Corinthian Anne Valenton, owner of Corrsy’s Kitchen, offers Cheese Pimiento spread and Langka Calamansi jam. Corrsy’s Kitchen is one of the winners of SEAL-SEGA.
The top 40 small businesses and top 20 nanobusinesses from this year’s Small Enterprise Acceleration Lab (SEAL) program were recently revealed by the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), in collaboration with Bayan Academy, through its social development division, the BPI Foundation (BPIF).
The SEAL Project Series was established in 2022 with the goal of empowering young entrepreneurs as well as micro and nano businesses. For small business owners hoping to grow and maintain their operations, SEAL has emerged as a ray of light thanks to its strategic interventions and practical advice.
Over 200 entrepreneurs received priceless training in marketing, operations optimization, and product and service development over the course of the last year from the SEAL-Small Enterprise Growth Agenda (SEAL-SEGA). Beyond merely imparting knowledge, the curriculum provided customized solutions that tackled the issues these companies had. In addition to receiving information, top-performing businesses also benefited from financial awards and professional mentoring to support their expansion.
This year, BPIF honored 40 enterprises that showcased outstanding potential, providing them with cash grants ranging from Php80,000 to Php120,000. These businesses, now empowered to implement their strategic plans, will continue to benefit from ongoing mentorship.
OhMi Krafts, one of the winners of SEAL-BEGIN, customizes souvenirs from polymer clays, beads, wood, and succulents.
BPIF also introduced a new track this year called the SEAL-Business Education and Growth Initiative for Nano-entrepreneurs (SEAL-BEGIN). SEAL-BEGIN provided fundamental training and resources to support aspiring entrepreneurs, with a focus on integrating digital-age opportunities.
For SEAL-BEGIN, over 240 registrants participated in the program, with 20 nano-enterprises being recognized for their promising potential and innovative ideas. The participants received entrepreneurial training and were encouraged to leverage local and government resources to enhance their business ventures.
“We have witnessed the entrepreneurs’ determination through the program, and we’re excited to see how they will scale their businesses in the future. It has been an honor to be part of their journey,” said Carmina Marquez, BPIF Executive Director. “BPI Foundation is committed to empowering small enterprises, and we believe that with the right support, these entrepreneurs can significantly contribute to economic growth and financial inclusion. We look forward to seeing their continued success as they transform their visions into reality.”
The SEAL program series has provided substantial monetary grants to numerous businesses since its launch. The initiative is supporting a thriving and creative business ecosystem nationwide by providing extensive training, financial assistance, and mentorship.
No Comments