Israel’s OurCrowd and Philippine Investment Firm Einhorn Resources Inc Forge Partnership Agreement to Strengthen Tech Startup Ties

 

OurCrowd General Partner & Managing Director of Australia and Asia Dan Bennett and Einhorn Resources Inc CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier sign the partnership in Tel Aviv, Israel

 

 

Israel’s OurCrowd and Philippine Investment Firm Einhorn Resources Inc

Forge Partnership Agreement to Strengthen Tech Startup Ties

TEL AVIV/ MANILA – July xxx, 2022 - 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 growth of Philippine startups.

 

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, Middle East, Southeast Asia and the Philippines.

 

For more details, visit OurCrowd website at OurCrowd.com or email us at leah@ourcrowd.com and einhornresourcesinc@gmail.com. You may also contact OurCrowd at +44 747 019 6826.

 

 

END

 

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, SaNOtize to name a few.

 

Aside from investment recommendations and management, the group is in constant search for solutions to help improve growth in transactions, revenue, and valuation of companies within their network. 

 

PRESS CONTACT OurCrowd: Leah Stern, Partner, Global Communications @OurCrowd / Europe: +44 747 019 6826 / E: leah@ourcrowd.com

 

PRESS CONTACT Einhorn: pls email Antonio Severino (Investment Director) at einhornresourcesinc@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

Cebuana Lhuillier Bank opens first branch in Cebu

 

Bank’s roster of products expected to empower the region’s small and medium enterprises

 

EMPOWERING MSMEs IN VISAYAS. Cebuana Lhuillier Bank opened its first branch in the Visayas region, setting another expansion milestone pioneering Cebu City. Present in the photo are (from left to right) Dennis Valdes, Cebuana Lhuillier Bank President; Mrs. Edna D. Lhuillier, wife of Ambassador Lhuillier; Amb. Philippe Jones Lhuillier, Chairman and Founder of PJ Lhuillier Inc.; Mrs. Camille Lhuillier-Albani, Mr. Andrea Albani, and Jimmy Ang, Cebuana Lhuillier Bank Vice President

 

Cebuana Lhuillier Bank (CLB), one of the country’s fastest growing rural banks, has set its sights for further expansion in the Visayas region, beginning with the opening of its first branch in Cebu City. 

 

The move is in line with the bank’s mission of providing financial inclusion to every Filipino, especially to clients from the countryside. CLB, in particular, is reaching out to mom-and-pop businesses and to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) whose operations definitely needed a boost following the challenges brought to the economy these past two years.  

 

“MSMEs have always been the backbone of our economy, with 99% of total businesses in the Philippines considered falling under this sector. They are also a major source of employment, and also a major contributor in our total export revenues.However, in spite their huge contributions to the economy, MSMEs often lack financial resources that will help in their growth and development,” Cebuana Lhuillier Bank president Dennis Valdes said. “True to the mission of becoming a partner for progress, CLB’s first-ever branch here in Central Visayas is open to all, especially to the more than 65,000 MSMEs looking to further grow their business.” 

 

Located within the business center of the city, CLB’s newest branch can be found in Acacia St., Brgy. Kamputhaw, Cebu City. The bank offers a wide variety of business loan products primarily aimed to provide financial assistance to MSME business owners for their working capital, business expansion, and investment. Depending on the business size and profile of the clients, CLB offers loan products such as Microfinance Loans, SME loans, and Corporate Business Loans.

 

Jean Henri Lhuillier, President & CEO of PJ Lhuillier Group of Companies, the parent company of Cebuana Lhuillier and Cebuana Lhuillier Bank, enthuses, “As a conglomerate, PJ Lhuillier has always been guided by its mission of financial inclusion. We make sure that this is reflected in all the products we offer in our companies, and a vital part of how we extend our services to the millions of Filipinos who rely on us for their micro financial needs. Our banking arm, Cebuana Lhuillier Bank is guided by this vision—from their ground-breaking micro savings product which empowered close to 6M Filipinos to start saving for their future, to their expansion plans to Visayas and Mindanao which will allow them to serve more of our kababayans and MSMEs in rural communities.”

