UNM Data Science Students Create AI Startups, from i-Mosque to Smart Payment Bracelet
Universitas Nusa Mandiri (UNM), as a Digital Business Campus, continues to strengthen a culture of innovation and digital entrepreneurship among its students. This commitment was realised through the 2026 Digital Business Bootcamp organised by the Faculty of Information Technology, encouraging students not only to master technology but also to create tangible solutions through the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data-based digital startups.
During the bootcamp, sixth-semester Data Science students produced several startup proposals offering innovative solutions to various societal issues. Notable ideas included i-Mosque, an integrated digital service platform for the Muslim community; WARSI AI, an AI-based shopping assistant that helps culinary SMEs improve operational efficiency; Delavia, an AI-based eyewear recommendation platform featuring a virtual try-on function; and Beat Band, a biometric smart bracelet that uses heartbeat authentication to enhance the security of contactless payments.
These four proposals address diverse issues, ranging from strengthening digital service ecosystems for religious communities and the digital transformation of SMEs, to innovation in the financial technology (fintech) sector. Beyond offering technological solutions, each team also developed a business model, marketing strategy, market analysis, and a realistic product development roadmap as a foundation for implementing their startups.
Head of the Data Science Study Programme, Tati Mardiana, stated that the students’ ability to design startups is a strong indicator of a growing innovation culture on campus. “We see that students are no longer solely focused on mastering technology, but are beginning to understand the problems faced by society and translate them into solutions with business value. This is a crucial competency for prospective startup founders in the digital economy era,” she said.
According to Tati, mastery of AI and data analysis is the primary capital for building technology-based startups. However, the success of an innovation is also determined by the ability to understand user needs and provide truly relevant solutions. “We hope the ideas born from this activity do not stop as business concepts, but continue to be developed, validated, and eventually become startups that can provide added value to society. The campus will continue to encourage students to dare to innovate and build solutions that answer challenges in various sectors,” she added.
She added that collaboration between higher education institutions and industry is a crucial factor in building a healthy startup ecosystem. Therefore, through project-based learning, digital business bootcamps, mentoring from practitioners, and product development assistance, students gain real experience in testing ideas while understanding market needs. “Through various innovation and digital entrepreneurship development programmes, the Data Science Study Programme at Universitas Nusa Mandiri is committed to producing graduates who are not only ready to work, but also capable of building startups, creating jobs, and contributing to the growth of Indonesia’s digital economy,” she concluded.