Philippine tech firms head out to Silicon Valley

Three local start-up technology firms are now on their way to Silicon Valley, after winning a pitch competition that will give them access to a global market and much-needed funding, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported.

Topping the challenge was Ayannah, a provider of software services for transactions made over online and mobile communication networks.

The company’s pitch was for Sendah, an application targeted at the overseas Filipino worker and expatriate market. Apart from actual remittances, Sendah allows overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to send “microgifts” such as prepaid load, special occasion gifts, and even connectivity and healthcare.

“We have more than just an idea—we have an existing profitable service. We want to launch internationally, and broaden the range of products we offer,” Ayannah chief executive Miguel Perez said.

Clinching the second spot was Tao Solutions Inc., a 10-year-old company providing technical, marketing, human resources, intellectual property, and customer support for various Internet and wireless services.

The company’s pitch, Wiki.alumni.net and Wikimap system, allows netizens to contribute to and access high-quality location information through the Web or any mobile device.

“TSI has access to information from numerous high-traffic websites … that we can leverage for Wiki.alumni.net,’’ founder and managing director Eric Tomacruz said.

Such websites include Alumni.net with more than 5 million members worldwide, and Jobscity.net, which has more than 800,000 resumés and 75,000 recruiters globally.

Rounding up the winners’ circle is Ascendant Technologies Inc., a firm focused on delivering comprehensive information technology solutions to mid-sized clients, mainly in the medical sector.

The company’s Electronic Medical Record systems promises to give greater efficiency and accuracy, as well as higher patient care standards, to clinics.

“The opportunities are huge because you can’t just go to Silicon Valley, knock on their door (and get them to notice you.... With this, we can) break barriers and have Plug and Play vouch for us, (and introduce) us to a market 10 times, or even a hundred times, bigger,’’ ATI president Sergio Arroyo said.

The pitch competition, spearheaded by Silicon Valley firm Plug and Play Tech Center, was held during the 10th e-Services Global Sourcing Conference and Exhibition on February 9.

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