UPSCALE Innovation Hub, the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman’s premier Technology Business Incubator (TBI), recently kicked off the 14th batch of its incubation program at the UPSCALE Incubation Hub, National Engineering Center in UP Diliman, Quezon City.
Out of 44 applicants, nine startups were selected to form UPSCALE’s 14th batch. Online therapy marketplace Therapease, AI-driven construction decision support platform AIMHI, accredited care service booking platform and marketplace Nansy Care Services, healthcare education platform Allied Health Academics, healthy snack maker Roselient Processed Food Manufacturing, publishing process management startup Indie Co., cooling device maker KoolGear, AI-driven business solutions provider Cawil.AI, and Tagalog-focused augmentative and alternative communication system AAClatan made the shortlist.
To be considered for the incubation program, startups must be in the R&D to Pre-seed / Revenue stage, have a team of at least two active co-founders (UP students and alumni are not required), have an initial prototype or Minimum Viable Product (Version 1.0), and to have undergone market validation.
The launch event was attended by a mix of startup founders, business and academic mentors, investors, community partners, and representatives from StartUp QC, the first LGU-led startup incubation program launched by the Quezon City government.
Launched in 2018, the UPSCALE Innovation Hub is a collaboration between the University of the Philippines Diliman and the Department of Science and Technology Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD). It aims to accelerate the deployment of innovative technologies through industry partnerships and support for startups.
UPSCALE has mentored startups in various stages of development using a three-pronged approach: 1) the UP Enterprise accelerator program supports pre-revenue startups; 2) Ignite Innovation Labs fosters industry collaborations; and, 3) entreLEAD focuses on scaling. These initiatives maximize industry-academe collaborations unique to UPSCALE.
UPSCALE’s 14th incubation program will equip budding startups with everything they need to succeed in the real world through in-depth sessions on key business concepts such as design thinking, product development, marketing strategy, and tax and accounting. Sessions will be held every Thursday from 5pm to 7pm for the next five months.
In addition to in-depth sessions on key business concepts, the innovation program also offers participating startups mentorship programs and opportunities to partner with private industry players, tech-innovation experts, experienced entrepreneurs, and industry partners.
UPSCALE’s unique combination of academic expertise and commercialization experience is what attracted mentors like UPSCALE Senior Partner Johnny Sy. “The start-up industry has grown tremendously in the past decade,” said Sy, who has decades of experience in managerial roles at companies like ABS-CBN and IBM Philippines. “Technology business incubators like UPSCALE enable our universities, the source of research and innovation, to explore the commercialization and monetization opportunities locked within their institutions.”
“I’ve personally seen the growth and maturity of the UPSCALE program,” Sy added. “Their ability to provide not only space and knowledge but also access to potential investors and venture capital is unparalleled in the country today. They’re now on Batch 14 of their program, which is evidence of their success in this space.”
Other senior mentors of the incubation program include Silikon Technologies CEO Fred Chua, former VP for Design and Development at Integrated Microelectronics, Inc. Rafael Nestor ‘Chico’ Mantaring, Veris Tech CEO and Co-Founder Dr. Kristine Magtubo, PHINMA Education Chief Technology Officer Alex Ustaris, UP Technology Transfer and Business Development Office Director Dr. Luis Sison, and The Rizal Academy for Innovation and Leadership Innovation Coach/Chief Exponential Officer Jimbo Reverente.
Reverente, a partner and head of innovation consulting at international corporate venturing and innovation firm Embiggen, has recently joined UPSCALE’s senior mentor program. “It’s an honor to have the opportunity to mentor these bright and determined founders via the UPSCALE program and help create a positive impact in our startup ecosystem,” he said.
The program will grant access to networking events that connect participating startups with peers, seasoned entrepreneurs, and industry partners, fostering opportunities for collaboration and expansion. Finally, UPSCALE will also support participants with grant applications, proposal writing, and effective project management.
UPSCALE’s alumni include startups from a diverse range of industries that have already achieved significant milestones. For example, agritech startup Anihan Technologies has been touted as a potent solution in the fight against food loss, edutech platform Kippap has raised additional funds through other incubation programs, and Cropital has partnered with insurance giants like AXA Philippines to raise funds for Filipino farmers.
UPSCALE alumnus Gillian Santos, CEO and Co-Founder of Anihan Technologies, shared her learnings with the batch. “UPSCALE provided us both a holistic and curated set of learning sessions that gave us the fundamentals of running and growing an agritech startup. They also managed to match us with great mentors that have extensive experience and gave both out-of-the box advice that was fit for agritech.”
Santos added, “The sessions that really stuck with us the most were on Unit Economics and Financial Modeling. I’d say even after the program we still use most of their templates and resources, especially on Unit Economics and Financial Modeling, and it helped us plan how to get our solution from a Pilot Test Prototype to a Mass Manufactured System and to become a venture that will scale and be profitable in the long run.”
The 14th batch of the UPSCALE incubation program will culminate in early March 2024 with a Graduation and Investor Pitch Day.
PHOTO CREDITS: All images courtesy of UPSCALE Innovation Hub/ Gwen Valimento