“Big vision starts small and moves fast” was one of the key takeaways when the SBM ITB podcast team got the opportunity to discuss with Prof. Wawan Dhewanto, Professor Entrepreneurship and Technology Management Interest Group at SBM ITB. Being the only expert on entrepreneurship in Indonesia, Prof. Wawan thinks that entrepreneurship is a future solution, especially during this economic downturn in Indonesia due to pandemics. Entrepreneurship has a big impact to recover the economic condition in Indonesia for example the appearance of startups and also the growth of SMEs are important. Check it out on SBM ITB Talks episode 48.
Prof. Wawan is also the initiator of entrepreneurship major in Indonesia with innovation on its learning system. Philosophically, entrepreneurship has been around for quite a long time, but it is usually in form of workshops, seminars, or training. SBM ITB becomes the pioneer of entrepreneurship in form of a university major, with a learning system consist of practical experience, students accompanied by a mentor, etc.
Been in the field of entrepreneurship and technology for years, Prof. Wawan has a purpose of wanting the knowledge that he taught his students to become beneficial for them and also impactful research. Prof. Wawan also realized that the more he learns and goes deep into knowledge the more things he doesn’t know about.
Prof. Wawan said that in creating a country where entrepreneurship is growing, an ecosystem approach is needed where collaboration occurs between many stakeholders. From students, lecturers, universities, government, associations, etc. This will create a good entrepreneurship ecosystem nationwide.
Other than that, entrepreneurship is all about context. When it comes to student or digitalization it’s a startup. If we bring it to a society, it’s social entrepreneurship. If we bring to a larger scope, there are SMEs. Entrepreneurship is very contextual, and it is not always about profit, but there is another important factor such as harmonization and social impact.
In terms of entrepreneurship, Prof. Wawan has an aspiration of in 100 years if Indonesia independence, Indonesia will be top 10 countries with the highest GDP, economically recover, being producing country and increase of export.
A message from Prof. Wawan for those of you who wanted to be an entrepreneur, you need to realize your dream by “big vision, start small, move fast”. Big vision, having big and clear dreams or objectives. Start small, 1000 steps start with one step at a time. Move fast, having a periodically milestone or target to reach to keep us going fast. With these three formulas hopefully, we can reach our dreams of being successful entrepreneurs!