Two Decades of Empowering Filipino Micro-Entrepreneurs
Hapinoy was founded by a group of people who believed that social development and business enterprise could work together to create meaningful opportunities for micro-entrepreneurs and their communities.
In 2006, Mark Ruiz, Bam Aquino, Manny De Luna, Rapa Lopa, Franco Sevilla, Perry Villa and Dr. Aris Alip pursued their shared passion to build a business that would help people, focusing on women micro-entrepreneurs—particularly the nanays who own and run sari-sari stores. They envisioned organizing sari-sari stores and improving the livelihood of women micro-entrepreneurs across the Philippines.
In 2007, Hapinoy was formally launched, starting with just seven community stores. Through partnerships, training, access to financing, and new business opportunities, the network grew to 30 communities within its first year.
We continued to listen to store owners and develop solutions based on their needs. In 2009, it launched HapiDelivery, bringing products from FMCG companies closer to rural communities through bulk distribution. We also explored opportunities in health and wellness, renewable energy, mobile money, and other services that could help sari-sari stores grow.
Education remained at the heart of Hapinoy’s work. In 2011, MicroVentures Foundation was established, eventually developing HapiSkwela, a training and mentoring program covering business, personal development, market research, disaster preparedness, digital literacy and now AI for MSMEs.
As technology transformed the retail landscape, Hapinoy evolved with it. In 2014, it partnered with Qualcomm Wireless Reach to launch the Hapinoy Mobile Money Hub Project, which eventually led to Hapinoy BizMo—enabling sari-sari stores to offer services such as mobile load, remittances, microinsurance, online shopping, and bills payment.
Even before the pandemic in 2020, we already expanded its reach beyond physical communities by building online communities in Facebook and eventually launching Hapinoy TV Live, an edutainment platform created to inform, inspire, and support sari-sari store owners.
And as we transitioned to post-pandemic, the Hapinoy Caravan started to roll, bringing products and opportunities closer to store owners and making partner products more accessible at better prices.
In 2025, we took another step toward future-proofing communities by training MSMEs and employees in AI, equipping them with the knowledge and tools needed to adapt to a rapidly changing world.
Today, Hapinoy’s journey has grown far beyond its first seven stores. Since its inception, Hapinoy has partnered with over 100,000 store owners across the Philippines.
From financing and training to technology, community-building, and access to opportunities, Hapinoy continues to pursue the same vision it started with in 2006: to empower microentrepreneurs so they can build better businesses, support their families, and strengthen their communities.
AI Ready: Empowering MSMEs and the Workforce with AI
As AI continues to reshape the way we work and do business, Hapinoy is helping Filipinos turn AI from a buzzword into a practical tool for growth.
Through its partnership with AVPN, the AI Can Work and AI Can Do It programs, Hapinoy is equipping MSMEs, employees, and jobseekers with practical knowledge on AI and responsible AI use. The programs focus on real-world applications that help participants improve efficiency, productivity, and personal and professional development.
To date, more than 11,000 sari-sari store owners and 6,000 employees have graduated from the programs. Hapinoy has also partnered with various institutions and government agencies to help advance AI literacy across the country.
The future of work is AI-ready. Let's build it together.
Partner with Hapinoy and help equip more businesses and people with the knowledge and skills to use AI responsibly and meaningfully.
