2016 Philippine Startup Challenge to promote ITpreneurship launched

Proponents of the Philippine Startup Challenge (PSC) pose for a photograph at the Media Launch of the PSC. In the photo (L- R) are DOST–ICT Office Deputy Executive Director Monchito Ibrahim; PSIA Information & Research Committee Chairperson Arup Maity; PSIA Director Ma. Rosario Gruet; Philippine Society of Information Technology Educators (PSITE)’s Dr. Marmelo Abante; and PSIA President Joey Gurango. (Photo from the Information and Communications Technology Office’s website)

MANILA – The country has launched a startup competition which encourages the youths to develop and promote socially relevant technological innovations that could solve real-life challenges.

The Department of Science and Technology-Information and Communications Technology Office (DOST-ICTO) and Philippine Software Industry Association (PSIA), in cooperation with Intel Philippines, officially launched on Friday the 2016 Philippine Startup Challenge.

Under the SeedPH initiative of DOST-ICTO, the Startup Challenge aims to cultivate the Philippine Startup Ecosystem by conducting advocacy campaigns, capability development programs, and research initiatives.

This year, the third installment of the Philippine Startup Challenge will introduce a new Internet of Things (IoT) track, an initiative developed in collaboration between the DOST-ICTO, PSIA and Intel Philippines.

Organizers said the new track will allow young innovators to utilize IoT to further develop innovations that are relevant to to daily lives.

“We see IoT as an emerging trend in the industry that innovators, especially the youth, can explore to create relevant technology,” said DOST-ICTO Deputy Executive Director for eInnovation Monchito Ibrahim.

He continued, “We believe that the evolution of this competition – from mostly software innovation to currently exploring robotics and hardware – is a great step in welcoming a wider talent base to the community who will create more exciting use for technology and connectivity.”

The 2016 Philippine Startup Challenge also represents partnership among government sector, industry and private sector representatives as well as the academe, Philippine Society of IT Educators (PSITE).

For his part, Calum Chisholm, Intel Philippines country manager, said the company is excited to be part of the 2016 Philippine Startup Challenge as this will be the first time that participants will be able to showcase their technological innovations related to the IoT.

“IoT presents a huge opportunity for aspiring inventors since it touches almost everything in our lives. Intel is committed to supporting innovation in this space and look forward to the entries that have the potential to transform experiences across industries and society,” he added.

Meanwhile, in preparation for the Challenge, the organizers will host a bootcamp series together with Intel Philippines to empower college instructors and professors.

Lean Startup 101 and IoT Bootcamps will be conducted in various locations across the country.

This two-day bootcamp will cover topics on developing startup ideas, creating viable business models, best practices in effectively operating a tech startup as well as basics on building IoT solutions.

Here is the schedule of the upcoming Bootcamps: May 20-21 – Bacolod City; May 27-28 – Metro Manila; June 10-11 – Baguio City; and June 24-25 – General Santos City.

College educators who participate in the bootcamp will be asked to form student teams that will represent their respective academic institutions. The teams will include four members, three students and one faculty adviser.

To join the competition, teams should submit a five-minute video pitch presentation about their startup idea.

From all entries, top 10 teams will be selected for further mentoring sessions. The finalists will be given a chance to pitch their startup ideas to a panel of judges consisting of local startup experts during the Philippine Startup National Finals.

For IoT Entries, Intel Philippines will select 20 entries who will receive Intel boards which they can use in developing their innovations.

Winners of the Challenge will get a chance to be part of PSIA-SPRING.ph’s LaunchPad program and be mentored by prominent names in the Philippine startup scene.

Additionally, the winners will be given access to valuable networks within the country’s startup ecosystem, which could lead them to future partnerships and collaborations.

IoT winners will receive mentoring opportunities supported by Intel Philippines.