KalyeNegosyo Graduates Batch 11, Brings Entrepreneurs to Market Through First BizFest

L-R: Ms. Sushi Lorenzana, Senior Vice President for Commercial Business Group, Century Properties; Mr. Royston A. Cabunag, Assistant Vice President, SM Supermalls and Program Director, SM Cares Children & Youth; Mr. Jay A. Acar, Acting Regional Director, DTI-NCRO; Mr. Jorge Wieneke, Founder of KalyeNegosyo; and Ms. Jenny Wieneke, Board Trustee/Administrator of KalyeNegosyo, lead the ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the opening of the first-ever KalyeNegosyo BizFest, a three-day marketplace where Batch 11 graduates showcased and promoted their products to actual consumers.

MANILA, Philippines — KalyeNegosyo marked another milestone in its 13-year mission of empowering Filipino entrepreneurs as it celebrated the graduation of Batch 11 alongside the organization’s first-ever KalyeNegosyo BizFest, a three-day marketplace where graduates showcased, marketed, and tested their products with actual consumers.

From 400 applicants, 46 entrepreneurs were selected for KalyeNegosyo’s free four-month entrepreneurship program, with 43 participants successfully completing the sessions. The program provides micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs with practical knowledge, mentorship, and guidance drawn from real-world business experience.

The graduation and BizFest were made possible with the support of Century Properties, which provided the venue. Major sponsor Condura also supported the entrepreneurs, raffling an upright chiller won by Lenard Dumlao of Lenard Sisig. UB Negosyante offered business banking solutions and convenient account-opening services to participants and visitors throughout the three-day event.

The second day featured a Franchise Party organized by the Association of Filipino Franchisers, Inc. (AFFI). The event introduced an interactive approach to franchise discovery, allowing prospective franchisees to sample food from 15 franchisors while participating brands presented their franchise packages onstage. The concept was spearheaded by AFFI Vice President Mickey Wieneke.

Keynote speakers included Royston A. Cabunag, Assistant Vice President of SM Supermalls and Program Director of SM Cares Children & Youth, and Jay A. Acar, Acting Regional Director of DTI-NCRO.

Founded 13 years ago, KalyeNegosyo began with a straightforward goal: to make practical entrepreneurial education and sustained mentorship more accessible to ordinary Filipinos—from street vendors and home-based businesses to aspiring MSME owners.

Since then, the program has expanded its reach to entrepreneurs in Ilocos, Pangasinan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, and other communities, graduating more than 1,000 entrepreneurs across 11 batches. During the pandemic, KalyeNegosyo continued its advocacy through special online sessions.

At the heart of the organization is a simple philosophy: encourage, enable, and empower entrepreneurs. Rather than promising business success, KalyeNegosyo provides entrepreneurs with knowledge, mentorship, and lessons from experienced businesspeople to help them make better decisions and avoid common mistakes.

Through Batch 11 and the inaugural BizFest, KalyeNegosyo continues to turn entrepreneurship education into practical experience—helping Filipino entrepreneurs move from learning about business to doing business.