USU PR- The Ministry of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (Kemenkop UKM) of Indonesia, in collaboration with the Research and Innovation Development Agency of the University of North Sumatra (BPRI USU), organized a Demo Day as part of the 2023 Startup Capacity Enhancement Program. The event occurred at the Grand Antares Hotel on Tuesday(03/10/2023).

This activity represents a collaboration between the Deputy for Entrepreneurship and BPRI USU, facilitated by the Assistant Deputy for Information Technology Development and Business Incubation of the Ministry of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (Kemenkop UKM).

The participants of the Demo Day event are novice entrepreneurs or potential startup owners selected through the Tenant Selection process and have undergone the Bootcamp and Coaching Clinics I-VII activities conducted in partnership between BPRI USU and Kemenkop UKM Indonesia.

In her address, representing the Rector of the University of North Sumatra (USU), Prof. Dr. Poppy Anjelisa Zaitun Hasibuan, S.Si., M.Si., Apt, who serves as the Vice-Rector III for Research, Community Service, and Cooperation, expressed that this event presents an opportunity for startup owners at USU to enhance their capabilities and businesses.

"Hopefully, the direction of these startups will lead to their growth, allowing new startups from USU to emerge in the national and international arena in the future," stated Prof. Poppy.

Demo Day continues the previous activities, including Tenant Selection, Bootcamp, and Coaching Clinics.

Furthermore, Prof. Dr. Poppy Anjelisa Zaitun Hasibuan, S.Si., M.Si., Apt, explained that during this event, startups will present their business plans, products or services, target markets, funding needs, and funding objectives to potential investors through pitch deck sessions.

“This activity process takes approximately a year. So later, USU student products will be commercialized digitally to attract interest from potential investors in startup businesses," explained Prof. Poppy.

This initiative is driven by the issuance of Law Number 11 of 2020 on Job Creation and Government Regulation Number 7 of 2021 on the Facilitation, Protection, and Empowerment of Cooperatives, Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises, which provide opportunities for the growth of startups.

Christina Agustin, A.Pi, M.M, Assistant Deputy for Information Technology Development and Business Incubation in the Entrepreneurship Division of the Ministry of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (Kemenkop UKM), stated that USU has successfully generated innovative technology-based startups. This is evident from the emergence of 20 selected startups that will receive support to thrive, grow, and become global startups.

"Our collaboration with USU is aimed at creating innovative, technology-based startups. Currently, we have also collaborated with Japan, Korea, and Australia," Christina explained.