From algae to solar lights: KINETIK NEX Entrepreneurs’ Program kicks off in Makassar

Fifteen Indonesian climate and clean energy startups met for the first time in Makassar in August for the launch of the KINETIK NEX Entrepreneurs’ Program.

The startups came from across Indonesia with green economy innovations including waste to energy projects, an electric-motorbike taxi service for people with disabilities and windows that convert sunlight into electricity.

A “speed dating” style session gave 11 Makassar-based journalists the opportunity to interview each startup for ten minutes to learn more about their climate solutions.

Algatech Chief Executive Officer Rangga Wisesha Pratama with a “microforest”. Photo: JEFRI TARIGAN

One of the startups, Algatech Nusantara, is a biotechnology company that grows microalgae – tiny, single-celled plants – to absorb carbon dioxide in homes, offices and factories.

Chief Executive Officer Rangga Wisesha Pratama said Algatech had created a device called a “microforest” – a microalgae-based photobioreactor that functioned like a 15-year-old tree in absorbing carbon dioxide.

This “microforest” addressed the lack of space for planting large numbers of trees around factories or offices that generate significant carbon emissions.

“This unit is two meters tall, and it’s equivalent to three mature mangrove trees—or three giant trees in terms of photosynthesis. We use this device to absorb CO₂,” Pak Rangga told journalist Gusti Ridani from KabarMakassar.com.

Read the story here: https://www.kabarmakassar.com/news/algatech-solusi-inovatif-kurangi-jejak-karbon-dengan-mikroalga

Jetty Arlendo Maro and Sriwany Padu Lemba from Sumba Solusi Alam. Photo: JEFRI TARIGAN

Another of the startups, Sumba Solusi Alam, was founded in 2019 with the aim of expanding electricity access, reducing poverty, and creating decent jobs for rural communities in Sumba.

Executive Assistant Sriwany Padu Lemba told KabarMakassar.com that Sumba Solusi Alam had distributed PowerWells – solar charged lights powered by recycled batteries -to more than 360 homes.

“This has been a huge help, especially for women. Mothers with babies can now make formula or change diapers at night without difficulty. Small businesses in villages that used to close at 5 or 6 pm can now stay open until midnight or later if there’s a community event,” Ibu Sriwany said.

Households pay a monthly token fee of IDR 50,000 for PowerWells on credit. This replaces kerosene, which is both more expensive and a fire hazard.

“PowerWells don’t just bring light, they also improve the local economy—especially for women agents who earn a 10% commission on the household token payments,” Jetty Arlendo Maro, an engineer at Sumba Solusi Alam, was quoted saying in KabarMakassar.com.

Read more by journalist Gusti Ridani here: https://www.kabarmakassar.com/news/sumba-solusi-alam-terangi-ratusan-rumah-warga-di-desa-terpencil

Boby Wahyu Hernawan, Director of Multilateral Cooperation and Sustainable Finance of the Indonesian Ministry of Finance, addresses the startups. Photo: JEFRI TARIGAN

Boby Wahyu Hernawan, Director of Multilateral Cooperation and Sustainable Finance of the Indonesian Ministry of Finance, said he had learned a lot about local problems and local solutions, climate and sustainable development.

“Thank you once again – it is heartening to see that we, as part of this nation, and especially so many of you who are still very young, are already thinking about local solutions to local challenges.”

Pak Boby said the KINETIK NEX Entrepreneurs’ Program would bring hope and motivation and serve as a good example in the future.

“Most importantly, their spirit must be appreciated, supported, and continuously encouraged. The Ministry of Finance is certainly ready to help, starting from the high level, to facilitate various matters. We will also advocate for this across other ministries that share these concerns,” he was quoted saying in bisnissulawesi.com.

Read more here: https://www.bisnissulawesi.com/kemenkeu-dorong-kemitraan-indonesia-australia-melalui-program-kewirausahaan-kinetix-nex/

Following the speed dating session, the startups participated in their first group session: Setting the foundation for business development.

New Energy Nexus Indonesia Director Diyanto Imam. Photo: JEFRI TARIGAN

New Energy Nexus Indonesia Director Diyanto Imam encouraged the startups to:

• Define the problem they are solving, how it is currently being dealt with and the cost in time and money. Use real field data, not estimates.
• Design small and testable pilots with measurable success indicators.
• Present budgets that distinguish between one-off costs and recurring costs.
• Identify the top three risks and outline realistic contingency plans.
• Demonstrate how their solutions can grow beyond the pilot stage, showing long-term viability and impact.

“Are you confident that the resources you have now justify the possibility of expansion?” Pak Diyanto asked the startups.

“If you say it can be replicated elsewhere, then you need to show that with the same team you can do the same thing in another place. That means reducing dependence on location factors.”

The 15 startups will now participate in a month-long business incubation program throughout September 2025, followed by a Demo Day, where eight startups will pitch their business concepts.

Five startups will then be awarded funding from a total pool of IDR 1.6 billion to implement their pilot projects.

You can read more about the 15 KINETIK NEX startups here:  Meet the KINETIK NEX startups – KINETIK