Quezon City launches startup contest for students

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government has launched a new business plan competition for students with “imaginative” entrepreneurial ideas on high-impact development sectors.

According to the city government, finalists of the StartUp QC Business Plan Competition may receive up to P100,000 that they can use to realize their ideas.

“Through the Startup QC Business Plan Competition, our aim is to foster an innovative culture among our youth, enable them to broaden their perspectives and open up opportunities for them to reach their full potential,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said in a statement.

The program is open to all legal-age students residing in Quezon City and enrolled at any school, college or university in the Philippines.

Applicants are encouraged to submit business ideas focusing on high-development impact sectors such as agriculture, education, environment, health and government services technology.

“Upon selection, qualified student applicants will undergo cadetship training sessions conducted by a pool of startup industry experts and members of the academe, where they will learn about key topics such as design thinking, cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset and how to create a pitch deck,” the city government said.

Finalists will pitch their business idea to a panel of judges for a chance to win up to P100,000, it added.

The competition is supported by the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the Department of Trade and Industry, as well as startup accelerator and tech innovation hub Launchgarage.

Students may apply via the QC E-Services website until Sept. 14.