Introducing the Philippine Startup Challenge Finalists
Published Mar 27, 2018 12:00 am
By Wilson Chua
Philippine Startup Challenge (PSC) is the largest startup-competition for college students. It is where participants develop ideas for a technology-based product or service. The PSC exposes students to real-world scenarios, where they learn how to validate their ideas outside the confines of academe. Students will be guided and mentored by seasoned entrepreneurs and founders of successful startups.
Project Lead of the Philippine Startup Challenge Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Jackielyn Isip, said that at least three of this year’s winners will be able to join Huawei’s Seeds of the Future Program, Huawei’s own CSR to help develop local ICT talent, enhance knowledge transfer, and promote a greater understanding of an interest in the telecommunications sector, and encourage building and participation in the digital community.
Without further ado, the PSC finalists:
BloodPLus
Pain point: Not Enough Blood Supply
According to the team’s data from Philippine Red Cross Cebu Chapter and Regional Blood Center in Region 7, there is an average of 30+ blood request per day. Of these, about 250-300 requests per month are not met. Each bag of donated blood can save up to three lives.
Solution: BloodPlus
The team from University of San Jose – Recoletos created a crowdsourced platform for Blood donation and management. This online platform connects blood requesters, donors and blood banks together. It empowers Blood Service facilities to monitor their Blood Donor Program in three key areas:
1. Donor Education
2. Donor Recruitment, Selection and Retention
3. Monitoring of unpaid Blood donors
How it started
The team already knew each other as they used to be classmates in their lower years. The project was formed as part of their IT project in school.
Competitive advantage
The team already has existing partnerships with Red Cross Cebu chapter. Their members are passionate, dedicated and skilled. Even at pre-launch, the team already boast of over a hundred donors registered in their system. The team also benefited from Ms. Nicole Paterno’s advice. She helped the team pivot from a B2C to a B2B approach.
Team members
Alyzza Villahermosa, Kirster Kyle Quinio, Harniel G. Salmeron and Vicente Patalita III (Mentor)
Contact https://www.facebook.com/bloodplusgbsl/ or http://bloodplus.usjr.edu.ph
TapTrack
Pain point: Time Tracking of Field Workers
In large plantations, field workers still use manual time sheets. These will need to be transported, entered, validated before payroll processing can be done. Frequent pay delays happen when the chain of needed events is not done on time. Biometrics using fingerprint and facial recognition are not suitable in this scenario. For one, pineapple plantation workers usually have acid-eroded fingerprints. IoT solutions currently available are not powerful or cost effective to do facial recognition in the field.
Solution: TapTrack IoT
The team deploys an IoT RFID card reader. Each field worker will use their assigned RFID card to tap in and tap out. The data is stored in a SD-card and is later transmitted via SMS to a central location. The aggregated data is then used in a web application to process payroll.
How it started
Several team members’ parents and siblings were workers in DOLE plantation. The old payroll system was manual with payroll delays. Delayed pay may force some families to borrow money from loan sharks, friends or family members to tide them over. The students tend to take up part time jobs to help. However, this can affect their grades at school. When the school (University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines) called for business ideas for the startup competition, they thought of automating the time tracking.
Competitive advantage
Two of the team members interned at the General Services Cooperative whose main client is Del Monte Philippines. So, this team has insights gained from personal experience. Jeff (hacker) has experience working with IoT (Arduino and Raspberry Pi) for the RFID reader component.
Team members
Jeffrey R. Ranolo, Ana Paula Mae A, Rada Rey Miguel S. Guivencan and Jay Noel N. Rojo (Adviser)
Contact
https://www.facebook.com/TapTrackPH/
VenturePAL
Pain point: MSMEs struggle with loans/financing
Marvin Viagedor of Silly Boy, had a hard time getting a loan. He did not have the collateral required by most banks to secure a loan. This is a common problem as most MSMEs that were just starting out would not usually have assets. They would not be able to provide the collateral and would not be able to get loans. Also, most MSMEs lack financial reporting, which makes it difficult for the entrepreneurs to monitor their business. This was the case of Fred Neil Camacho III of Camacho’s Seafood supply, who says that his major struggle was with the management of the loans.
Solution
VenturePal aims to create a platform that matches the funds with companies that need them. A lot of small investors’ money are pooled into the system for investment into promising companies. Then to help MSMEs manage their finances, they also provide a simple single-entry type bookkeeping to go with the platform.
How it started
One of the team members’ father tried to get a loan from the banks for expansion. The banks denied the loan. The father ended up borrowing from loan sharks instead. The profits from the business went to pay for the usurious interests. So, when the three founders looked for a capstone project for their course at University of Cebu, they decided to create the Venturepal.
Competitive advantage:
The single-entry bookkeeping system is better suited for MSMEs when compared to online accounting packages like Xero. In addition, this system needs to be simple and easy to learn/use. The risks are spread among a lot of investors. Big data could be used one day to even lower the risk/grade each risk and match it with proper returns.
Team members
Gerson Jones Laz Ponsica (Hacker), Sidney John Diongson (Hipster), Angelica Melchor (Hustler) and Sheryl Satorre (Mentor)
https://www.facebook.com/VenturePal.ph/
MyMDLab
Pain point: Getting Lab Tests and Results
Getting lab test done and waiting for the lab results both take a long time. Also, having the option of getting the lab tests done in a home setting vastly improves the quality of life of patients suffering from serious illnesses. The family saves from transport cost. The patient is less stressed as well.
Solution:
MyMDLab deploys an application that allows the patient to book laboratory services at home. The application will also deliver the lab test results to the patient. The team envisions that the application would serve as a medium to spread awareness about home service as well.
How it started
Anne Charlene’s mom got breast cancer. They both had to travel to Manila for the usual lab tests, only to find out that there was a queue and a longer wait. They both have to be in Manila by 7am and can only get home by 4pm.
Her grandmother was not so lucky. She contracted colon cancer and did not want to take the lab test since she was a senior citizen and “Hinde ko na kayang sumakay ng Jeep”. Her two personal trials gave her the idea of addressing this issue by coming up with this application.
Competitive advantage
The team has partnered with MMG Plaza and LC Diagnostic Center. It also has the support of the Office of Senior Citizen Affairs. They also managed two complete cycles of home service to test the viability of their idea.
Team members
Ann Charlene Salazar (Hustler), Maria Victoria Depusoy (Hacker), Ivy Coleen Lacerna (Hipster) and Raymond S. Bermudez (Mentor)
Contact
https://www.facebook.com/myMDLab/
LinkMED
Pain point: Long Queues in Medical Facilities
People waste a lot of time waiting for their names to be called when they go to hospitals or clinics. Booking a slot in medical laboratories is also a hassle.
Solution:
Team Nexus from Bulacan State University created LinkMED. This is an online booking platform for medical procedures and lab exams. The LinkMED platform provides a reliable online appointment booking system for medical exams and procedures.
How it started
Diane Mae personally experienced how long she and her cousin had to wait. They went to an eye clinic at 10 am and there were already so many people inside and outside. The long queues meant a long wait. Then the person in charge advised them to come back in the afternoon. The queue would be shorter then.
So, Diane wondered if the queue system could be improved? What if everyone can see the online queue and go to the clinics when the queue was shorter? This would make clinic visits more efficient and less of a hassle.
Competitive advantage
The Nexus team would rely on community as their main advantage.
Team members
Diane Mae Roldan (Hustler), Christian Roey Cunanan (Hipster), Lendro Soriano (Hacker) and Marites D. Castro (Mentor)
Contact
http://www.linkmedph.ml/
Send Me to School (SMS)
Pain point: Hard to Find Scholarships
“Financial reason” is listed as one of the main factors preventing 8.3 million out of school youths from finishing their studies. However, it is difficult for students to search and apply for scholarships. They also have a hard time understanding the scholarship requirements. On the other hand, donors need an efficient way to grant scholarships to the most deserving applicants that meets their criteria.
