QUEZON CITY -- The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) through the ICT Industry Development Bureau (IIDB) and QBO Innovation Hub spearheaded the startup mapping project for cities outside of Metro Manila. The project, DICTxQBOxCities, is reinforced with the startup mapping activity in Tuguegarao, Balanga, Puerto Princesa, Legazpi, Naga, Catbalogan, and Zamboanga City.

“Startups have the potential to revive the economy while opening opportunities and improving the lives of Filipinos. In this collaboration with QBO, your DICT aims to foster a thriving startup ecosystem in the country for a digitalized Philippines,” DICT Acting Secretary Emmanuel Rey “Manny” R. Caintic stated.

The mapping activity is part of DICTxQBOxCities, a project that aims to map out the resources available to support startup founders and startup teams and help gain access to assets (such as knowledge, expertise, funding, and community), and create a more collaborative and inclusive ecosystem.

“DICT, as one of the lead agencies in the implementation of the Philippine Startup Development Program, supports all initiatives that are geared towards the growth of this ecosystem in order to strengthen the competitive advantage of Filipino startups,” DICT ICT Industry Development Bureau Director Emmy Lou V. Delfin emphasized.

The Startup Mapping Activity provides structured assessment of the city and a review of the location’s capacity and maturity of the local startup ecosystem. This step is directed towards gathering relevant stakeholders, identifying strengths and gaps in providing support for startups within the locality, planning collaborations with public and private entities, and benchmarking products and services relevant to the startups. (DICT)