Key stakeholders get together to support entrepreneurial spirit.
DTI and ADB shared insights on how government, academe, and industry can help foster growth in the startup ecosystem during the 1st VIA Summit.
KMC, in partnership with Impact Hub Manila (IHM), brought together key stakeholders each sharing the same entrepreneurial spirits at the 1st ever VIA Summit held last 28 November 2018 at the Green Sun Hotel, Makati City.
“This summit brings together the best and brightest minds in the startup ecosystem. Throughout the summit, there will be many opportunities for developing relationships with key players who share a common vision of growth and economic sustainability,” said Gregory Kittelson, Chairman and Co-Founder of KMC.
The speakers present for VIA handled different aspects that are vital for the growth and sustainability of the local business scene.
Partnerships and Collaboration
VIA Partnerships discussed the respective roles of the government, academe, and industry network in fostering growth for the local startup ecosystem. The panel was moderated by Atty. Kristine F. Alcantara from Abad Alcantara & Associates, with panelists Assistant Secretary Rafaelita M. Aldaba from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Dentsu Aegis Network Philippines’ Country CEO, Donald Lim, and Chris Morris, Head of NGO and Civil Society Center of the Asian Development Bank.
Another segment focused on the positive effects of inclusion and teamwork. Called “VIA Collaboration,” this discussion was led by industry experts and ingenious startup owners. Ces Rondario, Co-Founder and CEO of Impact Hub Manila joined Gregory Kittelson, Chairman and Co-Founder of KMC, for the panel discussion. Space for Ingenious batch one winner, Alexis Lingad of Cryptors Cybersecurity was also part of the panel.
300 startups and growing
According to the 2017 Philippine Startup Survey, there are now more than 300 startups in the country, most of which were founded between 2012 and 2017. Continuing changes in technology and innovation have also contributed to the growth of startups. “We firmly believe in the Filipino entrepreneurial spirit. “All startups have a dream they want to pursue. That dream is their starting point. They face many sacrifices, risks, and challenges. Through the VIA Startup summit, we seek to be their partners in the pursuit of their dreams,” says Ces Rondario.
According to Kittelson, KMC wants to provide startups and entrepreneurs the avenue to establish relationships, develop connections, and engage in programs that will help grow and sustain their endeavors. He says there are (6 from the first batch of the SFI program) startups spread around the 19 locations of KMC endeavored together with their partner, Impact Hub Manila.
The VIA Startup Summit also serves to recognize the valuable contributions of startups to the local economy. “Many startups have ventured into mobile, e-commerce, and fintech. This is proof that the Philippine startup ecosystem is growing rapidly with more and more young professionals starting their own ventures. Matthew Barrie is one of our young CEOs and his company has just won an International Smart City competition called AcceliCITY against 600 startups from 40 countries,” says Riccardo Corsini, KMC’s Vice President for marketing.
In partnership with Impact Hub Manila (IHM), KMC undertook a program entitled “Space for Ingenious Program” which helps bring an idea from conception to reality through mentorship from industry experts, spaces conducive to productivity and idea incubation, and access to a vast network of connections and potential investors. The six-month program began last May 2018 and has incubated six startups that were among the first batch of applicants for the program. One startup is Pushkart PH, an online grocery application that basically does the shopping for you. Founder Josh Aragon, 29, lauds the mentorship of the program, “Having mentors dive into your business model, dissect all of the issues, and create a solution for you is really a valuable takeaway from the program. They also give you the connections you need for your business to take off.”
For more information about the VIA Startup Summit, you may visit https://via-summit.com/.
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