Solution:
SMS is an online scholarship matching mobile web application. This app is aimed at Tertiary students. The SMS web app uses text string/ NLP (Natural language Processing) algorithms to perform the matches. Key matches are made based on FAKS (Family background, attitudes, knowledge and skills).
How it started
Team Fibonacci is made up of BSCS grad students from the College of Computer Studies of Gordon College. SMS or Send Me to School started as a thesis project of the team members of this group.
Competitive advantage
Natural Language Processing using string matching algorithm to connect scholarships applicants with the available scholarship grants. The team also intends to pursue exclusive partnerships with various NGOs to garner support and accelerate adoption rates.
Team members
Kris Azucenas (Hustler), Ron Angelo Batac (Hacker), Marla Kathleen Garduque (Hipster) and Dra Erlinda Casela Abarintos (Mentor)
Contact
https://www.facebook.com/GCSendMeToSchool/
LinQue
Pain point: Inefficient Restocking for SariSari Stores
Sari-sari stores find it time consuming and expensive to restock their supplies. The traditional method of resupply can be disrupted by use of digital/mobile technologies. This would also help product distributors. They can gain wider market share and lower their operational (delivery) cost through more efficient logistics.
Solution:
LinQue is a mobile crowdsourced geo-tagged application that will cater to Sari-sari stores. The app will connect distributors to sari-sari stores. It will list available products. Sari-sari store owners order and have these items delivered. Distributors can get a heads up on out of stock items at the Sari-sari store level. A matching queueing system ensures more efficient distribution methods.
How it started
The family of Anthony Moya, a student of the University of Southern Philippines owned a sari-sari store. They often felt the inconvenience of restocking their stores from the traditional groceries. The frequent long queues and traffic made him think of a better way.
Then on the other side of the distribution channel are the suppliers/distributors. Those with rolling stores often missed sales opportunities when the visited sari-sari store has just restocked their items. There is a timing issue. LinQue can maximize the sales to distance travelled ratio.
Competitive advantage
Focus on their customer segments (both the sari-sari stores and the suppliers/distributors). Access to key people with deep knowledge in consumerism.
Team members (Linquers)
Anthony Moya (Hacker), Jonel Getigan (Hustler) and Ryan Rey Janiza (Hipster)
Contact
https://www.facebook.com/LinqueApp/
Laux
Pain point: Hassle free Laundry pick-up and delivery
Students made up 80% of the survey and among their main pain points are: busy schedules, time to get to laundry shops, inconsistent pickup times and stain related issues. “Being college students, we understand the struggles of time management – juggling between academics and doing chores; especially for students living in dorms”.
Solution: Laux
One-click application to claim, clean and deliver laundry. The application allows users to choose their desired delivery or pickup schedules. It enables tracking of services done for laundry. The team also envisions a quality-based customer support for clients. Target market includes students who live in dormitories, career mothers and young professionals who live by themselves.
How it started
Ateneo De Davao has this Technopreneurship class and Tisha Ho was then thinking of a startup idea to pitch for that class. At the same time, she was also looking at her pile of laundry. Putting both together, she thought “we need a laundry app” for this! Tisha formed the team from friends in the same class.
Competitive advantage
The team aims to garner efficiencies at scale. By bundling a variety of (related) services together, LAUX hopes to generate efficiencies. The major goal is reduced costs. These savings are passed on to clients. It then enables budget friendly selection of services. This feeds into the virtuous cycle as more customers and services leads to greater efficiencies. This leads to even more growth.
Team members
Tisha Ho, (Hipster), Divya Gomez (Hustler), Angelo Mari Apigo (Hacker) and Patricia Dimaano (Support) (not in picture).
