Tag: SME

StartmeupHK Festival showcases innovation mindset

Post author By Joey Alarilla
Post date July 27, 2020
No Comments on StartmeupHK Festival showcases innovation mindset

The HKFIA 2020 Forum at StartmeupHK Festival tackled how entrepreneurs should adapt to the changing world in the next decade.

Hong Kong’s annual StartmeupHK Festival became a virtual event for the first time this year. Organized by Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), StartmeupHK Festival is the startup showpiece of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR).

On the final day of the Festival, at the HKFIA 2020 Forum organized by Sina Finance, Paul Chan, Financial Secretary, the Hong Kong SAR Government, spoke about Hong Kong’s resilience while recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted that despite its many challenges, Hong Kong is still faring very well and again led the world last year in funds raised through initial public offerings.

“I have no doubt that we’ll be in the running again this year, despite the turbulence out there. After all, Hong Kong has become a much sought-after place for secondary listing of Chinese companies. Just ask video game developer NetEase and e-commerce retailer JD.com, both of which listed in Hong Kong last month, following in the welcome wake of tech giant Alibaba’s secondary listing here last November,” Chan said in a press statement.

Technology

VMware Demo Lab to help SMEs, startups innovate

Post author By Joey Alarilla
Post date June 23, 2020
1 Comment on VMware Demo Lab to help SMEs, startups innovate

Eight out of 10 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Philippines recognize the value of digital technology, according to a recent study. Many of them, however, have cited challenges due to the upfront cost of adopting new technologies. To address this problem, ICT distributor VST ECS Phils. Inc has launched the VMware Demo Lab.

The VMware Demo Lab is a testbed platform where SMEs and startups can collaborate. They will learn how they can harness cutting-edge digital technologies to strengthen business resiliency. At the same time, they will be able to accelerate their pace of innovation.

“Innovation and business continuity are core to the success of any organization in this current business environment. I would like to congratulate VST ECS on the launch of this demo lab — a powerful testbed that will help catalyze innovation for Filipino businesses at this very important moment in time as they pivot towards the future,” VMware Philippines Country Manager Walter So said in a press statement.

Tags business continuity, business resiliency, demo lab, innovation, Jimmy Go, small and medium-sized enterprise, small and medium-sized enterprises, SME, SMEs, startup, startups, VMware, VMware Demo Lab, VST ECS, Walter So

Technology

Business survival: Accept new normal for at least a year

Post author By Joey Alarilla
Post date May 13, 2020
2 Comments on Business survival: Accept new normal for at least a year

Angkas Chief Transport Advocate George Royeca’s business survival tips? Adapt to the situation, stay relevant, and weather the storm.

One day, the enhanced community quarantine will end. It is wrong, however, to think consumer confidence will return immediately. In fact, business survival means asking yourself if your company can adapt to the present conditions for at least a year.

“A lot of people don’t realize that it’s really not a matter of whether the President lifts the lockdown,” said George Royeca, Chief Transport Advocate of Angkas. “It’s a matter of when we find a cure. The only way to beat this virus is when you find a vaccine or a cure. In the meantime, what do we do to co-exist with COVID?”

According to Royeca, the key to business survival is accepting this reality.

“Even with the ECQ being lifted, it’s not going to be back to normal. Consumer confidence is shot. It’s going to take a while for that to ramp up. Give it a year or two in your business horizon. At least a year, to see how your business will survive. So looking at it from a three-month perspective is very dangerous. It could be damaging to the decisions that you make on how to move your business forward,” he said.

Technology

Startup heroes wanted: ‘The Final Pitch’ vs COVID-19

Post author By Joey Alarilla
Post date May 4, 2020
2 Comments on Startup heroes wanted: ‘The Final Pitch’ vs COVID-19

‘The Final Pitch’ creator and host John Aguilar is optimistic that startup heroes will rise to the occasion.

In the sixth season of “The Final Pitch“, the Philippines’ first business reality TV show, you can be startup heroes. Forever and ever.

