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Blending Innovation and Strategy

In today’s fast-changing world, businesses must be more than just creative, they need to be smart and strategic too. This was the core message from Ma’am Luchi Flores during her lecture on Corporate and Strategic Entrepreneurship. The session brought together valuable insights on how companies and schools can embrace innovation while thinking long-term.

Ma’am Luchi, a passionate educator and business expert explained how big companies like Google, Apple, and Cebu Pacific became industry leaders by mixing innovation with strong strategies. These companies didn’t just come up with cool ideas, they carefully managed their resources, took smart risks, and built cultures that encouraged creativity.

She introduced the idea of Strategic Entrepreneurship, which means looking for business opportunities and planning wisely to grow. It’s about turning ideas into real success while handling risks like money, time, and people. Especially in times like the pandemic, many businesses are afraid to change. But Ma’am Luchi reminded us that

those who dare to innovate, even in tough times, can actually come out stronger.

One interesting part of the lecture was the difference between Corporate and Social Entrepreneurship. Corporate entrepreneurship focuses on profit and market share. Social entrepreneurship, on the other hand, focuses on creating a better society, like helping the environment or supporting communities. Both are important, but they measure success in different ways.

Ma’am Luchi also emphasized the role of leaders in shaping company culture. A strong leader encourages teamwork, supports new ideas, and helps employees feel safe to take risks.

Without leadership that supports innovation, even the best ideas may never take off.

What made this lecture even more inspiring was the call to schools and universities to become more entrepreneurial. She encouraged education institutions to teach students how to think like entrepreneurs not just in business, but in any career.

In closing, Ma’am Luchi reminded everyone that passion is key. Whether you're building a business or changing the world, you need to care deeply about what you’re doing.

To succeed in today’s world, we must think big, plan smart, and always be ready to adapt. Strategic entrepreneurship isn’t just for companies, it’s a mindset that anyone can develop.

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Turning Ideas Into Impact

Sir Noel reminded us in his inspiring talk, it takes more than just a good idea to succeed. In this engaging session on entrepreneurship, pricing strategies, and sourcing finance, Sir Noel shared real-life lessons from his journey, making it clear that success is built on smart planning, understanding your customers, and staying patient through the ups and downs.

One of the key topics Sir Noel touched on was pricing. He explained how using strategies like cost-plus pricing (adding a markup to your costs) and competitive pricing (adjusting based on what others charge) can make or break your product’s success. But pricing isn’t just about numbers—it’s about value. That’s why he highlight the importance of having a Unique Selling Proposition (USP) a reason why people should choose your product over others.

Sir Noel also reminded us that running a business isn’t just about the product. You need to look at the full picture like the people involved, the process behind the scenes, and the physical evidence like customer reviews or product quality that builds your brand’s reputation. These extra pieces, when added to the original four P’s of marketing (Product, Price, Place, and Promotion), create a stronger business strategy.

What made the session even more meaningful was Sir Noel’s personal story. He shared how he overcame challenges, found creative ways to source products, and built a brand in a crowded market.

Patience and persistence are just as important as passion.

Successful businesses don’t happen overnight—they’re the result of smart risk-taking, learning from mistakes, and putting the customer first.

He also encouraged the use of social media as a powerful tool to grow your brand. Today, platforms like Instagram and Facebook aren’t just for posting photos but also they’re vital for connecting with your audience, gaining feedback, and building trust.

At the end of the session, Sir Noel left us with a powerful reminder that entrepreneurship is about solving real problems. It’s not just about selling something but it’s also about understanding what people truly need and creating value for them.

For anyone dreaming of starting a business, this session has a practical advice and inspiration. Sir Noel’s story shows that with the right mindset and a solid strategy, anyone can turn their idea into something truly impactful.

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Build Smart, Grow Fast

Starting a business is exciting but let’s be real, it’s also a bit scary. You’ve got a great idea, but how do you know people will actually want it? This is where two powerful startup tools come in: the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and traction.

