FOR a decade, the creative space Benilde Hub of Innovation for Inclusion (HIFI) has served as the home of promising startups established by leading trailblazers and budding entrepreneurs.
This launchpad has assisted purpose-driven, sustainability-centered, and income-generating projects and ideas come to life through academic and industry mentorships, incubation programs, immersive fellowships, and aid in securing government grants.
In celebration of the 10th anniversary of HIFI, a Technology Business Incubator (TBI) accredited by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), attention must be drawn to some of the game-changing local startups it has aided through the years.
1. HA.MÜ. Founded by Abraham Guardian and Mamuro Oki, the Filipino artisanal label celebrates individuality and free-spirited aesthetic through its maximalist upcycled garments and playful fits which challenge gender stereotypes. Its iconic pieces include the viral Sinigang Bib Top, whimsical birthday crowns, and bespoke barongs with floral embroidery.
2. Dehusk. A vegan plant-based coconut milk brand co-founded by actress Nadine Lustre, entrepreneur Christophe ‘Chris’ Bariou, Quan Tan, and Samuel Tecuala. Billed as the Philippines’ first locally produced and fortified coconut milk drink, Dehusk utilizes Philippine coconuts to offer a dairy alternative that is lactose-free, cholesterol-free, and fortified with vitamins and minerals.
3. Pumapapel Pop-Up Design Studio. Helmed by paper engineer Amy Lopez Nayve, it is the Philippines’ pioneer pop-up book and paper engineering studio. Since 2018, it has designed custom pop-ups and dimensional advertising for cultural institutions, brands, and publishers-including the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity, Bvlgari, and the Mind Museum-and published six pop-up books with UK-based Nextquisite Publishing.
4. The Busking Community PH. Established in 2017 by Martin Riggs, it is now an organized group which awards multiple earning opportunities for some 300 buskers. Their systematic approach primarily uses data-mapping to match buskers and locations, maximize the potential of each busking session, and make sure it is sustainable and secured for years.
5. EcoUling. This social enterprise works closely with rural farming communities in the Philippines to manufacture eco-friendly charcoal briquettes from coconut waste, instead of wood. It was established as a livelihood project in 2015 by Aya Fernandez, and has since begun scaling its operations when co-founder Katrina Mamaril joined the team.
6. Para sa Sining. Co-built by cultural advocate and creative producer Micah Pinto, Para sa Sining (For the Arts) is a Manila-based non-government organization which teams up with both local and international institutions and partners with different communities through inclusive cultural initiatives. They foster the spirit of cultural collaboration through art as a tool for dialogue, engagement and social inclusion.
7. Mylo Speech Buddy. A speech development app for children with speech delays, it was developed by Vincent Rocha, a father whose own son inspired the app, alongside co-founder Enrico Aquino. The app uses video modeling and research-backed methods to assist children to build their verbal communication skills.
8. Ziv Rei Alexi. The young Caviteño designer is acclaimed for his artistry, avant-garde pieces, and raw style depicting the everyday life of Filipinos. His Manila-based namesake brand is heavily influenced by the authenticity of Pinoy heritage. One of his prominent creations is the tansan dress of repurposed bottle caps, an outfit which required more than 300 hours of hand embroidery.
9. EdukSine Studios. An ode to Philippine cinema, EdukSine is a streaming platform which showcases educational and socially relevant independent Filipino films. The brainchild of CEO Karen Jane Salutan-Krukover, the multi-awarded cultural enterprise was built to uplift communities and make local films accessible and affordable to students and cinephiles in cities and remote provinces. It is the pioneer of hybrid block screenings and has integrated Filipino Sign Language (FSL) into local films to extend an inclusive storytelling to the Deaf community.
10. AIMHI. Artificial Intelligence meets Human Intelligence (AIMHI) is a Tagum City-based construction technology startup which improves project visibility, cost management, risk analysis, and decision-making through its AI-powered solutions. It was recognized as the Startup of the Year at the Davao Startup Champion Awards.