The 19 start-ups that composed the program’s inaugural cohort eagerly pitched their business models to potential investors and partners during the online event.
Aside from venture capital, Plentina co-founder and CEO Kevin Gabayan said government grants that do not add red tape would also contribute to a startup’s progress.
Despite the record amounts of funding flowing into the greater Asia Pacific region, Philippine start-ups are facing one major obstacle -- the lack of investments in the country’s start-up market.
The DTI Global AQELERATION Program (GAP) is an acceleration and soft-landing program that will help mature Filipino startups enter Southeast Asian markets and support various needs such as business development, fundraising, and other strategic opportunities.
In partnership with the country’s private sector-led digitization movement Digital Pilipinas, the French Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines recently concluded an early-stage startup contest where local education technology platform Edukasyon.ph and e-signature platform Twala proved as victors in a pool of nine Filipino and French startup companies.
Through IDEA and ADVanCE, the government intends to mitigate the challenges being faced by startups by providing customized interventions and support such as coaching, mentoring, training, and workshops.
Last November 16, 2021, the PSC announced the Top 5 winners for the Professional Category. The winners were eligible for DICT’s Startup Grant Fund worth P500,000.00 and also received cloud vouchers, monitors, and HMS app development training from Huawei.
To demonstrate its precision addressing platform, Korean startup geo.nick has is giving away $6,200 for Filipinos who would take photos, videos, or illustrate unique spots in the Philippines and tell a special story behind it.
The runners-up were technology startups that also promote livelihood and support sustainability: Panublix from Iloilo City, an online marketplace for indigenous weavers; and SACHI-Group Inc., a Bulacan manufacturer of eco-friendly materials.
