Category: News

  • Davao City to Launch Startup Investors Community in Partnership with 2024 Davao Startup Week

    In an effort to further bolster its startup ecosystem, Davao City is set to introduce its very own Startup Investors Community in collaboration with the upcoming 2024 Davao Startup Week.

    This initiative, spearheaded by IDEAS Davao in conjunction with Upgrade Innolab, Villgro Philippines, and the City Government of Davao, is scheduled to be unveiled during the Investors Mixer event, titled “Connecting Startups with Local Investors,” which will take place at Seda Hotel on September 29, 2024, starting at 10:30 AM.

    The event is expected to draw the participation of 50 investors and entrepreneurs from the city. Its primary aim is to facilitate dialogue between investors and established entrepreneurs, urging them to consider investing in locally-grown tech startup companies supported by the region’s incubators, accelerators, and venture-b builders firms.

    Notable participants slated to attend include impact investor groups and Venture Capital firms such as Villgro Philippines, Bayanihan Ventures, E3 Hubs Malaysia, and Gobi Core.

    This endeavor comes in response to the 2023 Startup Ecosystem Mapping recommendation, which urged Davao to establish its own investor community to enhance accessibility to funding for early-stage startups. The presence of angel financing is anticipated to significantly contribute to the further advancement of the city’s startup ecosystem, creating more opportunities for entrepreneurs in the region.

    Mr. Richard Day, President of Upgrade Innolab, emphasized the challenges faced by the Davao startup ecosystem in accessing essential risk capital. He highlighted the need for individuals who can help mitigate the risk for promising startups catering to growing markets.

    While startups in Davao and the region can secure funding for research and development through government grants such as the DOST Startup Grant Fund Program, NEDA Innovation Fund, and DICT Startup Grants, the competitive nature of these programs poses a challenge.

    To date, Davao Region ranks second in the number of startups funded by DOST, with only four startup companies benefiting from the grants. Therefore, the establishment of a robust capital access system in Davao City and the region at large is imperative.

    Mr. Day stressed the importance of gathering institutions and individuals capable of financing budding startup companies and securing substantial capital for the expansion and scaling up of operations. Potential interventions include organizing targeted demo days and investment readiness training for incubators, as well as setting up angel clubs and networks to engage local tycoons and high net-worth individuals. Educating potential investors about startups and startup investments is identified as a challenging yet essential step in this process.

    IDEAS Davao, with the support of the Davao City Investment and Promotion Center, remains optimistic about the prospect of providing a more inclusive and accessible capital for innovators and entrepreneurs in their pursuit to build, launch, and scale their ventures.

  • Davao Startup Week Gears Up for its 3rd Edition on September 2024

    Photos from the Davao Startup Week 2023 Opening Ceremony

    Davao Startup Week is set to make a return for its 3rd edition from September 19 to 29, 2024, highlighting Davao Region’s growing prominence in the startup ecosystem. The event, organized by IDEAS Davao, Upgrade Innolab, the City Government of Davao, and the Department of Science and Technology, will operate under the theme “InnovNation: Accelerating Davao’s Global Disruptive Potential.”

    Notably, Davao has seen a remarkable ascent in the Global Startup Index, climbing 208 ranks this year. This progress underscores the region’s increased focus on fostering and supporting startups, driven by advancements in talent development, infrastructure, mentorship, networking, and funding accessibility.

    Several new organizations, including Wadwahni Foundation, Bayanihan Ventures, Davao Defi, NFT Davao, Ateneo de Davao University’s ADDVentures TBI, and Davao del Norte State College’s  BUGSAI TBI, have significantly contributed to the burgeoning startup environment. Additionally, the establishment of over 30 coworking spaces and innovation laboratories in key cities across the region further solidifies Davao’s position as a conducive space for startup success.

    Recent events like the DevCon Summit in Mindanao and Blockhain Pilipinas have provided local talents with valuable exposure to prominent companies, investors, and communities. Additionally, initiatives like the IDEAS Davao monthly Founders Forum and Bayanihan Ventures Founders Circle have expanded support networks for entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners.

    The upcoming Davao Startup Week 2024 expects to draw 5,000 participants across 17 pre-events organized by various groups, fostering collaboration among students, professionals, incubators, accelerators, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. Key events include the 3rd Mindanao Incubator Summit, Davao Investors Mixer, Davao Innovation & Startup Champion Awards, and Techstars Startup Weekend Davao: ASTRA.

    A significant highlight of the event will be the unveiling of the Department of Science and Technology Region XI iHubs, dedicated makerspaces for innovators across the region. The launch of the Davao Angel Investors Network and the Startup Kabataan Program by the City Government of Davao is also highly anticipated.

    Davao Startup Week 2024 is poised to feature ideation workshops, pitching competitions, exhibits, and networking events, drawing participants not only from the Davao Region but also from across the country. The event aims to showcase Davao’s potential as a developing center for innovation and entrepreneurship in Mindanao.

  • PH Incubators Gather in Davao City for Conference

    The 3rd Mindanao Incubator Summit is slated to convene on September 27, 2024, n Davao City, Philippines, in conjunction with the Davao Startup Week 2024. Organized by Region XI’s startup consortium, IDEAS Davao, and in collaboration with the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and the Wadhwani Foundation, the summit aims to bring together business incubators, accelerators, and other startup enablers from across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

    With an expected attendance of 200 delegates representing over 50 incubators in the Philippines, the event seeks to accelerate the growth and success of entrepreneurial companies by providing a range of support resources and services, including physical space, capital, coaching, common services, and networking connections.

    The Philippines is home to 81 incubators that are largely funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through the Higher Education Institution Readiness for Innovation and Technopreneurship (HEIRIT) Program. Notable local incubators in Davao include the University of the Philippines Mindanao Technology Business Incubator, the University of Mindanao UMasenso Hub, the University of the Immaculate Conception Marian TBI, University of Southeastern Philippines Agilab, Ateneo de Davao University ADDVentures, Philippine Women’s College of Davao CHI+, and Davao del Norte State College BUGSAI TBI.

    Moreover, Davao City is host to a growing number of non-profit organizations like Upgrade Innolab Inc. and Bayanihan Ventures, which provide support to startups through incubation, acceleration programs, and investments. The DOST has also developed the Regional Startup Enablers for Ecosystem Development (ReSEED) Program to strengthen innovation efforts in the regions and create a conducive environment for startups to thrive.

    As this year’s co-presenter, the Mindanao Development Authority aims to synergize Mindanao-based startups and boost the assistance provided to startup founders by establishing linkages with BIMP EAGA member countries and industries. In collaboration, the Wadhwani Foundation empowers university-hosted incubators by providing technical assistance and access to a cutting-edge digital entrepreneurship platform, all at no cost to partner institutions.  

    “It is our mission to create a thriving campus innovation ecosystem by seamlessly integrating technopreneurship and innovative ventures into IT and engineering curricula. Through Wadhwani Entrepreneurship Program (WEN) and together with the TBIs, we aim to inspire the next generation of innovators and foster a vibrant ecosystem for our entrepreneurs” says Rose Ofianga, Program Manager, Wadhwani Foundation. 

    The 3rd Mindanao Incubator Summit is expected to serve as a platform for participants to share best practices in supporting startup founders, attract more investment for local startups, and foster the growth of successful startup companies in Mindanao.

  • IDEAS Accelerate Vol. 2: Empowering Davao’s Best, Forging Mindanao’s Future

    We are thrilled to introduce you to the 2nd Issue of the IDEAS Accelerate newsletter, the official publication of IDEAS Davao, to support and empower Davao’s startup community.

    This newsletter is our way of sharing with you the amazing stories and achievements of our members, partners, and collaborators who are making a difference in Davao and beyond through innovation and entrepreneurship.

