Women-led tech startups from the Philippines were part of the EQUALS Fellowship Winners in Budapest, Hungary.

Two technology startups from the Philippines, Connected Women and Stock Knowledge, have been awarded the EQUALS Fellowship in Budapest, Hungary. Facilitated by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and International Trade Centre (ITC) SheTrades, the EQUALS winners were granted with a fully-funded trip and an all access pass at the ITU Telecom World 2019. Held last September 9-12, this global tech event at the HungExpo convened the most influential ICT industry stakeholders, including governments, regulators, private companies and smaller technology pioneers working together to accelerate innovation for social and economic development.

Hailing from developing countries in Latin America, Africa, South Asia, the Asia Pacific and the Middle East, the EQUALS fellowship awardees are women founders and leaders of enterprises harnessing technology in sectors such as health, finance, education, and e-commerce. Coming from the Philippines and representing the APAC region are Anna Marie Benzon, Founder of Stock Knowledge, an e-learning tool, and Ria San Gabriel, Business Development Head of Connected Women.

Photo: Connected Women Business Development Head, Ria San Gabriel, with Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Director of Telecommunication Development Bureau at ITU.

Providing skills development and remote work opportunities, Connected Women matches Filipina virtual assistants to entrepreneurs globally using a unique algorithm, focusing on complementary skills, values and cultural fit. This social enterprise creates meaningful progress towards achieving sustainable development goals, particularly SDG 5: Gender Equality, and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. 

“What a pleasure to have hosted the 1st ever equals delegation at ITU World. 27 incredible women entrepreneurs from around the globe that are making their mark. We’ve learned so much from them this week,” says Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Director of Telecommunication Development Bureau at ITU. (Editor’s note: final number of Equals winners is 24)

SME Programme

At the opening ceremony, Houlin Zhao, Secretary-General, International Telecommunication Union, spoke of the importance of ICTs as enablers, noting that “Within the ICT industry, it is the innovative small and medium enterprises – tech SMEs – that are key to industry disruption, to job creation, and to the technological innovations that are taking the industry forward.”

The ITU Telecom World combined an exhibition for digital solutions, panel discussions for knowledge sharing, an awards programme rewarding innovative ICT solutions for social good, and a networking hub to connect, exchange ideas, and explore partnership and investment opportunities. It also included sessions tackling Impostor Syndrome, Storytelling for Startups, How to Access to Finance, Impact Investment and Intellectual Property – all specifically catered to small and medium enterprises in tech.

Photo: Opening ceremony at ITU Telecom World 2019 at HungExpo in Budapest

ITU Telecom World Awards

Over seventy SMEs were shortlisted for the prestigious ITU Telecom World Awards and were given the platform to pitch their innovations to an expert jury of social entrepreneurs and tech visionaries. Talented entrepreneurs from across the globe, including the EQUALS fellows, took to the podium to highlight their creative ideas. 

Though men mostly dominated the pitching competition, two women founders from the EQUALS delegation have received awards. “ITU stands for connectivity everywhere. Being recognized by ITU for our solution for rural connectivity, gives us confidence to realize our vision of making a fully connected world using satellites,” shares Neha Satak, CEO of Astrome Technologies, a millimetre wave communication technology provider from India. According to Mercy Njue, CEO of Botlab from Kenya, “The award validates our purpose and it is also a result of the commitment we have to our partners, clients and community. We will change the world, one data point at a time.”