Contact
http://www.lauxapp.com/
Buhay++
Pain point: Low awareness for Organ Donation
There is a general lack of education for organ donation. Organs are not easily shared between organ donation organizations.
Solution: Buhay++
Buhay++ is the Tinder of organ donations. It is an online platform for boosting awareness of organ donations and help in matching organ donations with patients in need. It aims to centralize the platform among accredited organ transplant centers. The platform has three modules/system:
How it started
The team is composed of students from the University of Cebu – Main.
Competitive advantage
Uses current technologies like Angular (JS) and Laravel.
Team members
Jureen De Castro (Hipster), Ryan Fajardo (Hustler) and Rowell Duallo (Hacker) (L-R)
Contact (None as of press time)
ePurse (now CentSilyo)
Pain point: Shortage of coins for exact change
The “No Short Changing” Act mandates the giving of EXACT change to consumers. Businesses are prohibited from giving other forms of change like candy in lieu of monetary change. And yet businesses are hard pressed to comply with this new law. Surveys revealed some common problems: no coins for change, using candies as change, need to go to bank for change.
Solution: ePurse (now Centsilyo)
ePurse is a hassle-free mobile wallet that allows businesses to provide exact change every time. It is like a mash up of PayMaya and Google Apps combined. The mobile wallet includes product promotions and discount codes. It also provides an up to date directory map for easy store location.
How it started
Daniella, a student of University of Southern Philippines was watching TV at that time. She was thinking of a startup idea for her technopreneurship class. The TV was talking about the Republic Act 10909, better known as the “No Short-Changing act of 2016”.
This started her thinking. She came up with the idea of creating an alternative way for businesses to provide the exact change. The accumulated change stored in the digital wallet could be aggregated and used in the next transaction. Her two other team members were tapped to make the app possible. Fortunately, both Marrise and Daniella agreed and Centsilyo was born.
Competitive advantage
The team intends to keep their apps “current”. They plan to explore and adopt the newest technologies that benefit their users. These may include the use of Block Chain Technology to guard against fraud. The use of cryptocurrencies are also being explored as a means of payment.
Team members
Marrise Annie Insong (hacker), Daniella Javilles (hustler), Mariah Nicole Perez de Tagle (Hipster)
Contact
https://www.facebook.com/CENTsilyo-Formerly-E-Purse-182003419270341/
Pain point: Not Enough Blood Supply
According to the team’s data from Philippine Red Cross Cebu Chapter and Regional Blood Center in Region 7, there is an average of 30+ blood request per day. Of these, about 250-300 requests per month are not met. Each bag of donated blood can save up to three lives.
Solution: BloodPlus
The team from University of San Jose – Recoletos created a crowdsourced platform for Blood donation and management. This online platform connects blood requesters, donors and blood banks together. It empowers Blood Service facilities to monitor their Blood Donor Program in three key areas:
1. Donor Education
2. Donor Recruitment, Selection and Retention
3. Monitoring of unpaid Blood donors
How it started
The team already knew each other as they used to be classmates in their lower years. The project was formed as part of their IT project in school.
Competitive advantage
The team already has existing partnerships with Red Cross Cebu chapter. Their members are passionate, dedicated and skilled. Even at pre-launch, the team already boast of over a hundred donors registered in their system. The team also benefited from Ms. Nicole Paterno’s advice. She helped the team pivot from a B2C to a B2B approach.
Team members
Alyzza Villahermosa, Kirster Kyle Quinio, Harniel G. Salmeron and Vicente Patalita III (Mentor)
Contact https://www.facebook.com/bloodplusgbsl/ or http://bloodplus.usjr.edu.ph
TapTrack
Pain point: Time Tracking of Field Workers
In large plantations, field workers still use manual time sheets. These will need to be transported, entered, validated before payroll processing can be done. Frequent pay delays happen when the chain of needed events is not done on time. Biometrics using fingerprint and facial recognition are not suitable in this scenario. For one, pineapple plantation workers usually have acid-eroded fingerprints. IoT solutions currently available are not powerful or cost effective to do facial recognition in the field.
