By Nancy Carvajal
Bilyonaryos Jaime Agusto Zobel De Ayala, Erramon Aboitiz, Edgar “Injap” Sia, Anton Huang, Wilfred Uytengsu and Federico Lopez have partnered with over 60 of the country’s top businessmen and a global organization to mentor the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Endeavor Philippines Managing Director Manny Ayala said the businessmen have been tapped to share their time, expertise and network to help fledgling entrepreneurs grow their business.
Other Filipino mentors tapped by Endeavor include: Raymund Azurin, Senior Vice President & Area Director of Zuellig Pharma Asia Pacific; BountyFresh CEO Tennyson Chen; Bank of the Philippine Islands President & CEO Jose Teodoro “TG” Limcaoco; BPI Board Director & Executive Committee Member Cezar “Bong” P. Consing; SeaOil President Mark Yu, and Potato Corner President Joe Magsaysay.
“These mentors have donated 1,200 mentoring hours to entrepreneurs from all over the world over the past years. It’s their way of paying it forward,’’ Ayala said.
Among the companies supported by Endeavor Philippines are tech start-ups Kumu, Growsari and Great Deals, as well as of Zark’s Burgers, Bo’s Coffee , Med Grocer , Sprout Solutions, Equilife Medical and furniture manufacturer Kenneth Cobonpue.
Endeavor Philippines selects the businesses that will benefit from the mentoring program with the help of an international panel. Shortlisted candidates undergo interviews with Filipino mentors, where they’re assessed based on growth potential.
The selected entrepreneurs will have access to mentors, capital and an extensive network of business leaders.
“You can send e-mails and make calls for appointments, but it does not guarantee a meeting with decision makers. Endeavor can facilitate that access and introduce you to the right people,” Ayala said.
Thanks to Endeavor Philippines’ support and guidance from their bilyonaryo mentors, the entrepreneurs who joined the mentorship program have generated over P30 billion in revenues and have created about 30,000 jobs in recent years.
Ayala said Endeavor Philippines is hopeful that the entrepreneurs who finished the program will pay it forward and help aspiring businessmen in their own way.
