Through The 2023 Covering Program, Sandiaga Wants To Produce Quality Digital Startups

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf) launched the "Baparekraf for Startup (Bekup) 2023" program to increase the number of quality digital startups in the country, so as to strengthen economic revival and open employment opportunities.

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf) Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno said that his party is committed to building a better digital startup ecosystem, so that it can create quality digital startups.

"Covering is a space for digital startups to increase their capacity and ability with the skills & knowledge needed in running start-up businesses, as well as opening up opportunities for startup players who have plans to build an innovative digital product-based long-term business," Sandiaga said in a written statement, quoted on Friday, March 3.

'Covering' as a sustainable incubation program, said Sandiaga, opens up opportunities for startup founders, in order to take advantage of the potential of the digital economy to encourage Indonesia's economic growth.

The Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy explained, at the 2023 BEKUP, the participants had the opportunity to take part in the bootcamp with mentors from professionals, as well as assistance to help overcome the problems faced by startup founders and participate in demonstration day.

"Closing provides an opportunity for startup founders to get support and facilities that suit the needs of startup founders. This facilitation is needed, so that they can overcome the various challenges they may face," said Sandiaga.

Menparekraf hopes that through this program, tourism actors and the creative economy, especially startups, can take a role in creating innovative and modern solutions to face every challenge that exists, in order to support and encourage Indonesia's digital startup ecosystem in realizing national economic optimism in 2023.

"In the 2023 Coverage, we are targeting 24 startups to be able to follow the incubation for three months with comprehensive training materials. After participating in the training, we hope that there will be a direct impact on startups and the wider community," Sandiaga explained.

Meanwhile, Deputy for Digital Economy and Creative Products of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy Muhammad Neil El Himam said the government together with stakeholders are trying to create a digital startup ecosystem that supports the growth of Indonesia's digital startups.

The creation of a digital startup ecosystem at a global level will spur Indonesian startups to be more competitive in Indonesia, so that they can compete at the global level.

"In this program, we will provide learning in accordance with a curriculum that is tested and supported by experienced mentors and experts in the Indonesian startup industry," said Neil.

Since 2020, said Neil, Bekup has facilitated 300 startups at various levels and they have succeeded in increasing the average startup's average survival rate to 58 percent higher than the startup average of only 10 percent could last more than three years.

The average participant who has participated in the BEKUP also shows revenue growth which reaches 256 percent and customer growth of 246 percent within one to two years. This proves, that through this program, participants have the opportunity to increase business scale.

"After participating in this program, startups are expected to be able to create innovation and technology to be able to have a positive impact, such as growing the economy and providing new jobs," he added.

For your information, the registration for the 2023 BEKUP program is officially open from March 2-21, 2023. To socialize this program, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy will also carry out roadshows in three cities, namely Bandung, Semarang, and Surabaya.