Jakarta, 28 November 2025 – The Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency held the BEKUP Accelerate Demo Day 2025, connecting 10 selected startups with investors following an intensive acceleration program. Minister of Creative Economy, Teuku Riefky Harsya, stated that strengthening creative startups—particularly in the application subsector, which has attracted IDR 27.48 trillion in investment—is a strategic foundation for achieving Indonesia Emas 2045 and creating high-quality jobs.
Menteri Ekonomi Kreatif, Teuku Riefky Harsya, menyampaikan keynote speech pada acara BEKUP Accelerate Demo Day 2025 di Double Tree Hilton, Jakarta, Jumat (28/11/2025).
“We recognize that digital creativity, especially in the application subsector, plays a crucial role in fulfilling the Asta Cita of President Prabowo. Above all, it positions the creative economy as a driver for two national strategic agendas: creating high-quality employment through the development of creative industries, and adding domestic value through industrialization and downstream processing,” said Minister Riefky during his keynote at DoubleTree Hilton, Jakarta, Friday, 28 November 2025.
The program, launched in June, selected the top 10 startups from 583 applicants. These startups presented their acceleration journey to stakeholders including investors, corporations, and regulators. BEKUP—Badan Ekraf for Startup—also aims to connect startups with strategic partners and foster critical discussions on new directions for startup development.
The program journey included an open call selection, 80 hours of intensive mentoring over three months, and the culminating Demo Day.
“When the Ministry of Creative Economy accelerates startups, we are not only creating new entrepreneurs but also laying the foundation for Indonesia Emas 2045, fueled by the spirit and creativity of our young talent. The application subsector not only delivers technology but also unites creative talent, business models, and entrepreneurial spirit,” Minister Riefky explained.
Communications Bureau of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
According to BKPM data, the application subsector received the largest investment, totaling IDR 27.48 trillion in the first half of 2025. This subsector has shown rapid growth, absorbing talent and combining creativity with digitalization to generate significant economic value.
Deputy for Digital Creativity and Technology, Muhammad Neil El Himam, added that BEKUP 2025 ensures local innovations move beyond ideas to market-validated solutions, accelerating the growth of technology-based creative economy.
“The BEKUP Accelerate 2025 Demo Day marks a significant moment, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to strengthening the national digital creative economy. This program supports early-stage startups to build resilience against global economic fluctuations, often referred to as the ‘tech winter’ period,” said Deputy Neil.
This year’s Demo Day theme was “Surviving the Cold by Escaping the Usual Startup Agenda.” In uncertain global conditions, startups are encouraged to explore new markets, strengthen business models, build cross-sector partnerships, and create solutions that cannot be easily substituted.
“I appreciate the Ministry of Creative Economy for its long-standing commitment to nurturing the startup ecosystem and exploring the multifaceted creative economy. The BEKUP program serves as a mechanism to align industry needs with data-driven learning, ensuring that platforms like KUMPUL.ID provide equal access for digital talent, emphasizing quality over quantity,” said Faye Wongso, Founder and Chairperson of KUMPUL and strategic partner of BEKUP Accelerate 2025.
Communications Bureau of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
The 10 startup CEOs faced a panel of three judges: VP of Investment at SPIL Ventures, Sumarny Elisabeth Manurung; Impact Investment, Rabo Foundation, Hya Cynthia Kesuma; and Senior Program Manager, Kumpul, Dama Aji Purusadhikara. Three startups were identified as ready to scale and make a tangible impact on technology-driven businesses:
Envmission – Provides inventory and waste management solutions for the food and beverage industry, turning food waste into valuable resources while helping businesses reduce their carbon footprint.
KitaCare – Offers Daycare-as-a-Service (DaaS) with professional operational standards, digital reporting, play-based curriculum, healthy menus, and caregiver training, supporting working mothers and early childhood development (0-5 years).
CARDS – A school management system that streamlines daily operations, academic activities, and tuition/cafeteria payments through a cashless platform for educational institutions.
Minister Riefky was accompanied by Secretary of the Ministry of Creative Economy/Executive Secretary of the Creative Economy Agency, Dessy Ruhati; Special Staff for Internal Management and Organizational Effectiveness, M. Yanuar Pranuradhi; Acting Director of Applications, Wahyu Wicaksono; Expert Staff for Research, Education, and Institutional Relations, Dian Permanasari; and Strategic and Inter-Institutional Advisor, Gemintang Kejora Mallarangeng.
The event also saw the participation of CEO of Duluin, Isa Nuruddin Ahmad; Vice President of Openspace Capital, Tania Lestari; and CEO of Infipop, Irfan Prabowo.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Acting Head of the Bureau for Communication
Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency
