Future-Ready: 6 Startups Join IdeaSpace’s 13th Cohort

Six promising technology-based startups are officially part of the 13th cohort of IdeaSpace Foundation’s Accelerator Program. This marks another milestone for the foundation in its mission to empower Filipino innovation.

Themed “Startups for the Future,” the cohort is poised to tackle pressing challenges and transform key industries through technology, sustainability, and evolving lifestyles.

“We are thrilled to welcome the Cohort 13 startups into the IdeaSpace family,” said Butch Meily, President of IdeaSpace, in a statement. “The strength of our network, which connects founders, mentors, investors, and the broader MVP group, will undoubtedly drive these ventures to new heights.”

As the startup accelerator of the MVP Group of Companies, IdeaSpace Foundation is a leading enabler dedicated to investing in early-stage Filipino tech startups.

Investment and Support Framework

IdeaSpace plays a vital role in nurturing early-stage Filipino startups. 

They invest in pre-seed to seed-stage startups through the Capital Investment/Opportunity Fund, IdeaSpace HALO Fund, and IdeaSpace Accelerator Program. 

Beyond capital, IdeaSpace also offers a wide array of comprehensive support ecosystems such as mentorship programs with industry experts, access to its extensive network, operational coaching, fundraising strategies, and marketing and sales tactics. 

Launched in 2012, IdeaSpace’s Accelerator Program was established by its Chairman, Manny V. Pangilinan, to support Filipino tech entrepreneurs. It is also backed by First Pacific, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, PLDT-Smart, Meralco, and Maynilad, along with various public and private organizations.

Key Metrics to Evaluate a Startup

According to a Forbes article, there are five metrics that provide an initial appraisal for any startup concept: market size, revenue potential, visibility, future capitalization, and ease of competition.

Market Size

It refers to the total potential revenue a startup can generate within its target industry. To determine a business plan’s feasibility, it is key to estimate the figures as accurately as possible.  A solid plan makes the operation management easier and it creates a blueprint for future investors. 

Startups typically follow either a top-down approach or a bottom-up analysis to calculate market size. 

Revenue Potential

For startup founders, this is their navigational tool. It is the ideal sales revenue achievable as it serves as a benchmark and a quantifiable goal that will drive business operations. Founders use this metric to forecast growth and to verify their business model. 

Visibility

It is all about how a startup is recognized by its target audience, and illustrates brand awareness, market presence, and customer engagement. This allows a company to see if the startup is gaining traction or needs to change its strategy. 

Future Capitalization

It represents a company’s projected total value at a future point in time—a key metric that guides strategic planning and supports investors in making informed decisions. 

Ease of Competition

This metric assesses how easily a startup can enter a market and measures its competitiveness. Other variables that need to be factored in include the number of competitors, barriers to entry, resources, customer loyalty, and the uniqueness of products or service offerings. 

The Startups of Cohort 13

Below are the latest startups chosen after a rigorous selection process:

Soolok Properties Inc:  A digital platform that aggregates foreclosed property listings from top Philippine banks, standardizes the data, and applies a proprietary pricing model to identify the best-value deals.

KaHero: A cloud-based point-of-sale system that helps small businesses manage sales, inventory, expenses, and branches anytime, anywhere.

Xure: A mobile platform for collectors to safely buy, sell, and trade collectibles, with access to expert appraisal and certification through a decentralized clearinghouse.

DashoContent: A hybrid content operations platform with AI and human experts designed to streamline content creation and management.

Cloverly: An internal tool for property developers and their brokers to streamline buyer onboarding, making the process more efficient.

Polka Motors:An online marketplace that helps people apply for motor loans, simplifying a critical step in vehicle ownership.

Building a Future-Ready Philippines

The newly selected startups reflect IdeaSpace’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation that is both resilient and future-ready.

By harnessing technology to solve real-world challenges, these ventures aim to help shape a more resilient and future-ready Philippines. 

“The cornerstone of our work is to sustain the ecosystem so that we help more startups that have immense potential to contribute to the economy and national development,” said Alwyn Rosel, Executive Director of IdeaSpace. “This cohort perfectly embodies that mission, and we are excited to partner with them on their journey to build scalable and sustainable businesses.”

Read more:

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