DoST, Villgro PH assist women-led firms for Start-up Grant Fund
THE Department of Science and Technology (DoST) and Villgro Philippines assist two women-led firms in Northern Mindanao during their technical validation on their Start-up Grant Fund application.
Having been recognized as two of the top 20 finalists during the 2023 WHWise National Innovative Challenge–Search for Innovative Women Entrepreneurs, Best Friend Goodies from Cagayan de Oro City and Mama Nene’s Homemade Delights from Malaybalay City have been preparing their proposals for the Start-up Grant Fund Program.
Each enterprise underwent a one-day site visit during which they engaged in a series of technical assessments conducted by the validators of Villgro Philippines, a company that nurtures and supports entrepreneurs through market-based models.
The owners, Nenita Tan of Bestfriend Goodies and Anna Paula Chiong of Mama Nene’s Homemade Delights, welcomed the validators into their enterprise’s production area, showcasing their firms, including their processing facilities.
The discussions yielded valuable insights, identifying potential gaps in the businesses and evaluating suitable technological interventions to integrate into their respective proposals.
Start-up Grant Fund was a funding from DoST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DoST-PCIEERD) in pursuant to RA 11337 or “The Innovative Startup Act.” This aimed to incentivize and remove constraints on start-ups in the country, especially enterprises such as Bestfriend Goodies and Mama Nene’s Homemade Delights.
The proposals would be submitted to the DoST-PCIEERD for funding.