Greenpreneurship: Building Sustainable and Socially Responsible Entrepreneurs in Indonesia

The Greenpreneurship program was delivered as a fully funded entrepreneurship initiative that empowered university and vocational students across Indonesia to build businesses that were both socially impactful and environmentally responsible. The program was led by the Academy of Entrepreneurs (AE) and was supported through the Australia–Indonesia Institute (AII) Grants Program, awarded to AE in 2025 by the Australian Government. This grant recognised AE’s proven capability to deliver high-impact, bilateral programs aligned with youth leadership, sustainability, and inclusive economic growth across Indonesia.

Through Greenpreneurship, students were introduced to social entrepreneurship while environmental awareness was embedded into every stage of the learning journey. Participants were challenged to look beyond profit and ask deeper questions about responsibility, long-term impact, and sustainability. They explored how business creation can contribute to ecosystem protection, community development, and the resolution of real social challenges.

Many participants entered the program with limited exposure to entrepreneurship. Over the course of the program, guided learning and structured reflection enabled a clear mindset shift. Students began to see themselves not only as future business owners, but as problem solvers capable of contributing meaningfully to society. This transformation in self-perception emerged as one of the program’s most significant outcomes.

A Ten-Week Journey Built on Small, Meaningful Steps

Greenpreneurship was delivered over a ten-week period, structured into ten progressive modules. Each module was delivered weekly and intentionally designed to build confidence through gradual learning. Students progressed step by step through the entrepreneurial process, ensuring ideas were developed thoughtfully rather than rushed.

Learning was anchored in project-based activities, supported by AI-powered business tools and mentoring from global experts. Participants worked on real ideas, tested assumptions, and refined solutions within a supportive and inclusive environment. This approach made entrepreneurship accessible to students from diverse academic disciplines, regions, and socio-economic backgrounds.

National Impact and the Greenpreneurship Pitch Competition

Since its implementation under the Australia–Indonesia Institute Grant, Greenpreneurship reached students across more than 21 universities throughout Indonesia, spanning regions from Sumatra to Papua. This national reach created a diverse learning ecosystem where entrepreneurial ideas were shaped by local social, cultural, and environmental realities.

The program concluded with a national pitch competition, where selected teams presented their ventures to an expert judging panel. In the most recent cohort, six finalist teams were selected. The winning team, from Universitas Hasanuddin, presented Aerotrak—a venture recognised for its strong environmental focus, commercial feasibility, and clearly articulated social impact.

For many students, the pitch competition represented a defining moment. It was not only an opportunity to present an idea, but a platform to step into leadership, articulate purpose, and claim their identity as emerging changemakers.

Why Greenpreneurship Matters

Greenpreneurship demonstrated that entrepreneurship and sustainability are most powerful when taught together. When intentionally integrated, they reinforce one another—building both economic capability and social responsibility.

By delivering a free, inclusive, and values-driven program supported by the Australia–Indonesia Institute, AE strengthened bilateral collaboration while equipping Indonesian students with confidence, practical skills, and a strong sense of purpose. The true legacy of Greenpreneurship extends beyond the ventures created. It lives in the young people who now believe that building a business can also mean caring for the planet and contributing to a more just and sustainable future.

Bring Greenpreneurship to Your Institution

If you are interested in bringing the Greenpreneurship program into your institution, we invite you to partner with the Academy of Entrepreneurs.

Together, we can:

• Expand Greenpreneurship to more regions across Indonesia

• Support a greater number of students and institutions

• Scale environmentally and socially responsible ventures

• Strengthen Australia–Indonesia collaboration through education and innovation
  

Institutions and partners interested in co-funding, hosting, or scaling Greenpreneurship programs are encouraged to connect with the Academy of Entrepreneurs to explore future collaboration and impact.

For partnership enquiries, program replication, or funding discussions, please contact Academy of Entrepreneurs.