LEVEL UP THRU TECH | Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion leads the Digital Sign Up Now 2022 at SM Mall of Asia to help micro, small, and medium enterprises scale up using digital technology.
MANILA, Philippines — “There has never been a better time to become an entrepreneur as today when digital technology is making it easier for MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) to level up their businesses,” said Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion, as he underscored the role of digitalization in making such ventures more competitive.
“MSMEs benefited immensely from the e-wallets, the delivery apps, and social media, which allowed them to compete alongside the big players. And this is significant for all of us because MSMEs generate more than half of the jobs in the Philippines,” he said at the recent Digital Sign Up Now conference held on Monday at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.
Joining Concepcion were hundreds of micro, small and medium entrepreneurs, founders of digital startups, key executives of leading digital technology companies and incubators, experts in the creative industry, as well as young professionals and students.
Also present were Nigerian Ambassador Folakemi Akinleye, US Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Heather Variava, and Undersecretary David Almirol of the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT).
Learning sessions
Organized by Go Negosyo together with the US Embassy, the Digital Sign Up Now 2022 served as a forum for key players in the local digital landscape, offering learning sessions with digital creatives, fintech experts, e-commerce executives and some of the country’s top social media influencers.
“There’s really no excuse to not become an entrepreneur now,” said Brian Cu, founder of SariSuki, a community-based retail solution designed to make essential goods more affordable. He was joined in the panel discussion by fellow speakers on small-business management systems (Peddlr), logistics and transport (Angkas), live selling (Shoppertainment), and professional content creation (Tier One Entertainment).
In her speech, Variava said paying attention to cybersecurity mitigates the risks faced by entrepreneurs. It is a priority of the US government to provide them a secure and stable cybersecurity environment, she added.
PH gov’t initiative
According to Almirol, the government hopes to launch by year-end a service that aggregates e-commerce platforms specifically suited to small entrepreneurs. SM Supermalls president Steven Tan expressed support for this initiative, noting that 80 percent of its suppliers are MSMEs and that new concepts are often born from small enterprises.
The conference featured 11 30-minute sessions, including one-on-one mentoring from “big brother” companies and digital experts.
Participants were also able to sign up for fintech and capital services, and connected with digital market providers, as well as for Go Negosyo’s Angat Lahat sa Digital Alliance. Some went home with cash to start and grow their businesses.
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