by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jul 30, 2022 | Business
OurCrowd, Israel’s most active venture platform, and Einhorn Resources Inc, a Philippine investment firm, today announced a partnership that will provide Einhorn clients direct access to OurCrowd’s exclusive investments and mentorships to facilitate the growth of Philippine start-ups.
The partnership was signed in Tel Aviv, Israel, between Dan Bennett, OurCrowd’s General Partner & Managing Director of Australia and Asia, and Jean Henri Lhuillier, Einhorn Resources Inc CEO.
“This new partnership is an exciting opportunity to extend our pipeline into the vibrant investment community in the Philippines and to help nurture its startup ecosystem,” said Dan Bennett. “Einhorn Resources’ deep knowledge of the Philippine investment landscape will be instrumental to bringing our top-tier technology talent to that part of the world.
“Not only are we raising money for these opportunities both in Israel, the US, and beyond, but this is an important opportunity for corporates and family offices to invest from the Philippines and to attract technology that will benefit their core business.”
This collaboration, the first of its kind in the Philippines, provides Einhorn clients direct access to one of the world’s leading online venture platforms. OurCrowd currently has $1.9 billion in commitments and has deployed capital to more than 347 portfolio companies and 39 funds in five continents. It also has 200,000 registered members from 195 countries which it allows to participate in vetted and early-stage firms and funds.
Currently, plans are being made to set up a regional incubator that will give growth opportunities to Philippine startups looking for Israeli tech expertise.
“We are excited to work with OurCrowd to pave the way for stronger ties for investment opportunities, traditional companies, and tech solution collaborations,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier. “The partnership aims to open the funnel to a Philippine network of investors who can choose relevant companies to invest in as well as customize an online portfolio.”
Einhorn Resources Inc oversees multiple investments in agriculture, fintech, education, healthcare, real estate, and software, directly or through funds, with investments in Europe, the US, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and the Philippines.
For more details, visit the OurCrowd website at OurCrowd.com or email us at le**@******wd.com and ei*****************@***il.com. You may also contact OurCrowd at +44 747 019 6826.
About OurCrowd:
OurCrowd is the online global venture investing platform that empowers institutions and individual accredited investors to invest and engage in emerging technology companies at an early stage. Acclaimed by PitchBook as the most active venture investor in Israel, OurCrowd vets and selects companies across all sectors and stages, invests its own capital, and provides its global platform of over 215,000 registered members from 195 countries.
Founded by CEO Jon Medved in 2013 with the vision of democratizing world-class venture capital investing, OurCrowd has grown rapidly into the world’s leading online venture investing platform and as of 2021 has received over $1.9 billion in commitments, and deployed capital into more than 347 portfolio companies and 39 funds across five continents.
To date, OurCrowd’s startups have recorded 59 exits including several stock market listings: Beyond Meat, Lemonade, Innoviz, Hub Security; and numerous high-profile acquisitions: JUMP by Uber, BriefCam by Canon, Argus by Continental, Crosswise by Oracle, Replay by Intel, Corephotonics by Samsung, CyberX by Microsoft, and Kenna Security by Cisco. OurCrowd builds value for its portfolio companies throughout their lifecycles, providing mentorship, recruiting industry advisors, navigating follow-on rounds, and creating growth opportunities through its network of multinational partnerships.
About Einhorn Resources Inc:
Einhorn Resources Inc. is a management company that oversees investments in companies of diversified industries in its portfolio. Investments in companies such as DailyPay, World Chef, FutureBank, Kennemer Foods Inc, Xepto Education, Kini, Crowded, KITA, Carbon6, ReWire, and SaNOtize to name a few.
Aside from investment recommendations and management, the group is in constant search of solutions to help improve growth in transactions, revenue, and valuation of companies within their network.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jul 28, 2022 | Business
The challenges brought about by the pandemic have pushed many businesses around the world to innovate new ways and means to capture their market. While eCommerce continues to prosper in various countries where COVID-19 is getting manageable such as the Philippines, this has paved the way for some other start-up businesses to get recognized and establish a brand that caters to the new needs in this new normal.
With health and safety remaining a top priority amongst households and businesses, the local brand Mr. Cool of Mr. Zolutions, Inc. continues to grow with the expansion of its brand not only in the Philippines but also abroad, specifically in the United States of America. Since its introduction in the market in 2018, Mr. Cool Aromas has been showcasing a strong presence in the market with its in-demand products including car aromas and disinfectants.
