The idea to establish LobSmart was born out of the deep concerns of its founders, Gloria Galore Sinaga and Drago Grafany. They were troubled by the underutilization of Indonesia’s vast potential in lobster seed cultivation. As a maritime country, Indonesia is rich in marine resources, yet these resources, particularly in lobster cultivation, have not been optimally managed.
Their efforts bore fruit when LobSmart won “The Best Pitch” at the “Bandung Startup Pitching Day (BSPD) 2024” event last June. LobSmart is an aquaculture startup that focuses on improving lobster survival rates through advanced technology.
“We see a significant opportunity to leverage technology to increase lobster survival rates. The stability of pond water conditions is key, and this is the main focus of our technology,” said Gloria Galore Sinaga, a Bachelor of Entrepreneurship student at SBM ITB.
Specializing in seawater lobster cultivation, LobSmart has developed an automatic stabilizer machine that detects and stabilizes pond water conditions in real-time. This innovative solution dramatically aids farmers in maintaining water quality, a crucial factor in lobster survival.
According to Gloria, LobSmart’s mission aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Life Below Water. This initiative supports sustainable marine resource cultivation, aiming to reduce reliance on excessive marine resource exploitation. In other words, LobSmart contributes to maintaining marine ecosystem balance through appropriate technology.
Since its founding in 2023, LobSmart has achieved remarkable success, winning eight national and international competitions within a year. Through these competitions, LobSmart raised IDR 90 million, which was invested in further developing their technology.
“These wins have had a profound impact on LobSmart’s growth, not only by enhancing industry recognition but also by providing practical support such as funding, facilities, and valuable connections essential for advancing our prototype,” said Gloria.
This success reflects LobSmart’s commitment to continuous innovation and developing technologies that positively impact the aquaculture industry. Beyond the awards, each competition victory opens up valuable opportunities for LobSmart.
Feedback from judges and fellow participants helps LobSmart identify additional industry challenges and explore solutions that can be applied in aquaculture. Furthermore, these wins have expanded LobSmart’s access to additional funding and better facilities, which are critical for accelerating their technology’s development.
LobSmart’s strategy for winning these competitions was rooted in validating real, critical problems in the aquaculture industry. By focusing on solutions that address market needs, the LobSmart team effectively communicated their pitch, clearly illustrating the challenges faced by farmers and how LobSmart’s technology can resolve them.
