Ep 307 - The Hustle Behind 10XME Academy
Ep 307 - The Hustle Behind 10XME Academy

Bianca Cruz Azurin is a leader in the future of work. Her passion for real estate and tech startups led her to flexible workspaces, where she expanded Acceler8 Coworking, earning it the title of Best Coworking Space for several years. She then moved into crypto and blockchain, driving business development at Moneybees and partnering with trusted names like Tambunting and Cebuana Lhuillier to make crypto more accessible in the Philippines. Now, Bianca heads 10XME Academy, focusing on equipping people with AI skills. Through 10XME, she helps individuals use generative AI to create new opportunities and reclaim their time.

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Ep 306 - The Hustle Behind Elevate Pay
Ep 306 - The Hustle Behind Elevate Pay

Khalid Keenan is the co-founder and CEO of Elevate Pay, a Y Combinator-backed startup that provides US dollar bank accounts to freelancers and remote workers in emerging markets. Khalid shares his journey from a software engineer to a fintech founder, offering insights into the challenges and triumphs of building a startup in the highly regulated financial industry. He also reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped Elevate Pay, including a move to East Africa and a strategic pivot that redefined the company’s mission.

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Ep 305 - The Hustle Behind The Bonfire Moment
Ep 305 - The Hustle Behind The Bonfire Moment

Martin Gonzalez is the bestselling author of “Bonfire Moment’ workshop, a transformative program designed to help startup founders and their teams step out of their daily pressures to resolve conflicts, realign with their mission, and prepare for future challenges through a structured, intense and reflective one-day session. Martin shares his experiences from his early career days at J&J and BCG to his transformative role at Google, providing invaluable insights into overcoming imposter syndrome and leveraging personal strengths. Learn the dynamics of co-founder relationships, the importance of structured thinking for entrepreneurial success and the thriving startup ecosystem in the Philippines.

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Ep 304 - The Hustle Behind Mylo Speech Buddy
Ep 304 - The Hustle Behind Mylo Speech Buddy

Vince Rocha is the Founder and CEO of the Mylo Speech Buddy App, a groundbreaking application dedicated to aiding children with autism and speech delays in their speech development journey. Vince recounts his personal experience of raising a child with autism, which served as the catalyst for his mission to develop the Mylo App, providing crucial support to children facing similar challenges. He delves into the obstacles and successes of navigating the startup world, offering valuable insights on venture capital, sales strategies and maintaining a mission-driven focus

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Ep 302 - The Hustle Behind Remotify
Ep 302 - The Hustle Behind Remotify

Maria Sugcang is the visionary founder of Remotify, a startup dedicated to making remote work and building remote teams simpler, more secure, and sustainable for international businesses and local talent. With a career spanning over 18 years, Maria has held various roles within the BPO industry, where she gained invaluable experience leading global teams and driving service innovation. Her journey in the industry has equipped her with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within remote work, inspiring her to establish Remotify. This female-founded, woman-led record company aims to revolutionize outsourcing to the Philippines for startups and mid-market businesses worldwide.

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Ep 301 - The Hustle Behind Ruralnet
Ep 301 - The Hustle Behind Ruralnet

Justin Arcenas is the Co-Founder and CEO of RuralNet, a pioneering tech startup focused on transforming rural connectivity and providing essential services to underserved communities. In this episode, Justin shares his entrepreneurial journey from selling comic books and toys to culminating in his leadership of a company revolutionizing rural tech infrastructure. He discusses the challenges and strategies involved in securing investment, building scalable businesses and balancing social impact with venture-backed growth. Additionally, he highlights the value of international exposure, a deep understanding of local contexts, and the role of customer feedback in refining product development

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Ep 300 - The Hustle Behind IBPAP
Ep 300 - The Hustle Behind IBPAP

Jack Madrid is the President and CEO of IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines, Inc. (IBPAP). A seasoned business leader with more than 25 years of experience, Jack has spearheaded strategy, digital innovation, and business transformation initiatives across Southeast Asia and Canada. A champion of Filipino talent and employee advocacy, Jack has held senior leadership roles at Citicorp, Ayala Corporation, Dell, Yahoo!, and MTV Asia. Discover how his efforts with IBPAP are shaping workplace flexibility and hybrid work in the BPO industry.

