Closing 2024 with the spirit of sharing knowledge and fostering young digital talents, ecommerceloka had the opportunity to become one of the startup mentors in a digital business competition held by Primakara University on December 6, 2024, a digital-based technology campus known for being active in producing talented young entrepreneurs in Indonesia.
This competition is not only a place to compete in creative business ideas, but also a place for direct learning from industry practitioners. For two days, the participants consisting of selected student teams pitched their business ideas to startup CEOs who acted as investors and mentors.
As a hospitality e-commerce startup that has partnered with more than 300 hotel and villa properties throughout Indonesia, ecommerceloka plays an important role in this event, namely as a business mentor for one of the finalist teams. Co-Founder & CEO of ecommerceloka, Nico S. Wiratama, was also present in person to provide strategic direction and practical insights to participants regarding the digital world and hotel e-commerce.
"We believe that the success of the digital industry in the future is highly dependent on the regeneration of young, adaptive and innovative talent. Through its role as a mentor, ecommerceloka wants to be part of the growth process of future digital founders and practitioners," said Nico.
The first day opened with a pitching session from each participating team in front of the CEOs present. With a format like the real world, the mentors then selected the team they wanted to mentor intensively until the end of the competition. ecommerceloka selected one team with strong digital idea potential and demonstrated a high willingness to learn. This selection process not only considered business feasibility, but also the long-term vision and team spirit to grow.
On the second day, the selected teams received a special mentoring session from their respective CEOs. In this session, ecommerceloka focused on sharing insights on how to build a strong digital foundation, market validation strategies, and the importance of agility in developing a start-up business. The enthusiasm of the participants was palpable. Many ideas developed rapidly in just one night thanks to guidance from practitioners who truly understand the challenges of the industry.
The peak of the event was marked by the final assessment and announcement of the winners. One of the proudest moments for ecommerceloka was when one of the teams mentored directly by ecommerceloka managed to win the championship. This is real proof that collaboration between industry experience and youthful enthusiasm can produce extraordinary results. "Their passion, courage, and curiosity are extraordinary. We believe that if they continue to be honed with the right direction, they will become an important part of the future of Indonesia's digital ecosystem," said Mr. Nico S Wiratama after the announcement of the winners.
For ecommerceloka, this event is not just a competition, but part of the journey to build a more inclusive and strong digital industry. The role as a mentor is a real form of contribution to the education and innovation ecosystem, in line with ecommerceloka's vision to produce more digital talents who are ready to work in the industry.
In the future, ecommerceloka will continue to open up collaboration spaces with educational institutions, startup communities, and young Indonesian talents to build a more competitive, inclusive, and impactful digital industry. Because for ecommerceloka, the digital future is not just about technology, but about great people who are able to use it to create change.