Solution: TapTrack IoT
The team deploys an IoT RFID card reader. Each field worker will use their assigned RFID card to tap in and tap out. The data is stored in a SD-card and is later transmitted via SMS to a central location. The aggregated data is then used in a web application to process payroll.
How it started
Several team members’ parents and siblings were workers in DOLE plantation. The old payroll system was manual with payroll delays. Delayed pay may force some families to borrow money from loan sharks, friends or family members to tide them over. The students tend to take up part time jobs to help. However, this can affect their grades at school. When the school (University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines) called for business ideas for the startup competition, they thought of automating the time tracking.
Competitive advantage
Two of the team members interned at the General Services Cooperative whose main client is Del Monte Philippines. So, this team has insights gained from personal experience. Jeff (hacker) has experience working with IoT (Arduino and Raspberry Pi) for the RFID reader component.
Team members
Jeffrey R. Ranolo, Ana Paula Mae A, Rada Rey Miguel S. Guivencan and Jay Noel N. Rojo (Adviser)
Contact
https://www.facebook.com/TapTrackPH/
VenturePAL
Pain point: MSMEs struggle with loans/financing
Marvin Viagedor of Silly Boy, had a hard time getting a loan. He did not have the collateral required by most banks to secure a loan. This is a common problem as most MSMEs that were just starting out would not usually have assets. They would not be able to provide the collateral and would not be able to get loans. Also, most MSMEs lack financial reporting, which makes it difficult for the entrepreneurs to monitor their business. This was the case of Fred Neil Camacho III of Camacho’s Seafood supply, who says that his major struggle was with the management of the loans.
Solution
VenturePal aims to create a platform that matches the funds with companies that need them. A lot of small investors’ money are pooled into the system for investment into promising companies. Then to help MSMEs manage their finances, they also provide a simple single-entry type bookkeeping to go with the platform.
How it started
One of the team members’ father tried to get a loan from the banks for expansion. The banks denied the loan. The father ended up borrowing from loan sharks instead. The profits from the business went to pay for the usurious interests. So, when the three founders looked for a capstone project for their course at University of Cebu, they decided to create the Venturepal.
Competitive advantage:
The single-entry bookkeeping system is better suited for MSMEs when compared to online accounting packages like Xero. In addition, this system needs to be simple and easy to learn/use. The risks are spread among a lot of investors. Big data could be used one day to even lower the risk/grade each risk and match it with proper returns.
Team members
Gerson Jones Laz Ponsica (Hacker), Sidney John Diongson (Hipster), Angelica Melchor (Hustler) and Sheryl Satorre (Mentor)
https://www.facebook.com/VenturePal.ph/
MyMDLab
Pain point: Getting Lab Tests and Results
Getting lab test done and waiting for the lab results both take a long time. Also, having the option of getting the lab tests done in a home setting vastly improves the quality of life of patients suffering from serious illnesses. The family saves from transport cost. The patient is less stressed as well.
Solution:
MyMDLab deploys an application that allows the patient to book laboratory services at home. The application will also deliver the lab test results to the patient. The team envisions that the application would serve as a medium to spread awareness about home service as well.
How it started
Anne Charlene’s mom got breast cancer. They both had to travel to Manila for the usual lab tests, only to find out that there was a queue and a longer wait. They both have to be in Manila by 7am and can only get home by 4pm.
Her grandmother was not so lucky. She contracted colon cancer and did not want to take the lab test since she was a senior citizen and “Hinde ko na kayang sumakay ng Jeep”. Her two personal trials gave her the idea of addressing this issue by coming up with this application.
Competitive advantage
The team has partnered with MMG Plaza and LC Diagnostic Center. It also has the support of the Office of Senior Citizen Affairs. They also managed two complete cycles of home service to test the viability of their idea.
