IPB University’s Business Incubation Program Dominated by Female Startup CEOs
The startup world is often synonymous with fierce competition and relentless innovation. Behind these dynamics, however, women remain a minority in the global startup landscape. Various reports indicate that only about 13–18 percent of startup founders are women. Yet, recent data shows that women-led startups generate greater value while requiring less funding or capital.
Interestingly, a different picture emerges in IPB University’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. In the 2025 Business Incubation Program, as many as 57 percent of startups are led by female CEOs. This composition serves as a strong indicator that female leadership in the innovation-based startup sector is beginning to demonstrate competitiveness.
These achievements align with the improved business performance of the tenants. Overall, startup revenue increased from Rp119,48 billion to Rp165,72 billion, representing 39 percent growth. In terms of economic impact, the number of jobs created also rose from 684 to 832, an increase of 22 percent. This means that incubation not only accelerates business growth but also expands socio-economic contributions to the community.
By business sector, the majority of startups operate in the food sector (51%), followed by agriculture (35%), biosciences (8%), and ICT/industry (6%). This composition demonstrates the consistency of the incubation program in developing agromaritime and bioscience-based innovations as IPB University’s core strengths.
The Rector of IPB University, Dr Alim Setiawan Slamet, stated that these achievements serve as tangible proof of the university’s role in fostering innovative entrepreneurs who make a meaningful impact.
“This incubation program isn’t just about nurturing businesses, it’s about building an inclusive and sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem. We’re proud that the majority of these startups are led by women. This demonstrates that women’s leadership plays a strategic role in driving innovation and economic growth,” he said.
He added that IPB University will continue to strengthen collaborations with industry, startups, and research and development institutions, both national and international. In addition to incubation, IPB University also promotes acceleration programs to help startups scale up and compete on a global level.
“Universities must serve as drivers of an innovation-based economy. We want to ensure that the research and technology produced do not remain confined to the laboratory, but grow into businesses that create jobs and provide broad benefits to society,” he emphasized. (AS) (IAAS/LAN)