    In this issue, you will find:

    ✅ A feature on the winners of the Techstars Startup Weekend Davao 2023, a 54-hour event where participants pitched their ideas, formed teams, and built prototypes.
    ✅ A spotlight on the 2nd Mindanao TBi summit, focusing on how tech can be used for social good and uplifting communities.
    ✅ A showcase of the successful events and activities that we organized and co-hosted during the Davao Startup Week, such as the Tech Transfer Forum, Davao Innovation Night, and the Davao Startup Champion Awards.
    ✅ A summary of the latest news and updates from our closest partners and sponsors such as the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Science and Technology, and the Department of Information and Communications Technology.
    ✅ A list of the up-and-coming communities you can join to know more about resources that you can access to grow your startup

    We hope that this newsletter will inspire you to join us in our mission to create a thriving and sustainable startup ecosystem in Davao. Whether you are a budding entrepreneur, an experienced investor, or a curious observer, we invite you to be part of our community and discover the endless possibilities that Davao has to offer.

    To get your FREE digital copy of the newsletter, simply click on the links below 👇:

    PDF version:

    https://tinyurl.com/ACCELERATE-IDEAS-Issue2

    Flipbook version:

    https://tinyurl.com/ACCELERATE-IDEAS-Issue2-Flip

  • Kabalikat Awards 2023: DOST PCIEERD lauds innovation efforts of startup enablers in Davao Region

    The Department of Science and Technology recognized Innovation and Development Accelerators Consortium for Startups in Davao Region (IDEAS Davao) as its top partner in promoting and cultivating science, technology, and innovation in the region and the country.

    Of nine startup consortia in the country, IDEAS Davao was conferred with the Kabalikat Award in the TBI Consortium category by the DOST Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD). It was given during the agency’s 13th Anniversary Celebration on June 28, 2023, at the Centennial Hall, Manila Hotel.  

    The DOST PCIEERD  Kabalikat Awards highlight the impact of collaborations in various fields, from the business, public, academic, partner regions, and consortia sectors to the regional startup ecosystems.

    The Council judged the TBI Partner based on its Operation/Implementation/Fulfillment of Consortium Plans/Deliverables, Contribution to the Science and Technology Agenda of PCIEERD,  and Compliance with PCIEERD Rules/Policies. 

    IDEAS Davao Milestones

    The  IDEAS Davao was established in December  2021 under the Regional Startup Enablers for Ecosystem Development (ReSEED) program of the DOST-PCIEERD. 

    The University of the Philippines Mindanao TBI led the implementation of the ReSEED Program in the Davao Region.

    The consortium aims to synergize the programs of technology business incubators (TBIs), accelerators, government agencies, the private sector, investors, and other startup enablers to achieve a more robust, inclusive, and conducive startup ecosystem in the Davao Region. 

    Among the active partners and members of the consortium are the local startups,  university-based TBIs UP Mindanao TBI,  Agilabs of the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP), UMAsenso Hub of the University of Mindanao (UM); regional offices of DOST,  Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT), and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); community and international organizations such as DevCon Davao Chapter, UX Davao, Social Entrepreneurs in Mindanao, Women in AI Asia Pacific, WordPress Users Davao,  ICT Davao, Impact Pioneers Network, E3 Hubs, Techstars, and local businesses, among others. 

    In one year since its inception, IDEAS Davao has engaged more than  2,300 participants and stakeholders in about 32 online and offline regional events cultivating the innovation culture in the Davao Region and promoting PCIEERD programs. These include hackathons, innovation, and investment dialogues, the first Mindanao TBI Summit, startup ecosystem mappings, capacity-building activities and workshops for startups and TBIs, and other collaborations mostly during the very first Davao Region Startup Week organized by the startup consortium in August 2022.

    They have also facilitated several partnerships between consortium members and partner organizations, such as with StartupBlink, Zuitt, DICT Davao Region, USEP, and the Embassy of Israel to the Philippines as well as the approval of two Mindanao-based startups to the DOST’s Startup Grant Fund program. 

    The consortium was also able to pool close to P1 million (USD 18,000) worth of funding and in-kind sponsorships.

    “We are thankful to the DOST for this award, and we could not have made these efforts to activate the startup ecosystem in the Davao Region without their support to us through the ReSEED Program as well as the active participation of the members and the trust of our partners,”

    IDEAS Davao project lead and UP Mindanao assistant professor  Miguel Carlo S. Guillermo.

    IDEAS Davao regional startup ecosystem lead Candice Kirsten Lleses said the Kabalikat Award greatly benefits the startup enablers and other regional stakeholders.

