DTI-6 kicks off Moonshot TNK Roadshow, IT-BPM startup innovation roadmap presentation

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-6 Regional Director Rebecca Rascon thanked the strong collaboration of partner government agencies, representatives from the IT sector, ICT councils, technology business incubators, startups and guests during the Presentation of IT-BPM, Startups and Innovation Roadmap Workshop Outputs and Launching of the Moonshot TNK Roadshow held on June 22, 2022 at Zuri Hotel, Iloilo City.

In a virtual message, Rascon said the roadmap on IT-BPM, Startups and Innovation (ISI) will serve as a guide for future IT-BPM investors, startups and innovation-related activities in Western Visayas.

The roadmap is a result of a series of development workshops in the past months which were participated by DICT, DOST, TESDA, CHED, DOLE, LGUs, SUCs/HEIs, ICT Councils, and local Chamber of Commerce and Industry in every province.

Mr. Jonathan De Luzuriaga, President of the Philippine Industry Association, led a discussion on how startups can be launched in the Philippines, with virtual panelists including DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development, Dr. Rowena Cristina Guevara, DICT-ICT Industry Development Bureau Director Emmy Lou Delfin, DTI Competitive and Innovation Group (DTI-CIG) Division Chief – Innovation and Collaboration Division Karl Lyndon Pacolor while Mr. Jack Madrid, CEO of IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines and  Mr. Morris Vincent Agudo, Executive Director of the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines joined physically.

During the discussion, it was emphasized that the key components of a strong startup ecosystem are already present in Region 6 but there is a need for strong collaboration among the government, academe and the civil society.

Local startups were advised to think globally about the solutions they are developing, to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset at home, and to be willing to fail. Mr. Pacolor stated that 9 out of 10 startups fail, but this does not mean the end of the road for those who have the grit and passion to pursue a specific venture.

In addition, Mr. Madrid said that cultivating an entrepreneurial spirit and a startup culture is crucial for the future of the IT sector because innovations are created by entrepreneurs and startup businesses.

The criteria and guidelines of the Pitching Competition for Start-ups were presented as part of the launching of the 2022 Moonshot TNK Roadshow with this year’s theme: Sustaining MSMEs through Trabaho, Negosyo at Konsyumer Innovative Solutions, which capped off the activity.

DTI ARD Ermelinda Pollentes hopes for more startup applicants this year and assures them that DTI will continue to support them in their endeavors.

The series of activities are in line with the implementation of the Innovative Startup Act (RA 11337) which intends to improve, promote, and expand the country’s innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem, with DTI serving as one of the lead agencies.