DTI Launches Innovation Hub to Boost Startups, MSMEs

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MARIKINA CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry launched the Philippine Innovation Hub (iHub) on April 29 to empower startups and micro, small, and medium enterprises.

The iHub offers end-to-end support from business ideation to global expansion.

“As directed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., we are fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem that empowers our startups and MSMEs, which make up 99.5% of businesses and 60% of the workforce,” said DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque in a recorded message.

“This hub is not just a physical space but a vision brought to life, designed to cultivate innovation,” she added.

“It is a launchpad for creativity, providing resources, mentorship, and investment opportunities to help startups and MSMEs thrive.”

Located in the Marikina Enterprise Center, the five-story facility is operated by the National Development Co., the DTI’s investment arm.

It delivers incubation and acceleration programs through partnerships with iHub knowledge experts.

Services include organizational development workshops, a one-stop shop, shared service facilities, retail and coworking spaces, and event venues for both private and public partners.

“While Marikina is known as the footwear capital of the Philippines, today it steps into the future as home of the Philippine Innovation Hub,” said Rep. Stella Luz A. Quimbo of Marikina’s 2nd District.

“This is a strategic move to equip our entrepreneurs, creatives, and tech talents for the modern economy,” she said.

The iHub aims to support 50 MSMEs and 50 to 75 startups in its first year.

It projects growth to 500 to 750 startups and 500 MSMEs over the next five years.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony gathered government and private sector leaders to mark the start of this visionary initiative.

The program aligns with the Philippine Innovation Act and the Philippine Startup Act to help Filipinos compete in a global digital economy.

The iHub was created under Republic Act 11337 (Innovative Startup Act), Republic Act 11293 (Philippine Innovation Act), and Republic Act 11904 (Philippine Creative Industries Development Act).

Led by the NDC in partnership with the DTI, Department of Information and Communications Technology, and the National Innovation Council, the hub promotes collaboration among startups, entrepreneurs, and government agencies.

It will house key initiatives including the Startup Venture Fund and the Philippine E-commerce Platform to drive market access and growth for local businesses.

Startups in sectors such as footwear and creative industries will be supported through targeted programs designed for global competitiveness.

The iHub is located at the NACIDA Compound in Marikina City and was developed by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

The NDC oversees the hub’s roadmap, programs, and facility operations to align with the vision of an innovative and future-ready Bagong Pilipinas.

As the DTI’s investment arm, the NDC is the country’s leading state-owned enterprise investing across industries to promote inclusive growth.

Under its revised charter, Presidential Decree 1648, the NDC may launch critical projects independently or in partnership with the private sector, particularly when risks or limited resources deter private investment.

DTI Secretary Roque, who chairs the NDC, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting national development goals aligned with President Marcos’ agenda.

For more information, visit www.ndc.gov.ph.