Filipino Startups Step up, Harness the Power of Tech to Help Combat COVID-19

Manila, Philippines — The impact of COVID-19 left many businesses navigating the digital space. Some are caught off guard while others utilize their expertise in technology. Take it from Filipino startups who have been stepping up to help combat COVID-19 in their own ways. To provide tips on how they’re doing it, startup founders gathered for a QLITAN, a bi-weekly networking event hosted by QBO Philippines since 2016.

But this time, QLITAN was held online. In this virtual event, founders shared how they are responding to the crisis. Headlining the session titled “Startup Survival Guide — Adapting to the New Norm” are Moritz Gastl, vice-president of Growth of First Circle, a startup which provides business financing and access to credit; Shahab Shabibi, co-founder of MyKuya, an app that allows on-demand services such as grocery deliveries; Gabby Dizon, CEO and cofounder of mobile and blockchain game studio Altitude Games; Stefano Fazzini, CEO of online grocery delivery service MetroMart; and Bonnie Factor, founder of Leading with Success.

These startups are now using this opportunity to create a lasting difference — banding together and using technology not only to ease people’s burdens but even potentially save lives.
“Startups are called to do what they do best — they are rising up to this challenge by deploying innovative solutions, moving quickly, and showing us how we can harness the power of technology for the greater good. We are seeing startups from different industries working hard at this time, from logistics to ecommerce to fintech and edutech,” said Katrina Chan, director of QBO.

Startups aiding the government on the battle against COVID-19
Now more than ever, the tech capability of startups can help the government in a number of ways. The Department of Science and Technology with Developers Connect helped launch the RapidPass system where frontliners manning checkpoints can easily inspect vehicles and individuals by scanning QR codes.

Senti, a startup specializing in artificial intelligence and machine learning, provides the knowledge-base for the chatbots that the Department of Health deploys in different channels to address COVID-19-related inquiries. Local tech company Multisys, on the other hand, developed the online and mobile platform StaySafe.ph which aims to help the government in conducting efficient contact tracing.

To enable faster response from local government units (LGUs) in the fight against COVID-19, Limitless Lab, in partnership with The Asia Foundation, developed LGU vs COVID PH. The platform is an easy-to-use, updated, and reliable dashboard of all COVID-19 related information which LGUs can use and refer to

Startups offering convenience, on-demand services
Unknown to many, some of the essential needs met at this time are also powered by startups. MetroMart enables people who are stuck at home to have their goods delivered right at their doorstep. To further harness its capability, MetroMart launched MetroMart Cares, a special online store for grocery donations in partnership with World Vision and Gawad Kalinga. Another startup, Zagana, helps bridge the gap for local farmers and consumers in need of fresh fruits and vegetables.

MyKuya also provides convenience during the quarantine by helping run errands for those stuck at home and vulnerable to COVID-19. Some of its services include meal delivery, bills payment, and pharmacy and grocery runs. AIDE, a home healthcare platform, connects patients and medical professionals straight from their smartphones.
Even outside the Metro, startups continue to thrive. Pandalivery, an on-demand food delivery service available in Camarines Sur and Albay, expanded its service by including groceries and medicines to help amidst the quarantine. Streetby, an app that allows different merchants to continue to reach households in areas in Mindanao including Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro, Camiguin, Davao, General Santos, and Iligan

Startups connecting the world, bringing communities together
Aside from providing essentials, startups are also mobilizing their resources and skills to aid in addressing challenges brought about by COVID-19. QBO incubatees Container Living and Kumu are harnessing the power of their community.

Container Living, a startup which converts containers to buildings in its effort to lower carbon footprint and costs, saw the opportunity to pivot their innovation to address the overcrowding of medical facilities brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. Container Living CEO Mac Evangelista spearheaded Rapid Deployment (RAD) Hospitals alongside its team of local architects, professionals and engineers to build scalable, easy-to-deploy, isolation and intensive care facilities for COVID-19 patients.

Livestreaming app Kumu launched Kumu Lives Streaming Service which conducts private live streams for free in an effort to enable Filipino communities, here and around the world, to hold events and gatherings online amid the quarantine, and Social DistanSING, a livestreaming initiative for a cause which brought together artists and celebrities online to share their talents and help raise funds for families affected by COVID-19. To date, Kumu’s cause has raised an estimate of Php1.2 million pesos for charity.
“At a time when most of us are relying on technology to stay connected and keep working, these startups are showing us how it can be done. They are, in a way, frontliners in their own rights, taking initiative to tackle this crisis by leveraging their strengths in technology to help our country move forward despite the challenges brought by this pandemic,” added Chan. “Our mantra at QBO is ‘Filipino Startups Changing the World’. We have always believed that our homegrown ventures and innovators can make a meaningful contribution to solving critical challenges and create impact. Now, our startups are showing what they’re capable of, and we hope that everyone will take notice, and recognize the crucial role that Filipino startups can play in bringing fresh ideas into action and will continue to support them in future.”

