Women Dominate MSMEs in Indonesia, Dompet Dhuafa and Umar Usman Business Campus Hold Womenpreneur Growth Academy

Peserta Womenpreneur Growth Academy sedang mempresentasikan usaha bisnisnya di hadapan para juri.

SOUTH TANGERANG, BANTEN — Dompet Dhuafa through the collaboration of Khadijah Learning Center (KLC) with Umar Usman Business Campus (KBUU) to foster the entrepreneurial spirit by presenting the Womenpreneur Growth Academy (WGA) Program. After going through administrative selection, 20 participants were selected to take the interview test on Thursday (9/1/2025) at Khadijah Learning Center, Serpong, South Tangerang, Banten.

The program, which has been running since November 2024, received high enthusiasm. Initially, there were 80 participants who registered to join this program. Wonmenpreneur Growth Academy is a forum for accelerating women entrepreneurs in the South Tangerang area initiated by KLC as a productive waqf asset of Dompet Dhuafa.

Umar Usman Business Campus Director Lily Zulaiha was present to accompany the judges in the interview session on Thursday (9/01/2024) at the Khadijah Learning Center (KLC), Serpong, South Tangerang, Banten.

Lily Zulaiha as Director of KBUU said that more than 65 percent of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) activists in Indonesia are women with considerable development potential. The goal is to become an extension of the government in alleviating social and economic problems.

“I hope this WGA has a long impact. Hopefully, after the training, MSME players can help empower the surrounding community. They can develop into bigger businesses,” said Zulaiha.

Her party is also committed to contributing to providing business education for the beneficiaries later. Zulaiha targets 10 selected participants to receive training and coaching facilities for six months with business experts in marketing and business cooperation.

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One of the Womenpreneur Growth Academy participants presenting her product to the judges.
High enthusiasm from the participants to follow the presentation and interview sessions in the WGA Program by KLC Dompet Dhuafa and KBUU.

Not only that, continued Zulaiha, participants will also receive assistance for branding identity on logos, media, and print owned by private businesses; financing to participate in fairs or expos; access to new markets and sales; initiation of collaboration between businesses or government; and promotional media through social media publications.

One of the judges as well as KBUU expert and lecturer, Wusda Hetsa Ribawa, said that there are three assessment indicators for WGA selection participants. First, the personal figure. Second, product creativity. Third, the business model such as the type of operation and market fit.

“In my opinion, business is about the success of MSME players in marketing their products. Usually when it becomes a business, (products) can change quality if they don’t find the right market. I am grateful that Dompet Dhuafa provides longer incubation opportunities, namely six months. So that they get assistance until they can collaborate with national agencies,” said the man who is familiarly called Coach Wusda.

The judges comment on the participants’ presentations. From left: Rendika Rezky as Deputy Director of KBUU, and Wusda Hetsa as business coach and lecturer at KBUU and Yunilia Juhana as Industrial Psychologist.
Coach Wusda as a judge assessed the participants’ business models on Thursday (9/01/2024).

The interview selection took place over two days. Previously, the participants presented points analyzing their marketing strategies, products, and the strengths and weaknesses of their businesses in front of the judges. The products varied. They ranged from traditional food businesses to fashion.

The program was welcomed by Dian Herdiani, one of the WGA participants who opened a business in the catering service sector since 2014. It all started with her principle of wanting to serve healthy home-cooked food. To date, her catering business has contributed greatly to her family’s economy.

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Dian Herdiani, one of the WGA participants, presenting her business venture to the judges.
Dian Catering Ciputat has been supporting Dian’s family’s economy since 2014.

The owner of Dian Catering Ciputat said she joined WGA to receive mentoring sessions from entrepreneurial experts. She wants to expand her market by opening small outlets. So far, she has only relied on loyal customers in ordering catering.

“This business contributes 60 percent to my family’s economy. Therefore, I need mentoring, a place to consult directly about my business development. I think I need to learn more about marketing to expand my target market. I am happy to have reached this stage,” Dian concluded. (Dompet Dhuafa)

Text and photo: Hany Fatihah Ahmad

Editor: Dhika