UNS — As an engineering student, Ratih Rachmatika aims to create a technology that has a social benefit for society. The alumnus of the Electrical Engineering Program Faculty of Engineering (FT) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) and Founder and CEO of SIAB Indonesia developed ‘Siaga Air Bersih’ (providing clean water) or SIAB as her contribution for the society and her career option.
Ratih, her short name, explained that SIAB Indonesia is a startup in water management based on the Internet of Things (IoT) and aims to be a tech company with social impact, especially for the community without access to clean water. SIAB applies integrated technology that enables water management from the source to the endpoint to be conducted through one tool and continuous monitoring through a smartphone.
The startup in Surakarta has three features or products. First, SIAB Monitoring is to monitor water quality such as water PH, water clarity, water temperature, and other factors. Second, SIAB Distribusi or Digital Water Meter, for monitoring and providing information for water management, such SPAM and PDAM, or household customers.
“Jadi Digital Water Meter is installed in clean water sources or houses to monitor clean water debit volume, water bill, and detect leakage. SIAB account owners could consult (the app developer) if they found problems in the water. The third feature we are developed is automatic water filtration,” Ratih explained.
Start from Creative Project
SIAB Indonesia was established in 2017—2018, starting from a creative project or Ratih’s class assignment. The course required students to build hardware or software systems. Ratih wanted to develop her idea and apply it to solve the community’s problems. The closest social problem around UNS was the clean water crisis around the Bengawan Solo river due to flooding. “I tried to find the issues around the flooding and monitor water quality online. Then new features were added in the following years,” she explained.
To strengthen and develop her initial idea, Ratih participated in various competitions and received satisfactory results. At last, she found the opportunity to start as a digital business and find a market for SIAB Indonesia.
Equipped by Experiences
Ratih efforts to develop SIAB was supported by her experiences, such as UNS Excellent Student in 2018, 1st Runner Up Alternative Energy National Idea Competition, Hasanuddin Technofest 2017, 10th Big Finalist of 3rd International Biotechnology Competition and Exhibition, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia; Top 20th Paper Competition, PPI UK, Warwick University, Warwick, United Kingdom, and1st Winner Start-Up Category Top Generation Challenge.
Ratih also has two years of experience in the energy and technology field and participated in the water and wind turbine construction project used as an energy source for clean water management in the Bengawan Solo River.
Challenges
All efforts will meet challenges, especially in terms of business. In the beginning, Ratih has limited experience with business management, and she often seeks for a second opinion in leading SIAB Indonesia. She also questioned her ability to be a CEO and founder as she was demanded to understand business development, managerial, financial management. “It is not only the leadership part. Then funding and capital. I need to actively participate in a competition, finding investors to start the business,” she said.
She also commuted between Solo-Yogyakarta each week to participate in the UGM incubator for a few months to develop startup products. “I think each challenge has a solution; there is always a way out, as long as we make efforts to find it,” Ratih said.
Efforts do not betray results. SIAB Indonesia received positive responses from the community and was introduced in several regions in Central Java and Yogyakarta. The business also received various awards and golden opportunities, such as in the “Top Generation Challenge” program held by Top Coffee and Kompas TV,s “NextDev Academy” program from Telkomsel, “Thinkubator” 2019 program held by GRAB asnd live-streamed by Trans TV, and “Appcelerate” program held by Lintasarta and UGM. These achievement has introduced SIAB to the broader community. Humas UNS
Reporter: Kaffa hidayati
Editor: Dwi Hastuti