Challenges of Young Entrepreneurs in PH
Challenges of Young Entrepreneurs in PH
A Research Proposal
Presented to the
School Research Council of
SINALHAN INTEGRATED HIGH SCHOOL
In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Course
Practical Research 1
By
ALMODOVAR KRISTOFFER A
BABASANTA TRISHA MAE V.
BARRERA NOLI F.
OLID ALDRICH C.
SAMSON MAYBELYN B.
FEBUARY 2025
SINALHAN INTEGRATED HIGH SCHOOL
SINALHAN SOCIETY OF EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT 2
RESEARCHERS
CHAPTER 1
THE PROBLEM AND IT’S BACKGROUND
INTRODUCTION
nations experiencing high joblessness among young people. In South Africa, for
instance, the national unemployment rate rose from 42.6% to 43.2%, reaching a record
high in early 2021. The situation is even more alarming for young people under 24, as
youth unemployment under the expanded definition soared to 74.7%, meaning only one
in four school leavers is employed. This issue is not unique to South Africa; many
developing economies face a strong link between slow economic growth and high youth
unemployment, which in turn impacts the broader labor market. With a large portion of
young people unable to secure jobs, fostering entrepreneurial skills becomes essential.
critical role in shaping their economic future and influencing overall development.
In the Philippines, millennials, often recognized as the first digitally native generation,
have grown up between rapid technological advancements that shape their daily lives.
This unique upbringing has instilled in them a strong inclination towards innovation,
In addition in the Philippines, many children face poverty. A lot of them are unable to
attend in school and instead choose to work at the young age. Many people oppose this
but children have no choice if they don’t work hard, they won’t be able to survive each
day due to their difficult living condition. However, their hard work is admirable because,
at a young age, the have already developed an understanding of business. Now, they
are able to help their families by selling goods, even though they are still just children or
they are still young. Young entrepreneurship is a relevant issue today, as more young
individuals are starting their own businesses. With technology and social media
core subjects in the junior and senior high school curriculum of the K-12 program,
amending for the purpose republic act no. 10679, otherwise known as the “youth
in fostering economic growth and development has been recognized by the Philippines
10679, or "An Act Promoting Entrepreneurship and Financial Education Among Filipino
programs and services that support the development of their entrepreneurial skills and
mindset. The law declares a policy of the State the promotion of "the sustained
development of young Filipinos whose aptitude and skill in the field of finance and
training programs.
According to Tuffile 2015, Bentley
SINALHAN University
INTEGRATED HIGH Director of Entrepreneurial
SCHOOL
Studies, millennials
SINALHAN are realizing
SOCIETY that starting a company, even
OF EFFECTIVE ANDif it EFFICIENT
crashes and burns, 4
teaches RESEARCHERS
them more in two years rather than sitting in a cubicle for 20 years. They believe,
however, that innovation plays more of a role than simply adding to a company’s bottom
line. In its
Third Annual Millenials Study, Deloitte held 80 percent of millennials view business
innovation as positively impacting society and providing a launch pad for new ideas.
Perhaps, driven by the need for purpose and meaning in their careers,
millennials entrepreneurs tend to see the world through a very different lens than the
generation before [Link] of the youth who could have opted to start an enterprise.
The researchers conduct the study because, it is driven by growing concern that
unemployment among youth is becoming one of the critical challenges for countries all
over the world, with the Philippines in particular. Where the majority of young people
could not find steady work, finding other alternatives in empowering the youth to create
entrepreneurship, which offers a pathway for young people to not only generate income
but also contribute to the economic development of their communities and the nation.
The Philippines, with its youthful population—almost 70% of Filipinos are under the age
this reality, many of the young generations are still battling problems in opening and
running their own businesses. This study is practical experience of Filipino youth
entrepreneurs regarding what they go through, see, and perceive about the obstacles,
opportunities, and factors of success or failure. Doing this, the research will provide
crucial information that could inform
SINALHAN policies,
INTEGRATED supportSCHOOL
HIGH systems, and programs
intended SINALHAN
to foster young SOCIETY
entrepreneurship. The research also
OF EFFECTIVE ANDagree with an on-going
EFFICIENT 5
RESEARCHERS
discourse in the society that education must play a greater role in helping entrepreneurs
like the Youth Entrepreneurship Act are underway, much more systematic, accessible,
wanting.
The aim of this study is to understand the experiences of young entrepreneurs in the
Philippines, focusing on the challenges, opportunities, and factors that affect their
success or failure in starting a business. The research seeks to provide valuable insights
poverty, and economic development in the country. Specifically, the objectives of this
study are: Identify the challenges faced by young entrepreneurs: To explore the
difficulties and obstacles that young people encounter when starting and running their
young entrepreneurs have to grow their businesses, including the use of technology,
social media, and available resources. Analyze the factors that contribute to the success
or failure of youth-led [Link] investigate the key factors that influence the
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
their personal and school expenses without the help of their parents.
This study connects with our research because,Caliat's 2024 theory posits that
financial independence, allowing them to support both personal and school expenses
entrepreneurial activities such as starting small businesses can develop key skills like
world experience. This theory suggests that engaging in entrepreneurship can help
entrepreneurship, students not only meet their immediate financial needs but also
acquire the necessary skills to navigate and overcome the common hurdles faced by
young entrepreneurs.
SINALHAN INTEGRATED HIGH SCHOOL
Fong et al theory 2020SOCIETY
SINALHAN All inexperienced entrepreneurs will
OF EFFECTIVE AND face various difficulties in
EFFICIENT 7
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starting their businesses and challenges in management (Fong et al., 2020), especially
especially student entrepreneurs, face numerous difficulties when starting and managing
their businesses.
While this second study covers a lot of difficulties in young entrepreneurs, these
lack of financial resources, which can hinder their ability to make informed decisions and
in time management issues and increased stress. Other common obstacles include
building a customer base, managing cash flow, and scaling the business. Despite these
challenges,this theory is also argue that such experiences offer valuable learning
and the delicate balancing act of studies and running a business (Kabonga &
Zvokuomba, 2021).
Identify several key challenges that interfere with student entrepreneurs' ability to
successfully run their businesses. These challenges include a lack of capital, which
limits the ability to invest in and scale their venturs, as well as bureaucratic impediments
that may arise due to complex
SINALHAN regulatory
INTEGRATED requirements
HIGH SCHOOL and
managing academic responsibilities while running a business, which can lead to time
management difficulties, stress, and a reduced focus on either their studies or their
business. These challenges can hinder the growth and sustainability of student-led
enterprises, yet they also provide opportunities for students to develop crucial skills,
such
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEU
MEDIA RAL SKILLS
FLATFORM DEVELOPED
USED
MA ANONG
ULAM ?:
CHALLENGES
OF YOUNG
ENTREPRENEUR
S
ENTREPRENEU REFLECTION/
RAL ESSENSE OF
STRATEGIES THE
LEARNED PHENOMENO
N
Figure 1 Research Paradigm
difficulties, and young entrepreneurs' strategies in running their businesses. It does not
concern itself with figures but rather learns about personal points of view, decision-
making, and how young entrepreneurs
SINALHAN cope with
INTEGRATED HIGH challenges
SCHOOL on the path to
success. Young
SINALHAN SOCIETY OF EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT 9
knowledge and skills of business, competition in the market, legal and administrative
accessing startup capital, identifying sources of funding, and covering daily operations.
