PNM Boosts Underprivileged Women's Businesses Through Mekaarpreneur
Enhancing business capacity is a crucial factor for ultra-micro entrepreneurs in facing grassroots sector competition, especially amid technological advancements and shifting market behaviours. Strengthening financial literacy, managerial skills, and digital adaptation are primary needs to ensure businesses grow sustainably and maintain strong competitiveness.
Addressing these challenges, Permodalan Nasional Madani (PNM) through its Business Capacity Development (PKU) programme collaborated with the Asian Business Institute Malang Incubator to organise the Mekaarpreneur 2026 Demo Day Judging. This programme aims to encourage the best mentored clients to level up through business capacity strengthening.
Mekaarpreneur is a three-month business incubation programme designed to improve the capabilities of ultra-micro clients through mentoring, training, and the utilisation of digital technology. The programme has been implemented in various regions such as West Java, Central Java, and East Java, with an approach that promotes more directed business development and expands market access.
The Demo Day event, which serves as the culmination of the programme, is the result of the incubation series since January 2026. PNM previously selected 60 of the best Mekaar clients from the Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, Bekasi, Serang, and Sukabumi areas, ultimately narrowing it down to 16 top participants who competed in the final stage.
Amaliyah Sholihah, the winner of First Place in Mekaarpreneur, expressed her gratitude and joy over the achievement. “Oh God, what a dream for me, just a housewife in a sarong from Serang who processes waste, to win first place—this means so much to me,” she said.
PNM’s Business Director, Kindaris, emphasised that PNM not only provides access to funding but also ensures clients have the ability to manage and develop their businesses sustainably. “PNM not only provides access to funding but also ensures clients have the ability to manage and develop their businesses sustainably, including through the utilisation of digital technology, and with this event, they can develop client business marketing to compete and prepare for exports,” Kindaris stated.
In addition to Amaliyah, eight other resilient women achieved success in various regions. For the Jakarta and Bekasi category, Yuliana Rosita, Sri Haryanti, and Dahlia N. Simanungkal took the top spots. Meanwhile, the Bogor, Depok, and Sukabumi region was won by Manih, Dian Kartika, and Rantiyem. For the Tangerang and Serang area, Amaliyah Sholihah, Eros Rosita, and Berlina Sari claimed the victories. The winners received appreciation in the form of development funds as business capital to encourage advancement to a better stage.