MANILA — Packworks, a Filipino startup that provides a business-to-business (B2B) open platform to sari-sari stores, has achieved a major milestone by winning four awards at the KMC Startup Awards 2024 during its gala night on Nov. 15, 2024. The company was recognized for its innovative contributions to empowering sari-sari stores and shaping the future of hyperlocal retail in the Philippines.
Packworks earned the gold honor in the Tech Innovator category for revolutionizing the grassroots retail sector in the Philippines. Packworks’ platform empowers over 300,000 sari-sari stores nationwide by digitizing their daily operations with tools for pricing, inventory management, and sales tracking, while also providing access to working capital loans. Partner stores benefit from increased income through exclusive discounts from partner FMCG brands and companies, making the platform a game-changer for small-scale retailers.
Meanwhile, the company’s CEO, Bing Tan, received the gold trophy for Emerging Business Leader of the Year for his contributions to the fintech and retail space. With over 20 years of experience in the tech space, Tan has been the driving force behind Packworks alongside co-founders Hubert Yap and Ibba Bernardo. Throughout his career, Tan has been driven to create a positive impact on society through technology and has also been committed to helping other startups and fostering innovation across the tech industry and beyond.
In his acceptance speech, Tan emphasized Packworks’ mission of helping sari-sari store owners, mainly women, keep up in the rapid digital landscape while growing their businesses.
“We wanted to create a model built around inclusion – to uplift lives and empower the sari-sari stores we work with, not replace them. We dedicate this award to all the sari-sari stores.”
Packworks also won the silver honor in the Social Impact Award category for its contributions to impacting the marginalized sector. The night concluded with the company earning the bronze for Startup of the Year, winning alongside GoTyme Bank and UNO Digital Bank, who took home the gold and silver honors, respectively.
This year’s KMC Startup Awards drew a record-breaking number of over 300 entries from more than 100 startups across fintech, agritech, logistics, healthcare, and construction. Packworks stood out among the competition for its innovative approach to solving grassroots challenges and its measurable social impact.
Reflecting on Packworks’ latest milestone, Tan stated, “These achievements are a testament to how our mission resonates with business leaders and peers in the startup ecosystem, validating our efforts to empower grassroots businesses and drive innovation in e-commerce and retail. At Packworks, we remain committed to uplifting sari-sari stores and shaping the future of hyperlocal retail through technology and inclusion.”
The KMC Startup Awards, now in its second year, celebrates forward-thinking startups and innovators shaping the Philippine economy’s future. Organized by KMC Solutions in partnership with Philippine Startup Week, Ideaspace | QBO, Kaya Founders, Web3PH, and Uniquecorn Strategies, the event capped off Philippine Startup Week 2024, which ran from Nov. 11–15.
