CEO Profiles: Steve Sy
Frequently Asked Questions
Steve Sy is the founder and CEO of Great Deals E-Commerce Corporation, a Philippines-based company that manages e-commerce operations for brand partners across major online platforms. Great Deals was ranked by the Financial Times as the fastest-growing company in Asia-Pacific in 2022.
Steve Sy bootstrapped Great Deals entirely without external funding, growing the business from a wholesale cellphone accessories operation while carrying tens of millions of pesos in personal debt. He scaled the company by identifying early opportunities in Philippine e-commerce platforms and leveraging data-driven strategies to serve brand partners.
Steve Sy has received several recognitions, including the Ernst & Young Technology Entrepreneur of the Year (Philippines) in 2022, the CEO Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence at The Business Manual CEO Awards in 2023, and the Mansmith Innovation Award.
Steve Sy positions Great Deals as a data-driven e-commerce enabler, using analytics dashboards to help brand partners make informed decisions and grow their presence on online platforms. His model centers on equipping sellers with operational infrastructure and performance insights rather than managing listings.
Steve Sy's trajectory from Divisoria-influenced beginnings to leading one of the Philippines' top e-commerce firms illustrates how bootstrapped businesses can scale without institutional capital. He attributes his resilience to early exposure to entrepreneurship, continuous learning within the e-commerce space, and the discipline of seeking mentorship throughout his career.
