RAGS2RICHES emerged as the OVER-ALL CHAMPION during the Business in Development (BiD) Global Challenge in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

RAGS2RICHES emerged as the OVER-ALL CHAMPION during the Business in Development (BiD) Global Challenge in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Rev. Xavier Alpasa, SJ, President of Rags2Riches, receives the award as 1st Place for the BiD Global Challenge.

The BiD Challenge is a global business plan competition that challenges entrepreneurs to develop and execute innovative business plans with growth potential. It is organized by the BiD Network Foundation. This is done to stimulate local economic growth and generate jobs and income in emerging markets. The challenge started with thousands of entries from all over the world. The top 24 finalists were then invited to The Netherlands for the BiD Global Challenge to present their business plans, and the top 8 were selected. Last 27 January 2009, the winners were announced during the BiD Challenge Award Event and Marketplace 2008, held in Rotterdam. One of RP’s representatives, Rags2Riches was proclaimed the over-all champion.

Rev. Xavier “Javy” Alpasa, SJ, President of Rags2Riches, represented the company and took pride in showcasing the potentials of the R2R business plan. The process of selection has been really tough. To determine the top 8, the 24 finalists went through a 30-second elevator pitch, 5-minute elevator pitch before a panel, and 15-minute open forum. Then the top 8 entries made a 3-minute elevator pitch and went through a 7-minute open forum for the 8-panel screening. And eventually, the best entry was announced – the Rags2Riches, Inc.

Opportunities and Partnerships

During the event, Rags2Riches exhibited the RIIR Bags on The Marketplace. With an estimate of 400 guests, the bags gained overwhelming attention, and some guests even proclaimed the bags as their personal favorite among other exhibits. “Oh I heard so much about Rags2Riches,” remarked by a guest. Another also commented, “That’s the fantastic project from The Philippines!”

R2R’s president, Rev. Javy, had several meetings with different investors, organizations, and executives who expressed their interests in partnering with the company. Some of the organizations are listed below:

• ICCO, an organization that funds fair trade organizations in different parts of the world and also a partner of the BiD Network Foundation, is willing to assist in building cooperatives for the communities, which is in line with the goals of the company – from expansion leading to transition (cooperative-building).

• Share People, a volunteer organization, is willing to send international experts to partner with R2R in improving the production system and international marketing.

• Van Verre, a company owned by a millionaire business couple who are former executives and now dealing to 300 outlets worldwide, also expressed interest in dealing with Rags2Riches for the distribution of RIIR bags.

Indeed, there are several interested potential partners who want to help Rags2Riches build a global brand that promotes fair trade and empowerment of people from marginalized communities.

Announcement of Winners

The competition was really tough. The finalists presented unique and innovative business plans. One entry titled “Coffeethanol” presented the idea of converting coffee wastes to produce ethanol. Another presented a business plan about organic and hypoallergenic baby food products. Majority of the finalists came from Africa and Latin America.

During the announcement of winners, Rev. Javy faithfully prayed the Hail Mary. According to him, while praying he kept on thinking about the Rags2Riches community, especially the nanays, connecting forces with all of R2R’s supporters and friends through prayer. A heavenly feeling overwhelmed Rev. Javy when Rags2Riches was announced the victor, grabbing the price of €20,000. Filled with tears, he had his speech referring to the “nanays of Payatas, thanking everyone not just for the money but for the recognition of their real dignity.” A standing ovation accompanied the warm congratulations from the guests, some even in tears.

Blessings.

For the next few days of stay in The Netherlands, Rev. Javy will be meeting with Dutch Design in Development (DDiD), a counterpart of Fashion Design Council of the Philippines, to discuss partnership potentials, even to the extent of sending a Dutch fashion designer to the Philippines. All of these opportunities make the trip more than worthwhile.

It has always been the desire of the R2R to be a positive influence to the country and to the world. In this occasion, we salute the empowered women of Payatas, the passionate hearts of the R2R Team, R2R designers and experts, and most of all, we celebrate God’s amazing ways of connecting people, regardless of differences, in building one community, one goal. Indeed, social cause and fashion can work hand-in-hand.

For Rags2Riches Team,

For Payatas,

For The Philippines,

All for the greater glory of God.

You may also check these links:

http://www.bidnetwork.org/page/91547/en

http://www.bidnetwork.org/page/116339/en

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~ by jingludovice on January 28, 2009.