Multiply announces winners of first Origination Awards

MANILA, Philippines - Multiply has always been about empowering the Filipino entrepreneur. From a social networking site, Multiply has transformed itself into one of the leading e-commerce sites in Southeast Asia. Today, with over 5.5 million users, Multiply is recognized as the go-to site for purchasing products online, from fashion to gadgets, and even food. They have redefined the online shopping scene by having regular Filipinos sell unique and innovative products that aren’t available elsewhere. 

For its 130,000 merchants, Multiply has provided a venue that allows entrepreneurs big and small to compete on a level playing field against one another, where an idea can make it big without massive investments behind a physical store, manpower, and other overhead expenses related to running a retail business.  The idea behind the Origination Awards is to acknowledge the creativity and ingenuity of these Filipino entrepreneurs.

Three local merchants on the e-commerce site were judged winners: Mommy Patch’s handy and all-natural insect repellent, the Mommy Patch Anti-Mosquito Rescue Stick, was awarded Most Original Mommy Management Idea. Named Most Original Gourmand Idea was World Fair Trade Asia’s Pineapple Vinegar, a fair-trade product made by a non-profit Christian organization. And Manila Sole Shoes — shoe soles made from recycled tires — won the award for Most Original Fashion Forward Idea.

These three local Multiply merchants were singled out for their excellence and creativity, besting other online merchants who have also found new and exciting ways to market their products online. The three merchants each received an online business package worth P200,000.

“These merchants, as well as the many others which were nominated in the Multiply Origination Awards, embody what makes the Filipino online entrepreneur one of the most dynamic and innovative in the world,” said Multiply Philippines country manager Jack Madrid.

The Multiply Origination Awards was started in 2012 to recognize outstanding and creative entrepreneurs in the e-commerce space. As a thought leader in online entrepreneurship, Multiply empowers merchants by granting them access to simple yet powerful e-commerce tools, as well as strategic partnerships with financial institutions and logistics service providers, thus setting the stage for original ideas to thrive and transform into successful online businesses. Madrid added that the variety and scope of this year’s winning ideas emphasize the fact that creative ideas truly embody the spirit of entrepreneurship coupled by the power of Multiply’s e-commerce platform. The possibilities are endless.

Manila Sole Shoes, for example, combined their recycling advocacy with their love for fashionable footwear to come up with shoes that address environmental protection and job creation. Mommy Patch’s Anti-Mosquito Rescue Sticks were born out of a mother’s desire to protect her children at all times, providing the inspiration for a handy insect repellent that can be carried anywhere and applied easily and harmlessly on a child’s skin. A tropical fruit, on the other hand, was given a new twist by being made into an all-natural, chemical-free vinegar made through ethical practices by World Fair Trade Asia.

In addition to the three winners, the Multiply Origination Awards also singled out outstanding merchants for special awards. The Smart Money Innovation Award went to Soak Swimwear for the innovative development and marketing of its figure-friendly swimwear Cabo Feather Maillot. Retailer Honey Baby, which sells infant headwear Hoot Hats, meanwhile, was given the Sulit.com.ph People’s Choice Award for taking a photo studio accessory and transforming it into quirky and practical infant hats.

“No doubt Multiply’s enhanced e-commerce tools helped these merchants showcase their products to a large online market professionally and effectively,” observed Madrid.

Multiply’s recent transition into e-commerce has granted merchants the ability to put up an online store within a thriving marketplace of regular online shoppers and accept online payments via multiple gateways for minimal investment.

The winners of the Multiply Origination Awards were chosen by a panel of judges comprising experts in both entrepreneurship and e-commerce, including Go Negosyo founder and RFM president and CEO Joey Concepcion, Sulit.com.ph co-founder and managing director RJ David, SAVP for BDO’s E-Commerce Consumer Lending Group Cofa Gutierrez, Madrid, and the creator of the influential lifestyle blog Chuvaness.com, Cecile Van Straten.

To know more about Multiply Origination and its winners, visit http://origination.multiply.com.