The Quezon City Government, in partnership with accelerator Launchgarage, awarded seven emerging startups with an equity-free grant of Php 1 million each during the Startup QC Cohort 4 Demo Day.
The grants were presented to the winners, chosen from nine finalists, for developing innovative, scalable, and socially relevant solutions aligned with the city’s goals for inclusive economic growth and digital transformation.
The seven winning startups represent key sectors responding to the evolving needs of Filipino communities, spanning sustainable energy, human resources, health innovation, and property technology.
The recipients include:
- Briyo (Sustainable Energy): Builds modular, bamboo-based wind and hydro turbines for off-grid communities.
- Hireable (Human Resource Technology): An AI-powered platform for freelance hiring and key performance indicator (KPI) matching.
- Kazam On-Demand Services (Human Resource Technology): A flexible online marketplace connecting users with part-time household help.
- Laro (Sports and Recreation Technology): A community and booking app for sports and recreation activities.
- Agap.ai (Health Technology): An AI-powered developmental screening tool for parents.
- Soolok (Property Technology): Streamlines foreclosure data and home acquisition processes, targeting completion within 45 days.
- Xamun.AI (Information Technology): An AI platform that converts business requirements into deployable applications in weeks.
The Cohort 4 winners emphasize solutions for current social challenges, such as the gig economy (Hireable, Kazam On-Demand Services) and early health intervention for children (Agap.ai).
The Startup QC Program, operating under the city’s leadership, aims to empower early-stage ventures through funding, mentorship, and access to a professional network.
QC Mayor Joy Belmonte commented on the program’s vision, highlighting the role of local government in supporting innovation: “Innovation is not just about technology — it is about empathy, service, and equity. Through Startup QC, we are proving that governance and innovation can work hand in hand, that a local government can be both visionary and inclusive.”
To further bolster its innovation ecosystem, the City is finalizing the Business Investment and Trade Incentives for Startups (BITIS) Ordinance. This ordinance is designed to provide fiscal incentives and a supportive regulatory environment for entrepreneurs to scale their businesses. The Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office (LEDIPO) is slated to spearhead the official launch under the “Invest with QC” campaign.
Beyond financial support, the Startup QC Program provides capacity-building and mentorship, aiming to bridge startups with industries and foster a sustainable innovation pipeline that benefits the wider economy.