Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) continues to reinforce its mission as a Conservation University by empowering students and local communities through financial assistance and business incubation for sustainable start-ups. This initiative is part of the Entrepreneurial Student Development Program (Program Pembinaan Mahasiswa Wirausaha – P2MW), supported by the Directorate of Learning and Student Affairs, Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemdikbudristek).
In 2024, 19 start-ups from UNNES received financial support ranging from IDR 25–40 million each, along with mentoring and incubation under the UNNES Business Incubator (Inkubator Unit Bisnis/ IUB). These start-ups reflect UNNES’s dedication to developing businesses that are financially viable, environmentally responsible, and socially inclusive.
The funded start-ups include:
- Eco Friendly Handy Talky – Rental of communication devices using recycled batteries and casings.
- Ecozym – Rinse-free soap spray made from fermented fruit enzyme extracts.
- Effortin – Decorative acrylic products made from corn husk waste.
- ENAKHE – Nutritious instant rice meals in flameless hot bag packaging.
- Rakyfactory – End-to-end digital content production platform for students and MSMEs.
- RAMBO – Organic poultry feed supporting sustainable farming.
- J Briq Biofuel – Bio-briquettes made from corn cob waste.
- Mixzama – Sustainable batik fashion using recycled fabric in a slow fashion concept.
- Using E-Commerce – Digital platform offering community cleaning services.
- Vied Studio – Self-photo studio promoting Indonesian traditional culture.
- Ecopack+ – Eco-friendly packaging made from organic recycled materials for MSMEs.
- BioSkin Soap – Herbal soap made from natural local ingredients such as betel leaf and aloe vera.
- NaturaGlow – Natural cosmetics based on tropical plant extracts.
- SmartWaste Solution – Digital community-based waste management app.
- Green Taste Café – Zero-waste sustainable culinary business.
- EcoWear – Sustainable clothing made from recycled fabric and natural dyes.
- Kopi Konservasi Nusantara – Coffee product empowering conservation village farmers.
- LuminaCraft – Handicrafts made from industrial waste materials.
- EduTech UNNESpreneur – Digital entrepreneurship education and training platform.
Vice Rector for Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Dr. Zaenuri, M.Si., Akt., stated that this program is a concrete manifestation of UNNES’s dedication to creating sustainable economic ecosystems.
“Through these start-ups, UNNES encourages young entrepreneurs and local communities to innovate responsibly, building businesses that bring both economic and social value,” he said.
The program’s impact extends beyond campus. Several start-ups, including Kopi Konservasi Nusantara and Nestra Kottama Indonesia, have reached international recognition. Recently, Nestra Kottama Indonesia, a UNNES start-up promoting sustainable coffee and spice innovation, represented Indonesia at “Try Everything 2024” in Seoul, South Korea — showcasing eco-conscious business practices and Indonesia’s rich natural heritage on a global stage (unnes.ac.id).
Through initiatives like P2MW and international collaborations, UNNES affirms its role as a catalyst for sustainable entrepreneurship, advancing the goals of SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), while contributing to inclusive, environmentally conscious economic development.
