For young entrepreneur Ckyr Leonardo of Ckyr Sports Supplies Trading, joining the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Bukidnon’s Kapatid Mentor ME (KMME) Program came at a crucial point in his business journey.

Before entering the program, Leonardo had the determination to succeed but was unsure how to grow his business sustainably. At one point, he even considered closing the business before turning to DTI for guidance.

Through KMME, Leonardo gained insights from DTI business counselors, mentors, and fellow entrepreneurs on business strategy, financial planning, operations, and long-term growth. Supported by PLDT and Smart, the program also introduced participants to digital learning initiatives and practical applications of artificial intelligence.

The mentorship helped Leonardo transform his approach to business, eventually earning him recognition as the top graduate of KMME Batch 18 for having the best Business Improvement Plan and demonstrating significant progress throughout the program.

As one of the program’s top three graduates, Leonardo received an AI-in-a-Box package from PLDT and Smart, which includes a premium ChatGPT subscription, Smart Turbo WiFi device, and Smart Prepaid load cards.

Leonardo said the tools will help strengthen his daily operations, particularly in managing online customers and marketing efforts. He also plans to use ChatGPT for content creation, accounting, document preparation, and product research.

As part of their support for KMME, PLDT and Smart conducted AI learning sessions for mentees, demonstrating practical ways to use AI for marketing materials, social media content, and everyday business processes.

“Technology should empower entrepreneurs as much as possible,” said Judee Chaves, Mindanao Relations Head of PLDT and Smart. “By supporting initiatives like DTI’s KMME mentorship program, we hope to arm MSMEs with the tools and skills to help them grow their businesses and become more competitive in this digital economy.”

This marks the second consecutive year that PLDT and Smart have partnered with DTI Bukidnon to strengthen the digital skills and capabilities of local MSMEs.

The initiative forms part of PLDT and Smart’s Konekted for Livelihood advocacy and AI-in-a-Box program, supporting communities with AI tools, connectivity, and practical skills while advancing UN Sustainable Development Goals 8 and 9.