For its part, QBO also harnesses the power of tech by continuously providing support and learning opportunities to Filipino startups, making sure they are equipped with the knowledge and tools they need to push forward despite the threat of COVID-19. For more information, visit facebook.com/QBOphilippines/ and qbo.com.ph/

About QBO

QBO (‘ku-bo’) is an innovation hub or a platform for the startup community to collaborate, develop talent, and grow. It provides startups with support and resources through events and capacity building programs as well as focused interventions designed to improve access to markets, knowledge, capital, and talent. QBO is the country’s first public-private initiative for startups, created through a partnership between IdeaSpace, J.P. Morgan, Department of Science and Technology, and Department of Trade and Industry.
Spurred on by the vision of Filipinos startups changing the world, QBO’s mission is to create a globally competitive startup ecosystem in the Philippines.

First PH Startup Week Closes with National Conference, Signing of Startup Law IRR

ORTIGAS – The first Philippine Startup Week, held on November 18 to 22, 2019 capped off with the 5th Slingshot Conference and the signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Republic Act 11337 or the Innovative Startup Act.

The law provides startups and startup enablers with incentives like travel grants, venture funds, and assistance in getting visas and business permits. At the center of the law’s implementation will be the Philippine Startup Development Plan that reviews and harmonizes existing government programs for startups.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez said that among his agency’s responsibilities, as mandated by the Innovative Startup Act, is ensuring ease of doing business for startups through a Startup Business One-Stop Shop (Startup BOSS) and administering a Startup Venture Fund, through its attached agency, the National Development Company (NDC).

The fund will match funding from venture capitalists for startups based in the Philippines. Sec. Lopez said that NDC can allocate an initial fund of Php 125 million to fund 50 startups and grow the fund as needed.

The Philippines in the global startup scene

In his welcome remarks at the Slingshot Conference on 22 November, the trade chief shared the Philippines’s standing according to the Startup Genome’s Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2019.

Startup Genome ranked Manila among the top Activation Phase Ecosystems in the world, together with Taipei, Busan, Calgary, and Frankfurt. The secretary reported that DTI has counted over 600 startups in the country; around 50 incubators and accelerators; and about 45 funders.

“Though our startup community is still relatively small, with Manila valued at US$ 378 million, we are seeing so much talent, value, and potential for growth among our young and dynamic Filipino startups,” said Sec. Lopez.

Adam Bregu, Business Development Manager of Startup Genome, gave a talk about the global startup ecosystem, with a deep dive on the Philippines. He said that 68% of the US$ 2.8 trillion value of the startup community is still concentrated in the top cities, namely San Francisco, New York, London, Beijing, Boston and Tel Aviv. This, however, already decreased from an 87% share from 2011 to 2012.

Bregu cited that Philippine startups are strong in agri-tech and food, blockchain, and fintech; the first two are the highest growing sectors globally. He also reported that the Filipino startup community has a strong local connectedness driven by its sense of community and the above-average number of female founders.

However, Bregu pointed out that to maximize growth, Philippine startups should develop a globally-focused mindset, wherein startup founders should plan to go global as early as day one. Globally-focused startups, Bregu said, grow twice as fast as their nationally-focused peers. To develop this mindset, he suggested a stronger link to the key startup hubs in the world, with an emphasis on founder-to-founder connections.

Startup Pilipinas

In 2016, DTI developed Startup Pilipinas as the industry cluster program to foster inter-enterprise linkages among startups and strengthen collaborative networks. As part of this program, DTI funds Filipino startup founders to participate in international events.

A delegation of Pinay-led startups recently participated in the Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology 2019 (SWITCH) on 11 to 15 November. Aside from Singapore, DTI sent startups to 17 international events this year, including those in Taiwan, Korea, Hong Kong, Canada, and Germany.

DTI’s foreign commercial attaches also initiated their own programs such as the Bridging the Philippines and Silicon Valley Innovation Ecosystems program and SPARK447, a co-working space at the Philippine Center in San Francisco was launched in October 2019 to provide Philippine Startups access to a virtual address and physical space.

Meanwhile, KALA Works, a 10,659-square feet co-working space founded by Fil-Am investors will be operational by the 2nd quarter of 2020. This will be the first Fil-Am managed co-working space in San Francisco with the goal of helping startups scale up by providing a state-of-the-art facility and best possible mentorship.

First-Of-Its-Kind, Multi-city Startup Gathering Kicks Off: DOST, DTI, DICT, QBO Innovation Hub join forces to celebrate PH Startup Week

Manila, Philippines — The world is set to witness the first large-scale collaboration of the Philippines’ startup community from November 18 to 22 with the Philippine Startup Week 2019 (PHSW19). Themed “Showcasing the Filipino Startup Community to the World”, the PHSW19 is a collaboration by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), QBO Innovation Hub, and various private agencies.

“As the first-of-its kind collaboration for Filipino startups, the Philippine Startup Week is more than just a gathering, it’s a celebration and a recognition of how far Filipino startups have come and how further they can go. It’s a testament to the government’s commitment to invest in ideas that have the potential to become the country’s next big time successful companies,” says DOST Secretary Fortunato T. dela Peña.

The weeklong celebration features a series of events simultaneously happening across the country, including a three-day main summit, five-day conference, and over 50 nationwide breakout community events that will showcase the Philippines as a rising startup nation.

Just recently, President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Republic Act No. 11337, or the Innovative Startup Act, cementing the government’s commitment to building the Philippines as a startup hub.

DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez highlights how Filipino startups are crucial to the country’s economy by bringing in investments, providing job opportunities, and contributing to a community’s development. “With the Innovative Startup Act and Philippine Innovation Act, which are both supporting the startup community, we are optimistic that these will help in making the Philippines as one of the leading countries in developing disrupting startup concepts. We have a strong potential in this area especially that Filipinos are creative, innovative, and know how to keep up with changing technology and use it in finding solutions to societal problems,” shares DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez. “We want to build an entrepreneurship ecosystem that will push for innovation through more internet platforms and more new business models."

“The signing of the Innovative Startup Act is just the first step. We’re seeing more collaborations happening in the future. This is just one of them. We are excited to bring all the innovative startups in the country to meet fellow startup founders, share and learn from their success stories, and showcase the power of technology and innovation,” says DICT Secretary Gregorio Honasan II.

Building a community of inspired innovators

QBO Innovation Hub, the country’s first public-private initiative for startups created through a partnership between IdeaSpace, J.P. Morgan, DOST, and DTI, will spearhead the events and activities happening during PHSW19 by bringing together the best of the best in their respective fields.

Startup founders and aspiring entrepreneurs who will participate at PHSW19 will get access to a myriad of networking opportunities, learning sessions, and interactive activities.

“The PHSW19 is a nationwide celebration and so we’re inviting the entire Filipino startup community to come together, grow together, and move our country’s startup scene towards its golden era,” says QBO Innovation Hub President Rene Meily. “Here you can showcase not just your startup but also your pride as a Filipino entrepreneur.”

The PHSW19 will start on November 18 with multiple community events in Metro Manila hosted by various partner companies. The three-day main summit is set from November 20-22 at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria, Ortigas City which will host three main events: DOST’s “TBI Summit”, DICT's “Tech Advantage”, and DTI’s “Slingshot” which will also be held in Dumaguete on November 19 and in Bohol on November 21.

Happening simultaneously are other regional events in Pampanga for a discussion on the basics of Intellectual Property Law on November 18; Butuan for an ideation and pitching competition on November 19 and an open house with Navigatu on November 20; Baguio with “BAG-haven: Building Baguio's Startup Ecosystem” on November 20; Laguna’s “Innovation Next: Creative Arts and Technologies towards Social Innovation” on November 21; Cagayan’s “BIZcovery: Ideation and Technology Pitch Competition” from November 20 to 21; and “Innovating Iloilo: Iloilo Startup Founders Circle Huddle” in Iloilo on November 22.

For the full schedule of events and to participate in the upcoming PHSW19, visit https://www.phstartupweek.com/ or email hello@phstartupweek.com.


About Philippine Startup Week

Philippine Startup Week 2019 is the country's first nationwide conference with simultaneously occurring events showcasing the Filipino startup community, created through the collaboration of the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Information and Communications Technology, and QBO Innovation Hub, together with various community enablers. Participated by 9 cities across the country, PHSW2019 consists of a 3-day main Summit, over 50 nationwide community events, and 4 night fests which are all set to highlight the various sectors and entities contributing to the growing Philippine startup ecosystem

About the Department of Information and Communications Technology

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is the executive department of the Philippine government responsible for the planning, development and promotion of the country's information and communications technology agenda in support of national development.

About the Department of Trade and Industry

The Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is the executive department of the Philippine Government tasked as the main economic catalyst that enables innovative, competitive, job generating, inclusive business, and empowers consumers.

About the Department of Science and Technology

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is the premiere science and technology body in the country charged with the twin mandate of providing central direction, leadership and coordination of all scientific and technological activities, and of formulating policies, programs and projects to support national development.

About QBO

QBO (‘ku-bo’) is an innovation hub or a platform for the startup community to collaborate, develop talent, and grow. It provides startups with support and resources through events and capacity building programs as well as focused interventions designed to improve access to markets, knowledge, capital, and talent. QBO is the country’s first public-private initiative for startups, created through a partnership between IdeaSpace, J.P. Morgan, Department of Science and Technology, and Department of Trade and Industry.

Spurred on by the vision of Filipinos startups changing the world, QBO’s mission is to create a globally competitive startup ecosystem in the Philippines.

36 Philippine Companies Joins the World's Biggest Food Trade Fair - Anuga 2019

Cologne, Germany---In the efforts of DTI’s aggressive move towards trade promotions of exportable food and fruit products with the aim to further boost Philippine export industry, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) delegation led by Trade Promotions Undersecretary Abdulgani M. Macatoman is currently together with 36 Philippine food producers and manufacturers in the much-awaited leading trade fair for food and beverage industry, Anuga 2019 running 5-9 of October in Koelmesse, Cologne Germany.

“This gathering signal a strong ‘One DTI’–an agency united by a common cause to uphold the quality of our local businesses and the export competitiveness of the Philippines in the global trade”, Usec Macatoman said during the Ceremonial Opening.

The Philippines highlighted the country’s premium commodities – banana, coconut, mango, and tuna along with other top-notch products in the said trade fair.

Speaking of trade, the Philippines and European countries have always maintained a solid partnership in matters of trade and investments. In terms of region, the European Union or EU is currently the Philippines’ 4th largest trading partner, 3rd largest import source and 4th largest export market in 2018 with Germany as our top 7 export country destination.

