Block Dojo Philippines’ Second Bootcamp Prepares 9 Startups to Explore Blockchain and Enterprise

Are you planning to venture into the blockchain enterprise world? If you’re from the Philippines, Block Dojo may be able to help you.

Block Dojo Philippines recently held its second bootcamp in Bataan, where nine startups participated in a program to explore blockchain technology and its potential applications in their businesses.

On the first day of the bootcamp, the startups got to know each other and learned about the program's 12-week curriculum. On Day 2, CoinGeek covered the program’s flow, which centered around blockchain and design thinking. Day 3 looked into the customers and the big idea in enterprise, taking advantage of the afternoon for pitch practice sessions. Lastly, on Day 4, the cohort 2 founders traveled from Morong to Balanga to see the local startup scene of Bataan and learn more about what the province has to offer.

Getting to know Block Dojo Philippines’ Cohort 2   

The cohort 2 startups are led by founders with diverse backgrounds and goals:

With Block Dojo Philippines, these startup founders will undergo 12 weeks of intensive training, which will culminate in an initial cash investment of PHP500,000 ($8,529) and a total program actual value of PHP12.1 million ($206,419). At the end of the program, these businesses will be introduced to relevant investors who can help them secure pre-seed funding.

Stephanie Tower (@stephtowerMNL) is at the #BlockDojoPH bootcamp today! Follow n'yo kami to learn more about blockchain with @nChainGlobal!#BlockDojoPH #Bataan #startups #BlockDojoPhilippines pic.twitter.com/BG1S6nEpoG

— CoinGeek Philippines (@RealCoinGeek_PH) May 14, 2024

nChain, a global firm that assists its clients in integrating blockchain technology into their products, solutions and services, powers Block Dojo Philippines.

On Day 2, Stephanie Tower, nChain’s Business Development Lead – Philippines, and Kristoffer Briones, Block Dojo’s Managing Director, held a Q&A session with cohort 2 after giving them a glimpse of the firm's activities at ComplexCon Hong Kong.

“At the end of the day, people don’t really have to know that what you actually do is built on top of a blockchain,” Tower began the Q&A. “People don’t need to know that, the same way that we’re using so many codes in the protocol…If you’re asked what blockchain is, just say it’s another technology where you could build solutions on top of.”

Tower elaborated on the technology, explaining that blockchain is a decentralized timestamped ledger that enables interoperable information storage and recording. She provided an example of applying for a Japanese visa, highlighting how the technology eliminates the need for multiple transactions or form submissions between agencies. Thanks to blockchain's immutability and transparency, the data is securely stored without distortion.

"It enables a more efficient way to process things,” she noted.

Marc Wernicke, co-founder of Dailo-Wernicke Consulting firm, concluded Day 2 with a session on Design Thinking. Similar to his presentation at the first bootcamp, Wernicke organized several activities to stimulate the creativity of the nine cohorts.

Activities to get started

Speaking of activities, Block Dojo Philippines had some exercises prepared to get the minds of cohort 2 rolling on Day 3. Dominic Santiago, Block Dojo Philippines’ head of marketing, led the discussion on how advertising can influence customers and the importance of identifying a target persona when starting a business.

“Today, this whole session that I’m going to work with you is welcoming you to the journey to the center of your business,” Santiago began his discussion. During his presentation, he guided cohort 2 in uncovering their customers’ insights and defining their businesses’ unique strengths by introducing the elements of advertising.

“Insights can mean different things to different people,” he shared with the startups' founders. “Number one, problems are barriers…there is a hidden motive, something that is not currently addressed in the current market offering. And finally, it needs an ‘Aha [moment]’—a twist.”

Santiago continued, “An insight needs to be actionable,” concluding that “Insights is not merely a marketing campaign. [Instead] insights will help you become domain experts, which will translate to your BMC, which will also translate to your impact.”

Meanwhile Michael Cua led a two-hour activity on big ideas. In the latter part of this activity, he encouraged everyone to integrate AI in creating their business description prompts. Driving a point home that, what the startups should keep in mind is to convince their customers that they are offering a real-world need.

“Sapientia Et Eloquentia. Wisdom and eloquence,” said Cua. “It’s not enough that you have a clear vision that aligns with the substantial vision of your business idea. It doesn’t matter that it matters to you