Shad Roi de la Cruz at GSY and GES in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Shad Roi in Google Glass at GSY and GES in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Shad Roi de la Cruz, a fourth year BS Computer Science student, attended the Global Startup Youth and Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last October 8 -11, 2013.  

Over 1,000 youth from more than 100 countries had applied for a spot at this landmark event. Out of this pool of talented youth, Shad was one of the luckiest applicants to be chosen as part of the 250 participants from approximately 90 countries who were carefully selected by a panel of global judges. The international youth will be joined by another 250 youth from Malaysia.

Conceptualized by Dash Dhakshinamoorthy, entrepreneur and Founder of StartupMalaysia.org and organized in collaboration with partners around the world, the Global Startup Youth (GSY) was a 3-day action packed, high intensity, challenging yet fun filled, and ‘get stuff done' boot camp. Using the Lean startup methodology, youth from various countries will form teams to work around the clock to ideate and launch new projects that will hopefully evolve into ventures that are globally sustainable. The GSY harnesses the power of youth, their cultural diversity, their domain expertise and their deep conversations about today's world problems to accelerate them into ventures, ready to be taken to market and scaled.

The officially selected participants were provided with scholarships that cover travel, accommodation and program participation by the Malaysian government. They will also attend the GES after the GSY and meet close to 3,000 entrepreneurs from around the world.

Here’s the YouTube link of the Global Startup youth (GSY) Highlight Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkNhzsfSf2g

 

From L-R: Franz from Bacolod, Shad Roi and Malaysian Wei shun as team mates

  

As Global Startup Youth (GSY) Delegate, Shad Roi will share to us his exciting experiences and insights about the event.

How were you able to join the event?

I applied, Sir. It was a rough one... over 1000+ youth around the world competed for 250 slots.

Can you describe to me how you were able to join in this elite group of participants?

Well, it was an honor to be a part of this prestigious event. I actually received an email from one of the Google Developers Group Managers regarding this event. And it was like another opportunity for me to explore new places and learn a lot more about cultures and new things. But I saw that its global and I was really excited yet scared not to be accepted.

So, at first I was really hesitant to join because of that reason and my academic performance especially having my thesis right now and the event was during the exam week. But my mom convinced me to finish the application and I did and passed it like in the last hour.

The application required you to answer 10 problems pertaining to the common problems in our society specifically on education, environment, health and women empowerment. Some specific questions also depend on what field you chose. The four fields you can apply on were Coder, Hustler or Negotiator, Domain Expert and Youth Leader. I chose to apply as a Youth Leader after all that's what I know best for me. But then I found out that there was like a thousand applicant for that slot.

The results were scheduled to be released on the week of September from 14-17 and turned out that the results were extended until September 24. I was pending the whole time and the agony of waiting was after all worth it. The funny part was on that day, I received an email that I was denied twice. So, I told myself that maybe it was not for me after all... but after that night I received 3 more emails telling me I was accepted.. it was like, "whaat?" But I thank God for this opportunity that was given to me. It is unbelievably awesome how great God is [in what he is] doing in my life as a student and a youth leader of our today's generation.

The event has over 500+ youth from all over the world and we were gathered in KL, Malaysia for 7 days. Three intensive days for startup to create a platform to support and develop to change some of the real world problems and we have minor events where we learn all things about entrepreneurship, public speaking, business models, app development and a lot more.

What benefit will you and UNO-R get from your participation in this event?

I represent the UNO-R, the city and country to the world where future leaders of our global economy are being born.  Knowing that the youth has the ideas and capacity to change the world, knowing that I am a UNO-Rian makes me feel so proud that wherever I go I bring the banner of my University and my country with me.  I was really blessed to be able to participate in this event to share more about what I can do in our society. Also I feel so lucky to meet the former Prime Minister of Malaysia Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad who was the longest prime minister of Malaysia for 40 years and the one who established the country as one of the prime iconic destinations in South East Asia especially the Petronas Towers.

After the GSY Summit, what are your plans to concretize your valuable learnings and experiences from the said event?

Well, I want to startup a business (but that's gonna be secret for now… hehe) and also I want to share what I learned there and as a GSA.  I will still promote Google's Apps for Education to help students know more about technology that it is not about having a learning outcome but instead use it as a tool to raise awareness, innovate communication, find answers to their questions, create global partnerships, change minds, making a difference, taking actions, and drive change to the world.

Will there be another GSY Summit event next year?

I'm not really sure about GSY next year, Sir. But there's a Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Morocco which is the main event of GSY.

GSY was a sponsored event of Malaysia since they were chosen for this year's GES.

Your final and inspiring message for the UNO-R students...

For all UNO-Rians, never underestimate the power of an idea.  When you have ideas, get a paper and a pen, and write it down. When you think you can change the world with that idea… well, you just did. Don’t settle for less, think beyond the borders, take risks and dream BIG. Think like you can make a difference and drive people to be empowered and start change. Always remember we have the power to make every possibility into a reality.

God bless UNO-Rians!

 

 

Former Prime Minister of Malaysia Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad and Shad Roi

More Information about Global Startup Youth (GSY)

Conceptualized by Dash Dhakshinamoorthy, entrepreneur and Founder of StartupMalaysia.org and organized in collaboration with partners around the world, the Global Startup Youth (GSY) was a 3-day action packed, high intensity, challenging yet fun filled, and ‘get stuff done' boot camp. Using the Lean startup methodology, youth from various countries will form teams to work around the clock to ideate and launch new projects that will hopefully evolve into ventures that are globally sustainable. The GSY harnesses the power of youth, their cultural diversity, their domain expertise and their deep conversations about today's world problems to accelerate them into ventures, ready to be taken to market and scaled.

Global experts in innovation, designers, startup leaders and leading grassroot entrepreneurship players will join as global mentors to help youth build apps and solutions to real world problems in the areas of Health, Education, Environment and Women’s Empowerment. The winning ventures will showcase their prototype to world leaders.

Designed by StartupMalaysia with deep insights from her international partners, GSY aims to catalyze the next generation of high-growth ventures. StartupMalaysia is working with the support of partners like the US State Department, YouNoodle Inc., UPGlobal, Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd, Global Entrepreneurship Week, Startup Nations and the Ministry of Finance, Malaysia to realize the vision of the GSY and to reach out to the startup youth and next-gen innovator community from around the world.

The GSY will also bring together 30 leaders from Startup communities around the world through the Startup Nations Meet and 30 international grassroot Startup leaders through the UPGlobal Facilitators’ Meet. This ‘one-stop’ meeting of the various stakeholders involved in the global Startup ecosystem will be unprecedented and the inaugural GSY is set to be a new model for building cross-border collaborations amongst youth.

The GSY is a side event of the upcoming 4th Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) (www.geskualalumpur2013.org) both of which will take place in October 2013. President Obama of the United States is currently scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the GES. The GSY offers its participants an incredible opportunity to network and build deep connections not only with youth around the world but other entrepreneurs, startup mentors and youth leaders.

Source: GSY Media Brief – 17 September 2013

PHOTO CREDITS: Shad Roi de la Cruz