Converge ICT Solutions Inc., the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and TikTok Shop launched SellerPlus, a program for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), online sellers, livestreamers and home-based entrepreneurs seeking to expand through e-commerce.
The initiative combines Converge's 200-megabits-per-second fiber internet service with TikTok Shop benefits and personal accident insurance from AXA.
Converge said the package is designed to address operational problems encountered by digital merchants, particularly connectivity issues that can disrupt livestream selling and other online transactions.
From views to sales
Converge SME Group vice president and head of SME marketing Angela Gutierrez said SellerPlus gives entrepreneurs access to tools that can help them expand their digital businesses.
“The Seller Plus bundle serves as practical execution channels for the AI and Scale-Up Center. SellerPlus equips online sellers, livestreamers, and home-based businesses with high-speed connectivity, growth tools via TikTok Shop and Personal Accident Insurance via AXA,” Gutierrez said.
The company said reliable connectivity is particularly important for livestreamers and content creators, whose businesses depend on uninterrupted video and their ability to interact with customers in real time.
Combining connectivity with TikTok Shop's e-commerce tools is intended to help sellers widen their audience and convert online engagement into transactions.
The program is targeting businesses in traditional sectors such as food, fashion and apparel that are seeking to increase their digital presence and adapt to changing consumer buying habits.
AI tools
SellerPlus will also serve as an implementation channel for the DTI Bagong Pilipinas AI and Scale-Up Center at the agency's head office in Makati City.
Converge provides connectivity for the center's physical and virtual operations, allowing businesses to test and learn about artificial intelligence applications such as content-generation platforms, customer service bots and inventory management software.
The center also provides free co-working stations, meeting pods, pitching areas, accelerator training rooms and digital skills workshops intended to help entrepreneurs adopt technology and lower operating costs.
Converge senior vice president and head of the SME Group Dindo Marzan said high-speed, low-latency connectivity allows the center to demonstrate AI applications in real time without network disruptions.
“Converge’s high-speed, low-latency connectivity serves as the core digital backbone for the DTI AI Scale-Up Center's physical and virtual operations. High bandwidth ensures smooth, real-time live demonstrations of AI platforms—such as dynamic content generators, customer service bots, and inventory software—ensuring training programs run without network disruptions,” Marzan said.
Lowering barriers
Marzan said collaboration among government, technology companies, industry experts and content creators could help accelerate e-commerce adoption among smaller businesses.
“Converge sees this collaborative effort—combining government leadership, major video and commerce platforms, personal coverage, key industry experts, and creators—as a vital growth engine,” he said.
“By bundling reliable fiber connectivity with commercial tools, personal insurance, and expert mentorship inside BizFriend PH, the initiative reduces barriers to entry and accelerates e-commerce adoption across the country.”
SellerPlus also incorporates the BizPro Rockstar Mentorship Program through BizFriend PH, a Facebook community where merchants can exchange experiences and receive business guidance.
Business mentoring
The mentoring component covers areas including partnership law, product and digital marketing, tax compliance, business communication and business growth.
Its roster of mentors includes lawyer Anselmo, whose full name was not provided in the press material, for partnership law; Marzan for product and digital marketing; George Aurelio for tax compliance; James Deakin for business communication; and Mommy Negosyo for business growth.
Converge, DTI and TikTok Shop said the broader ecosystem is intended to give entrepreneurs more than an online sales channel by combining the infrastructure, commercial tools, protection and business knowledge needed to build and expand digital operations.
The initiative comes as social media platforms increasingly blur the line between content discovery and online shopping, giving smaller merchants another route to reach consumers without relying solely on traditional stores or standalone e-commerce sites. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
