Author Profile
How did Filipino-led blockchain startup Yield Guild Games sell $12.5M of its public crypto in just 30 seconds?
While the current gaming industry continues to grow, it remains structured in a way that benefits game developers and perpetuates a one-way road where players spend money to unlock access to in-game assets and gameplay configurations. Read about how YGG has laid a foundation for a blockchain revolution using non-fungible tokens (NFTs) for Filipinos to earn cryptocurrency which can pay for their next meal or student loan.
Y-Combinator backed NextPay.ph gets you paid faster amidst a fragmented Filipino financial system
The opportunity to provide digital financial services makes up 99.5% of all Filipino businesses, a crucial lifeline to the Philippine economy. Determined to focus on user-centric product design principles, learn about how NextPay founders Aldrich Tan and Don Pansacola empower MSMEs to conduct business transactions seamlessly while allowing business owners to free up resources and focus on their operations.
Behind the scenes with Humble Sustainability, the startup that declutters your home for free
Imagine a world where nothing goes to waste. This is truly what it means to live in a circular economy. Humble Sustainability’s mission is to inspire others to join the circular mindset. Using a mix of technology and arts, co-founders Josef and Nina are taking your old, forgotten treasures and converting them into premium products for a new home.
German-Filipino supplier PHILERGY harnesses solar energy in a coal-loving Philippines
70% of the installed energy generating capacity in the Philippines is based on non-renewable energy sources. With over 900 solar installations and accredited by the Philippine Department of Energy, learn about how German-Filipino joint venture Philergy is re-shaping the country’s energy investment mix while reducing household electric bills for a cleaner future.
Obama Foundation Leader Jaton Zulueta adapts to pandemic by teaching Filipinos via Text Message
COVID-19 made in-person learning nearly impossible for underprivileged students at AHA! Learning Center. Using novel ways to navigate obstacles such as unreliable internet, they’ve transformed their program to incorporate classes via text message and a coding bootcamp to teach kids how to explore opportunities online. Read about how they’ve been able to go from teaching 3,000 kids in person to 16,000 online.
Japanese fashionista Ayumi Nishigawa is opening the first sustainable fashion school in Manila
The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of annual global carbon emissions, more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined. With revenue in the Filipino fashion industry projected to reach US$749m in 2021, discover how Ayumi Nishigawa aims to put Filipino kids on runway to success by teaching them about sustainable fashion.
Filipino social media app Kumu wins users through localization rather than globalization
As apps like TikTok and Instagram cater towards the 3.5 billion active social media users worldwide, these behemoth platforms are starting to feel a bit overwhelming. Kumu is a social media app made by Filipinos, for Filipinos. With the app hitting #1 on the Filipino app store and over 7 million registered users, read about how Kumu is shaping Filipino culture beyond the selfies and giveaways.
Ginger and EJ’s Taxumo are automating the antiquated Filipino tax process
Taxumo is currently the most widely used tax compliance tool in the Philippines. Instead of a slow physical process, Taxumo allows anyone, from freelancers, self-employed professionals, or small business owners to pay their taxes anywhere, anytime. Read about how the founders made a huge impact through key public sector partnerships.
Zooming in on Avion School, the startup that teaches Filipinos how to be a Software Engineer in 12 weeks
With at least four times lower tuition cost than a professional degree, the global coding bootcamp market size is expected to grow by USD$453 million during 2020-2024. Learn about how Avion School is training future Filipino software engineers to be workforce ready with a unique "pay only if you're hired" business model.
Despite COVID-19, Brett Doyle’s Mosaic Solutions optimizes profits and feeds the hungry
In 2016, Brett Doyle moved his family from the US to the Philippines with a dream to grow a shiny startup in rising Asia. Today, Mosaic Solutions services 1000+ outlets across the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, India and UAE. Learn about why he chose the Philippines and how he's using his data analytics suite to help Filipinos in need.
Dexter Baño reaches for the stars with a Philippine space program
While growing up, Dexter Baño's dream was to be an astronaut. Being from the Philippines, his mother always said that this field of work was impossible for a guy like him. Read Dex's story about how he plans on bringing Filipinos to space in a sustainable way.