STARTUP WEEKEND FOR THE YOUNG
To bring down the average age of Filipino entrepreneurs, a group of startup entrepreneurs hopes to encourage senior high school students to consider entrepreneurship as an option after graduating
If the country wants more Filipinos to become entrepreneurs, it has to start them young.
A group of startup entrepreneurs have come together to mount the country’s first Startup Weekend-Cebu youth edition, a 52-hour event that would expose the senior high students to the world of techno-preneurship.
Patterned after the global program of Startup Weekend, the Cebu youth edition will consist of meet, pitch and team-up sessions during the first day and mentorship on the second day.
On the third day, the team will have to face the panel of judges to present their product.
Startup Weekend Cebu Youth edition will be held on Feb. 16 to 18 at The Grid Pad and Creative Campus in Talamban.
“It only makes sense that Cebu, a gold mine of talent, ideas, and entrepreneurs, participates in this movement. This Startup Weekend edition is special because this is exclusive to the youth, with the goal of inspiring interest in technology, design, and entrepreneurship,” said Justine Win Cañete, lead organizer of Startup Weekend Cebu Youth edition.
Nicole Padin, one of the organizers of the event, shared that the idea was borne from last year’s Geeks On A Beach event where one of speakers Jojo Flores of StartupPH.org challenged the industry to lower the average age of Filipino entrepreneurs, which now stands at 30 years old.
Padin said they hope to inspire the youth to consider getting into techno-preneurship when they graduate after college. She said there is another path that the youth could pursue other than employment.
“One way to inspire them is by exposing them to events like this. The youth is the country’s future entrepreneurs. They are passionate. These guys would one day create more jobs for everyone and change the world,” said Padin.
Around 60 participants are expected to join the weekend event, which will be graced by those who have successful start- ups like Albert Padin, Eddie Ybañez, Vince Loremia, Francis Alturas, Seph Mayol, Genesis Raña, Arnelle Balane, Romar Patindol, Mark Buenconsejo and Kareen Satorre to act as mentors, while David Overton and Lolette Alipe form the panel of judges.
Raña, one the organizers and mentors, said Startup Weekend is a good avenue for the youth to develop and execute their ideas.
Raña said they want those ideas to come alive and not just be put to waste.
“At Startup weekend, there will be no grades, only results,” he said. “This is a safe environment where they can fail and be coached.” A free pre-event with free workshops will be held today to registered participants. Timmy de Jesus, one of the organizers, said the workshop will help determine the strengths of the participants, whether they are the tech-type, creative or the entrepreneur/ marketing type.
A registration fee of P1,000 is charged per participant. This will cover all materials needed for the workshop competition program.