Let’s start with the MVP. Think of it as the smallest version of your product that still solves a problem. You don’t need a perfect app, a fancy website, or a store full of items. All you need is a way to test your idea with real people. Big companies like Dropbox started with just a simple video to explain their idea and it worked!

People showed interest, and that’s how they knew it was worth building.

The key here is learning. The MVP is all about getting feedback early. Say you want to open a pizza shop. Before investing in a full restaurant, why not try a pop-up stand or sell from your home kitchen first? You’ll find out what customers like (or don’t like), and you can adjust your idea before spending too much money.

Now, let’s talk about traction, aka, getting customers. Having a cool product is great, but if no one knows about it, it won’t survive. That’s why marketing is just as important as product development. The best startups grow their customer base while building their product.

The session with Engineer Miriam introduces something called the Bull’s-eye Framework. Imagine a dartboard your goal is to find the “bull’s-eye” or best marketing channel to reach people. That might be social media, email, or even word of mouth. Try a few, see what works, and focus your energy there.

And don’t forget about digital marketing. Learning basic skills like SEO (search engine optimization) or how to create viral content can give your startup a huge boost online. It’s all about being visible where your customers are.

A smart startup splits its energy between creating something useful and getting it in front of the right people. By using MVPs to test your idea and traction methods to grow your audience, you give your business a real chance to succeed.

So, if you’ve got an idea brewing, don’t wait for “perfect.” Start small, test fast, learn from feedback and grow wisely.

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IT ALL BEGINS WITH A DREAM

In an inspiring plenary session, Mr. Jay Gajudo, the co-founder and CEO of Galansiyang Inc., shared his journey and ideas on how entrepreneurial thinking can lead to real change. His startup, also known as Galansiyang, is a great example of how passion, creativity, and technology can come together to help the planet and the people.

His story began with a dream. As a young boy, he wanted to build a tech company. Even though he dropped out of high school, his passion for solving problems never faded. That passion led him to create Galansiyang, a company that uses drones to help the environment, especially in the fight against climate change.

One of the most exciting things about Galansiyang is how it uses drones to plant seed balls, small balls made with seeds and nutrients that help plants grow. These seed balls are dropped over damaged forests to start new growth. This process is faster and more efficient than traditional planting. But what makes it even better is that the company works with local farmers and indigenous communities to make the seed balls, giving them jobs and hope.

The speaker talked about how starting a business is not easy. He explained the importance of creating a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or a simple version of the product that can be tested and improved based on feedback. This helps startups grow slowly but smartly. He also highlighted the value of mentorship and collaboration, saying that connecting with the right people helped him a lot along the way.

Another big message Mr. Jay shared was about changing your mindset.

Entrepreneurs need to think differently, see problems as chances to create something new, and never stop learning.

He reminded everyone that success comes with hard work, patience, and the courage to try.

Mr. Jay’s journey with Galansiyang is not just about building a business but it’s about building a better future. By mixing technology with nature, and business with community, he shows how we can all make a difference. His story teaches us that even a small idea, when guided by passion and purpose, can grow into something powerful.

In the end, Mr. Jay encouraged everyone to believe in their dreams, help others, and take action for a better world. His message is clear:

Entrepreneurship isn’t just about profit—it’s about making an impact.

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From Idea to Growth

In the Week Ten plenary class, students learned about how to turn business ideas into real and successful businesses. The topic, “Idea Launching, Path to Sustainable Growth,” focused on how to start strong and grow steadily. It was full of helpful advice for future entrepreneurs.

The speaker began by explaining how not every idea turns into a good business. She said

"It’s important to think carefully about your ideas, check if they meet real customer needs, and only keep the ones that are truly useful."

She reminded students that thinking differently, or “outside the box,” helps in creating new and exciting products or services.

One key lesson was about targeting a niche market. This means choosing a small group of people who really need what you're offering. If you focus on solving their problems, your business has a better chance to stand out. Another important point was about having a unique value. This means offering something that others don’t. It could be better service, special features, or a creative way of doing things.

The speaker also talked about adaptability. She reminded students that things can change fast like during the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses need to adjust quickly.

