Kickstart Ventures invites local startups to participate in Singtel Innov8 Connect global business challenge

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Kickstart Ventures enjoins local startups to participate in the second installment of Singtel Innov8’s global call to create innovative solutions for real world business challenges. This follows the success and momentum of the initial Innov8 Connect programme launched in January 2016 which attracted over 120 submissions from startups across 22 countries.

“Through the second round of Innov8 Connect, Philippine startups are given another opportunity to realize their global growth aspirations. Kickstart, through Innov8 Connect, is opening doors for them to penetrate the global market as part of our mission to break down barriers and build bridges between the business community and the startup founders,” said Minette Navarrete, President of Kickstart, a wholly-owned venture capital firm of Globe Telecom. 

Kickstart is a founding member of Innov8 Sparks, the Singtel Group’s network of startup support and funding initiatives across Southeast Asia. It currently has 27 portfolio companies with various products and services encompassing SaaS (Software as a Service) for financial services; Healthcare; E-commerce and Online Marketplace, Social Impact; and Digital Lifestyle, several of which have already ventured to other countries.

Once selected in the second round of Innov8 Connect, the startups that offered the best solutions will be provided with up to S$75,000 to test and validate their business solutions as proof-of-concepts inside Singtel and Optus in Australia.

Successful solutions from promising startups may then lead to further commercialization opportunities within the Singtel Group which offers startups access to an extensive customer base that includes both enterprises and over 600 million mobile subscribers across Asia, Australia and Africa. These startups will also have the opportunity to seek funding from Singtel Innov8 and tap on its network of co-investors from Innov8 Sparks and partners across the globe.

Talking about the importance of the program, Tay Soo Meng, Group Chief Technology Officer at Singtel said: “Innov8 Connect started as a win-win platform to help startups develop viable business solutions while allowing the Singtel Group to stay at the cutting-edge of innovation through continuous experimentation. We hope to uncover more innovative answers for real emerging business challenges with start-ups in this latest installment of the programme.”

In the second round, 14 new business challenges have been identified by Singtel and its Australian arm, Optus, in areas such as the Internet of Things (IoT), augmented reality solutions and artificial intelligence.

“We look forward to working together with more start-ups on the new set of business challenges from this second installment of Innov8 Connect. Through these real challenges that businesses face, we hope to spur greater innovation while identifying and supporting viable solutions that meet the Group’s needs,” said Edgar Hardless, CEO of Singtel Innov8.

Interested start-ups may submit their proposals through the Innov8 Connect portalwww.innov8connect.com until October 31, 2016. The portal also contains detailed information on the 14 new business challenges. 

Selected start-ups will then be invited to pitch to a panel of management representatives from the Singtel Group.

As the venture arm of the Singtel Group, Singtel Innov8’s mandate is to scout for and provide the Group with insights and early access to emerging technologies, as well as to nurture the innovation ecosystem in Southeast Asia. Innov8 Connect is part of Singtel Innov8’s initiatives to create greater awareness for Singtel’s innovation agenda and engagement with startup ecosystems.

About Singtel Innov8

Singtel Innov8, the venture capital arm of the Singtel Group, invests in and partners with innovative tech startups worldwide. It has a fund size of US$250 million and its own set of decision making, approval and funding processes. Beyond funding, Singtel Innov8 is a gateway for startups to tap on the resources and expertise of the Singtel Group, while enabling the Group to gain access to emerging technologies. Singtel Innov8 focuses its investments on technologies and solutions that can lead to quantum changes in network capabilities, next generation devices, digital services and enablers to enhance customer experience. Headquartered in Singapore, Singtel Innov8 also has offices in San Francisco and Tel Aviv. For more info, visit innov8.singtel.com or follow @singtelinnov8 on Twitter.

Philippines is now HOOQ’d , in partnership with Globe Telecom

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HOOQ, Asia’s video-on-demand service, debuts in the Philippines in partnership with Globe Telecom. HOOQ offers over 10,000 blockbuster movies & TV series.

HOOQ, Asia’s video-on-demand service, announced that it will kick off in the Philippines from late February in partnership with Globe Telecom. 

HOOQ, a start-up joint venture between Singtel, Sony Pictures Television and Warner Bros. Entertainment, will enable customers of Globe Telecom to enjoy unlimited online streaming access and an offline viewing option to top Hollywood and Filipino movie and television content, via any device including computers, smartphones and tablets.

Filipinos first in Asia to get access to extensive Hollywood and local content with Globe Telecom and HOOQ: Asia’s first video-on-demand service HOOQ has arrived in the Philippines, making Filipinos the first in the region to gain access to a library of over 10,000 international and local movies and TV shows with its partnership with leading telecommunications company Globe Telecom. A start-up joint venture between Singtel, Sony Pictures Television, and Warner Bros. Entertainment, HOOQ is set to change the way people in emerging markets consume and enjoy entertainment by allowing customers to enjoy online streaming access and an offline viewing option of movies and TV shows across smartphones, computers, and tablets. Speaking at a panel discussion during the Philippine launch of HOOQ held at The Green Sun in Makati are [L-R] Warner Bros. Digital Distribution Vice President for Business Strategy Anuraj Shavantha Goonetilleke, HOOQ CEO Peter Bithos, Globe Telecom President and CEO Ernest Cu, Globe Telecom Senior Advisor for Consumer Business Dan Horan and Sony Pictures Executive Vice President for Networks George Chung-Chi Chien.

Extensive Hollywood and local content

Filipinos can look forward to more than 10,000 movies and television episodes and TV shows including titles from partners Sony and Warner Bros. Customers can watch Hollywood movies such as Harry Potter, Spider-Man and Inception, while enjoying popular TV series such as Gossip Girl, Friends and Smallville. 

