Pontianak City Government Provides Co-Working Space for Local Startups

The increasing development of startups has encouraged Pontianak City Government to create a room for local startups. Startup Hub, for instance, is a collaboration between the government and local startups in Pontianak. This was carried out to connect startup networks within the city.

Besides, it is also to provide collaboration support as well as to create a competitive and advanced startup community in Pontianak. As a result, startups can sustainably develop their business and create creative employment in the city.

The Head of Pontianak City Communication and Information Department, Uray Indra Mulya, said that Startup Hub was created to explore the potential of local startups. The step was taken to promote the development of Pontianak towards a smart city in Indonesia.

For this reason, Pontianak City Government provides co-working space for local startups in the city. Considering the great demographic of the city, especially the youth generation, Uray explained that it should be channeled properly. Thus, they need a place to make them feel at home in showing their creativity.

Startup Hub as a Room for Local Startups to Show Their Existence

Pontianak City Government allows any young people to be creative in any form while taking advantage of the Startup Hub. This Startup Hub is located on the 2nd floor of the Pontianak Mayor’s Office. It offers three workrooms, including lounge, meeting rooms, and co-working space.

The facilities are equipped with Wi-Fi and 21 desks which are completed with a personal computer. More interestingly, there is also a kitchen bar in the lounge for visitors to get relaxed after working in the co-working space. Aside from startups, the general public can take advantage of this space too.

“In addition to startups, the public, in general, can use this room by booking the space through the Pontianak startup reservation application. The working hours are from 8 am to 3 pm,” Uray explained in the launching of the Pontianak Startup Hub on Thursday (9/26).

Simon Petrus, one of the local startup founders in Pontianak, said that the existence of space for startups help him and other startups. His startup, Bliving, is a smart home device that can voice-recommend to give commands in the form of turning off the lights and saving electricity.

The Growth of Local Startups in Pontianak

“It is very helpful. Starting from this program, the City Government has been contributed to the growth of startups. It helps provide a place for us. It is also very useful, especially for new startups who haven’t had any office yet,” Simon.

He hopes with the support of the government, it can encourage more young people to build startups. And those who want to build one shouldn’t give up easily. “Don’t ever hesitate and give up. We all know all the struggles start from zero,” Simon added.

He also reminded that it is not very easy to build a startup. However, young people should believe that many support them. For example, there is the government with its facilities and investors with their funds. Thus, startups can grow properly in Pontianak.