In an exciting development for Indonesia’s growing startup ecosystem, Luarkampus, a startup from Pontianak, West Kalimantan, has been named the NextDev 2025 startup winner. The announcement was made during the prestigious NextDev Telkomsel event, which seeks to identify and support promising tech-based startups that are driving social impact.

The recognition of Luarkampus marks a significant achievement not only for the startup itself but also for the regional innovation ecosystem in Indonesia. This article explores Luarkampus’s journey, its social mission, the significance of the NextDev competition, and what this victory means for the future of Indonesian startups.

What Is Luarkampus and What Problem Does It Solve?

Luarkampus is a digital platform focused on improving access to higher education and career development for young people, especially those in remote and underdeveloped areas like Pontianak. The platform offers free and accessible information, mentoring, and guidance on university scholarships, career opportunities, and personal development.

Its main mission is to bridge the information gap that often leaves students in small towns or rural areas out of opportunities commonly accessible to students in urban centers.

“Education is the most powerful tool to break the cycle of poverty,” said the Luarkampus team. “We want to ensure every student, no matter where they live, has the chance to dream big.”

What Is NextDev and Why Is This Award Important?

NextDev is a well-known startup acceleration program initiated by Telkomsel, Indonesia’s leading telecom operator. Launched to support social-impact technology startups, NextDev has become a highly respected platform for emerging founders who focus on solving real societal challenges.

Each year, thousands of startups compete through rigorous selection rounds involving mentorship, prototype evaluations, and pitching sessions. Finalists are chosen based on innovation, impact, scalability, and sustainability.

Being crowned the NextDev 2025 startup winner is not just a badge of honor. It also brings:

• National exposure
• Access to seed funding and mentoring
• Opportunities for networking with investors and potential partners
• Further acceleration support through Telkomsel's platforms

For Luarkampus, winning this competition means having the resources and credibility to scale its impact beyond West Kalimantan to a national level.

The Impact of Luarkampus on Indonesia’s Education Landscape

Luarkampus has already made measurable contributions to local communities by:

• Reaching over 10,000 students through their online platform
• Organizing community-based scholarship workshops
• Connecting students with over 50 education mentors
• Providing content that promotes environmental and social awareness

Their educational content doesn’t just focus on traditional academic advice. It includes soft skills training, leadership workshops, and entrepreneurship development — all aimed at building a generation of self-reliant youth.

The platform is also expanding into vocational education, which is a key aspect of Indonesia’s strategy to reduce youth unemployment.

Local Pride, National Influence

Pontianak, often overshadowed by larger startup hubs like Jakarta or Bandung, now has a name to be proud of. Luarkampus’s victory shows that talent, innovation, and impact can come from anywhere.

The win sends a strong message to regional startups: With a clear mission, strong execution, and local engagement, it’s possible to rise to national recognition.

As Luarkampus plans to expand, the founders hope to build regional chapters and collaborate with local governments to increase their reach. Discussions are already underway to partner with regional universities and NGOs to implement Luarkampus workshops across Kalimantan and Sulawesi.

What’s Next for Luarkampus?

Looking ahead, Luarkampus is expected to use the momentum from its NextDev 2025 startup winner status to secure funding, onboard more users, and refine its tech infrastructure.

Key focus areas include:

• Developing a mobile app for easier access to educational content
• Launching a scholarship tracking feature with push notifications
• Partnering with universities and government bodies for offline outreach
• Building AI-powered mentoring tools to personalize student journeys

The team is also exploring regional and international partnerships, especially with organizations that focus on youth development in Southeast Asia.

Luarkampus’s victory as the NextDev 2025 startup winner is a reminder of the transformative power of grassroots innovation. By focusing on access, equity, and empowerment, the startup is solving a critical challenge in Indonesia — the uneven distribution of education opportunities.

With national recognition and support from Telkomsel, Luarkampus is now poised to scale its vision and make a lasting impact on Indonesia’s next generation of changemakers. As we look to the future, this success story from Pontianak gives us hope that inclusive innovation is possible, and that even the smallest town can produce the country’s next big startup.