Tech entrepreneurs call for government support

CEBU, Philippines - The technology startup community in the Philippines is calling on policymakers to look into the country’s potential of developing more innovations and craft up policies that will encourage young Filipino geeks to venture into commercial technology inventions.

“We have the next 5 years to prove that we are the epicenter of something – technology. If Sundance is for films, Davos for G8 leaders, then Philippines should be about startups,” said Earl Valencia, president of IdeaSpace.ph.

The loud call from the country’s emerging startup communities should be a signal for Philippine policymakers to move towards helping homegrown tech entrepreneurs become global champions rather than simply attracting foreign multinationals to invest in the country, said Valencia.

As of the moment, DOST-Information Communication and Technology Office said that the fact that the office has contributed funding to (Geek on a Beach) #GOAB, is an indication that the government is supporting the development of innovators.

DOST-ICTO has been responsible for making Philippines an outsourcing destination since 2005.

“We believe the country is also about tech innovation,” said DOST-ICTO deputy executive director Monchito Ibrahim.

The small group of Filipino startup individuals, who participated in the recently concluded #GOAB believes that a Philippine startup community roadmap is needed to push the Philippine economy forward faster.

This consensus began shaping up as some 300 Pinoy and international attendees participated in the two-day conference dubbed as Geeks on a Beach or #GOAB in the world-famous tourism destination in the Philippines, Boracay Island.

Held last September 26-27, the conference themed “Bringing together tech innovators – from startups to global heroes” gathered an impressive lineup of 41 tech/startup experts as event speakers and the support of 59 sponsors and partners. 

Ibrahim welcomed, among other recommendations, the crafting of a Philippine roadmap for startups.

Startups refer to fast-growing Internet-based businesses set up by entrepreneurs, something that began in the first startup community in Silicon Valley decades ago and spread globally through the years.

Veteran startup entrepreneurs say that private sector initiative for growing the startup community should continue. Tina Amper of TechTalks.ph and prime mover of the #GOAB conference, for instance, initially funded efforts for startup gatherings from her own pocket.

Bowei Gai, a successful Silicon Valley entrepreneur, likewise said that venture capital is actually not necessary in the beginning to develop startup communities stressing that “startups can self-fund and venture capital will just come.”

Gai, who just concluded a 29-country tour in nine months for his World Start-up Report, said the Philippines has a lot of potential as an emerging startup destination.

Plug and Play co-founder Jojo Flores said that three years ago MIT funded 26,000 companies which hired 3 million employees and earned $2 trillion a year.

“This is the 11th largest economy of the world. That’s just a university. If the Philippines do this right, we can create startups . . . an industry of techno-preneurs on top of outsourcing. We still don’t have enough startups in the country yet,” Flores said.

The young Cebuano Albert Padin who founded SpellDial said, startups are risky “but if you’re afraid to take risks we’ll still be where we are exactly right now.” —/JOB (FREEMAN)