Power to the People Four techpreneurs set out to empower sari-sari storeowners through apps

Aimed at owners of sari-sari stores, SariLoad seeks to help storeowners keep closer watch on their business. For now, its primarily used for dispensing electronic prepaid load, but newer versions will include features like barcode reading. Why create products and services and then give them away for free? For the guys behind Sari Software Solutions Ibba Bernardo, Jake Estrada, Doy Roque and Ed Geronia helping people is reason enough. They are doing precisely that with SariLoad, designed to help the sarisari storeowners do business better. SariLoad is but the start of the groups mission to develop platforms and mobile apps that empower the largest but underserved socio-economic sector of the society: the bottom of the pyramid. Since it started operations in October 2011, Sari has deployed more than 20 prototypes of an Android smartphone installed with SariLoad. Noting that technology has become a great equalizer, Sari chief information officer Geronia says technology must be adjusted to suit peoples needs. Kung ano ang kailangan nila, yung app na yun ang kailangang lumabas, and not whats in [the developers] head, he says.

Geronia recalls how their initial notions about developing SariLoad proved to be wrong when they finally tested the app among storeowners in Cubao, Quezon City. Our biggest assumption was that nanay, who typically runs the store, might resist technology. Turns out, its the opposite, he says. She loves technology. Our biggest metric is really Will they use the app? Will they love it? says Bernardo, chief executive officer. Sari wants to retain a free distribution model, even as it aims to become profitable in the future. We started with this idealistic vision of helping people out, says Roque, chief of strategy and planning, adding that they intend to emulate the way Google does business. The Internet giant allows the general public to use its services and tools for free, while earning from it SEO, advertising and software technologies, among others. Imagine people who make P300 a day gaining access to a mini-computer, and doing business with it, adds Roque. Thats 80 percent of the world. Estrada, whose moms sari-sari store put him through school, believes engineers must think of ways of giving back. Its a shame really to see people working for companies abroad or making products for the elite...we have to do something for the base of the pyramid where we can provide change. -- Rocel Ann Junio (February 2013, Entrepreneur Philippines). Photos by Dairy Darilag

6 facts about sari-sari stores based on Saris app rollout: Most sari-sari storeowners open their stores at 4 a.m and close at 1 a.m. A small store usually services around 100 customers. Owners with the most entrepreneurial attitude are those with medium-sized stores. They usually have other businesses such as eatery, bakeshop, or water filling station. Owners who allow customers to buy on credit see the practice as part of long-term relationship-building with clients. Owners are aged 30 to 60. Majority are nanays aged 40 to 60, while three of 20 are tatays.