The Philippines also continues to enjoy zero tariff benefits from the EU under the Generalized Scheme of Preferences or GSP+. The GSP+ coverage was implemented in 2014 and currently gives duty-free privileges in 6, 274 product tariff lines from the Philippines.

The EU Commission’s 2018 mid-term GSP evaluation showed that the Philippines has the second most diversified export portfolio under EU-GSP+ with 3,047 tariff lines covered under EU-GSP+ from 2014-2016. The same report also indicated that the Philippines has an average EU-GSP+ utilization rate of 68.9 percent from 2014 to 2016.

“With the overwhelming response from our previous participation, we have brought this year our biggest delegation yet in Anuga with 36 companies under the FoodPhilippines banner as part of the Philippine government’s initiative to strengthen the Philippine and European relations in matters of trade and investment, It is through events like Anuga, which offers a platform for business opportunities and partnerships through the exchange of culture and flavors, that this trade relation continues to grow even further.”, Macatoman said.

“We are thankful to our European partners for this privilege since around 25 percent of total Philippine exports to the EU benefit from the EU GSP+ trade preference. As of 2017, An estimate of more than 2-billion-euro worth of Philippine exports has benefited from GSP+ trade preference. “, Macatoman emphasized.

This year, the Philippine delegation was graced by Madam Cielito “Honeylet” Avancena, who has been a long-time business woman and an advocate of the micro-, small- and medium-enterprises (MSMEs).

The Philippine participation in Anuga 2019 is spearheaded by DTI-CITEM and Philippine Trade and Investment Centers (PTIC) Berlin, Germany.

DOST Gives P33 Million Grant to QBO Innovation Hub to Build Stronger Startup Ecosystem in PH

Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato de la Peña and PLDT and PLDT Chairman and CEO and Metro Pacific Investments Corporation Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan reinforced their commitment to Filipino startups at a joint appearance last week sealing DOST’s P33 million grant to QBO Innovation Hub, a public private sector partnership among DOST, the Department of Trade and Industry, J.P. Morgan and IdeaSpace, the innovation foundation of the MVP group.  The grant calls for QBO to raise the level of 12 Technology Business Incubators (TBI) around the country. Also present at the event were staunch supporters and partners of QBO Carlos Ma. G. Mendoza, Senior Country Officer for J.P. Morgan Philippines and Patricia Anne Javier-Gutierrez, J.P. Morgan Philippines Head of Communications.

Working towards the vision of creating over a thousand innovative startups around the country, and seeing the emergence of a Filipino unicorn in the next five years, the grant will support QBO in carrying out a nationwide project to strengthen TBIs. The grant also serves to help them develop more programs that will create an enabling environment for Filipino tech founders to scale their businesses and become globally competitive.

“I really appreciate that in addition to our own initiatives, we have a collaboration with QBO. The signing of the Innovative Startup Act authorizes us, together with DTI and DICT, to support and assist Filipino startups. So, thank you to IdeaSpace and most especially to QBO for inspiring us to help Filipino startups,” said Secretary de la Peña.

"It’s about time to focus on science and innovation and there are  efforts for that — thanks to DOST," said Pangilinan, who is also the chairman of the board of IdeaSpace Foundation. "We believe that with our stronger commitment, we will be able to put Philippine technopreneurs on par with its regional, if not global, counterparts."

"The DOST grant recognizes the enormous progress achieved by the public private sector partnership that produced QBO,” said Rene Meily, president of QBO and IdeaSpace. “DOST has been continuously holding activities with QBO, IdeaSpace and other partners to discover the Philippines' next unicorn and we are grateful to them for their support. I hope that the golden era for Philippine startups may be just within reach.”

DOST has been working side by side with QBO since it was established in 2016. Since its inception, QBO has grown to have more than 5,000 members and over 300 tech startups representing various verticals. On top of implementing hundreds of startup development programs, including mentorship and specialized coaching and consultation sessions that have opened global opportunities for the founders, QBO, together with DOST, DTI, and J.P. Morgan, has also yielded gains in multimillion-peso funding and revenue raised for startups.

To learn more about QBO and its projects for startups, visit https://www.qbo.com.ph/.


About QBO

QBO (‘ku-bo’) is an innovation hub or a platform for the startup community to collaborate, develop talent, and grow. It provides startups with support and resources through events and capacity building programs as well as focused interventions designed to improve access to markets, knowledge, capital, and talent. QBO is the country’s first public-private initiative for startups, created through a partnership between IdeaSpace, J.P. Morgan, Department of Science and Technology, and Department of Trade and Industry.

Spurred on by the vision of Filipinos startups changing the world, QBO’s mission is to create a globally competitive startup ecosystem in the Philippines.

High-Impact Tech Startups Get Boost Rrom INQBATION Startup Showcase 2019

There is no problem too difficult for a plucky startup with a purpose.

Startups have gained increasing recognition for offering solutions to problems, and startups in the Philippines are no exception. Tech startups that are leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning capabilities are also gaining ground, with some setting their sights on regional expansion even in the early years of their inception.

