QBO teams up with Microsoft for startup accelerator program

QBO Innovation Hub has teamed up with Microsoft Philippines to launch a program meant to help startups developing enterprise solutions, it said on Tuesday.

The program called AQELERATION: B2B Startups Disrupting Industries will run for six months to support ventures creating business-to-business (B2B) solutions to help digitize local companies, QBO, a public-private partnership platform for Filipino startups, said in a statement.

“This program aims to empower the B2B tech startups, which is currently the largest startup segment in the country, as part of QBO and Microsoft’s shared commitment to nurturing the greater Philippine startup community,” it said.

“The AQELERATION program leverages QBO and Microsoft’s combined strengths, and we’re excited to collaborate with Microsoft for this initiative,” QBO Innovation Hub Executive Director Katrina Rausa Chan was quoted as saying. “Microsoft’s experience and deep technology expertise in developing B2B and enterprise solutions will be valuable to Filipino founders and will help them scale their startups.”

“There’s so much potential and creativity within the Philippine startup and digital native community which is why we’re thrilled to work together with QBO Innovation Hub in this effort,” Abid Zaidi, Chief Operating Officer of Microsoft Philippines, said. “Economic recovery will take a concerted effort from all players in the Philippines and that includes startups. As such, we want to ensure technology’s transformational potential is accessible and inclusive to all businesses in the country.”

The program will select three startups that will receive training and mentorship, as well as a financial grant from QBO and strategic support.

The statement said the program is open to B2B tech startups offering “innovative solutions that disrupt the industry” and have over 10 micro, small, and medium enterprises or two corporate accounts as clients.

These startups must also be incorporated or be registered business entities, have a full team and validated business model, and should be open to or are currently using Microsoft Azure solutions.

Applications are ongoing, with the deadline for filing set on June 23. QBO said they will select top 10 startups by the end of this month and the three ventures that will go through the program that will run from September 2021 to February 2022 will be announced on Aug. 13.

Qualified and interested startups can send their applications through this link:

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