QC gov't call on participants for 'StartUp' program
The Quezon City government announced on Wednesday, June 28, that it is ready to accept applicants for a new batch of participants in the StartUp QC Program.
According to the local government, StartUp QC Program aims to create jobs, cultivate the entrepreneurial spirit, promote innovation, and develop the city's start-up ecosystem by providing qualified entrepreneurs with equity-free financial grants of up to P1,000,000. It was launched in October 2022.
It added that the city partnered with esteemed institutions, including Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Ateneo de Manila University, Miriam College, Technological Institute of the Philippines, Thames International Business School, University of the Philippines Diliman, and Launchgarage, for the program.
It also said that five startups out of 70 applicants were chosen to become part of the program’s first batch of participants last May.
These are Bamboo Impact Lab, which provides high-quality, bamboo-derived products; EdukSine, whose website and mobile application cater to educational and socially relevant films that will allow block screening and individual access: Indigo AI Research, provides general-purpose AI (artificial intelligence) capabilities such as a multilanguage engine that can understand various languages and colloquial variants; ITOOH Homestyle, which is the Philippine’s first tech-enabled marketplace for quality-vetted home and office furnishings; and Wika, an accessibility service provider that provides various aid to people with hearing and/or visual disabilities through a mobile app and hardware to accommodate visual aid, and user-generated content.
“These startup finalists went through an extensive and rigorous application and screening process following a set of criteria that places high standards on innovativeness, creativity, sustainability and social relevance, among others, which I believe reflect the shared values and ideals of our City,” Belmonte said.
The five participants will present their final pitches about their startups in August.
Aside from the 1,000,000 financial grant, these selected startups have participated in numerous tailored “Learning, Engagement, and Development (LEAD) Sessions” on a variety of topics to support their respective business goals.
For the second batch of the program, the application period will be until 5 p.m. on July 12, 2023.
Interested groups or individuals can visit the Startup QC webpage at qceservices.quezoncity.gov.ph. for more information about the program.