Team members
Ann Charlene Salazar (Hustler), Maria Victoria Depusoy (Hacker), Ivy Coleen Lacerna (Hipster) and Raymond S. Bermudez (Mentor)
Contact
https://www.facebook.com/myMDLab/
LinkMED
Pain point: Long Queues in Medical Facilities
People waste a lot of time waiting for their names to be called when they go to hospitals or clinics. Booking a slot in medical laboratories is also a hassle.
Solution:
Team Nexus from Bulacan State University created LinkMED. This is an online booking platform for medical procedures and lab exams. The LinkMED platform provides a reliable online appointment booking system for medical exams and procedures.
How it started
Diane Mae personally experienced how long she and her cousin had to wait. They went to an eye clinic at 10 am and there were already so many people inside and outside. The long queues meant a long wait. Then the person in charge advised them to come back in the afternoon. The queue would be shorter then.
So, Diane wondered if the queue system could be improved? What if everyone can see the online queue and go to the clinics when the queue was shorter? This would make clinic visits more efficient and less of a hassle.
Competitive advantage
The Nexus team would rely on community as their main advantage.
Team members
Diane Mae Roldan (Hustler), Christian Roey Cunanan (Hipster), Lendro Soriano (Hacker) and Marites D. Castro (Mentor)
Contact
http://www.linkmedph.ml/
Send Me to School (SMS)
Pain point: Hard to Find Scholarships
“Financial reason” is listed as one of the main factors preventing 8.3 million out of school youths from finishing their studies. However, it is difficult for students to search and apply for scholarships. They also have a hard time understanding the scholarship requirements. On the other hand, donors need an efficient way to grant scholarships to the most deserving applicants that meets their criteria.
Solution:
SMS is an online scholarship matching mobile web application. This app is aimed at Tertiary students. The SMS web app uses text string/ NLP (Natural language Processing) algorithms to perform the matches. Key matches are made based on FAKS (Family background, attitudes, knowledge and skills).
How it started
Team Fibonacci is made up of BSCS grad students from the College of Computer Studies of Gordon College. SMS or Send Me to School started as a thesis project of the team members of this group.
Competitive advantage
Natural Language Processing using string matching algorithm to connect scholarships applicants with the available scholarship grants. The team also intends to pursue exclusive partnerships with various NGOs to garner support and accelerate adoption rates.
Team members
Kris Azucenas (Hustler), Ron Angelo Batac (Hacker), Marla Kathleen Garduque (Hipster) and Dra Erlinda Casela Abarintos (Mentor)
Contact
https://www.facebook.com/GCSendMeToSchool/
LinQue
Pain point: Inefficient Restocking for SariSari Stores
Sari-sari stores find it time consuming and expensive to restock their supplies. The traditional method of resupply can be disrupted by use of digital/mobile technologies. This would also help product distributors. They can gain wider market share and lower their operational (delivery) cost through more efficient logistics.
Solution:
LinQue is a mobile crowdsourced geo-tagged application that will cater to Sari-sari stores. The app will connect distributors to sari-sari stores. It will list available products. Sari-sari store owners order and have these items delivered. Distributors can get a heads up on out of stock items at the Sari-sari store level. A matching queueing system ensures more efficient distribution methods.
How it started
The family of Anthony Moya, a student of the University of Southern Philippines owned a sari-sari store. They often felt the inconvenience of restocking their stores from the traditional groceries. The frequent long queues and traffic made him think of a better way.
Then on the other side of the distribution channel are the suppliers/distributors. Those with rolling stores often missed sales opportunities when the visited sari-sari store has just restocked their items. There is a timing issue. LinQue can maximize the sales to distance travelled ratio.
Competitive advantage
Focus on their customer segments (both the sari-sari stores and the suppliers/distributors). Access to key people with deep knowledge in consumerism.
