We all know how technology contributes to the development of today’s society. In particular, it significantly helps level-up the productivity in our daily lives which, of course, translates to better efficiency, lower cost, and faster output. Access to information through desktop/laptop or mobile internet, virtual meetings, real time updates through chats or online meetings can make tasks easier and faster.

Even our gadgets, most especially our mobile phones, have extended their uses. Mobile phones today are no longer confined to the basic function of calling, as in the first-generation mobile phones; it can now be used to take pictures, connect to the Internet and listen to music. See how technology does wonders for all of us?

For those who use smart phones like me, we would often encounter new mobile applications promoted. Most of these apps are creative, interesting and functional. An example is the mobile application of Rappler which I am using. It gives you the latest news and real-time feedback right on your mobile phone. So whenever I need to read the latest headlines, all I have to do is click on their application. That is how easy to use these apps are.

I believe that these mobile applications are answers to quick information we need. They provide ingenious solutions to the current needs like getting a taxi, having food delivered, booking a flight, reading books and magazines and a thousand more applications.

It may seem simple for us who just download these mobile apps. But for sure, the hard work and creativity put into developing these apps are tremendous. And it is more interesting to know that behind these apps are young creative individuals or students.

We in Go Negosyo would like to enhance further the creative and innovative power of the youth of today. We partnered with the San Francisco-based Applied Innovation Institute to mount the South East Asia Mobile App Challenge (SEAMAC). The AII has mounted this kind of challenge in other parts of the world and has proven to be an effective tool in generating interest and creative ideas from the youth.

What makes this different from other technology-based competition is that the participants need not be limited to techies, but is open to all. The basic challenge is to spot a problem that we see around, and develop a solution, a mobile app solution. If the group does not have technical capabilities, a group of programmers and mentors will be assigned to them to help develop the app.

The Go Negosyo SEAMAC invites everyone who has creative and innovative mobile app solutions. This is open to all different kinds of apps which can be for education, entertainment, healthcare, financial services or social entrepreneurship. Teams from different backgrounds may register and present their pitches for mobile app.

This program also offers an exclusive Acceleration program which offers mentorship and guidance in the development of the app. Participants will not only have the chance to win the cash prizes and be the Philippine representatives to compete in Singapore and Barcelona, but they will also have the chance to learn more in the immersion program. At the end of the day, even non-winners would have gained much from the experience and come out a better person, more enterprising, and being part of a solution to any challenge one might face.

I invite now all the mobile application developers and even students to register to this Go Negosyo: South East Asia Mobile App Challenge. This will be a good learning opportunity for you and your team. If you have the idea, you could be the next mobile app entrepreneur!

For more information, you can visit our website: www.gonegosyo.net/appchallenge or call 6379229.
Last time, I mentioned how important partnerships are in entrepreneurship and even in advocacies. The Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc. is one of our long-term institutional partners in inspiring and mentoring aspiring Filipino entrepreneurs. I met with their president, Victor Fernando and officers, Jerry Neil Ilao and Raffy Canare recently to discuss the partnership between AFFI and Go Negosyo in the upcoming 2014 Filipino Franchise Show.

The AFFI Franchise Expo will have a lot of forums and learning sessions, aside from the hundreds of franchising negosyo models that will be offered. Go Negosyo will also help in these sessions.

I invite everyone who has a dream of becoming an entrepreneur to visit the AFFI Franchise show at World Trade Center on Oct. 3-5. You might come across a franchise that suits your interest and passion.

I would like to congratulate Paulo Tibig of V Cargo Worldwide and Golden ABC Inc., headed by Bernie Liu, for winning the Young Entrepreneur Award and Best in Centricity, respectively, in the recent ASEAN Business Award.

Paulo, who is one of our active Angelpreneurs, is the man behind the VCargo Worldwide which is one of the trusted logistics partners of many entrepreneurs in the country. From his humble beginnings, he founded a logistics company that transformed into one of the formidable logistics service providers in the country today.

Bernie, on the other hand, is the man behind the Golden ABC which brought the Philippine fashion industry brands like Penshoppe, Oxygen, For Me, Regatta and Tyler. He is also one of Go Negosyo’s valued partners. He also promotes strong entrepreneurship for small and medium enterprises.

Let me congratulate as well our Go Negosyo advocates and trustee Justin Uy of Profood International Corporation, Dr. Abraham Pascual of Pascual Laboratories and Teresita Abiva of Felta Multimedia Inc., for being finalists in the Asean Business Award.

May we all strive to be better entrepreneurs to inspire and empower those aspirants to work on their dreams of becoming one. Let’s Go Negosyo!