Go Negosyo 10th Filipina Entrepreneurship Summit

The FES10, is organized by Go Negosyo in partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Business Advisory Council (BAC) Philippines. The summit happened at the World Trade Center featuring panelists that discussed innovative platforms and opportunities in increasing MSMEs access not only to domestic but global markets. They were also highlighted e-commerce as a powerful tool to take advantage of when they want to grow their market faster. 100 mentors at the least presented and shared their insights and expertise.

The Filipina Entrepreneurship Summit gathered about 15,000 participants hailing from various stakeholders such as women entrepreneurs, young entrepreneurs, students and administrators from the academe, business organizations, NGOs, cooperatives and government officials.

Main goal of the seminar: The Filipina Entrepreneurship Summit is an annual summit is centered on reinforcing the entrepreneurial spirit of the Filipino people, particularly the Filipina and recognizing their capacity to be agents of change and progress. It also aims to provide inspiration and support to the significance of women’s economic power by covering different entrepreneurship and empowerment topics to be highlighted by plenary talks and forums featuring prominent female personalities.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

For the past 10 years, it has continuously empowered and inspired many Filipino women to venture into entrepreneurship and pursue their passion and goals. More than just a series of talks, this year’s Filipina Entrepreneurship Summit took on bolder steps in resonating the importance of mentorship to women entrepreneurs. They believe that women participation in the local and international economy is fundamental to sustain economic growth. The keynote forum discussed WOMENtorship: Sharing of insights and advices from champion women entrepreneurs. The forum had invited Tessie Sy-Coson, Vice Chair of SM Investments Corporation, Dr. Vicki Belo, Dermatologist and CEO of Belo Medical Group, Lizzie Eder Zobel, Chairman and Co-Founder of Teach for the Philippines, Natividad Cheng, CEO of Uratex, Anne Curtis Smith-Heussaff, Co-founder and Creative Director of BLK Cosmetics, Clarissa Delgado, Co-founder and CEO of Teach for the Philippines, Merle Arnaldo-Paete, 15th Citi Microentrepreneur of the Year, Owner of Pili nuts and pili oil production and Georgina Wilson-Burnand, Co-founder and Marketing Director of Sunnies Studios.

In addition to this, second forum which focused on Mainstreaming Market and Expanding Market Reach. Market access discussed by Inanc Balci of Lazada Philippines, Agatha Soh of Shopee, Constantin Robertz of Zalora Philippines, Jeannie Javelosa of GREAT Women in ASEAN Initiative, and Atty. Paul Santos of Philippine Retailers Association.

Furthermore, forum three entitled Access to Right and Inclusive Money included panelists that discussed how the financial landscape in the country will further enable MSMEs and how integrating financial technology will further promote financial inclusivity in the country helping MSMEs participate in wider economic activities. It featured Chuchi Fonacier, Deputy Governor of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Lito Villanueva, Managing Director of FintQ, Maria Ana Pascual, Head of Online Merchant Solutions of Mynt, Gigi Gatti, Regional Director for Philippines of Grameen Foundation, and Nicole Paterno, Founder of 1000 Angels.

To celebrate the women who have introduced innovation and disruption in their businesses and in the Philippine economy, forum four entitled, Changing the Game: Successful Women Innovators and Disruptors gave highlight to the stories of Norlela Suhailee, Chair of ASEAN Coordinating Committee for MSMES, Mah Khine Zaw, CEO of Earth Group of Companies, Felicia Atienza, President and CEO of Chinese International School Manila, Gaita Fores, President of Cibo, Inc., Josephine Costales, Chairperson for Costales Nature Farms, Rissa Mananquil-Trillo, Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer of Happy Skin, Neri Miranda, Celebrity Entrepreneur, Lenora Cabili, Founder and Creative Designer of Filip + Inna and Charisse Tinio, Owner of Nice Print Photography.

Lastly, forum five entitled: Doing Business the Millennial Way provided insights from young entrepreneurs from different industries who are pushing the boundaries of innovation, disrupting their industries and empowering their respective communities. It featured young entrepreneurs like Krie Lopez of Messy Bessy Cleaners, Cherrie Atilano of AGREA, Helen Kaye Layco of Macho Mucho, Maria Francesca Tan of MFT Group of Companies, creative entrepreneur Abbey Sy, Aya Fernandez of Project Lily, Jen Gerodias-Diaz of Snoe Beauty, and Angely Dub of Access Travel.

After the forum President Rodrigo Roa Duterte together with Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo Founder Joey Concepcion and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, commended the winners of Go Negosyo 2018 Inspiring Filipina Entrepreneurs during the 10th Filipina Entrepreneurship Summit (FES10) Likewise, he encouraged them to continue to serve as inspiration especially to Filipino women. “With about 75% of MSMEs being women-owned and accounting for more than 60% of jobs in the Philippines, increasing their competitiveness provides economic benefit and results in job creation. To all women today here present, I am grateful to all of you for being critical drivers of the country’s economic growth,” said the President, adding that the government will continue to promote micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME), and is committed to provide a conducive business environment for aspiring entrepreneurs. In addition, Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion also said, “We honor all Filipina entrepreneurs for their passion and perseverance contributing to the country’s growth towards prosperity for all.” President Duterte also thanked Go Negosyo for providing opportunities for MSMEs in the country especially to Filipinas. “What you do today complements the government’s vision for MSMEs to be globally competitive, regionally integrated, resilient, sustainable, productive, innovative and dynamic by 2022. I assure everyone that, in line with the theme of this year’s National Women’s Month celebration, the government is supportive of initiatives to “Make Change Work for Women”, he said.

And finally, to wrap up the summit, 4th impact of X Factor UK gave a high note performance that made the whole crowd more lively and exuberant!