Grab Expand Development of Fostered Startups with the UI Works Accelerator Program

Some time ago Grab through Grab Ventures Velocity (GVV) has just opened a second stage program that focuses on innovation and problem solving in agriculture and micro-enterprise empowerment.

This time, GVV is expanding its startup development program to the academic community. Grab officially collaborated with the University of Indonesia (UI) as a strategic partner Grab for the "UI Works" accelerator program.

This program is intended for UI academics and young people outside the UI campus. The criteria sought are startups with early stage status (early stage), especially in the fields of technology, medical, and social. In addition, startups must have prototype or a beta version of the product.

Met at the launch event, President Grab Indonesia, Ridzki Kramadibrata said that technology development does not have to be at the forefront, but is able to solve problems in everyday life.

This program targets academics with the aim of preparing the best talents and in the future they will be able to create innovations and products that are in line with industry needs.

"It's a shame if they make a startup or advanced solution but it doesn't match the problems that exist in the field and industry. Later [the startup] will underfunded," said Ridzki at the event held at the UI Central Library, Depok.

Meanwhile, UI Chancellor Muhammad Anis acknowledged that universities are the birthplace of many startups and innovators. Therefore, he assesses the need for updating the curriculum so that the ecosystem can be adaptive to technological developments.

"This collaboration is one of the important preparation steps towards the Industrial 4.0 technology era. We are aggressively supporting students to create startups so that after graduation they can create their own jobs," he added.

Furthermore, the UI Works program is divided into three stages, including (1) Pre-Accelerator, (2) Accelerator, and (3) Demo Day. Grab also recruited Code Margonda as the organizing partner of this program.

"pick up the ball" program

Executive Director Grab Indonesia Ongki Kurniawan, who also attended the event, added that this collaboration with universities was actually a reflection of the experience of its predecessor program, namely the first batch of GVV.

According to him, when the program was opened, there were a lot of participants who did not meet the criteria. Reflecting on this experience, the company took the initiative to "pick up the ball" with young people.

"So after they are done with the UI Works program, they can be better prepared [to develop products]," said Ongki.

The series of UI Works programs lasted for two months. After the program is over, students can stay connected Grab by working offsite/remote without leaving college for six months.

According to Ridzki, his party is also considering that students who carry out the program off site for six months you can get credit which is converted to Semester Credit Units (SKS).