Startups get boost from powerhouse 917Ventures leaders
917Ventures, the country’s largest corporate venture builder, ideates, launches and accelerates new businesses that provide solutions that enable citizens and communities to thrive.
Some perfect examples of successful and innovative companies under 917Ventures are GCash, KonsultaMD, AdSpark, HealthNow, PureGo, and RUSH. Although 917Ventures is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Globe, it acts as a separate entity serving as a factory for start-up companies that have the potential to grow and scale fast.
917Ventures has its own powerhouse leadership team as the backbone of every successful venture. The team includes VINCE YAMAT, managing director, is a former VP for product management of Globe, who co-piloted hundreds of projects supporting business-to-customers (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B) platforms; MIKEY GARROVILLO, head of Product, Technology, and Data. Garrovillo worked for Globe, Chikka, WirelessHQ and Pudding Media, and has over 20 years of expertise in synthesizing organization of business goals; GLENN ESTRELLA, head of Ideation and Acceleration. Estrella’s transformation initiatives help businesses thrive and meet the demands of the fast-evolving digital scene in various industries.
The rest of the team are: GRIFFIN GOLAMCO, entrepreneur-in-residence, is a former Google and Globe and a valuable advisor and mentor to venture builders at 917Ventures; NATASHA BAUTISTA, head of Marketing Communications and Program Management, co-founder and former the operations head of QBO. She was also the pioneering employee of Grab Philippines as GrabCar Head; and RASE EUSTAQUIO, head of People. Eustaquio was a former HR Business Partner at Globe and the co-lead for the set up of AdSpark in 2015.
DITO reaches 100 cities, municipalities
DITO Telecommunity Corporation, the country’s third major player in the telecommunications industry, after a little more than two months from its commercial launch last March 8 has finally reached 16 cities and one municipality in Metro Manila. As of today, DITO is already present in 100 cities and municipalities and available in more than 3,000 stores nationwide, covering 29 million Filipinos.
DITO Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dennis A. Uy said, “Our commercial activities began with 15 cities… Last April 16, we added 21 more cities. In just another two weeks, 18 cities were added, reaching as far north as Nueva Ecija in Central Luzon for a total of 54 cities.”
Prior to DITO’s NCR launch, DITO had already opened close to 2,000 stores in various areas nationwide, including four DITO Stores in Cebu and Davao as well as online via Shopee and Lazada.
DITO Chief Administrative Officer Atty. Adel Tamano said that for its initial entry in NCR, DITO from May 17 to June 30 offers 25GB of high-speed data for 30 days along with free unlimited texts to all networks, unlimited DITO-to-DITO calls, and free 300 minutes of calls to other mobile networks for only Php 199.
DITO’s welcome offer will be available in various channels, both offline and online, such as DITO Stores, device retail partners, DITO online store, Shopee and Lazada.
For more information on where to buy DITO SIMs, the attractive welcome offer, and other details, please visit the official Facebook page of DITOat www.facebook.com/DITOphofficial or the website at www.dito.ph.
Accenture funds vs covid in PH
Accenture in the Philippines has made a $5-million or P240 million pledge to urgently respond to COVID-related challenges in the Philippines.
The company said for its employees in the Philippines, it is extending free vaccination coverage to eligible dependents of its staff.
It is also introducing a COVID home care program that aims to supplement medical monitoring, support and care for its employees while providing a one-time work from home enablement reimbursement for some of its staff.
Lito Tayag, country managing director of Accenture in the Philippines, said these initiatives “underscore our strong resolve and active commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of our people and fellow Filipinos during these challenging times.”
Medgate sees continued increase in teleconsultations
Telemedicine provider Medgate saw a 170 percent increase in local teleconsultations last year.
Despite the jump, Medgate maintained an 80 percent case resolution rate. This means all cases handled are treated entirely through telemedicine.
Last year, Medgate entered a partnership with the Department of Health (DOH) and the National Privacy Commission to deliver free telemedicine services – providing patients with alternative treatment options to ease hospital occupancy and help curb the spread of COVID-19.
Medgate met the sudden surge in demand through a 24/7 tele-treatment program that connects patients to licensed specialist doctors, provides e-prescriptions, laboratory requests, and certificate of medical teleconsultation, and facilitates medicine delivery. Patient concerns were handled through a medical co-management approach where doctors are able to collaborate to establish a diagnosis and provide the best possible treatment.
MasterCard appointment
Mastercard has announced the appointment of Simon Calasanz as country manager for the Philippines, bringing nearly two decades of local experience in the banking and finance industry to the organization’s local leadership team.
Calasanz will be focused on accelerating acceptance and usage of digital payments, especially for smaller merchants and businesses, while also expanding on Mastercard’s ongoing digital and financial inclusion initiatives in the country.
Calasanz started his career with HSBC Group and was president of RCBC Bankard Services Corp. towards the end of 2015–a position he held until 2020. Calasanz also served as president of the Credit Card Association of the Philippines from 2010 to 2014. Calasanz holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce with a major in Marketing Management, as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, from De La Salle University.
