The latest Fyrside Chat in Capiz gave local startups and aspiring founders a clearer view of how government programs can meaningfully support their growth not just through funding, but also through mentorship, infrastructure, and strategic partnerships by creating space for open dialogue, meaningful connections, and practical insights.
Organized by the Department of Science and Technology Capiz Provincial Science and Technology Office (DOST Capiz PSTO) and in partnership with the Unified Movement in Western Visayas to Accelerate Startup and Spin-off Development (UMWAD) Consortium and FyrLab Accelerator, the event carried the theme “Beyond Funding: How Government Programs Shape Startup Success.” It brought together students, entrepreneurs, and innovation stakeholders for a focused conversation on how public-sector programs can empower early-stage ventures.
The Fyrside Chat panel featured regional startup ecosystem enablers: Mr. Genecio M. Woo of The B Academy, Ms. Vanessa Joy T. Lagos of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Region VI, and Ms. Shariz Rose Garrino of the UMWAD Consortium and is moderated by Mr. Hanz Sirilan, Program Manager of FyrLab Accelerator.
Panelists shared how government initiatives extend beyond financing. Ms. Lagos discussed the Digital Startup Development and Acceleration Program (DSDAP) of the DICT, which supports startups from ideation to growth through training, startup mapping, promotion, and grant funding, even for those in the early concept stage.
Ms. Garrino, on the other hand, highlighted how UMWAD collaborates with the region’s Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) which provide direct assistance to startups. She also encouraged students and young professionals to consider entrepreneurship by taking advantage of capacity-building and exposure programs offered through UMWAD.
Mr. Woo, a startup founder, shared how various government programs helped him scale. He cited support from the TBI of Iloilo Science and Technology University, a grant from UMWAD, and connections made through the DOST, FyrLab Accelerator, and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).These connections eventually led to a collaborative project with The Medical City, which significantly transformed the direction and scale of their business. “The greatest blessing I got in all this involvement,” he said, “is connecting me to the right people that I needed to scale up my business”.
Moreover, the importance of collaboration between founders, government agencies, and support institutions in building a stronger and more inclusive startup ecosystem was emphasized and the panel encouraged the participants to explore these available resources and align with programs that support their goals.
Through highlighting the range of government programs available to startups, this session provided participants with a clearer sense of direction and a stronger understanding of how to navigate the startup ecosystem. It reinforced the idea that with the right support structures, early-stage ventures can move forward with greater clarity, confidence, and capacity to grow. (VBDelaPeña/Capiz PSTO)
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