The QBO Innovation Hub, a public-private initiative dedicated to fostering collaboration, development, and growth within the startup community, recently revealed the country’s top 100 most promising startups in its Top 100 Startups SHOWQASE. The unveiling took place at the inaugural Sinigang Valley Conference on November 21, 2023, during the recently concluded Philippine Startup Week 2023 (PHSW23).
QBO’s Top 100 Startups SHOWQASE features a diverse selection spanning various industries across the Philippines, reflecting the nation’s dynamic startup ecosystem. Represented sectors encompass agriculture, AI, climate sustainability, finance, logistics, social commerce, and more.
According to the official release of the Top 100 Startups SHOWQASE, each startup on the list has demonstrated their ability to disrupt industries, shape the future of technology, and pave the way towards bringing Filipino innovation to greater heights.
“The annual Top 100 Startups SHOWQASE by QBO reflects the remarkable strength and diversity of the Philippines’ startup ecosystem. We are proud to showcase these innovative startups that are addressing societal challenges with their unique solutions. By featuring them in this list, our goal is to broaden their reach and catalyze further opportunities for innovation and growth in their respective fields,” said Katrina Rausa Chan, Executive Director of QBO Innovation Hub.
Organized by QBO, alongside AHG Lab, Foxmont Capital Partners, Kaya Founders, Uniquecorn Strategies, and founding members of the private-sector-led startup organization Sinigang Valley Association, the unveiling served as one of the main highlights of PHSW23.
Founded in 2016, QBO Innovation Hub was established through a partnership with IdeaSpace Foundation, J.P. Morgan, the Department of Science and Technology, and the Department of Trade and Industry. It is also the programmatic arm of IdeaSpace Foundation.
Honorees also expressed their gratitude for being included on the list, acknowledging the challenging path they took to reach this point.
Startup accelerator Founders Launchpad, which supported enterprise solutions provider Itemcount, AI-powered escrow app Safe, and edutech platform Kipapp from the list, recognized their inclusion as a testament to their significant potential. “Founders Launchpad is proud of the achievements and milestones that these startups have accomplished. This recognition is a reward for the founders’ hard work and is a sign of the beginning of a promising startup journey to reach greater heights that lie ahead,” the accelerator said on LinkedIn.
All three startups have displayed remarkable growth, securing $50,000 in funding each through Founders Launchpad’s accelerator program. But their achievements don’t stop there: Itemcount achieved a $2,000 monthly recurring revenue in 2023, Safe developed its own AI-powered scam detection tool, and Kipapp reached P10 million in revenue in December 2022..
IoT startup Packetworx, which has reached a total funding of $4.2 million and 1,000+ base stations around Metro Manila, also thanked QBO for consistently recognizing its hard work. “We’re happy to share that Packetworx has once again made it to QBO Philippines’ Top 100 Startups Showcase 2023! This marks our second recognition from this prestigious organization since our first citation in 2021,” the startup said in an official Facebook post.
Others, such as travel and tourism startup Mata Technologies, promised to continue innovating after their inclusion on the list. “Honored to be one of the #PHSW23 Top 100 Startups powered by QBO at Philippine Startup Week Sinigang Valley Conference! With unwavering commitment, we will stay at the forefront of innovation, continuously virtualizing more spaces and islands,” it said in an official post. Mata Technologies has notably secured a total funding of $30,000, with revenue of $90,000 generated to date.
The official Top 100 Startups SHOWQASE list notes that a majority of the country’s startups are eagerly seeking some form of expansion—whether by engaging new clientele, expanding their network, or even seeking new rounds of funding. Each startup’s total funding so far is also shared on the official list, with the top 100 startups typically having raised anywhere from tens of thousands to a few million dollars.
To access the complete Top 100 Startups SHOWQASE list and full PHSW23 event brochure, please visit www.phstartupweek.com.