The Swiss Innovation Challenge Asia (SICA) 2026 – Indonesia Chapter, an integrated innovation competition organized by SBM ITB, Indonesia and FHNW, Switzerland, concluded its journey today with a grand Awarding Ceremony. The event celebrated the bold ideas, entrepreneurial courage, and groundbreaking solutions of Indonesia’s most promising innovators.
The ceremony was graced by a host of distinguished guests, including Prof. Aurik Gustomo, Dean of SBM ITB; Prof. Heri Kuswanto, Director of Research and Development Talent at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology; and Shanty Yulianti Rachmat, Ph.D., Deputy Director for Internal Management at the Executive Directorate of Multi Campus, Institut Teknologi Bandung. Also in attendance was Dr. Leo Aldianto from SBM ITB as the International SICA Project Officer, alongside the esteemed panel of judges.(September 23)
In his welcome remarks, Prof. Aurik Gustomo highlighted the importance of fostering a culture of innovation. The ceremony also featured a keynote address from program contributors who are instrumental in making the competition more than just a contest. These contributors included Bapak M. Hanif Tri Maulana (President Director of Tjakra Buana Investama), Bapak Darwis Fensury (Chief Operating Officer of Prima Dredge Teams), Bapak Harto Gunawan (President Commissioner of Mineral Bangka Sejati), Bapak Mohd Azra D. Dzaky (Director of PT Zaliwa Karya Semesta), as well as Bapak M. Hariyadi Setiawan (Director of PT LAPI ITB).
The highlight of the evening was the announcement of the competition winners. After a rigorous selection process that began with a document-based phase and culminated in pitching presentations, the jury selected three exceptional teams whose innovations promise to make a significant impact.
The winners of the Swiss Innovation Challenge Asia 2026 – Indonesia Chapter are:
- First Winner: Terangin
- Founded by four students from Institut Sepuluh Nopember Surabaya, Terangin is committed to providing environmentally friendly, innovative, and affordable renewable energy solutions to all Indonesian people. The name originates from the words “Bright” (Terang) and “Wind” (Angin).
- Second Winner: Groow
- Groow is a company that utilizes seaweed-derived biostimulants to raise smallholder income and reduce dependence on imported synthetic fertilizer.
- Third Winner: Tana Lab
- Tana Lab is a soil-diagnostic and biological-input company built on the principle that every hectare treated should be more productive in the season after, not less.
The awards were presented by Prof. Heri Kuswanto, Prof. Aurik Gustomo, and Dr. Leo Aldianto, respectively. A special announcement was made that the winners of the SICA 2026 Indonesia Chapter will advance to pitch their innovations at the regional finals in Vietnam on 10 October 2026.
The ceremony also recognized all finalists—Concorde System, NadaNetra, Nexmedis, Terrava, and Tropicool—for reaching the final stage, a testament to their potential as leading innovators in the region. The evening concluded with a group photo session and closing remarks, celebrating the spirit of innovation and collaboration between Indonesia and Switzerland.
About Swiss Innovation Challenge Asia (SICA)
The SBM ITB Swiss Innovation Challenge is an integrated innovation competition for projects at the ideation, conceptualization, and early implementation stages. It is open to groups, institutions, and individuals who wish to introduce and implement innovations. The competition aims to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world application, fostering a new generation of entrepreneurs.
