Social enterprise group gets a pie of $27-M Google funding

Social enterprise group dedicated to supporting Filipino sari-sari store owners, Hapinoy, has been chosen to get a share of the $27 million provided by Google.org AI Opportunity Fund: Asia-Pacific.

Google.org, in partnership with ecosystem builder AVPN and supported by the Asian Development Bank, provided $27 million to support 49 organizations across 15 countries, to train over 720,000 workers and 100,000 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).


The project also aims to expand access to artificial intelligence (AI) training and tools for underserved communities throughout the Asia-Pacific region, emphasizing inclusive digital skilling and AI literacy to ensure no one is left behind in the region’s rapidly transforming economy.

Hapinoy's mission perfectly aligns with this goal, as since its inception, the organization has empowered thousands of women microentrepreneurs to successfully run and grow their sari-sari stores by providing access to upskilling, robust supply chain networks, crucial financing, and essential digital tools.

Through the AI Opportunity Fund, Hapinoy is set to introduce practical AI-based training and tools designed to help microentrepreneurs improve store operations, manage finances more effectively, and unlock new growth opportunities.

"Through AVPN’s AI Opportunity Fund, we aim to empower sari-sari store owners with practical AI tools that can transform their microbusinesses and uplift their families, bridging these women microentrepreneurs into the era of Artificial Intelligence," Hapinoy said in a statement on Wednesday.

Hapinoy was founded in 2007 by Mark Ruiz, a graduate of Ateneo de Manila University, and a former executive at a consumer goods company. It was co-founded by Senatorial frontrunner Bam Aquino.

"Hapinoy’s approach will combine 'High-Tech' with 'High-Touch'—the warmth of face-to-face community training with the scalability of digital platforms, making AI accessible and genuinely useful for daily sari-sari store operations. By helping microentrepreneurs embrace AI for store operations, financial management, and business growth, we're not just helping these stores level up – we're also impacting the communities they serve across the Philippines," the company further stated in their statement.

Sanjay Gupta, President, Google Asia Pacific, stated in a blog post, “A shift towards an AI-powered economy needs to be fair and inclusive, ensuring all workers have the necessary knowledge and tools to participate. Through the Google.org AI Opportunity Fund: Asia-Pacific and our ongoing collaborations, we're committed to making sure everyone can benefit from the potential of AI.”

Moreover, it is said that the effort builds on Google.org’s broader commitment to help communities thrive in the AI era.

By supporting mission-driven partners like Hapinoy, the AI Opportunity Fund is creating a more inclusive digital economy—one where every entrepreneur, regardless of background or location, has a chance to succeed.