 

CLB currently offers housing loans and business loans in the province. With low interest rates, fast application process, and flexible loan payments, CLB aims to empower MSMEs and business owners. Qualified CLB clients can get a maximum loan amount of PHP300,000 for business loan. 

 

Aside from business loans, CLB also offers housing loans, and soon to be available in its Cebu branch, the Teachers Loan and Motorcycle Loan products.

 

Amb. Lhuillier welcoming the expansion of Cebuana Lhuillier Bank in Cebu

 

To date, CLB already has five (5) branches nationwide and is expected to reach Mindanao region before the year ends. As the banking arm of micro financial services giant Cebuana Lhuillier, CLB recently tapped the industry leader to serve as its cash agent, utilizing Cebuana Lhuillier’s more than 3,000 branches nationwide for its Micro Savings product. The wide network presence provided the bank and its clients greater accessibility; while also enjoying wider connectivity thanks to the mobility provided by eCebuana app, which enables  clients to conveniently access micro financial services such as Micro Savings, Money Remittance, Bills Payment, and E-load services among others.

 

 

It’s raining affordable jewelry with Cebuana Lhuillier’s “Rainy Day Gold Rush Sale”

 

 

 

Buying and collecting gold jewelry go beyond aesthetics nowadays. With the value of gold continuously on an upswing and even expected to outweighs inflation risks (source), now is the best time to buy jewelry. It’s an investment that you can use for your personal enjoyment, as well as a dependable source of cash in times of emergency. 

 

Cebuana Lhuillier is giving its loyal clients and general public another taste of its widely-anticipated jewelry sales with the announcement of its “Rainy Day Gold Rush Sale,” set to take place from July 13 to 19. 

 

The country’s most trusted micro financial services company is offering discounts 
of 10% off plus up to 50% off for selected jewelry available in more than 3,000 branches nationwide. Meanwhile, clients can enjoy discounts up to 25% off when they purchase in any of Cebuana Lhuillier Jewelry Premium (CLJP) and Just Jewel branches nationwide.

 

Jean Henri Lhuillier, Cebuana Lhuillier president & CEO, has always encouraged the public to take advantage of gold sales in order to build a sizable investment that can serve as back-up during times of emergency. “Unlike high-end gadgets, gold jewelry will never lose its value over time. Instead, it will serve as a good source of emergency fund during times of need. Buying jewelry will always serve as a wise purchase,” he adds. 

 

Contrary to the usual, pawnshops are also good source of jewelry. Buyers are assured on the quality and authenticity of the items purchased, especially since all the items offered have been thoroughly appraised. 

 

Discounts can also be enjoyed in any of CLJP’s online presence: through the official website of Cebuanalhuillierjewelry.com and any e-commerce platforms such as Shopee, Lazada, and Zalora, where all items available at a 10% discount. 

For more information, go to www.cebuanalhuillier.com or visit https://www.facebook.com/cebuanalhuillierpawnshop.

 

Jollibee Group and Yoshinoya International hold partnership ceremony

The Jollibee Group and Yoshinoya International hailed its partnership in a ceremony that culminated in a beef bowl toast led by Jollibee Group President & CEO Ernesto Tanmantiong (front row, 3rd from left), Asia Yoshinoya CEO Tetsuya Naruse (front row, 4th from left), Jollibee Group President for Philippine Business Joseph Tanbuntiong (front row, 2ndfrom left), and Jollibee Group Chief Real Estate and Design Officer William Tan Untiong (back row, 3rd from left).

 The Jollibee Group welcomed Yoshinoya International executives in a Partnership Ceremony on June 25 to celebrate their collaboration that will bring the authentic Yoshinoya Japan beef bowl experience to the Philippines.

Yoshinoya, Japan’s world-famous Beef Bowl Chain, is the first foray into Japanese food by the Jollibee Group. Jollibee Foods Corporation formed a joint venture with Yoshinoya International Philippines Inc. (“Yoshinoya International”) to operate the Yoshinoya stores in the country, with plans to expand to 50 stores in the long term.

