Western Visayas to host first startup festival

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Western Visayas is set to host its inaugural Startup Festival, a four-day event aimed at promoting innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship in the region.

Organized by Innovate Iloilo and UMWAD Western Visayas, the festival will run from September 24 to 27 with support from more than 20 organizations, including government agencies, academic institutions, and private sector partners.

The festival was officially announced during a press briefing on September 19, with key representatives from several institutions present. Among them were the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) VI, Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI)-Iloilo, Innovate Iloilo, UMWAD Western Visayas, Kwadra TBI, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) VI, and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) VI.

Dr. Carmelo Ambut, head of UMWAD Western Visayas Consortium, emphasized the importance of building a strong startup ecosystem in the region. He expressed optimism that the festival would help Iloilo and the region achieve its goal of becoming a premier innovation hub in the Philippines by 2030.

“Our goal is to put Western Visayas on the map as a key player in the global startup ecosystem. We have also introduced spin-offs this time,” Dr. Ambut said.

He added that the event aims to attract major tech companies and potential investors, positioning the region as a hub for technological innovation.

Francis Gerona, a representative from PCCI-Iloilo, noted that international interest is growing.

“We’re opening doors for potential investors, including guests from Australia who will be visiting to assess our facilities and startup communities,” Gerona said.

The four-day festival features a packed agenda, with highlights including a Startup Conference with prominent speakers, a Healthcare Information Management System (HIMS) Forum organized by DTI VI, and workshops on pitch strategies for startups led by DOST VI.

Additionally, the festival will include a regional ICT Summit to showcase the role of digital technology in startups, a Student Startup Summit to nurture young entrepreneurs, and a regional Intellectual Property Convention focused on developing an IP strategic plan for Western Visayas.