Local film and TV content will also be available through partnerships with the country’s top studios, such as GMA, Viva Communications, Regal Entertainment, and ABS-CBN. Customers can watch local high-grossing films such as Metro Manila, A Secret Affair, Shake Rattle and Roll and Ang Tanging Ina, as well as classics including Dyesebel, Bagets and Bituing Walang Ningning. Highly-rated TV shows like My Husband’s Lover, Mulawin, Tayong Dalawa and Mara Clara will also be available anytime and anywhere.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=973uDXgtVG4&list=UU7hmtK8Y6jT1z13JKrrTyzw

‘Across the emerging economies, people have amazing stories and love stories. However, a few billion people have no quality way of seeing the best stories from Hollywood or their local market. HOOQ will change that. HOOQ will change the way people in emerging markets consume and enjoy entertainment,’ said HOOQ Chief Executive Officer, Mr Peter G. Bithos. 

‘The Philippines is a natural first market for us. Filipinos’ dual love of local and Hollywood content combined with their digital savviness makes the Philippines a perfect place for us to start,’ he added. 

The former Globe Telecom Chief Operating Advisor, Mr Bithos also announced its first distribution partnership. ‘Our partnership with Globe Telecom, the leader in digital partnerships in the Philippines, helps us bring Philippine customers a premium video service and new form of entertainment that combines the best of Hollywood, Asian and Philippine video content across all devices,’ Mr Bithos said.

Globe Telecom’s customers first to get HOOQ at P199 per month

According to a Nielsen report in 2014, viewing online video content has become a pastime for digital consumers in the Philippines, with 85% watching at least weekly, the second highest in the region. The same report also revealed that 7 in 10 digital consumers in the country report watching TV content and movies via online sources such as video-on-demand, the second highest penetration of internet TV in the region at 71%. 

‘Now more than ever, Filipinos consider connectivity as an essential part of their daily lives. Our customers, whether prepaid, postpaid, or broadband, are increasingly embracing an always-on world where they expect a wonderful experience from innovative and engaging data and content offers. Right now, we are in the best position to offer this type of service as the leader in enabling the digital lifestyle of Filipinos and the number one network for smartphones. To meet their needs, we see the video-on-demand services offered by HOOQ as a critical offering representing the future of the industry. Now that consumers have access to a variety of international and local content, entertainment will now be more personal, and with Globe, this means experiencing it with the highest quality.’ said Mr Ernest Cu, President and CEO of Globe Telecom. 

Recognising the value that video-on-demand services deliver to consumers, Globe Telecom will provide its customers with the ability to download HOOQ, which will soon be available to customers on a plan-based service for Philippine Peso 199 per month for access to thousands of movies, far more affordable than buying a ticket for just one movie. It will also be offered as a bundled service with the telco’s GoSURF and Tattoo broadband services.

HOOQ enhances digital lifestyles

‘Following the launch in the Philippines, HOOQ will be rolled out across Asia soon. The rapid adoption of connected devices means more people in Asia are able to access the Internet anywhere and at any time, driving demand for compelling content that enhances their digital lives,’ said Mr Jonathan Auerbach, Singtel CEO Group Digital Life. ‘HOOQ is set to change the way people across the region consume and enjoy entertainment.’ 

Mr George Chien, Executive Vice President, Networks at Sony Pictures Television, said: ‘We share the excitement of offering entertainment fans across Asia access to high quality video services directly to their mobile devices. HOOQ provides a unique combination of Hollywood and local favorites while providing a high-quality viewing experience they’ve come to expect in today’s digital world.’

Mr Anuraj Goonetilleke, Vice President Corporate Business Development and Strategy at Warner Bros. Digital Distribution said: 'We’re very excited about the launch of our joint video-on-demand business across Asia, starting with the Philippines. Providing world-class content to Asia’s entertainment fans will meet a voracious appetite for new and classic videos and TV episodes on-demand.’

The service will also be accessible to all customers in the Philippines through its website – http://HOOQ.tv. Through HOOQ.tv, customers can watch videos of their choice and pay for the subscription by credit card.

About HOOQ

HOOQ is a regional video-on-demand subscription service by Singtel, Sony and Warner Bros. HOOQ will deliver over 10,000 Hollywood blockbusters and popular local programmes to customers anytime, anywhere by enabling them to stream and download their favourite shows on their device or platform of choice. For more information, visit www.hooq.tv. 

About Globe Telecom

Globe Telecom is a leading full service telecommunications company in the Philippines, serving the needs of consumers and businesses across an entire suite of products and services including mobile, fixed, broadband, data connections, internet and managed services. Its principals are Ayala Corporation and Singtel who are acknowledged industry leaders in the country and in the region. For more information, visit www.globe.com.ph.

Follow Globe Telecom on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GlobePH and Tatoo at www.facebook.com/GlobeTattoo as well as on Twitter @enjoyglobe and @choosetattoo and Instagram at @enjoyglobe and @choosetattoo. 

About Singtel

Singtel is Asia's leading communications group providing a portfolio of services including voice and data solutions over fixed, wireless and Internet platforms as well as infocomm technology and pay TV. The Group has presence in Asia and Africa with over 500 million mobile customers in 25 countries, including Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand. It also has a vast network of offices throughout Asia Pacific, Europe and the United States.

About Sony Pictures Entertainment

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition and distribution; television production, acquisition and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. For additional information, go to http://www.sonypictures.com

About Warner Bros. Entertainment

Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. is a global leader in all forms of entertainment and their related businesses across all current and emerging media and platforms. A Time Warner Company, the fully integrated, broad-based studio is home to one of the most successful collections of brands in the world and stands at the forefront of every aspect of the entertainment industry from feature film, television and home entertainment production and worldwide distribution to DVD, digital distribution, animation, comic books, video games, product and brand licensing, and broadcasting.