Seizing Every Opportunity
“We want our products to be a part of every vehicle not only here in the Philippines, but also abroad. We believe that through this Dealership Package, we will be to help aspiring business-minded Filipinos start their journey with us while we keep strengthening our presence in the market, and continuously providing our customers with quality products that will keep them safe and happy anytime, anywhere,” Mr. Zolutions, Inc.’s Founder and CEO Mr. Vinson Perea said.
With over half a million bottles already sold in the market since 2018, Mr. Cool is set to achieve its vision of being a major brand offering unique, relevant, value for money, and high-quality products that have great benefits and satisfaction to customers. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration of the Philippines, Mr. Cool’s products are currently available through different physical stores such as Unimart, FamilyMart, Rapide Auto Service Experts, Total, Petron, and Shell, as well as in popular online channels among Filipinos such as Shopee and Lazada.
Mr. Cool also partnered with public and private organizations to provide additional safety and quality scents to their daily operations. These include the Cities of Manila and San Juan, Honda Philippines, and NLEX.
Set to Grow Bigger
“We believe that our products have a great potential to capture the international market, hence this year, we are bullish that we will be able to establish our presence in the US, while our footprint in the Philippines expands through various distributorship programs,” shared Ms. Ma. Concepcion Tejada, Founder, and COO of Mr. Zolutions, Inc.
To grow with its customers who have been the brand’s greatest ally since its launch, Mr. Cool now offers its Distributor’s Package, which serves as an entry-level to start earning through well-loved Mr. Cool products. For only PHP6,050, aspiring entrepreneurs can own Mr. Cool’s Dealership Package, which includes top-selling premium items from Mr. Cool and Mr. Fresh Helmet Freshener. Aside from that, training, product knowledge, and salesmanship will also be provided to those who will avail of this package. Marketing collaterals such as testers and tarpaulin are also included to further boost its new partners to establish the brand.
Mr. Cool of Mr. Zolutions, Inc.’s corporate office is located at #54 J. Perez St., Project 4, Quezon City while the production facility is in Cupang, Antipolo City, Philippines.
For more information about Mr. Cool’s Dealership package, they can be reached at:
They can also be reached on their international social media accounts:
Reach out now and be a part of the Mr. Cool family.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jul 27, 2022 | Business
There is a global call from environment advocates to urge multinational companies and leading consumer goods brands to lessen the use of plastics in their product packaging by refilling. It is yet to happen.
However, a local brand called SABON EXPRESS. has joined the global reuse and refill revolution to spur a transition to a plastic-free future. Its founder and Chairman, Mellany Zambrano, believes it is time to shift consumer behavior and habits when buying household products.
SABON EXPRESS, an innovative consumer goods brand and franchisable store chain, is paving the way for locally manufactured liquid soaps and detergents to have a strong foothold in the market with its first-of-its-kind mechanized and automated ‘sabon’ refilling stations that allow consumers to have a refill of highly essential and consumable household products like dishwashing liquid, laundry detergent, fabric conditioner, liquid hand soap, car shampoo, reusing their own bottles and containers – in a hygienic way.
SABON EXPRESS dubbed as The Refill Authority is trailblazing a more appropriate way of sabon refilling – one that does not require the ‘tindera” to use “tabo” or dipper to fetch products from the drum to manually refill bottles, which is a current practice of most local sabon refilling stores in the country. Said manual process potentially contaminates products and makes refilling messy and unhygienic. Sabon Express launched its liquid soap dispensing unit at the Zero Waste Bazaar in Uptown Mall BGC Taguig last July 18-21 – as the first and only automated and hygienic sabon refilling station in the country.
The Zero Waste Bazaar is celebrating Plastic-Free July, a collaborative event of Ecowaste Coalition of the Philippines, Greenpeace Philippines, Mother Earth Foundation, Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives, Health Care Without Harm together with Break Free from Plastic, Oceana Philippines International, and Megaworld Lifestyle Malls. It showcased a photo exhibit and bazaar featuring art and eco-friendly stores to make plastic-free Pilipinas a reality.
Sabon Express founder and Chairman, Mellany Zambrano
SABON EXPRESS strongly advocates for “a world with less plastic” by promoting the reuse of plastic containers for household products via its conceptual and innovative hygienic ‘sabon’ refill dispensing unit in all its stores which comes in both manual and automated machines – a game changer in the local ‘sabon’ refilling industry.
With a vision to serve the country’s increasingly demanding market at scale, Sabon Express is committed to continuous research and development. It is being assisted by the Department of Science and Technology’s Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI) for further product development, technical advancement, and good manufacturing technology and processes.
