The Food Technology student team of Faculty of Animal and Agriculture Sciences, Diponegoro University (UNDIP) consisting of I Kadek Hari Kesuma, Amanda Triandani, and Honey Nathania Marsela won 1st place in the HIPMI Business Competition. HIPMI Business Competition is an entrepreneurial business competition organized by HIPMI PT. Telkom which aims to create business ideas with creative and innovative concepts in the Industrial Era 4.0.
“We raised business innovations in the food and beverage sector. Actually in this competition, we can choose one of the various existing business fields, such as food and beverage, fashion, automotive, electronics and others. The reason we chose the food and beverage sector is because we are students of the Food Technology Undergraduate Study Program and we intend to create a business idea by selling health supplement drinks. The title of our business proposal is IMUNISI: Immune Enhancement and Stamina-Enhancing Supplement Drink from the Combination of Lime Leaf Extract and Cinnamon,” said Hari.
The story behind this idea is because recently the world was hit by COVID-19 pandemic and it causes the immune system to decline. One way to strengthen the immune system is to consume antioxidants. This product contains antioxidants obtained from lime leaf extract (Citrus aurantifolia) and cinnamon (Cinnamomum burmannii). Lime leaves contain bioactive compounds such as: alkaloids, phenolics, saponins, tannins, steroids and flavonoids. Meanwhile, cinnamon contains chemical compounds in the form of phenols, terpenoids and saponins that function as antioxidants.
“Initially, I was a little nervous and lacked confidence because the HIPMI Business Competition is a national level competition and is intended for all students in Indonesia. In addition, our team members are still in the first semester and have just received basic knowledge but we don’t just give up. We designed everything in a structured way to get maximum results. Selection is carried out in two stages. The first stage is the selection of proposals from all teams who register and look for the 5 best business proposals from December 15-17, 2021. For the second stage, 3 main winners are chosen from the 5 best teams by pitching in front of the jury and investors on December 18, 2021. The judging will be assessed based on business value, powerpoint display and presentation of an attractive business plan,” he explained.
“Competition and education are two important and interrelated things. Education is the main key for us to think critically and credible in solving a problem. It is a good experience to implement our knowledge by participating in existing competitions. Don’t be afraid to fail, be afraid of never trying and not being able to enjoy the process. Victory is pride for a person, where they are able to conquer the obstacles they face in their lives,” said Hari. (Lin – Public Relations)