The Yoshinoya International executives who attended the private ceremony were Tetsuya Naruse, CEO of Asia Yoshinoya International Sdn Bhd (“Asia Yoshinoya”); Shigekazu Miyata, President of Yoshinoya International; and Shigeo Kurokawa, Director of Yoshinoya International.

Asia Yoshinoya CEO Tetsuya Naruse hailed its partnership with the Jollibee Group during the partnership ceremony. “In the history of Yoshinoya, I can say that we have never encountered a company such as yours. I’ve met the best partners that we could work with and I’m really looking forward to this partnership.”

"We would like to thank Yoshinoya International for partnering with Jollibee Group. Together, under Yoshinoya Jollibee Foods Inc., we will grow and expand Yoshinoya in the Philippines, and we will work hard to make it the No. 1 Japanese restaurant in the country," said Joseph Tanbuntiong, President for Philippine Business of the Jollibee Group.

In a disclosure released in February 2021, the Jollibee Group said it aims to be the leading market developer of foreign restaurant brands in the country, as these foreign franchised brands are expected to contribute to the sustainable growth of its domestic business.  Jollibee Group continues to see the success of brands like Burger King, Panda Express, and PHO24 and will apply the same success drivers in expanding Yoshinoya.

Partnership for success

Like the humble beginnings of the Jollibee Group, Yoshinoya started as a family-run shop located at Nihonbashi Fish Market in Tokyo. Today, Yoshinoya has more than 2,000 global locations.

“Our dreams to make it big one day in our respective markets have driven Yoshinoya and the Jollibee Group to continuously work hard and always strive for excellence,” said Tanbuntiong. “With similar values and a true love for great tasting food, we see a strong foundation for success in this partnership.”

“I met Jollibee Group Founder and Chairman Tony Tan Caktiong, and after our conversation, I concluded that there is no other company that we would like to do this partnership with. And although some years have passed since then, we have reached this moment today and it’s all thanks to all your efforts,” added Naruse.

“Part of who we are in Yoshinoya Holdings is being ‘For the People,’ which means reaching as many people as possible with our tasty and value-for-money food—this is also what the Jollibee Group is all about. I look forward to working well together and I commit that we in Yoshinoya will give our full support to the Jollibee Group,” he added.

Now ready to serve the same superior tasting and authentic Japanese Beef Bowls, Yoshinoya is set for its grand opening slated this July.

DigiCon 2022 Set to Highlight the Startup Economy

 

The Internet & Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines (IMMAP) has finally unveiled this year’s theme for the biggest and most anticipated Digital conference in the country.

DigiCon Valley 2022 will tackle the landscape of digital marketing transformation with brands, advertising professionals, and business leaders to celebrate innovation, problem solving, and the entrepreneurial spirit of Philippine firms. Happening from October 10-14 at 9AM to 1PM PST, official delegates will be able to learn from four all-new tracks that tackle the different stages of innovation: Launchpad, Hypergrowth, Breakthrough, and Enterprise. 

This year’s theme is an allude at the Gobi-Core Philippine Fund Ecosystem Report of 2021 which perceived that the growing startup scene in the country is ripe for it to finally become a key player in the technology sphere, in relation to ASEAN counterparts.

The future for development and expansion is projected with optimism as logistics, e-commerce, and fintech sectors continue to rise locally, especially in a post-pandemic economy. It is expected that Philippine firms will raise more investments in the next three years versus the past five years combined.

Leading 100 speakers across the 65 sessions of the 5-day event, keynote Speakers include world-renowned marketing expert and academic, Mark Ritson; one of the most influential female entrepreneurs in the world and founder of the Huffington Post, Ariana Huffington; and the co-founder of Character Ventures and the inventor of the Design Sprint, Jake Knapp. More internationally-acclaimed speakers and guests are set to be announced soon.

After two years of virtual connections, DigiCon Valley 2022 is finally bringing back face-to-face networking through the DigiCon After-hours. Held between 6-9 PM on select evenings across the city, major sponsors will host physical gatherings which promise to provide cocktails, entertainment, and speed networking, allowing delegates to reconnect with others in the industry.

