Four universities in the Davao region inked partnership with the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) to boost the establishment of their Technology Business Incubators (TBIs).
The Philippine Women’s College of Davao and the University of Immaculate Concepcion will receive funding to officially operate their respective TBIs. Meanwhile, Ateneo de Davao University and the Davao Del Norte State College signed a Memorandum of Agreement for a 2-year facilitation of their prospective TBIs through a series of capacity building activities.
The provided support to qualified Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) is part of the Handholding Starting Incubators from HEIs for Readiness towards Innovation and Technopreneurship Preparatory and Skills Acceleration for TBI Managers Optimizing Regional Startup Ecosystem (HIHEIRIT PA MORE!) program of DOST.
DOST-PCIEERD allotted a total of 220 million pesos in grant funding for the TBIs to utilize in their operations for two years.
Through the program, HEIs are expected to strengthen startups ecosystem in the Region by developing their business-related competencies while also enhancing their skills in managing technology-related products and services, networking, and and establishing a culture of technopreneurship for economic and industrial development.
At present, DOST assists three established TBIs in Davao Region namely, the UPGraDE program of UP Mindanao, the UMasenso Hub of the University of Mindanao, and AGILab by the University of Southeastern Philippines.
The agreement signing was highlighted in the 6th TBI Summit and Philippine Startup Week Celebration last November 16, 2022 where DOST-funded incubators, government innovation agencies, innovators, and incubator managers gathered to promote partnership and address current challenges of the startup ecosystem.
