REVEALED: Top 4 teams vying for the Php 1 million grand prize in GoDaddy and AXN’s ‘Project GO’
Project GO, the brand new reality series by GoDaddy, the company empowering everyday entrepreneurs worldwide, in collaboration with AXN, one of the leading general entertainment channels owned by KC Global Media Asia, has revealed in its latest episode yesterday evening the Top 4 contestants that will be vying for the Php 1 million cash prize to help make their dream business a reality.
From hundreds of entries received from aspiring Filipino entrepreneurs during the Open Auditions held for three weeks in August, selected hopefuls with the most promising business ideas moved on to pitch directly to the show’s Mentors: Maggie Wilson (Owner, Acasa Manila); Bea Cupin (Lifestyle & Entertainment Editor, Rappler); the Tung Brothers: Mikko (CEO & Co-Founder, Odd Job Bob), Macky (Vice President of Advertising, Ligo and Co-Founder, Odd Job Bob) and Mark (Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Ligo); and Tina Shieh (Marketing Director for Asia, GoDaddy).
Derek Wong, KC Global Media Asia’s Vice President and Head for Production and Creative Services, said, “From the beginning, Project GO has hoped to seek out ingenious, innovative ideas that have the potential to turn into fruitful and thriving businesses, and the hundreds of Filipino entrepreneurs that heeded the call did not disappoint. It was not an easy task for the Mentors to shortlist only four candidates out of the many promising ones that they reviewed. All of the contestants demonstrated a very high entrepreneurial spirit, which shone through despite the challenge of not being able to be physically present on set.”
The contestants pitched to and communicated with the Mentors via live stream, since social gathering restrictions currently enforced in Metro Manila meant that filming could not accommodate all the teams that made it into the first shortlist.
After stringent and careful deliberation, the Mentors have selected the Top 4 contestants who will be proceeding to the next stage of the Project GO competition:
AO INNOVATIONS TECH
Wantrepreneur: Arnel Andal
Product: Fan-assisted Fullface PPE Masks
Category: Healthcare, Technology
The creator of the AO Healthcare Fullface Mask, Arnel’s timely invention has preliminarily helped to protect hundreds of healthcare workers against COVID-19. The masks offer full two-way filter protection, has fan-assisted airflow management and has been tested by doctors in surgeries and long six-hour procedures successfully.
Now, Arnel is looking to venture further, supplying his innovative technical masks at subsidized rates to increase the productivity of frontline and healthcare workers everywhere.
LOOP STORE PH
Wantrepreneur: Dominique Trinidad and Pocholo Espina
Product: Banana Leaf Packaging
Category: Sustainability, Waste Management
Dominique and Pocholo are passionate about finding solutions to the loop of mindless consumption and increased reliance on single-use plastics. That’s why they’re proposing banana leaves as a cheap, viable alternative to plastics.
Sturdy, waterproof, biodegradable and readily available in the Philippines, the team hopes to introduce a new sustainable food packaging to the market.
MINDOCEO
Wantrepreneur: Ryan Marcel Ibay, Calvin Lorenzo Borja and Noelle Sofia Mison
Product: Virtual tutoring platform
Category: Education, Technology, Mobile App
Currently operating as a digital private tutoring service to fund its own development, Ryan, Calvin and Sofia aim to disrupt the tutoring industry by connecting students of all ages and levels to professional tutors and educators, making help accessible wherever it’s needed.
By facilitating access to tutorials, review services, and educational materials anytime, anywhere, the team hopes to build a community devoted to educating others, with the opportunity to earn flexibly as well.
STAFFZ
Wantrepreneur: Pearl Janine De Guzman
Product: Business Service Portal
Category: Technology, Social Service
While most agencies offer skills-for-hire like graphic design, SEO and other creative services, Pearl’s freelance service portal is dedicated to helping the underprivileged. This way, entrepreneurs can expand their businesses through Staffz while also giving less privileged youths opportunities to make something of themselves.
First equipping them with the necessary skill sets, Pearl hopes to give them a platform to pursue a freelancing career and rise above their economic situations.
Tina Shieh, GoDaddy Marketing Director for Asia and a Project GO Mentor remarked, “This whole process has deepened our understanding of the Filipinos’ admirable entrepreneurial spirit. With high hopes, we intend to further hone their skills, build on their ideas’ potency, and help them bring their dream ventures into reality. No matter what happens, they are all winners and we wish everyone the best of luck.”
Project GO is all about giving Filipino entrepreneurs a chance to pursue their dream business ventures. With their entrepreneurial spirit and keen business mindset, these four finalists are set to impress audiences with solutions they’ve created that the nation can benefit from.
Who will come on top and make their dream business a reality? Viewers can tune in to Project GO every Thursday at 8.25PM on AXN. Weekly simulcasts will also be available on AXN Asia and GoDaddy Asia’s YouTube channels.
For more information on Project GO, visit the official website: www.axn-asia.com/ProjectGO.
