HOW THIS MESSAGING APP IS HELPING SMALL BUSINESSES
‘Pinoy Dream Negosyo’ is a nationwide competition giving entrepreneurs a chance to upgrade their side hustles to full-fledged businesses
For the past two years, the pandemic’s effects on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have been devastating. With strict lockdowns and quarantine regulations imposed to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus, many businesses were forced to shut down, affecting the livelihoods of millions of Filipinos.
However, though severely lacking in the funding and reach necessary, projects and initiatives have sprouted to help support local businesses. And as one of the biggest messaging apps, Viber has become a tool for many startups to promote their brands and products.
Amid the pandemic, Viber and its user-friendly features have changed how Filipino founders advertise, market and sell products. With the different Viber channels across the platform, people can communicate and come together, collaborating on tips and tricks to help their respective startups.
As a result of numerous one-on-one interviews, focus group discussions, webinars and workshops, the company was able to allow online sellers to leverage their products online. With this, throughout the pandemic, Viber offered services to be able to empower and educate MSMEs, starting with the “Viber Negosyo Serye,” a three-part webinar series that aims to equip MSMEs with tools and know-how on bolstering sales and strengthening their customer relationship.
Apart from this, partnerships with companies like GCash helped users and potential entrepreneurs make quick-and-easy transactions to benefit their businesses.
“I always wanted to be a part of a campaign that changes people’s lives,” says Lana Macapagal, Rakuten Viber’s Asia-Pacific region PR lead.
Nationwide competition
Since then, Viber launched “Pinoy Dream Negosyo,” a nationwide competition for potential MSME entrepreneurs, to get the chance to upgrade their side hustles to fullfledged businesses.
Partnering with FoodPH and RaketPH, the campaign aimed to invite the country’s best freelancers and home cooks to scale their startups under two categories: Raket Mo ‘To for Raketeers and Da Best of FoodPH for Besties. MegaMobile and Inquirer Lifestyle also served as partners for the FoodPH segment of the contest.
With an P80,000 tax-free grand prize at stake, along with plaques, merch items and a chance to appear in an online TV show and Instagram Live of popular influencers, the first-of-its-kind competition drew entries from all over the country, with succeeding challenges aiming to test the willpower and creativity of some of the brightest entrepreneurs.
On July 14, the top three finalists from each category pitched their businesses live on stage. In front of a panel of judges and a virtual audience, each finalist presented and tried to convince the viewers why their business is ripe for the picking.
In the end, Mon Cabsag, who presented the gourmet bread startup The Bistro Box, and Richmond Argosino, who showcased apparel store Ken Goods and Apparel, emerged victorious.
Juliet “Let” Gan from Coocoo House and Xandralyn Sales from Not Your Ordinary Sausage were named first runner-up for the FoodPH and RaketPH categories, respectively, while Vivian Aguilar from Cookie Vives and Roland Carampil from Save The Cat Productions were awarded second runner-up.
Argosino had a message for future participants of “Pinoy Dream Negosyo”: “Huwag silang sumuko, kasi dyan nagkakaroon ng experience, subok lang nang subok.”
Cabsag said, “You have to make it start.”
Hoping to use Viber as their main communication channel to grow their respective businesses, all finalists will receive aid and support from Viber in promoting their products and startups on the platform.
To bring together more people across its channels, other initiatives that plan to support MSMEs will kick off soon. Apart from plans for a second season of “Pinoy Dream Negosyo,” Viber is also looking at potential projects for local film artists and creators.
Viber Philippines has a lot more in store and hopes to be the platform for startup businesses to reach their full potential.