Jakarta. KB Bank is calling on young entrepreneurs to embrace environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles via GenKBiz Surabaya.

GenKBiz Surabaya is part of the company’s efforts to encourage a national entrepreneurial ecosystem that aligns with the ESG principles. This is a business incubation program targeting students and youth with innovative, socially impactful, and sustainability-oriented business ideas. Participants will not only receive business training and mentoring, but also the opportunity to develop business ideas that have commercial value as well as social and environmental impact.

At the end of GenKBiz Surabaya, the finalists presented their business ideas to a panel of judges consisting of industry practitioners, academics, and KB Bank representatives.  The judges took into account aspects of innovation, sustainability, social and environmental impact, and business model feasibility.

First place went to Nicole Olivia from the University of Surabaya, with her business idea Dauroma, an eco-friendly perfume business that processes fruit peel waste into unique and long-lasting extrait de parfum fragrance products. Dauroma promotes the concept of a circular economy to reduce the burden of organic waste ending up in landfills, while creating sustainable economic added value.

Farel Kamaludin from the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) was the runner-up with his business idea, Aither, a climate tech startup that develops microalgae-based biotechnology air purifiers. This innovation seeks to capture carbon and convert it into oxygen, targeting B2B and B2C markets as a more efficient decarbonization solution compared to conventional air purifiers.

The third place was won by Cahyo Ilham from Brawijaya University with his business idea Capunglam. It offers an integrated household waste management ecosystem through digital applications, education, and waste collection services. Capunglam focuses on solving waste problems directly at the source, especially organic waste, through integrated farming approaches such as worm farming, as well as distributing inorganic waste to recycling partners.

KB Bank President Director Kunardy Darma Lie said that GenKBiz shows the bank’s commitment to nurturing innovative and sustainability-oriented young entrepreneurs.

“Through GenKBiz, we want to encourage the emergence of entrepreneurs who are not only profit-oriented but also have a real impact on the environment, society, and local economic development,” Kunardy was quoted as saying in a press statement.

According to Kunardy, the business ideas that the winners have presented reflected a spirit of innovation and sustainability that align with the bank’s ESG commitment.

“The GenKBiz winners show that the sustainable businesses can be run with a strong model and commercial potential. KB Bank hopes that this program can be a catalyst for the emergence of young entrepreneurs who can grow sustainably and contribute positively to the national economy,” he added.

The winners were deemed outstanding because they presented businesses that are not only innovative but also make a tangible contribution to ESG factors and support sustainable local economic development. In addition to having clear social and environmental impacts, these business ideas have solid business models with the potential for sustainable development.

Through GenKBiz, KB Bank hopes to remain a strategic partner for the younger generation in developing competitive, sustainable businesses that provide tangible benefits to society. Going forward, KB Bank will continue to offer entrepreneurship development programs as part of the company’s active contribution to supporting inclusive and sustainable national economic growth.