70 start-up enterprises get boost from BPI’s business development program

The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), through its social development arm, BPI Foundation, recently announced the top 20 micro enterprises and top 50 nano enterprises from this year’s run of the Small Enterprise Acceleration Lab – Small Enterprise Growth Agenda (SEAL-SEGA) program. In collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Bayan Academy, BPI SEAL-SEGA aims to support start-up enterprises and help them grow through capacity building, networking, and improved access to financial solutions.

This year, over 300 entries were submitted to BPI SEAL-SEGA. Following a comprehensive assessment of these enterprises, the top 50 nano enterprises will proceed to a mentoring program and will be assisted in further developing their business plans into actions. The top 20 microenterprises, which will also undergo mentorship, have each been awarded with a plaque of recognition and cash grants from Php 80,000 to Php 120,000, while selected winners will receive social media packages from AniMattify.

Aspiring micro and nano enterprises qualified to join underwent specialized training program sessions and mentoring on enterprise development. Nano enterprises or start-ups in the early stages of development were guided through entrepreneurship management, skills development, financial wellness, mentorship, and market linkages through the newly-launched SEAL-SEGA for Nano Enterprises. The training may also offer modules on opportunity seeking, screening and seizing which are ideal topics for these types of cohorts.

On the other hand, micro enterprises classified as already having a viable product and serving a sustainable market necessitate receiving advanced training and mentoring on enterprise development through SEAL-SEGA for Micro Enterprises. By the end of their training program, the start-ups will be given a chance to showcase their plans through the business pitch to sustain or to achieve competitiveness with the current business environment.

“Helping local enterprises from different parts of the Philippines transform their visions into viable ventures reflects how the BPI SEAL-SEGA program serves as a reliable platform that nurtures dreams and ignites aspirations by providing the necessary tools, knowledge, access and mentorship for enterprise development,” said BPI Foundation Executive Director Owen Cammayo.

In no order, below are the Top 20 Awardees for SEAL-SEGA for Micro Enterprises:

1.   Sean-Kris Food Products

2.  Samore Coffee Shop

3.  Edcom Food Product

4.  Tri-Kings Auto Trading

5.  Saltik-Egg Foodstuffs And Egg Product Manufacturing

6.  Innergrow Hydroponic Farm

7.   Lilykoi Food Products Manufacturing

8.  Zyd Integ Fish Farm

9.  Miguel's Craft Sorbetes Ice Cream Production

10.  Wix Manila Personal and Home Care Products Trading

11.  Aqualirio Drinking Water Refilling Station

12.  Herbio Agrinature Wellness Products Manufacturing

13.  Lola Puring's Food Products

14.  Uniwins Directs Produce Clothing Wholesaling

15.  Amalia Café

16.  Endino's Consumer Goods Retailing

17.  Gara Garments Manufacturing

18.  Ssd Technology Inc.

19.  S & U Korean Grill House

20.  Bugel's Food Services

In 2022, the inaugural edition of SEAL-SEGA qualified 56 micro enterprises for the training program and business pitch challenge, while 20 enterprises received assistance through grants and mentorship programs. Notable beneficiaries included JAO Plaque Awards, Bro’s Smoke Burger, and AniMattify.

To know more about BPI Foundation and BPI SEAL-SEGA, visit

 https://www.facebook.com/BPIFoundation/ and https://bpi-seal-sega.webflow.io/

BPI provides opportunities to micro and small enterprises through the SEAL-SEGA program. Photo shows three of the entrepreneurs from the Top 20 micro enterprises selected (L-R): Christine Clare Piloton of Herbio Agrinature Wellness Products Manufacturing; Lilibeth Danan of Lilykoi Food Products Manufacturing; Kariza Mae Therese Baclig of Innergrow Hydroponic Farm.

BPI SEAL-SEGA aims to assist and develop interventions for micro and small enterprises in the country. Photo shows the chosen micro-entrepreneurs for this year’s run of the program.