NextGen Day

Revolutionizing micro-retail: Packworks takes home four awards at the KMC Startup Awards 2024 for its groundbreaking support for sari-sari stores.

PRESS RELEASE

Packworks bags four awards at KMC Startup Awards 2024 for empowering sari-sari stores in the Philippines through inclusive technology

Manila, Philippines — Packworks, a Filipino startup that provides a business-to-business (B2B) open platform to sari-sari stores, has achieved a major milestone by winning four awards at the KMC Startup Awards 2024 during its gala night on November 15, 2024. The company was recognized for its innovative contributions to empowering sari-sari stores and shaping the future of hyperlocal retail in the Philippines.

Packworks earned the gold honor in the Tech Innovator category for revolutionizing the grassroots retail sector in the Philippines. Packworks’ platform empowers over 300,000 sari-sari stores nationwide by digitizing their daily operations with tools for pricing, inventory management, and sales tracking, while also providing access to working capital loans. Partner stores benefit from increased income through exclusive discounts from partner FMCG brands and companies, making the platform a game-changer for small-scale retailers.

Meanwhile, the company’s CEO, Bing Tan, received the gold trophy for Emerging Business Leader of the Year for his contributions to the fintech and retail space. With over 20 years of experience in the tech space, Tan has been the driving force behind Packworks alongside co-founders Hubert Yap and Ibba Bernardo. Throughout his career, Tan has been driven to create a positive impact on society through technology and has also been committed to helping other startups and fostering innovation across the tech industry and beyond.

In his acceptance speech, Tan emphasized Packworks’ mission of helping sari-sari store owners, mainly women, keep up in the rapid digital landscape while growing their businesses.

“We wanted to create a model built around inclusion – to uplift lives and empower the sari-sari stores we work with, not replace them. We dedicate this award to all the sari-sari stores.”

Packworks also won the silver honor in the Social Impact Award category for its contributions to impacting the marginalized sector. The night concluded with the company earning the bronze for Startup of the Year, winning alongside GoTyme Bank and UNO Digital Bank, who took home the gold and silver honors, respectively.

This year’s KMC Startup Awards drew a record-breaking number of over 300 entries from more than 100 startups across fintech, agritech, logistics, healthcare, and construction. Packworks stood out among the competition for its innovative approach to solving grassroots challenges and its measurable social impact.

Reflecting on Packworks’ latest milestone, Tan stated, “These achievements are a testament to how our mission resonates with business leaders and peers in the startup ecosystem, validating our efforts to empower grassroots businesses and drive innovation in e-commerce and retail. At Packworks, we remain committed to uplifting sari-sari stores and shaping the future of hyperlocal retail through technology and inclusion.”

The KMC Startup Awards, now in its second year, celebrates forward-thinking startups and innovators shaping the Philippine economy’s future. Organized by KMC Solutions in partnership with Philippine Startup Week, Ideaspace | QBO, Kaya Founders, Web3PH, and Uniquecorn Strategies, the event capped off Philippine Startup Week 2024, which ran from November 11–15.

For more information about Packworks and its mission to empower sari-sari stores nationwide, you may visit http://packworks.io/.

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OTHER KEY INFO:

• Packworks was born in 2018 out of a passion project by founders Tan, Bernardo, and Yap, who started as motorbike buddies delivering solar panels to provinces and far-flung places across the country. During their excursions, they saw firsthand the challenges brought by limited access for sari-sari store owners and embarked on developing an application for small store businesses to have a one-app stop for all their needs. 

• Launched as a solution for multinational companies with only a handful of sari-sari store partners, Packworks has rapidly expanded as a B2B platform that enables growth and success throughout all stakeholders in the supply chain ecosystem, from small sari-sari store owners to wholesalers, distributors, and renowned FMCG companies and brands. With about 75% of sari-sari stores owned by women, Packworks also works to empower female entrepreneurs.

• In 2022, Packworks launched the business intelligence tool Sari IQ, which utilizes data analytics to understand and predict consumer behavior, enabling retailers and multinational brands to make data-driven decisions that boost sales for sari-sari store owners and expand their product offerings to a larger customer base.

ABOUT PACKWORKS

Packworks is a startup company that provides a business-to-business (B2B) platform that is easy to use, has low bandwidth, and has a light footprint that will allow sari-sari store owners to become more efficient in managing their business. Founded in 2018 and started as a solution for multinational companies in the Philippines to connect with neighborhood stores, the platform has now transformed into a way out of poverty for the millions of sari-sari store owners across the Philippines. Packworks empowers the sari-sari stores through scalable and accessible technology, with its team composed of dedicated developers, programmers, and technicians that work to put the power back into the hands of the people at the heart of Filipino communities by providing them with digital opportunities previously only available to big companies. By bringing technology-based solutions to one million Filipino sari-sari stores, Packworks is driving toward a more progressive, connected, and inclusive Philippines.

Insights

• Empowering Micro-Retailers: Packworks is revolutionizing the operations of sari-sari stores through tech-driven solutions that simplify inventory, sales tracking, and logistics.
• Inclusive Technology: Its focus on inclusive digital tools ensures accessibility for small-scale retailers, fostering financial growth and operational efficiency.
• Recognition of Impact: The four awards highlight Packworks’ dedication to uplifting micro-businesses and its significant contribution to the Philippine startup ecosystem.
• Innovation Meets Tradition: By blending technology with the cultural staple of sari-sari stores, Packworks bridges the gap between tradition and modern retail.
• Driving Growth: The recognition affirms Packworks’ mission to empower Filipino entrepreneurs, encouraging sustainable growth and community development.

Conclusion

Packworks’ success at the KMC Startup Awards 2024 underscores its impactful role in transforming sari-sari stores through inclusive technology. By addressing the unique needs of Filipino micro-retailers, Packworks not only supports local entrepreneurs but also contributes to a more connected and digitally empowered community. This recognition is a testament to its vision of bridging traditional retail with modern innovation.

Key Phrases

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5. boosting local entrepreneurship
6. Filipino sari-sari store innovations
7. simplifying sari-sari store operations
8. tech-driven micro-retail solutions
9. enabling small business growth
10. revolutionizing Philippine micro-retail

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Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute endorsement of any specific technologies or methodologies and financial advice or endorsement of any specific products or services.

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