“The Final Pitch: Heroes Edition” calls for startups to pitch and investors to back COVID-19 response solutions. The goal is to fund efforts dedicated to frontliners and different communities in need. The show will bring together entrepreneurs, startups, and innovators who can present solutions to help the Philippines bounce back. To ensure the safety of cast and crew, the live pitching will observe protocols and social distancing, utilizing technology to limit direct interaction.

“We will take the lead from various agencies who are currently coming up with the protocols for businesses in general, and for the media/entertainment industries in particular. But we are being proactive in trying to imagine a new way of doing things where we will combine in-person and virtual filming for this particular series. We’ve never done this before and it will be exciting to see how we’ll be able to create a TV show that is also a live online broadcast,” John Aguilar, the serial entrepreneur creator and host of “The Final Pitch”, told Digital Life Asia.

Technology

Pivot your business to overcome COVID-19 challenges

Post author By Joey Alarilla
Post date April 22, 2020
5 Comments on Pivot your business to overcome COVID-19 challenges

Is it time to pivot your business? Your company’s survival may depend on it, says Ticket2Me Founder and CEO Darwin Mariano.

Who knew Ross Geller of “Friends” was a business guru? He made us laugh when he kept yelling “Pivot!” But it turns out that the ability to adapt quickly to changes and pivot your business is an essential skill.

This is even more crucial nowadays. as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) struggle to cope with the COVID-19 crisis.

“If we were too in love with our original business idea, I doubt we would have pivoted as quickly. You have to be able to step back, assess the situation, and think of how your business can serve in some other way,” said Darwin Mariano, founder and CEO of Ticket2Me, Asia’s first blockchain-enabled online ticketing platform.

Technology

Regtech startup UNAWA aims to empower SMEs

Post author By Joey Alarilla
Post date April 14, 2020
7 Comments on Regtech startup UNAWA aims to empower SMEs

Mona Dimalanta, CEO of regtech startup UNAWA, said they want to help SMEs and startups overcome the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have been described as a “ticking time bomb” in the Philippines. To help them cope with business uncertainties amid the pandemic, regulatory technology (regtech) startup UNAWA is hosting a free webinar. This webinar on April 17 will provide insights from legal experts and seasoned entrepreneurs.

Around 99.6% of businesses in the country are SMEs, employing 66% of the workforce. On March 16, the government placed Luzon under an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). Originally set to last until April 12, the ECQ has been extended until April 30. Moreover, even if the ECQ finally ends, the effects of the pandemic could last much longer. SME owners will have to make hard decisions to keep their companies afloat.

“We have seen the importance of a community helping each other out in times of crises. UNAWA is dedicated to helping its fellow startups and SMEs emerge from the pandemic successfully. This free webinar is part of our efforts to create a community of entrepreneurs that support each other and remind each other that they are not alone in facing these problems,” UNAWA CEO Mona Dimalanta said in a press statement.

Technology

Small business customers of Zoho to enjoy waived fees

Post author By Joey Alarilla
Post date April 6, 2020
2 Comments on Small business customers of Zoho to enjoy waived fees

Digital technologies will help small business owners overcome the COVID-19 crisis and become more competitive, said Zoho Corporation VP and GM for Asia Pacific Gibu Mathew.

With the coronavirus pandemic disrupting the global economy, small business owners are under even more pressure. Now, more than ever, they are struggling to keep their companies afloat. To help its small business customers, Zoho Corporation is introducing its Small Business Emergency Subscription Assistance Program (ESAP).

Zoho, which has more than 50 million users in over 180 countries, offers a comprehensive suite of business software applications. How will ESAP work? This will be available for up to 20,000 qualified paying customers with 25 employees or less. Zoho will waive the cost of every single application they currently use, for up to three months.

“SMBs (small and medium-sized businesses) form a core part of the nation’s economy. Given their limited resources, SMBs are said to be the first ones to be affected by the current global crisis. This will be a test of resilience for most of the SMBs, particularly in Asia. The extent of the impact will largely depend on their flexibility and capacity to adapt to technological alternatives,” Zoho VP and GM for Asia Pacific Gibu Mathew told Digital Life Asia via email.