Visiting entrepreneurs
Ariestelo Asilo
Varacco and ThinnkFarm, CEO and Founder (Philippines)
Ariestelo is the CEO and Founder of Varacco, a company that specialises in selling coffee and pioneers Internet of Things technology for sustainable coffee production.
Ariestelo is a fervent advocate for nutrition entrepreneurship, with a focus on supporting farmers, youths, and indigenous people in the Philippines.
His vision revolves around creating a digitalized agricultural community where farmer scientists and farmer entrepreneurs thrive.
In June 2024, Ariestelo traveled alongside nine other leading Southeast Asian agribusiness entrepreneurs through New Zealand.
Visiting Auckland, Tauranga and Hamilton, the group met with agribusiness leaders in New Zealand to build connections and networks, spoke on panels at conferences and visited Fieldays, the Southern Hemispheres largest agricultural event.
"I was able to set up five meetings for both Filipinos and non-Filipinos after the programme finished with organisations like the ASEAN Agribusiness Council, NZTE, different ministries, CEOs, staff, and friends," he says.
"I've also gained 50+ new friends on LinkedIn as a direct result from this trip. Most importantly, I am able to build closer connections with my fellow YBLIs for life."