CCCI seeks Israeli collaboration for startup hub

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry is courting the Israeli Embassy and Israeli tech firms to help develop a planned innovation hub, betting that Israel’s deep research-and-development expertise could accelerate Cebu’s push to build a competitive technology ecosystem.

In a meeting with Israel’s Ambassador Dana Kursh, CCCI president Jay Yuvallos said the chamber is converting the second floor of its headquarters into an innovation and startup center aimed at supporting early-stage ventures, strengthening industry–academe collaboration, and positioning Cebu as a regional tech growth node.

“Across all industries, Israel is a leader in innovation. That aligns with one of our main thrusts—developing an ecosystem for innovation,” Yuvallos said.

He pointed to Singapore’s ascent as an R&D (research & development) hub—where a single foreign research center eventually catalyzed broader transformation—as a model Cebu hopes to replicate. A partnership with Israeli firms, he said, would give the initiative a “big boost.”

“This is an invitation for the embassy or Israeli companies to be part of this innovation hub,” Yuvallos told Kursh. “Your comments make us more confident that we’re on the right track. We’d love to welcome whatever you want to bring.”

CCCI earlier announced a P20-million Innovation and Startup Hub designed to accelerate entrepreneurship and link Cebu’s innovators to global markets.

The facility will offer co-working spaces, pitching and collaboration areas, and programs for young founders.

Yuvallos said CCCI is raising an additional P15 million to complete the buildout and is seeking support from local companies, government units and universities.

“We call it an open innovation hub because creativity can come from anywhere,” he said.

The initiative complements ongoing national innovation programs, including the Philippine Innovation Awards and Filipinnovation Grants under the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development, which serves as secretariat of the National Innovation Council.

Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro welcomed the effort, saying innovation-led sectors can diversify Cebu’s economy and generate high-value jobs.

“We have the talent. What we need now is collaboration and vision,” she said.

The new hub is expected to open within four months of groundbreaking, marking a significant step in Cebu’s ambition to emerge as the startup capital of the Visayas.