UNAIR NEWS – The Center for Business Acceleration and Innovation (PASINBIS) at Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) held an information session on its business incubator program, titled “Startup Recruitment Registration 2026 Batch 2” as a step to strengthen the business ecosystem in Indonesia.
PASINBIS UNAIR Secretary Dr Achsania Hendratmi MSi said entrepreneurship development is a priority at the state university level. As a world-class university, she noted, UNAIR sees the event as its first step in producing embryonic student startups. “I think this is the first step in efforts to develop entrepreneurship at universities across Indonesia,” she said.
Building startup ecosystem from campus
Dr Hendratmi said the effort runs through several stages, from ideation and pre-startup to startup and post-startup. At the startup stage, students receive mentoring that includes prototype testing, market research, and initial product validation before moving on to the next stage. “Next, we will help with the business incubation process, which is usually under contract for one to three years. During that time, there are various facilities such as a bootcamp, business matchmaking, and early-stage funding. There is also some assistance for institutions,” she said.
Efforts to develop student startups are also supported by various parts of the university. At the study program and faculty levels, development is offered through project-based entrepreneurship courses that produce prototypes and embryonic startups. Next, the Directorate of Academic Affairs will provide support through an exhibition of student work. Finally, Airlangga Enterprise serves as the last unit, helping student startups and businesses scale up economically. The hope is that this synergy among units will sustain student business ideas, from ideation to marketing.
Preparing startups for market
PASINBIS UNAIR is currently considering startup units that have potential and contribute to the university. So far, five startups have been connected with Airlangga Enterprise as part of the entrepreneurship development effort.
Of the 144 active startups, 103 have received funding. Several of these student-led businesses have also succeeded in launching products, conducting market research, and reaching early sales targets as a form of market validation. “In line with the Rector’s mandate, if possible, the owners will also be able to build large startups that not only make it through, but also contribute directly to industry, whether through share ownership, dividends, or a convertible mechanism,” she concluded.
Author: Amelia Farah Putri I.
Editor: Ragil Kukuh Imanto