Kumu, a livestream and community platform, which only started last year, has exhibited an explosive 2000% growth rate since it started. The app has been downloaded almost one million times and is currently the only Filipino company to be included in Google Play’s Top 10 grossing social apps. Roland Ros, the company’s co-founder, shared that revenue has been exponentially growing 300% quarter on quarter, as it has found a way to monetize global Filipino millennial and Gen Z users. Hundreds of content creators are now earning part time income on the app as well, with a growing base of full-time creators earning as much as 50,000 pesos a month.

Senti, a data and sentiment analysis platform, started as a one-man university research project that sought to better understand local jargon and dialects. The company has since grown to become one of the most highly-recognized AI and natural language processing companies in the Philippines. Ralph Regalado’s brainchild is now home to half of the country’s Google Developer experts and is helping to create high-value tech jobs in the lucrative AI field in the Philippines. Senti has since expanded to Singapore and Malaysia because of its success.

Another startup that has made a positive impact is Investagrams, a social fintech platform which helps Filipinos invest in the stock market through in-app tutorials, virtual trading, social networking, and other tools designed to make investing in equities more accessible, easy and fun. Only three years old, Investagrams now has over 360,000 users. Investagrams caters not only to seasoned traders and investors but also to regular Filipinos, from millennials to retirees, and even overseas workers seeking to increase the value of their savings. The startup also regularly conducts programs on financial literacy and equities investing that has attracted thousands of participants, with the goal of increasing participation in the stock market among Filipinos (currently at less than 1%) to at least 5% in the next five years. The fintech startup founder and CEO John Christian Bisnar announced that the company is expanding to Singapore.

Kumu, Senti, and Investagrams, along with 12 other startups, are just some of the rising stars in the Filipino startup scene featured in INQBATION Startup Showcase 2019.

“The INQBATION Startup Showcase draws attention to awesome Filipino startups that are creating innovative and scalable solutions for real world problems, and we hope that investors, corporations and partners across the globe will take notice,” said Katrina Chan, Director of QBO. “The startups we featured today grew with QBO and J.P. Morgan through the INQBATION program and are creating tremendous impact. We’re glad to give them the spotlight they deserve and invite more partners to join us in uplifting our burgeoning local startup community.”

The event is organized by QBO Innovation Hub, a platform for the startup community to collaborate, develop talent, and grow, that was created through the joint effort of the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Trade and Industry, IdeaSpace, and J.P. Morgan.

“It was a privilege and a pleasure to help create opportunities for these startups,” said Carlos Ma. G. Mendoza, Senior Country Officer for J.P. Morgan Philippines. “We are proud to have supported this program as it enabled small businesses and positively impacted underserved communities.”

“The vision for this program is for QBO and J.P. Morgan, as well as other partners, to open up more opportunities for startups and founders to grow,” explained Rene “Butch” Meily, President of QBO. “We want to give people who are creating scalable, positive impact through their startups a better shot at success.”

Meily added that by showcasing startups that have the potential to change lives as well as succeed as a business, they hope to get more companies and institutions to realize the value of supporting local startup ecosystem.

Aside from the startups mentioned, the showcase also featured AdMov, Cropital, Pushkart.ph, Exora, Learntalk, OneWatt, Payo, Lexmeet, Streetby, Washub, Container Living, and MAD Travel.

QBO said that it will continue to support startups in different ways including INQBATION, an acceleration program where the country’s most promising but underserved startup founders receive mentorship, training, exposure, resources and other support tailor fit to their needs. The INQBATION program was created in order to help highly promising Filipino tech startup companies scale up, fundraise and become globally competitive-- in the process generating jobs, developing the technology sector and creating impact.

QBO envisions more organizations becoming more involved with Filipino startup companies— whether as mentors, investors, or customers—and being able to help more local startups attain success.

For more information about the INQBATION Startup Showcase 2019, visit https://www.qbo.com.ph/incubation/.


About QBO

QBO (‘ku-bo’) is an innovation hub or a platform for the startup community to collaborate, develop talent, and grow. It provides startups with support and resources through events and capacity building programs as well as focused interventions designed to improve access to markets, knowledge, capital, and talent. QBO is the country’s first public-private initiative for startups, created through a partnership between IdeaSpace, J.P. Morgan, Department of Science and Technology, and Department of Trade and Industry.

Spurred on by the vision of Filipinos startups changing the world, QBO’s mission is to create a globally competitive startup ecosystem in the Philippines.

About JPMorgan Chase & Co.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) is a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2.5 trillion and operations worldwide. The Firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing, and asset management. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, JPMorgan Chase & Co. serves millions of consumers in the United States and many of the world's most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients under its J.P. Morgan and Chase brands. Information about JPMorgan Chase & Co. is available atwww.jpmorganchase.com.

QBO's Ecosystem Mapping Effort Calls for Stronger Support for PH Startups

The Philippine startup industry is reaching new heights but aspiring tech entrepreneurs still face certain challenges—from business conditions to regulatory requirements and gender disparity.

To assess the country’s current startup ecosystem, QBO Innovation Hub, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), conducted a Startup Ecosystem Mapping exercise which identifies areas that need to be improved and available resources in order to help make the Philippines a globally competitive place for startups. The initiative is also part of QBO’s Startup Pinay program that encourages and supports increased female participation in the startup industry.