Limited business skills and knowledge influence decision-making, risk management, and
taxation, and legal mandates, can hamper business development. Moreover, juggling
academic, personal, and business obligations tends to cause stress and burnout. In
order to investigate these challenges, this research will employ qualitative research
techniques including interviews, focus group discussions, and case studies. Through the
Central questions:
1. What are the key critical success factors for young entrepreneurs?
Corrolary question:
focusing on young entrepreneurs under 30 who have started or are currently managing a
business in Santa Rosa City, Philippines. It will not consider entrepreneurs from other
regions or countries. The research will examine common challenges faced by young
entrepreneurs, without delving into specific business sectors, financial data, or long-term
sustainability. The study will focus on the entrepreneurial journey, including the
challenges and strategies young entrepreneurs use to overcome them. Furthermore, the
be only within
a year, with findings based on data collected within this time frame. While the research
Philippines, The results may not fully represent the experiences of all young
businesses.
SINALHAN INTEGRATED HIGH SCHOOL
To Young Entrepreneurs:
SINALHAN This research
SOCIETY will help them to AND
OF EFFECTIVE identifyEFFICIENT
common difficulties 1
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such as Limited budget, limited business experience,
To Policymakers and Government Agencies: The results of this study can serve
as a basis for creating more supportive policies, funding programs, dedicated support
can use the insights to design placement that encourage a more beneficial business
environment.
of the challenges that young entrepreneurs face from difficulties in business and this
organizations.
challenges. Future researchers can research this study to explore more solutions and
DEFINITION OF TERMS
who are actively seeking but unable to secure employment (International Labour
Organization). Operationally,
SINALHAN it pertains to the HIGH
INTEGRATED financialSCHOOL
challenges faced by
and manage business ventures (OECD). Operationally, it pertains to ABM students and
recent graduates who engage in entrepreneurial activities to address financial needs and
career development.
4. Millennials – Conceptually, millennials are individuals born between 1981 and 1996,
Center).
to
small businesses owned and operated
SINALHAN by young
INTEGRATED entrepreneurs,
HIGH SCHOOL often requiring
financial literacy
SINALHANfor sustainability.
SOCIETY OF EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT 1
RESEARCHERS
7. Financial Literacy – Conceptually, it is the ability to understand and apply financial
ability of ABM students in managing both academic and personal financial needs.
law that promotes entrepreneurship by integrating financial and business education into
goods and services over time, measured by GDP growth (World Bank). Operationally, it
12. Digital Technology – Conceptually, it includes electronic tools and systems such as
social media, e-commerce platforms, and online marketing that facilitate business
operations (TechTarget).
SINALHAN Operationally,
INTEGRATED HIGH itSCHOOL
refers to the use of
digital platforms
SINALHANby young entrepreneurs
SOCIETY OF to promote and AND
EFFECTIVE manage their businesses
EFFICIENT 1
efficiently. RESEARCHERS
Organization).
Operationally, it refers to the role of young entrepreneurs in providing jobs within their
CHAPTER 2
help young entrepreneurs prepare themselves. This is part of the researcher's study in
(2022) This study investigates the family support phenomenon among young
entrepreneurs and examines cultures with strong family ties. It looks at how financial and
researcher aims to see if [Santa Rosa] entrepreneurs are given similar support and its
particularly among students in [Santa Rosa]. The research also investigates how
business
the impact of external factors, including family support, peer influence, and economic
aims to provide deeper insights into the entrepreneurial journey of business students
Government Perspective in
SINALHAN South Africa"
SOCIETY OF A study by NdebeleAND
EFFECTIVE et al. (2022) examines the
EFFICIENT 1
RESEARCHERS
role of local governments in supporting youth entrepreneurship in South Africa. It
highlights the importance of government programs in fostering business growth but also
personnel that hinder effective policy implementation. This study draws comparisons
with Santa Rosa City, analyzing whether similar governance issues affect young
youth-led startups. Additionally, the study explores structural and economic barriers that
may prevent aspiring entrepreneurs from fully realizing their business potential.
