UNAIR NEWS – The world of student competitions and career preparation is becoming increasingly competitive. Responding to this challenge, a group of Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) students introduced Mark Up, a mentoring service platform that helps students across Indonesia better prepare for various challenges, both in competitions and in career preparation.
Starting from FEB
Mark Up grew out of a student community at the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), UNAIR, with an interest in business competitions, particularly Business Case and Business Plan. From the beginning, however, they recognized that the need for mentoring to face industry was not limited to economics and business students.
“We want Mark Up to grow into a platform that is accessible to students from various backgrounds and disciplines,” Nayla, a representative of Team Mark Up, said.
Mentoring on-demand, personal, and flexible
Unlike competitors in the market that offer rigid programs, Mark Up’s main distinguishing feature is its on-demand, personalized approach to mentoring. Rather than starting with the programs it has, Mark Up starts with the problems students are currently facing.
“Each competition has different characteristics. Different organizers can have different rules, guidelines, scoring systems, selection stages, and presentation formats. Mark Up strives to guide students based on the context of the competitions they are actually entering,” she explained.
The mentoring covers various foundational aspects, from understanding the case or guidelines, validating ideas, and formulating business strategies, to conducting market analysis and financial projections and preparing pitches that meet the scoring criteria.
“Ultimately, we want Mark Up to be not only a place where students learn, but also a problem solver and support system when they face challenges,” she added.
Journey toward P2MW and KMI Expo
The idea of taking Mark Up to the national stage grew out of a desire to extend the benefits of the mentoring experience, previously enjoyed only by its internal community. As students from outside FEB and from other campuses joined, Mark Up committed to entering the selection process for the Student Entrepreneur Development Program (P2MW), eventually qualifying for the Indonesian Student Entrepreneurship (KMI) Expo.
“We see P2MW and KMI Expo as an opportunity to take Mark Up to a more serious stage. Not only as a community or student activity, but as a business that can continue to develop, make an impact, and remain sustainable in the long term,” she said.
In closing, Team Mark Up shared a motivational message for all UNAIR students who want to start a business or take part in national events.
“Our message for UNAIR students who want to start a business or compete in national events is to never stop trying and to give your all to what you’re building. Stay diligent, consistent, and patient throughout the process,” she concluded.
Author: Fauziah Laili Romadhon
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
