Jakarta, 1 July 2025: ERIA, in collaboration with GEN Indonesia, hosted the first Southeast Asian edition of the Global RIPPLE Programme at its Jakarta office. Launched by the Arab Academy for Science and Technology’s Entrepreneurship Center (AAST Entrepreneurship Center), the RIPPLE programme aims to connect entrepreneurship support organisations (ESOs) for capacity building and knowledge exchange.

The event was moderated by Ivan Sandjaja, Managing Director of GEN Indonesia, and featured panellists Dr Wael Eldesouki Bedda (SKSEED), Dr Heba Al Ashry and Dr Jane Hanna (AAST Entrepreneurship Center), and Mohammed Ali (South Bank Innovation). The seminar brought together stakeholders from Indonesia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem – including government, academia, investors, and research institutions – to share best practices and expand collaborative networks.

Dr Giulia Ajmone Marsan, ERIA’s Head of Startups and Digital Inclusion, opened the event by highlighting the growing potential for collaboration between Southeast Asia and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). With MENA attracting US$2.3 billion in startup funding in 2024 and Southeast Asia reaching US$9 billion in 2025, there is significant room for cross-regional growth in sectors like AI, fintech, and halal industries. Dr Ajmone Marsan also noted Jakarta’s emergence as a regional startup hub, valued at US$37 billion and home to half of Indonesia’s unicorns, according to the Startup Genome Global Ecosystem Report.

A central topic of discussion was how to empower youth entrepreneurship. Although 52% of Indonesia’s population is of productive age, less than 3% are entrepreneurs – a gap attributed to cultural norms that often discourage risk-taking and innovation. Panellists noted the need to reframe entrepreneurship as a mindset that can be cultivated early through education.

Schools and universities were identified as key enablers, capable of nurturing creativity and entrepreneurial thinking through curriculum reform, mentorship programmes, and student-led initiatives. Exposure to global networks and cross-border collaboration opportunities was also emphasised as essential for building a generation of globally minded entrepreneurs.

Strong institutional support is equally critical. Government agencies and ESOs are advancing targeted initiatives ranging from incubation and investor matching to policy advocacy. Effective partnerships, the panel agreed, should be based on shared goals and a deep understanding of each region’s comparative strengths.

One area of promising synergy is the halal economy. With 20% of the world’s Muslim population in MENA and 240 million Muslims in Southeast Asia, both regions offer cultural and market alignment. Islamic fintech and halal-certified products present high-growth opportunities – particularly when supported by cross-border investment and cooperation.

The event concluded with a shared commitment to deeper collaboration between MENA and Southeast Asia’s entrepreneurial ecosystems. By recognising and leveraging their respective strengths, both regions can jointly foster inclusive and innovation-driven economic growth.

The event was supported by Adelia Rahmawati, Lina Maulidina Sabrina, and Mudhya Razanne Tiara of ERIA.