MindLab Future AIWho it's for
- A Philippine startup or side business launching its first Shopify store.
- You sell physical products and take, or plan to take, GCash, Maya or bank transfer.
- Already selling on Facebook or Instagram, including Facebook Lives? You keep all of it. The store adds to it, it does not replace it.
- You can supply your products, photos and branding, and answer questions within a couple of days.
- You are ready to choose a paid Shopify plan (Basic or above) within 30 days of the store transfer. See the pilot terms.
It is a pilot, so we are taking 25 stores. We will tell you within a few days of applying whether your store is a fit.
What is free, and what is not
| Item | Who pays |
|---|---|
| Store build and setup (up to 10 products, up to 8 hours of build work) | Free, from us |
| Payment instructions and QR code setup | Free, from us |
| Facebook and Instagram connection (catalog sync, Meta pixel, Conversions API) | Free, from us. Shopify's Facebook and Instagram channel is free on all plans. Any Meta ad spend is paid by you to Meta. |
| POPLoad install and setup | Free, from us. Your first 10 receipt uploads are free, then it is $9.99/month (Starter) or $14.99/month (Pro) once the app is listed. |
| Shopify plan | You, directly to Shopify, once you choose a plan. Shopify's own trial offers apply. |
| Domain name, product photos, paid themes or apps | You, if you want them |
Why GCash and bank transfer come first
Most Philippine shoppers pay by GCash, Maya or bank transfer, and Shopify does not read those payments for you. Without a tool, receipts arrive in Messenger and someone has to match each one to an order. POPLoad puts the receipt on the order, checks it for duplicates, edits, AI-generated images and amount mismatches, and lets you approve it in one click. It does not confirm the money arrived, so you still check your bank.
Selling watches, jewelry or bags? VIPriority adds VIP-only collections, reservation fees and QR authenticity certificates. It is optional and in early access.
Keep your Facebook page and your Lives
If you sell mostly on Facebook, you don't have to leave it to have a store. Your page, your Lives and your Messenger chats stay exactly where they are. The store is a place your customers can order from properly, with every order and receipt in one place, instead of in a comment thread.
- We connect the store to Facebook and Instagram with Shopify's free Facebook and Instagram channel, and sync your products to a catalog for Facebook Shop and Instagram Shopping.
- We set up the Meta pixel and Conversions API, so if you run ads later, Meta can see which ones lead to orders.
- We put your store link where your buyers already are: your page, your bio, and a ready-to-paste message for your Lives so buyers can order and upload their receipt through the store.
What this does not include. Meta decides which stores and products can use Facebook Shop and Instagram Shopping, and some features, such as checking out inside Facebook, are not available in every country. We cannot promise approval or in-app checkout. Turning "MINE" comments on a Live into orders automatically is also not part of this offer. Separate apps do that, and we can help you choose one.
How we earn from this
We are a Shopify Partner. When we build and transfer a store, Shopify may pay us a share of that store's subscription fee and a small share of its eligible online sales, for a limited term. It does not add to what you pay Shopify. We tell you this because you should know why a free setup makes sense for us. Starter and Lite plans earn us nothing, and Shopify decides the payout.
Our apps are in Shopify's app review and are not on the Shopify App Store yet. We install them for pilot stores through a private install link. If an app is delayed, your store still works and you keep everything we built.
Pilot terms
- Build time cap. The free setup covers up to 8 hours of build work: up to 10 products, one theme, policy pages, shipping, payment instructions, POPLoad setup, the Facebook and Instagram connection and one round of revisions. Anything beyond that, such as more products, custom design or extra pages, is quoted before we start. You decide whether to go ahead.
- Choose a paid plan within 30 days. Within 30 days of the transfer, choose a Basic, Grow or Advanced plan on Shopify. Shopify's intro offer counts. Starter and Lite do not. If you haven't, we stop free support and may uninstall the apps we installed. You keep the store and everything we built.
- You pay Shopify directly. We never handle your Shopify payment.
How it works
Apply below
Tell us what you sell and where your customers pay.
We confirm a fit
A short call or message to agree on the scope. You send products, logo and photos.
We build and test
We build on a development store and place a test order paid by bank transfer.
You review and take over
You approve it, we transfer the store, and you pick your Shopify plan.
FAQ
Is the Shopify store really free?
The setup work is free. Shopify's plan fee is paid by you directly to Shopify once you pick a plan. We never handle that payment.
Do I have to use POPLoad or VIPriority?
No. They are optional. POPLoad suits stores that take GCash or bank transfer. VIPriority suits stores that sell watches, jewelry and bags.
I sell on Facebook Live. Do I have to stop?
No. Keep your page and your Lives. The store gives your buyers a proper place to order and send their GCash or bank receipt, and we connect it to your Facebook and Instagram.
Can customers check out inside Facebook?
Not something we can promise. Meta decides which features are available in each country and which stores are approved. Customers complete the order on your store, where your GCash and bank-transfer payment instructions are.
What if I already have a Shopify store?
This pilot is for new stores we build and transfer. If you already have a store, talk to us about a paid project.
What if I need more than the free setup covers?
The free setup covers up to 8 hours of build work. If you need more, we quote the extra work first and you decide whether to go ahead.
What happens if I don't pick a paid plan within 30 days?
We stop free support and may uninstall the apps we installed. The store stays yours, with everything we built.
Can I keep the store if I stop using your apps?
Yes. The store belongs to you after the transfer. You can uninstall any app at any time.
How do you earn from this?
As a Shopify Partner we may earn a share of your Shopify subscription and a small share of eligible online sales. It does not change what you pay Shopify.