Globe
Kickstart Earmarks up to US$50M (P2.2B) fresh funds for high-growth startups


Globe President and CEO Ernest L. Cu announces fresh US$50M VC funding during Kickstart’s 3rd anniversary celebration attended by startup founders, mentors, partners, among others
Globe Telecom has earmarked up to US$50 million (P2.2 billion) in a new venture capital (VC) fund which its wholly-owned subsidiary Kickstart Ventures, Inc. will use to help drive the rapid growth of high-potential startups. This growth fund or “Fund 2” targets startups in expansion mode anywhere in the world with clear regional and global prospects.
“In the Philippines, I have yet to see a startup break through in a big way, not because of lack of talent but because the whole sector is devoid of support. Large tech incumbents operate well here, but startups struggle,” said Ernest L. Cu, Globe President and CEO, explaining the Fund’s rationale.
He added: “Globe has been finding and working with smaller, innovative startups to boost the quality of its customer experience, with very good results. So good that they get acquired by large global companies at respectably higher valuations! Seeing this potential, we believe that Kickstart can use the VC fund to help our startup partners to scale even faster via an equity investment.”
Kickstart started in 2012 with a $2.4M seed fund or “Fund 1” focused on seed and early-stage startups. For Fund 1, Kickstart also recently received a US$1.1M (Php50M) top-up for 2015 deals. Investment targets of Fund 1 can be domiciled in any country and have no nationality requirements. Its earlier-stage nature means closer, more frequent mentoring, thus, Fund 1 portfolio companies tended to have some of their operations in the Philippines.
On the other hand, Fund 2 expands on Globe Telecom’s innovation thesis and is possibly the largest commitment to early-stage startup investing coming out of a Philippine company. Like Fund 1, investment targets of Fund 2 can be based in any country with no nationality requirements for founders but they are aimed at more developed startups that have validated their product-market fit and are now looking to expand.
“We are looking for startups that have strategic capabilities of value to communications and digital companies, in which we could invest more significant sums at Series “A” round and beyond to drive customer adoption and market momentum. These startups can be anywhere in the world and this new fund underscores our confidence that Philippine capital and the Philippine market will support innovation,” said Minette Navarrete, Kickstart President.
Fund 2 is intended to help drive rapid growth in startups focused on the digital communications domain and encompasses telecoms as well as media, data analytics, Internet of Things, financial services, health, education, IT security, and energy and spectral efficiency.
Startups would be able to leverage the relationships of Kickstart within the Ayala and Singtel networks through the ff: 1) having their product undergo technical due diligence from Globe in anticipation of a Philippine market roll-out and 2) receiving warm introductions to affiliate operating companies in the region as well as to mentors, advisors, and investor contacts of Kickstart.
So far, Kickstart has made 20 investments. Many have grown and attracted follow-on funding from third-party investors including recognized institutional investors like Y Combinator, 500 Startups, Omidyar, Wavemaker, IMJ Investment Partners, FutureNow Ventures, Seawood Capital, Elea Foundation, and a number of local and overseas angel networks.
Globe
Register your #Globe At Home Prepaid WiFi SIM now

Globe at Home is making it easy, hassle-free, and rewarding for Home Prepaid WiFi users to comply with the SIM Registration Act before the April 26 registration deadline to avoid deactivation and keep the best times going.
“We are calling on our Home Prepaid WiFi subscribers to register their SIM as soon as possible so they can enjoy uninterrupted home connection and the numerous promos and rewards exclusive to Globe At Home customers,” said Raymond Policarpio, Vice President of Globe At Home Brand Management.
The registration process is quick and convenient. Just follow these five simple steps.
● Download the GlobeOne app and create an account using your mobile number.
● Connect to your Home Prepaid WiFi device and enroll your account using the number found in the modem box and click “Register Your SIM Now.”
● Fill out the form. Upload one valid government ID and a selfie.
● Enter the one-time password sent to your mobile number.
● Wait for the confirmation message and remember the registration reference code.
To ensure a smooth registration process, Globe advises its subscribers to have all the necessary information and documents ready. These include the following:
● Full name
● Birthday
● Sex
● Address
● Type of government ID presented
● ID number
● Government ID with photo
You will also need to declare that the information you provided is true and correct.
The SIM Card Registration Act is a necessary step to address the growing problem of fraud and cybercrime using unregistered SIMs.
So hurry and register your Home Prepaid WiFi SIM today via the GlobeOne app to avoid deactivation of your SIM and help promote a safer and more secure digital environment for all. New subscribers, meanwhile, are encouraged to register their Home Prepaid WiFi SIM right away to avoid deactivation.
To learn more about the SIM Registration Act, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/help/sim-registration-act.
Globe
Globe Group’s ECPay, Puregold roll out Aling Puring app for sari-sari store owners

