Keywords: EdTech, Eid al-Fitr, Educational Equity, Unicorn.
WIN Media, Opinion – Eid al-Fitr arrives bearing a message that never changes: victory. Victory after a month of restraining desires, victory in overcoming ego, and the spirit of returning to fitrah—the pure state cleansed of arrogance and self-interest. Amid the resonance of takbir and the warmth of silaturahmi, we are invited to reflect on the true meaning of victory.
Yet at the same time, the world of educational technology (EdTech) startups in Indonesia is at the peak of no less spectacular euphoria. Several EdTech startups have achieved unicorn status—valuation above US$ 1 billion—and funding from global investors is flowing abundantly. This euphoria feels like the “takbiran” of the digital business world.
The critical question is: does this business success align with the meaning of victory taught by Eid? Have EdTech startups truly enlightened the nation, or are they simply busy celebrating their own business success? True victory for EdTech is not merely attaining unicorn status or securing fantastic funding. The true victory is when educational technology can reach children in remote areas, bridge the access gap, and genuinely improve the quality of Indonesian education. This is the meaning of “returning to fitrah” for the EdTech ecosystem.
The “Unicorn” EdTech Phenomenon: Achievement or Hollow Euphoria?
The growth of EdTech startups in Indonesia is indeed impressive. According to a report by the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (2024), there are more than 400 EdTech startups operating in the country, with tens of millions of users. Several have even achieved unicorn status—a proud accomplishment for the national digital ecosystem.
However, behind the glitter of these numbers lies an irony that warrants scrutiny. A study conducted by Putri and Wibowo (2024) shows that the majority of EdTech users in Indonesia remain concentrated in major cities. Access in the 3T regions (frontier, outermost, disadvantaged) is still very minimal. The pressure to achieve business growth often makes EdTech startups focus more on monetization strategies—paid subscriptions, premium feature upsells—rather than ensuring equitable educational impact.
Ironically, EdTech startups celebrating unicorn status often have yet to answer the most fundamental challenge: how to reach students who lack devices, internet data, or adequate signal. Business victory belongs to a few, while the victory of education remains far from the reach of many Indonesian children.
The Meaning of “Victory” from the Perspective of Eid and Education
Eid al-Fitr teaches that true victory is victory over base desires—including the desire to pursue material gain without regard for social impact. In the context of EdTech, victory is when technology truly becomes a tool for enlightenment, not merely a profit-generating machine.
Education, from both Islamic and national values perspectives, is a trust and an act of worship. Article 31 of the 1945 Constitution firmly states that every citizen has the right to education, and the state is responsible for enlightening the nation’s life. EdTech startups born in a country with a Muslim majority should make these values their foundation—not merely chasing valuation, but carrying out a noble mission in line with Indonesia’s founding ideals.
This aligns with the view of Anwar (2023), who states that EdTech startups in Indonesia need to adopt a social impact measurement framework as an indicator of success, not just business metrics alone. Without that, the euphoria of business success will only become an empty echo that quickly fades.
Between Large Funding and Social Responsibility
The large funding received by EdTech startups indeed opens opportunities for innovation and expansion. However, expansion is often interpreted as market expansion that benefits the company, rather than expanding access for the underprivileged. This phenomenon widens the gap between those with access to technology and those without.
Some EdTech startups have social responsibility programs, such as scholarships or free access to premium content. Yet a study by Hidayat and Sari (2024) found that less than 30% of EdTech startups in Indonesia have sustainable programs that significantly reach underprivileged communities. The CSR programs that exist are often sporadic and not yet embedded in the core business model.
In fact, opportunities to create inclusive business models are wide open. Freemium schemes that genuinely provide meaningful access for those who cannot afford it, partnerships with the government and philanthropic institutions to reach 3T regions, or developing content that can be accessed offline are some alternatives worth considering. True victory is when profitability and social impact go hand in hand, rather than sacrificing one for the other.
Returning to Fitrah: What Should EdTech Startups Do?
The momentum of Eid is the right time for the EdTech ecosystem to introspect. At least three steps can be taken.
First, redefine success metrics. EdTech startups need to incorporate social impact metrics—such as the number of students served in 3T regions, improvements in learning outcomes, or reduction in dropout rates—as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). So far, the most celebrated metrics have been user numbers and revenue, not how much real contribution has been made to national education.
Second, build wider collaboration. No startup can solve the education problem alone. Collaboration with the government, schools, teacher communities, and philanthropic organizations is essential. Programs such as providing free access through School Operational Assistance (BOS) funds or partnering with the Ministry of Religious Affairs for Islamic schools could serve as strategic entry points.
Third, innovate for limitations. Technological innovation is not only about sophisticated AI‑based features or attractive interfaces. The innovation most needed is how technology can work in environments with infrastructure constraints. Content that can be accessed offline, lightweight applications, and the use of simple technologies like SMS or educational radio should be priorities for EdTech startups that aim to be truly inclusive.
The True Victory
Eid teaches that true victory is returning to fitrah—carrying out the trust with sincerity. For EdTech startups, their fitrah is to enlighten the nation’s life, not merely to become a unicorn. Unicorn status may be something to be proud of, but if only a handful of children in cities enjoy educational technology while millions in remote areas remain left behind, then that victory has not yet been fully achieved.
Let us make this Eid a moment of reflection for founders, investors, and EdTech practitioners: to refocus on the noble mission of education. Because ultimately, true victory is not measured by how large a company’s valuation is, but by how many of the nation’s children we have succeeded in enlightening. This is a victory that time cannot erode—a victory that brings blessings to future generations.