what it means for the future of AI startups in the Philippines.
What if handwritten sales logs could power AI-driven business decisions?
That’s exactly what we unpacked in my podcast episode with JR Despi—a Computer Science graduate, Latin honor awardee, and now startup founder. We dove deep into one of his ventures, SalaysAI, and what it means for the future of AI startups in the Philippines.
The Problem: MSMEs and the Missing Data
In partnership with BPI and Eskwelabs, JR and his team set out to build financial tools that could empower small businesses. But right away, they hit a wall—MSMEs had no data infrastructure.
No spreadsheets. No analytics dashboards. Just notebooks with daily handwritten logs. And yet, this was the goldmine.
Instead of giving up, JR’s team flipped the challenge into a new direction: if MSMEs already write kwento every day, why not turn those kwento into kwenta?
The Process: Journaling Meets AI
SalaysAI is built around this concept. Business owners write daily stories about their sales, customer behavior, or random observations. Then their AI reads between the lines.
Let’s say a vendor writes, “Sold out pancit by 8 a.m. because I opened earlier.”
The AI flags that. Then recommends: “Try opening at 7 a.m. consistently—you get more foot traffic.”
The idea is simple: use natural language, not technical reports. Let people talk the way they normally do—and let AI do the heavy lifting.
The Result: Insight, Not Just Information
SalaysAI doesn’t just collect data—it gives back insight. It tells owners when sales peak, what items need restocking, and even suggests when to open shop.
This is what excites me about AI startups in the Philippines. They’re not just building for scale. They’re building for relevance—tools rooted in the everyday reality of Filipinos.
If you care about MSME growth, inclusive innovation, or tech that meets people where they are—this episode is worth a listen.
🎧 Stream the full conversation on Tech Tribe Podcast.
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