Staying hopeful and flexible is part of being a strong entrepreneur.

Another strong message from the class was the importance of keeping customers. It’s not just about getting new ones, it’s harder and more important to make your current customers happy and loyal. Happy customers come back, and they also tell others about your business.

Mentorship also played a big part in the talk. Having a mentor or someone experienced to guide and advise you can help a lot. The speaker encouraged students to learn from mentors, attend workshops, and keep studying business.

The session ended with a focus on collaboration. Starting and growing a business is easier when people work together. Teams, partners, and mentors all play a role in success.

In short, the session reminds the students that launching a business takes planning, clear thinking, and support from others. By staying unique, knowing your market, and focusing on your customers, you can build a business that grows and lasts.

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PLANNING & TAKING SMART RISK

In the Week Nine plenary class, a speaker with a background in Economics talked about helping future entrepreneurs understand what it takes to start and run a successful business. The speaker explained that starting a business involves making big decisions, and it’s important to be prepared before taking any big steps.

One of the main topics was the importance of planning. A good business plan shows what your business is about, who your customers are, how you will earn money, and what makes your idea special. It also helps to convince investors to support your business. A clear plan is like a guide that shows the steps you need to take to reach your goals.

Another important topic was risk-taking. The speaker said that taking risks is part of starting a business, but you need to think carefully before jumping into anything. You should ask yourself what could go wrong and what you can do if it does.

Taking smart risks can help you grow and learn, especially when you are just starting out.

The speaker also talked about knowing your competitors. It’s important to know what other businesses are doing, especially how they price their products. But lowering your prices too much can hurt your business. Instead, focus on giving good quality and value. This will help you keep customers and build a strong brand.

A big part of the session was about financial literacy. The speaker said that understanding basic accounting and finance is very important. You need to know how to manage money, pay taxes, and keep track of your income and expenses. This helps you avoid problems and keeps your business running smoothly.

In conclusion, the session gave students a deeper understanding of how to plan, manage money, and take smrt risks in business. With careful planning, strong knowledge, and the right support, young entrepreneurs can turn their ideas into successful businesses.

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How to Build a Strong Startup: Lessons from Dr. Franch Maverick Lorilla

Dr. Franch Maverick Lorilla shared helpful tips on how to build a successful startup. He explained that having a great idea is not enough. To grow a business, you need something called a competitive advantage. This means your startup must offer something special that other companies don’t.

Dr. Lorilla said

"every startup should begin with a clear vision and mission."

The vision is like a map showing where the company wants to go. The mission is what the company wants to do. These help guide the startup’s goals and choices.

He also introduced six important questions that every new business should answer. These questions help a startup think about what it wants to achieve, when to act, how to do things better than others, and how to understand the market. This kind of planning is called strategy, and it helps startups make smart decisions.

A big part of Dr. Lorilla’s talk focused on understanding the industry. This means learning about the market, customers, laws, competitors, and future trends. To do this, he shared a helpful tool called Porter’s Five Forces. This model helps startups look at things like how many other companies are doing the same thing, how easy it is for new businesses to enter the market, how powerful suppliers and buyers are, and if there are any other products that can replace yours.

Knowing about competitors is also very important. Startups must study what other companies are doing, find gaps in the market, and try to be different in a good way. They should also pay attention to trends and changes in technology, because staying up to date helps keep them ahead.

Another key idea was that planning for profit is a must. A startup needs to ask: Will we make more money than we spend? Is this the right time? Is the market too crowded?

In the end, Dr. Lorilla’s session was full of useful advice. He gave students the tools to plan well, understand the market, and build a strong, smart business.

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The Art of Pitching and Storytelling for Startups

In the world of startups, pitching your idea is one of the most important steps toward securing funding. In a recent lecture on "Pitching and Storytelling," students learned valuable insights into how to successfully pitch their ideas and attract investors. This session covered everything from the basics of the startup funding cycle to crafting the perfect pitch, with a strong focus on how to tell a compelling story that captures the audience’s attention.