“DTI acknowledges the importance of a thrivig, science and technology-based startup ecosystem to achieve the country's goal of growing globally competitive and innovative industries. Our focus is on S&T-based solutions in sectors that need innovative solutions such as communications, agriculture, health, AI, IoT, among others. and covering not only software but also hardware and business model. Having an innovative tech and services industry contributes to inclusive growth and employment generation of the Philippines as a whole," said DTI Undersecretary of the Competitiveness and Innovation Group Rafaelita M. Aldaba. "We partnered with QBO to support startup development by building the startup ecosystem; bridge the gap between innovative technological seeds and commercialization; and help create global Philippine startups."

In 2016, only two cities—Manila and Cebu—were mapped. But with Philippines startup exhibiting growth in other areas, the 2019 Startup Ecosystem Mapping extended to three other cities: Legazpi, Bohol, and Naga. Similar mapping efforts are to be conducted in Zamboanga City, Puerto Princesa, Pangasinan, and Dumaguete by the Department of Information and Communications Technology with Ideaspace Foundation, making it an unprecedented countrywide effort.

The mapping sessions were participated by startup representatives, accelerators, public and private incubators, community builders, venture capitalists, angel investors, government, and private companies. The cities were categorized based on Techstars’ 7 Stages of Startup Communities: Nascent, Foundational, Accelerating, Established, High Functioning, Progressive, and Aspirational.

“Aside from assessing the health of the startup communities in these cities, we also put together a set of recommendations after each mapping session to help them move to the next stage,” said QBO President Rene “Butch” Meily. “We’ve seen remarkable changes from 2016 to 2019 and ultimately, our goal is to promote and encourage collaboration to address the pain points experienced by startup founders and identify initiatives that will enable them to grow.”

Manila: A Place Where Startups Accelerate and Thrive

Home to most successful startup stories in the country, Manila’s landscape has improved remarkably. The 2018 Startup Ecosystem Canvas revealed Manila as having an “Accelerating Ecosystem” because of the increasing support it is getting from the government, investment groups, and other stakeholders. Recent exits from startups such as ChatbotPH, Teko, and Coins.ph have also contributed to the stronger awareness about startups in the city. Recent findings of the 2019 StartupBlink Report revealed the Philippines ranking 54th among 202 countries, with the strongest startup ecosystem, Manila, as its frontrunner breaching the global top 100 for the first time.

“In order for Manila to move to the next stage, we recommend verticalization of support programs that specialize in specific industries such as FinTech, HealthTech, and PropTech and creation of a density center or cluster for housing, services, and spaces to increase collaboration among startups and ramp up their productivity,” said Meily. “Corporate engagement must also be strengthened and entrepreneurs must be engaged in the development of a favorable regulatory environment that addresses concerns relevant to the tech industry.”

Cebu, Bohol, Naga, Legazpi: The Next Wave Cities for Startups?

Aside from Manila, four other cities exhibited growth potential in their respective startup economies: Cebu, Legazpi, Bohol, and Naga.

Cebu is categorized under the Foundational Ecosystem due to an increasing density of startups, considerable number of co-working spaces, and strong regional networks with connections with Manila, the rest of Southeast Asia, and Silicon Valley. The city also benefits from the strong support from the government, with local officials taking the lead in developing the local startup ecosystem. To further elevate Cebu’s ranking, recommended key actions include the establishment of local incubators with accessible mentor networks, stronger support for local businesses, as well as more dynamic engagement with universities.

Bohol’s potential to be a travel tech hub is also evident with efforts to develop the local talent and inspire Boholanos to be more involved in tech. The mapping effort revealed that these programs must be made sustainable for Bohol to reach its full potential. “Bohol has a lot of potential and this can be fully achieved by inspiring and mentoring young talents to build their own startups,” added Meily. Currently, Bohol is categorized as a Nascent Ecosystem characterized by a group of passionate people pushing to build a stronger startup community.

Visible support from local businesses and involvement of local universities is pushing Naga to be categorized as a Foundational Ecosystem. Additionally, the efforts of Naga’s local government units contribute to its fast-growing startups. Similarly, Legazpi’s startups are benefitting from programs with fund allocation and support from different government agencies. To continue this momentum, recommended actions include putting up an online information portal related to the local startup ecosystem and organizing more collaborative and networking events.

“The Philippines has a lot of potential hubs for startups—all it takes is for all stakeholders to come together and realize that great ideas can come from everywhere. To achieve our goal of advancing the Philippines’ startup ecosystem, there must be a concerted effort not just from Manila but from the countryside as well to cultivate talent and support burgeoning businesses locally” said Meily.

For inquiries on how you can map out your own city, visit www.qbo.com.ph or email hello@qbo.com.ph. To learn more about the QBO’s ecosystem mapping efforts, visit  https://www.facebook.com/QBOphilippines/.


About QBO

QBO (‘ku-bo’) is an innovation hub or a platform for the startup community to collaborate, develop talent, and grow. It provides startups with support and resources through events and capacity building programs as well as focused interventions designed to improve access to markets, knowledge, capital, and talent. QBO is the country’s first public-private initiative for startups, created through a partnership between IdeaSpace, J.P. Morgan, Department of Science and Technology, and Department of Trade and Industry.

Spurred on by the vision of Filipinos startups changing the world, QBO’s mission is to create a globally competitive startup ecosystem in the Philippines.