Tickets are now available for purchase with the early bird discount at 40% off in limited supply. For more information and updates on DigiCon Valley 2022, visit www.digicon.com.ph and follow their social pages on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

* This event will be powered by ViVYD. To learn more about this platform, visit https://www.qairos.asia/vivyd

IMMAP DigiCon Valley 2022 is co-presented by Angkas, and would like to thank Platinum sponsor Manulife Philippines and Tiktok; Gold Sponsor Investing in Women, an initiative of the Australian Government; and Silver Sponsor, Hepmil Philippines.

Sterling Bank of Asia signs agreement with Anti-Money Laundering Council

 

L-R: Atty. Mel Georgie B. Racela - Executive Director, AMLC Secretariat; Atty. Rodel U. Buenaventura - Acting Director of the Commitments and Policy Group, AMLC Secretariat; CecilioD. San Pedro – SBA President & CEO; Luisito S. Mayor – SBA Sr. Vice President & Operations Group Head

 

Sterling Bank of Asia (SBA) signs an Information Sharing Protocol (ISP) Agreement with the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to support government measures to combat financial crimes in the country.

The ISP framework aims to effectively control, detect, and investigate money laundering (ML), terrorism, and financing of terrorism (FT) in the country. It will also cover information exchange and capacity-building measures to enhance the ability to address ML, terrorism, and FT concerns. Further, the ISP aims to institutionalize an adequate documentation mechanism to perform targeted suspicious transaction monitoring and reporting, as well as develop valuable/breakthrough investigative leads.

 “This is in line with the Bank’s efforts in promoting a strong and good corporate governance culture," said Cecilio San Pedro, SBA's President and CEO.

 SBA recognizes the importance of the collaboration between the public and the private sector in upholding a framework that will deliver a more efficient and effective identification and detection of financial crime patterns and trends. "Sterling Bank will extend its full cooperation in the exchange of information and financial intelligence and full support in the capacity-building measure of AMLC,” said San Pedro.

 For more information and updates about Sterling Bank of Asia, visit www.sterlingbankasia.com and download the Sterling Bank Online App to experience secure and convenient banking.

Fujifilm Embraces a Decade of Innovation in the Philippines

 

FUJIFILM, one of the most trusted companies in the world, ushers in a new decade in the Philippines amid challenges in the continuing global pandemic. The Japanese brand continues to make significant contributions to society by offering products and services in a wide range of businesses utilizing unique technologies that have cultivated and evolved in the photographic business. The company offers a variety of products and services in to four segments of: Healthcare (products and services like medical equipment and producing pharmaceuticals); Materials (provides industry efficiency like graphic systems, inkjets, semiconductor materials and recording media); Business Innovation (digital color multifunction devices and printers for office use and services for business solutions); and Imaging (photo and electronic imaging such as mirrorless cameras and photo printing services).

 

Fujifilm Philippines was established in 2012 as a sales subsidiary of Fujifilm regional headquarters in the Asia Pacific. The company caters to quality products and services for the Philippine market in electronic, photo imaging, industrial products, graphic and medical systems. 

The company opened its first branch in Cebu in 2019 to respond to the growing demands and monitor the quality and consistency of its products and services in the Visayas and nearby Mindanao provinces. 

In its 10th year in the Philippines, Fujifilm has continuously served people’s needs through a diverse range of innovative consumer and business products, including solutions and services.  

 

Beyond Photography – Fujifilm Medical Systems

 

While Fujifilm has long been synonymous with superior-quality photographic films, Fujifilm Philippines as a company has evolved into so much more. Fujifilm leveraged on its expertise in pushing healthcare, and business innovation growth. Throughout the years, Fujifilm Philippines has created businesses providing total solution in multiple high-tech fields and has come to be known as a technology-oriented company. 

 

Fujifilm Philippines steadily penetrated and made significant contributions in enhancing the local healthcare industry. As a global pioneer in diagnostic imaging and information systems for healthcare facilities, Fujifilm’s Healthcare segment has helped address the country’s most pressing challenges. Its Healthcare technology and Medical Business Systems has contributed in the pursuit of operational efficiency of the local healthcare system. 

