QBO, ITC, DTI, Propel Filipino Startups onto the Global Stage through ARISE Plus Philippines

Twelve Filipino youth-led startups were unveiled during the kickoff event, marking the beginning of a transformative journey as they go on a 14-week training program designed to bring their business towards international success.

The Arise Plus Philippines Young Entrepreneurs (YE)! Boost Accelerator Program, funded by the European Union and led by the International Trade Centre, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry - Competitiveness Innovation Group (DTI-CIG) and QBO Innovation Hub, has just launched its 3rd Cohort. Twelve Filipino youth-led startups were unveiled during the kickoff event, marking the beginning of a transformative journey as they go on a 14-week training program designed to bring their business towards international success.

Arise Plus Ye! Boost Accelerator Program gathers young entrepreneurs under 35, preparing them to learn the tools and resources necessary to thrive in today's competitive market. With a focus on going from local to global, this program seeks to empower startups to scale their ventures beyond borders and make a remarkable impact on the international stage.

Through strategic partnerships facilitated by QBO, ITC, and DTI-CIG, the twelve participating startups will gain access to comprehensive training, mentorship sessions, and networking opportunities. These initiatives aim to prepare them to meet the challenges of the global market, positioning them for sustainable business growth and investor readiness in the global market.

The 12 handpicked startups participating in the Arise Plus Ye! Boost Accelerator Program Cohort 3 represents a diverse range of industries—from technology, sustainability, to healthcare, and beyond:

BCRemit: A London-based fintech company founded by Pinoys empowering OFWs with efficient money transfers.

PAMMÉ: A fashion brand crafting sustainable accessories from recycled plastic, made by women deprived of liberty.

Mylo Speech Buddy: Developer of a speech development app for children with autism and speech delay.

Hibla Philippines: A social enterprise preserving Philippine weaving traditions.

Nama Urban Farms: An urban agriculture startup cultivating nutritious produce.

Capilli: A social enterprise creating eco-friendly products from upcycled human hair waste.

REPAMANA: A circular fashion brand repurposing hotel textiles into new garments.

Nutricoach Inc.: A platform aiding dietitians in building and scaling nutrition clinics.

Reelist8: A PropTech x Shoppertainment marketplace for real estate transactions.

Prezenter: A company that simplifies presentations in under 10 seconds, helping teachers put their lessons on Smart TVs.

TERPCAP INC: An accessibility solutions provider for inclusive workplaces.

IndieCo: An SEO company blending human creativity with AI for business content.

QBO Innovation Hub boasts a great pool of over 50 experts spanning various industries, offering support and guidance to the startups throughout the program. These mentors are well-equipped to train the entrepreneurs to address a wide range of challenges and opportunities they may encounter.

"For the next 14 weeks, our startups will be immersed in a transformative journey of mentorship and workshops, equipping them to create wealth and enhance the lives of their employees. At QBO and IdeaSpace, we're committed to building a community where innovation thrives and drives societal impact," said Butch Meily, President of QBO and IdeaSpace.

“I know that your energy, passion, and ideas can really shape the future of trade in the Philippines.” shared by Mayara Louzada, Head of Youth & Trade Programme of ITC. We encourage you to take advantage of the top notch mentorship, training, and linkages that you will be getting through this accelerator program,” Louzada added.

"We are thrilled to embark on this journey with the exceptional entrepreneurs selected for Arise Cohort 3," said Miguel Lopez, National Youth Entrepreneurship Lead for the ITC. "We believe in the power of profound support and a great foundation. Through initiatives like Arise, we are committed to harnessing the strengths of our Filipino startups to help them reach the European market and champion their journey towards global success,” Lopez added.

To know more about QBO Innovation Hub and ARISE Cohort 3, please visit www.qbo.com.ph. Follow @QBOPhilippines to stay tuned for updates on upcoming learning sessions on Intellectual Property (IP), Investment Readiness, and more! Gear up for an enriching experience as the program kicks into high gear in the coming weeks.

