The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has established a consortium that aims to drive innovation and accelerate startup growth in Metro Manila through key initiatives.
The launch of the consortium, dubbed Strategic and Collaborative Alliance for Leveraging Ecosystems of Startups – National Capital Region (SCALE NCR), comes as the Philippine startup ecosystem is forecast to take off in the coming years, with the country’s digital economy projected to reach $35 billion by 2026.
Part of SCALE NCR’s initiatives is the introduction of the NCR Local Government Unit (LGU) Mapping initiative, which seeks to map out 17 cities across the NCR to identify opportunities for collaboration and support for startups.
The mapping plan will identify key elements such as the number of startups in each LGUs, enablers within educational institutions, community cultures, and the various programs aimed at developing the ecosystem.
Additionally, the mapping plan will examine non-educational enablers like incubators and accelerators, along with LGU-promoted programs and their outcomes.
The mapping initiative, according to the announcement, will help guide the creation of a five-year Startup Development Roadmap for the region.
The said roadmap aligns with the DOST’s Regional Startup Enablers for Ecosystem Development (ReSEED) Program, which is designed to strengthen the startup ecosystems of various regions.
“By empowering more startups to take root and flourish, we aim to create a ripple effect that will inspire a new wave of innovation and strengthen our economy,” said Russell Pili, chief science research specialist at DOST-PCIEERD.
The SCALE NCR consortium comprises QBO Innovation, Animo Labs, Miriam College Technology Business Incubator, Adamson University-AduNest, Mapua University-Think & Thinker Laboratory, University of Sto. Tomas-TomasInno Center, UP Diliman-UPSCALE Innovation Hub, and Technological Institute of the Philippines-NITRO.
QBO Innovation executive director Jay Fajardo said the launch of the consortium is timely as the Philippine startup ecosystem is poised to take off.
According to him, this rapid expansion underscores the immense potential of the region’s innovation landscape.
SCALE NCR manager Cristina Ibanez said the initiative plays a pivotal role in promoting and accelerating the growth of startups within the NCR as it “offers mentorship, funding opportunities, strategic partnerships, and specialized resources”.
Ibañez added that SCALE NCR aims to improve Metro Manila’s standing in the global startup ecosystem ranking, currently placed at 81st to 90th.