Indonesia is currently in a strategic position with an abundant demographic dividend and a vast domestic market. However, reality on the ground shows that our number of productive entrepreneurs still lags behind developed nations. The primary challenge no longer lies in access to capital, which is increasingly inclusive, but rather in the quality and composition of human resources when forming startup teams.
Reflecting on the success story of Salim Group, it is clear that the foundation of a major enterprise is not built alone, but through the collaboration of figures with complementary capabilities. The combination of a visionary leader, an industrial manager, a financial expert, and a master communicator capable of bridging government interests and stakeholders serves as the main recipe for building a resilient corporation.
Quite often, campus-born startups fail due to homogeneity among the founding team. Groups of students tend to build businesses with peers who share similar educational backgrounds, leading to a skill imbalance—strong in one area but vulnerable in others. Yet, a resilient business requires a balance between technological mastery, marketing strategy, industrial operations, and strategic networks.
In this era of technological disruption, Artificial Intelligence (AI) serves as a catalyst that lowers operational hurdles for beginners. AI enables students and young entrepreneurs to carry out administrative tasks to marketing with an efficiency previously attainable only by large-scale enterprises. This opens wider opportunities for young people to innovate and compete globally.
To accelerate economic growth, Indonesia needs at least 10,000 solid founding teams with diverse expertise. If higher education institutions can consistently produce teams with this ideal composition every year, then within a generation, Indonesia will possess a robust business ecosystem. Ultimately, the future of the national economy depends on our ability to cultivate resilient entrepreneurs, rather than relying solely on natural resource wealth.
