Technology-based startups awarded grants for innovation and development

Several technology-based companies received government grants designed to spur commercial activity, strengthen entrepreneurial growth, and support innovations with market potential.

A good business idea could remain that way without sufficient capital to help realize it. The lack of early-stage funding holds back many entrepreneurs with solid concepts. Government agencies provide grants to assist new businesses in overcoming the capital barrier and expanding their operations.

Several technologically innovative startups were given a ₱1 million equity-free grant by the Quezon City local government last week as part of the city’s 4th Startup QC Program, which aims to nurture early-stage companies and build a stronger local innovation ecosystem.

According to the QC LGU, the program has supported dozens of startups since 2022, many of which have already progressed to pilot deployments or commercial partnerships.

The startups that secured funding focused on the use of technology like Artificial Intelligence (AI) to make local jobs in the city more available or used sustainable means and materials to provide green energy to remote communities—the types of businesses that may require a substantial amount to sufficiently fill the gap in the market they are trying to fill.

This year’s cohort includes AI-driven platforms, renewable energy ventures, and digital services addressing gaps in labor matching, community recreation, real estate, and household services.

The seven grantees include Briyo, a wind and hydro turbines developer; Hireable, an AI-powered freelance hiring platform; Kazam, an online marketplace for part-time domestic helpers; Laro, a sports and recreation booking app; Agap.ai, an AI-powered developmental screening tool for parents; Soolok, a platform that streamlines foreclosure and home acquisition processes; and Xanum.AI, a business application assistant.

AI reshaping industries worldwide

Businesses outside QC also have the option of availing the Startup Grant Fund (SGF) under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), which provides grants ranging from ₱500,000 to ₱1 million.

The SGF specifically targets startups in prototyping, product refinement, and early commercialization stages.

With AI reshaping industries worldwide, many startups are integrating it at the core of their business model. But developing AI systems is expensive, often requiring millions of pesos for software development, data training, and testing.

This factor is driving government interest in strengthening support for homegrown tech companies that could eventually compete regionally.

The Muntinlupa City local government also offers financial assistance to businesses in the form of a loan, not a grant.

The loan program under the Muntinlupa Entrepreneurship Financing Division focuses more on micro and small businesses by providing them capital to help expand and sustain their businesses. 

The program offers loans from ₱5,000 to ₱200,000 depending on business size and repayment capacity.

Early-stage startups usually lack the runway to survive slow returns or delayed commercialization. Grant and loan programs extend that runway, giving founders room to develop technology that would otherwise stall. As the startup ecosystem matures, sustained and targeted funding will determine which innovations break through and which ones never get past the prototype stage.

 

 

The startups that secured funding focused on technology-driven solutions such as AI tools that match workers to jobs and sustainable systems supplying green energy to underserved communities.

 

 

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