ECOTHON IN INDONESIA 2024

Ecothon - the annual competition for promising sustainable business ideas in ASEAN countries - was co-organised by the ASEM SMEs Eco-Innovation Center (ASEIC) and the Hanns Seidel Foundation Vietnam (HSF) in Indonesia. This competition marked the conclusion of the Ecothon 2024 series, following the success of events in Lao PDR, Malaysia, and the Philippines.

Ecothon (Eco-entrepreneurs’ Marathon) is an innovative business model competition aimed at fostering eco-entrepreneurship and sustainable business practices across the ASEAN region. Employing a ‘hackathon’ format, Ecothon equips start-ups with training, mentoring, and coaching to refine their sustainable business strategies and IR pitching skills. Since its inception in 2019, as part of the Republic of Korea (ROK)-ASEAN Startup Partnership, Ecothon has been organised annually by the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) and the ASEM SMEs Eco-Innovation Center (ASEIC). It is hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups of the Republic of Korea (MSS, ROK) and co-hosted by focal ministries in each participating ASEAN country, promoting dialogue between eco-entrepreneurs and policy-makers.

The final competition of the Ecothon 2024 series was held in Indonesia with the support of Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs of The Republic of Indonesia and implemented by the Local Enablers. The competition started with an intense online training course designed for Ecothon participants in three countries, namely Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. During the course, international experts shared their comprehensive and in-depth knowledge, ranging from understanding key concepts of sustainable consumption and production (SCP) as well as sustainable entrepreneurship to the fundamentals of circular business model development to the intricacies of regulatory compliance, investor relations and effective public speaking skills. This covered a broad spectrum of essential topics needed to scale up sustainable ventures successfully. Out of a total of 150 applications received, 15 teams were shortlisted for this training. In addition, the participants were offered individual coaching and mentoring sessions with local experts to elevate their business strategies and concepts further.

Group photo on Demo Day of Ecothon in Indonesia 2024

These sessions culminated in a 2-day offline event in Jakarta that featured various presentations, panel discussion and “unconference” sessions. These activities provided participants with highly interactive platforms to exchange ideas, experiences, and insights into opportunities and challenges facing sustainable start-ups in Indonesia. Ecothon 2024 concluded with the Demo Day on September 13 with 13 finalists presenting their business strategies and products. Rappo Indonesia won the first place for their business model of producing fashion products made from plastic bag waste while supporting women in coastal Makassar. The second prize went to Kunang Jewelry who crafts unique jewelry and merchandise from metal waste. Finally, the third price was awarded to Seratnusa who produces home décor products from organic waste using weaving techniques.

Organisers and winners of Ecothon in Indonesia 2024

Together with winners of Ecothon in Lao PDR, Malaysia, and the Philippines, the winners from Indonesia are invited to join HSF’s Think Global Sustainability Network delegation at the ASEAN Circular Economy Forum in Bangkok in October 2024. They will also compete in the second screening round of the KOREA-ASEAN Business Model Competition in the same month.

HSF’s support for Ecothon is part of the Think Global Sustainability Network under HSF’s Global Project on Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change (GMACC).