The Information and Communications Technology Office of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-ICT) and the Philippine Software Industry Association, in partnership with Intel Philippines, have officially launched the 2016 Philippine Startup Challenge, a nationwide startup competition among college students that showcases their talent in developing socially relevant technological innovations.
From left: Arup Maity, President & CEO, Blast Asia; Monchito Ibrahim, Deputy Executive Director, DOST-ICTO-eInnovation; Calum Chisholm, Country Manager, Intel Philippines; John Ruero, President, ISSA PH and former PSITE President.
This year’s competition involves a new Internet of Things (IoT) track that allows startups or innovators to use IoT in developing innovations that can be applicable in their daily living.
“We see IoT as an emerging trend in the industry that innovators, especially the youth can explore to create relevant technology,” said Monchito Ibrahim, Deputy Executive Director for eInnovation at DOST-ICT Office. “We believe that the evolution of this competition – from mostly software innovation to now exploring robotics and hardware – is a great step in welcoming a wider talent base to the community and will create more exciting use for technology and connectivity.”
“Intel is excited to be part of the 2016 Philippine Startup Challenge as this will be the first time participants will be able to showcase their technological innovations related to the Internet of Things,” said Calum Chisholm, Country Manager at Intel Philippines.
Bootcamps
Together with Intel, organizers will be hosting a two-day Lean Startup 101 and IoT Bootcamps series to prepare college instructors and professors who act as mentors of participating student teams in the competition.
The bootcamp will cover topics on developing startup ideas, creating viable business models, best practices in effectively operating a tech startup as well as on building IoT solutions. The schedules of bootcamps are as follows: May 20 and 21 (Bacolod City); May 27 and 28 (Metro Manila); June 10 and 11 (Baguio City); and June 24 and 25 (General Santos City).
Instructors who participate in the bootcamps will be urged to form teams that will represent their respective schools. The teams will include four members – three students and one faculty adviser. Schools can submit multiple entries but a student can join one team only.
To join the challenge, teams are required to submit a five-minute video pitch presentation about their startup idea. From among entries, the Top 10 teams will be selected for further mentoring sessions. Finalists will be given a chance to pitch their startup ideas to a panel of judges consisting of local startup experts during the Philippine Startup National Finals.
IoT entries
For IoT entries, Intel Philippines will choose 20 entries/teams which will be given Intel boards to be used in developing their innovations.
The winners of the challenge get the chance to be part of PSIA-SPRING.ph’s LaunchPad program and be mentored by prominent names in the Philippine startup scene. Access to valuable networks within the country’s startup ecosystem that could lead to future partnerships and collaborations will also be provided to them. Winners in the IoT segment will receive valuable mentoring opportunities supported by Intel Philippines.
