The Success of IPB University Alumni in the Edutech Startup World
Bayu Aji Pangestu’s name is increasingly recognized in the world of non-formal education and edutech startups in Indonesia. This alumnus of the Animal Product Technology (THT) Study Program, Faculty of Animal Science, IPB University, class of 54, successfully founded the Marketing Institute Indonesia, a learning platform that is now growing rapidly with thousands of participants from various backgrounds.
“After several years of operation, Marketing Institute Indonesia has grown rapidly, with a total of 4.807 participants, ranging from students, fresh graduates, to executives and business owners,” said Bayu.
Not only in terms of the number of participants, this startup has also made achievements through high graduation rates and significant alumni accomplishments. An internal survey in 2024 showed that 90 percent of alumni experienced career advancement or got a new job within 1-3 months after participating in the program.
This success is also reflected in the company’s valuation, which has now reached IDR 8 billion, as well as fresh funding of IDR 19 billion from Sequel Venture Partners from the United States.
“This funding makes us one of the edutech startups that is starting to be taken seriously in Indonesia,” he explained.
One of Bayu’s proudest achievements is the success in building a learning ecosystem that has a real impact.
“We don’t just provide theory, but also open the way to real success in the world of work. We even offer a 100 percent money guarantee for participants who do not experience a career advancement or get a new job within six months after graduation,” he said.
To date, many of his institution’s alumni hold important positions in large companies, such as Director of Operations at BRI, commissioners at PT Inalum and Adi Karya, and even new entrepreneurs.
However, Bayu realizes the enormous challenges in the education sector, especially in building trust amid the proliferation of online courses. His strategy is transparency through real testimonials, alumni achievement data, and a curriculum that is constantly updated according to industry needs.
As an alumnus of IPB University, Bayu acknowledges that the values of integrity, collaboration, and the courage to try new things are important assets in his business journey. “The problem-solving culture at IPB University has shaped me to always see challenges as opportunities,” he said.
Looking ahead, he is preparing various breakthroughs, ranging from studentpreneur programs for school students, agripreneurs for high school graduates interested in agribusiness, to the opening of hybrid learning centers in Bogor and Surabaya. New certifications such as Certified AI Professional will also be launched soon to meet the needs of the future industry.
In the next five years, Bayu hopes his institution will become the primary reference for non-formal programs in Southeast Asia, with tens of thousands of alumni. “I want to be remembered not just as an entrepreneur or educator, but as an edupreneur, someone who builds sustainable businesses while creating educational impacts that transform people’s lives,” he concluded. (MW) (IAAS/LAN)
