Taking
Business Ideas Out of the Classroom
and Into the Market Place
The John Gokongwei School of Management launched its JGSOM Business Accelerator (SOMBA) in May 2003. Designed as a business incubator facility for Ateneo Students and young alumni, the academic component is made up of a total of 18 credits spread out over an entire year. Students enrolled in the program receive guidance and business coaching from the SOMBA staff as they work to take their fledgling business ideas from the realm of the classroom out into the market place. Paul Ambas and Dondi Mapa, Director and Assistant Director of SOMBA respectively, bring with them many years of experience in the I.T. industry and in business incubation, most recently from their involvement with HatchASia. A wide network of business advisers and coaches from various industry sectors has been assembled to evaluate, critique (potentially even to finance) and ultimately to help SOMBA participants bring their products successfully to the market.
Twenty-four (24) enterprising young students organized into five (5) small business units make the pioneering batch of SOMBA participants. Most of the groups have completed their product prototype, and will soon be ready to start generating revenues.
For more information about the JG-SOMBA, you can log-on www.jgsomba.com.