TO HIGHLIGHT the efforts of the Visayas and Mindanao (VisMin) entrepreneurs who have scaled up their businesses amid the Covid-19 pandemic, EO Philippines South has launched the VisMin Accelerator Awards.
“As a community, we are investing in the growth and success of entrepreneurs in our part of the country by exploring another approach to provide the infrastructure and support for entrepreneurs in the Visayas and Mindanao to grow together,” said Julie Vergara, chapter president of EO Philippines South, during the virtual media briefing on Friday, Sept. 24, 2021.
EO is the only global network exclusively for entrepreneurs. The group helps leading entrepreneurs learn and grow through peer-to-peer learning, once-in-a-lifetime experiences and connections to experts. EO Philippines South was formed three years ago to bring together like-minded entrepreneurial leaders in the Visayas and Mindanao.
According to Vergara, the EO helped her strengthened her relationship with the community of entrepreneurs, especially during the pandemic. She said the global EO came up with learning events on how to pivot the business and how to be calm during unpredictable times.
Accelerator Awards
The organization said the search for VisMin Accelerators is a step in the right direction of creating a huge positive impact on this part of the world.
“Through the VisMin Accelerator Awards, we are working to reach the many first stage entrepreneurs in VisMin who are quietly contributing to nation building. By celebrating their entrepreneurial wins and their entrepreneurial spirit, we can draw them out and help them accelerate the growth of their businesses,” the group said.
The panel will select the Top 10 Accelerators and one winner will emerge as the VisMin Accelerator of the Year Awardee who will be given the opportunity to join the EO’s Accelerator Program.
The Accelerator Program helps first-stage entrepreneurs take their businesses to the next level, empowering them with the tools they need to grow their business to more than US$1 million in sales and provide them with the skills to make themselves better entrepreneurs and leaders.
All VisMin Accelerator Awards winners will receive media recognition, access to exclusive EO events and the EO Mentorship Program. Under the EO Mentorship Program, winners will get the opportunity to be mentored by EO members over a period of 10 months.
Qualifications
To qualify for the awards, a candidate must be an owner, co-owner or founder of a business registered and operated in the Visayas and Mindanao.
The business must be operating for at least two years and generating revenues between P12 million and P50 million for the period ending Dec. 31, 2020. The business must also be employing at least 10 staff, excluding the owner.
Nominations for the awards are open until Oct. 31, 2021. Nomination forms are available upon request through accelerator@eonetwork.org.ph.
The initial screening will be completed within the month of November while the final screening will be completed before the year ends.
Depending on the Covid-19 situation in 2022, the organization may hold a live, virtual or hybrid awards ceremony in mid-January next year.
The EO Accelerator program was founded in 2005 and has over 1,200 participants worldwide. The program runs across 22 countries and has graduated over 750 participants to date. (JOB)