DOST-NCR, Miriam College Ink Partnership to Strengthen Women-led Technology Startups

The Department of Science and Technology-National Capital Region (DOST-NCR) formalized its partnership with the Miriam College-Technology Business Incubator (MC-TBI) through the "Partners in Innovating Resilient Start Ups" (PAIRS), which aims to promote government initiatives in providing an ecosystem of support for women-led technology startups and entrepreneurs. DOST-NCR Regional Director Jose B. Patalinjug III and MC-TBI President Laura Q. Del Rosario led the virtual signing of the Terms of Reference (TOR) on June 28, 2021.

DOST-NCR, as the implementing agency, has allotted a total of P1,165,000 under the Regional Grants-in-Aid Fund in support of the project's implementation. RD Patalinjug III will also serve as an advisor and member of the Innovation Advisory Council for Entrepreneurs (iACE) of MC-TBI to identify government programs, projects, and services for the incubatees and startups. Moreover, DOST-NCR will provide insights on the programs delivered and being developed, improvements in the operations, identify potential mentors, and other aspects relevant for the incubator.

Inaugurated on September 3, 2019, the establishment of the MC-TBI was a grant awarded by the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) for qualifying in the Higher Educational Institution Readiness for Innovation and Technopreneurship (HEIRIT) Program. HEIRIT is a preparatory program for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to implement, build and run a technology business incubator.

MC-TBI will expand the institution's impact on startups in education, food, and well-being technology verticals. "The Nursery" which is under its incubation program will facilitate the development of startup ventures within early-stage phases. The incubation program spans a total of six months which transitions the incubatees' business ideas into a minimum viable product. In addition, a sustainable venture will promote a team of incubatees to MC-TBI's Extended Residency Program (ERP) for further capacity-building activities, mentoring, networking events, and most especially, legalization and funding.

As defined by DOST-PCIEERD, TBI is an ecosystem where innovation is promoted and supported towards commercialization. The program thus aims to help startup technology-based businesses with various resources, services and facilities needed during the development stage, with the end result of producing firms that will leave the incubation program financially viable and able to sustain operation to readily compete in the market.

MC-TBI is one of DOST's strategies in support of the government's initiatives for inclusive economic growth, and the call #RoadTo1000Startups by year 2023. The virtual signing of the Terms of Reference was also graced by DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara and DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology, Research and Development (PCIEERD) Executive Director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit.