New ventures boost Philippine startup scene

CEBU, Philippines — IdeaSpace Foundation, the startup accelerator of the MVP Group of Companies, has unveiled six ventures for the 13th batch of its flagship Accelerator Program, underscoring its focus on technology-driven solutions to some of the Philippines’ most pressing challenges.

Branded under the theme “Startups for the Future,” the new cohort spans industries from property and retail to finance and digital content. Among the chosen ventures is Soolok Properties Inc., which aggregates foreclosed property listings from major banks and applies proprietary pricing to identify undervalued assets.

KaHero, another participant, provides a cloud-based point-of-sale system for small businesses, while Xure offers a mobile platform for collectors to trade and authenticate collectibles.

DashoContent combines AI with human expertise to streamline content creation, Cloverly develops tools to make buyer onboarding more efficient for property developers, and Polka Motors simplifies the motor loan application process through an online marketplace.

“We are thrilled to welcome the Cohort 13 startups into the IdeaSpace family,” said Butch Meily, president of IdeaSpace. “The strength of our network, which connects founders, mentors, investors, and the broader MVP Group, will undoubtedly drive these ventures to new heights.”

Executive Director Alwyn Rosel said the program reflects IdeaSpace’s long-term commitment to strengthening the Philippine startup ecosystem.

“The cornerstone of our work is to sustain the ecosystem so that we help more startups that have immense potential to contribute to the economy and national development,” he said.

Participants in the program will receive mentorship from industry experts, operational and fundraising guidance, and access to IdeaSpace’s network of investors and partners.

The accelerator has been a key fixture in the local startup landscape since its launch, backing hundreds of early-stage companies and helping to cultivate a new generation of entrepreneurs.

According to Statista, the Philippines has a relatively young but rapidly expanding start-up ecosystem. This can be seen in the improvement in its position in the Global Country Rankings, placing in the 52nd spot globally.

With a favorable business environment and increasing digital adaption, the Philippine start-up scene was expected to sustain its growth potential. — (FREEMAN)