ITS Students' Renewable Energy Innovation Wins 4th Place at 2026 Fowler GSIC US

RRI.CO.ID, San Diego - TERANGIN, a startup born from the Pertamuda Seed & Scale 2025 program, has achieved a remarkable milestone on the international stage. The startup broke into the Top 6 and secured 4th place at the 2026 Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge (GSIC), at the University of San Diego, United States, on May 1 and 2, 2026.

Representing Indonesia, TERANGIN, hailing from the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS), successfully outcompeted 43 finalists from 10 countries.

TERANGIN introduced a sustainable solution in the form of a crop pest trap powered by renewable energy, combining wind turbine and solar panel technologies. The innovation not only addresses practical challenges faced by farmers but also aligns with the broader global energy transition agenda.

Pertamina's Vice President of Corporate Communication, Muhammad Baron, described the achievement as tangible proof of Pertamina's role in nurturing young innovators and building a globally competitive startup ecosystem.

"TERANGIN's success in San Diego validates that homegrown innovation meets world-class standards. Through Pertamuda, we provide continuous mentorship so that students' creative ideas can be transformed into real solutions recognized by international investors," said Baron.

TERANGIN's Founder, Muhammad Hanif, expressed deep gratitude for the full support extended by Pertamina, particularly throughout the preparation phase leading up to their departure for the United States.

"The Fowler GSIC gave us a new perspective on the scale of the international industry. We are grateful to the Pertamina and Pertamuda teams for their comprehensive facilitation, from intensive mentoring to full financial support for this trip," said Hanif.

Alongside TERANGIN, Indonesia's delegation also included Pe-NOVTRA from the Politeknik Elektronika Negeri Surabaya (PENS), which presented an innovation in palm oil harvesting equipment based on a self-charging piezoelectric system.

By virtue of its 4th-place finish, TERANGIN earned USD 3,000 in funding to support further business development. The participation further strengthens Indonesia's standing on the global social entrepreneurship map and opens doors to collaboration with international partners.

Pertamuda Seed & Scale is Pertamina's flagship program designed to identify and cultivate young entrepreneurial talent at the university level. Now entering its fifth year, the program has engaged more than 14,000 students from hundreds of universities across Indonesia. (Annaila Azzahra/EN)