Garuda Spark Innovation Hub (GSIH) held the Garuda Spark Nextpreneur North Sumatra 2026 Roadshow at Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU). The event took place on Monday (October 5) at the Faculty of Economics and Business Hall on UMSU’s main campus, Jalan Muchtar Basri No. 3, Medan. It aimed to provide students with comprehensive insights into digital ecosystem development, the program’s stages, and essential preparations for joining the Innovation Hub incubation program.
The educational event was officially opened by Dean of UMSU’s Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology (FIKTI), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Al-Khowarizmi, S.Kom., M.Kom. Attendees included Abdul Rahman, Expert Staff to the Director General of Digital Ecosystem at the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi) and GSIH Partnership Manager; Abdul Latif Wahid Nasution, Founder and CEO of KEPUL; and heads of administrative bureaus across UMSU.
The roadshow featured a talk show moderated by Yoshida Sary, S.Kom., M.Kom., from FIKTI UMSU. Abdul Rahman, who also served as a speaker, explained that Garuda Spark is a strategic initiative launched by Komdigi focusing on three main pillars: startup development, digital transformation for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and digital talent development.
The program is designed to address employment challenges amid Indonesia’s demographic bonus while encouraging students to move beyond being digital consumers and become technology creators capable of generating new employment opportunities.
Garuda Spark has established several stages for participants to complete. The process begins with registration and initial selection to identify promising business ideas that offer practical solutions to real-world problems. Successful applicants then proceed to mentoring and incubation, where they receive intensive guidance on refining business models, validating products, and developing market-entry strategies.
Participants are subsequently connected with industry networks and the broader digital ecosystem. Those w
ith the greatest potential and impact may advance to the final stage, gaining access to funding opportunities and business development support worth up to IDR 300 million.
To prepare for the selection and mentoring process, students were encouraged to make thorough preparations from an early stage. Prospective participants should develop technology-based business ideas that address clearly defined problems and offer practical solutions for society.
“Mental readiness and a strong commitment to participating consistently in every stage of learning and mentoring are also essential to turning business ideas into sustainable ventures,” Abdul Rahman said.
Through the roadshow, Garuda Spark and UMSU hope to broaden students’ understanding of technology entrepreneurship and identify talented digital innovators from the university community who can contribute meaningfully to the growth of the digital economy in North Sumatra and Indonesia.
Earlier, FIKTI UMSU Dean Assoc. Prof. Dr. Al-Khowarizmi, S.Kom., M.Kom., said UMSU had established a strong collaboration with Garuda Spark and Komdigi through various digital talent development initiatives, including the Medan Coding Competition (MCC) and other digital certification programs.
Looking ahead, UMSU is preparing to introduce Digital Experience (DEX), a program intended to replace PSDA. The university is also exploring a strategic partnership with Komdigi to establish an AI Innovation Hub at UMSU. With Komdigi’s support, the proposed facility is expected to become the first innovation center of its kind outside Java.
