Shell Livewire partners with govt’ to nurture startup ecosystem
Heeding the call for all innovators and startups to collaborate with the Philippine government effort to tap into technology in easing the effect of the current pandemic, Shell’s Livewire platform was launched recently.
Shell Livewire is the energy company’s global enterprise development program, and it has set its eyes into technology — from digital workflow management to contact tracing mobile apps in a bid to help overcome the challenges presented by COVID-19.
Since 1982, Shell has supported more than 1,300 businesses in 20 countries, helping them execute their innovative ideas through connecting them to mentorship, technical expertise, as well as financial assistance.
“New ideas are what drive the future of nation-building, but many aspiring entrepreneurs struggle to make those ideas a reality without the right support,” said Shell Vice President for External and Government Relations Serge Bernal.
“In many cases the resources are there, but they can be hard to find without the right connection. We want to help fill that gap through the Shell Livewire platform, not only so that entrepreneurs can successfully execute their ideas, but also so that society can benefit from the solutions that they bring to the table.”
While Friday’s launch served as the official call for collaborators for the program, Shell Livewire already has existing programs in the grassroot level helping build livelihood capacities of coconut farmers in Quezon and seamstresses in Batangas. It was also instrumental in the establishment of an EcoBrick facility in Cagayan de Oro.
According to Bernal, Shell Livewire also recently gained six new participants under the program’s umbrella. The top three technology startups from the partnership with Ignite PH Innovation joined, including: Nextpay, a banking services platform that aims to make financial services more inclusive to small business owners and service providers; Nanotronics, a biomaterials startup that is using indigenous plants to help reduce plastic waste in a sustainable way; and uHoo, an air monitoring system that will transform the way that businesses manage spaces.
Three community enterprises are also participating in Shell’s LiveWire program this year: MagzWheel Furnitures, who specializes in converting rubber tires into useful items, such as furniture and apparel; Green Factory by Oro Handmade Innovations Inc., who manufactures handmade paper products and is pioneering a Green Factory Plan that aims to fine tune all factory processes to be environmentally friendly; and Eco Explorations PH, an eco-tourism business providing sustainable livelihood to locals while taking care of the environment and cultural heritage sites.
Partners from the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Information and Communication Technologies (DICT), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) joined the launch to give their insights on the opportunity areas for innovation in the country and how the government can support startups in developing their businesses.
DA Ambassadress for Food Security and Founder of the AGREA Foundation Cherrie Atilano said that the DA is encouraging youths to enter agribusiness through the department’s Kapital Access for Young Agripreneurs (KAYA) financing program.
The digital platform offers zerointerest loans of up to P500,000 to Filipinos between 18 to 30 years old who plan to start and establish an agribusiness.
“Millions of OFWs are coming back to the country and a lot of them have invested in land,” said Atilano. “But since this is their first time in agriculture, we are working with the DTI to provide support through training. There is also a partnership with the DOST to help them if they would rather go into processing rather than production.”
DICT Director Emmy Delfin discussed the department’s plan to roll out the Innovative Startups and Acceleration Program.
The initiative will develop a web platform called the Startup Philippines Portal, which will streamline business registration, make shared services more accessible, and promote more advanced investor-and-collaborator matching.