Raih Summa Cumlaude, Matthew Kembangkan Natureboost

Satu keputusan sederhana dapat mengubah perjalanan hidup seseorang. Hal ini dirasakan oleh Matthew Christian Darmawan saat memutuskan kuliah di Program Business Creation BINUS BUSINESS SCHOOL. Pilihan tersebut “memaksanya” untuk terjung langsung ke dunia kerja nyata, mulai dari membangun bisnis dari nol, mencari modal, hingga melakukan ekspansi. 

Menariknya, bisnis bukanlah dunia yang awalnya ingin Matthew eksplor. Ia bahkan sempat merasa ragu untuk memilih Business Creation sebagai jurusan kuliah. Namun, keraguan tersebut justru menjadi titik awal kesuksesan bisnis dan akademis Matthew. Ia berhasil lulus sebagai Summa Cumlaude pada Wisuda 73 BINUS University, sekaligus mengembangkan bisnis yang benar-benar hidup, yakni Natureboost.

Kuliah Business Creation, Keluar Zona Nyaman Sejak Hari Pertama

Saat SMA, Matthew mengaku sempat menghindari dunia bisnis dan kompetisi. Itulah mengapa keputusan untuk kuliah S1 di Program Business Creation BINUS BUSINESS SCHOOL terasa begitu menantang. Namun, hal tersebut ternyata menjadi titik balik Matthew yang mengubah cara pandang dan arah hidupnya.

Selama masa studi, ia “dipaksa” untuk membangun dan mengelola bisnis nyata. Pengalaman ini benar-benar baru bagi Matthew karena ia harus terjun ke dunia yang tidak ia ketahui. Walaupun tidak mudah, proses tersebut justru memberinya kesempatan untuk menemukan peluang dan keyakinan bahwa ia mampu berkembang jauh. 

Dari sinilah ia belajar menghadapi berbagai ketidakpastian dalam bisnis dan mengasah kemampuan berpikir strategis. Bahkan, Matthew juga perlahan membangun mental kompetitif yang tidak ia miliki sebelumnya. Pengalaman ini pun membentuk pondasi penting yang memotivasinya untuk mengembangkan Natureboost secara serius.

Kumpulkan Modal lewat Kompetisi Bisnis sejak Semester Awal

Ide mendirikan Natureboost muncul setelah Matthew menyadari harga jus buah yang tergolong mahal di lingkungan tempat tinggalnya, Gading Serpong. Rata-rata harga per sajian berkisar antara Rp40.000 sampai Rp60.000. Di sisi lain, Matthew memiliki koneksi ke supplier buah-buahan berkualitas dengan harga lebih terjangkau.

“Saya memanfaatkan apa yang saya miliki untuk dikelola dan dikembangkan. Ketemulah ide bisnis jus buah, mixed juice, dan smoothies,” cerita Matthew.

Untuk mewujudkan ide bisnis tersebut, Matthew membutuhkan modal yang tidak sedikit. Di sinilah ia harus menghadapi tantangan pertama. Tak ingin menunggu lama, ia memutuskan bergabung dengan BINUS Business Consulting Group (BBCG) sejak semester pertama kuliah. BBCG adalah komunitas yang mewadahi mahasiswa untuk mengikuti berbagai lomba bisnis, seperti business plan, business case, dan debat bisnis.

Pengalaman tersebut perlahan membentuk mental kompetitif Matthew. Selama bergabung dengan BBCG, ia mengikuti 10–15 kompetisi bisnis dan hampir selalu meraih kemenangan. Matthew kemudian mengelola hadiah dari berbagai kompetisi tersebut secara disiplin sebagai modal untuk mengembangkan bisnisnya.

Berhasil Buka Kafe Pertama Nature Boost

Memasuki semester kelima perkuliahan, Matthew mulai aktif mengikuti berbagai program pendanaan bisnis. Kala itu, Natureboost sudah mulai berjalan dengan membuka booth di berbagai bazar. Konsistensi dan kerja kerasnya pun membuahkan hasil manis. Berbekal dana yang ia kumpulkan sejak semester satu, Matthew berhasil membuka kafe pertama Natureboost di kawasan Rengasdengklok.

Sejak itu, Natureboost mengalami pertumbuhan yang cukup konsisten. Pada semester delapan, Matthew mendaftarkan bisnisnya pada event Info Franchise & Business Concept (IFBC), sebuah pameran franchise dan peluang usaha. Dari sinilah ia mendapatkan tiga mitra strategis yang memperkuat pondasi bisnisnya.

Fokus 2026: Tumbuh bersama Nature Boost

Saat ini, Natureboost telah membuka cabang lain di kawasan Karawang, Depok, dan Palmerah. Matthew menekankan bahwa pertumbuhan bisnisnya merupakan hasil dari proses panjang, trial and error, dan keberanian untuk terus belajar. Semua nilai penting ini didapatkannya selama kuliah di Program Business Creation BINUS BUSINESS SCHOOL.

Memasuki 2026, Matthew masih akan fokus mengembangkan Natureboost. Salah satu target utamanya adalah membuka beberapa cabang baru, khususnya di Gading Serpong dan area perkantoran di Jakarta. Ia ingin bisnisnya berkembang secara berkelanjutan sekaligus tetap relevan dengan gaya hidup masyarakat urban.

