Happening on 18 November 2021, the annual Slingshot Conference of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is back virtually as one of the major events of the Philippine Startup Week 2021. 

The 2021 Slingshot Conference will feature key speakers across the globe, including the renowned Filipina entrepreneur and former director of La French Tech, Ms. Kat Borlongan as she will discuss the vital role of the government in the expansion of the country’s startup ecosystem. Hear also from Mr. Stephan Kuester, head of the ecosystem strategy of Startup Genome as he will discuss the global startup ecosystem while highlighting the Manila Startup Ecosystem, and Ms. Julie Jun, senior manager of Gyeonggi Center for Creative Economy & Innovation (GCCEI) as she will share the real-life Korean Sandbox. 

Slingshot will also feature panel sessions focusing and leveraging on the strength of the country’s startup ecosystem for a robust and sustainable business environment.  Representatives from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), UBX, Gcash, and Nextpay will discuss the role of fintech and digital banking, and how government and startup enterprises can leverage these for sustained growth. Learn also from Lazada, Bayan Academy, and Ninja Van representatives as they will discuss the role of eCommerce, logistics, and the digital marketplace for companies and MSMEs to survive and thrive in the coming years. Lastly, representatives from the QBO Innovation Hub and Israel Innovation Authority will discuss the importance of fostering international linkages, participation, and partnerships for startups. 

Moreover, this year’s Slingshot Conference will be launching the much-anticipated Startup Venture Fund (SVF) together with the National Development Company as well as the Project Match Program together with the Startup Village and USAID DELIVER.  

Serving as the culminating event of the Philippine Startup Week 2021, the SVF will be launched on 19 November 2021 during the Venture Pilipinas: The Startup Venture Fund Pitch, a virtual pitch event for startups to entice investors to invest in startups as they try to grow, scale-up, and expand both in the local and global markets. 

“It is such an exciting time for the startup community to explore and innovate even further. The Department reiterates its commitment to support the growth and nurture the great potential homegrown talents possess.” Competitiveness and Innovation Group, Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba said.

Join us and register through the PH Startup Week Website for FREE and view the schedule of the event. Do not miss out on the latest startup-related events and programs by tuning to DTI Competitiveness and Innovation Group Facebook Page. For concerns and queries, you may send an email to CB@dti.gov.ph.

Date of release: 17 November 2021