The collaboration between Setara Indonesia Foundation, INOTEK Foundation, and MNC Peduli through the Golden Pitch 2025 program is strengthening the ecosystem of village-based MSMEs. The program marks the culmination of eight months of assistance across five regions. Sandiaga Uno highlighted the need to strengthen the rural economy and expand market opportunities for village MSMEs, while Angela Tanoesoedibjo emphasized the importance of enhancing product value and promotion to help MSMEs scale up.

JAKARTA – Village-based MSMEs continue to face significant challenges in boosting competitiveness, particularly in marketing and in processing local potential into value-added products. Many entrepreneurs still sell raw commodities with low margins, while access to mentoring, markets, and adequate business networks remains uneven across regions. This situation makes it difficult for village MSMEs to grow and keeps them behind in the industrial value chain.

To strengthen this MSME ecosystem, the Setara Indonesia Foundation, the INOTEK Foundation, and MNC Peduli collaborated through Golden Pitch 2025, part of the Desa Emas 2025 Program. This event served as the culmination of eight months of mentoring for entrepreneurs from Magelang, Karawang, Indramayu, as well as Bogor and Sukabumi, with MNC Peduli acting as a strategic partner supporting product marketing and promotion.

Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, Founder of Setara Indonesia Foundation and INOTEK Foundation, explained that the Desa Emas 2025 Program was designed to strengthen the rural economy and generate new job opportunities. Through mentorship conducted in several regions, MSME players were guided to develop local commodities into value-added and competitive products.

“We went directly to Sukabumi, Bogor, Lido, Indramayu, Magelang, and Karawang. This program is part of our efforts to strengthen food sovereignty and promote economic independence in rural communities,” said Sandiaga.

He added that the synergy created through this program not only provides training but also opens doors for business partnerships. “Earlier, we witnessed MoUs with several partners that will open export opportunities for MSME players. This is a concrete step toward expanding markets and increasing entrepreneurs’ income,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Chairwoman of MNC Peduli, Angela Tanoesoedibjo, emphasized that marketing remains the main challenge for MSMEs seeking to upscale.

“We have already conducted mentoring in Sukabumi and will continue expanding it. Through MNC Pedili and the support of MNC Group as a media powerhouse, we can assist in promotion and exposure so that village MSME products gain greater visibility and acceptance in the market,” she said.

Angela noted that village MSMEs have tremendous potential when entrepreneurs understand their regional strengths and transform them into relevant, high-quality products.

“Product innovation, quality improvement, and strong promotional capabilities must go hand in hand. This is what we strive to support through this collaboration,” she added.

The impact of the mentoring program is felt directly by Golden Pitch participants. Vini, a cake entrepreneur from the Bogor–Sukabumi area, shared how the mentoring and pitching sessions broadened her perspective in managing her business.

“I learned everything from business management and product development to digital marketing. With promotional support from MNC Peduli, my business became more recognized, sales increased, and expansion opportunities opened up,” she said.

Golden Pitch 2025 also served as a strategic platform for MSMEs to present their innovations, validate business models, and expand networks through direct dialogue with judges and stakeholders. A wide range of featured products were showcased, from processed foods made from local commodities to creative village-made products that highlighted regional identity.

For the organizers, this event is more than just a competition—it is an incubation space and an effort to strengthen the village MSME ecosystem. The collaboration between Setara Indonesia Foundation, INOTEK Foundation, and MNC Peduli serves as an empowerment model that integrates technical training, capacity building, expanded market access, and media support.

Looking ahead, the program is expected to produce more outstanding MSMEs from Magelang, Karawang, Indramayu, and Bogor–Sukabumi that can compete in national and international markets, while also improving village community welfare through sustainable entrepreneurship.