Philippine Startup Week caps off with the signing of the IRR of the Innovative Startup Act

"QBO strongly believes that startups in the Philippines have all the potential to be at par with its regional counterparts. That is why we are determined to create an ecosystem where they can thrive and succeed. By pooling all the relevant government agencies and members of the private sectors, QBO pushes for more support so ideas will get a headstart and existing startups will get a boost." ~Mr. Rene “Butch” Meily, QBO Innovation Hub President

(L-R) Mr. Rene “Butch” Meily, QBO Innovation Hub President; Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara, Undersecretary, Department of Science and Technology (DOST); Fortunato T. Dela Peña, Secretary, DOST; Ramon M. Lopez, Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); Gregorio B. Honasan II, Secretary, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT); Rafaelita M. Aldaba, Undersecretary, DTI-Competitiveness and Innovation Group; Emmanuel Rey Caintic, Assistant Secretary, DICT; and Jose Arturo C. De Castro, Undersecretary, DICT-Legal Affairs, Policy, Planning & Finance.

The first-of-its-kind Philippine Startup Week (PHSW19) caps off in high spirits with the signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations for the Republic Act No. 11337, also known as the Innovative Startup Act. Present at the signing, held at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria, are Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato dela Pena, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Gregorio Honasan II, and QBO Innovation Hub (QBO) President Rene Meily, along with Filipino startup advocates, enablers, and communities.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and QBO Innovation Hub holds a joint press conference in celebration of the first multi-city startup gathering, the Philippine Startup Week 2019. 

It is a great opportunity to learn more about the government’s commitment to strengthening the Philippines’ startup community. The press conference also shares developments on the Implementing Rules and Regulations for RA 11337, also known as the Startup Innovative Act.

"The Philippine Startup Week 2019 is a great avenue to bring together startups across the Philippines, providing them opportunities to build linkages and to learn from each other's experiences. For three years, your DICT has been implementing and continuously developing programs aimed at promoting startups. The passage of RA 11337 will enable us to explore more ways to widen our reach in this area." ~Gregorio B. Honasan II, Secretary, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)

The PHSW19 is a multi-city, simultaneous gathering of the Filipino startup community which aims to solidify their commitment to raise the level of the industry. It was created through the collaboration of the DOST, DTI, DICT, QBO, the country’s first public-private initiative for startups created through a partnership between IdeaSpace, J.P. Morgan, DOST, and DTI. 

"The Filipino startup community has been thriving and has shown great promise in recent years. By coming together these startups are able to support one another towards better chances of success. The linkages with startups in other countries are also able to develop synergies and expanded markets. I am confident that under the one government approach we can accelerate the growth of the number of successful startups in our country.” ~Mr. Fortunato T. Dela Peña, Secretary, DOST

The gathering gave startup founders and aspiring entrepreneurs an avenue to grow their network and find like-minded people; they also had various opportunities to learn in community event sessions and interactive activities such as ‘Embracing Googliness: Applying Google Culture to Startups’ organized by Google, ‘Cultivating a Culture of Innovation and Collaboration for the PH Startup Community: The PLDT Innolab Advocacy’ led by PLDT Innolab, DICT’s ‘Tech Advantage Summit’, and many more. 

By bringing together the country's startups, the Philippine Startup Week inspired innovation, encouraged business networking, showcased technologies, and helped build the country as a fast-rising startup hub.

Entrepreneurs are one of the backbones of nation-building not only because they provide jobs and add to government funds, but also because they help paint the country as a progressive nation open for possibilities and business activities.

"The recent Philippine Startup Week gave entrepreneurs the opportunity to level up their own enterprises. It showed that the government and private sectors are coming together to create an environment conducive for startups, making it easy for investors to see potential in the country. Events like these will enable the Philippines to become home to world-class startups." ~Ramon M. Lopez, Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)

As a nationwide endeavor, startups in other areas including Albay, Bohol, Butuan, Pampanga, Baguio, Iloilo, Cagayan, Davao, Dumaguete, and Laguna, held simultaneous activities highlighting the growth of the industry that also showcased the massive potential to make it even bigger in the future. 

It is hoped that the Philippine Startup Week will drive more innovations and inspire more startups to go ahead with their ideas and make it happen for the community and for the nation.

For more information on Philippine Startup Week 2019, visit:

https://www.phstartupweek.com

About Philippine Startup Week

Philippine Startup Week 2019 is the country's first nationwide conference with simultaneously occurring events showcasing the Filipino startup community, created through the collaboration of the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Information and Communications Technology, and QBO Innovation Hub, together with various community enablers. Participated by 10 cities across the country, PHSW2019 consists of a 3-day main Summit, over 49 nationwide community events, and 8 night fests which are all set to highlight the various sectors and entities contributing to the growing Philippine startup ecosystem.

About the Department of Information and Communications Technology

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is the primary department of the executive branch of the Philippine government responsible for the planning, development and promotion of the country's information and communications technology agenda in support of national development.

About the Department of Trade and Industry

The Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is the executive department of the Philippine Government tasked as the main economic catalyst that enables innovative, competitive, job generating, inclusive business, and empowers consumers.

About the Department of Science and Technology

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is the premiere science and technology body in the country charged with the twin mandate of providing central direction, leadership and coordination of all scientific and technological activities, and of formulating policies, programs and projects to support national development.

About QBO

QBO (‘ku-bo’) is an innovation hub or a platform for the startup community to collaborate, develop talent, and grow. It provides startups with support and resources through events and capacity building programs as well as focused interventions designed to improve access to markets, knowledge, capital, and talent. QBO is the country’s first public-private initiative for startups, created through a partnership between IdeaSpace, J.P. Morgan, Department of Science and Technology, and Department of Trade and Industry.

Spurred on by the vision of Filipinos startups changing the world, QBO’s mission is to create a globally competitive startup ecosystem in the Philippines.