The lecture began by explaining the stages of startup funding, which start with the ideation phase and move through seed rounds, angel investors, and eventually venture capital funding. The speaker used real-life examples like GitHub’s acquisition by Microsoft to show how these funding cycles work. This foundation helps entrepreneurs understand that securing financial backing is a gradual process that requires patience, strong networking, and careful planning.

Next, the speaker broke down the anatomy of a successful pitch. The lecture introduced different types of pitches, such as the elevator pitch, short-form pitch, and long-form pitch. The key takeaway here was the importance of clarity and conciseness. Whether you're introducing your idea to a potential investor in a brief conversation or preparing a formal presentation, it’s crucial to communicate your message effectively without overwhelming your audience.

A large portion of the lecture focused on the essential components of a pitch deck, which includes sections like the problem statement, solution, target market, traction, revenue model, competition, and calls to action. Each of these elements is critical for giving investors a clear picture of your business, showing them that you understand the market and the challenges your startup aims to solve. The speaker also emphasized the importance of showing "traction"—proof that your product or service is gaining momentum and attracting customers. Traction is a strong signal to investors that your idea has potential.

The session also highlighted the power of storytelling in pitching. Simple, relatable stories are more effective in connecting with an audience than overly complex or technical explanations. By framing your pitch within a narrative, you can make your idea more memorable and compelling to investors. The lecture encouraged students to practice crafting clear, straightforward stories that highlight their startup's value and vision.

Whether you’re seeking investment or mentorship, it’s vital to end your pitch with a direct request, making it easy for your audience to understand how they can support your business.

In conclusion, this lecture on "Pitching and Storytelling" provided students with the tools to create effective, persuasive pitches that are clear, focused, and engaging. By mastering the art of pitching and understanding the role of storytelling, entrepreneurs can better communicate their ideas and increase their chances of securing the funding they need to succeed.

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Understanding Customer and Market Validation

In the sixth week of the Tech101 course, the speaker discussed the importance of customer and market validation. The lecture focused on how to gather valuable insights from potential customers to ensure that a product or service is truly needed in the market.

One significant aspect of the lecture was its alignment with Mental Awareness Month. The speaker highlighted how mental well-being is crucial for entrepreneurs. Being mindful of personal health can have a big impact on creative thinking and decision-making in business. This connection between mental health and entrepreneurship was an important takeaway, reminding students that taking care of themselves is essential while pursuing their business goals.

The core of the session focused on customer and market validation. This is the process of testing whether a product or service truly addresses customer needs. The speaker explained that asking open-ended questions during interviews is key to gathering meaningful feedback. Unlike yes-or-no questions, open-ended questions encourage customers to share detailed thoughts, which can reveal deeper insights into their preferences and challenges. This method is crucial for entrepreneurs who want to understand their customers beyond surface-level responses.

Another important point was the need for hypothesis validation. The speaker referred to previous lessons on testing hypotheses, which helps students make informed decisions based on real data rather than assumptions. The lecture emphasized that

"successful entrepreneurs must continuously gather feedback, validate their ideas, and adjust their products or services based on market needs."

In conclusion, the Tech101 lecture on customer and market validation provided essential insights into how entrepreneurs can test their ideas through customer feedback. By asking the right questions and validating hypotheses, students learned the importance of making data-driven decisions. This approach prepares them to develop products that meet real customer needs, ensuring their success in the competitive market.

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A Key to Business Success

In the world of business, knowing how to communicate the value of your product or service is essential. This is where the concept of a "value proposition" comes in. In a recent lecture, the importance of this concept was discussed, showing students how to clearly express why their product is worth choosing over others.

The lecture started with an interactive survey using Slido, a platform that helps gather student feedback. At the heart of the lecture was the concept of value proposition. The instructor explained that a value proposition is a clear statement about how a product or service solves a customer’s problem or improves their situation. The lecture used a practical example of a mobile app designed for errand services. The app’s value proposition is about offering convenience to customers who need help with tasks like picking up groceries or running other errands. This example helped students understand how businesses need to focus on what customers truly need, and how to clearly communicate the benefits of their offerings.

