Barnana: Healthy Snack from Banana Stems Secures National Startup Funding
Yogyakarta — Innovation continues to emerge from Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana (UKDW), Yogyakarta, where a group of students, faculty, and alumni have developed Barnana, a healthy snack bar made from banana stem flour — a local resource that is rarely utilized.
The team behind Barnana consists of five students representing three different faculties: Novelia E.A. Ma’ahury and Latifasya P. Daneswari from the Faculty of Business, Otniel J. Wijaya and Alvin Gracio Wijaya from the Faculty of Biotechnology, and Fani Natasia Matondang from the Faculty of Architecture and Design. Together, they have secured funding from the 2025 Student Entrepreneurial Development Program (P2MW), a national competition organized by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology’s Directorate of Learning and Student Affairs.
Banana stems, which are often discarded, were processed into high-fiber flour with a low glycemic index, making the snack safe for people with diabetes while also suitable for anyone seeking a healthier diet. “We want to create a snack that is both healthy and locally sourced, while also helping to reduce agricultural waste,” explained team leader Novelia Ma’ahury, who emphasized that Barnana represents more than just a food product — it is also an economic and social innovation.
The project was designed under an academic entrepreneurship framework, with divisions focused on research and product development, business strategy and sustainability, and financial management. Faculty mentor Catarina Aprilia Ariestanti, S.T.P., M.Sc., highlighted the students’ determination, noting how their experiments transformed what was once seen as waste into a nutritious and appealing snack.
Barnana also supports broader goals, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in combating hunger and improving public health. The product combines nutritional value with an environmentally friendly production process that strengthens local food security.
The proposal was selected under the national P2MW competition’s Food and Beverage – Early-Stage Enterprise category, making it one of the few university-based innovations to receive funding this year. Looking ahead, the Barnana team plans to expand its reach into wider markets while staying true to its principles of sustainability, health, and community empowerment.
Humas UKDW | Ed. (ENG): drr
