Get ready for a game-changing collaboration as Viyline Media Group, led by vlogger power couple Viy Cortez and Cong TV, joins forces with SM Supermalls to empower local entrepreneurs through the Viyline MSME Caravan.

(L-R): SM Supermalls Executive Vice President for Marketing Jonjon San Agustin and Viyline Media Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and content creator Viy Cortez-Velasquez launch the Viyline MSME Caravan across SM malls, merging social media content creation with entrepreneurship. Launching on January 22-29, 2025, at SM City Bataan, this year-round initiative will showcase products and services from micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) while leveraging the massive influence of top Filipino vloggers to amplify their visibility.

(L-R): Viyline Media Group Marketing and Advertising Manager Karol Louie Manalac, Viyline Media Group General Manager Rolando Cortez, Viyline Media Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and content creator Viy Cortez-Velasquez, and SM Supermalls Assistant Vice President for MSMEs Royston Cabunag at the Memorandum of Agreement Signing Ceremony in November 2024.

With a commitment to supporting local businesses, SM Supermalls is providing prime venues for the caravan across its nationwide locations. Following the success of the Team Payaman Fair at SMX Convention Center Manila last December, this initiative combines Viyline’s influencer network and SM’s iconic spaces to create a dynamic marketplace for MSMEs.

"Our goal isn’t just to give MSMEs a space—it’s to actively support them with influencer-driven promotions that connect them with their target audiences," shared Viy Cortez.

The Viyline MSME Caravan at SM City Bataan is just the beginning, with future stops planned at various SM malls nationwide, ensuring that MSMEs across the country will have the chance to participate. This event is not only a business opportunity but also reflects the growing partnership between influencers, businesses, and large-scale mall operators like SM Supermalls.

The caravan’s first stops include:

SM City Bataan: January 22-29 #ViyLuckyinBataan
SM City Baguio: February 19-25 #ViyInLoveInBaguio
SM City Dasmariñas: March 26-April 1 #ViynibiniSaDasma

Each event promises a variety of exciting activities, including influencer meet-and-greets, fun games with your favorite Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), and unique local finds from participating MSMEs. Don’t miss out!

Stay tuned for the next wave of schedule of the Viyline MSME Caravan happening at an SM Supermall near you. For updates, visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow @SMSupermalls on social media. Together, let’s champion Filipino entrepreneurs! #SMForMSMEs

The Philippine government has made the digitalization of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) a top priority to spur the growth of the Philippine economy. In the 2023-2028 Philippine Development Growth Plan, the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) highlighted the need to provide targeted support to MSMEs in fast-tracking technology adoption, digitalization, and automation, to lead to higher productivity and greater innovation.

“One of the most important things we learned in the past few years–and especially for MSMEs– is the importance of digitalization. It not only helps businesses keep up with the times but also ensures that they’re growing at pace with the digital economy,” said Natasha Bautista, 917Ventures’ Head of Growth and Programs. “There is still a lot of room for growth when it comes to increasing digitalization in the Philippines. In contrast to countries in the region, the Philippines' digital economy currently accounts for just 9.4% of our gross domestic product, whereas Vietnam stands at 14.26%, and Malaysia at 14%.”

917Ventures, the largest venture builder in the Philippines, supports MSMEs by providing them with the tools they need at every stage of their journey so they can become digital-first businesses and ensure that they achieve long-term success and sustainability.

“Whether it's providing them with initial capital, helping them get started online, or guiding their expansion to reach a wider audience, our comprehensive suite of solutions provides them with end-to-end support to take them where they want to go,” she added. “We have, to date, been able to support more than 10,000 MSMEs across our ventures and portfolio companies and we hope to expand our solutions to the 1 million MSMEs in the Philippines and help them with digitally transforming their businesses.”

Unlocking capital with FundSpace

For entrepreneurs who want to get started or level up but don’t have the funds to do so, there is FundSpace, a loan platform that offers a suite of financing options that cater to every business's needs. On FundSpace, businesses of all sizes can take a loan for amounts as little as Php 50,000 to Php 100 million–one of the largest loan amounts available for local MSMEs.

“Securing capital is often one of the biggest hurdles to starting a business, which is why we created FundSpace–an easy and convenient platform where businesses can get the funds they need at low and flexible interest rates. Through FundSpace, they get cash quickly with its processing time that’s 12 times faster and disbursement that is eight times quicker than usual methods,” Bautista explained.

Upskilling to streamline operations with KodeGo and MemoApp

As businesses expand, the imperative to enhance skills and streamline operations becomes more evident than ever. Enter KodeGo, more than just a coding boot camp, it equips businesses with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in a digital world. Beyond traditional coding, KodeGo offers a wide array of digital courses that are indispensable for businesses looking to scale and optimize their processes. These courses cover a spectrum of essential skills, including full-stack web development, virtual assistance, bookkeeping, and artificial intelligence.

When it comes to streamlining processes, MemoApp takes the lead as it digitizes previously manual and paper-based processes to make them more intuitive, accessible, and efficient. With its swift workflow approval system, integrated e-signature feature, and easy access to fundamental document templates, MemoApp simplifies how businesses manage their operations.

