Packworks, NGO to bring Starlink internet to sari-sari stores

Filipino tech startup Packworks has partnered with Help. NGO to bring connectivity to sari-sari stores through Starlink Internet and boost local entrepreneurship in the Philippines.

In a statement, Packworks said its partnership with Help, an international NGO, has resulted in the launched of Sarilink, which will provide fast and reliable Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Connectivity through Starlink.

Packworks offers a business-to-business (B2B) FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) marketplace for sari-sari stores while HELP.NGO is registered in the European Union (EU) with operations globally, specializing in emergency response, preparedness, risk mitigation, and prevention.

The partnership, currently in its pilot run, has installed LEO communication terminals in select micro-retail stores in Catanduanes. This strategic move empowers small entrepreneurs in the far-flung areas of the island to be digitally connected by leveraging innovative solutions provided by the Packworks platform.

“Bridging the digital divide, especially in isolated communities, can bring outsized impact on resiliency by giving people the ability to communicate and connect to the internet, they are able to build their own resilience. We are excited to work with local partners, including Packworks, to push resilience through connectivity,” said Matthew Cua, Innovation Director of Help. NGO.

Packworks Co-founder and Chief Platform Officer Hubert Yap expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "We are thrilled to partner with Help. NGO, a collaboration that advances our vision of bringing digitization to the forefront of Philippine economic development. This partnership is not just about providing technology but about crafting a future where every small business owner has the tools to succeed in the digital age. Through this strategic collaboration, we are excited about the potential to expand this initiative, ensuring that the benefits of digital connectivity reach every corner of the Philippines and setting a precedent for grassroots-level economic resilience and sustainability.”