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.

QBO Innovation Hub, The Country's First Public-Private Initiative for Startups, is Set to Launch virtual Hub

The Philippines’ first public-private sector initiative for startups, QBO Innovation Hub (QBO), will launch its own app where startups can connect with top-notch mentors and consultants who can help them grow their business on March 1 at the City Garden Grand Hotel in Makati.
QBO (‘ku-bo’) was formed through a partnership between Ideaspace Foundation Inc., J.P. Morgan, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). It is a platform for the startup community to collaborate, develop talent, and grow. Spurred on by the vision of Filipino startups changing the world, QBO’s mission is to create a globally competitive startup ecosystem in the Philippines. The QBO App is an extension of QBO’s on-ground efforts.
“In this fast-paced, always-on world, we saw the need for startups to get easy access to our services and resources. This is why we created the app,” said Katrina Chan, Director, QBO Innovation Hub.
The QBO App is downloadable on iOS and Android devices (search for ‘QBO Innovation Hub’). It is a digital space where startups and entrepreneurs can come together to connect and collaborate with other players in the startup ecosystem and contribute their own knowledge with the community.

QBO Innovation Hub, the country’s first public-private initiative for startups, is set to launch virtual hub


Access to top-notch mentors

QBO recently launched its impressive mentor roster, consisting of successful startup founders, experienced venture capitalists, and veteran company leaders, among others. They were selected to provide mentorship to startups that qualify for the INQBATION program, which was created in partnership with J.P. Morgan.
The INQBATION program was designed to support highly promising yet underserved Philippine startup companies. Once selected for the program, startups gain access to a customized development program that provides targeted interventions to help them achieve their unique goals, overcome barriers to growth, and scale.
“A significant number of startups fail, and the reasons vary. Among the most common include lack of focus and lack of motivation or commitment. However, there is one factor that proves to be even more dangerous to the success of a startup: the lack of mentorship,” said Rene “Butch” Meily, President, QBO Innovation Hub.
“We didn’t want to waste the great potential we see in a lot of local startups. And we believe that our mentors can help them move forward and grow,” Chan said.
Here are the seven mentors, and why they’re perfect for Philippine startups:
Chito Bustamante, CEO, Chikka Asia, Inc.
The Silicon Valley engineer has enabled Chikka to grow and develop into what it is today. During his term, Chikka was awarded triple ISO certifications and a rare CMMI maturity level 5, which is the highest in the industry. Aside from being a CEO, Bustamante is actively taking on mentorship roles to help young startup founders succeed. 


QBO Innovation Hub, the country’s first public-private initiative for startups, is set to launch virtual hub


Ambar Machfoedy, Managing Partner, Rekanext Venture Capital Partners.
In his current role, Machfoedy manages a Singapore-based Venture Capital firm that is focused on a portfolio of technology ventures that target Southeast Asian markets. Machfoedy is also well versed in analyzing and assessing deals, conducting due diligence, and executing exit strategies via IPOs/M&As, all of which are important for any startup founder. 


Joey Vilar, Head of Marketing Services & OIC of Market Education, Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE).
Running a successful startup requires a good understanding of financial matters. Recruiting a mentor who has a strong background in finance spells the difference between a successful startup and a floundering one. Vilar, who has been at the helm of the PSE’s marketing services and market education for 10 years, is the perfect match for any startup that wants access to financial knowledge. 


Jojy Azurin, Founder and CEO of Horsepower.ph. Azurin has co-founded a number of startups as well as IT companies. He has pioneered tech companies in the fields of BPO, IT outsourcing, online content publishing, and eCommerce. He is also co-director at Manila Chapter of Founder Institute, the world’s largest startup incubator. A seasoned leader and entrepreneur like him can definitely help any startup founder navigate the choppy startup waters.

Francis Simisim, CEO of Social Light, Inc.
Simisim’s experience as an entrepreneur through various startups such as WhenInManila, Blogapalooza, and Social Light, Inc. is valuable to any fledgling startup. His current position as partner at a Philippine-based VC firm, Original Pitch Venture Capital, can give startup founders invaluable insight when it comes to pitching to potential investors and coming up with out-of-the-box creative solutions. 

QBO Innovation Hub, the country’s first public-private initiative for startups, is set to launch virtual hub


Noel Lorenzana, a Venture Capitalist with years of experience in key leadership positions 
Insight from someone who has successful experience in various posts as CEO, COO, President, and Managing Director and served in various roles across functions in General Management, Marketing, Sales, Operations, and Innovation Management is gold for anyone who is just starting out. Lorenzana has weathered many challenges as an executive, making him the perfect mentor for newbie founders. 


Joseph Lacson, Chief Investment Officer at Metro Pacific Investments Corporation Lacson has accrued various leadership experiences spanning a wide range of departments in his 20 years of professional experience. Currently, he is the CIO of Metro Pacific Investments. He has also been at the helm of many sales and marketing departments, as well as strategy and business development. Insights from someone who has experience in moving and growing various companies can prove helpful to anyone just starting out.
Starting March 1, QBO startups will have unfettered access to these mentors and more through the QBO App.

For more information about QBO’s INQBATION program, please visit www.qbo.com.ph.

*This is Press Release