Pertamina-Mentored Startup Reaches Top 6 in Global Social Innovation Challenge 2026 in the US
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SAN DIEGO – PT Pertamina (Persero)’s commitment to nurturing young innovators through the Energizing Indonesia spirit has once again yielded results on the international stage. TERANGIN, a startup from the Pertamuda Seed & Scale 2025 programme, has successfully achieved a brilliant milestone by entering the Top 6 and securing fourth place in the prestigious Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge (Fowler GSIC) 2026, held at the University of San Diego, United States (1-2 May 2026).
Representing the Indonesian delegation, TERANGIN from Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) managed to outrank 43 finalists from 10 countries, competing fiercely against elite global universities such as Georgetown University and the University of London.
TERANGIN presented a sustainable solution in the form of a crop pest trap device based on renewable energy, combining wind turbines and solar panels. This innovation not only serves as a solution for farmers but also aligns with the global energy transition agenda.
Vice President of Corporate Communication at PT Pertamina (Persero), Muhammad Baron, stated that this achievement is concrete proof of Pertamina’s role in building a globally competitive startup ecosystem.
“The success of TERANGIN in San Diego validates that innovations from the nation’s youth meet world standards. Through Pertamuda, we not only provide funding but also ongoing mentorship so that students’ creative ideas can transform into real solutions recognised by international investors. This is part of the Energizing Indonesia vision to bring local talent to the global stage,” said Baron.
Muhammad Hanif, founder of TERANGIN, expressed his appreciation for the full support provided by Pertamina from preparation to departure for the United States.
“The Fowler GSIC competition has given us a new perspective on international industry scale. We thank the Pertamina and Pertamuda teams who have fully facilitated us, from intensive mentoring to funding for this event. This support has been a key catalyst for us to level up as a social enterprise with broad impact,” Hanif stated.
In addition to TERANGIN, the Indonesian delegation was also represented by Pe-NOVTRA from Politeknik Elektronika Negeri Surabaya (PENS), which brought an innovation for a palm oil harvesting tool based on a self-charging system (piezoelectric). Although it did not break into the top six, this innovation received positive attention from the international judges.
For achieving fourth place, TERANGIN is entitled to USD 3,000 in funding for further business development. This participation further strengthens Indonesia’s position on the global social entrepreneurship map and opens opportunities for collaboration with international partners.