XScouts: Pertamina and Startup Collaboration Platform for Energy Business Acceleration in Indonesia

Jakarta, October 1, 2021 - To accelerate energy startups growth in Indonesia, PT Pertamina (Persero) held the Pertamina XScouts program as an open innovation collaboration platform between Pertamina and energy startups founders. It was officially opened through the One Day Virtual Talks event titled "Shaping the Future of Energy" Wednesday, September 29, 2021.

President Director of PT Pertamina (Persero), Nicke Widyawati, said Pertamina invites potential startups to collaborate for mutual benefits. The collaboration in developing innovation to business is open to startups, especially in clean energy, electrification, petrochemicals, and supporting technologies.

"We hope that with Pertamina XScouts, we can help boost  Indonesia's innovators to bring their innovations into business value in collaboration with Pertamina as a national energy company," said Nicke. 

The collaboration carried out between Pertamina and startups, added Nicke, can be in innovative technology application, market expansion, access to expertise, and other business collaborations. 

"In the context of mutual benefits, this collaboration is expected to support sustainable business growth for startups and Pertamina," added Nicke.

Nicke emphasized that the enthusiasm for "innovation to business" in the energy sector will also create more options for the market. Therefore, it will further facilitate the energy transition in supporting Energy Mix targets achievements and improving the national economy, closely related to Sustainable Development Goals and ESG commitments.

Pertamina XScouts, as an Open Innovation program launched by Pertamina, was also appreciated by the Director-General of EBTKE of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Dadan Kusdiana. According to him, innovation is needed to develop new renewable energy to maintain energy security and ensure sustainable energy development.

Dadan explained that startups in the energy sector are needed to encourage the Indonesian government's commitment to developing NRE. Because they can initiate renewable energy projects, stimulate the investment climate, create innovations in the energy sector, utilize the potential of renewable energy into electrical energy or other energy substitutes, such as biofuel and biomass.

"We welcome the younger generation's innovation. Therefore, it can encourage cleaner energy and the growth of new ecosystems by innovative people," added Dadan.

Inline, various incubators from various parties such as Airlangga University, Bandung Institute of Technology, and Batex Energi Mandiri welcome the Pertamina XScouts program and support this program for better collaboration.

"The Pertamina XScouts program is excellent and focuses on creating long-term value, not just competition. It will certainly have a good impact on the development of startups in the energy sector. We, from the university, are ready to work together and prepare relevant assisted startups in the fields of clean energy, NRE, petrochemicals, electrification, and future technology," said Prof. Ni Nyoman Tri Puspaningsih as Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation, and Community Development Universitas Airlangga. 

The same thing was conveyed by ITB's Director of Business Incubation, Dina Dellyana, who said that the challenges of startups in the energy sector are significant, and actions must be taken to overcome these challenges. 

"First, increase awareness to build bridged energy solutions through Pertamina XScouts. The next aspect is access to experts and markets, which have been obstacles, can be accommodated through the XScouts program," said Dina.

Support from other parties was also conveyed by the CEO of Batex Energi Mandiri, Rina Wiji Astuti, who emphasized the many challenges in developing energy startups such as product development, market access, and capital.

"Collaboration is needed between startups, companies, incubators, and government agencies so that we can provide high-quality products that meet market expectations to create energy security in Indonesia," concluded Rina.**

XScouts Program Information:
IG: pertaminaxscouts
Website: https://ptm.id/pertamina.xscouts