Creative Entrepreneurship: DREAM Program Pitching and Graduation

The Digital Services Entrepreneurs Advancement Mentoring (DREAM) program, an initiative by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 7 Central Visayas, held its highly anticipated pitching and graduation event last May 2024. This event marked the culmination of a 12-week intensive mentorship program designed to empower local entrepreneurs in the digital landscape. With 22 mentees – 12 from Cebu, 5 from Bohol, 4 from Negros Oriental, and 1 from Siquijor – all represented the creative services sector.

Empowering Creatives to Thrive

The DREAM program was created to empower creatives to transform their passion into profitable ventures. By fostering a network of mentors, peers, and industry leaders, DREAM equips participants with the essential business skills they need to thrive. Following all the sessions, the aspiration was to maintain a collaborative community of graduates who will continue to support and empower future creative entrepreneurs.

Addressing Sector Challenges

This initiative followed DTI 7’s mapping of local creatives in the region and aims to address issues faced by the sector. The goal is to map the landscape of creativity, identify skills and talents, and understand the aspirations and needs of stakeholders to lay the groundwork for targeted programs and policies that foster growth and innovation.

Some of the main issues cited across the creative subsectors included concerns about creation, distribution, production, and consumption. These issues highlight the minimal support for emerging creatives, the lack of industry mentors and champions, and the need for skills transfer and capacity building.

The 12-week program featured mentorship modules covering a wide range of topics such as Contract Management, Time and Project Management, Legalizing Your Business, Scaling to a Team, Financial Health, and more. These modules were designed to equip participants with practical skills and knowledge to navigate the complexities of the creative industry.

Pitching and Graduation

During the pitching and graduation event, the mentees showcased their portfolios and business ideas to a panel of investors and industry experts. Each participant delivered a dynamic presentation, highlighting their unique value propositions and growth potential. The event provided a platform for the mentees to secure investors and gain valuable feedback.

The pitching sessions were characterized by vibrant discussions, with investors asking probing questions and offering constructive feedback. This real-world experience in pitching and networking helped enhance the participants’ confidence and readiness to enter the market. The success of the pitching and graduation event underscores the growing recognition and support for the creative industry from both private and government sectors.

The creative industry is gaining attention and aid from private and government sectors. By celebrating the journey and achievements of the DREAM Program, this blog aims to inspire and inform potential entrepreneurs about the opportunities available in the creative sector. If you want to leverage your business, upgrade your entrepreneurial journey, or even support our local creatives to take the next step in their entrepreneurial journey, contact The Company Cebu. We are not just a coworking space; we are a hub for creatives!