Hi, I’m Rama, an HR Operations & Engagements at Bukit Vista, and I’m excited to share our experience at the recent International Guest Lecture with Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). Held on March 20, 2025, the session of DCSEminar brought together academic insight and practical startup knowledge, giving students a comprehensive look into entrepreneurship, innovation, and career adaptability in today’s digital economy.
The event featured two visionary speakers: our CEO and Co-Founder Jing Cho Yang, and Mark Searle, Head of Mentoring Excellence at the Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology (SCET), UC Berkeley. I had the privilege of coordinating the collaboration with both speakers and UGM representative, Mr. Azhari, alongside our VP of Employee Experience and Culture, Furqon — a rewarding effort that resulted in a dynamic, interactive learning experience for all.
From User Discovery to Product-Market Fit
Jing opened the DCSeminar session by inviting participants to share their startup ideas — from Alice’s bakery concept and Ahmad’s decarbonization venture, to insights from Daffa, a returning student, and Oscar, an IKN authority. Their stories sparked a deeper lesson: understanding user behavior is the foundation of any successful startup. “Business is an exchange of values,” Jing said, urging founders to observe users, not just rely on assumptions.
To drive this home, he introduced the Minimum Viable Product (MVP), which Jasson defined clearly as the simplest version of a product that solves a real problem. Jing warned against feedback from friends and vanity metrics like likes — instead, he advised founders to seek critical users who challenge assumptions. Ahmad was guided through using tools like Google Trends and ChatGPT to validate market potential. When Ian from BRIN asked how to know when to pivot in tech-based R&D, Jing emphasized listening to user feedback and tracking behavior over time.
Executing with AI and Strategic Partnerships
Jing offered a real-world case study from Bukit Vista: GAIA, the AI-powered assistant that instantly analyzes guest inquiries and responds within minutes. When Dzaky, a student entrepreneur, asked about digital transformation, Jing explained how GAIA scaled customer service operations, delivering 24/7 responsiveness with consistent quality. His point was clear — AI should solve operational problems, not just ride the hype.
Mark Searle brought a strategic lens to business model evolution, asking four key questions: Who are your customers? Why will they love you? How do you reach them? And how do you make the money work?
He emphasized aligning innovation with execution, echoing Jing’s user-first approach. Through examples like a cybersecurity startup that scaled via partnerships and the Starbucks-PepsiCo collaboration, he showed the value of aligning with stable, complementary partners. The session highlighted that successful startups don’t just build great products — they build smart, resilient systems around them.
Key Takeaways and Career Inspiration
The session offered powerful lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs:
- Start with your users — real feedback matters more than likes.
- Focus on MVPs — build small, test fast, and learn quickly.
- Use data tools — like Google Trends and ChatGPT to validate your ideas.
- Seek early adopters — they’ll help you build momentum.
- Form strategic partnerships — align with those who offer real value.
- AI should solve real problems, not just sound impressive.
On the career front, Mark reminded us that success in the digital era means being adaptable, curious, and ready to deliver value — whether as a founder or a future team member.
Our Ongoing Commitment to Learning and Growth
At Bukit Vista, we believe innovation comes from openness — to feedback, to collaboration, and to new ideas. This guest lecture with UGM is part of our broader effort to share knowledge and create bridges between academia and industry. Whether you’re a university leader exploring future partnerships or a student eager to intern, grow, and thrive, we invite you to join our journey.
Learn more about our open roles and educational collaborations: 🔗 Bukit Vista Careers