On August 26, 2024, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of StepNesia was invited to speak by the Center for Nanochemistry Entrepreneurship at the Chemistry Study Program, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), Gadjah Mada University (UGM). The purpose of this invitation was to facilitate various activities for the downstream research of nanotechnology into economically valuable products.

Students play a vital role in the development of nanochemistry-based entrepreneurial activities. To enhance the entrepreneurial spirit among students, it is necessary to provide opportunities to discuss with entrepreneurs how to develop an entrepreneurial mindset, as well as the potential and challenges of entrepreneurship, especially in the field of nanochemistry.

They also need to learn more about the market potential related to nanochemistry products and technologies through various information and experiences in Focus Group Discussions (FGD), which can stimulate creativity and innovation, share ideas, and jointly develop new concepts for nanochemistry-based startups. This activity is expected to build creativity and innovation skills in students and prepare them to become successful entrepreneurs in the field of nanochemistry.

This aligns with the Independent Learning – Independent Campus (ILIC) program, which is a government policy aimed at encouraging students to master various sciences that are useful for entering the workforce. This policy, especially regarding Entrepreneurship, provides students with the opportunity to hone entrepreneurial skills and develop business ideas. Besides the academic field, many students are interested in venturing into entrepreneurship.

The material presented by Dhafi was related to strategies for developing students' entrepreneurial spirit and strategies for formulating and developing business ideas. This was followed by a workshop on business idea development. The other speaker is Ardhi Setyo Putranto, S.TP., M.M., who presented material on the strategy for developing an entrepreneurial ecosystem through the Nanokimia Entrepreneurship Center and optimizing the role of the Chemistry Study Program to increase the number and quality of entrepreneurial activities in the Chemistry Study Program.

After participating in the workshop, students (both groups and individuals) are asked to create a business proposal based on previously formulated business ideas, where the three best business proposal ideas will be given funding assistance by the Undergraduate Chemistry Study Program.

Therefore, to facilitate students in developing themselves as prospective entrepreneurs, support is needed through the Entrepreneurship Competition Grant. They are expected to have the opportunity to develop entrepreneurial potential, expand networks, and obtain business capital support.

In this workshop, students, both individually and in groups, are directed to design innovative business proposals based on ideas they have previously conceptualized. The three selected proposals will have a golden opportunity to be financed by the Undergraduate Chemistry Study Program, a step that can provide significant encouragement for prospective entrepreneurs. To support students on their journey to becoming successful entrepreneurs, the Entrepreneurship Competition Grant is provided as a resource that can help them develop entrepreneurial potential, expand professional networks, and obtain much-needed business capital.

This initiative is expected to create a conducive environment for the growth and progress of entrepreneurship among students, as well as enrich the entrepreneurial ecosystem with innovation and creativity.