Hone the Next Big Startup with QBO's Startup Roadshow

The future of Philippine startups looks bright with the Philippines national ranking up by 16 positions, according to the recently released StartupBlink Ecosystem Ranking Report. To continue this momentum, QBO Innovation Hub, the Philippines’ first public-private sector initiative which aims to connect, transform, and empower Filipino startups, holds the Startup Roadshow starting this May.

The roadshow aims to inspire innovators and enable communities throughout the country through sessions on startup business concepts and tools, ideation, design thinking, business model canvas, and local ecosystem mapping. Facilitated by highly experienced QBO members and startup founders, the workshops are designed to be fun and engaging to spark the participants’ creativity as they kickoff their startup journey. The event also features panel discussions and networking opportunities for those wanting to connect with fellow tech leaders.

“The local startup ecosystem continues to grow due to sustained confidence in the country’s economy, technological advancements, and newly-introduced regulations such as the ‘Innovative Startup Act’ which seeks to promote ease of doing business in the Philippines,” says Katrina Chan, Director of QBO Innovation Hub. “While it’s all helpful in creating a healthy business environment for Filipino entrepreneurs, there are more opportunities to bring cutting-edge ideas to life.”
This is the second time that QBO Innovation Hub is holding the roadshow across major cities in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. In 2018, 13 cities and over 1,300 participants joined the first run of the roadshow. Government organizations signed partnerships with QBO to contribute to countryside development efforts. The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) was among the first to get on board, sponsoring programs in 7 cities last year.

QBO hopes to make this year’s roadshow bigger through the support of more partners, communities, and business owners. Interested partners who want to bring the workshop to their respective communities, schools, or cities can host an introductory workshop using QBO’s set module. Partners wanting to learn specific skills or learn more about certain topics can have custom-made workshops as well.

“We saw the impact of last year’s roadshow in answering what most aspiring startup founders want to know: ‘Where do we start?’ We want to help them figure out the answer,” adds Chan. “We’d also like for more partners to come on board with us to help discover the next wave of homegrown startups that will put our country on the global innovation map. Who knows? The next big thing may be in your school, your community, or your city.”
To learn more about the Startup Roadshow, visit http://www.qbo.com.ph/ and https://www.facebook.com/QBOphilippines/ or email karla@qbo.com.ph.


About QBO

QBO (‘ku-bo’) is an innovation hub or a platform for the startup community to collaborate, develop talent, and grow. It provides startups with support and resources through events and capacity building programs as well as focused interventions designed to improve access to markets, knowledge, capital, and talent. QBO is the country’s first public-private initiative for startups, created through a partnership between IdeaSpace, J.P. Morgan, Department of Science and Technology, and Department of Trade and Industry.
Spurred on by the vision of Filipinos startups changing the world, QBO’s mission is to create a globally competitive startup ecosystem in the Philippines.

Local Startups Show Corporate Business Leaders their Prospects for Growth

MANILA, Philippines - Business leaders have found key learnings from the local startup industry on how to pivot as technologies and demands evolve continuously.

At the INQBATION Startup Showcase arranged by QBO Innovation Hub (QBO) and hosted by J.P. Morgan at their BGC Taguig office, six high performing local startups presented their business models and plans on how to scale up their operations to corporate partners J.P. Morgan, Smart, PLDT, investors, and other startup stakeholders.
The first three startups that presented were representatives of fellow startup enablers, namely Magpie, Innovantage, and Taxumo, while the last three startups are currently under QBO and J.P. Morgan’s Incubation Program, in which the most promising, innovative and scalable ventures are given the opportunity to develop impactful programs while experiencing dedicated mentorship from some of the country’s top executives.

The incubatees who participated in the showcase presented their business models and growth plans. Said startups are AdMov, an advertising platform that uses location data with facial recognition to generate and deliver personalized content and advertising; Cropital, a crowdfunding platform connecting anyone to help finance our farmers; and Pushkart.ph, an online grocery delivery service.
The INQBATION Startup Showcase also featured an exhibit and business matching area where other startup incubatees and ecosystem stakeholders were able to display their businesses. This includes fellow startup enabler, Launchgarage and other QBO incubatees, namely Exora, an online bidding platform that lets businesses connect with retail electricity suppliers; Senti, a social media monitoring platform that analyzes content including local dialects and colloquial language; MAD Travel, a tourism platform that provides alternative and meaningful experiences to marginalized communities; and OneWatt, a non-invasive predictive motor health monitoring system.
QBO President, Butch Meily passionately shared how important it is that the private and public-sector support startups.
“The economic multiplier effect of startups is indisputable. The largest companies in the world today like Google and Facebook are companies we never heard of a few years ago. With just a relatively small investment, we have created a whole new sector of the economy - one that will foster thousands of jobs. We have created this platform to not only to help promising startups grow but to also aide them as the industries they operate in begin to shift. We will teach them how to survive.”
Companies like J.P. Morgan also acknowledge the potential and impact of tech startups and are invested in helping them scale up.
“The startup industry in the Philippines, while young, shows potential to shape industries of the future. We remain committed to supporting local entrepreneurs as they become engines of job growth and economic vitality across the communities they serve,” said J.P. Morgan’s Managing Director and Senior Country Officer, Roberto L. Panlilio.