Getting started online through RUSH

For businesses that want to embrace digitalization, the first step is to get your business online. RUSH is an all-in-one eCommerce platform that takes care of the entire purchase process – from discovery to delivery – empowering merchants to easily launch, manage, and scale their online stores.

RUSH enables merchants to create their e-commerce platform, their mobile app, and access to the GCash GLife Marketplace. It also offers an end-to-end loyalty management platform so businesses can continue to delight their customers by creating relevant and rewarding experiences.

Accessing a wider audience through m360 and Inquiro

Once businesses have successfully established their online presence, the next step is to strategically connect with their target audience and guide them toward the point of purchase. To accomplish this, companies can harness the power of m360's innovative multi-platform messaging solutions. These comprehensive tools empower businesses to effectively inform and engage their customers through a seamless blend of SMS and social media channels.

m360's multi-platform messaging solutions are key to delivering vital information, timely updates, and enticing promotions to customers. With the ability to reach customers where they are most active, businesses can foster stronger connections and drive higher conversion rates.

Furthermore, understanding customer behavior and preferences is paramount for the success of any marketing campaign. Inquiro’s data-driven solutions offer a suite of services designed to provide deep insights into the current customer base and the target audience. More than just analytics, Inquiro's solutions empower businesses to not only comprehend their existing customer demographics but also unearth untapped opportunities by identifying potential audiences beyond their current reach. Inquiro also offers Credibility Scoring that helps businesses assess the risk profile of customers by automating credit-related decision-making.

“Digitalization is not a destination; it's a journey. It's not just about going online; it's about embracing processes that enable businesses to not only exist in the digital realm but thrive, compete, and innovate within it. That’s what we provide with 917Ventures–an MSME ecosystem that will handhold you through every step of every business’ digital journey,” Bautista added.

In the Philippines, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) comprise 99.58% of all businesses in the country and employ 64.67% of the entire workforce and are the driving force of the economy. These businesses, which include small community stores or sari-sari stores, water refilling stations, laundry stations, and many others, not only contribute to the country's GDP but also provide essential services to the local communities.

Such is the outsized importance of MSMEs that the United Nations (UN) designated every June 27 as International MSME Day to raise awareness on their immense contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These enterprises play a pivotal role in driving local and national economies while also supporting the livelihoods of the working poor, women, youth, and vulnerable groups.

It’s no surprise that many Filipinos want to open their own small businesses. A recent survey by Philippine research firm OCTA Research showed that 81% of adult Filipinos want to be entrepreneurs. This desire to start their own businesses reflects the recognition of the opportunities and potential that MSMEs offer, not only in terms of economic growth but also in empowering individuals and communities.

If you’re one of the Filipinos who want to try their hand at starting their own businesses, here are some tips that can help you get started.

Starting an MSME in the Philippines

The first step of every aspiring entrepreneur is deciding what kind of business to open and where to open it if you plan on having a physical storefront. It’s essential to conduct thorough research whether there’s a market for your product or service, enough foot traffic and if the location is appropriate for it.

Aspiring entrepreneurs can also explore a hybrid phygital (a portmanteau of physical and digital) setup including offering online payments or e-commerce options to widen reach and market.

Second, once you’ve decided on the business and where to open it, get your necessary documentation and permits. In the Philippines, businesses are required to register with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), if they’re a sole proprietorship, or with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) if it’s a partnership or a corporation.

Businesses also need to get a Mayor's permit or municipal license from the city or municipality where the establishment is located. They also need to register with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to ensure proper taxation. If they plan on employing other people to help run the business, registrations with other government agencies such as the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Social Security System (SSS) are also required.

This may seem like a lot of steps but these registrations and permits ensure that you’re able and willing to run your business properly and legally by following applicable laws and regulations. For a full list of registration and permit requirements, DTI has compiled a list here.

Beyond securing the location and required permits, an important step when it comes to running a business is to protect your business from any unwanted incidents including injuries, burglaries, and accidents. Consider getting small business insurance like NegosyoCare. Created by regional insurtech Igloo in partnership with Malayan Insurance and GCash, NegosyoCare is an insurance product specifically designed to protect MSMEs.

“MSMEs are the backbone of the economy, but they often run on tight budgets and have limited access to financing. This puts them at risk when unexpected events come knocking and disrupt their operations. That's why having small business insurance, like NegosyoCare, is so important. It offers affordable and accessible coverage, giving these businesses the protection they need without breaking the bank,” said Mario Berta, Igloo Philippines Country Manager.

Available via GCash’s GInsure marketplace, NegosyoCare premiums begin at P160 for one-month coverage and up to P525 for one-year coverage. It provides coverage for accidental deaths, total permanent disability due to accident, and disablement or dismemberment due to accident for up to P50,000. Benefits also include medical reimbursement for accidents for up to P5,000, fire cash assistance for P10,000, and coverage for burglary and housebreaking for P10,000.

These tips only scratch the surface of what it takes to run a business in the Philippines, but by taking these steps, aspiring entrepreneurs can set themselves up for success and remember: protect your small business with NegosyoCare, available at the GCash GInsure Marketplace.