Jakarta.  Astra has officially opened registration for the 2024 edition of Astranauts, its digital innovation competition for startups and university students. 

This year’s edition will embrace the theme “Technology Innovation for Today and The Future of Indonesia”. Participants will compete in 8 topics: Smart Automotive & Manufacturing, Smart Financial Services, Smart Mining & Energy, Smart Agriculture, Smart Mobility & Logistics, Smart Infrastructure & Property, Smart Technology, and Smart Healthcare. 

“At 2024 Astranauts, we look forward to seeing innovative solutions in the field of digital and sustainable technology, both business and environmental. Hopefully, we can encourage participants to come up with the best solutions in strengthening the digital and technological ecosystem that benefits many people today and in the future Indonesia," Paul Soegianto, the chief of group digital strategy at Astra, was quoted as saying in a recent press statement. 

To join, the participating startups must have a minimum viable product (MVP) and product traction. The competition is open for currently enrolled university students, be it those in the D3-D4 associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, or master’s degree.

Participants can choose between the Innovation Competition route or the Business Challenge. In the Innovation Competition, participants can submit ideas and existing products, or propose new innovative ideas according to the topic completed. The Business Challenge route will have participants come up with the best solutions for the real cases provided by Astra.

Winners will get a cash prize totaling hundreds of millions of rupiah, the opportunity to collaborate with the Astra Group, and an exclusive mentorship from industry experts and leaders. They will also get to meet and pitch their ideas to the 2024 Astranauts venture capital partners.

The 2024 Astranauts will also have a technology conference with discussions on various topics related to digital and technology. Experts and industry leaders are set to be the speakers. The conference will take place on June 6, 2024. They will then announce the 2024 Astranauts winner at the Demo Day event the following day.

The 2024 Astranauts also involves several companies within Astra Group, namely PAMA and Astra Graphia Information Technology (AGIT). The event partners with Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Indonesia x Data Labs, Angel Investment Network Indonesia (ANGIN), Block71, Endeavor, Google for Startups, Habibie Innovation Incubator, Impact Hub, KUMPUL.ID, Lestari, Plug and Play, Gerakan 1000 Startup Digital, Startup Studio Indonesia, SISTEM, and Telkomsel Ventures.

Registration for 2024 Astranauts will be open until April 28. Go to www.astradigital.id/astranauts to sign up.