Globe and its subsidiary Electronic Commerce Philippines Inc. (ECPAY), together with leading supermarket chain Puregold, are ramping up the rollout of the Aling Puring app to uplift and digitalize micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), especially sari-sari stores.
The new mobile service offers Tindahan ni Aling Puring (TNAP) members a one-stop-shop for digital transactions such as cash-in, load, and bills payment. TNAP is Puregold’s loyalty and membership program for resellers.
Powered and developed by ECPay, the Aling Puring app enables MSMEs to keep up with the changing business landscape and thrive in a digital economy.
The move supports the two companies’ continuous efforts to be a partner of MSMEs in recovering from the pandemic.
“Puregold has been a big part of sari-sari stores in building their businesses through the years. It is our advocacy to continuously support them in achieving their aspirations for themselves and their families. Sa lahat ng aming Ka-Asenso, nasa inyo ang panalo!” said Antonio Delos Santos II, Puregold’s VP for Operations.
“We are a proud partner of Puregold and we share the same purpose of helping MSMEs and contributing to nation-building through digitalization,” said Cleo Santos, Globe Channel Management Head.
“As part of the Globe Group, we are one with the thrust of helping pivot not only customers but even our channels into digital. And Puregold is one of our pioneer partners in digitalizing sari-sari stores.” said Jasmin Montelibano, President and CEO of ECPay.
To keep pace in a constantly evolving business world, the digitalization of MSMEs has become more critical than ever. Through the Aling Puring app, Puregold is able to support the growth of the sector by offering additional income opportunities through digital services.
Created in May last year, the app is currently being rolled out in different Puregold branches across the country. It was launched at the recent opening of Puregold’s Mango Cebu branch where around 75 sari-sari store owners joined a salu-salo or get-together aimed at onboarding more stores onto the platform.
Globe and Puregold are long-time partners in advocating for the digital empowerment of Filipinos to prepare them for a digitally-enabled future.
To learn more about ECPay, visit https://www.ecpay.com.ph/.
PHOTO CAPTION: Sari-sari store owners took part in a salu-salo at Puregold’s Mango Cebu branch to get onboarded on the Aling Puring app.
Globe
#Globe Sparks Hope with Heroes of Learning Awards: Submit your Entries and Nominations Now

When schools closed and the pandemic pushed education to remote learning, we knew that students would pay a heavy price. True enough, a 2021 research showed that 86% of students believed that they learned less under remote learning. 66% of those who attend classes virtually and 74% under hybrid learning were also no better mainly because of one reason: lack of innovative and technology-driven solutions to support these set-ups.
This troubling reality didn’t cause learners to falter, because Globe believes that it brought out the best of us, and we can see these inspiring stories every day.
As part of its commitment to uplift education through technology, Globe launches Heroes of Learning Awards, a search to honor modern-day heroes who shined bright or became a light for others amid obstacles. The awards will spotlight their inspiring journeys and support them further by equipping them with the relevant e-learning tools they need.
Students, educators, and parents are eligible to join, to be judged according to the following criteria: students must exemplify academic excellence, courage, and innovation. Parents must epitomize courage and innovation as well, while educators must demonstrate excellence in teaching, courage, and innovation.
More than just a trophy, chosen Heroes of Learning will be hailed as Globe for Education ambassadors and will take home Php 50,000 in GCash credits, Samsung Galaxy AO3 Blue 64GB loaded with P5,000 worth of Globe Prepaid credits, 12-month subscription to GFiber Unli Plan, Globe MyFi LTE, and on top of that, KodeGo full course scholarship worth Php 80,000, free 8-session tutorials with Edventure, and two e-passes to Ayala Museum.
Nominations and entries will be accepted on or before April 30, 2023. Announcement of winners will be via a private Zoom event on May 18, 2023.
Submit your entries or nominations now. Visit www.glbe.co/heroesoflearning for more details. Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-161107 Series of 2023.
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