QBO Innovation Hub, the country’s first
public-private initiative for startups, recently launched the QBO App, a
virtual hub for startups all over the country. The QBO App has already garnered
over 100 downloads on the Google Play Store. The app is also available for
download on iOS.
The program was headlined by the
top-tier leaders of QBO’s public and private partners and attended by over 200
guests from the startup ecosystem, including notable founders and
entrepreneurs, mentors and investors, and representatives from various
Technology Business Incubators (TBIs), startup enablers, incubators, and
corporations.
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Before the grand reveal at the QNNECT: The QBO
App Launch, an unveiling of a virtual hub meant to unite and empower the local
startup ecosystem, Rene “Butch” Meily, President of QBO Innovation Hub, the
country’s first public-private initiative for startups, asks everyone to say
“yes” to the future of Philippine startups.
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Some notable guests included local
startups like Cropital, Pushkart, and Tripkada. The event was also attended by
top executives from QBO’s public and private partners, including Ola Almgren,
United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP); Chaye Cabal Revilla, CFO of Smart Communications,
Inc.; Gil Chua, Chairman and CEO of DDB; and Monchito Ibrahim, Undersecretary
of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
The lineup of speakers at the launch
included QBO’s founding partners, such as Secretary Fortunato dela Peña of the
Department of Science and Technology (DOST); Assistant Secretary Rafaelita
Aldaba of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); and Roberto Panlilio,
Senior Country Officer of J.P. Morgan Philippines.
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The welcoming remarks of the QBO App Launch
featuring Roberto L. Panlilio, the Managing Director and Senior Country Officer
of J.P. Morgan, one of QBO’s founding partners.
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The QBO App is a virtual hub or a
digital space where startups and entrepreneurs can come together to connect and
collaborate with other players in the startup ecosystem and contribute their
own knowledge and information with the community. It is an extension of QBO’s
on-ground efforts to unite and empower the local startup ecosystem to work
towards the same vision of Filipino startups changing the world.
“QBO App’s prime purpose is to connect
the dots in the local startup ecosystem, not just for startups in Metro Manila,
but for Philippine startups, investors, and collaborators all over the world.
It’s an avenue for Filipino startups’ ideas to move forward,” said Katrina
Chan, Director, QBO.
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The founding partners of QBO Innovation Hub,
the country’s first public-private initiative for startups, were all present
for QBO QNNECT: The QBO App Launch, the official unveiling of a virtual hub
developed by QBO with the vision of Filipino startups changing the world. (From
L-R: Secretary Fortunato “Boy” de la Peña, the Department of Science and
Technology; Katrina Chan, Director, QBO; Assistant Secretary Rafaelita “Fita”
Aldaba, the Department of Trade and Industry; Patricia Javier-Gutierrez,
Executive Director and Head of Communications, J.P. Morgan; Diane Eustaquio,
Executive Director, IdeaSpace Foundation Inc.; and Rene “Butch” Meily,
President, QBO.)
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Rapid growth
“What makes our platform so strong is
that there are so many passionate and dedicated individuals in the startup
ecosystem and this is the platform they’ll be using to connect with each
other,” added Chan.
“The app’s growth is a testament to the
worthiness and effectiveness of its mission. It’s a more convenient and
accessible way to stay on top of the startup ecosystem, whether you’re a
founder, mentor, or investor. It’s also very appealing to some of the younger
Millennials who seek to establish themselves in the startup industry, as it’s a
user experience that they’re more familiar with,” said Rowena Cristina L.
Guevara, DOST Undersecretary.
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Secretary Fortunato “Boy” de la Peña of the
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) delivering his welcoming remarks
for the QBO App Launch, an initiative spearheaded by QBO and DOST as a way to
unite the startup ecosystem, last March 1 at the City Garden Grand Hotel.
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QNNECT,
QLLABORTE, QNTRIBUTE
The QBO App is designed with the
following functions in mind: QNNECT, QLLABORATE, AND QNTRIBUTE.
The app’s QNNECT feature allows
founders to get in touch with other players in the industry and form
partnerships. Through the app, mentors and investors can also discover new
businesses and other potentially disruptive investments.
“One of the more important aspects of
the QBO program as well as this new app is that it provides members with easier
access to world-class mentors, business leaders, and other entrepreneurs who’ve
thrived across industries. This collaborative environment and sharing of best
practices builds and strengthens even further the local startup community,”
said Patricia Anne Javier-Gutierrez, Head of Communications at J.P. Morgan.
The QLLABORATE function allows members
to see what startup events, opportunities, and programs are happening when and
where. Startups can also better collaborate with each other and reach out to
special guests or speakers through the app’s ‘Groups’ feature. Members can also
access relevant resources through the app, such as startup reports, government
forms, powerpoint presentations from speakers, and other documents that are all
downloadable exclusively in the app through the ‘Content’ function.
Much like other social networking
sites, the QBO app is also the perfect avenue to QNTRIBUTE. Startups can share
news or push their products and services through the News function, where they
can post videos, photos, links, or other startup-related content in a social
media-like timeline.
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The team of QBO Innovation Hub, the country’s
first public-private initiative for startups, pose at the photo wall of their
event, QNNECT: The QBO App Launch, the official unveiling of their app or
virtual hub meant to unite and empower the Philippine startup ecosystem. (From
L-R: Dominique Natividad, Content Specialist; Rosstyn Fallorina, Program
Associate – Incubation; Natasha Bautista, Operations Head; Rene “Butch” Meily,
President; Alea Ladaga, Program Associate – Community Growth; Adria Villaroya,
Program Associate – Startup Development; Katrina Chan, Director; Talja Tupa,
Intern; and River Strauss Jacob, Creative Associate)
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How to
download the app
The app can be found on either Google
Play Store or the App Store. Search for “QBO Innovation Hub”. After
downloading, register through e-mail, cellphone, or Facebook. Users will have
to wait for their membership approval from the QBO team. Once approved, they
can create their profiles and begin to QNNECT.
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