Metro Manila Startups Tackle Role in Regional and National Development 

The role of startups and enabling support systems in national development was discussed in a Media Forum that was jointly organized by the Strategic and Collaborative Alliance for Leveraging Ecosystem of Startups-National Capital Region (SCALE-NCR), the Department of Science and Technology,-National Capital Region (DOST-NCR), and the DOST- Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) at the QBO Innovation Hub, City of Makati held on August 27, 2024.    

Present during the media forum were Mr. Jay Fajardo, Executive Director of QBO Innovation; DOST-NCR Regional Director, Engr. Romelen Tresvalles; DOST-PCIEERD Executive Directo,r Dr. Enrico Paringit; TBI Manager, Mirriam College, Ms. Cristina Ibanez, and several media partners.   

Ms. Ibanez started the forum by briefly discussing the background and history of SCALE-NCR.  RD Tresvalles, whose Regional Office is a prime partner of SCALE-NCR, spoke about the initiatives that have been undertaken by DOST-NCR in partnership with the organization to boost startups in NCR, including Startup Development and Innovation Ecosystem Mapping per LGU.  

SCALE NCR plays a pivotal role in promoting and accelerating the growth of startups within the NCR. The platform offers mentorship, funding opportunities, strategic partnerships, and specialized resources to support startups at various stages, aiming to cultivate investable ventures.   

SCALE-NCR and its partners aim to improve Metro Manila’s standing in the global startup ecosystem ranking. Aligned with its commitment to nurturing startups, SCALE-NCR also announced the development of the Startup Institute, a platform dedicated to providing education, resources and mentorship to equip various startup stakeholders with the necessary skills and knowledge for entrepreneurship.   

Rounding up the forum was a Question and Answer session where media partners engaged the guests in a lively and substantive discussion about their respective plans to further encourage startups in the country, including those started by OFWs under DOST’s Innovations for Filipinos Working Distantly from the Philippines (iFWD) Program.  

  By: Noel G. Calcetas, SCCU