    “This recognition would motivate the startup community in the Davao Region to continue their work for the startups and expand their impact, knowing that their activities paid off despite being a fairly new organization,” said Lleses.

    These startup activities have also earned the endorsement of the Regional Development Council in the Davao Region to the City Government of Davao for including the Davao Startup Week as a regular event alongside the annual Kadayawan Festival. The consortium has yet to receive a positive response from the City Government.

    Future activities 

    IDEAS Davao was recently approved by DOST PCIEERD for another P10 million ReSEED grant to conduct several startup programs and activities until 2025. 

  • IDEAS Davao presents best practices at DOST ReSEED Program Assessment, University of the Cordilleras, Baguio

    The 2nd day of the DOST ReSEED Program presentations of consortium milestones, best practices, challenges, and ways forward is punctuated by IDEAS Davao represented by its Project Lead A/Prof. Miguel Carlo Guillermo.

    Among the accomplishments of the IDEAS Davao are the conduct of startup community dialogues in Davao Region, Davao City Startup Ecosystem Map and Roadmap, technology business incubator (TBI) management workshop, 1st Mindanao TBI Summit, Gender-Smart Business Incubator Training, Impact Investing Webinar with Villgro Philippines, hosting of three proposal writeshop with startups for the DOST Startup Grant Fund Program, 1st Davao-Israel Innovation Night networking event, and the launching of the 1st Davao Startup Week in 2022 with 25 different community partners, 20 Events, 1047+ participants, and reached 1300+ more through various exhibits and collaborative events.

    The consortium, through the leadership of the University of the Philippines Mindanao Growing and Developing Enterprises (UPGRADE), also facilitated about P4-million equity-free funding to a local startup in Davao Region.

    Albeit the accomplishments, Guillermo also emphasized the challenges hoping to solicit suggestions and learnings from other DOST-PCIEERD-funded consortiums in the Philippines. This exchange of advice and learnings would help IDEAS Davao to improve its implementation of the program and strengthen further the community of startup enablers and ecosystem in the Davao Region.

    The second day of the program assessment was also dedicated for a proposal writeshop for the consortiums that would help them access funding for the second installment of the ReSEED program.

    ReSEED is a program of the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Technology (DOST-PCIEERD) that aims to strengthen the startup ecosystem in the regions by establishing and formalizing a Regional Startup Ecosystem Consortium, developing a regional startup development plan, engaging with more mentors to upskill startups, and partnering with the regional development council.

  • IDEAS Accelerate: Here’s your 2022 Wrap-Up with IDEAS Davao

    As we look back at our first year as IDEAS Davao in 2022, we want to show some acknowledgment to our amazing community of startup champions this year through thoughtful documentation of our achievements in the community!

    With the goal of advancing regional competitiveness in sustainable and impact-driven innovation and business, let’s recall some of our milestones in the community this year.

    In this newsletter, you’ll hear about:

    • Davao Startup Week
    • UI/UX CrashCourse
    • Techstars Startup Weekend: Smart Cities Davao
    • Davao Startup Champion Awards
    • Startup Ecosystem Mapping & Validation
    • Mindanao Social Enterprise Forum
    • Davao-Israel Innovation Night
    • DevCon CodeCamp for Kids
    • WordPress Davao Meet
    • Saliyab Learning Series: Essential Skills in the Tech Industry
    • DICT Startup 101
    • There is No Planet B: How to Use AI for the SDGs
    • UPGRADE’s First Mindanao TBI Summit

    Download our newsletter here.

    We encourage you to continue sharing your amazing energy by collaborating with us for more events and activities this 2023. Helping YOUR business endeavors GROW helps everyone — and possibly connect you to more people interested in investing in your ideas. We’ll be featuring more stories soon in our future newsletter!

    Share your entrepreneurial journeys with us! Send us an email at team@ideasdavao.org or follow us on our social media accounts!

  • Call for Volunteers for the Davao Startup Week 2022


    The Davao Region Startup Week 2022 is the first region-wide event showcasing the startup community of Region XI hosting various activities that gathers entrepreneurs, startups, investors, government and private organizations, and ecosystem champions.
    It aims to mainstream local startups and enablers from the government and private sector supporting the growth of the startup community in Region 11 through programs and policies.


