ZEN Rooms, the leading budget hotel chain backed by Rocket Internet, has announced the launch of Founders Philippines, a new program that helps young entrepreneurs in the country to establish and grow their startups.
At the kick-off event held on October 5 at the Bonifacio Global City, Founders Philippines gave 30 selected participants with practical knowledge and information on how to successfully launch and run a startup. Among the topics covered during the event include how to sell your product, how to execute a business plan, and mistakes to avoid when starting a company.
The Founders Philippines program comes at a time when more millennials are looking to start their own companies. Based on a report by The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), 44% of Filipinos plan to start a business in the future. However, many aspiring entrepreneurs lack the skills and knowledge they need to successfully run and grow a business. Figures released by GEM showed that the Philippines currently has the highest business closure rate in Southeast Asia. The business closure rate in the Philippines is three times higher than in Vietnam, Malaysia or Indonesia.
By providing highly practical tips, knowledge and a solid network of leading entrepreneurs and speakers, the Founders Philippines program is looking to support the government’s target of doubling the number of entrepreneurs in the country by 2022 and to create new jobs.
“The Philippines is a country brimming with entrepreneurial potential and societal issues to be solved,” said Nathan Boublil, CEO and Co-Founder of ZEN Rooms. “ZEN has gone through the hardship of starting and growing fast in the Philippines, and we now want to share and create a leading network of entrepreneurs who help each other. ZEN is committed to providing driven young professionals with 100% actionable, practical entrepreneurial education and the network they need to launch a company to boost entrepreneurial activity in the Philippines. We are supporting driven entrepreneurs of all kinds, whether lifestyle or venture-backed.”
Betty, a cohort member and Ateneo graduate, said that “the event was highly practical and gave real tips that can be used now when managing a team and will be key when launching a start-up in the future.”
Founders Philippines will hold free sessions every month. Once accepted into the program, participants will be provided with training and mentoring for their business ideas. The program is hosted by leading startup founders and executives in the Philippines, and promotes an opportunity to network with like-minded young entrepreneurs.
Entrepreneurs or aspiring entrepreneurs can register their interest in the limited-space program by visiting this page.
