Youth group spearheads business pitching event

CEBU, Philippines — A business pitching is set in Cebu to search for potential entrepreneurs qualified to get funding and mentorship.

Dubbed as Juanegosyante, a non-profit youth group Junior Chamber International (JCI) is set to do a business pitching in J Center Convention Hall in Mandaue City on July 28.

In cooperation with ProjectVII, a Filipino grassroots company for entrepreneurship development and Montgomery Fitch + Associates, JCI Manila, Cebu and Zugbuana chapters launched the project to develop more entrepreneurs in the Philippines.

"We believe that entrepreneurs will solve the majority of the country’s problems. Innovators, creators, and thought leaders in the arena of entrepreneurship are at the forefront of leading the country to achieve a first world Philippines," said Michael Sharpe, JCI Cebu project chair.

However, the current business ecosystem significantly lacks programs and infrastructure from local institutions in sustainably empowering, equipping and inspiring local entrepreneurs and would-be entrepreneurs, organizers said.

This is especially apparent with the rest of the provinces in the Philippines, as most of the support from institutions that entrepreneurs receive is concentrated in Metro Manila.

The Juanegosyante program is touring the Philippines from July to November 2018 to find, fund, incubate and mentor top business ideas and entrepreneurs from ideation to exit.

Aspiring entrepreneurs will learn from established entrepreneurs through a training session as well as watch live how a business pitch occurs and current entrepreneurs will be able to “pitch” their ideas and/or business for early stage funding, mentorship, growth and expansion.

The concept behind the project is to have these entrepreneurs submit a brief business plan and, if approved, pitch their ideas live (in front of an audience) to a panel of investors.

In addition to the pitch on July 28, the event will also have talks in the morning by CEOs and captains of the industry to share insights into their world and what it takes to grow into an entrepreneur.

The entrepreneurs who will pitch their business idea will need to submit their business presentation to ProjectVII and Montgomery for third party pre-qualification and screening before the actual date of the event.

Apart from attending the pitch, aspiring entrepreneurs will also be invited to attend a plenary session featuring successful business leaders to talk about their entrepreneurial journey. (FREEMAN)