Central Visayas launches program to match startups with real-world issues

CEBU, Philippines — Central Visayas is adopting a demand-driven approach to innovation as government agencies seek to connect startups and technology developers directly with real-world business and public sector challenges, in a bid to accelerate commercialization and strengthen the region’s innovation ecosystem.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-7), together with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-7) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT-7), launched the region’s first government-led Reverse Pitch initiative through the Development and Acceleration Support for Innovation Growth (DASIG) Consortium.

Dubbed “Flip the Script: Reverse Pitch 2026 – Cebu Leg,” the two-day event gathered government agencies, local government units, private companies, universities, researchers and startups at the Presidential Communications Office-Visayas Media Hub in Mandaue City, replacing the traditional startup pitch model with one anchored on market demand.

Instead of entrepreneurs competing to attract customers, organizations first presented operational and industry problems, allowing startups, researchers and technology providers to propose solutions tailored to validated needs.

“This activity is founded on a simple belief—that innovation thrives when government, academe, industry and innovators come together to solve real problems,” DTI-7 Industry Development Chief Ma. Theresa Sederiosa said.

The approach reflects a growing shift toward customer-led innovation, where technology developers validate products against actual market demand while organizations gain access to solutions that can improve productivity, operational efficiency and service delivery.

The Cebu leg produced six potential collaborations after stakeholders worked through problem discovery, solution validation, pitch presentations and deliberations.

Seven sector-focused breakout sessions matched problem owners with solution providers for possible pilot projects and technology deployment.

Around 30 startups, research teams, student innovators, technology firms and independent innovators participated alongside representatives from the private sector, local governments, national government agencies, academic institutions and civil society organizations, highlighting the expanding collaboration between industry and the public sector.

Organizers said the initiative is designed to move beyond one-off pitching events by creating pathways for customer discovery, technology validation, pilot implementation and eventual commercialization.

The event also marked the launch of DASIG 2.0, expanding the consortium’s role in supporting startup development, technology commercialization and cross-sector partnerships across Central Visayas.

Sederiosa said the consortium will continue working with matched organizations after the event to help implement pilot projects and sustain collaboration. Startups that were not selected will be referred to mentoring, capability-building and innovation programs offered by DTI, DOST and DICT to improve market readiness.

The consortium will also continue sourcing solutions for challenges that remained unresolved during the event by tapping its network of startups, researchers and innovation partners.

Building on the Cebu rollout, the DASIG Consortium said it will stage the next Reverse Pitch in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, in August, extending the platform to more government agencies, enterprises, academic institutions and technology developers across Central Visayas.