The Department of Trade and Industry – Competitiveness Innovation Group (DTI-CIG) and QBO Innovation have launched the ARISE Plus Ye! Boost Accelerator Program Cohort 3, funded by the European Union, to recognize the most outstanding startups in the Philippines’ youth-led business landscape. Launched in 2021, the program aims to provide internationalization support to youth-led startups and was recognized at its Demo Day on June 25, 2024.
Rene “Butch” Meily, President of Ideaspace | QBO Innovation, expressed his gratitude, stating, “I’d like to thank our partners, the European Union, the International Trade Council, and DTI for their support. Europe is an often untapped market for us. Through the ARISE Plus Ye! Boost Accelerator Program, we hope Filipino startups can access this crucial market and establish a foothold for exports.”
The Demo Day, attended by key partners, investors, and stakeholders, concluded a program for 12 business startups. The judging panel, including DTI Foreign Trade Service Corps Assistant Secretary Althea Karen Antonio, ITC Youth Entrepreneurship National Expert Miguel Lopez, Ideaspace | QBO Innovation Head Shoraliah Macalbe, PLDT Innovations Laboratory and Ecosystem Partnerships Head Dara Ever Juan, and ThinkPlace Studio Director Rodrigo Alarcon, evaluated the startups’ pitches. Mylo Speech Buddy won first place with a pitch prize of PHP 146,000.
“Our experience joining the ARISE Plus Ye! The Boost Accelerator Program has been great. The support provided by QBO Innovation and the insights from ITC have been invaluable. I believe our win underscores the importance of the service we provide to the market. Our winnings will play a crucial role in our efforts to further grow the company and help more Filipino families,” said Mylo Speech Buddy founder Vincent Rocha.
BCRemit, a London-based fintech company founded by Pinoys empowering Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) with efficient money transfers, was awarded second place and received a $1,500 grant, or around PHP 87,000.
“Our focus has been on penetrating more markets geographically to reach more migrant workers. The grant we won will fund our expansion plans to the United States,” said BCRemit co-founder and director Gio Calma.
Lastly, fashion brand PAMMÉ, which crafts sustainable accessories from recycled plastic made by women deprived of liberty, secured third place with a $1,000 pitch prize, or about PHP 58,000.
“The ARISE Plus Ye! Boost Accelerator Program has been remarkable. With its main focus on internationalization, I’m grateful that they have opened doors for us to explore global markets. At PAMMÉ, a fashion social enterprise, we take pride in this win,” shared PAMMÉ founder Pamela Meija.
Other participating startups in the ARISE Plus Ye! Boost Accelerator Program Cohort 3 included Capilli, a social enterprise creating eco-friendly products from upcycled human hair waste; Hibla Philippines, a social enterprise preserving Philippine weaving traditions; IndieCo, an SEO company blending human creativity with AI for business content; Nama Urban Farms, an urban agriculture startup cultivating nutritious produce; Nutricoach Inc., a platform aiding dietitians in building and scaling nutrition clinics; Prezenter, a company that simplifies presentations in under 10 seconds, helping teachers put their lessons on Smart TVs; Reelist8, a proptech x Shoppertainment marketplace for real estate transactions; REPAMANA, a circular fashion brand repurposing hotel textiles into new garments; and TERPCAP Inc., an accessibility solutions provider for inclusive workplaces..
In addition to the cash prizes, the program, under the strategic partnerships facilitated by QBO Innovation, ITC, and DTI-CIG, will provide the top three winners with opportunities to build more robust networks with EU partners and investors to support their global market expansion.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the Philippines has released a comprehensive mapping report to identify growth opportunities for young Filipino entrepreneurs and ecosystem actors like Technology Business Incubators (TBIs). The report, “Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in the Philippines – Network Analysis and Mapping of Institutions Supporting Youth Entrepreneurship,” aims to create an inclusive environment where young entrepreneurs can thrive, innovate, and contribute to sustained economic development.
In her video message, ITC Head of Youth and Trade Mayara Louzada highlighted the country’s young entrepreneurship landscape:
“We have found that the entrepreneurship ecosystem in the Philippines is young and rapidly developing, emphasizing economic development, inclusion, and innovation to attract investment. Both the government and private sectors actively support young innovators aiming to create jobs and stimulate economic growth, especially as many turn to entrepreneurship due to a lack of quality job opportunities.”
The report highlights market gaps, such as confusion over government department roles, limited funding, and insufficient youth-led business programs, particularly outside Metro Manila. Recommendations include a TBI info-sharing network, a country guide for entrepreneurs’ support, and expanding beyond the tech sector. The government’s role is crucial in fostering entrepreneurship and young entrepreneurs.
DTI Undersecretary Rafaelita “Fita” Aldaba stated, “We’re working together with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), and other government agencies to ensure that our economic relationships are fundamental to our strategy, competition, innovation, and productivity. We cannot remain static—our industries cannot stay stagnant. Therefore, we are committed to supporting the growth and development of startups in the Philippines.”
The Philippine startup ecosystem has shown continuous growth despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, the country ranked 52nd globally, with thriving industries including fintech (19%), e-commerce (7%), education and healthcare (5.2%), and agriculture (3.1%).
