Developing the technopreneur

The past decade has seen the substantial advancement of information technologies in the country. To address these changes, businesses have had to adapt in order to address the demand. This brought about the emergence of a new type of entrepreneur involved in technology-based ventures that contribute and spur the growth of the local software economy — the technopreneur.

Microsoft Philippines acknowledges that small and midsize businesses engaged in the software industry are key contributors to the development of the local software economy. As such, Microsoft has decided to do its part in developing the Filipino technopreneur by investing in individuals and their businesses to make them more capable in running their business and more ready to face the global arena.

Joey Gurango, CEO of Gurango Software said, "technopreneurs are challenged to get their technology product or service ready for their target market by building it. Aside from that, they have to distribute and deliver their product or service to their target market. These are addressed by assembling a team of qualified people who can create and deliver their technology."

Gurango was recognized as one of the Philippine Center of Entrepreneurship’s 10 Inspiring Technopreneurs. Gurango Software is the first Manila-based global software distributor for industry-specific business applications and is a Microsoft Business Solutions accredited value-added reseller.

"Another big challenge that we face is both local and global competition. Our work involves rapid-developing technology that to stay ahead of the competition, we have to effectively cope with the advances," adds Bobby Lua, BizBox Inc. CEO.

BizBox Inc. is a small software firm that helps local hospitals improve efficiency in managing their operations, resources and finances. They have developed an integrated hospital management system created by a talented team of IT professionals. BizBox Inc. is also the recipient of the Independent Software Vendor of the Year 2005 Award from Microsoft Philippines. This award recognizes BizBox’s commitment and passion to providing the best software for the healthcare industry through continued innovation using Microsoft Technologies.

With their extensive experience and expertise, Gurango and Lua both fit the profile of the Filipino technopreneur. It has been no easy feat, they admit. Software development involves meeting daily challenges head-on. According to Lua, it takes a lot of passion and hard work to succeed in IT industry. For Gurango, to become a successful entrepreneur, one needs to have his ABCs: ambition, brains and commitment.

Microsoft Philippines is dedicated to enabling individuals and businesses, regardless of size, specialty or industry standing to achieve their full potential. Through its Empower Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) Program, Microsoft is able to develop the potential of these local vendors to be more productive and competitive through software licenses, developer kits, advisory service and technical support.

"Through the Empower ISVs program, Microsoft taps into the large potential that software developers have to make it big in the global arena. Most local ISVs possess the sophistication that is in demand all over the world. And by creating software solutions based on Microsoft technology, ISVs are able to build better products, highlight their presence in the software industry and generate profit and growth not only for themselves, but for the local software economy as well," says Tep Misa, SMS&P director, Microsoft Philippines.

Microsoft’s Empower ISVs Program has gotten positive feedback from its members. The program is very partner-centric, with emphasis given on the partner’s development. Partners get to see the latest technology ahead of the rest, which they can use in their future applications and software solutions. They also receive technical materials and free software, which are powerful tools in software development.

For Lua, there were many instances where Microsoft’s ISV program helped him in running BizBox. "The ISV program helped us in meeting clients and closing deals. There is also assistance in providing venues for us to train and support our clients. In some occasions, they brought us to international events to showcase our solutions," he said.

Gurango and Lua were participants at the recently concluded TechnoNegosyo expo. TechnoNegosyo, which is part of the continuing series of GoNegosyo expos produced by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE), gathered the community of technology entrepreneurs to showcase their product innovations and participate in forums discussing the challenges that they have to face to compete in the industry.