in India found that factors such as gender, age, parental occupation, and income
0.885, Chi-square, Friedman’s test, and F-test), the research confirms a strong
City. The study emphasizes that financial limitations, lack of experience, and societal
pressures often serve as catalysts for resilience and creativity in business. Young
strategies, the study demonstrates how overcoming challenges not only tests young
entrepreneurs but also drives them toward long-term success, fostering a new
Technological propensity,SOCIETY
SINALHAN financial constraints,
OF EFFECTIVEand entrepreneurial limits in young
AND EFFICIENT 1
RESEARCHERS
entrepreneurs’ social business enterprises: The Tunisian experience. Technological
among young people. According to the report, startups provide aspiring entrepreneurs
access to resources like money, mentorship, and networking opportunities, which can
help them get over the limitations on their access to capital and other resources that
study paper from 2021, titled "Improve in the Bengaluru Startup Biological system?,"
looks at how younger entrepreneurs are portrayed in Bengaluru's startup scene. The
study found that younger business visionaries will typically outperform their more
experienced counterparts due to their stronger capacity for risk-taking, flexibility, and
innovative reasoning. Yet, the focus also includes the challenges faced by younger
Ephrem, A. N., Nguezet, P. M. D., Charmant, I. K., Murimbika, M., Awotide, B. A.,
Tahirou, A., ... & Manyong, V. (2021). Entrepreneurial motivation, psychological capital,
City" This study examines how the COVID-19 pandemic led to a surge in startups by
young entrepreneurs in Legazpi City’s economic hub. It highlights how the crisis created
both challenges and opportunities, pushing business owners to innovate and adapt to
evolving market demands. The research explores major obstacles such as financial
Business Mindedness" (2022) This study investigates the motives for the entrepreneurial
intentions of Filipino Gen Z, whereby 54% pursue business activities to become liberated
from financial constraints and for innovation. The research also looks further into
(2020) The research identifies challenges such as a financial lack, limited access to
technology, and no marketing guidance. The study would then compare these to
[Sinalhan] to show how the locations and resources influence business sustainability.
Likewise, knowing
SINALHAN INTEGRATED HIGH SCHOOL
SINALHAN SOCIETY OF EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT 1
RESEARCHERS
finance and marketing skills coupled with technology support would make
entrepreneurship successful.
“Young Entrepreneurs & the Challenges and Barriers while Scaling Up” This study
explores the success factors and obstacles encountered by entrepreneurs under 35,
entrepreneurs. Limited credit histories and lack of collateral can make it difficult to obtain
loans or attract investors. This financial strain often hampers the ability to launch or
SYNTHESIS
opportunities, etc. Critical among shaping the entrepreneurial journey over these
important elements is the study which explores how these factors relate within culturally-
This study, based on results of Maleki et al. (2022) and Fattal (2024), will examine the
of individuals socialized into such particular contexts. While government policies and
family support create a positive environment for youth entrepreneurship, outside these
inefficient environment for such systems, as discussed in Ndebele et al. (2022) and
Saravanan (2021). These papers emphasize how government support or lack thereof
Through the syntheses of Cueto et al. (2022) and the Generation Z Filipino (2022),
this study will also showcase how entrepreneurship has evolved through the changes
strategies toward newly developed business models that have thrived because of the
coincidence of the global financial crisis with youth entrepreneurs' aspirations. This study
will analyze how such disturbances have affected entrepreneurial decisions and
Delcheva (2021) and Sakthivel (2021) a similar emphasis on the importance of the
educational system to equip youth with skills necessary in overcoming obstacles during
startup stages. Mentorship programs and access to appropriate training will help plug
features that identify external ones. Such psychological attributes, according to Ephrem
et al. (2021), have a motivational impulse or a blockage to success. Resilience does this
through ensuring that the entrepreneur can bounce back after a setback, while
confidence makes it possible for the entrepreneur to decide and take risk. It creates
scope for considering the personality traits that facilitate or hinder success in youth
entrepreneurship.
Despite these supportive factors, young entrepreneurs in the Small and Medium
Enterprise (SME) sector face significant challenges. Inadequate capital remains one of
the most common barriers. Limited credit histories and lack of collateral make it difficult
to secure loans or attract investors, hindering the ability to launch or expand businesses.
