The Semiconductor Venture Accelerator Program, supported by the U.S. Consulate General in Surabaya and implemented by Arizona State University (ASU) in partnership with Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS), concluded its Final Pitch Competition on November 25, 2025. The event highlighted innovative projects from Indonesian students focused on semiconductor technology.
Eight students presented their ideas at the competition after months of mentorship and coursework. Their proposals addressed a range of issues using advanced semiconductor technologies, including AI-based chip design, sustainable materials, and circuit innovation for environmental monitoring. A panel of judges from government, industry, and academia evaluated the presentations. The judging panel included Rizki Triana Putri from Indonesia’s Ministry of Industry, Prof. Dr. Trio Adiono from ICDeC, Ali Soebroto from PT Panggung Electric Citra Buana, and Dr. Andri Mahendra from Nicslab Technology.
Riva Rizkiana won the competition with a project titled “SusTech ID” and received $500 in seed funding to develop the idea further.
The program is part of a broader effort to build sustainable academic and industry partnerships between the United States and Indonesia in the semiconductor sector. It began in July 2025 with an intensive nine-course concentration led by ASU faculty members for more than 60 students from ITS and Politeknik Elektronika Negeri Surabaya (PENS). After completing this coursework, over 30 students moved on to participate in an accelerator phase featuring sessions led by Dr. Brent Sebold of ASU.
Speaking about the participants’ achievements, Ms. Rizki Triana Putri said: “The participants demonstrated strong technical understanding and impressive creativity in addressing real semiconductor challenges. Their ideas show great potential for future development, and it is encouraging to see such talent emerging from Indonesia.”
Prof. Imam Baihaqi of ITS stated: “ITS is proud to collaborate with Arizona State University and the U.S. Consulate General in Surabaya on this pivotal program that strengthens the partnership between Indonesia and the United States in advancing semiconductor innovation. The exceptional quality of ideas presented today reflects the remarkable potential of Indonesian students to contribute to global technological progress and drive future breakthroughs in the semiconductor field.”
Puspa Asih, Country Director for ASU’s Representative Office in Indonesia added: “We are honored to support this initiative as an implementing partner. The collaboration exemplifies the strong partnership between Indonesia and the United States in advancing semiconductor education and innovation. We are proud of each participant’s growth throughout this program, which helps strengthen Indonesia’s semiconductor talent pipeline and empowers students to turn their ideas into real-world impact.”
As implementation ends for this phase of the initiative, organizers describe it as a model for educational diplomacy that supports U.S.–Indonesia relations through science and technology collaboration while contributing strategically toward long-term goals like Indonesia Emas 2045—a vision emphasizing industrialization driven by STEM fields.
Christopher R. Green, Consul General at U.S. Consulate General Surabaya remarked: “the United States is proud to deepen our economic relationship with Indonesia in high-growth sectors, such as cooperation on semiconductors where we are working together to ensure a secure, resilient supply chain. The Semiconductor Venture Acceleration Competition reflects the importance of academia – industry partnerships to drive development and shared prosperity.”
By connecting academic knowledge with industry needs through entrepreneurship-focused programming, organizers aim not only to support national ambitions but also bolster regional supply chains while promoting bilateral cooperation within global semiconductor markets.