Globe Future Makers Program Seeks Innovative Solutions to Poverty Issues From Tech Community

Globe Telecom recently launched the Future Makers Program calling on social innovators to use digital technology to address environmental, political, and economic challenges caused by poverty in the Philippines. This brings to life the company’s sustainability commitment in response to UN Sustainable Development Goal No. 9 calling for investment in infrastructure and innovation to find lasting solutions to both economic and environmental challenges.

The program makes its way to the Philippines after similar programs were launched by Singtel in Singapore and Optus in Australia last year. The Singtel Group Future Makers Program boosts select game-changing solutions that could create positive societal impact in the Asia-Pacific region.

“We recognize the important role technology plays in addressing many social issues in our country at the moment. Through the Globe Future Makers Program, we are tapping the ecosystem of social innovators to help turn the tide against various social issues caused by our high poverty incidence. These include malnutrition or lack of access to or delivery of quality health care, limited access to education, vulnerability to climate change, and people displacement resulting from armed conflict. We are looking forward to many participants joining this program and supporting us in doing a Globe of Good.” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications.

Andrew Buay, Vice-President Group Sustainability at Singtel said, “We believe there is a stronger role for technology and innovation to create a sustainable and positive impact for the vulnerable in our community. We are committed to the long-term success of these organisations chosen as “Future Makers.” That’s why we provide much more than just funding, but also access to our resources, skills, and connections with key leaders in the social enterprise ecosystem”.

The Globe Future Makers program is open to anyone with relevant technological or innovative solutions that can impact existing social sector challenges in the areas of climate change, peace and security, health and well-being, and education and learning, which affect vulnerable communities in the Philippines.

Interested participants must already have a working prototype, preferably a pilot test done with the potential beneficiaries and data to demonstrate commercial viability and scalability. Selection and evaluation of all entries will be made between May and June 2017. The top five teams will be eligible for initial technology grant worth Php200,000 and will benefit from the expert mentorship of Ashoka Philippines, the network of Globe, Singtel Group, and partners.

To scale up the chosen projects, Globe through Kickstart Ventures, its corporate venture capital arm, will provide mentorship from the Kickstart Portfolio Development team, who will facilitate access to relevant startup workshops or clinics, introductions to potential partners, mentors, advisers, and investors via Kickstart’s broad network, and free Semaphore web-to-SMS API credits. The support from Kickstart will allow the top five teams to build their products faster, and launch sooner to benefit the communities they aim to serve.

Candidates will be selected on a merit-basis in terms of business solutions and social impact. Online application is now available at www.globefuturemakers.com. For further information, please contact globefuturemakers@gmail.com.