    We need volunteers for the following roles:


    ✅ 1 Communication Lead and 2 Communication Associates
    ✅ 1 Marketing Lead and 2 Marketing Associates
    ✅ 1 Creative Design Lead and 2 Creative Design Associates
    ✅ 1 Event Coordination Lead and 2 Event Coordination Associates
    ✅ 1 Finance Lead
    ✅ 1 Sponsorship Lead
    ✅ 1 Technology Lead
    ✅ 1 Technology Support
    ✅ 1 Marketing and Promotion Lead
    ✅ 1 Mentor and Judges Lead


    Why volunteer?


    The success of this celebration depends on the people who give their time and effort to make it happen. Being a volunteer is more than paying it forward, it’s an important ingredient that makes DVOSW22 a great experience for all its participants.


    Who can volunteer?


    Anyone can volunteer! Students are encouraged to apply as well.


    What’s in it for you?


    ✅ It is a perfect opportunity to connect with the Startup Community of Davao Region. Davao ranked 5th nationwide and 21st in Southeast Asia in the World Startup Ecosystem (Startupblink 2022 report) manifesting great opportunities for investments and talents to build business.
    ✅ You will meet people across Mindanao and various parts of the Philippines who have been working and supporting the community in growing its startup ecosystem.
    ✅ You will get a look behind the scenes of organizing one of the biggest Startup events in Mindanao.
    ✅ We will keep you in top condition, with food and refreshments throughout the event, and you can avoid the lines at the main conference food and drink stations.
    ✅ You will receive an exclusive volunteer t-shirt to wear at the event and show off in the future.
    ✅ You will get a FREE ticket to DVOSW2022, which grants you access to the entire event.

  • Join us in our Impact Investment 101 Learning Session

    The Impact Pioneers Network, the first impact angel investment network in the Philippines is conducting an Impact Investing 101 Learning Session. Join us on February 28, 2:00 – 4:00 PM Manila to learn about the Philippine impact investing ecosystem, and how you can kickstart your impact investing journey.

    The Impact Pioneers Network is proud to be partnering with UP Mindanao Growing and Developing Enterprises Technology Business Incubator (UPGRADE TBI), Department of Trade and Industry – Region 11, and Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry for this learning session. Hear from our partners about the startup ecosystem in the Davao region.

    Limited slots available. Register now at: https://lnkd.in/eFQtUsCM

    For inquiries, please send an email to team@impactpioneers.ph

    This event is brought to you by Impact Pioneers Network, jointly managed by Villgro Philippines and xchange PH. This activity by the Impact Pioneers Network is made possible through the generous support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

  • IDEAS-DAVAO Receives full support from NEDA-XI to boost startup support in Region XI

    The Innovation and Development Accelerators Consortium for Start-ups in Davao Region (IDEAS-Davao) received the full support of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA-XI) in a resolution passed by the agency dated December 07, 2021 in the Regional Development Council XI Resolution No. 161 and 163, Series of 2021.

    The resolution supported the establishment of a regional consortium for startups in Davao “for exponential growth to access government funding such as Startup Grant Programs” led by the University of the Philippines Mindanao. 

    Furthermore, another resolution also approved the regional development research agenda and the 2017-2022 utilization assessment report for the first semester of 2021. Among many priority sectors, this approval aims to expand economic opportunities in Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries.”

    “2021 was a year full of triumphs for us, Davao Region’s startup ecosystem ranked 4th nationwide, 19th in Southeast Asia, and 786th globally. We witnessed many of our Davao-based startups flourish in Davao’s diverse and demanding economic landscape. With the hard work of our stakeholders, we are gaining traction in many other aspects of business and entrepreneurship, such as in software, data, fintech, and many more. However, this achievement is not without its challenges. We still have a long way to go in terms of building better infrastructure to facilitate startups and lack of support for many budding entrepreneurs,” says UP Mindanao Chancellor Larry N. Digal in his opening remarks during a recently concluded event of IDEAS-Davao.

    Davao Region is one of the four pilot areas for the Regional Inclusive Innovation Center (RIIC) program with four technology business incubators led by higher-education institutions and multiple new startups.