Tech Advantage was not only a knowledge-sharing platform for digital technologies, it was a venue to emphasize an increased vigor towards more public-private partnerships in the technology space.

FPh and DICT present plaques of appreciation to Sprout Solutions, Gorriceta Law, Angkas, MyEG and other special guests during the Philippine Startup Week 2019.

New legislation is opening the doors for innovative entrepreneurs, but digital transformation is the key to accelerating startup growth, said the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT).

The agency also called for a stronger push for new technology at the first-ever Philippine Startup Week (PHSW2019).

PHSW2019 both showcased the Filipino startup community and provided them a venue to explore further growth through innovation and government assistance. It is the first-ever collaborative effort between the DICT, the Department of Science and Technology (DoST), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and various partners from the private sector.

The highlight of PHSW2019 is DICT’s Tech Advantage summit held at the Crowne Plaza in Ortigas on 21 November. Tech Advantage was not only a knowledge-sharing platform for digital technologies, it was a venue to emphasize an increased vigor towards more public-private partnerships in the technology space.

“We at the DICT trust that utilizing, developing, and harnessing technology will only accelerate the growth and evolution of our Philippine startup ecosystem,” said Assistant Secretary for Digital Philippines, Emmanuel Rey Caintic, as he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to startups.

Digital transformation is still young in the Philippines, but the FinTech Philippines Association (FPh) has noticed a growing amount of knowledge and talent consolidating in the Philippines and has sought to bring them together to change the way business is done for the better.

“Now we see the best and the brightest in the world moving to the Philippines,” said Amor Maclang, executive director of FPh. “We are very fortunate to serve as the gateway for technology companies and Philippine businesses to experience and take part in a regional and global ecosystem.”

George Royeca, Angkas chief Transport Advocate, also echoed the desire to work together, urging that digital businesses need not see each other as competition. “Focus on solving a problem. Your competitor right now is not your actual industry competitor, your competitor is everybody that’s analog,” Royeca said.

“What you need to do is work together as an industry, like FPh, and push together.”

In turn, Sprout Solutions is particularly keen on pushing for the adoption of digital technologies in the Philippines. During the summit, the company announced that the payroll module of their services is free for companies with less than 50 employees — a move to push young startups towards digital transformation.

“We were a startup ourselves not too long ago, so we really understand how difficult it can be in the beginning,” Guiterrez said.

“We’ve always wanted to help businesses and we really believe that going digital will help them focus on growing.”

For Jove Tapiador, co-founder of FPh, there is a wealth of opportunities to solve problems through innovation in the Philippines. He noted that various international development agencies have supported the growth of electronic payment startups in the country.