Freddo Kresna Tjoenedi’s journey into the world of technology and business was marked by key educational experiences that not only honed his technical expertise but also helped him develop a deep understanding of the intersection between technology, entrepreneurship, and leadership. From his early days in school to his university years, these milestones played a pivotal role in shaping the path he would eventually take.
Early Academic Foundations and Exposure
Growing up in a merchant family in Kediri, Freddo was always exposed to the mechanics of business. However, it was his formal education that provided him with the intellectual foundation to build on. He began his academic journey at St. Yoseph Elementary School, where he developed a love for learning. This was the beginning of a lifelong curiosity about systems, technology, and problem-solving.
At SMPK Petra Kediri (Junior High School), Freddo’s passion for logical thinking began to manifest. While he was drawn to science and technology, Freddo encountered some challenges in mathematics, particularly in subjects like calculus and statistics. Despite these struggles, he remained persistent, which laid the groundwork for his resilience and ability to overcome challenges—a theme that would resonate throughout his life.
High School Challenges and Early Leadership
During his time at SMUK St. Augustinus Kediri, Freddo majored in Social Sciences (IPS), a choice that helped him develop a broader understanding of the world around him. Although he struggled with advanced mathematics, particularly calculus and statistics, he was determined to catch up. Despite an initial GPA of 1.6, Freddo’s work ethic pushed him to improve, and he eventually managed to overcome the academic difficulties that initially seemed insurmountable. This experience taught him invaluable lessons in persistence and adaptability.
High school also provided Freddo with early leadership opportunities, as he became involved in various school organizations. His leadership skills, honed during this time, would later help him in his professional and entrepreneurial endeavors.
University Education and Internships
Freddo’s journey took a significant turn when he enrolled at Widya Kartika University in Surabaya to study computer science and information technology. Initially, his academic performance reflected the challenges he faced, but his experience in university would prove to be transformative.
In semester 3, Freddo landed his first internship as an assistant manager at a contractor company specializing in railway construction. This exposure to project management and operations was a crucial experience that broadened his perspective on business and technology. Freddo’s time in this role gave him practical insights into how technology could streamline complex projects and operations—an important realization that would guide his future decisions.
By semester 5, Freddo shifted gears and joined CV Sentra Teknik Indonesia (STI) as a junior programmer, further solidifying his interest in programming and software development. It was here that he began to realize his dream of one day owning a software house. The combination of his academic studies and real-world programming experience in these roles provided him with a solid foundation for his future ventures.
Freelancing and Early Entrepreneurship
While pursuing his degree, Freddo Kresna Tjoenedi began taking on freelance projects, marking his first steps toward entrepreneurship. He worked with notable clients such as Sido Gede Transport in Surabaya, Duval Cosmetics in Surabaya, and Plaza Mulia in Samarinda, gaining hands-on experience in software development and business operations. These early projects gave him the confidence to pursue his dream of creating his own software house, though he knew he needed more knowledge and capital to bring this vision to life.
In addition to his technical work, Freddo became increasingly interested in the broader aspects of business management. He spent significant time reading books on topics such as MBA programs, investment, accounting, and other essential business practices. These readings helped him expand his knowledge and gave him insights into strategic business planning, financial management, and investment opportunities. The more he learned, the clearer his vision of running his own business became.
Freddo’s entrepreneurial spirit was also evident in his self-taught mastery of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) techniques. He applied these strategies to help his freelancing business grow and gain more visibility online. Notably, he successfully got his website listed on the first page for “Jasa Pembuatan Website” (website creation services), a remarkable accomplishment that demonstrated his growing expertise in digital marketing and promotion.
During his time at Widya Kartika University, Freddo also developed his leadership skills. He served as a member and later chief of HIMATIKA (the Computer Science Students Association) and the Chief of the Student Legislative Body (BLM). These roles helped him gain practical experience in managing teams, organizing events, and representing student interests—skills that would later serve him well in his career.
This period of Freddo’s life was marked by the integration of technical skills with entrepreneurial know-how, as he gained not only a deeper understanding of business management but also a solid grasp of marketing, SEO, and promotion, all of which would serve as stepping stones toward building his future business ventures.
Graduation, Realization, and Skripsi
By 2011, Freddo graduated on time, completing his degree in computer science in just four years. His final project, or skripsi, was a significant milestone in his academic journey. The topic of his skripsi was “Prediksi Penjualan Menggunakan Simple Moving Average dan Smoothing Exponential” (Sales Prediction Using Simple Moving Average and Exponential Smoothing), which highlighted his ability to apply mathematical and statistical models to solve real-world business problems. The project demonstrated his growing understanding of data analysis, forecasting, and how technology could be leveraged for business solutions.
However, his journey didn’t end with graduation. Freddo realized that to truly succeed in his entrepreneurial pursuits, he needed more than just technical knowledge—he needed a deeper understanding of business management, sales, and the practical challenges of running a company.
Although Freddo had dreams of starting his own software house, he understood the importance of gaining industry experience and financial stability first. Instead of jumping straight into freelancing, Freddo opted to become a staff web programmer at a company, where he could learn the ropes of the industry while continuing to refine his skills. This decision not only provided him with a steady income but also allowed him to better understand how businesses operated on a larger scale.
