who now serves as an associate professor at ITB. "The connection is... blue ocean. I value myself as a wanderer. So I venture into things that others wouldn't dare, but that common sense dictates should be done. Somebody get to do that..

He also said that to be successful in becoming entrepreneur, Two conditions are needed: the first is the courage to take risks, while the second is a positive attitude to life to see opportunities.

Mr. Syarif then explained that his first patent had nothing to do with lightning or submarine cables. Instead, his first patent was for an environmentally friendly urinal flushing device. This is one of his businesses that continues to generate revenue to this day. "Similarly, when I saw the submarine cable issue, no one dared to pursue it, for me it was actually an opportunity (for business)," he added.

In addition to his submarine cable installation business, he currently runs a high-voltage electrical equipment business. He believes that these "heavyweight" businesses have fewer competitors, thus offering greater profit potential.

"It's great to have no competition in business, isn't it? But that's what I said. To be competitive, we have to be brave enough to venture into a realm that we think is safe, but others think is unsafe.

"What we see on the surface is the fruit of dreams. What our nation sorely lacks is dreaming. No one dares to dream and achieve anything," said Mr. Syarif when asked about the differences between Indonesia and other developed nations. 

"Because when it comes to resources, we're actually equal. All that's missing is a shared dream as a nation."