StartUp QC, a program meant to boost Quezon City’s startup ecosystem, has recently launched the second cohort of its intensive incubator program.
The program will grant qualified entrepreneurs up to ₱1M in financial aid without requiring equity in return, with the overall aim of generating employment opportunities and enhancing Quezon City’s budding startup ecosystem.
Last year, five startups were chosen from about 70 applicants to be part of StartUp QC’s initial cohort. The five startups are Bamboo Impact Lab, EdukSine, Indigo AI Research, ITOOH Homestyle, and Wika.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte herself underscored the importance of the program’s first cohort. “These startup finalists went through an extensive and rigorous application and screening process following a set of criteria that places high standards on innovativeness, creativity, sustainability, and social relevance, among others, which I believe reflect the shared values and ideals of our City,” she said.
of partners and mentors.
The program has already received the backing of other government institutions such as the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Also backing the program are incubators and innovation hubs such as StartUp Village and Launchgarage. Finally, a number of QC-based schools such as Ateneo de Manila University, Miriam College, Technological Institute of the Philippines, Thames International Business School, and University of the Philippines Diliman have also lent their support.
Building a new ground zero for innovation
Quezon City’s goal of becoming a startup hub should come as no surprise. Last year, the city was named the country’s most competitive thanks to its efforts to boost business efficiency and streamline government transactions. In the wake of the pandemic, for example, the city has enacted an economic rebooting policy that includes initiatives such as the digitalization of transactions regarding permits and tax payments and wage relief for small-time workers through livelihood training and capital assistance programs. With Quezon City also being the country’s richest local government unit, it makes sense that the city already houses a vibrant business ecosystem.
However, the idea to turn Quezon City into a startup hub was a gradual process. “It really began when Mayor Joy Belmonte got exposed to Silicon Valley through her husband, Kaya Founders general partner and former Lazada CEO Ray Alimurung, who was taking his MBA at Stanford at the time,” Quezon City Local Economic Investment and Promotions Office’s (LEIPO) Head Jay Gatmaitan explained.
The need to organize resulted in the program committee behind the StartUp QC program. The committee members are all composed of city government offices such as LEIPO, the city’s Youth Development Office, the City Council, and more.
It also made sense for the committee to tap Quezon City’s numerous academic incubators. UP Diliman, for example, houses the UPSCALE Innovation Hub which has already been recognized for its work launching multiple spinoff companies by helping improve their organizational structures and processes. Similarly, Ateneo’s Blue Nest incubator offers services such as business registration, administrative support, resources such as mentoring and office space in the university, and more.
Of course, Gatmaitan emphasizes that StartUp QC doesn’t limit itself to working Quezon City-based organizations only. “It’s a no-brainer to work with schools in the city but we’re also talking to schools based in other cities like Manila,” Gatmaitan revealed.
Even non-residents of Quezon City can benefit from the StartUp QC program as only one member of the startup team has to be a Quezon City resident.
The program
The StartupQC program is split into two categories: one for students and another for professionals.
The student category is open to anyone at least 18 years of age, enrolled in any college or university in the Philippines at the time of application. Selected cohort participants will undergo startup cadetship, where program partners will work with them to impart practical business tips. A panel of judges will then award up to P100,000 to the startup with the best pitch. Though all startups are welcome to apply, the student category places a particular focus on the areas of agritech, edtech, healthtech, greentech, and govtech.
Similarly, the professional category requires applicants to be at least 21 years old and have a minimum viable product. Each of the selected applicants will undergo a tailored coaching and mentorship program, before the program committee will select its awardees. Awardees will receive a financial grant and move on to the accelerator program.
According to Gatmaitan, the program hopes to encourage an innovative and entrepreneurial spirit, especially in the student category. “We’re open to helping startups even if they already have grants from other institutions,” Gatmaitan said. “We really want to help them grow. In the student category, for example, if they get a minimum viable product down then we’d love to help accelerate them even further.”
StartUp QC’s esteemed partners actively contribute their expertise to various aspects of the program. They meticulously review startup applications as part of the screening and evaluation team, ensuring a thorough assessment before endorsing them to the Program Committee. Collaboratively, they promote startup-related initiatives, including networking events and webinars, fostering awareness and engagement within the entrepreneurial community. These partners also provide invaluable guidance and mentorship, tailoring their expertise to meet the specific needs of each cohort. Leveraging their extensive networks, they facilitate valuable connections and linkages, enhancing the overall program experience for participants.
Startups of the first cohort
The program’s first cohort of startups serves as a good indication of what kind of innovation StartUp QC’s stakeholders look for.
Founded by Karen Jane Salutan, DOST-funded hybrid streaming platform EdukSine showcases educational and socially-relevant films through online, face-to-face, and hybrid block screenings in schools, government offices, and companies all throughout the Philippines.
Applied AI research company Indigo Research uses its team of skilled researchers, engineers, and designers to equip businesses with impactful intelligent solutions ranging from machine learning to natural language AI products. These solutions are typically offered as a SaaS while fundamental research from Indigo Research is published.
ITOOH Homestyle is a digital platform aggregating quality furniture, decor, art, and reupholstery while also offering interior design consultancy. Its founders Jules Veloso, Andrew Bercasio, and Enah Baba see ITOOH Homestyle as a champion for Filipino craftsmanship, while also offering an easy furniture shopping experience for its customers.
Finally, two members of the first cohort are also incubatees of the Ateneo Intellectual Property Office. Bamboo Impact Lab, which is led by Dr. Anneth Rigon, works to combat harmful chemicals in the beauty and cosmetics industries by producing high-quality bamboo products. In addition, Wika Media strives to empower the deaf community by granting them access to auditory content in their mother tongue, Filipino Sign Language. Its founder Dr. Roland Benzon envisions a groundbreaking transformation in media consumption for the deaf community in the Philippines.
In the end, the efforts of StartUp QC and its partners not only benefit participating startups but also create opportunities for other entrepreneurs and workers. After all, each of the program’s graduates is meant to create something that uses innovation to create a sustainable and relevant solution.
With StartUp QC’s second cohort now well underway, Quezon City is poised to become a thriving hub where entrepreneurs flourish, workers thrive, and the entire city benefits from the dynamic startup landscape.