Encouraging Students to Become Resilient Entrepreneurs, IPB University Holds PRIME SteP 2025 Hackathon Bootcamp

IPB University, through its Science and Technology Park Agency (LKST), successfully held its first Hackathon Bootcamp for startups participating in the Promoting Research and Innovation through Modern and Efficient Science and Technology Parks Project (PRIME STeP) 2025.

The event, which took place on September 19–20, was held at the Startup Center Building, IPB Taman Kencana Campus, Bogor. The program serves as a platform for students to generate creative ideas that can be developed into real solutions for society.

“Hackathons are an important medium for producing potential startups from students. The creativity and innovation we expect from students will eventually make them resilient entrepreneurs after graduation,” said Prof Erika B Laconi, Chairperson of LKST IPB University.

She reported that this year, more than 40 candidates were selected to form Hackathon teams. Not only IPB University, but two other universities in Bogor, namely Pakuan University and Ibnu Khaldun University, also participated.

Prof Erika added that cross-university collaboration is expected to further strengthen the innovation and startup ecosystem in the country. “The hope is that every university’s dream of creating strong businesses can be realized together,” she said.

The Director General of Research and Development (Dirjen Risbang) of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek), Dr Fauzan Adziman, was present. In his remarks, he emphasized that this bootcamp was designed to give students the opportunity to turn their ideas into prototype solutions.

“Over the course of one to two months, participants will complete a number of challenges. The results will be prototypes, and the winners will receive Rp35 million in funding to develop their ideas,” he explained.

Furthermore, Dr Fauzan referred to this program as the embryo of a sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem. “In the future, we are preparing startup and accelerator schemes, as well as strategic investment support for successfully developed products.

He said, “IPB University has built a strong ecosystem, with students who have a high interest in becoming entrepreneurs. The hope is that new jobs will be created as well as knowledge that will benefit society,” he added.

In line with this, Dr Beginer Subhan, Director of Student Affairs at IPB University, emphasized that Hackathon is in line with IPB’s vision as a techno-socio-preneur campus. “Students are the main subjects in fostering a techno-socio-preneur mindset. Through this activity, such character is strengthened, while also driving innovations that can be commercialized and have a tangible impact on society,” he said. (AS) (IAAS/KQA)