DigitalFilipino Start-up 100 Project

As I shared in our Facebook group and in this article, I have been studying the idea of coming up with a project to help start-ups (companies less than 5 years old) and rolling this out within the DigitalFilipino Club.

Here are some of the ideas about it and would like to ask our SME and Corporate members participation in this project on two aspects: (your inputs will also be appreciated)

1. Be a mentor (aiming for 100)
This is where you can share your knowledge through either a webinar, recorded learning session, face-to-face workshop, and consultation session. You can pick a topic(s) you like - preferably one where you see it most valuable for start-ups.

2. Be an investor (aiming for 100)
I aim for the program to help 100 start-ups (beginning and market expansion stage). SME or Corporate members supporting this project needs to invest in at least 1 start-up for the one year period (before end of 2012) in order to continue receiving notice of applications and start-up presentations (webinar / face-to-face).

Club members interested can contact me, give topics you are interested in handling, for our mentoring sessions.

For investors, please indicate as well an estimated amount you will be willing to invest (cash and value in exchange) for start-ups. For example, 250k in cash and 250k through services (for a total of 500k) for one start-up. This will help give me an indication on the pool we have for this project too.


Digital Entrepreneurship Program (free learning online) 

The DigitalFilipino Club site will also be updated today announcing this project, encouraging people to sign-up in our free learning sessions online. The list of mentors (those of you who will reply) shall also be listed.

The learning session topics are given by mentors. Some are also inspired from the books High Tech Start Up, Business Model Generation, and Art of the Start. Will add more resources as mentors suggest them.


Start-Up Application Process
Those who are ready to apply for start-up support / funding will also be able to fill-up a form online.

1. Upon receipt of application, the first round of online presentation will be done with me so I can review what they have to offer and prepare them further for the group (those of you who will join this project).

2. Start-up presents online to the group (those of you who will join this project).

3. Investor(s) (those of you who will join this project) interested with the company shall be set-up and introduced for face-to-face meeting and presentation.

4. Proceed with negotiations from there.

I was at first struggling with the idea of processing application on a per-batch basis accepting only 6 out of a bulk number. Decided, for now, not to adopt such an idea in order to help more digital entrepreneurs out there.

Note that Mentors / Investors participation in this project is for SME and Corporate members only of the DigitalFilipino Club.

Start-Ups seeking access to online learning and funding need not be club members. However, club members seeking funding help will get access to our club materials, learning sessions, consultation sessions, and other members-only privileges.