DOST-PCIEERD, DOST-Regional Offices and Technology Business Incubators convene for ReSEED Program

assessment

■ CECIL DIONISIO

The DOST-PCIEERD, DOSTRegional Offices and Higher Education Institute- Technology Business Incubators convene on February 9-10, 2023, at the University of the Cordilleras Theater, Baguio City for the program assessment of ReSEED.

ReSEED or Regional Startup Enablers for Ecosystem Development is a DOSTPCIEERD-led Program that aims to strengthen the startup ecosystem in the regions by providing funding support to PCIEERD-funded Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) to lead in establishing and formalizing a Regional Startup Ecosystem Consortium.

The program supports the regional startup ecosystem consortium to establish a regional startup development roadmap, come up with strategies to promote the startup program of the DOST-PCIEERD, establish a pool of mentors to increase fundability of startups in the regions, craft skills enhancement programs for the TBI team and other startup enablers.

DOST-CAR Regional Director Nancy

A. Bantog, in her opening message, said that this program assessment will serve as a venue to the regional startup ecosystem consortia to share their milestones, challenges, best practices, and progress in strengthening the startup ecosystem in the country. Most importantly, when the sharings are put together, it will lead to identify the next big steps to sustain this mechanism in a level that will bring great strides in strengthening the STI ecosystem.

“May we take advantage of this opportunity to further enhance our skills in innovation ideation and foster a strong culture of innovation and entrepreneurship” said RD Bantog as she expressed DOST-CAR’s commitment to continue to support the innovation ecosystems.

Present at the activity were DOSTPCIEERD represented by Ms. Russell M.

Pili, the host TBI University -University of the Cordilleras represented by CITCS Dean Jeffrey Ingosan, UC President Dr. Nancy Flores, DOST Region III Director Julius Caesar Sicat, DOST-NCR OICDirector Romelen Tresvalles, DOSTRegion VII Director Jesus Zamora, and the nine (9) DOST Regional Startup Ecosystem consortia- SCALE NCR, TARAKI CAR, SINAG Cagayan Valley, SULONG Central Luzon, ICONS South Luzon, UMWAD Western Visayas, DASIG Central Visayas, MINDSET Northern Mindanao, and IDEAS Davao.