DOST Start-up Fest Eyes Boracay, Aklan As Tourism-Tech Hub Under Regional Startup Roadmap

ILOILO CITY — Aklan could strengthen its position as a tourism innovation hub in Western Visayas, with Boracay Island identified as a potential testing ground for technology-driven solutions under the 2026 Western Visayas Innovative Startup Fest (WVISF).

The three-day festival, organized by the Unified Movement in Western Visayas to Accelerate Startup and Spinoff Development (UMWAD) consortium, opened at SM Iloilo Terminal Market under the theme, “Scaling the Region’s Startup Ecosystem: Enabling Founders, Driving Innovation.”

One of the key recommendations presented during the event was to develop Boracay as a tourism-tech testbed, where startups can test innovative solutions in partnership with resorts, tour operators and other tourism stakeholders.

The initiative could open opportunities for Aklanon entrepreneurs and technology developers to create solutions addressing tourism-related challenges, improve visitor experiences and support local businesses.
The proposed roadmap also calls for establishing founder support desks at local technology business incubators, including ASU TechNest and Entreplab, to provide entrepreneurs with assistance in legal matters, accounting and intellectual property protection.

These measures aim to help local startups move beyond the idea stage and develop sustainable businesses capable of expanding into larger markets.

Addressing the startup gap in Aklan

Findings from the 2025 Western Visayas Startup Ecosystem Mapping Report identified access to capital as the weakest component of the startup ecosystem across the region.
While Iloilo leads in areas such as startup culture, talent and regulation, Aklan and other neighboring provinces remain at an early stage in developing startup density and access to capital.

The report also highlighted a major challenge faced by founders across Western Visayas: although support is available during the idea stage, assistance declines as businesses enter the growth phase. This can push entrepreneurs to relocate to Manila or overseas to secure funding and expand their operations.

To address the gap, UMWAD proposed a “Hub and Spokes” development model, with Iloilo serving as the region’s growth hub while neighboring provinces build their startup foundations and develop solutions based on their respective local industries.

For Aklan, this approach places tourism at the center of its potential innovation strategy, particularly given Boracay’s established tourism industry and network of accommodation establishments, tour operators and other service providers.
Building a stronger innovation ecosystem
The proposed regional strategy also includes establishing provincial angel investor circles, expanding access to technology business incubators, and creating a unified Startup WV portal featuring a directory of startups, an events calendar, funding opportunities and a talent network.

Local governments and provincial boards are likewise encouraged to adopt startup ordinances that complement national incentives and provide a more supportive environment for emerging enterprises.
In his keynote address, Lucrecio D. Delgado, Southeast Asia Regional Director of the Wadhwani Foundation, stressed that the next challenge for Western Visayas is not simply creating startups but enabling them to grow.

“Western Visayas has already proven that it can start startups. The next chapter is to prove that we can scale them,” Delgado said, emphasizing the importance of strengthening the ecosystem surrounding founders.

UMWAD brings together public and private sector partners, including the Department of Science and Technology Western Visayas, Department of Trade and Industry Region VI, Department of Information and Communications Technology Western Visayas, local government units, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Western Visayas, and Iloilo Science and Technology University.

For Aklan, the proposed roadmap presents an opportunity to connect the province’s tourism industry with entrepreneurship and technology development, using Boracay as a potential proving ground for solutions that could eventually benefit other destinations and communities across Western Visayas.
The challenge will be translating these recommendations into concrete programs, investment opportunities and sustained support for Aklanon founders.
Make the lead more news-focused
Trim repetition about tourism innovation
Clarify the roadmap’s direct benefits