QBO Innovation

We heard you loud and clear, founders! 🚨

Attention business owners and startup founders in NCR, CALABARZON, and Cebu! 🚀

We know building and refining solutions take time, so we are giving you the breathing room you need to perfect yours. The deadline to apply for the Makesense Circle Academy is officially EXTENDED TO JUNE 12, 11:59PM!

Ready to turn plastic waste into a profitable new revenue stream? To give your enterprise the best possible launchpad, we are selecting only 7 businesses to receive complete, hands-on backing.

Here are the full perks you unlock when you join the cohort:
💰 A subgrant of up to EUR 39,000 (approx. Php 2.5m) to fund your setup.
⚙️ Access to micro-recycling units and support in building your own.
🧠 Hands-on capacity building across technical knowledge, business development, and market readiness.
🤝 A localized Demo Day per startup and connections to a network of funders and enablers.
🌐 Regional and global social media coverage to elevate your brand.

Don't miss this extended window to grow your venture alongside a dedicated team of experts. Take this extra time to align your details, take the next step, and secure your spot! ⏳

⌛ New Extended Deadline: June 12, 2026 (11:59 PM)
🔗 Apply Now: https://makesense.typeform.com/MCAApps2026
📃 Full Guidelines: https://tinyurl.com/MCA-Guidelines

We heard you loud and clear, founders! 🚨
Attention business owners and startup founders in NCR, CALABARZON, and Cebu! 🚀

We know building and refining solutions take time, so we are giving you the breathing room you need to perfect yours. The deadline to apply for the Makesense Circle Academy is officially EXTENDED TO JUNE 12, 11:59PM!

Ready to turn plastic waste into a profitable new revenue stream? To give your enterprise the best possible launchpad, we are selecting only 7 businesses to receive complete, hands-on backing.

Here are the full perks you unlock when you join the cohort:

💰 A subgrant of up to EUR 39,000 (approx. Php 2.5m) to fund your setup.
⚙️ Access to microrecycling units and support in building your own.
🧠 Hands-on capacity building across technical knowledge, business development, and market readiness.
🤝 A localized Demo Day per startup and connections to a network of funders and enablers.
🌐 Regional and global social media coverage to elevate your brand.

Don't miss this extended window to grow your venture alongside a dedicated team of experts. Take this extra time to align your details, take the next step, and secure your spot! ⏳

⏳ New Extended Deadline: June 12, 2026 (11:59 PM)
🔗 Apply Now: https://makesense.typeform.com/MCAApps2026
📑 Full Guidelines: https://tinyurl.com/MCA-Guidelines

Tag an entrepreneur who needs to see this! 👇

Funded by a P3.67 billion (€60 million) grant from the European Union, the EU-PH Green Economy Partnership is a priority programme under the EU’s Global Gateway initiative and is led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. It aims to link European and Filipino partners from the private sector and local governments to accelerate the country’s transition to a greener economy while sustaining economic growth.

This initiative is done under the EU-PH Green Economy Partnership: Green Business, Infrastructure, and Finance implemented by Expertise France, co-led by the DTI Philippines, and co-implemented with the GGGI Philippines.

And that’s a wrap on the University of Makati’s Project RISE Cohort 1 ✨

The top 8 teams of UMak’s first incubation cohort took the stage at the Makati Diamond Residences and completely blew us away with their progress and visionary, tech-driven pitches for a more resilient and sustainable Makati.

Huge congratulations to the outstanding teams and special awardees. All teams truly proved that the youth of Makati are ready to shape the future of the Philippines! 🇵🇭

Thank you to our brilliant mentors, judges, our partners from the University of Makati CTIED team, and the City Government of Makati for making this program possible. We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to Asec. Napoleon Juanillo Jr., PhD, Assistant Secretary for Technology Transfer, Communications, and Commercialization of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and Dr. Elyxzur C. Ramos, PhD, CESE, President of the University of Makati, for their invaluable support and commitment to fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology-driven solutions among the youth.

The incubation might be over, but their journey as technopreneurs has just begun! 🌟

🌧️☔ Our June Calendar is Here! ☔🌧️

June brings a fresh season of growth, new perspectives, and exciting opportunities. As the rains begin to fall, it’s the perfect time to gather, learn, and spark ideas that can create lasting impact. 🌱✨

At Ideaspace | QBO, we're embracing the season with a lineup of events designed to inspire innovation, meaningful connections, and continuous learning. From insightful talks and practical workshops to community-driven gatherings, there's something for everyone this month. 🚀💡

📅 Swipe to see what’s happening and mark your calendars!

