Bank Saqu, the digital banking service owned by Astra Financial and WeLab, is expanding its support for Indonesian solopreneurs through Bank Saqu Solopreneur Society: The Founders Club, which was introduced as an expanded version of its previous Solopreneur Academy program (3/9).

The program has involved more than 1,000 solopreneurs from various industries since 2024. It has evolved from a learning space into a growth ecosystem that connects founders with business knowledge, networks, business opportunities and financial solutions.

The 2026 program focuses on three main areas: industry insights, networking and curated business matchmaking. Bank Saqu is also collaborating with IDN this year to strengthen the Solopreneur Society: The Founders Club ecosystem.

Bank Saqu Expands Support for Indonesian Solopreneurs

The development of a business requires not only the ability of founders to manage their businesses, but also access to the right ecosystem.

The Striving to Thrive: The State of Indonesian Micro and Small Enterprises 2024/25 report found that more than 50% of micro and small businesses that accessed one or more forms of business support in the previous 12 months reported increased revenue. This compares with 37% among businesses that did not receive such support.

The support included mentoring, financial training, digital marketing and peer networking.

Bank Saqu's solopreneur program has developed alongside the needs of business owners. Solopreneur Academy began in 2024 as a space for new solopreneurs to learn, share experiences and strengthen their business foundations.

In 2025, the program expanded by bringing together more solopreneurs from different industries to increase knowledge and build networks.

Hendrik Komandangi, Relationship Banking Director of Bank Saqu, said, “In the last two years, we have seen the journey of solopreneurs continue to develop. As businesses grow, their needs also become broader. In addition to knowledge and a strong business foundation, they need access to networks, market opportunities, and financial support that suits their stage of business. Therefore, through Solopreneur Society: The Founders Club, we want to expand this support so that founders have greater access to help them take their businesses to the next stage.”

Solopreneur Society Connects Founders With Business Opportunities

Solopreneur Society: The Founders Club brings together different participants in the business ecosystem, including fellow founders, brand owners, suppliers, strategic partners and ecosystem buyers.

The program is designed to go beyond knowledge-sharing by creating connections that can support business growth.

Through its collaboration with IDN, Bank Saqu is providing a broader space for founders to gain new perspectives, expand their networks and meet various participants in the business ecosystem.

William Utomo, Co-Founder & COO of IDN, said, “We see that business growth requires not only knowledge, but also an ecosystem that can provide access to relevant connections and opportunities. Through our collaboration with Bank Saqu, IDN wants to help provide a space for founders to exchange perspectives, expand their networks, and find collaboration opportunities that can support their business development. We hope this collaboration can be part of a joint effort to build an increasingly connected solopreneur ecosystem and provide a real impact for business owners.”

Business Matchmaking Becomes a Key Feature in 2026

Unlike previous Solopreneur Academy programs, which focused on learning and strengthening business fundamentals, Solopreneur Society: The Founders Club 2026 introduces industry insights, networking and curated business matchmaking as its three main components.

Founders will receive perspectives from practitioners and experts on challenges and opportunities in four business categories: coffeepreneur, food and beverage (F&B), MICE and artificial intelligence (AI).

The sessions are designed to provide insights that are relevant and applicable to the characteristics and needs of each industry.

Business matchmaking follows these sessions and is one of the key differences in the 2026 program. Founders will be matched with relevant business participants based on the needs and potential of their respective businesses.

These meetings are intended to support potential partnerships, market access and new business opportunities.

Bank Saqu Provides Financial Solutions for Solopreneurs

Bank Saqu is also adding financial solutions to the ecosystem alongside access to knowledge and business networks.

The bank supports the financial needs of its solopreneur customers, from financial management to access to credit facilities for customers who meet the required criteria.

One of these products is Saku Kredit, a Bank Saqu loan facility with a limit of up to Rp30 million. The facility can be used flexibly for various needs.

Bank Saqu also provides Working Capital Loans for business owners who want to develop their businesses, supporting capital needs and business operations.

These financial solutions are part of Bank Saqu's effort to support customers according to their stage of business development.

Otten Coffee Partnership Strengthens the Business Ecosystem

Bank Saqu's ecosystem approach also involves industry players, including Otten Coffee, which has developed an ecosystem for coffeepreneurs.

Bank Saqu and Otten Coffee established a strategic partnership this year with a shared vision of supporting business owners in the coffee industry.

The partnership combines Otten Coffee's industry knowledge and ecosystem with access to Bank Saqu's financial services. Businesses within the Otten Coffee ecosystem can therefore receive support related to running and developing their businesses.

Jhoni Kusno, CEO of Otten Coffee, said, “At Otten Coffee, we build an ecosystem that supports coffeepreneurs through products, knowledge, and community. We see a shared vision with Bank Saqu in helping business owners continue to grow. Through this collaboration, the strength of the Otten Coffee ecosystem is combined with access to Bank Saqu's financial solutions, giving coffeepreneurs more relevant support as they develop their businesses.”

Through Solopreneur Society: The Founders Club, Bank Saqu connects knowledge, business networks, opportunities and financial access to support business development. The initiative continues Bank Saqu's support for solopreneurs at different stages of their business journey and reflects its #SelaluBersama commitment to accompany customers from starting a business to developing it.

PHOTO: BANK SAQU

This article was created with AI assistance.

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