In Widya Putra's eyes (32), mushrooms have always held a significant fascination for him. Especially when mushrooms became a part of his studies in Microbiology at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), enlightening him about the myriad benefits associated with them.
Born in Sibolga, North Sumatra, this young man has been fond of biology since high school. It's no surprise that delving into microbiology deepened his understanding, especially about mushrooms.
"In microbiology, we study microscopic organisms like bacteria, viruses, and fungi. What caught my attention was fungi. Why? Because it turns out, mushrooms have many benefits, especially those that are edible, and their taste and texture resemble meat," said Widya, whose thesis focused on cultivating oyster mushrooms known for their beneficial compounds for health.
From their high nutritional content to their pleasant texture, Widya saw the potential in cultivating mushrooms. His university internship led him to a mushroom cultivation company in Malang, East Java, augmenting his knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit.
His strong determination to become an entrepreneur motivated Widya to pursue his Master's studies in the Netherlands.
First Batch of LPDP Scholarship Recipients
The Education Fund Management Institution (LPDP) initiated its scholarship program in 2013. Who were the first batch and where are the alumni of the initial LPDP scholarship? Widya Putra is one of them.
Widya's journey with the LPDP scholarship began with a friend's recommendation. He was interested in studying food quality management to equip himself with knowledge for his future entrepreneurial endeavors.
A year after graduating from ITB in 2012, two friends who were already aware of the LPDP scholarship invited Widya to apply. He smoothly sailed through the application process and became part of the inaugural Pre-Departure Training (PK) batch.
"The opportunities were vast. It was a new program, and I became one of the first PK-1 batch members at that time," reminisced Widya. PK-1 LPDP consisted of around 60 individuals. He recalled the memorable moments during the training, particularly the three-day stay aboard a Navy submarine.
Widya had secured three Letters of Acceptance from different global universities, including Wageningen University, Ghent University, and the University of New South Wales. Eventually, he chose Wageningen University in the Netherlands, majoring in Food Quality Management.
According to Widya, his academic journey in the Netherlands went smoothly. He also found inspiration to introduce mushroom-based products different from those in Indonesia. Despite facing language barriers in English, Widya managed them by recording lectures to revisit the material later.
Widya considers himself fortunate to have experienced the LPDP scholarship. Being part of Indonesia's largest scholarship community worldwide, he believes it's beneficial for networking and making friends. "One day, most leaders in sectors like state-owned enterprises or government positions might be led by LPDP alumni. And perhaps, it's these connections that make us more adaptable," explained Widya.
Entrepreneurship in Mushroom-Based Foods
Since his university days, Widya aspired to create job opportunities rather than solely relying on employment. He believed that to progress as a nation, the number of entrepreneurial job creators must increase.
"People say that by 2045, Indonesia will be the golden generation, but if job opportunities are limited, there will still be a lot of unemployment. So, I explored what could be done in my field of expertise," he expressed.
After earning his master's degree in the Netherlands, Widya ventured into selling organic products as his first attempt. However, this joint venture with fellow LPDP alumni lasted only until around 2016.
Returning to Bandung that same year, Widya delved into developing mushrooms based on his expertise. His first brand, Mushome, aimed to educate children about oyster mushrooms and introduce various mushroom-based products to the public.
Mushome's product line included mushroom kits, allowing children to grow mushrooms using sawdust as the medium. This initiative educated children on cultivating their own mushroom-based food. By 2018, Mushome expanded its product range to include mushroom chips and seaweed.
The following year saw the birth and rapid growth of Widya's second brand, Meatless Kingdom. This foodtech startup, headquartered in Cimahi, West Java, operates under PT Yasa Jamur Sriwijaya. Meatless Kingdom's products range from mushroom chips, mushroom broth, to plant-based meat made from mushrooms and soybeans.
As a Buddhist, consuming vegetarian and plant-based food was not new to Widya. He noticed that many vegetarian products in Indonesia were imported. So, he decided to produce locally made plant-based food with an Indonesian taste. This led to the establishment of Widya Putra's Meatless Kingdom.
As a self-starter, Widya faced numerous challenges in the initial stages, from finding farmers to partner with to attempting mushroom cultivation himself. There were times when he carried mushroom cultivation media on his motorcycle, riding half an hour from his rented place to Lembang in the morning and returning in the afternoon or evening.
"I carried them myself, left and right. From where I rented, it took half an hour to Lembang in the morning. Then I returned in the afternoon or evening," recalled Widya. At times, he questioned his activities, considering he was an S2 graduate from Europe, commonly expected to work in multinational corporations and enjoy comfortable positions.
"But I reassured myself that this is a necessary process for personal and business development," expressed Widya, who eventually succeeded in becoming a food tech entrepreneur.
Currently, both Mushome and Meatless Kingdom have 240 stores nationwide. Moreover, their products have been exported to countries like Singapore, the Netherlands, and Hong Kong. They are also available on various e-commerce platforms. With a team of 20 employees and eight interns, Meatless Kingdom offers a variety of flavors and forms, including rendang, gepuk, spicy and sweet dendeng, and smoked dendeng.
According to Widya, the biggest challenge he currently faces is creating awareness about plant-based meat and mushroom-based products among a wider audience. He hopes that vegetarian food products can become an option for health-conscious individuals who might be tired of consuming meat-based foods.
Widya's journey with Meatless Kingdom is far from over. His aim is to keep expanding his business to contribute to job creation, boost the nation's economy, and address health concerns by creating nutritious and healthy food.