AQTIVATE Angel Investing Summit: QBO and the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines unite entrepreneurs, angel investors for startup success

QBO Innovation Hub wraps up 2023 on a resounding high with the success of AQTIVATE: Angel Investing, capping off a stellar run alongside the Philippine Startup Week and the ongoing IdeaSpace Accelerator Program.

The excitement was high as the “AQTIVATE: Angel Investing Short Course” kicked off with a dynamic summit in Makati City, Philippines, a collaborative initiative powered by QBO Innovation Hub, in partnership with the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines and IdeaSpace Investments. The summit gathered the most influential players in the world of Angel Investing to emphasize the role of mobilizing funding for emerging startups.

Entrepreneurs, who embark on a journey of building new businesses, often encounter a similar problem — securing capital. QBO Innovation Hub underscores the critical role of Angel Investors in bridging the gap and enabling these visionaries to bring their ideas to life. In this process, not only do Angel Investors seize the opportunity to yield profit, but also significantly influence the trajectory of promising startups.

Discussions at “AQTIVATE: Angel Investing Summit” were led by the country’s most prominent startup investors. Among the list are Ray Alimurung, former CEO and Chairman of Lazada, Quenby Go, Executive Director of MAIN.PH, Martin Cu, Partner at 500 Global. Speakers also included Paul Taylor, Senior Commercial Officer at the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, as well as leaders of successful Filipino startups, like Kim Yao, CEO of Cloudeats, Jess de Mesa, CEO of Kindred, and Saul Molla, CEO of Flowerstore that all got their first investments from Angel Investors. 

In conjunction with the AQTIVATE: Angel Investing Summit and serving as a pivotal element of the comprehensive 3-part AQTIVATE program—QBO also spearheaded an engaging range of sessions on Day 2 led by seasoned investors, focusing on building a successful startup investment portfolio. Participants gained invaluable insights to boost their angel investment journeys, gaining expertise in optimal capital deployment and high-potential investment opportunities. Day 3 shifted focus to "Closing Angel Investing Deals," providing participants with exceptional insights to enhance their angel investment strategies. 

QBO Innovation Hub is known to be the chief organization for startups in the Philippines. Through its AQTIVATE program, the company is geared towards building the angel investing community in the country — ultimately developing the next 1,000 angel investors in the Philippines. 

"We believe unlocking private capital plays a key role in fueling growth within the startup landscape in the Philippines. Aligned with QBO's vision of 'Filipino startups changing the world,' we're committed to cultivating the next generation of local angel investors, and in doing so, significantly increasing the volume of investments and opportunities for early-stage ventures in the years ahead," said Katrina Rausa Chan, Executive Director, QBO Innovation Hub.

“Last year, we completed another program with QBO called Sustainable Development Goals or SDG challenge boot camp.  The goal was to find new solutions that address the SDGs and help aspiring entrepreneurs develop their ideas to become successful Filipino tech startups.  These programs exemplify how we support the Philippine government’s policies to promote inclusive economic growth and to establish a globally competitive and innovative industry and services sector,” the U.S. Embassy’s Deputy Director for Public Engagement Pauline Anderson said in her opening remarks at the Angel Investing Summit. 

As the year concludes, QBO Innovation Hub wraps up 2023 on a resounding high with the success of AQTIVATE: Angel Investing, capping off a stellar run alongside the Philippine Startup Week and the ongoing IdeaSpace Accelerator Program. Looking ahead to the next year, QBO remains committed to advancing the startup ecosystem, particularly in nurturing the angel investment ecosystem. Grateful for the support from partners and the vibrant community, QBO is poised for a future filled with innovation and collaboration. Ready for the next step in the world of startups and angel investing? Get in touch with QBO Innovation Hub and join the journey towards entrepreneurial success. Check out its official website here: www.qbo.com.ph