DOST Chief Solidum connects with Western Visayas startups, pushes for stronger innovation collaboration

Iloilo City- The DOST Western Visayas Regional Innovation Hub (iHub) welcomed DOST Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum Jr., together with Undersecretary for Research and Development Dr. Leah J. Buendia, Assistant Secretary for Technology Transfer, Communications, and Commercialization Dr. Napoleon K. Juanillo Jr., and DOST Negros Island Region, Regional Director Dr. Naomi Cossette R. Luis, during their visit to engage with innovators and startup founders from across Western Visayas. The program formally opened with opening remarks from Dr. Gabriel M. Salistre, Jr., SUC President III of Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U), who welcomed the DOST officials, startup founders, and innovation ecosystem partners and highlighted the importance of collaboration among government, academe, industry, and innovators in strengthening the region’s startup and innovation ecosystem.

The activity highlighted the initiatives and accomplishments of the Western Visayas Regional iHub in strengthening the region’s innovation and startup ecosystem. It also featured a networking session with startup founders, providing them an opportunity to present their ventures, share milestones and challenges, and engage directly with DOST officials on possible support, partnerships, and growth opportunities.

The Regional iHub also presented its major activities, including hackathons and pitching competitions, capacity-building activities, fireside chats, networking sessions, and advocacy campaigns aimed at strengthening entrepreneurial capabilities, collaboration, and startup visibility.

One of the highlights of the activity was the introduction of participating startups from Western Visayas. These included MyTutor, a 2025 Filipinnovation finalist; Draft Master Innovation and Algacon Aquaculture Manufacturing, 2026 finalists; Golden Sprout Corp., a 2026 Presidential Filipinnovation Awardee; and Inno BebeCare, a 2026 WHWISE grantee. Also featured were Ilo2Vators and Hunaco, awardees of the 2026 Iloilo Province Startup Hackathon; Ganapps and ilongGo, awardees of the 2026 Mayor’s Innovation Cup; and ILUX, a trading platform.

Through their presentations, the startups showcased their solutions, and the needs they aim to address, giving DOST officials a closer look at the growing potential of Western Visayas’ startup ecosystem and opening opportunities for mentorship, partnerships, and linkages with government and other innovation stakeholders.

To conclude the program, Secretary Solidum delivered a message emphasizing the important role of innovation hubs in creating spaces where members of the startup community can connect, collaborate, and transform ideas into solutions with greater impact.

Secretary Solidum underscored that imagination is free, and from imagination we can come up with ideas that create meaningful impact, while emphasizing the importance of building stronger collaborative ecosystems that bring together scientists, entrepreneurs, universities, government, and communities. As he noted, “We need to weave collaborative ecosystems. Better if we can merge the scientists with business people, and actually we can start not only within communities, but also in the university.” He likewise encouraged innovators to remain grounded in service, patriotism, and shared responsibility, stressing that innovation should contribute not only to individual aspirations but also to the greater good.

The visit reaffirmed DOST’s commitment to fostering a dynamic and collaborative startup ecosystem and highlighted the value of strong partnerships among government, industry, academe, startups, and the broader innovation community in translating ideas into viable solutions, technologies, and enterprises.

Through the continued implementation of the DOST iHubs Project, DOST Western Visayas remains committed to expanding opportunities for innovators and entrepreneurs and advancing a more vibrant, inclusive, and interconnected startup ecosystem across the region. (FCBDeloria/RDIMS; Photos by: PPCatalan/RDIMS)