Innovation in Mobility with LBC through Impact Hub Fellowship
The start-up innovation industry in the Philippines has been steadily growing the past few years. One of the backbones of this growth are angel investors such a LBC. In a recent Impact Hub Fellowship in Makati, the logistics company expressed their support for today’s pioneers and original thinkers.
Impact Hub
The Impact Hub Fellowship program, which began in London in 2005, has expanded to become a global initiative spanning Amsterdam to Johannesburg, Singapore to San Francisco, and now, Manila. To date, it has more than 11,000 members in 73 Impact Hubs.
“The Impact Hub Fellowship is a topic focused on the entrepreneurial idea and one year incubation program designed to attract, select, and support early stage impact-oriented entrepreneurs and help them realize their innovations for a more sustainable world,” explains Matthias Jaeggi, co-founder of Impact Hub.
As part of the fellowship, Impact Hub seeks out a partner organization that will allow them to address social and ecological issues anchored on a specific theme. This year, following the theme of Mobility, LBC in partnership with the Impact Hub Fellowship hopes to provide a solid foundation that will grow these ideas into scalable, innovative, impactful ventures.
The key is to provide a holistic approach where partners can help tailor-fit solutions for impact-makers locally. The program provides opportunities for networking through thought-provoking events, and community-driven programs anchored on a global member platform that allows participants to work, meet, learn and connect.
Interview with Kakalocal
In an interview with one of the co-working start-ups in Impact Hub called Kakalocal, we learned that LBC wanted to collaborate with the group to get logistics and transport-related startups to be included in their acceleration program which will be funded by LBC without expecting anything in return.
Now, as for Kakalocal itself, it’s a web and mobile travel application that essentially connects tourists and local guides with the objective of “humanising” the authentic tour experience.
Kakalocal has chosen the Philippines to be their initial market with 3 focus strategic areas being Manila, Cebu, and Davao. They currently have a starting database of about 30 ‘formal’ and ‘informal’ tour guides which they intend to grow exponentially in the next few months.
The application is currently available via desktop but will launch their mobile app in the next few weeks. Know more about Kakalocal through their Facebook page.
LBC Express
This spirit of a globally-connected community with local roots is shared by LBC Express, the Philippines’ market leader in payments, remittance, courier products, mail, parcels, and cargo logistics. Through its global network of more than 6,400 branches, partners, and agents in over 30 countries, LBC has become the Filipino’s trusted partner in delivering the padama, wherever he or she is.
“As a company that prides itself in continuously seeking ways to transform the industry and pioneer new ways to improve our service, we wanted to become part of an initiative that will cultivate ingenuity and help participants focus it into something tangible,” says Dino G. Araneta, Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer of LBC.
It’s an initiative that embodies the spirit of innovation that LBC is known for and instill in a new generation of entrepreneurs who may one day change the business landscape.
Applications are now open for Impact Hub Fellowship on Innovation in Mobility with LBC.
To pioneer Impact Hub Manila’s fellowship programs, they are looking for innovators with entrepreneurial ideas on mobility, and offering a chance to win up to PhP 1 million worth of fellowship prizes. The grand prize includes a stimulating workspace at Impact Hub Manila for 12 months, living stipend, and access to seed funding, focused skill development and valuable networks.
The application is open for individuals or teams anywhere in the world. However, they should be able to work in Manila where the fellowship will take place. Interested innovators may apply at: http://www.impacthub.ph/program-fellowship.
