As an entrepreneur, I know how important it is to consistently innovate. Over the years, I have seen brands perish, businessmen fail, and companies close because of their failure to do so. That is why it is important for we entrepreneurs to always think of ways to improve and develop our products and services.

As part of the Youth Entrepreneurship Development Workshop (YEDW), GoNegosyo, together with the US Embassy, organized the Cebu run of the Mentor Me Innovation Forum (MMIF) last Thursday, July 14, at the Cultural Center of the University of San Carlos.

This forum gathered innovators and enablers who shared their inspiring and successful stories of innovation, expertise and advice on how to incorporate innovation in products, services, operation processes and business models.

Over 1,000 young and aspiring entrepreneurs, students, academics, start-up entrepreneurs and micro and small entrepreneurs joined us as we shared the importance of innovating.

The forum in Cebu was attended by Sen. Bam Aquino, DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez, Kenneth Cobonpue, and Paul Rivera of Kalibrr. Innovators from different fields such as Jay Aldeguer of The Islands Group, Wilson Ng of Ng Khai Development Corporation, Jefferson Tan of Wellmade Motors and Development Corporation, Julita Urbina of Laguna Garden Café, and Peter Delantar of Nature’s Legacy Eximport imparted encouraging words to the audience as they shared their stories of success and challenges conquered.

Jocot De Dios, CEO of GE Philippines, also shared the GE story and the culture of innovation in their company. Innovation enablers such as Tina Amper of Techtalks.ph, Nonoy Espeleta of FAMCOR Franchise Management and Development Corporation, program director Elena Arbon of DTI Cebu, Joselito Limjap of PLDT Innolab, Jeffrey Montecillos of CebuinIT, and Miriam Bacalso of DTI GIZ PH discussed how simple business ideas can turn into successful business models. Carlo Calimon of MobKard shared how one can overcome innovation barriers.

Young entrepreneur-innovators such as Albert Padin of Sym.ph, Joy Anya Lim of Anthill Fabric Gallery, Nini Jose Tiongko of San Jose Corporation, Jan Slater Young of Litecrete Corporation, Jan Rodriguez of Irie and Ilaputi, Wesley Chiongbian of Mynimo.com, Gabino Abejo of Abejo Builders Corporation, and Vikki and Paula Rodriguez of Detalia Aurora and Co-creative Studios also joined the program.