Xiaomi Global VP Hugo Barra talks to startup founders at the Kickstart office. In photo (L-R) are Hugo Barra (Xiaomi), Fabian Tilmant (Leanovation), Manny Nepomuceno, Anne Olvido (Xiaomi), Richard Eldridge (Lenddo), Mark Mackenzie (Lenddo), Jonathan Lansangan (Dynamic Objx), Terence Lok (ZAP, hidden), Cristina del Rosario (Sari Software Solutions), Ibba Rasul-Bernardo (Sari Software Solutions), Nix Nolledo (Hatchd), Philip Cheang (By Implication), Sergio Arroyo (Ascendant Technologies) and Kenneth Yu (By Implication).
Hugo Barra, Xiaomi Global Vice President and formerly Google VP for Android Product Management, stirred excitement in the local tech startup community during his visit in Manila as he shared tips on how new companies can grow their business in the digital space.
The meet-up was organized by Xiaomi, represented by Philippine Product Manager Elizabeth Anne Olvido, and hosted by Kickstart Ventures, Inc., a wholly-owned incubator and investment firm of Globe Telecom, to enable startup companies under its portfolio as well as its local partners to benefit from Barra’s deep understanding of the mobile market.
Kickstart President Minette Navarrete enthused, "Xiaomi's origins and character resonate with startup founders everywhere in the world: dream big, start small, scale fast. Hugo Barra is widely respected for his skills: he must be one of the best product people in the world! This visit is amazingly helpful, and truly inspirational to the tech community in the Philippines. We're so pleased to have him come and have these intense and down-to-earth conversations with startup founders here."
Barra earlier announced that the rapidly-growing Chinese mobile phone firm has chosen the Philippines as its third market in Southeast Asia, a development that augurs well for the tech startups.
Paul Rivera, CEO and co-founder of online talent management and assessment firm Kalibrr could not contain his enthusiasm as he quipped: “This shows just how exciting the Philippines will be as a market for smartphone makers and those who make apps for them. This will bring an entire generation of people online who will be mobile first."
During the discussion, Barra advised startup founders to build excellent software, adjust their plans depending on customer uptake, know their customers, and think of the price which users are willing to pay.
Xiaomi knows their target customers well and lets their products grow with them. “The first 10,000 customers matter so much so I have to acquire the right customers,” Barra said, explaining that for Xiaomi, it means that they must build a “loyal, excited, vocal community of tech enthusiasts.”
“They have chosen not to go the usual route of getting an endorser. They believe their products can stand on their own and sell. After seeing their high-end smartphone test unit, we agreed with that belief,” said Jonathan Earl Lansangan, COO and co-founder of Dynamic Objx Labs Inc, a Manila-based software development company which specializes in building web-based applications, mobile device applications, and Software-as-a-service (SAAS) products.
In 2012, Xiaomi sold 7.2 million smartphones and more than doubled the number the following year by selling 18.7 million handsets.
# # #
ABOUT KICKSTART
Kickstart is an incubator and investment firm which helps startups operating in the Philippines to build robust businesses and technical foundations, and to scale. Kickstart puts big company resources - - capital, facilities, expertise, and business connections - - behind the startups that it funds so they can launch faster and achieve scale and profitability sooner.
Kickstart was incorporated in March 2012 to serve as Globe Telecom's wholly-owned incubator and investment firm with a focus on digital startups. As a strategic early-stage investor, Kickstart is frequently a startup founder's first institutional investor, and an active mentor and business partner.
ABOUT XIAOMI
Xiaomi is a mobile internet company dedicated to creating an all aspect user experience. Founded in 2010, the company has fast become one of the leading tech firms in China. The company is currently valued at over 10 billion USD and has over 3,000 employees.
Xiaomi's main portfolio of products include:
- Mi phones: high quality and performance Android devices
- MIUI: highly customizable ROM that can be flashed across multiple Android devices
- MiTalk: a preeminent messaging application
- Mi Box: A smart set-top box the enriches your TV experience