Six-Month Journey of I-SEA Changemakers: Transformation, Innovation, and Positive Impact
“Time flies when you are having fun.”
— Albert Einstein
It’s hard to believe that the second cohort of the I-SEA program has already been running for more than six months. In this short period, the I-SEA Changemakers have gone through extensive mentoring to develop their businesses and amplify their impact. With guidance, mentorship, funding, and tailored ecosystem support from the I-SEA program, they have achieved remarkable milestones worth celebrating.
Nichoa Chocolate: Opening Their First Offline Store
Initially focused solely on online sales, Nichoa Chocolate has officially opened its first physical store in Magelang. With growing demand from loyal customers wanting a quicker purchase experience, Nichoa Chocolate decided to open a dedicated store. This new store not only serves as a place to buy their beloved chocolate but also offers hands-on workshops for both children and adults who want to learn the art of chocolate-making (bean to bar).
With guidance from mentors and thought partners at IKEA, Nichoa Chocolate received invaluable advice on visual merchandising to elevate the customer experience and create a more engaging in-store atmosphere. Additionally, IKEA’s mentorship provided insights into developing a product ladder, allowing Nichoa to structure more competitive and profitable pricing tiers.
The founder of Nichoa Chocolate, Andri Setyowati, expressed their gratitude for the guidance received “The mentorship from IKEA truly opened our eyes to details we had previously overlooked. As a result, we now have a store that is not only functional but also reflects the essence of our brand.”
Looking for something sweet and socially responsible? Head over to Nichoa Chocolate to find and buy chocolate that supports local farmers.
Rezycology: Over 1,000 Metric Tons of Commercial Plastic Waste Recovered in Six Months in 2024
Rezycology has successfully expanded its waste bank digitalization campaign and waste management workshops to the regions of Padang and Bekasi. Through hard work and strong commitment, they managed to process over 1,000 metric tons of commercial plastic waste during the first six months of 2024.
Rezycology’s founder, Stefani Octalia, enthusiastically shared, “With our campaigns expanding, we are getting closer to our goal of creating a real change in our community.”
Rezycology remains determined to create a cleaner and more sustainable environment along the northern coast of Java with an integrated plastic recycling system. By establishing collection facilities and empowering the informal sector, they hope to reduce plastic waste leakage into the sea.
Java Fresh: Industrial-Scale Experiment to Extend the Shelf Life of Mangosteen to 45 Days!
After achieving success in selling exotic fruits in the international market, Java Fresh has continued to innovate to consistently provide quality fruits to international markets. They are currently developing technology to extend the shelf life of fruits during shipment. Previously, mangosteens had a shelf life of only ten days and could only be shipped by air, resulting in high prices that limited access to wealthier consumers. Java Fresh’s innovation aims to extend the shelf life of mangosteen to 45 days, potentially revolutionizing the market.
This breakthrough technology is expected to have a tremendous domino effect. Lower fruit prices will attract a broader range of customers, making the fruit accessible to more than just the upper class. Furthermore, Java Fresh will be able to expand its supply areas across Indonesia, positively impacting local fruit farmers and women in packing houses.
Reflecting on this progress, the Head of Research & Development of Java Fresh, Hilda Sucipto, stated: “We feel incredibly supported by the I-SEA ecosystem. This experiment allows us to expand our market and ensure our product quality remains top-notch when it reaches consumers.”
Aluan: Securing $100K in New Investment
Aluan has successfully secured a new investment of $20,000 from the GenEm Foundation and $80,000 from IIX. This funding will be used to strengthen their business model and expand the social impact of their operations in Aceh.
“The primary support from I-SEA has been invaluable in helping us achieve our HACCP certification, which has opened up new market opportunities and enhanced the professionalism of our production facility,” said the founder of Aluan, Jane Dunlop. “The I SEA team has been incredibly supportive at responding to our needs. Providing financing at a critical time for us as well as bringing our attention to new donor funding opportunities which the team has been focussed on.”
Learn more about their inspiring story of creating impact through coconut-based products.
With these accomplishments, the I-SEA Changemakers have shown that with the right guidance and a collaborative spirit, social enterprises can grow stronger and create greater impact. We can’t wait to see more big changes in the near future. Keep innovating and transforming for a better future!
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Copyright © 2017 – 2024 Instellar.
All rights reserved.
Instellar Indonesia
V-Office District 8, Treasury Tower Lt.6 Unit F
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 52-53, SCBD Lot.28
Jakarta 12190
Stay connected with us
Copyright © 2017 – 2024 Instellar. All rights reserved.