 

In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, Fujifilm Philippines continued its support towards the local hospitals. The company installed FDR Go PLUS at various hospitals in the country. The FDR Go PLUS is a digital mobile x-ray that gives significant contribution to the Radiology Team frontliners in doing the chest x-ray needed for patients having signs and symptoms of COVID-19.

 

FUJIFILM Corporation expanded the product lineupthrough the acquisition of Diagnostic Imaging-related Business of Hitachi, Ltd in 2020, covering CT, MRI in addition to X-ray, ultrasound systems, endoscopy, in-vitro diagnostic systems and Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS). Fujifilm Philippines has also started offering these products in the local market, giving the much-needed service and medical equipment to the country.

 

Moreover, Fujifilm Philippines recently secured Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals for two of its key products that have aided healthcare workers in responding to COVID-19 cases. The FDR nano, a mobile digital X-ray system that allows medical professionals to diagnose COVID-19 signs and at the same time aid in reducing COVID-19 infection risks; and the FUJIFILM COVID-19 Ag Test Kit,     a testing kit that provides quick screening for COVID-19, got FDA’s nod. Both products are expected to help in the government’s heightened efforts to put an end to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

 

Fujifilm will continue to supply various products and services that meet the needs of the medical frontline to contribute to the advancement of medical care around the world, and the maintenance and promotion of human health.

 

Leading the Industry

 

Solidifying its position as a global leader in photographic imaging, Fujifilm Philippines has introduced and popularized a diverse range of game-changing products such as the X-series mirrorless digital cameras and instax or instant cameras.

 

In 2017, Fujifilm Philippines introduced the FUJIFILM GFX50S, the first medium format mirrorless camera. The GFX systems offers versatility to a wide audience from commercial to landscape photography. Currently, the company has been actively promoting the FUJIFILM GFX100S, the fourth large format mirrorless camera in Fujifilm’s GFX System.

 

Apart from introducing pioneering technologies, Fujifilm Philippines has closely reached out to its audience by creating various relevant and memorable touchpoints. These are workshops, shooting events, customer interviews, symposiums, and tradeshows.  Among the company’s significant milestones is the first-ever Fujifilm Photofest in 2016; and the Fujifilm Nationwide Photowalk in 2019. The Nationwide Photowalk was one of the country’s biggest photography related event, with over 4,000 registrants from all over the Philippines. Fujifilm’s photowalkcontinues to drive leading photographers, enthusiasts, and encourage the continuing passion for film photography.

 

Moreover, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and anticipation of the “new normal”, Fujifilm Philippines launched the Fujifilm Online Academy in 2020. This free online academy has provided knowledge about photography, videography, and vlogging.

Besides the company’s significant achievements in the mirrorless camera market, Fujifilm Philippines with its Graphic Business Division remains as one of the stronger players in the offset business in commercial and publishing segments. Fujifilm has never stopped to be one of the leading companies in digital printing market as well. Fujifilm invested in the digital printing technologies and started to sell digital printing machines in the 2000s, and a lot of Fujifilm digital printing machines are used and marketed around the world. In the country, the company sells wide-format inkjet printer and has plans to expand the digital machine line up.

In line with its Global Branding Campaign “NEVER STOP”, Fujifilm aims to realize a sustainable society and contribute to social issues by creating new value in a wide range of business domains through innovation in products, services, and technological development. The campaign also seeks to promote a better understanding of Fujifilm’s broad range of businesses and its entry to new fields. Fujifilm will continue to proactively engage in researching and developing new technologies. As a technology-oriented company, Fujifilm will never stop taking on the challenge of leveraging on its core technologies to create outstanding new products, build new businesses, and grow the company as a whole.

 

Fujifilm Philippines not only wants to keep up with the times but continues to reinvent itself to offer better products and services and contribute to the quality of life in Philippine society.

 

For more information about Fujifilm Philippines, visit www.fujifilm.com/ph. 

 

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