The lecture highlights the importance of aligning the value proposition with customer needs. To do this, businesses must understand their target customers—their jobs, their challenges, and their desired outcomes. A value proposition is not just about listing features, it’s about explaining how the product can make the customer’s life better.

Testing and validating the value proposition was another key point. The lecture emphasized that businesses must continuously seek customer feedback and adjust their products or services based on real-world input. This process of refining and improving a product is known as iterative learning. By listening to customers and adapting, businesses can improve their offerings and increase their chances of success.

In summary, the lecture provided a clear understanding of the value proposition. It showed that businesses need to focus on customer needs, communicate their value clearly, and be ready to adjust based on feedback. With these insights, entrepreneurs are better prepared to create products that truly meet customer expectations, leading to stronger connections with their target audience and more successful business outcomes.

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Validating Business Ideas the Right Way

When starting a new business or developing a product, it’s important to understand what your users truly want. This can be tricky, especially when seeking feedback from friends and family who might tell you what they think you want to hear instead of the truth. In the Week 4 lecture of Tech101, the speaker introduces a simple but powerful framework for getting real feedback called the “Mom Test.” This method helps entrepreneurs ask better questions and get honest insights from potential customers.

The idea behind the Mom Test is straightforward. Instead of asking if your friends or family think your idea is good, you should ask them about their real-life experiences. The problem with asking people you know is that they may be biased and give positive feedback just to support you. By focusing on understanding how users have behaved in the past, you can learn what they truly need and want. This approach helps you avoid collecting false data and allows you to make informed decisions.

One of the key steps in the validation process is creating a value hypothesis. A value hypothesis is simply an assumption about how your product or idea will benefit users. This hypothesis guides your conversations with users and helps you frame the right questions. For example, instead of asking, "Would you use this app?" ask, "How do you currently solve this problem?" This question dives deeper into their real experiences and can give you useful insights into what works and what doesn't.

User interviews are another important tool for gathering feedback. These interviews should focus on specific behaviors and needs rather than vague preferences. By asking the right questions and observing how users respond, you can gather valuable data. Pay attention to their past actions, not just what they say, because what people do often speaks louder than what they say.

The feedback you collect isn’t just about gathering opinions—it’s about testing your assumptions. The validation process is an ongoing cycle of hypothesizing, testing, learning, and refining. Every time you get feedback, you can make adjustments to your product or idea, improving it based on real-world input. This iterative process helps ensure that your product meets the actual needs of your target market.

In conclusion, engaging with users and validating business ideas is not about seeking approval or praise from family and friends. Instead, it's about learning from the real experiences of potential customers. By following the principles of the Mom Test, crafting clear hypotheses, and gathering honest feedback, entrepreneurs can make smarter decisions and develop products that truly solve user problems. This process of continuous learning and improvement is essential for success in today’s competitive market.

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READY, SPARK, CHARGE

The Nexus organization is working to promote clean energy solutions through various initiatives, including competitions and incubators. The organization operates globally, with a special focus on Southeast Asia, particularly in countries like the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand. One of the key programs Nexus runs is called the Ventures program, which aims to address energy challenges in the Philippines. The Ventures program focuses on supporting startups that come up with innovative ways to solve energy problems.

In the presentation, the speaker talks about a competition that Nexus organizes to encourage creativity and innovation in clean energy solutions. The competition invites people to come up with ideas that can make energy more accessible and sustainable. Participants must meet certain criteria, such as creating solutions that are environmentally friendly and practical. There are also cash prizes for winners, and the competition focuses on five key areas: resilience, energy access, materials and energy consumption, clean transport, and energy efficiency.

The Nexus Ventures program started last year after seeing the positive impact of earlier clean energy projects. The organization believes in the power of startups to bring about change and is eager to support students and young entrepreneurs. One way they do this is by offering internship opportunities that allow students to gain hands-on experience in the clean energy field. This helps them understand how businesses in the energy sector work and how they can contribute to solving environmental challenges.