Let’s make this season one of growth, collaboration, and new beginnings — together. 🌧️🌿

Last May 22, 2026, the University of Makati - Center for Technology Incubation and Enterprise Development (CTIED) successfully held the second installment of the AQADEMY Campus Tour (ACT) at the Makati Coliseum Multi-Purpose Hall, bringing together students, youth leaders, barangay representatives, and community stakeholders for a day of learning, innovation, and entrepreneurship. 🚀

The program featured Startup BASIQS sessions by Karla Legaspi from QBO Innovation, the “Life of a Student Founder” discussion featuring Soolok Co-Founders Bryan Kier Leopando and Kath Quintana moderated by Diether Bueno from QBO Innovation, and an insightful session on “Securing your Innovation: Introduction to Intellectual Property” by Asst. Prof. Pio Jagurin, MBA, J.D.

Through engaging talks and meaningful conversations, participants were introduced to the fundamentals of startups, innovation, intellectual property, and technology-driven problem-solving—encouraging more young Filipinos to create impactful solutions for their communities. 💡🌱

See you tomorrow at the Project RISE Demo Day as our teams take the stage to showcase their innovations and startup journeys! 🚀

The stage is set for Makati youth innovators! After weeks of intensive learning, practice and feedback, our Top teams are getting ready for their biggest presentation yet as they pitch their solutions at the University of Makati’s Project RISE 2026 Demo Day. 🚀

Swipe through to get a sneak peak of the projects that are redefining how our young techie Makatizens are contributing solutions to make a better Makati and a better Philippines. 💡

Check your inbox for invites! Join us as we recognize our outstanding teams and celebrate the culmination of this incredible journey! 🏆

Last Wednesday, May 20, Project RISE (Resiliency, Innovation, Sustainability & Entrepreneurship): A Tomas B. Lopez Jr. Call for Innovation held its Final Pitch Practice Session, bringing together our participating teams for a full day of intensive pitching, refinement, and mentor-led feedback ahead of the demo day.

The session featured a panel of mentors composed of Alea Ladaga, Engr. Dennis Dela Cruz, and Shoraliah Macalbe, who provided in-depth and actionable insights to help founders further sharpen their narratives, strengthen their value propositions, and elevate their overall pitch delivery. Each team was challenged to refine not just their solution, but the clarity, confidence, and impact behind how they communicate it.

As we approach the culmination of the program, the Final Pitch Practice served as a critical checkpoint—bridging iteration and execution—ensuring that each startup is better prepared for real-world validation and scale.

We are now officially counting down to the Project RISE Demo Day happening on May 27, 2026, where our startups will take the stage to showcase their final pitches, progress, and potential in front of partners, mentors, and the broader ecosystem.

Stay tuned for the final showcase 🚀

On April 24, our very own Head of Startup Development, Shor Macalbe, participated as a panel speaker in a moderated discussion during the GIZ Ecosystem Tour’s forum on digital and green innovation.

Joined by a panel of fellow enablers from the private sector and academia dedicated to these sectors, Shor highlighted the significant strides the Philippine startup ecosystem is making within the sustainable and technological landscape. The discussion aimed to provide the international delegation with a deeper understanding of the local commitment to green innovation, while emphasizing that the work being done by Philippine enablers carries a global impact.

By showcasing these local efforts, the session sought to bridge the gap between regional innovation and international markets, opening up new doors for business opportunities that extend far beyond the Philippines.

On April 24, 2026, IdeaSpace and QBO had the pleasure of hosting GIZ Philippines and its delegation of international startup enablers at our home in Zero Ten Park Manila.

It was an incredible opportunity to pull back the curtain on the Philippine startup landscape and showcase the work we are doing as ecosystem builders, offering the visitors a closer look at the mechanisms driving innovation in the region. By exploring the programs and support systems in place, the delegation gained a deeper understanding of how the Philippines is cultivating its next generation of tech talent and entrepreneurs. This exchange not only showcased the work being done at IdeaSpace and QBO but also emphasized the power of global collaboration in strengthening startup communities worldwide.

Great conversations, better company, and a shared vision for the future of tech. Let’s keep building!

The new QBO QMMUNITY signup form is now LIVE! 🎉

Join our QMMUNITY and level up your startup journey with QBO Innovation! 🚀✨ Get free access to expert mentors, tailored incubation and acceleration programs, a vibrant partner network, and endless growth opportunities, whether you’re just starting out or scaling up.

Sign up now to unlock your free PERQS ➡️
Here's the new signup link: bit.ly/jointheqboqmmunity

Still looking 👀

We’re continuing the search for a Community & Ecosystem Program Associate to join us at Ideaspace | QBO — someone who’s passionate about bringing founders, partners, and communities together to help strengthen the Philippine startup ecosystem 🌱🚀

If you enjoy building meaningful connections, running impactful programs, and working in fast-moving, mission-driven environments, this might be for you (or someone you know!).

📩 Apply or learn more: tinyurl.com/IFI-QBOHiringCEAssoc
📧 Send your CV to: [email protected]

Tag or share with someone who’d be a great fit 💡