Social entrepreneurs are a unique bunch. In an increasingly cynical world, it can be difficult to continue striving for the benefit of others, even more so trying to make a profit from it. From my experience in the world of startups and enterprises, I have learned that entrepreneurship is a mindset more than a career path, but social entrepreneurs take it to a new level.
Read MoreI was excited to learn with them as I also knew that we would be working together to strengthen the technology commercialization and social entrepreneurship ecosystem in the Philippines. In the process of doing so, I didn't really expect that I would also be exposed to the international Technopreneurship ecosystem, which was a great experience for me as I worked in planning and implementation of the ISIP Visiting Professors Activity.
Read MoreDespite the 6.4% annual GDP growth rate the country has experienced before the pandemic, quality of life indicators has yet to increase for almost 16.7% of the total population, including those who live below the poverty line. Has the present quantity and nature of social enterprises enable them to be effective in affecting development outcomes?
Read More“I am sorry if my camera is off as my internet connection is slow.” This is just a usual line that you would hear during any kind of virtual meeting or online event. May it be from a social enterprise participant in a learning session or even from a professor participating in the faculty training. We are considered lucky if we could at least hear their voice clearly, saying that they were experiencing connection problems, because at the worst case possible, they would just suddenly get disconnected.
Read MoreIt has been a little over a year now since I joined the ISIP Project. I may have been working on a different project before, but still, I have always been drawn to the purpose of the ISIP project which is to create a sustainable pipeline of changemakers in the country through university interventions.
Read MoreThey say that experience is the best teacher. Remember when our parents would sometimes (or always!) say “Papunta ka pa lang, pabalik na ako” (been there, done that)? Remember how annoyed we would get when we hear those words because we thought we already knew everything? Now that we’re older, how do you appreciate those words?
Read MorePreparing to be part of the workforce can be difficult, especially for students and young professionals; the thought of choosing the right company to apply to, figuring out one’s strengths and capabilities, and whether or not to start their own business. There is definitely a lot of uncertainty in starting something new, but as we’ve learned from two startup founders in their early twenties, “Don’t be afraid to try new things.”
Read MoreDespite the existing policies for social enterprises such as the Go Negosyo Act, Ease of Doing Business Act, and the Innovative Startup Act, there are still pending policies which could help create an environment conducive for social enterprise growth in the Philippines, such as the PRESENT bill. The social enterprise environment remains unfavorable for growth and still faces multiple barriers which make it difficult for them to scale up. What is the role of policy agenda in strengthening the social enterprise ecosystem?
Read MoreIn almost every journey of a rising startup or social enterprise, an incubator or accelerator is acting as a support system and a catalyst of growth. But rarely do we talk about how businesses choose their incubator or accelerator. Is it because of the funding opportunity, the network, mentors, or the skill sets that an entrepreneur can acquire from the program? What does an ideal incubator for a startup or social enterprise look like?
Read MoreIf we are to give a grade for 2020, most, if not all, would probably give it an ‘F’ for obvious reasons. Now an ‘F’ can mean many things -- Failure, Frustrating, or simply Forgettable. 2020’s series of hurdles was unprecedented, but it showed how much work still needs to be done to ensure that no one is left behind. How can educators in technopreneurship keep their students engaged in a virtual learning environment?
Read MoreWatch Jamico Jamlang, Managing Director of The Bamboo Company, on Market Edge with Michelle Ong as he shares how their social enterprise is using bamboo to promote sustainability among consumers.
Read MoreWatch Czar Carbonel, Co-Founder of Magwai, on the January 22, 2021 episode of ANC’s Market Edge with Michelle Ong.
Read MoreTo contribute to society's development during these unprecedented times, providing job opportunities and innovative solutions to combat the worse effects of climate change and poverty is now needed more than ever. Learn how to build a business of the future and what it means to create impact from featured experts during the 2020 Impact Boost Camp last November.
Read MoreThe Technological Institute of the Philippines has set up a growing ecosystem inside the university that’s ready to support their entrepreneurial students. Amidst this system, however, there is still a significant gap to bridge — something common in universities teaching technopreneurship. Learn more about these challenges and the role that Paula Mills, Visiting Professor from the Academy of Entrepreneurs, played in facilitating the development of opportunities and solutions for these problems.
Read MoreFinally, we’re closing down 2020! The holiday season may be different this year than how it used to, but we hope these gift ideas can make you feel a little bit better. Check out these products from the social enterprises we are supporting in the Innovation for Social Impact Partnership (ISIP)!
Read MoreThe Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is not just for large organizations, startups or social enterprises but for university-based incubators as well. But how exactly do incubators contribute to SDGs? This is what ISIP’s partner incubators aim to find out given that having a deep understanding of impact measurement and management continues to be a challenge for them.
Read MoreEngr. Jan Joevil A. Razon, Faculty Member from T.I.P. NITRO, is one of the participants in the 2020 ISIP Visiting Professors activity. He reached out to an online startup community on Facebook to understand what it is like to be an entrepreneur. Check out his four key takeaways from the stories of startup founders and entrepreneurs in the Philippines.
Read MoreDr. Esther Obonyo is a returning ISIP Visiting Professor an Associate Professor of Engineering Design and Architectural Engineering from Pennsylvania State University (PSU). In her deployment at the Eastern Visayas State University, Esther shared her insights on integrating social impact and entrepreneurship in engineering education.
Read MoreMeike Siegner is a returning ISIP Visiting Professor from the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada. In her deployment at the Central Luzon State University this year, Meike focuses on community engagement as an important factor in social entrepreneurship practice. Learn more about her deployment in this blog.
Read MoreOne of the international professors who was deployed in 2019 is Dr. Esther Obonyo, an Associate Professor of Engineering Design and Architectural Engineering from Pennsylvania State University. She was deployed to two Philippine universities to support them in integrating social impact in their Technopreneurship 101 subject. Let’s learn more about her experiences being deployed to these universities, as told by Esther herself.
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