The Halal Super Angels (HASAN) Demo Day Jakarta 2024, attended by over 200 potential investors from around the world, has successfully served as an accelerator for 18 innovative halal startups from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. Under the theme “Innovate for Impact: Bridging Borders, Building Futures,” the event showcased creative solutions addressing the global challenges within the halal industry.
Organized by HASAN Venture Capital & Accelerator (HASAN.VC), in collaboration with the Indonesian Sharia Fintech Association (AFSI), the National Committee on Sharia Economics and Finance (KNEKS), and Bank Indonesia (BI), the prestigious event provided a significant platform for halal startups from the region to present their innovations to a global audience.
“Halal Startup Demo Day 2024 is our tangible step in supporting the halal startup ecosystem in Indonesia,” said Umar Munshi, Managing Partner of HASAN.VC. “We hope this event can act as a catalyst for the growth of the halal industry, attracting investors from both domestic and international markets, and inspiring the emergence of more innovators in the halal sector.”
Ronald Yusuf Wijaya, General Chair of AFSI, expressed pride in AFSI’s involvement in the event, stating, “We believe that the halal startups showcased today will become pioneers in the creative industry and the sharia economy.” He emphasized AFSI’s role in connecting halal startups with investors who may not have previously recognized their potential. “Through this opportunity, we hope investors will become more actively involved, increasing capital injections into halal startups and thereby supporting growth and innovation within halal ecosystems.”
Putu Rahwidhiyasa, Director of Sharia Business and Entrepreneurship at KNEKS, highlighted the importance of innovative sharia businesses for sustainable economic growth, job creation, and enhancing Indonesia’s global competitiveness. “KNEKS is committed to supporting this event and appreciates all parties involved. We invite everyone to work together in strengthening the halal startup ecosystem in Indonesia,” he stated.
Rifki Ismal, Director of the Sharia Economics and Finance Department (DEKS) at Bank Indonesia, also expressed support, noting, “This event has opened opportunities for SMEs to access funding from investors present, enabling sustainable growth and significant contributions to the economy. Bank Indonesia consistently encourages the digitization of SMEs operating in the sharia financial sector, aiming to create an inclusive and sustainable digital financial ecosystem.”
The startups featured at Demo Day 2024 offered a diverse range of innovations tailored to the unique needs of halal lifestyles, including animation and advertising studios, artificial intelligence-based Quran learning applications, technology-driven takaful aggregators, and specialized applications for people with disabilities. These innovations not only align with current market trends but also support Indonesia’s national strategy and vision to become the global center of the Islamic economy.
Reflecting on the event’s success, Ronald Yusuf Wijaya commented, “The success of this event demonstrates that the Indonesian halal startup ecosystem is maturing and ready to compete globally. Collaboration between the government, industry players, and startups is key to developing a sustainable halal industry.”
HASAN Demo Day 2024 has proven that Indonesian halal startups have immense potential to compete on a global scale. With continued support from various stakeholders, the halal startup ecosystem in Indonesia is poised to grow, contributing significantly to economic development and improving the welfare of the people.
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