Davao City 4th among top startup hubs in PH

DAVAO City has solidified its position as a key player in the Philippine startup landscape, ranking fourth nationwide and first in the region, according to the 2024 Global Startup Ecosystem Index. This achievement highlights the city’s commitment to economic growth and innovation-driven entrepreneurship. Christian Cambaya, Head of the Investor Assistance Servicing Unit at the Davao City Investment Promotion Center (DCIPC), attributed this success to the city’s thriving startup ecosystem, supported by strategic initiatives like the launch of the Davao Angel Investors Network.

"Davao City is becoming a hotspot for innovative startups,” Cambaya said. “Davao City officially launched the Davao Angel Investors Network to encourage investments in homegrown startups.” Davao’s startup community excels in software and data, financial technology, and educational technology, thanks to strong collaborations with agencies like the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and private sector partners.



The city also hosts Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) at institutions such as UP Mindanao, Ateneo de Davao University, and the University of Mindanao, which provide essential mentoring, training, and resources to startups. To further support entrepreneurs, Davao City offers financial aid through grants such as the DOST Startup Grant Fund Program, Neda Innovation Fund, and DICT Startup Grants. Key events like the Mindanao Incubator Summit and Davao Startup Week foster connections among entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts, driving collaboration and innovation.

“These initiatives not only place the city among the best startup ecosystems but also highlight the inclusivity, scalability, and social impact of Davao's startup community,” Cambaya said. “This can address social issues, create new jobs, develop new cutting-edge technologies, encourage entrepreneurship, and stimulate the city’s economic development,” he added. By addressing social challenges, creating jobs, developing new technologies, and encouraging entrepreneurship, Davao City continues to strengthen its role as an innovation hub.

With sustained support from the City Government of Davao and the DCIPC, the city remains committed to fostering a business-friendly environment that nurtures startups and drives economic progress. DEF.