Team members (Linquers)
Anthony Moya (Hacker), Jonel Getigan (Hustler) and Ryan Rey Janiza (Hipster)
Contact
https://www.facebook.com/LinqueApp/
Laux
Pain point: Hassle free Laundry pick-up and delivery
Students made up 80% of the survey and among their main pain points are: busy schedules, time to get to laundry shops, inconsistent pickup times and stain related issues. “Being college students, we understand the struggles of time management – juggling between academics and doing chores; especially for students living in dorms”.
Solution: Laux
One-click application to claim, clean and deliver laundry. The application allows users to choose their desired delivery or pickup schedules. It enables tracking of services done for laundry. The team also envisions a quality-based customer support for clients. Target market includes students who live in dormitories, career mothers and young professionals who live by themselves.
How it started
Ateneo De Davao has this Technopreneurship class and Tisha Ho was then thinking of a startup idea to pitch for that class. At the same time, she was also looking at her pile of laundry. Putting both together, she thought “we need a laundry app” for this! Tisha formed the team from friends in the same class.
Competitive advantage
The team aims to garner efficiencies at scale. By bundling a variety of (related) services together, LAUX hopes to generate efficiencies. The major goal is reduced costs. These savings are passed on to clients. It then enables budget friendly selection of services. This feeds into the virtuous cycle as more customers and services leads to greater efficiencies. This leads to even more growth.
Team members
Tisha Ho, (Hipster), Divya Gomez (Hustler), Angelo Mari Apigo (Hacker) and Patricia Dimaano (Support) (not in picture).
Contact
http://www.lauxapp.com/
Buhay++
Pain point: Low awareness for Organ Donation
There is a general lack of education for organ donation. Organs are not easily shared between organ donation organizations.
Solution: Buhay++
Buhay++ is the Tinder of organ donations. It is an online platform for boosting awareness of organ donations and help in matching organ donations with patients in need. It aims to centralize the platform among accredited organ transplant centers. The platform has three modules/system:
How it started
The team is composed of students from the University of Cebu – Main.
Competitive advantage
Uses current technologies like Angular (JS) and Laravel.
Team members
Jureen De Castro (Hipster), Ryan Fajardo (Hustler) and Rowell Duallo (Hacker) (L-R)
Contact (None as of press time)
ePurse (now CentSilyo)
Pain point: Shortage of coins for exact change
The “No Short Changing” Act mandates the giving of EXACT change to consumers. Businesses are prohibited from giving other forms of change like candy in lieu of monetary change. And yet businesses are hard pressed to comply with this new law. Surveys revealed some common problems: no coins for change, using candies as change, need to go to bank for change.
Solution: ePurse (now Centsilyo)
ePurse is a hassle-free mobile wallet that allows businesses to provide exact change every time. It is like a mash up of PayMaya and Google Apps combined. The mobile wallet includes product promotions and discount codes. It also provides an up to date directory map for easy store location.
How it started
Daniella, a student of University of Southern Philippines was watching TV at that time. She was thinking of a startup idea for her technopreneurship class. The TV was talking about the Republic Act 10909, better known as the “No Short-Changing act of 2016”.
This started her thinking. She came up with the idea of creating an alternative way for businesses to provide the exact change. The accumulated change stored in the digital wallet could be aggregated and used in the next transaction. Her two other team members were tapped to make the app possible. Fortunately, both Marrise and Daniella agreed and Centsilyo was born.
Competitive advantage
The team intends to keep their apps “current”. They plan to explore and adopt the newest technologies that benefit their users. These may include the use of Block Chain Technology to guard against fraud. The use of cryptocurrencies are also being explored as a means of payment.
Team members
Marrise Annie Insong (hacker), Daniella Javilles (hustler), Mariah Nicole Perez de Tagle (Hipster)
Contact
https://www.facebook.com/CENTsilyo-Formerly-E-Purse-182003419270341/