“At Sabon Express, we are always looking for ways to innovate in order to serve our consumers better and to help save the environment in our own little way because our business is advocacy-driven”, says Mellany Zambrano.
Open for Franchise, Distribution, And Reselling
Sabon Express Refilling Station
Among the signature products of Sabon Express are the Deesh dishwashing liquid, Lanza fabric conditioner, Hush hand soap, Savonex multipurpose cleaner, SoFresh washing machine tub cleaner, Glim glass cleaner, Switch liquid detergent, Vorox toilet care, and CarZ car care.
Sabon Express ALL-IN franchise+ package is worth P388,000 which includes a Sabon refill dispensing machine, store fabrication and installation, display racks and counter table, store signages, and P50,000 worth of initial product inventory, product marketing/sales training, and more.
For franchise, distribution, and reselling inquiries, call Sabon Express hotlines: 0919-0967602/0970-5614670/0965-6912553 or visit their office at 1023 10th Floor, City & Land Mega Plaza, ADB Avenue, Ortigas, Pasig City.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jul 20, 2022 | Book Reviews
Spin the Bottle by Effie Greene is a story in the young adult/teen category in Goodnovel. I immediately checked if it was on Amazon as well, and when I found it I bought the book. To be quite frank, it is cheaper to buy a book on Amazon than pay per chapter on reading apps.
I really loved reading this story. The story is light, romantic, and (to a certain extent) innocent … certainly nowhere near the steaminess of other books I have read, which is exactly why I love it!
I like reading YA books every now and then as a palette cleanser and this book is worth the coin. Kudos, author Effie Greene! I also like the fact that the author didn’t push too hard for steamy scenes when it wasn’t necessary.
If you want to give this book a try you can find it on Goodnovel and on Amazon.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jul 14, 2022 | Fashion
GUESS Originals is proud to welcome back global music superstar and fashion icon, J Balvin, for the GUESS Originals x J Balvin Amor Collection. Inspired by Balvin’s documentary “The Boy from Medellin”, the collection ties into the GUESS DNA of iconic graphics and elevated fabrics while incorporating a deeper emphasis on who Balvin is beyond the fame, and his journey with mental health. The collection will be available on Friday, July 15, 2022, on guess.com.ph and in GUESS Glorietta, Trinoma, Robinsons Ermita, SM Megamall, and SM Mall of Asia.
Balvin notes, “We’ve been collaborating for a couple of years now. The chemistry is great. We have more than a business partnership, it’s a friendship – it’s like my family working with Nicolai and GUESS. This newest collab is all about peace and love – that’s what we need right now.”
Imprinting the universal message of “amor y paz” or “peace and love”, the GUESS Originals x J Balvin Amor collection is a revival of happiness and positivity. Nicolai Marciano, Director of Brand Partnerships for GUESS Originals highlights, “Our partnership with Jose continues to give fans a deeper connection to what he cares about while honoring GUESS’ heritage of provoking a sense of celebration. The collection features a universal design language rooted in bright colors, peace, and love – especially self-love.”
Colin Tilley, director of the campaign video, shares that “Collaborating with GUESS was a Dream, collaborating with Jose is always something special and combining them both for this epic campaign is one for the books! We wanted to celebrate togetherness.”
The collection offers a mix of vibrant and pastel colors in a variety of uplifting hues. Expressive graphics such as swirl stripes, hearts, and clovers are seen throughout the collection, adding to the playful vibe of the capsule. While staying true to the brand’s DNA, the men’s collection features a new take on the GUESS Originals cargo pant with a relaxed profile and elevated twill fabric, as well as an eco rayon camp.
The women’s collection offers an array of easy-to-wear crop tops. Summer-y pieces such as the dresses and bright-colored accessories round out the line and lend to the laid-back, vibrant lifestyle of both GUESS Originals and J Balvin.
This collection pushes the importance of mental health for all. The 15-piece collection ranges from P1,698 – P4,898. Look for the campaign and other GUESS x J Balvin content at www.GUESS.com.ph, on GUESS’ Facebook page, and in GUESS retail stores.
About GUESS?, Inc.
Established in 1981, GUESS began as a jeans company and has since successfully grown into a global lifestyle brand. Guess?, Inc. designs, markets, distributes, and licenses a lifestyle collection of contemporary apparel, denim, handbags, watches, eyewear, footwear, and other related consumer products. Guess? products are distributed through branded Guess? stores as well as better department and specialty stores around the world.
