51 startups pitch solutions at DTI ASPIRE demos

WESTERN VISAYAS — Fifty-one startup teams from Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo and Negros Occidental showcased their solutions, business concepts and progress during the 2026 Moonshot TNK-ASPIRE Startup Bootcamp Provincial Demo Days held Sept. 21-23, 2026.

The cohort consisted of 20 teams from Negros Occidental, eight from Iloilo, six each from Aklan, Capiz and Guimaras, and five from Antique.

The Demo Days marked the culmination of the ASPIRE Startup Bootcamp, or Activating Startups in Provinces through Innovation, Resources and Enterprise Development, a component of DTI Region VI’s 2026 Moonshot TNK Startup Development Program.

DTI provincial offices conducted the Demo Days to give participating teams opportunities to present the solutions and business models they developed during the bootcamp, receive feedback and engage with mentors and startup ecosystem partners.

The activities also prepared the teams for the next stages of startup development and commercialization.

Provincial activities were held Sept. 21 in Iloilo and Negros Occidental, Sept. 22 in Aklan and Guimaras, and Sept. 23 in Antique and Capiz.

Before the Demo Days, participants completed seven startup development modules covering startup identity and founder leadership; design thinking and startup validation; customer-centric innovation and scaling; digital transformation and artificial intelligence readiness; finance and investment readiness; intellectual property and legal readiness; and commercialization and Demo Day preparation.

The bootcamp began Aug. 17, 2026, with the regional conduct of Module 1 on startup identity, founder leadership and ecosystem orientation.

The succeeding modules were implemented by the respective DTI provincial offices.

DTI Region VI Acting Regional Director Mutya D. Eusores congratulated the ASPIRE completers and recognized their work, commitment and perseverance throughout the bootcamp.

She also thanked DTI provincial directors, ASPIRE focal persons, regional and provincial office teams, mentors, coaches, resource speakers, DOST Region VI, regional and provincial innovation hubs, UMWAD and other partners involved in the program.

Eusores reminded participants that building a startup is a gradual process requiring continuous learning, idea validation and perseverance.

Noting that “great things take time,” she encouraged founders to maintain a positive attitude when facing challenges.

Eusores also said the value of Demo Day goes beyond recognition or prizes and includes personal growth and greater clarity about the market.

She urged founders to continually revisit their core identity, the problem they seek to solve and their value proposition as they enter a new phase of mentorship and growth.

DOST Region VI and regional and provincial innovation hubs supported ASPIRE by providing facilities for selected provincial activities and Demo Days.

The partnership gave participating startups access to innovation spaces and learning facilities while linking province-based founders with technical support, incubation, commercialization and enterprise development opportunities.

DOST Region VI Regional Director Rowen R. Gelonga encouraged the startup completers to continue developing their ideas beyond the bootcamp and use science, technology and innovation to build viable and sustainable enterprises.

Gelonga also emphasized the importance of tapping the region’s startup ecosystem, including DOST innovation hubs, technology business incubators, government agencies, academic institutions, industry groups, mentors and other startup enablers.

Such connections can help move promising ideas toward commercialization and wider economic and social impact.

Participants were also recognized through the Best Startup Presentation, Most Innovative Solution and Best Market Potential awards during the Demo Days.

Beyond the provincial presentations, ASPIRE shifts participating startups from bootcamp-based capacity building toward continuing mentorship and startup ecosystem engagement.

Qualified teams may be linked to DTI enterprise development programs, DOST and innovation hub support, technology business incubators and other commercialization, investment and startup development opportunities.

The program is consistent with the broader framework of Republic Act No. 11337, or the Innovative Startup Act, which designates DTI, DOST and the Department of Information and Communications Technology as lead agencies in developing and expanding government support for startups.

Through the Moonshot TNK Startup Development Program, DTI Region VI aims to strengthen the pipeline of province-based startups by helping founders develop the capabilities, networks and ecosystem connections needed to turn innovations into sustainable and market-ready enterprises.