State-owned electricity company PT PLN is ramping up efforts to foster innovation in the energy sector, with hopes that its PLN Startup Day initiative will pave the way for homegrown startups to reach unicorn status and compete on a global scale.

“Through PLN Startup Day, we hope to cultivate energy startups capable of reaching unicorn status, with valuations of up to US$1 billion, comparable to leading energy startups around the world,” Hartanto Wibowo, PLN Director for Corporate Planning and Business Development, said at an event in Jakarta on Wednesday, May 21, 2025.

The program, launched in 2023, is part of PLN’s broader strategy to become a central hub for the development of the energy startup ecosystem in Indonesia. The initiative consists of two key tracks aimed at fostering innovation at different stages of startup maturity.

The first track involves strategic collaborations with later-stage startups. These partnerships aim to develop integrated and innovative solutions that contribute directly to building a sustainable national energy ecosystem.

The second track targets early-stage startups, offering business incubation support including mentorship, training, and market exploration. This initiative is designed to empower nascent companies in the energy sector to grow and make a broader impact.

“We at PLN believe that creating an inclusive ecosystem and accelerating the energy transition cannot be achieved by PLN alone,” Wibowo emphasized.

“Innovation and cross-sector collaboration are critical, and the active role of startups as strategic partners is key to creating sustainable and relevant solutions,” he added

PLN Startup Day 2025 reaffirms the company's commitment to supporting startup development amid Indonesia's push toward clean and resilient energy infrastructure. The initiative is also seen as a strategic move to align with national energy transition goals and bolster the competitiveness of Indonesia’s tech sector on the world stage.

"PLN wants to be a big house or epicenter of the development of the energy startup ecosystem in Indonesia," he concluded.