As of January 29, 2022, the Company directly operated 1,068 retail stores in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. The Company’s partners and distributors operated 563 additional retail stores worldwide.
As of January 29, 2022, the Company and its partners and distributors operated in approximately 100 countries worldwide. For more information about the Company, please visit www.guess.com.
About J Balvin
Global superstar, entrepreneur, and committed mental health advocate, J Balvin, is a highly-decorated music icon with wins across Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards, Latin GRAMMYs, and many others. As a Latinx artist, he has steadfastly broken cultural barriers and become one of the Top 10 most streamed artists globally developing legions of fans worldwide. Hailed by Billboard as “the biggest breakout act Latin music has seen in many years” and Pitchfork as “the face of modern Reggaeton,” Balvin is leading the second generation of Musica Urbana stars that have propelled Latin music to an unprecedented global embrace that transcends genres.
2017 chart-topping, “Mi Gente” with Willy William, and subsequently a remix with Beyonce, reached global success serving as a nod to cultural pride. His 2020 surprise performance as part of the Super Bowl halftime show with JLO and Shakira was history-making with an all-Latinx lineup.
His latest album, JOSE, arrived on the heels of an eventful summer, following the release of chart-dominating singles “Qué Más Pues?” featuring Argentinian singer María Becerra, “Que Locura,” and “In Da Getto” featuring Skrillex. His collaboration with Ed Sheeran in March 2022 on “Sigue” and “Forever My Love” landed him his 34th and 35th #1 on Latin Airplay, more than any other artist in history, cementing him as Latinx music’s biggest success story of the decade.
In addition to his many successes in music, J Balvin has been one of the first Latinx to forge partnerships with notable brands across lucrative categories. In 2019, he became the first male Latinx lead with a GUESS campaign, followed by the 2020 announcement of his highly-anticipated and successful J Balvin x Air Jordan 1, which marked him as the first Latinx artist to have an official collaboration with the iconic Jordan Brand.
The second of his collaborations with Jordan Brand was announced in late 2021 with details on the launch to come. An avid gamer, Balvin also created skins with Fortnite as part of their “Icon Series.” His knack for personal style and pioneer trends also finds him frequenting front rows of fashion shows across New York and Paris with brands such as Louis Vuitton and Dior. He also made his coveted Met Gala debut in 2021 with Moschino. J Balvin’s latest passion is raising awareness of the importance of mental health and mental health resources. He has been outspoken on his own grapple with depression and anxiety and hopes to destigmatize the topic and misinformation.
Looking to mentors who went from artists turned moguls like Jay-Z and Pharrell, J Balvin’s goal is to inspire other Latinos to dream big and work hard to uplift themselves and their communities.
To grow with its customers who have been the brand’s greatest ally since its launch, Mr. Cool now offers its Distributor’s Package, which serves as an entry-level to start earning through well-loved Mr. Cool products. 
SABON EXPRESS dubbed as The Refill Authority is trailblazing a more appropriate way of sabon refilling – one that does not require the ‘tindera” to use “tabo” or dipper to fetch products from the drum to manually refill bottles, which is a current practice of most local sabon refilling stores in the country. Said manual process potentially contaminates products and makes refilling messy and unhygienic. Sabon Express launched its liquid soap dispensing unit at the Zero Waste Bazaar in Uptown Mall BGC Taguig last July 18-21 – as the first and only automated and hygienic sabon refilling station in the country.
Spin the Bottle by Effie Greene is a story in the young adult/teen category in Goodnovel. I immediately checked if it was on Amazon as well, and when I found it I bought the book. To be quite frank, it is cheaper to buy a book on Amazon than pay per chapter on reading apps.
The collection offers a mix of vibrant and pastel colors in a variety of uplifting hues. Expressive graphics such as swirl stripes, hearts, and clovers are seen throughout the collection, adding to the playful vibe of the capsule. While staying true to the brand’s DNA, the men’s collection features a new take on the GUESS Originals cargo pant with a relaxed profile and elevated twill fabric, as well as an eco rayon camp.
Global superstar, entrepreneur, and committed mental health advocate, J Balvin, is a highly-decorated music icon with wins across Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards, Latin GRAMMYs, and many others. As a Latinx artist, he has steadfastly broken cultural barriers and become one of the Top 10 most streamed artists globally developing legions of fans worldwide. Hailed by Billboard as “the biggest breakout act Latin music has seen in many years” and Pitchfork as “the face of modern Reggaeton,” Balvin is leading the second generation of Musica Urbana stars that have propelled Latin music to an unprecedented global embrace that transcends genres.
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