{"id":72352,"date":"2025-11-28T07:15:43","date_gmt":"2025-11-27T23:15:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/?p=72352"},"modified":"2025-11-20T13:18:31","modified_gmt":"2025-11-20T05:18:31","slug":"quezon-city-awards-7-startups-with-php1m-each-at-startup-qc-cohort-4-demo-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/2025\/11\/28\/quezon-city-awards-7-startups-with-php1m-each-at-startup-qc-cohort-4-demo-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Quezon City awards 7 startups with PhP1M each at Startup QC Cohort 4 Demo Day"},"content":{"rendered":"<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>The Quezon City Government recognized seven outstanding startups with Php 1 million equity-free grants each during the Startup QC Cohort 4 Demo Day.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">In collaboration\u00a0with startup accelerator\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nathaniel_uniquecornpr_com-dot-mm-event3.appspot.com\/em_S6vTz42xa5u4G1UJRCtg?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.launchgarage.com%2F&amp;key=72b5b5a3577623b85ebbf0020994ec378885aac1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/nathaniel_uniquecornpr_com-dot-mm-event3.appspot.com\/em_S6vTz42xa5u4G1UJRCtg?url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.launchgarage.com%252F%26key%3D72b5b5a3577623b85ebbf0020994ec378885aac1&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1763678433092000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2GMIvXUK5bj8LQiq1ZmHIF\">Launchgarage<\/a>, the event gathered founders, investors, and policymakers in celebration of the city\u2019s growing reputation as the country\u2019s innovation and startup capital. Out of nine (9) finalists, seven (7) startups were chosen for their innovative, scalable, and socially attuned solutions.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Launched under the leadership of Mayor Joy Belmonte, the Startup QC Program empowers early-stage startups through funding, mentorship, and access to a vibrant innovation network \u2014 driving inclusive economic growth, sustainability, and digital transformation across the city.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cInnovation is not just about technology \u2014 it is about empathy, service, and equity,\u201d\u00a0said Mayor Joy Belmonte.\u00a0\u201cThrough Startup QC, we are proving that governance and innovation can work hand in hand, that a local government can be both visionary and inclusive.\u201d<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">To further strengthen its innovation ecosystem, the City is also finalizing the Business Investment and Trade Incentives for Startups (BITIS) Ordinance, which will provide fiscal incentives and a supportive environment for entrepreneurs to scale and succeed. The Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office (LEDIPO) will spearhead its official launch under the Invest with QC campaign.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>Empowering Startups that Reflect the Nation\u2019s Needs<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">This year\u2019s Cohort 4 grantees represent key industries that mirror the evolving needs of Filipino communities \u2014 from clean energy and human resource development to recreation, health innovation, and digital transformation.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Briyo \u2013 Builds modular, bamboo-based wind and hydro turbines for off-grid communities (Sustainable Energy)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Hireable \u2013 AI-powered freelance hiring and KPI matching platform (Human Resource Technology)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Kazam On-Demand Services \u2013 Flexible online marketplace for part-time household help (Human Resource Technology)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Laro \u2013 Sports and recreation booking and community app (Sports and Recreation Technology)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Agap.ai \u2013 AI-powered developmental screening tool for parents (Health Technology)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Soolok \u2013 Streamlines foreclosure data and home acquisition within 45 days (Property Technology)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"1\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Xamun.AI \u2013 AI platform that converts business requirements into applications in weeks (Information Technology)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>Emerging Themes: Startups that Address Real Needs<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">This year\u2019s Cohort 4 grantees show how startups in Quezon City are responding to real challenges faced by Filipinos.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Hireable and Kazam On-Demand Services reflect changes in work today, from hybrid jobs to the gig economy, providing flexible income opportunities and fair access to employment for freelancers and informal workers.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Agapai, a health-focused AI tool, supports parents in monitoring their children\u2019s developmental milestones, promoting early intervention even outside formal healthcare settings. While it is not a diagnostic tool, it aligns with Quezon City\u2019s goal of inclusive support for all children, including those with disabilities.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Together, these startups show that innovation in Quezon City is practical, socially aware, and designed to improve lives while contributing to broader conversations on sustainability and technology.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>Fostering an Inclusive Innovation Ecosystem<\/strong><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Beyond financial support, the Startup QC Program provides capacity-building,mentorship, and access to investors and potential clients. Each cohort strengthens Quezon City\u2019s role as an active enabler of entrepreneurship, bridging startups with industries and creating a sustainable innovation pipeline that benefits the wider economy.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">By investing in its innovation ecosystem, Quezon City ensures that startups not only survive but thrive, becoming vital contributors to national development and social progress.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cInnovation is not just about technology \u2014 it is about empathy, service, and equity,\u201d\u00a0said Mayor Joy Belmonte.\u00a0\u201cThrough Startup QC, we are proving that governance and innovation can work hand in hand, that a local government can be both visionary and inclusive.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":72353,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[6588,7871,96],"class_list":["post-72352","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-headlines","tag-business","tag-launchgarage","tag-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72352","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=72352"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72352\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":72354,"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72352\/revisions\/72354"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/72353"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=72352"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=72352"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=72352"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}