Analyzing Success Factors in the Independent Workforce Program (TKMP) for First-Time Entrepreneurs in Indonesia

" Objective - Unemployment is a major issue in developing countries, including Indonesia, particularly among young people aged 15–24. One government initiative to address this is the Early-Stage Independent Workers (Tenaga Kerja Mandiri Pemula, TKMP) program by the Ministry of Manpower, which provides business mentoring and support to first-time entrepreneurs. Methodology - However, the program's effectiveness remains debated, as the needs of young entrepreneurs vary widely and are often unmet by general training and support structures. This study aims to identify the key factors influencing the success of TKMP participants, using quantitative and qualitative methods. Findings - The analysis employed descriptive statistics and linear regression to examine the impact of five independent variables, such as business capital, business location, brand, promotion, and entrepreneurial commitment, on business success. Using linear regression, the results indicate that Business Promotion has the strongest influence on business success, with a coefficient of 0.338, followed by Entrepreneurial Commitment at 0.201 and Business Location at 0.139. Conversely, business capital and brand identity had no statistically significant impact on business success. Novelty - However, other factors such as motivation, marketing skills, networking capabilities, and geographical conditions demonstrated notable contributions to entrepreneurial performance. The primary challenges identified in the program include bureaucratic complexity in the fund-disbursement process and participants' limited understanding of the program's operational mechanisms. Type of Paper - Empirical"