Heaptalk, Jakarta — The Diplomat Success Challenge (DSC) Season 15, an entrepreneurial competition under the Wismilak Foundation, received 36,712 business proposals, with registrations held from June to September 2024. This number broke the record for the highest in the program’s history, initiated in 2010.
Eight business proposals passed the selection process and received business grants and intensive mentoring, totaling Rp2.5 billion, approximately US$153 million (US$1 equals Rp16,340). Diverse business categories participated in this competition, including precision instrument manufacturing, digital education, creative industries, animal health services, and sustainable fashion accessories.
The grant recipients were Indra Purwidiyanto (Naruna Ceramics), Reza Rahman (Gentanala), Devasari Rahmawati (Faber Instrument Indonesia), Teguh Hidayat (Jasgo Academy), Carolina Ardelia (Colore Art & Craft), Muhamad Haikal Azhari (Kamaye), Ivan Taufiq Nugraha (Sutan Vet Medika), and Ariq Syah (Maore).
Naruna Ceramics got the best award
Indra Purwidiyanto, founder of Naruna Ceramics, received the Best of the Best award at the final event of DSC Season 15. The ceramics craft business started from a small garage in Salatiga, Central Java, and has served international markets in 16 countries. Indra applies sustainability principles by utilizing recycled materials such as wood waste, used tires, and Merapi ash while empowering more than 100,000 local customers through skills training.
What Indra does at Naruna Ceramics aligns with the values the Diplomat Success Challenge upholds. According to Surjanto Yasaputera, Chairman of the DSC Board of Commissioners, understanding challenges and opportunities, skillful implementation of innovative solutions, and an inspiring leadership persona are the qualities that enable an entrepreneur to survive, thrive, and create sustainable positive impacts on the environment and society.
“Indra Purwidiyanto exemplifies how the three pillars of DSC, namely understand, skilled, and persona, become a comprehensive benchmark for an entrepreneur’s success. Businesses may change over time, but the strength of these pillars is the solid foundation,” Surjanto said in the DSC Season 15 Final press conference in South Jakarta (02/04).
Allowing entrepreneurs to share experiences
Edric Chandra, DSC Program Initiator, stated that DSC continues to innovate beyond competition by presenting more comprehensive programs, strategic collaborations, and a growing support ecosystem. He said, “Every year, DSC adapts to trends, technological digitalization, and market needs, ensuring that every entrepreneur born from this program has the best access and opportunities to grow.”
Furthermore, Andanu Prasetyo, CEO of Maka Group, which oversees the Kopi Tuku coffee shop brand and was appointed as Coach of DSC Season 15, revealed that an entrepreneur often feels like a lonely journey full of challenges and struggles. Therefore, collaboration and networking are essential elements to support business sustainability. This competition allows entrepreneurs to connect, share experiences, and create strategic collaborations.
DSC Season 15 also collaborated with many parties, including TNT AL, Pelni, and several brands under Obermain, Dama Kara, Justine Studio, and Saparo. This collaboration is expected to open opportunities for young entrepreneurs to grow, innovate, and reach broader markets.
