Aruna, Bobobox, and Halodoc Won 2019 Tempo’s Selected Startups

PT Tempo Inti Media Tbk once again held the 2019 Tempo’s Selected Startup. The event was held in collaboration with Digitaraya and Gojek. This year is the third time for Tempo to hold this event. Tempo Newspaper Editor in Chief, Budi Setyarso said that this year’s event quite different.

One of the differences is in terms of the judges. This year, the judging team was from various representatives, both the perpetrators and the regulators. “We are partnered with Gojek and assisted by judges from the Ministry of Communication and Information, Google, McKinsey, and UBS Bank,” he said.

Therefore, Budi believed that the selected startups at the awarding ceremony are the best in their respective categories. Budi explained, for this year there were three categories contested in this event. The three are Best Social Impact, Best Newcomer, and People’s Choice.

In this event, the committee received hundreds of applicants from startups. From there, the judges then chose 10 startups to win and won the three categories. These ten startups were then invited to present the startup in front of the judges. Then, the judges assessed the company.

Three Categories Competed in the 2019 Tempo’s Selected Startups

From the selection of the judges, the winners of each category were Aruna, Bobobox, and Halodoc. Aruna is the winner of the Best Social Impact category. Bobobox is the winner of the Best Newcomer category. Then, the People’s Choice category belonged to Halodoc.

Aruna is a pioneering e-commerce company engaged in fisheries. Moreover, Bobobox is a startup company engaged in accommodation or hospitality services. Halodoc is a startup that is engaged in health services. These three startups have been known for their innovative solutions in their respective categories.

Aruna was chosen as the startup in the Best Social Impact category since it has the vision to give an impact on fishermen. “The founder’s vision to provide a social impact for fishermen is very great. They want to advance the lives of fishermen,” Tempo Executive Director, Burhan Sholihin, said.

The Best Social Impact category itself focuses on startups that provide high-impact social solutions ranging from the economy, culture, and the surrounding environment, both profit and non-profit. The next criterion, the company offers a solution with an innovative approach and can be measured in real terms.

Burhan explained that by building the application, Aruna succeeded in connecting fishermen with large companies. As a consequence, fishermen can focus on working to increase the number of fish needed by consumers. Plus, the products also have high added value.

Selected Startups Had Given Great Impact to the Community

The income of the fishermen participating in the Aruna program on average increased to USD 240 per month. Previously, the average fisherman only earns USD 84 per month. Besides, Aruna is also oriented towards inviting fishermen to export their catch.

“They also conduct training together with the Ministries to the fishermen. Thus, the fishermen are more tech-savvy,” Burhan said. With that note, the jury considered Aruna’s vision is strong. Aruna, in the assessment of the judges, wanted to advance Indonesia in terms of the maritime sector.

Meanwhile, the startup service, led by Farid Naufal Aslam, has been available at 15 points in various provinces in Indonesia. The total number of fishermen who have joined as Aruna’s partners has reached more than 3 thousand people. Fishery products traded also vary from crabs, shrimps, lobsters, and others.

The export market for Aruna’s partner products is now sent to various countries such as China, the United States, Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea. Then, Bobobox is another startup that received an award in this competition. This startup is currently expanding in the market.

Founded in 2017, this startup has the vision to provide the best quality accommodation choices for everyone, especially tourists, at an affordable price. Bobobox also provides on-demand sleep facilities in the form of modular capsule lodgings. Lastly, there is Halodoc that is expected to be the next unicorn.