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Ep 299 - The Hustle Behind Lark
Ep 299 - The Hustle Behind Lark

Mark Dembitz is the General Manager at Lark (APAC) at ByteDance. Founded in 2016, Lark revolutionizes team collaboration and organization. Under Dembitz's leadership, the platform has made significant strides, integrating messaging, schedule management, and online collaboration into one seamless tool. Learn about the exciting new integrations, market expansions, and ByteDance's ambitious goal to achieve $1 billion in global revenue from Lark within the next five years as it drives the app's international commercialization.

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Ep 298 - The Hustle Behind Beppo
Ep 298 - The Hustle Behind Beppo

Jenny and Marvin Galang are the visionary founders of Beppo, a startup with a heartfelt mission to revolutionize special education funding in public schools. Inspired by their son, Benedict Carlos, nicknamed Beppo, the company’s name carries a personal significance, highlighting the couple’s dedication to making a meaningful impact in education. A stay at home mom, Jenny transitioned into the business world, starting a CPA firm and eventually founding Beppo. Her journey underscores the challenges and triumphs of balancing family life with entrepreneurial pursuits. On the other hand, Marvin’s strategic insights have been instrumental in navigating the complexities of the business world. Marvin’s expertise in accounting and outsourcing has driven Beppo’s growth, particularly through their partnership with accounting software Xero.

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Ep 297 - The Hustle Behind PahatidPH
Ep 297 - The Hustle Behind PahatidPH

Chris Guzman is the CEO and Founder of pahatid.ph, a B2B next-day courier service within NCR and Greater Manila Areas. They aim to offer stress-free, efficient delivery scheduling, giving customers the comfort of having their own rider. The idea emerged during the 2020 pandemic lockdown when Chris saw courier mishandling and faced booking challenges for food deliveries. Tune in and discover the journey of Pahatid.ph, from inception to navigating the complexities of the courier industry, all while prioritizing customer satisfaction and convenience.

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Ep 296 - The Hustle Behind StellarPH
Ep 296 - The Hustle Behind StellarPH

Pjotr Steinmetz is the dynamic founder of StellarPH,  a startup enabler in the Philippines focused on nurturing entrepreneurial minds and fostering innovation. Originally from the Netherlands, Pjotr’s journey began in the music industry as a young rapper where his career evolved from releasing albums to managing a music company and eventually transitioning into corporate leadership roles at T-Mobile. His unique background and experiences have shaped his approach to business and team management, leading him to advocate for sustainable startup ecosystems. Now based in Cebu, Philippines, Pjotr is dedicated to creating a thriving economic landscape through initiatives like Agile Academy Asia and PH100, aiming to decentralize growth and cultivate local talent.

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Ep 295 - The Hustle Behind Uno Digital Bank
Ep 295 - The Hustle Behind Uno Digital Bank

Manish Bhai is the visionary founder and CEO of UNO Digital Bank. With 28 years of experience in finance, technology, and sales across various countries and product areas, he is an accomplished entrepreneur. He has founded UNOAsia Pte Ltd, UNO Digital Bank, and the CoantumLeap group. Manish has been a catalyst for change in the fintech landscape of Southeast Asia, particularly in the Philippines, where his innovative approach to digital banking is revolutionizing financial services.

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Ep 294 - The Hustle Behind Plug and Play Tech Center
Ep 294 - The Hustle Behind Plug and Play Tech Center

Jojo Flores is the Co-Founder of Plug and Play Tech Center, a Silicon Valley accelerator evolved from real estate to a top startup hub, offering incubation, acceleration, and funding, acclaimed as a leading early-stage investor globally.. With a background that spans across various industries, Jojo’s entrepreneurial journey took him from establishing a bottled water business to becoming a significant figure in the global startup ecosystem. His transition to the tech world led him co-founding Plug and Play, which has expanded to over 60 offices in 20 countries, fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship under his leadership.

