Dutch government supports Cebu innovators, start-ups

CEBU, Philippines - The Dutch government through the Consulate Office of The Netherlands in Cebu has expressed its support to the further development of innovation and start-up ecosystem in Cebu.

Gordon Allan "Dondi" Joseph, the Netherlands honorary consul in Cebu said that his office is working with the newly organized Innovation Council of Cebu (ICC) for a possible immersion trip to the Dutch country, known as the most active country in the world that supports innovation and start-up firms.

“This will be the beginning of a two to three year project to promote Cebu as innovation center of the Philippines,” said Joseph in an interview.

Joseph, who is also the president of Cebu Business Club (CBC) said that his office has already prepared a budget for this project. “I am just waiting for the formal proposal of ICC to finalize everything.”

The ICC, whose goal is to become the voice of ICT-related sectors, was formally organized and launched in June this year. It is  a brainchild of Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) under the leadership of Melanie Ng.

As the ICC has 16 sub-industries, Joseph said he asked the council's president Michael Cubos to choose only five areas of focus on this particular project.

ICC was primarily created in order to protect and develop, the innovation and start-up digital/technology based and homegrown companies in Cebu. It also aims to give opportunity for stakeholders to organize themselves and create a supportive ecosystem for SMEs in the sector to thrive and grow especially homegrown ones, as well as foreign firms which started its base in Cebu.

ICC clusters include BPO, software developers, digital marketers, tech startups, cyber security, multimedia, IT-enabled services, e-commerce and makers.

Joseph said the immersion trip may be set before the end of the year. (FREEMAN)