Jakarta, February 11, 2026 – In an effort to realize the Indonesia Emas 2045 vision, the nation is preparing for the crucial Demographic Bonus period, predicted to peak between 2030 and 2040. According to Statistics Indonesia (BPS) projections, during this phase, the productive age population (15–64 years) will dominate, comprising over 60% of the total population. This phenomenon presents both a massive opportunity and a significant challenge that requires meticulous preparation.

Indonesia urgently needs to accelerate its number of entrepreneurs, particularly among the youth. Mass job creation is no longer enough; economic independence must be built through entrepreneurship. Citing data from the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs (Kemenkop UKM), Indonesia's current entrepreneurship ratio is only 3.47%. To transform into a developed nation by 2040, Indonesia requires an ideal ratio of 12%. This gap underscores the urgency for strategic platforms capable of fostering the entrepreneurial spirit, instincts, and skills of the nation's next generation.

Since its founding in 1996, Sekolah HighScope Indonesia (SHI) has consistently committed to honing students' decision-making skills through a unique and practical learning approach. Based on the belief that the best education simulates real life, the Redea Institute (formerly HighScope Indonesia Institute) equips students with various skills and experiences relevant to the dynamics of the professional world. The curriculum used at Sekolah HighScope Indonesia is comprehensively designed to train sharp thinking and independence. From elementary to middle school, all students participate in *Conscious Business Day*—an annual activity where they learn to plan and execute entrepreneurial processes in real-world situations. At the high school level, this commitment is expanded under the Redea Institute through the Virtual Company Indonesia (VCI) program. VCI is an immersive business simulation platform for High School (SMA) and Vocational School (SMK) students. This year, participants include prestigious educational institutions such as SMKN 18 Jakarta, SMKN 20 Jakarta, SMKN 43 Jakarta, SMKN 51 Jakarta, as well as HighScope Indonesia branches in Bali, Denpasar, and TB Simatupang.

The annual VCI program began with the Business Plan Competition preliminary rounds on January 28–29, 2026, at SHI – TB Simatupang, culminating in today's final round. In this competition, every virtual company within the VCI network competed to explore business ideas and test managerial competencies before a jury of industry experts and practitioners. This event serves as a vital momentum for participants to sharpen their skills and broaden their horizons. Beyond the rigorous evaluation process, business leaders from various sectors were present to share experiences and provide motivation. This year’s jury featured competent figures such as Syukriyatun Ni’amah (Founder & CEO of Robries), Erwin Octavia (Founder of Makeblock Indonesia), and Jacky Mussry (Vice Chancellor of MarkPlus Institute).

The event opened with a speech from the Founder & CEO of Redea Institute, Antarina S.F. Amir. "The biggest challenge in education today isn't a lack of information, but a lack of implementation. Many are accustomed to seeking a single 'right' answer, whereas the real world requires the courage to make decisions amidst uncertainty. This is where Redea Institute plays a vital role as a bridge," Antarina told the participants. She added, "Through VCI, you aren't just absorbing theory; you are diving directly into the dynamics of business decision-making. You have broken old cycles and stepped beyond the limits of textbooks."

Also present to offer support was the Kepala Dinas Pendidikan Provinsi DKI Jakarta, Ibu Nahdiana, S.Pd., M.Pd. In her speech, she emphasized the importance of programs like VCI for the students' future. "Research from the University of Arizona shows that students active in business competitions are three times more likely to succeed in building businesses and earning higher incomes," stated Ibu Nahdiana. "Today's competition aligns with the grand strategy launched by Governor Pramono Anung and Vice Governor Rano Karno to transform the world of education. The Jakarta Education Office is fully committed to vocational transformation through industrial synergy and collaboration."

The Business Plan Competition received high praise from the judges, who were impressed by the depth of ideas and the participants' vision for sustainability. Syukriyatun Ni’amah, Founder & CEO of Robries, highlighted how student ideas aligned with global issues. "Some business ideas presented today raised themes highly relevant to Robries' vision regarding sustainability and ESG. The innovation is extraordinary; I only just learned that used cooking oil can be processed into fabric through their creative hands," she remarked. Erwin Octavia, Founder of Makeblock Indonesia, admired the students' professionalism. "This event opened my eyes to the fact that high school and vocational students are capable of drafting such comprehensive and high-quality business plans. They don't just have ideas; they truly mastered their presentation materials," Erwin emphasized. Meanwhile, Jacky Mussry, Vice Chancellor of MarkPlus Institute, saw great optimism for the future of Indonesia's economy. "These children give us hope. Their orientation is already geared toward ESG, Sustainability, and Social Movements, and these values are already embedded in their business models from an early age," he said.

List of Winners by Category:

Advanced Category

• Outstanding Presentation: Caplok by NVCo

• Best Marketing Strategy: Titip Aja! by Kudeta

• Best Innovative Idea: Jelantic by Haegea

• Best Business Plan: Caplok by NVCo

Basic Category

• Outstanding Presentation: Santara – SMKN 20

• Best Marketing Strategy: Ventuphous – SMKN 51

• Best Innovative Idea: Revo’N – SMKN 43

• Best Business Plan: Santara – SMKN 20

As part of Generation Z, known for being adaptive and critical, participants saw this program as the answer to their need for practical experience. Amidst the surge of digital theory, Gen Z requires space to prove their competence in real situations. One participant, Oka, a student from SMKN 20 Jakarta who serves as CEO of his virtual company, shared his transformation. "This event was incredible and very challenging. We truly fought from scratch. After joining the program last year, now serving as CEO, I have experienced true leadership. VCI has really helped me discover potential within myself that had been untapped," Oka said. Echoing Oka, Keyza, also from SMKN 20, emphasized the importance of feedback from industry experts for her future. "This is an unforgettable experience. I learned many things, from building business models to processing input from the jury. All this knowledge is highly applicable and I will certainly apply it in the real world after graduation," Keyza concluded.

Several vocational students (SMK) participating in this event are recipients of the Kartu Jakarta Pintar (KJP/Jakarta Smart Card), yet they competed on equal footing with students from various other schools. They demonstrated that with fair opportunities, continuous coaching, and proper access to learning resources and mentoring, every child has the same chance to thrive and excel. Economic background is not an obstacle to achieving excellence, as potential, spirit, and hard work can grow anywhere when supported by a conducive environment and policies favoring equal opportunity. This confirms that high-competence young talent can emerge from any condition, regardless of economic background.

The series of events will continue with the VCI Trade Fair, to be held for one day on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at Sekolah HighScope Indonesia – TB Simatupang. At the Trade Fair, virtual companies founded by SMA and SMK students in the VCI Program will showcase and sell their developed products or services to visitors, including parents, teachers, school staff, and students from various educational levels.