The J.P. Morgan Incubation program prioritizes startups who are from or cater to underserved communities. They are exposed to curated workshops, have access to professional services from government agencies, the Philippine Stock Exchange, and major investors, and receive assistance to exiting. The founders are also connected to local and international mentors who are either investors, executives, or successful startup founders.

About QBO

QBO Innovation Hub is a platform for the startup community to collaborate, develop talent, and grow. QBO (‘kubo’) provides startups with support and resources through events and capacity building programs as well as focused interventions designed to improve access to markets, knowledge, capital, and talent. It is the country’s first public-private initiative for startups, created through a partnership among IdeaSpace, J.P. Morgan, DOST, and DTI. Spurred on by the vision of Filipinos startups changing the world, QBO’s mission is to create a globally competitive startup ecosystem in the Philippines.

For more information on QBO, please visit www.qbo.com.ph or send an inquiry to hello@qbo.com.ph

A United Vision - QBO Innovation Hub

The founding partners of QBO Innovation Hub, the country’s first public-private initiative for startups, were all present for QBO QNNECT: The QBO App Launch, the official unveiling of a virtual hub developed by QBO with the vision of uniting the Filipino startup ecosystem in the digital sphere. (From L-R: Secretary Fortunato “Boy” de la Peña, the Department of Science and Technology; Katrina Chan, Director, QBO; Assistant Secretary Rafaelita “Fita” Aldaba, the Department of Trade and Industry; Patricia Javier-Gutierrez, Executive Director and Head of Communications, J.P. Morgan; Diane Eustaquio, Executive Director, IdeaSpace Foundation Inc.; and Rene “Butch” Meily, President, QBO.)

QBO Innovation Hub launches new QBO App, now available on iOS and Android

QBO Innovation Hub, the Philippines’ first public-private sector platform for startup companies today launched the QBO App, a new and convenient way for QBO’s community to connect with each other and access QBO’s programs and services, at the City Garden Grand Hotel.  

QBO is supported by a consortium composed of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), J.P. Morgan, and IdeaSpace Foundation Inc., a leading incubator of early stage startups established by the First Pacific, PLDT and Metro Pacific group of companies.

The launch was headlined by speakers such as Secretary Fortunato dela Peña of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST); Roberto Panlilio, Senior Country Officer of J.P. Morgan Philippines; Chito Bustamante, founder of Chikka; Justin Hall, Principal Investor at Singaporean venture capital firm, Golden Gate Ventures; and Katrina Chan, Director of QBO. These speakers represent the bleeding-edge pioneers in the local startup ecosystem.

The event was attended by both notable startups in the local ecosystem and top executives and officials from QBO’s partners including Butch Meily and Diane Eustaquio of IdeaSpace Foundation Inc. and Chris Young of First Pacific among others. 

The QBO App is a virtual hub that allows startups to connect with a broader range of entrepreneurs, investors, partners, and other potential resource persons. It’s also an avenue for users to engage in startup-related discussions as well as stay updated with QBO’s events and services. Not bound by geographical or physical limitations, the QBO App enables users to discover and connect with potential partners from regions outside of Metro Manila. 

“This is an exciting time for us, and indeed for the local startup community as a whole. With our app, never has it been easier for our entrepreneurs to access the essential services and resources that will help them take their companies to the next level,” said Katrina Chan, QBO Innovation Hub Director. Chan also added that the app will act as an avenue to more conveniently connect with QBO's roster of experienced mentors and consultants. 

The QBO App features three primary functions. Its QNNECT feature provides access to QBO’s network and connects users with people with whom they can create meaningful partnerships. Through QNNECT, founders can meet other industry players and potential partners; startup enthusiasts can find ways to get started in the industry, or otherwise stay on top of the latest news; and mentors and investors can find new businesses and other potential investments. 

The QLLABORATE feature enables a more active startup community through the QBO App. Through it, users can discover startup-related events across the country, participate in groups to seek advice, discuss trendy topics, and communicate with special guests and speakers. Important resources like government forms, speaker presentations, and other documents can also be downloaded through QLLABORATE.

Finally, with QNTRIBUTE, users can become active members of the startup ecosystem, sharing their news, pushing their own products, and posting photos, links, videos and other startup-related content on a social media-like timeline, as well as give feedback to QBO’s programs and services.  

“Our goal is to help provide opportunities and mentorship for our budding startups, especially those driven by young, tech-savvy entrepreneurs. The convenience of an app will be very appealing to them, and eminently helpful,” said Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara of DOST.

QBO’s partners share its passion for supporting local startups. Its collaboration with J.P. Morgan has led to the creation of the elite INQBATION Program, that seeks to develop select, high-potential startups – empowering underserved founders and creating impact for the community.

“With mobile technology continuing to disrupt the business landscape, connectivity helps level the playing field for many of our startups – in terms of access to resources and partners that they can tap as they develop and grow their business. Launching this app is certainly a step in the right direction,” said Roberto L. Panlilio, Senior Country Officer, J.P. Morgan Philippines.   

The QBO App is only the latest development in QBO’s vision of Filipino startups changing the world, and it is available and ready for use on both iOS and Android devices.

For more information about QBO, visit www.qbo.com.ph.