Innovate Iloilo: In a bid to transform Iloilo into an innovation hub by 2030, Innovate Iloilo is organizing its first conference that will showcase business opportunities to investors and startup companies in the City of Love. The Iloilo Innovation Expo and Summit are slated to happen on October 21 to 25 this year. Innovate Iloilo is a public-private sector movement that aims to promote innovation across Iloilo. It aspires to foster innovation that addresses local challenges and to leverage opportunities that showcase Iloilo’s identity. The movement aspires for development that is inclusive and sustainable, given the rising urbanization. Innovate Iloilo is a response to the absence of a diverse group of people focused on improving the economic ecosystem in today’s technological upsurge.
Innovate Iloilo is backed by the city and the province of Iloilo, together with the Department of Science and Technology, Global Shapers Community, and academic and business institutions. It also prides itself on its strong startup ecosystem: presence of VC and Angel investors, tech business incubators and accelerators, availability of mentors, regular training and events, and international linkage and partnerships, to mention a few.
“Through this, we can create awareness. At the same time connect the innovators and the start-ups to the business community. We will showcase them and connect to the future investors,” according to Rayjand T. Gellamucho, Manager of the West Visayas State University Green Technology Business Incubator and Curator of Global Shapers Community Iloilo, in an interview. “What we really want is to influence government agencies, policy makers and the academic institutions to support the fourth industrial revolution and to educate them. we need to venture into the internet of things, artificial intelligence and machine learning,” adds Gellamucho.
Gellamucho adds that apart from the summit set for October, several other activities are also being organized while the road map is still being finalized. Moreover, according to Iloilo Business Club Executive Director Lea E. Lara, the movement will likely benefit small and medium-sized enterprises.
Aspiring attendees can register via the Innovate Iloilo website.
