Fernando Ramos is the co-founder and CEO of On Demand Deals (ODD), a social commerce company transforming any unused space into a quick business with cloud convenience stores that deliver in minutes. Before ODD, he was Central Merchant Analytics Manager at Grab Philippines.

👋🏼 How would you explain your job to someone outside tech?

I lead the company in managing all external relations across our various stakeholders, including investors, franchisees, consumers, and brands.

🧐 What's something about you or your job that would surprise us?

The ODD family is home to a very powerful group of interns who fulfill their day-to-day responsibilities like full-time employees. They are an integral part of what we do, and we're very proud of how professional and proactive everyone is at work.

🏆 What has been the biggest highlight of your career so far?

My biggest highlight would be how I formed ODD's founding team with Gabriel De Los Reyes (COO) and Adarsh Kumar (CTO). I'm really proud of how we all work together, complement each other's strengths, and cover for each other's weaknesses. I'm confident to say that we're a band of brothers in this ODD journey, and I think this culture has trickled down throughout the ODD family.

🔍 What's a startup trend or space you're watching this year?‍

Social commerce is definitely an interesting space to watch, given Southeast Asia's community-based culture, strong franchising environment, and widespread social media penetration.

💼 What advice would you give someone starting out in your industry?

It would be best to work in a startup before starting your own. Working at startups allows you to learn what it takes to go from 0-1 and 1-100 firsthand. This will empower you with the knowledge and experience necessary when starting and growing your own venture.

🗣 What's one thing you can keep talking about for hours?

How ODD can transform anyone's unused space into a quick business with our cloud convenience stores that deliver to customers in minutes.

🎥 What's your favorite movie/TV show?

Movie - 2001: A Space Odyssey, TV Show - Succession

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🍨 What's your go-to ice cream flavor?‍

Hershey's Cookies and Cream