PLN (Persero) Yogyakarta Distribution Main Unit through Rumah BUMN Gunungkidul has brought two innovations created by students from SMK Negeri 1 Saptosari to the national final of the Indonesian Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Festival (FIKSI) 2026, which will be held in Bali in September 2026. This achievement was reached after four groups of students received entrepreneurship mentoring from Rumah BUMN Gunungkidul, with two groups advancing to the national level through innovations based on Gunungkidul's local potential and two other groups passing the regional selection.
The two innovations advancing to the national final are Umami in the Business Development category and GutReady in the Business Idea Development category. Umami is a non-MSG flavouring made from shrimp shell waste that transforms marine waste from Gunungkidul's southern coastal region into a multipurpose cooking seasoning. GutReady presents an instant powdered drink made from local food ingredients such as bananas, gembili, cassava, and various fruits typical of Gunungkidul, developed as a product supporting a healthy lifestyle.
Two other innovations participating in the regional selection are ESand Vest 2in1, a multifunctional textile vest that can be converted into a carry bag, and Tanera, a healthy snack food product made from munggur seeds, pumpkin seeds, and ground cherry fruit. General Manager of PLN Yogyakarta Distribution Main Unit Deri Prasetio Utomo said the achievement aligns with the spirit of the Republic of Indonesia's 81st birthday celebration in building a young generation that is independent, innovative, and creates added value for the region.
Mentoring by Rumah BUMN Gunungkidul includes setting up stores on marketplaces, managing digital marketing through social media, developing simple business websites, and integrating products into Rumah BUMN Gunungkidul's marketing channels. Rumah BUMN Gunungkidul facilitator Atikka said the coaching was aimed at enabling students to develop their businesses sustainably after the competition. Principal of SMK Negeri 1 Saptosari Markidin Parikesit appreciated the collaboration with Rumah BUMN Gunungkidul, saying that this mentoring opened students' minds to the possibility that entrepreneurship can be a career choice after graduation.
Rumah BUMN Gunungkidul is an economic empowerment programme managed by PLN to increase the capacity of small and medium enterprises and young entrepreneurs through training, mentoring, business digitalisation, and expanded market access. The programme also provides Basecamp Millennial as a collaborative space for young people to learn, network, and develop businesses based on local potential.
