Recognising the importance of cross-sector synergy in accelerating the growth of the blue economy, the UK ID Tech Hub - British Embassy Jakarta, in collaboration with AIS Forum - UNDP, partnered with Skilvul Impact to initiate BISA (Blue Innovative Startup Acceleration). This programme is specifically designed to facilitate collaboration between innovative startups, community-based organisations (CBOs), and university students in exploring place-based technological adaptations that support the blue economy, strengthen local communities’ living spaces, and respect community wisdom across Indonesia.

This programme is also designed to build an ecosystem for Indonesia’s blue economy which is essential for unlocking its vast potential while ensuring sustainability and equitable growth. It involves other stakeholders, such as the government, donors, investors, academicians, and corporations, to foster long-term value creation. 

Key aspects critical to the success of this programme:

1. Accelerating local-contextualized technology adaptation: Facilitating collaboration between startups and CBOs to drive the blue economy across  Indonesia.

2. Grants and Implementation: Providing grants to enable participating startups to practically implement their collaborative ideas, ensuring a direct impact on the communities served.

3. Stakeholder Collaboration: Building strong partnerships with government entities, businesses, and communities to align with local policies, wisdom, and needs in driving the blue economy through technology adaptation.

4. Sustainable Development: Promoting an ecosystem where technology supports sustainable development.

5. Resolving problems and building resilience at rural and community levels: Through technology adaptation and place-based solutions, the programme empowers local communities to address socio-economic challenges, enhance livelihoods, and strengthen environmental sustainability while respecting cultural wisdom and local needs.

6. Further application in another region with the same problem characteristic: By piloting innovative technologies and fostering cross-sector collaboration, the programme develops practical models that address shared challenges, enabling broader impact across Indonesia’s blue economy and beyond.

7. Promoting self-sufficiency in food, water, and energy in villages: By addressing local challenges and leveraging sustainable practices, the programme empowers villages to achieve long-term independence while enhancing their ability to adapt to environmental and socio-economic changes.

8. Preparing Future Talent: Creating opportunities for university students to engage in understanding and solving real socio-ecological problems around them. University students will also learn to collaborate in an interdisciplinary work environment, encompassing technology, business, and community development.

The BISA programme aims to achieve these expected impacts across Indonesia:

1. Enable cross-sector collaboration between Tech Startup, Community-Based Organisations, and university students to explore technology adaptation that is relevant based on the local needs and potential

2. Expand the impact of technology adaptation of Indonesian Innovative Startups to enhance the local economy, livelihood, and environment focusing on the blue and circular economy