BAGUIO CITY, June 4 (PNA) — The Bank of the Philippine Islands Foundation (BPIF) will launch the BPI Sinag Challenge, a partnership with the Ateneo Center for Social Entrepreneurship (ACSEnt) in Baguio City on June 9 before members of the media.
The BPI Sinag Challenge is open to young social entrepreneurs aged 18 to 35 years old who have business ideas or existing businesses or enterprises that address social issues affecting the country today.
“The BPI Sinag Challenge aims to discover, capacitate, recognize and support young entrepreneurs aged 18-35 with innovative and creative business ideas, or young start-ups (less than three years), who can create solutions to specific social problems,” BPI Foundation executive director Fidelina A. Corcuera said, June 3.
“This program is in collaboration with ACSEnt, our technical partner and training arm,” Corcuera added.
Apart from receiving cash prizes, the top business plan writers or business owners will be treated to workshops, mentoring, and financing.
The top five entries will receive Php200,000 each as cash prize, six months’ worth of mentoring and access to the Ateneo business incumbent center.
The main media launch was conducted at the Mind Museum in Taguig City on May 21 with Corcuera giving the background of the competition as well as the mechanics of the contest.
Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, chairman and chief executive officer of the Ayala Corporation, gave an inspiration message, while Ateneo Graduate School of Business Dean Rudy Ang advised contestants to think outside the box and go beyond livelihood programs in their business proposals.
Entries and queries about the competition may be sent to http://sinag.bpifoundation.org.
Deadline for applications is on July 20. (PNA)