Globe Telecom supports Spark Fest 2019 to create a spark for social good

Globe Telecom partners with The Spark Project, a local crowdfunding website, in presenting “Spark Fest 2019,” an annual community conference that gathers people from the world of startups, social good, and creative capital together under one roof.

Now on its third year, Spark Fest 2019 provides appropriate space where people with a socially focused mindset can be inspired to learn and can have the opportunity to interact meaningfully with creative founders, thought leaders and fellow aspiring and emerging entrepreneurs. 

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“Just like the previous Spark Fest runs, our goal is to bring together like-minded entrepreneurs and give them a space to connect with each other, create a positive social impact and make awesome things happen for the benefit of Filipinos and society as a whole,” said Patch Dulay, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Spark Project.

To this, Michelle Tapia, Head of Globe myBusiness Strategy, Innovation, and Transformation who delivered the opening remarks, said Globe is always open to providing small and medium enterprises with solutions and guidance for them to grow and succeed.  “We are supporting Spark Fest because we believe in what the Filipino can do and we are here to help ensure that we can empower you through the use of  technology,” she told the participants.

Through strategic partnerships, Globe also hopes to leverage on the social innovators’ networks in order to reach more startups and be always present in the social innovation community in the country.

“Globe Telecom’s goal has always been about democratizing connectivity and making technology more inclusive. With a platform such as Spark Fest 2019, we get to interact with a community of startup innovators who utilize technology in order to create social good in the Philippines,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Chief Sustainability Officer and Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications.

During Spark Fest 2019, Globe also introduced its Globe Future Makers (GFM) program which has The Spark Project as implementing partner.  Incidentally, The Spark Project was chosen as one of the five finalists during the first year of GFM for its local crowdfunding website and community that helps entrepreneurs and change-makers launch their creatively conscious ventures to market. A pioneer in the local crowdfunding scene, it is dedicated to enabling Filipino creativity and innovation through its website and various community events. 

GFM is open to startups/social innovators in the Philippines who are committed to achieving widespread positive social impact and help change the world through the power of technology.  It aims to help build the ecosystem of support for social innovators who use technology to solve the Philippines’ most challenging social problems. 

To join, the solution should have been working for at least two years and must have a functional product or service with actual users. They must also address any of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).  The entries must be submitted in English and should clearly articulate how technology is used to create social impact.  The technology can be either a device, platform, or hardware/software. 

Filing of applications will be until April 22, 2019 where a total of 10 finalists will be selected. From the 10 finalists, the top five GFM winners will be chosen.  Each will receive up to Php 200,000 worth of technology support from Globe. 

The winners will, likewise, be provided with dedicated mentorship that includes one-on-one mentoring and workshops led by industry leaders from technology, business and social development. They will also have access to a solid ecosystem of peers, partners and potential investors both in the Philippines and abroad, plus increased brand awareness with access to nationwide communications channels and potential for regional visibility.

Judges for this year’s Globe Future Makers competition are Patch Dulay, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Spark Project; Ma. Yolanda Crisanto, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications of Globe Telecom; Minette Navarrete, President of Kickstart Ventures; and Glenn Estrella, Senior Vice President, Globe Digital Ventures.