MANILA, Philippines — From bamboo-based turbines to an artificial intelligence (AI) tool that helps parents track their children’s development, Quezon City is positioning itself not only as the Philippines’ Film City, but also a rising hub for startups.
These ventures, along with five others, make up the fourth cohort of the StartUp QC Program, a city-led initiative that awards each selected startup P1 million in seed funding to help refine and scale their services.
Apart from funding, the program also provides mentorship, training and exposure to investors and clients.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte says the program strengthens the city’s bid to become a competitive startup center while keeping public service at its core.
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“Innovation is not just about technology—it is about empathy, service and equity,” Belmonte says. “Through StartUp QC, we are proving that governance and innovation can work hand in hand, that a local government can be both visionary and inclusive.”
Real needs
This year’s seven grantees were chosen from nine finalists for their “innovative, scalable and socially attuned solutions.”
Many address real-world challenges, such as finding work and navigating property ownership.
Among the awardees are Briyo, which builds modular and bamboo-based wind and hydro turbines; Kazam On-Demand Services, a platform that connects households with part-time help; Laro, a sports and recreation booking and community app; and Soolok, which helps simplify the home-buying process and accelerate acquisition to as fast as 45 days.
AI-led
AI tools also play a strong role in this year’s batch.
Agap.ai offers an AI-aided developmental screening tool for parents outside clinical settings.
Hireable, meanwhile, uses AI to match freelance workers and employers based on skills and performance.
Xamun.AI converts business requirements into functional applications in weeks.
“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,” the city government says.
To further strengthen its startup scene, Quezon City is preparing the Business Investment and Trade Incentives for Startups Ordinance, which will provide fiscal incentives and encourage entrepreneurs to scale.
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The planned measure is part of the city’s broader “Invest With QC” campaign. INQ