Faculty of Economics and Business UGM students have again made their mark nationally through the Next-Gen Science Technopreneur Battle 2025. Aurel Diyah Agustin, an undergraduate student in the Accounting Study Program class of 2022, won first place in the competition with her innovative business idea, a smart digital ticketing platform using facial recognition technology.
The platform, named Tixless with the slogan “One Face, One Ticket”, was developed by Aurel and Dita Ristyani (Nutrition and Health 2022), who are part of the Fighter team. It was created to provide convenience for visitors in accessing events. Through this application, entry can be done without queues and without physical tickets—just facial verification is needed.
Through Tixless, Aurel seeks to address various challenges in the event industry, such as long queues, ticket counterfeiting, discrepancies between attendee numbers and tickets sold, and the environmental impact of physical tickets. Compared to other digital solutions, Tixless offers advantages such as high security through Face ID, instant entry, automatic attendee counting, and additional features for organizers like real-time reporting and sponsorship integration.
Aurel explained that the business plan began with in-depth research, including interviews with event organizers and attendees. She then developed strategies covering the business model, technology workflow, and monetization plan.
“I also created an interactive visual presentation to ensure the idea could be understood and appealing to the judges,” she added.
However, the journey was not without challenges. One of the biggest hurdles was ensuring that the Face ID integration worked securely, quickly, and efficiently, while remaining cost-effective for organizers.
“I learned that a good business idea must address real problems and have a sustainable business model,” she stated.
As an Accounting student, Aurel found the experience to enhance her skills, particularly in financial projections, cost-benefit analysis, and calculating revenue streams. She plans to develop a Tixless prototype and seek strategic partners in the event industry for small-scale trials before expanding to a larger market.
Aurel hopes that in the future, students will not hesitate to enter the world of innovation and entrepreneurship. She also encourages students to contribute to creating technology-based solutions that have a real impact on society.
“Begin by identifying a relevant problem and developing a practical yet innovative solution. Remember to hone your communication skills to convey your ideas effectively,” Aurel advised.
Reporter: Orie Priscylla Mapeda Lumalan
Editor: Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
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