DTI to assist KMME grads on fund access

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) vowed to intensify financial access for the growing participants of Kapatid Mentor Me (KMME) program in partnership with the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship-Go Negosyo.

DTI assistant secretary Blesila Lantayana said that as the program is aiming to tap more micro entrepreneurs all over the country and help their business through mentorship, access to finance is also essential in their growth journey.

In an interview, Lantayana said while the KMME program already started bridging the connection between small entrepreneurs and the financial institutions like banks, more of this kind of initiatives will be introduced in the coming months, most probably next year.

Recently, DTI and the PCE gathered the mentee graduates, certified mentors and enablers in the 2018 Kapatid Mentor ME Summit held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel.

The KMME Summit was launched with the aim to delve into the inspiring entrepreneurial journey of top business experts, build network and strengthen the relationship amongst the mentees, mentors, and enablers, provide a B2B avenue to the participants through showcasing the products of mentee-graduates and to continue capacitate development opportunities for both the mentors and mentees. To date, there are over 5,000 mentee graduates all over the country.

The program organizers, DTI and PCE are constantly tapping successful and icon entrepreneurs to mentor those who are just starting.

In Central Visayas, a total of 105 entrepreneurs completed the program, since it was introduced in 2017.

KMME is a program that equips startup and existing entrepreneurs for present and future endeavors. It also prepares not only the business but also the minds behind it.