My recent recognitions as a founder, mentor, and co-founder represent a meaningful turning point in my Startup Journey in the Philippines.
Building the Foundation Through Public Service
My recent recognitions as a founder, mentor, and co-founder represent a meaningful turning point in my Startup Journey in the Philippines. This journey did not begin overnight. It was shaped while I was still serving in the public sector, leading and supporting digital transformation initiatives and ICT programs. Working closely with government institutions gave me firsthand experience in policy-driven innovation, systems thinking, and stakeholder coordination—skills that later became crucial in my transition to the private sector.
Establishing techtribe.media and Partnering with DICT
Earlier this year, I established techtribe.media, a platform dedicated to publishing articles about my journey, lessons learned, and real-world experiences in digital transformation. While initially created as a storytelling and knowledge-sharing platform, it also became a strategic step toward a future transition out of public service. That vision soon materialized.
Through an early partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), techtribe.media evolved beyond content creation. The collaboration provided DICT with access to credible national speakers and ICT professionals from the private sector. From May to December, I actively supported initiatives related to capacity building, public talks, and industry engagement. This sustained contribution led to both techtribe.media and myself being recognized as an “Outstanding Partner”, affirming the value of public–private collaboration.
Mentorship, Co-Founding, and the STEP UP Experience
Alongside this, my role as a mentor and co-founder expanded through the STEP UP Central Luzon incubation program. Together with my students from Wesleyan University Philippines, we completed all required sessions, milestones, and mentoring engagements. The program culminated in receiving a plaque of recognition, but more importantly, it gave us the opportunity to pitch our MVP to seasoned industry professionals.
The experience exposed us to real feedback, critical questions, and perspectives that challenged our assumptions. It sharpened our understanding of market fit, product clarity, and storytelling—elements that no classroom lecture can fully replicate.
Key Lessons From the Journey
This phase of my Startup Journey in the Philippines reinforced several core lessons. First, partnerships are essential for growth and credibility. Second, founders must embrace pitching—not just to win, but to learn. Failure refines direction. Third, visibility matters. Startups must communicate boldly across platforms to be seen and understood.
Finally, alignment is critical. Tech startups thrive in DICT-led programs, business ventures benefit from DTI exposure, and science-driven innovation finds better traction with DOST. Choosing the right ecosystem makes all the difference.