For the longest time words like mob or the Mafia, have often been associated with crimes and unscrupulous activities, but one group called Endeavor is actually giving a new meaning to the word.
Comparing their organization to a “Mafia” for their close ties, Endeavor, the leading global community of, by, and for high impact entrepreneurs, has been helping reshape the entrepreneurial ecosystem since it was established in 2014.
The group is committed to guiding and motivating the next generation by reinvesting profits, expertise, and time to multiply the positive impact their individual enterprises have achieved.
True to its mission of creating a multiplier effect Endeavor Entrepreneurs have generated over PHP30 billion in revenues in 2022 alone, and have created about 30,000 jobs.
“The Philippine entrepreneurial ecosystem is at an inflection point, with more companies launching than ever before, more venture capital firms setting up and more capital flowing into the Philippines. With the growth of the ecosystem, we’ve also witnessed the emergence of high impact entrepreneurs, those who inspire, mentor, and invest in the next generation of entrepreneurs, thereby unleashing a far- reaching multiplier effect,” says Manny Ayala, Endeavor Philippines Managing Director.
Endeavor defines high-impact entrepreneurs as those with the biggest ideas; the greatest potential to achieve meaningful scale; and the ability to inspire, mentor, and reinvest in the next generation.”
Driven by the belief that high-impact entrepreneurs transform economies, Endeavor supports thriving entrepreneurial ecosystems in emerging and underserved markets around the world. Endeavor mentors in the Philippines, for instance, have donated over 1,200 mentoring hours to entrepreneurs from all over the world over the past years. In that time, a few mentors have reached two pivotal milestones in the Endeavor mentor journey: the 1,000+ Minute and 2,000+ Minute Club.
To sustain Endeavor’s long-term operations in a mission-aligned way, Endeavor created Endeavor Catalyst—a rules-based, co-investment fund set up to invest in the same high-impact entrepreneurs that Endeavor supports. Today, Endeavor Catalyst is among the world’s top early-stage funders of startups- turned $1B+ companies (“Unicorns”) outside of the U.S. and China.
“In the Philippines, Endeavor entrepreneurs and staff reflect the 3Ms–Magaling, Matino, and Mapagbigay.
PAYING IT FORWARD
Paying it forward has sparked Endeavor Philippines’ entrepreneurial spirit.
“In the Philippines, Endeavor entrepreneurs and staff reflect the 3Ms–Magaling, Matino, and Mapagbigay. They’re the cream of the crop; they operate with a high level of integrity, and they are generous,” describes Ayala.
Endeavor Entrepreneurs, whose ventures have emerged as Big Bubbles (companies that have had a measurably large multiplier effect in the ecosystem), now serve as key mentors, investors, and advisers for early-stage companies locally and internationally. Among them are Nix Nolledo; Ron Hose, CEO of Coins.ph; Richard Eldridge, Co-founder of Lenddo; and Paul Rivera, Co-founder and CEO of Kalibrr.
Meanwhile, next generation Endeavor Entrepreneurs who are already making their mark and primed as the next Big Bubbles in the Philippines’ startup ecosystem include Roland Ros and Rexy Dorado, Co- founders of Kumu; and Steve Sy, CEO of Great Deals E-Commerce Corp.
“For me, being an EE (Endeavor Entrepreneur) means playing a greater role in the betterment of society. I think it’s our responsibility to pay it forward. Endeavor has allowed us many wonderful things. It’s our duty to mentor and give back to others,” says Paolo Hilario of Lay Bare, an EE since 2018.
Members of the 1,000+ Minute Club include Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Chairman of Ayala Corporation; Injap Sia of Mang Inasal and Double Dragon, and Gabby Lopez, Chairman Emeritus of ABS- CBN. The 2,000+ Minute Club inductees include Anton Huang, President of Stores Specialists, Inc.; David Guerrero, Founder of BBDO Guerrero; and Jasen Ko, Chairman of Laborem, Inc.
“Endeavor is able to create a multiplier effect because we are committed to inspiring high-growth founders to dream bigger, supporting and investing in them to scale faster, and providing a platform to pay it forward—thereby compounding their individual impact,” Ayala adds.
