Advancing the Digital Economy: APO Builds Readiness of Youth Entrepreneurs and Innovators

The Ministry of Manpower of the Republic of Indonesia, in collaboration with the APO Secretariat, hosted the multicountry Workshop on Youth Entrepreneurship and Digital Innovations online from 11 to 13 November 2025. The workshop gathered 42 participants from eight member economies and was facilitated by two resource persons, one from the Republic of China and one from Italy. The workshop aimed to enhance young people's ability to navigate the digital economy by deepening their understanding of emerging technologies, digital business models, and innovation-led entrepreneurship.

Over three days, the sessions explored key themes, including Industry 4.0 technologies, opportunity recognition in physical and digital markets, value proposition design, and business model development using AI and other digital tools. Participants engaged in group activities that guided them through the process of designing, iterating, and pitching digital business model prototypes. By the end of the workshop, five early-stage digital venture concepts had been developed, reflecting participants' increased ability to apply innovation frameworks and digital solutions within their socioeconomic context.

The workshop also promoted international collaboration and peer learning, enabling participants to exchange perspectives on entrepreneurship ecosystems across APO members. Participants highly praised the initiative for equipping them to turn ideas into digital solutions using practical tools and teamwork. An unintended yet valuable outcome was the formation of participant-led collaboration groups to continue knowledge sharing and develop new ventures. The project supported the APO Vision 2025 by empowering youth to become catalysts of productivity and innovation.