"We must continue to maintain and improve this good trend so it can have a real impact on increasing GDP contributions and massive absorption of labor," he added at the launch of the Creative Economy Agency for Startups (BEKUP) program here on Monday.
According to the minister, the software apps sector has immense potential, considering its value, economic turnover, Internet user base, the demographic bonus, and the number of technology startups with decacorn (market value exceeding US$10 billion) and unicorn status.
As of 2024, the Indonesian digital economy, which has emerged as the backbone of national economic growth, has also grown to be the largest in Southeast Asia. In 2024, its gross merchandise value reached US$90 billion, up 13 percent from the previous year.
In the long term, the national digital economy is projected to grow up to US$210 billion to US$360 billion by 2030.
To increase this potential, the Ministry of Creative Economy has initiated the BEKUP program to help founders raise companies that can serve as important catalysts in the growth of the domestic digital economy.
The 2020–2024 edition of the program helped around 42.5 percent of founders increase their income, 50 percent access funding, and 72 percent open new jobs.
According to Harsya, BEKUP alumni are using the program to develop digitalization services that can improve the surrounding tourism sector and contribute to the preservation of the environmental ecosystem.
"The achievements of these alumni show that BEKUP is not just an incubator, but also an accelerator driving innovation and social impact in the startup ecosystem in the country," he said.
The program can be a bridge for start-up pioneers who face challenges in building a strong and sustainable business foundation, he added.
Through the program, the Ministry of Creative Economy will assist startups, including by devising innovation-friendly regulations and providing intensive training, besides financing and investment access facilities and cross-sector collaboration spaces, including for public-private partnerships.
The ministry is also collaborating with local governments, the private sector, academics, and communities to get them actively involved in the BEKUP program using the hexa-helix approach.
Harsya appealed to investors, corporations, and industry partners to help widen access and opportunities for pioneering startups.
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Translator: Fitra Ashari, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Primayanti
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