DOST through the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) launched the Startup Grant Program in 2017 hoping to give deserving startups to give their early-stage technologies a shot at making them profitable.
“We are hoping that through the Philippines Startup Week, we are able to show that the Philippines is ‘all set’ to become Asia’s powerhouse,” said Engr. Raul Sabularse, Deputy Executive Director, PCIEERD, in his opening remarks. “We also hope that we could inspire others to build a startup (and pursue) their innovative business ideas and slingshot them across the globe.”
During its first call for applications, the PCIEERD received a total of sixty-five (65) startup applicants from various disciplines/sectors but only fifteen (15) out of the 65 applicants qualified and received the funding after a series of evaluation and assessment. The first batch of DOST Startup grantees are:
MachiBox: Developed an easy-build, easy-to-program and cost effective robotics kits called
MachiBot which aims to increase interest in programming and robotics among students/beginners
Rurok Industries: A team of diverse individuals united by a common passion of riding bikes and the dream to do it by themselves. The team developed a performance bikes suspension technology that has the features of “antisquat” and “antirise”.
Easybus PH: A startup company that provides a total digital booking platform (single, centralized and synchronized system application) adaptable for all types of buses to address the inefficiencies brought about by the manual system of booking.
Retailgate: An AI Technology-based Retail Analytics and Market Research firm that provides tech-based consumer behavior tracking services.
Grayscale: Developed the Smart VISION system which is an artificial intelligence-guided system for the blind that provides information on physical objects around at any distance, allowing the user to perform things that most people do (texting, email, etc.).
Tactiles: A team of Filipino engineers and designers who developed the IQUBE, an app-powered educational toy that teaches kids about electricity. The IQUBE has been sold to thirty (30) different countries around the world.
EduSuite: Created a next generation campus management system that saves time and prevents costly mistakes by using Artificial Intelligence to co manage the campus.
Futuristic Aviation and Maritime Enterprise, Inc. (FAME): Has developed small-scale vessel trackers and monitors that also serve as communication devices, enabling small-scale fishers to participate in electronic Catch Documentation Traceability (eCDT) and establishing increased communication and safety at-sea.
Wela School Systems: Provides a cloud based grading platform for students, which includes a mobile application for parents and can also inform parents of the student's attendance and other school updates.
Kinovett Scientific Solutions: Developed biotechnology kits that teaches students basic scientific principles and at the same time provides the students the opportunity to learn through hands on activities. It also aims to build the capacity of STEM educators in the country and enhance scientific literacy of students in biotechnology through inquiry-based STEM kits.
Senti Techlabs: Provide social media monitoring services that is focused on understanding Filipino. To process social media posts better, they have developed a machine learning -based language classifier that automatically detect the language of any document. The product will allow the clients to view the market behavior on social media as well as the real time conversations about their brands.
Farmwatch Solutions Inc.: Offers a suite of remote monitoring system that connects farms to farmers and help them by providing information necessary to make informed decisions. Their goal is to uplift the level of agriculture technology by developing products that assists farmers by making farm work and management lighter.
Nanotronics Inc: Focuses on trading and distribution of advanced materials in the semiconductor industry like the bare copper Cu and Pd coated Cu bonding and Ag alloy bonding wires which are being used in the semiconductor integrated circuit assembly having markets here and in Thailand. On the same year, due to customer demand, the company launches its training and consulting services as well to semiconductor, electronics and renewable companies. To date, Nanotronics has seven (7) active customer accounts for its products and services offering.
Restograph: Developed a restaurant management software that connects directly with POS systems to provide real time sales analytics and granular views of daily operations, with elements descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive data analytics.
Smartfox Data Solutions Inc. A silicon IP and design services provider founded by experienced IC and embedded systems design engineers. They offer digital IC design services from RTL design and logic synthesis to physical implementation and specializes in hardware design.
“We are happy with the milestones of the first batch of startup grantees and with the passing of the Innovative Startup Act, we see more Filipino startups getting government support” said Russell Pili, the Chief of the Technology Transfer Division of PCIEERD.