Perjalanan panjang Matthew Christian Darmawan menjadi bukti bahwa keberanian adalah pondasi penting untuk memulai sesuatu. Dari yang awalnya sempat takut berbisnis, Matthew mampu membangun bisnis nyata melalui Natureboost sambil menjalankan studi S1 di Business Creation BINUS BUSINESS SCHOOL. 

Tak hanya itu, ia bahkan berhasil meraih predikat Summa Cumlaude dengan IPK 3,97 pada Wisuda 73 BINUS University. Pencapaian ini merupakan buah dari keberanian Matthew untuk melangkah, kejelian dalam melihat peluang, dan ekosistem akademis yang suportif. Semoga cerita Matthew ini dapat menjadi inspirasi bagi generasi muda yang ingin melangkah ke dunia bisnis.

English Version : 

With a Summa Cum Laude, Matthew Develops Natureboost

A single, simple decision can change the course of a person’s life. That’s exactly what Matthew Christian Darmawan experienced when he decided to study in the Business Creation Program at BINUS BUSINESS SCHOOL. That choice forced him to build a business from scratch, raise capital, and expand operations, much as in the real world.

Interestingly, business was not a field Matthew initially wanted to explore. He even hesitated before choosing Business Creation as his undergraduate major. However, that hesitation became the starting point of his academic and business success. He graduated Summa Cum Laude at the 73rd Commencement of BINUS University, while simultaneously developing a truly active business, Natureboost.

If you’re interested in entrepreneurship pathways that often continue into an MBA, a Master of Management, or an MM (Master of Management), Matthew’s journey offers valuable context and insight.

Studying Business Creation: Leaving the Comfort Zone from Day One

During high school, Matthew admitted that he tended to avoid the world of business and competition, so his decision to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the Business Creation Program at BINUS BUSINESS SCHOOL felt especially challenging. Yet, this challenge became the turning point that transformed his mindset and life direction.

Throughout his studies, he was required to build and manage a real business. This experience was entirely new to Matthew, as he had to enter a field he had not previously understood. Although the process was far from easy, it allowed him to discover new possibilities and develop confidence in his own ability to grow.

From this experience, he learned to navigate business uncertainty and sharpened his strategic thinking. Matthew also gradually developed a competitive mindset that he had not possessed before. These experiences formed a strong foundation that motivated him to grow Natureboost seriously.

Raising Capital Through Business Competitions from the Early Semesters

The idea to establish Natureboost emerged after Matthew realized that fruit juice prices in his neighborhood, Gading Serpong, were relatively high, averaging between IDR 40,000 and IDR 60,000 per serving. At the same time, Matthew had access to quality fruit suppliers at more affordable prices.

“I made use of what I already had and managed it for further development. That’s how the idea for a fruit juice, mixed juice, and smoothie business came about,” Matthew explained.

To bring this business idea to life, Matthew needed substantial capital, which was his first major challenge. Unwilling to wait too long, he decided to join the BINUS Business Consulting Group (BBCG) in his very first semester. BBCG is a student community that facilitates participation in various business competitions, such as business plan contests, business case competitions, and business debates.

These experiences gradually shaped Matthew’s competitive mentality. During his time with BBCG, he participated in 10-15 business competitions and almost always emerged as a winner. He then managed the prize money from these competitions with discipline, using it as capital to develop his business.

The Successful Opening of the First Natureboost Café

Entering his fifth semester, Matthew began actively participating in various business funding programs. By then, Natureboost had already started operating through booths at various bazaars. His consistency and hard work eventually paid off. Using the funds he had accumulated since his first semester, Matthew successfully opened the first Natureboost café in the Rengasdengklok area.

Since then, Natureboost has experienced steady growth. In his eighth semester, Matthew registered his business for the Info Franchise & Business Concept (IFBC) event, a franchise and business opportunity exhibition. Through this event, he gained three strategic partners who strengthened the foundation of his business.

2026 Main Focus: Growing Together with Natureboost

Currently, Natureboost has expanded with additional branches in Karawang, Depok, and Palmerah. Matthew emphasizes that this growth is the result of a long process, continuous trial and error, and the courage to keep learning. All of these important values were cultivated during his time in the Business Creation Program at BINUS BUSINESS SCHOOL.

As he enters 2026, Matthew remains focused on developing Natureboost. One of his main targets is to open several new branches, particularly in Gading Serpong and Jakarta’s office districts. He aims for his business to grow sustainably while remaining relevant to the lifestyle of urban communities, an outlook often emphasized in MBA, Master of Management, and MM (Master of Management) learning frameworks.

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Matthew Christian Darmawan’s long journey proves that courage is a crucial foundation for starting something new. From initially being afraid of entrepreneurship, Matthew managed to build a real business through Natureboost while completing his undergraduate studies in Business Creation at BINUS BUSINESS SCHOOL.

Plus, he also achieved the Summa Cum Laude distinction with a GPA of 3.97 at the 73rd Commencement of BINUS University. This achievement is the result of his courage to take action, his sharp eye for opportunities, and a supportive academic ecosystem. Hopefully, Matthew’s story can inspire young generations who aspire to step into the world of business.