Why We Built Gotchu: A New Standard for Filipino Services
How five childhood friends are building a trust-driven marketplace to transform the way Filipinos work and book services.
Finding reliable help shouldn’t feel like a gamble. For many Filipinos, the "old way" of booking services—scrolling through endless social media groups, dealing with "ghosting," and haggling over prices—is simply broken. We knew there had to be a better way.
From Childhood Friends to a Shared Mission
Gotchu started with a simple conversation between five childhood friends: Dhanco, Tristan, Gab, John Marlou, and Jett. Growing up together, we saw firsthand how hard-working Filipinos struggled with the lack of trust in the local service industry. We saw providers who didn't get paid for their labor and customers left with unfinished jobs.
We decided to combine our skills to build something better: Gotchu, a marketplace built under the umbrella of Goodwill Innovations Inc.
A Marketplace Built on Trust
Our philosophy is centered on the idea that trust is earned through transparency. We are moving toward a marketplace-based ecosystem where you are in control. We don't believe in "hidden" middle-man tactics. Instead, we’ve built a platform where Service Providers (SPs) set their own prices—because you know the value of your work better than anyone else—and users see exactly what they are getting.
The Gotchu Standard
To make this vision a reality, we’ve implemented a new standard for every booking:
- Double-Layer Verification: Every professional goes through a rigorous vetting process, including digital identity checks and our internal review of essential business and legal documents.
- Secure Payments: Our system safely holds funds until the job is completed to the required standard, ensuring providers are guaranteed their payout while protecting users.
- No Hidden Costs: By standardizing how "extras" are priced, we ensure the price you see at the start is the price you pay at the end.
By Filipinos, For Filipinos
At the end of the day, Gotchu is more than just an app—it’s our commitment to helping our community thrive. We are building the infrastructure that the Philippine service economy deserves: one that is safe, professional, and fair for everyone.