#raidthefridge: The Competitiveness Index 2014

​What makes a city competitive? Is it just the people, money, and know-how: significant elements of a thriving innovation ecosystem?

Or are there other factors at play and understanding them might increase the chances of a startup's survival?

Find out the answers on Thursday, 23 October when we re-stock our most valuable asset in Kickstart - the fridge!

Grab a drink or two and listen to our resource speaker Guillermo "Bill" Luz, Private Sector Co-Chairman of the National Competitiveness Council, as he de-codes the "The Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index 2014," a study they undertook measuring the competitiveness of 136 cities and 399 municipalities based on:

(i) ECONOMIC DYNAMISM = measured by business registrations, capital, revenues, and occupancy permits; capacity to generate employment; cost of living; cost of doing business; financial deepening; productivity; and presence of business and professional organisations;

(ii) GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY = based on data on transparency scores; economic governance scores; local taxes and revenues; local competition-related awards; investment promotion; business registration efficiency; compliance to national directives; security, health, and education; and

(iii) INFRASTRUCTURE = based on data on existing road network; distance from city to major ports; DOT-accredited accommodations; education and health facilities; basic utilities, IT connection; ATMs; and public transport.

​So come over, listen, learn, and participate. And as always, make friends, swap stories, and have a drink with us!

BONUS PRESENTATION: Meet Kickstart's #19!

See you,
The Kickstart Team
​

(**) Bill ​Luz​ ​is ​the Private Sector Co-Chairman of the National Competitiveness Council, a public-private sector body which develops strategy for the long-term competitiveness of the Philippines through policy reforms, project implementation, institution-building, and performance monitoring.

He is Associate Director of Ayala Corporation, the holding company of one of the oldest and largest business groups in the Philippines, with business activities in real estate development, banking and financial services, telecommunications, water infrastructure development and management, automotive dealership and distribution, business process outsourcing, electronics manufacturing solutions, and new investments in power, renewable energy and infrastructure.

He was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Ayala Foundation from December 2006 to May 2011, a foundation which manages projects in education, environment, entrepreneurship, arts and culture, and community development. He also served as Director of Ayala Museum from January 2010 to May 2011

He was Executive Director of the Makati Business Club, a leading business organization and think tank, from 1987 to 2006 and served on its staff since 1983.