A group of Japanese, Filipino, and Indian nationals is set to represent the Philippines at the 2014 Echelon tech startup competition in Singapore in June for their innovative mobile rewards platform which allows users to enjoy “Libreng Load” (Free Mobile Airtime) for calls, text, and Internet browsing.
The YOYO Holdings team (1st row, middle) triumphs over other local startups to compete in the Echelon 2014 main stage in Singapore
YOYO Holdings bested 10 other local startups shortlisted from over 100 applicants to emerge as winner in the Philippine leg of Echelon organized by e27 and supported by Kickstart Ventures, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Globe Telecom.
“We are proud of YOYO for making it to the Echelon main stage in Singapore. We are also thankful for the opportunity to be a satellite sponsor of Echelon and to help YOYO get a chance to interact with decision makers in the international technology industry,” said Minette Navarrete, President of Kickstart.
Through Echelon, Asia’s largest tech conference, startup founders can meet investors and business leaders, pitch for commercial deals, raise the funding to grow their business, receive valuable insights from speakers and mentors, forge partnerships with outstanding businesses, and even scout for talent.
YOYO’s entry Candy (can-dy.ph) is a solution that rewards users for performing micro tasks such as downloading apps, answering surveys, doing reviews, among others in exchange for prepaid load credit.
Candy was launched in the Philippines a year ago and has already attracted 75,000 users within eight months through referrals and word of mouth. Following this, YOYO released its service in Thailand as well as in Indonesia where it saw new user registration rocket up to 30,000 in a mere month.
“The people can get free load by doing the micro tasks so they like our system. Mobile usage in emerging markets like the Philippines is characterized by the prevalence of prepaid airtime and text messaging. As its burden on household income grows, the value of purchased airtime is approaching that of cash money. We see mobile airtime as an opportunity to economically empower such users. In the future, we want to expand beyond the Philippines to other countries to create services that can make people’s lives better,” said Yosuke Fukada, co-founder of YOYO Holdings.
To use the service, the user only has to sign up with Candy and choose a mission. Once the mission is carried out, he can receive free load instantaneously.
On the other side, Candy accepts partnerships with businesses to connect them directly to the consumers. The free mobile load incentives can be integrated in marketing promotions, market research, and loyalty rewards.
