IN support of top young entrepreneurs in the country, Zen Rooms has launched a new program called “Founders Philippines” with a kick off learning activity that provided 30 chosen participants with practical knowledge on how to successfully launch and run a start-up.
Topics covered included how to sell, mistakes to avoid when starting a company and how to execute a business plan.
The initiative is seen as timely since 44 percent of Filipinos intend to start a business in the future, based on the latest report by The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor.
While more millennials are looking to put up their own company, the study revealed that the Philippines currently has the highest business closure rate in Southeast Asia—three times higher than Vietnam, Malaysia, or Indonesia.
This could be mainly attributed to lack of skills and knowledge needed to successfully grow a business.
By providing highly practical tips, knowledge and a solid network each month with leading entrepreneurs and speakers, Founders Philippines is aiming to help reach the government’s target of doubling the number of entrepreneurs in the country by 2022, create jobs and new services.
“The Philippines is a country brimming with entrepreneurial potential and
societal issues to be solved” said Nathan Boublil, chief excutive officer and
cofounder
of Zen.
“Zen has gone through the hardship of starting and growing fast in the Philippines, and we now want to share and create a leading network of entrepreneurs who help each other,” he added.
Through this initiative, the company is committed to providing driven young professionals with 100 percent actionable, practical entrepreneurial education and the network they need to launch a company to boost entrepreneurial activity across the nation.
“We are supporting driven entrepreneurs of all kinds, whether lifestyle or venture-backed,” Nathan said.
Founders Philippines will hold monthly sessions free of charge. Once accepted into the program, the sessions provide participants with training and mentoring for their business ideas.
Hosted by leading founders and executives in the country, the program also seeks to promote an opportunity to network with like-minded young entrepreneurs.
Zen Rooms is a leading hospitality group seeded by Rocket Internet. It now has over 4,500 rooms across the Philippines Top 50 destinations and more than 10,000 rooms all over, Southeast Asia on its platform.