DTI-6 launches MentorMatch to guide Western Visayas startups

ILOILO CITY — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 6 has launched a long-term mentorship initiative to help homegrown startups move from developing business ideas to commercializing products and attracting investments.

Government officials, industry experts, startup founders and innovation ecosystem partners gathered at Diversion 21 Hotel in Iloilo City on Oct. 23 for Online Slingshot Region 6 (OSR6) 2026.

The regional summit served as the official activation platform for MentorMatch, the continuing mentorship component of DTI-6’s flagship Moonshot TNK Startup Development Program.

Moving beyond one-time activities, OSR6 marked a shift toward sustained support for emerging businesses through structured mentoring, industry partnerships and market development.

In her opening address, DTI-6 Acting Regional Director Mutya D. Eusores highlighted the evolution of the region’s startup ecosystem and the importance of continuous mentorship.

“Startup development cannot begin and end with a single activity,” Eusores stressed.

“We want mentorship to become an ongoing relationship rather than a one-time interaction. A true handholding journey from ideation to validation, from building a minimum viable product, to commercialization, partnerships, and eventually investments.”

She emphasized that OSR6 serves as a launching pad for aligning emerging businesses with provincial and regional economic priorities.

“OSR6 is not our destination; it is an activation point. What we build today will continue well beyond this event,” Eusores added.

“What makes this initiative highly relevant is its alignment with the priority sectors of our provinces and the region. We are not developing startups for the sake of having startups—we are building innovators who can contribute to our regional priorities, strengthen local industries, support our investment goals, and enhance the export competitiveness of Western Visayas.”

Karl Lyndon B. Pacolor, assistant director of the DTI-Bureau of Policy Research and Innovation, led the plenary discussions by highlighting Western Visayas’ growing capacity for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Pacolor cited the region’s strong academic foundation and emerging opportunities in information technology and business process management (IT-BPM), software development, agricultural technology and food innovation.

He said these sectors offer opportunities for local enterprises to develop competitive products and expand into domestic and international markets.

Pacolor also emphasized the government’s role in supporting entrepreneurship through resource allocation, innovation programs and mentorship while commending DTI-6 for sustaining OSR6 as a regional platform for startups.

Philippine Software Industry Association (PSIA) President Jonathan D. De Luzuriaga reinforced the importance of preparing Filipino entrepreneurs for the demands of the digital economy.

In his presentation, De Luzuriaga challenged startup founders and industry leaders to look beyond technological disruption and focus on developing businesses capable of creating jobs and sustaining innovation.

He emphasized that establishing new companies and creating employment opportunities for emerging talent would help keep the Philippines competitive in the global digital economy.

“To all startups, keep on dreaming—you are the future,” De Luzuriaga shared.

“To all the mentors, help us navigate the future. And to our government partners, especially DTI Region VI—let us walk this future together.”

MentorMatch connects startups with industry experts

The morning session featured startup pitches and presentations from ASPIRE Startup Bootcamp completers and provincial Demo Day awardees representing Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo and Negros Occidental.

The ASPIRE Startup Bootcamp, which stands for Activating Startups in Provinces through Innovation, Resources and Enterprise Development, provides early-stage entrepreneurs with training in business development, market validation, financial management and investment readiness.

The program’s provincial Demo Days in September featured 51 startup teams that presented their business concepts and innovations to industry mentors and evaluators.

A major milestone of OSR6 2026 was the formal activation of MentorMatch, which connects qualified startups with core mentors and provincial industry specialists.

At least nine startups from five provinces were selected for continuing mentorship, including three from Aklan, one from Antique, two from Capiz, two from Iloilo and one from Negros Occidental.

The network will provide guidance on business strategy, technology development, commercialization, partnerships and investment readiness through 2027.

The initiative is designed to help participating startups refine their business models, develop viable products, address market challenges and prepare for potential investments.

Industry leaders tackle startup growth challenges

A centerpiece of the summit was a panel discussion featuring industry leaders, experienced mentors and startup ecosystem enablers, moderated by De Luzuriaga.

Panelists discussed practical strategies for helping early-stage ventures move beyond business validation and enter commercial markets.

They emphasized the importance of structured mentorship, alignment with local industry priorities and collaboration among government agencies, academic institutions and private companies.

The discussion also highlighted how sustained engagement with industry specialists could help founders improve their products, identify customers and establish partnerships.

In the afternoon, participants joined provincial breakout sessions to refine industry priorities, develop collaborative action plans and identify specific mentorship needs.

The sessions provided opportunities for startup founders, mentors and regional stakeholders to discuss how support programs could respond to the economic strengths and development priorities of participating provinces.

Eusores concluded the summit by thanking the DTI-Bureau of Policy Research and Innovation, PSIA, UMWAD, provincial offices, regional teams, participating founders and mentors for supporting the regional startup ecosystem.

She also recognized the contributions of government, academic and private sector partners in sustaining innovation programs and building connections between emerging entrepreneurs and industry experts.

With MentorMatch formally activated, DTI-6 aims to maintain engagement with participating startups through continuing mentorship, reverse pitching activities and provincial startup showcases in 2027.

The initiative is expected to strengthen collaboration among startup founders, mentors, industry stakeholders and government institutions while helping emerging businesses prepare for commercialization and investment opportunities.

Through Moonshot TNK and OSR6, DTI-6 seeks to develop a more coordinated startup support system that can contribute to business growth, job creation and the long-term competitiveness of Western Visayas.