Quezon City is strengthening its support for local startups through a three-year tax incentive program, a new ecosystem development roadmap, and partnerships aimed at helping emerging businesses grow.
The initiatives were presented during “Startup QC: Mapping the Future of Innovation in Quezon City”, held on November 10 at the Quezon City M.I.C.E. Center as part of Philippine Startup Week 2026.
Under the Quezon City Bridging Incentives Towards Innovative Startups Ordinance (QC-BITIS), qualified startups registered in the city may receive exemptions from business tax and certain other local taxes for three years.
The incentives, established under Ordinance SP-3459, S-2025, are intended to help startups reduce operating costs and direct more resources toward product development and business expansion.
Eligible businesses must apply through the Quezon City Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office (LEDIPO), comply with the ordinance’s implementing rules, and secure approval from the Quezon City Economic Development Investment Board.
The ordinance also provides a Green Lane for qualified startups, offering priority processing and assistance with business permits, licenses, and other government services.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said the latest initiatives build on the city’s Startup QC Program, established in 2022 to support emerging businesses and encourage entrepreneurship among students.
Since its launch, the program has supported 21 early-stage startups under its Professional Category and awarded 104 grants to youth-led ventures under its Student Category.
Among the ventures supported is LITHOS Manufacturing, which developed a rainwater collection and filtration system now deployed in communities in Pangasinan, Isabela City, and Batangas. Another is Pasajob, which helps Filipinos find employment opportunities through referrals, including through GJobs on GCash.
“Indeed, the ideas that go farthest are those that begin by understanding the needs of the communities they seek to serve,” Belmonte said during her opening remarks at Philippine Startup Week on November 9.
Beyond financial incentives, the city presented its proposed Startup Ecosystem Roadmap 2027–2030, developed through consultations with founders, investors, academic institutions, industry representatives, and government stakeholders.
The consultations found that Quezon City already has substantial resources supporting startups, but entrepreneurs often face difficulties accessing them.
Among the challenges identified were fragmented support programs, limited market access, financing gaps, regulatory hurdles, and insufficient assistance as startups move from incubation to commercialization and expansion.
The roadmap seeks to address these issues by improving connections between founders and available support services, strengthening access to mentors and incubators, and creating more opportunities for business matching and customer validation.
It also proposes investment-readiness programs, financing connections suited to different stages of startup development, and continued support for businesses beyond incubation and startup competitions.
Initial priorities for 2027 include mapping the city’s startup ecosystem, improving referrals to support programs, and strengthening connections to financing opportunities. Implementation is expected to proceed progressively with ecosystem partners.
During the event, Startup QC also formalized partnerships with five organizations: SPACE IO, SCALE NCR, Letran, Common Ground, and Polytechnic University of the Philippines Manila.
The agreements are intended to strengthen collaboration among government, educational institutions, and private sector organizations in supporting entrepreneurs.
The program featured presentations by LEDIPO officials, including office head Juan Manuel Gatmaitan, Planning and Programs Division officer-in-charge Monica Paula Lavares, and Business Development Manager Sas Pineda.
Together, the tax incentives, development roadmap, and new partnerships reflect Quezon City’s efforts to create a more supportive environment for startups, from early product development to commercialization and business growth.