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Ep 293 - The Hustle Behind Pluxee Philippines
Ep 293 - The Hustle Behind Pluxee Philippines

Mert Cetin is the CEO of Pluxee Philippines, a company specializing in employee engagement and rewards, with a history that traces back to its roots as Sodexo. Born and raised in the city of Istanbul, Mert has crafted a career that exemplifies the pursuit of excellence and leadership on a global scale. His career move from DHL to Sodexo in Turkey gained him invaluable leadership experience and insights from working closely with CEOs. Being in the forefront of Pluxee Philippines, Mert has embraced the challenges of rebranding and digitalization, steering the company through a significant transition from its former identity as Sodexo. He brings a blend of operational and commercial expertise to his role, recognizing the value of preserving the culture of tangible gift-giving in the digital age. 

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Ep 292 - The Hustle Behind iCargo
Ep 292 - The Hustle Behind iCargo

Justin San is the founder of iCargo Pacific and Unirise Asia, being at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence and Software as a Service (SaaS) into the logistics sector, reshaping how supply chain management operates in the region. With roots in his family’s trucking business, Justin’s journey into entrepreneurship began as early as his college days, from t-shirt printing to opening a restaurant during the pandemic. His passion in solving real world problems in the logistics domain resulted in the creation of iCargo, an AI logistic software solution that provides SaaS to logistics companies. With his entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to driving change, he continuously charts a new course in logistics, aiming to expand his influence beyond the Philippines into the broader Southeast Asian market.

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Ep 291 - The Hustle Behind Mama Lou's
Ep 291 - The Hustle Behind Mama Lou's

David Sison, is the Co-Founder & CEO of Mama Lou's Italian restaurant. While pursuing his MBA, David proposed to his then-girlfriend, Crystal, the idea of studying her family's Italian restaurant for his thesis. Upon her agreement, he delved into researching ways to enhance the business and its marketing strategies. At 27, he opened the first Mama Lou’s in Solenad, Nuvali in 2012, before completing his MBA. From the early struggles of a shuttered internet café to the birth of Mama Lou’s from an entrepreneurial master's thesis, he shares the pivotal moments of his journey and the lessons learned along the way. Discover how David, alongside his wife Crystal, turned their setbacks into stepping stones and built a thriving family business renowned for its delicious fare and inviting atmosphere.

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Ep 290 - The Hustle Behind Connected Women
Ep 290 - The Hustle Behind Connected Women

Gina Romero – Gina Romero is a tenacious tech entrepreneur and the founder of Connected Women, a social enterprise that aims to revolutionize the role of women in the tech industry, particularly in the Philippines. Gina’s journey to tech innovation was unconventional, starting her career as a flight attendant – a role that spanned a decade and took her around the world. A proponent of ethical business practices, Gina is dedicated to building a for-profit social enterprise that does not shy away from making a profit while doing good. She believes in merging profitability with a strong social impact, a philosophy that has been central to the growth and sustainability of Connected Women. 

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Ep 289 - The Hustle Behind Pulse63
Ep 289 - The Hustle Behind Pulse63

Abdul Paravengal - Abdul Paravengal is the Managing Director of Pulse 63 Healthcare Ventures, a venture builder focusing on nurturing health tech startups in the Philippine market. A seasoned leader in healthcare logistics and strategic expansion, Abdul has spearheaded business ventures into new markets, like leading OYO’s operations in Saudi Arabia. With a passion for driving innovation and growth in healthcare technology ventures, his expertise spans operations to investment strategies within the startup ecosystem. Tune in as he shares invaluable strategies for health tech startup success in the Philippines.

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Ep 288 - The Hustle Behind Kita
Ep 288 - The Hustle Behind Kita

Marc Concio – Founder and CEO of KITA, an agricultural technology startup based in the Philippines and has secured $3 million in seed funding, making it the biggest seed round in the nation this year. Established in early 2020, KITA uses data to digitize the entire agriculture supply chain, providing some of the newest hotel and restaurant chains in the Philippines with fresh fruits and vegetables. He speaks candidly about the complexities of the agricultural supply chain, the innovative strategies to stabilize markets, and how technology can lead to more informed agricultural decisions. 

From the nail-biting acquisition of 88DB to the birth of Resellee and his impressive ascent in the broadband industry, Mark’s stories are a testament to the grit needed when pitting against e-commerce behemoths.

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