Bozz awardees lead way for SMEs

MANILA, Philippines – Innovative, forward-looking, and determined. These sums up the traits of the five winners of the first Bozz Awards, the first social media crowdsourcing search for the new generation of entrepreneurs who harness digital tools to grow their businesses.

Spearheaded by Smart SME Nation, the search named five Filipino mavericks out to change the future of business using digital technology. The Bozz Awards aims to recognize outstanding digital entrepreneurs that have the capability to be the next global Filipino icons in business and technology. It also intends to highlight the crucial role of digital technology in supporting the growth and sustainability of small and medium businesses in the country, and eventually serve as the main drivers of the local economy.

“Filipinos are known worldwide for their creativity and ingenuity. As more innovative digital technologies become available, we will definitely see an increase in the creative use of these technologies in promoting ideas, businesses, and advocacies. The Bozz Awards serves to highlight this creativity and recognize those who pave the way in revolutionizing the way we consume technology,” said former FVP and head of PLDT Smart SME Nation and Wireless Consumer head of Smart Communications, Inc. Kat Luna-Abelarde.

To broaden their horizons and help the Bozz awardees sustain their passion, the five winners each received a full-powered Smart Enterprise Biz Kit consisting of business-enhancing tools and gadgets. More importantly 15 finalists of the Bozz Awards will go on a Silicon Valley tour to ensure they will always blaze new trails in digital entrepreneurship.

During the trip, the finalists will be able to interact with the best and brightest minds of Silicon Valley who will impart their knowledge on building and sustaining innovative businesses catering to multiple markets. This is SME Nation’s way of ensuring the awardees remain as leaders who can inspire many other Filipino entrepreneurs especially in using technology.

Chosen from hundreds of other entrepreneurs, the five digital leaders clearly understand how digital technology can make a difference in the lives of the people that their businesses serve.

MobKard’s Carlo Calimon was named the Boss for Mobile Readiness for developing a product that consumers can utilize anytime, anywhere. MobKard  helps merchants reach out and connect with consumers by empowering them to develop location-based alerts and track user purchases.

Kimstore’s Kim Lato was appointed as the Boss for E-commerce for successfully maximizing the Internet as the world’s largest marketplace.  A pioneer of e-commerce in the Philippines, Kimstore has made known its commitment to safe and trustworthy online shopping of gadgets including notebooks, tablets, PCs, cameras, gaming consoles and of course, mobile phones.

Messy Bessy’s Kristine Reyes-Lopez emerged as the Boss for Social Responsibility for effectively harnessing the power of technology for a notable cause. Her company, Messy Bessy Cleaners, Inc. produces and sells cleaning and personal care items made from biodegradable, non-toxic and all-natural materials.

It operates with project HOUSE – Helping Ourselves through Sustainable Enterprises – a group of enterprises that employs and educates formerly abused, jailed and trafficked young adults.

Wedding videographer Jason Magbanua took home the Boss for Social Media award for utilizing the digital platforms to create meaningful connections with customers and grow an online community of brand advocates over the past decade.

Known as the “holy grail of wedding videographers,” Magbanua is one of the most in-demand wedding videographers in the country.

Last, but not the least, TimeFree Innovations founder Chino Atilano was awarded as the Boss for Customer Service for using digital platforms to provide better service and improve business processes.

TimeFree Innovations is a virtual queuing solutions company that allows users to get an e-ticket through their smartphone without needing to waste time falling in line.