P&G, QBO launch program to engage startups

MANILA, Philippines — Consumer goods giant P&G Philippines has teamed up with QBO Innovation to launch a program aimed at finding potential startup partners for innovations to better serve consumers.

In a statement, P&G said it launched the vGrow program to drive innovative solutions across multiple stages of its operations by fostering collaboration with startups.

First rolled out in 2017, the program has been implemented in countries including India, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand.

In the Philippines, the program was recently launched with QBO Innovation to accelerate the growth of technology startups.

QBO Innovation is a division of IdeaSpace that engages with government agencies, academic institutions, international development agencies and private sector enterprises.

For the vGrow SHOWQASE program, QBO selected 18 startups that will present their innovative solutions to P&G’s top executives including P&G Philippines general manager Agraj Sharma, P&G Asia-Pacific purchasing senior director Shivangi Jain and P&G Philippines purchasing director Marlon De Vera.

The participants include Amplify, Betterteem, Chamni’s Eye, CognitiveAI, DHL, Happy Benefits, LOCAD, Maya, MASA Inc., Margarett Enterprises Inc., MobileOptima-Tarkie, Ninja Van, Pickaroo, POLKA.PH, Shuttlerock, Storewise and Xeleqt AI.

Following the pitching sessions, three of the participating firms were given special awards led by CognitiveAI for the Most Innovative Solution award, Betterteem for the Best Pitcher award and DHL for the Industry Leadership award.

Sharma said P&G, which has almost 90 years of operations in the country, aims to understand and serve consumers by providing the best solutions for their daily needs.