“We are hoping that through the Philippines Startup Week, we are able to show that the Philippines is ‘all set’ to become Asia’s powerhouse,” said Engr. Raul Sabularse, Deputy Executive Director, PCIEERD, in his opening remarks. “We also hope that we could inspire others to build a startup (and pursue) their innovative business ideas and slingshot them across the globe.”
During its first call for applications, the PCIEERD received a total of sixty-five (65) startup applicants from various disciplines/sectors but only fifteen (15) out of the 65 applicants qualified and received the funding after a series of evaluation and assessment. The first batch of DOST Startup grantees are:
MachiBox: Developed an easy-build, easy-to-program and cost effective robotics kits called
MachiBot which aims to increase interest in programming and robotics among students/beginners
Rurok Industries: A team of diverse individuals united by a common passion of riding bikes and the dream to do it by themselves. The team developed a performance bikes suspension technology that has the features of “antisquat” and “antirise”.
Easybus PH: A startup company that provides a total digital booking platform (single, centralized and synchronized system application) adaptable for all types of buses to address the inefficiencies brought about by the manual system of booking.
Retailgate: An AI Technology-based Retail Analytics and Market Research firm that provides tech-based consumer behavior tracking services.
Grayscale: Developed the Smart VISION system which is an artificial intelligence-guided system for the blind that provides information on physical objects around at any distance, allowing the user to perform things that most people do (texting, email, etc.).
Tactiles: A team of Filipino engineers and designers who developed the IQUBE, an app-powered educational toy that teaches kids about electricity. The IQUBE has been sold to thirty (30) different countries around the world.
EduSuite: Created a next generation campus management system that saves time and prevents costly mistakes by using Artificial Intelligence to co manage the campus.
Futuristic Aviation and Maritime Enterprise, Inc. (FAME): Has developed small-scale vessel trackers and monitors that also serve as communication devices, enabling small-scale fishers to participate in electronic Catch Documentation Traceability (eCDT) and establishing increased communication and safety at-sea.
Wela School Systems: Provides a cloud based grading platform for students, which includes a mobile application for parents and can also inform parents of the student's attendance and other school updates.
Kinovett Scientific Solutions: Developed biotechnology kits that teaches students basic scientific principles and at the same time provides the students the opportunity to learn through hands on activities. It also aims to build the capacity of STEM educators in the country and enhance scientific literacy of students in biotechnology through inquiry-based STEM kits.
Senti Techlabs: Provide social media monitoring services that is focused on understanding Filipino. To process social media posts better, they have developed a machine learning -based language classifier that automatically detect the language of any document. The product will allow the clients to view the market behavior on social media as well as the real time conversations about their brands.
Farmwatch Solutions Inc.: Offers a suite of remote monitoring system that connects farms to farmers and help them by providing information necessary to make informed decisions. Their goal is to uplift the level of agriculture technology by developing products that assists farmers by making farm work and management lighter.
Nanotronics Inc: Focuses on trading and distribution of advanced materials in the semiconductor industry like the bare copper Cu and Pd coated Cu bonding and Ag alloy bonding wires which are being used in the semiconductor integrated circuit assembly having markets here and in Thailand. On the same year, due to customer demand, the company launches its training and consulting services as well to semiconductor, electronics and renewable companies. To date, Nanotronics has seven (7) active customer accounts for its products and services offering.
Restograph: Developed a restaurant management software that connects directly with POS systems to provide real time sales analytics and granular views of daily operations, with elements descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive data analytics.
Smartfox Data Solutions Inc. A silicon IP and design services provider founded by experienced IC and embedded systems design engineers. They offer digital IC design services from RTL design and logic synthesis to physical implementation and specializes in hardware design.
“We are happy with the milestones of the first batch of startup grantees and with the passing of the Innovative Startup Act, we see more Filipino startups getting government support” said Russell Pili, the Chief of the Technology Transfer Division of PCIEERD.