The Finisher Is A Compilation Of Tech Startup Success Stories

Former Tech-in-Asia and Rappler business columnist, Ezra Ferraz baffled by the lack of local entrepreneurial inspiration from last years start-up conference.

The Finisher

After the start-up conference, Ezra asked and said "Why are we trying to follow the successful entrepreneurs based in the United States? Filipinos have a different sets of needs and problems!" 

Then an idea flashed and he decided to write a book that documented the story of the successful start-ups that finished or exited successfully! Where the definition of finished is when the start-up grew to profit and either opened an IPO at the stockmarket or the startup was acquired.

He added: If our founders want to build a tech company in the Philippines, there is only so much we can get from the heroes of Silicon Valley. What would serve us best are our own success stories. By celebrating our entrepreneurs who have succeeded right here at home, we can learn what it takes to survive and indeed thrive in this unique business landscape.

It took a massive amount of time and resources but Ezra was able to contact, interact and assess the 11 local entrepreneurs who successfully exited! Thus the book was called "The Finishers!"

• Sulit co-founders RJ and Arianne David
• Chikka leadership Dennis Mendiola, Chito Bustamante, and June Agcaoili 
• BuyBitCoin.ph co-founder Sam Kaddoura 
• Airborne Access co-founder Jay Fajardo 
• Anino Games founder Niel Dagondon 
• GlobalOne co-founder John Orrock 
• HeyKuya founder Shabab Shabibi 
• MyProperty.ph managing director Butz de Castro 
• Socialytics co-founders Jonas de los Reyes, Donald Lim, and Mon Lizardo 
• PinoyMail.com co-founders Dominick Danao and Josephine Romero 
• Social Light co-founders Francis and Annabelle Simisim, Franz Alfonso, and Erwin Lee

The local government noticed Ezra's efforts and decided that the book would be the perfect gift for the 50th ASIEA delegates which was confirmed by DICT Undersecretary Monchito Ibrahim!