The competition’s judging criteria place a strong emphasis on sustainability, encouraging participants to think about the long-term environmental impact of their solutions. In addition to the competition, the Nexus also hosts learning sessions and discussions to help participants refine their ideas. These sessions teach important lessons about entrepreneurship, teamwork, and problem-solving, which are essential skills for success in the clean energy sector.

The speaker also highlighted the importance of addressing the challenges of climate change and energy accessibility. Many people in Southeast Asia still lack access to clean energy and rely on unsafe alternatives like candles. This competition aims to find ways to improve energy access and create more resilient communities. By promoting sustainable solutions, the Nexus hopes to make a lasting impact on both the environment and the people who need it the most.

In conclusion, the Nexus' ventures program and competitions encourage innovation and collaboration, helping to create solutions that address some of the biggest energy challenges in Southeast Asia. Through these efforts, Nexus is working toward a cleaner, more sustainable future for everyone.

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Opportunity Recognition and Needs Analysis in Technopreneurship

I recently watch a video related to Technopreneurship where they explore the key concepts of Opportunity Recognition and Needs Analysis. These concepts help entrepreneurs identify viable business ideas by understanding the market and customer needs.

The session introduces Opportunity Recognition, a skill that helps entrepreneurs spot gaps in the market, especially in the fast-growing field of IoT (Internet of Things). By analyzing trends and customer problems, entrepreneurs can innovate and create impactful solutions.

A key lesson is the importance of Needs Analysis. This process involves gathering feedback from potential customers to validate business ideas, ensuring they meet real market demands. Engaging with customers minimizes risks and improves decision-making.

They also highlights the role of Incubation Programs, which offer resources like mentorship and funding, helping startups grow and succeed. These programs provide essential support to refine business ideas and connect entrepreneurs with experts.

Overall, the course emphasizes that continuous education and a collaborative environment are essential for entrepreneurship. Students are encouraged to engage in hands-on activities to sharpen their problem-solving skills and boost confidence in creating solutions. The lesson helps participants recognize that innovation is a continuous journey, with the aim of developing market-driven ideas and contributing to the tech landscape.

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Campaigner and Innovation Mindset

Recently, I took a couple of tests that have given me some valuable insights into my personality and mindset. The results were both intriguing and empowering, so I wanted to take a moment to reflect on them.

First up, my 16 Personalities Test revealed that I am an ENFP (Campaigner). As an ENFP, I’m a bundle of enthusiasm, creativity, and curiosity. I’m always on the lookout for new ideas and exciting possibilities. I love connecting with people, and my natural energy draws them in. It’s not just about dreaming for me, it’s about taking action to make the world a better place. This really resonated with me because I’ve always been the type of person who feels motivated to bring positive change to whatever I do. And while I love thinking big, I also find myself driven by a deep desire to create something meaningful, to inspire others, and to make an impact.

Then, I took the Berkeley Innovation Index Test, which measures your innovation mindset. My score came in at 71.79 out of 100, which is pretty solid. But what’s most interesting is how the test broke down different aspects of my mindset. Here are a few highlights:

- Resilience (90/100): I scored high in resilience, which shows that I’m someone who doesn’t let failures stop me. Instead, I see setbacks as valuable lessons. This is so true, I’ve always believed that every challenge is a chance to learn and grow.

- Belief (85.33/100): My strong belief in my own ideas and abilities was also reflected in the test. This makes sense to me because I’ve always had confidence in my vision and my capacity to make things happen, even when the road gets tough.

- Collaboration (82.5/100): Working with others is one of my strengths. I thrive in team settings and love exchanging ideas. I believe that innovation happens when minds come together, and I’m always eager to collaborate.

What really stands out to me, though, is the Comfort Zone (45/100). This score is lower, which means that I might not always be as comfortable stepping outside of my familiar boundaries. It’s a reminder for me to keep pushing myself to take risks and step into the unknown more often.

All in all, these results have given me a clearer picture of who I am and where I can grow. I know there’s always room to improve. After all, innovation isn’t just about thinking differently – it’s about being brave enough to make those ideas a reality.