This financial constraint is a consistent challenge for young entrepreneurs trying to scale
theirventures.
Although more entrepreneurial programs are now available, there are still gaps in
equipping young people with the hands-on information and skills to deal with business
complexities. Inadequate education results in a high failure rate in the initial phases of
business development.
complex licensing procedures, and high taxes making it difficult for young businesses to
thrive. Many young entrepreneurs struggle with these regulatory barriers, which can
A study on the challenges and barriers faced by entrepreneurs under 35 highlights the
need for mentorship, networking, and skill development to facilitate scaling efforts.
Access to supportive networks and resources plays a key role in helping entrepreneurs
CHAPTER 3
METHODOLOGY
Research Design This study takes a qualitative research approach, which means
we’re focusing on real stories and experiences rather than just numbers and statistics.
diving deep into people’s thoughts, emotions, and motivations. Instead of just looking at
what drives them, what challenges they face, and what lessons they’ve learned along
the way. This method allows us to paint a clearer picture of their journey and provide
insights that might help others who are considering starting their own businesses.
RESEARCH DESIGN
This study employs the qualitative research design whereby real stories and
experiences are examined rather than numbers and statistics. Creswell (2014:4)
hearing first-hand from young entrepreneurs what motivates them, what their challenges
are, and what they learned. Qualitative research is an invaluable tool that enables the
painting of a more complete picture concerning the entrepreneurs and provides insight
RESEARCH LOCALE
The research will take place in [insert specific location], a place known for many young
people engaged in entrepreneurship. This sampling locale has a good mix of small
businesses, startups, and youth innovation, making it prime for the research of young
entrepreneurial realities. Because of that, it aligns well with the objectives of the study,
making it easier for the research findings to bear meaning and insight, according to Yin
shall be assessed in the area in order to understand their hold on most successes and
struggles of young entrepreneurs. Moreover, this place was selected due to its easy
The research study will concentrate on the youth entrepreneurs aged between 18
and 30 years who have been running their businesses for at least six months. Through
purposive sampling, the study will identify those participants that seem most relevant.
selected on the basis of specific characteristics suitable to the rest of the research
(Patton, 2002). This technique guarantees that the participants would have an
experience on entrepreneurship and would, therefore, have rich and meaningful data.
studies", according to Etikan, Musa, and Alkassim (2016), "it is used for a study when
the aim is to get comprehensive information from people with a certain skill or
involvement, the data collected by the study would be highly relevant to the objectives of
the study.
SINALHAN INTEGRATED HIGH SCHOOL
SINALHAN SOCIETY OF EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT 2
will be our primary data collection method. This means that we will have some main
questions in mind to guide the conversation, while at the same time allowing the
participants to speak freely on topics related to their own experiences and thoughts. As
discussions where small groups of young entrepreneurs come together to talk about
their experiences, offer advice, and discuss common challenges they face. Here, such
discourse can really lead to brand-new perspectives which, quite often, won't come up in
their everyday business settings, which can help us understand the way they run their
DATA ANALYSIS
After performing interviews and discussions, all the analyses will be developed on the
basis of thematic analysis, a method described by Braun and Clarke (2006). That is, we
will be looking for recurrent patterns or themes in what the interviewees say—about
financial issues, marketing challenges, or rewards of being one's own boss. The analysis
of data in this way will show the main challenges that young entrepreneurs face and the
ETHICAL CONSEDIRATION
Since we’re working with real people and their personal experiences, it’s important
that we handle everything with care and integrity. Before conducting interviews, we will
ask for informedSINALHAN
consent, ensuring that participants
INTEGRATED HIGHfully understand
SCHOOL the
agree to share their experiences voluntarily. Their identities will remain anonymous; all
information they provide will be treated with confidentiality thereafter. We will also make
sure that participants are always comfortable during the whole research process and
that they can withdraw from the interview or not answer any questions if they so decide.
SINALHAN INTEGRATED HIGH SCHOOL
SINALHAN SOCIETY OF EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT 2
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