Surabaya- A digital platform developed by researchers at Universitas Negeri Surabaya (UNESA) is reshaping how universities support student entrepreneurship and campus-based microbusinesses. Known as FEBpreneur Hub, the platform integrates student research, digital business incubation, and MSME services into a single system. The initiative was led by Muhammad Ulil Azmy Assyauqi and colleagues from the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), UNESA, and published in 2026 in the East Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Research. The findings matter because they offer a practical model for strengthening MSMEs while turning universities into active hubs of digital entrepreneurship.
FEBpreneur Hub was designed to support Srikandi FEB UNESA, a group of campus-based micro and small enterprises managed largely by women entrepreneurs. Before the platform was introduced, many of these businesses relied on manual transactions, informal communication channels, and fragmented record-keeping. At the same time, students in FEB UNESA needed real-world environments where they could apply research, entrepreneurship theory, and digital skills. FEBpreneur Hub connects these needs by placing MSMEs and students into one inclusive digital ecosystem.
Digital transformation and the campus MSME challenge
Across Indonesia, digital transformation has become a priority for MSMEs as they face increasing competition, changing consumer behavior, and rapid technological shifts. While large firms often adapt quickly, microbusinesses—especially those operating in campus environments—frequently struggle with limited access to digital tools, data management systems, and structured mentoring.
At UNESA, Srikandi FEB MSMEs reflect this broader challenge. Many entrepreneurs expressed difficulty in managing orders, tracking sales performance, and promoting products online in a systematic way. Meanwhile, students interested in entrepreneurship often encountered a gap between classroom learning and practical business experience.
The researchers from Universitas Negeri Surabaya identified this gap as an opportunity. They viewed the university not only as a place of teaching and research, but also as a living laboratory for digital entrepreneurship, where students and MSMEs can grow together through structured interaction and shared data.
How FEBpreneur Hub was developed
The research team used a research and development approach to design FEBpreneur Hub. The process began with a detailed needs assessment involving campus MSMEs and FEB UNESA students. Data were collected through direct observation, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and questionnaires.
The results revealed strong demand for an integrated digital platform:
- Around 80 percent of Srikandi MSME actors reported the need for a unified digital system for ordering, transaction records, and business monitoring.
- Approximately 75 percent of FEB UNESA students expressed interest in a platform that combines entrepreneurship learning, applied research, mentoring, and real business data.
Based on these findings, the researchers expanded an earlier digital ordering concept known as SIPENDI (Digital Ordering System for Srikandi) into a broader platform. FEBpreneur Hub was then developed as a prototype that supports business incubation, student research, and MSME digitalization simultaneously.
Results from initial implementation
Early testing of FEBpreneur Hub showed positive responses from both MSME actors and students. MSME owners reported that digital ordering and sales dashboards made transactions faster and record-keeping more reliable. Students highlighted the value of working with real business data rather than simulated case studies.
The trial phase also identified areas for improvement, including interface design, navigation clarity, and system responsiveness across devices. These insights were used as feedback for further platform refinement.
Despite these technical notes, the overall evaluation confirmed that FEBpreneur Hub successfully bridges academic activity and entrepreneurial practice within the university setting.
Real-world impact for education and MSMEs
The implications of FEBpreneur Hub extend beyond UNESA. The platform demonstrates how universities can play a direct role in digital MSME empowerment while enhancing the relevance of higher education.
For students, FEBpreneur Hub transforms entrepreneurship education into an experiential process. They act not only as learners, but also as mentors, analysts, and innovators. For MSMEs, the platform provides access to digital tools, structured mentoring, and data-driven insights that would otherwise be difficult to obtain.
In ethical paraphrase, Assyauqi and the UNESA research team emphasize that integrating student research with MSME digitalization strengthens entrepreneurial literacy and builds sustainable campus-based business ecosystems. This approach aligns academic outcomes with tangible economic benefits.
From a policy perspective, FEBpreneur Hub offers a replicable model for other universities seeking to align the “Tri Dharma” of higher education—teaching, research, and community service—into a single digital framework.
Potential for wider adoption
The authors note that FEBpreneur Hub can be scaled beyond FEB UNESA. With institutional support and continued system development, similar platforms could be implemented across faculties or universities, supporting student startups, community MSMEs, and regional economic development.
Future research is recommended to assess long-term impacts, including business sustainability, student entrepreneurial competence, and digital literacy growth among MSME actors.
Author profile
Muhammad Ulil Azmy Assyauqi
0 Komentar