Why MSMEs and Go Negosyo are special at SM

On a blustery late July Saturday morning, the Go Negosyo MSME Summit was held at the Music Hall at SM Mall of Asia.

- PHILIP CU UNJIENG

Go Negosyo Founder Joey Concepcion was extremely grateful that despite the inclement weather, so many had arrived early to produce an excellent turnout.

If there was one person who showed up that came as something of a surprise to me, it would be SMIC Vice Chairperson Tessie Sy-Coson; physically present to lend her support to the endeavor. She wasn’t there to speak, or to award the winners of the Most Inspiring MSME 2025 — but she took a seat in the front row, warmly congratulated Joey on the event, and chatted with the other speakers and guests, before quietly departing.

In my mind, her attendance was indicative of the strong support and commitment the SM Group extends to Philippine MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises) and to Go Negosyo. SM Supermalls has a long history of being an incubator, of encouraging startup’s and budding entrepreneurs to “test the water” at their Malls, and to take advantage of the foot traffic. It’s a compelling proposition, and several of the established brands we now patronize will readily trace their business history with SM anecdotes. The same holds true for SM Retail’s Kultura, and how it champions Filipino-made SKU’s. With a Kultura in practically every SM Supermall, a good number of thriving MSME’s will consider being an accredited Kultura supplier as a vital business “lifeline.”