From Competition Stage to Housing Ecosystem

INFO TEMPO – The presentation proceeded without much small talk. Time was limited, the judges’ questions were sharp, and every participant knew that what they brought was not merely a concept, but an answer to a longstanding recurring problem: housing that remains unaffordable, uneven access, and living quality that does not fully meet needs.

One by one, ideas were presented. Some spoke about artificial intelligence to detect flood risks, others offered new approaches to subsidised housing development, and many proposed business models based on cross-sector collaboration. They came from diverse backgrounds—students, developers, to the general public—but shared one commonality: the desire to engage in solutions. And it is here that BTN Housingpreneur finds its relevance.

The programme initiated by PT Bank Tabungan Negara (Persero) Tbk has developed into more than just an annual competition. In its 2024 to 2025 edition, BTN Housingpreneur has transformed into a meeting space that connects the vast needs of the housing sector with new ideas that previously operated in isolation.

BTN’s President Director, Nixon LP Napitupulu, stated that this step does not stand alone. It is part of a larger commitment to support the government’s agenda.

“BTN is committed to supporting the government, namely the 3 Million Houses Programme,” said BTN President Director Nixon LP Napitupulu. One of the efforts is through the organisation of BTN Housingpreneur, which has been running for two years.

Rather than just expanding financing capacity, BTN chooses to enter earlier into the realm where these ideas are born. This annual competition is presented to support and empower entrepreneurs in the housing sector. In addition, through this event, the younger generation is invited to create and innovate solutions for future housing. They are then challenged to present innovative ideas and businesses before the judges.

Untangling Knots in the Housing Industry

What is seen in BTN Housingpreneur actually stems from a simple concern. The need for decent housing in Indonesia is still far from being met, while urban dynamics continue to move quickly. Land prices are rising, environmental pressures are increasing, and access gaps are becoming more pronounced.

In such a situation, solutions can no longer come from one party alone. BTN appears to have read this gap. Through Housingpreneur, they are trying to attract more actors to get involved, not just as users or implementers, but as creators of solutions.

The participants involved reflect this approach. They come from various backgrounds: students, the general public, developers, to entrepreneurs who already have running businesses. BTN then divides them into several categories, from business ideation to established business.

This division makes the competition space more inclusive. Students with simple ideas can stand on the same stage as experienced developers. Differences do not become barriers, but rather enrich perspectives.

“The aim is to create an innovative, sustainable, and inclusive housing ecosystem,” said Nixon.

Here, the word “ecosystem” becomes key. BTN is not just looking for the best ideas, but trying to build relationships among actors who have previously operated independently.

The housing industry in Indonesia is not without problems. Besides classic issues like affordability and land availability, there is one issue that often goes unnoticed: disconnection among actors.

Developers build houses, but do not always have strong distribution access. On the other hand, people who need houses struggle to find suitable products. Information is not connected, the market is not transparent, and opportunities often get lost along the way.

BTN’s Risk Management Director, Setiyo Wibowo, sees this problem as a fundamental challenge. “Many developers have good products but don’t know who to sell to. Similarly, buyers are confused about finding the right house or developer,” he said.

BTN Housingpreneur attempts to address this problem in an indirect but strategic way. The programme becomes a meeting point, connecting ideas with networks, innovation with markets, and new players with established ones.

Participants who stand out do not stop as winners. They are brought into BTN’s ecosystem, introduced to partners, and given access to further develop their ideas.

“Winners of BTN Housingpreneur will later be connected to our ecosystem, including being mentored so that their ideas are not only creative, but also bankable,” said Setiyo.

This process continues with a three-month incubation programme. In this phase, ideas are tested from a more practical side: whether they can be implemented, whether they have a clear business model, and whether they meet financing standards.

When the Ecosystem Becomes Value

In many competitions, prizes are often the main attraction. However, in BTN Housingpreneur, the greatest value lies in access.

BTN’s Corporate Secretary, Ramon Armando, describes this programme as a movement to give birth to new entrepreneurs in the housing sector. That statement is evident from how participants perceive this event.

One BTN Housingpreneur participant is explaining his product innovation to visitors. Dok. BTN

Ryan Maurice Talullah, Founder of Bardi Smart Home and also a BTN Housingpreneur jury member, sees that participants’ motivations have changed.

“They hope to enter BTN’s ecosystem and get orders from developers who have been partnering for years,” he said.

Zamzam Multazam from PT Inovasi Tangguh Bencana demonstrated