LOOK: Block Dojo celebrates 1st anniversary in PH and launches new startups
In the Philippines, startups play a vital role in driving innovation, creating jobs, and boosting economic growth. These dynamic ventures bring fresh ideas and disruptive technologies to the market, addressing local challenges and improving the lives of Filipinos. By fostering a culture of entrepreneurship, startups contribute to a more vibrant and resilient economy, paving the way for a brighter future.
Block Dojo, a global venture builder headquartered in the UK, celebrated its first anniversary in the Philippines by spotlighting six cutting-edge startups during their Demo Day on August 1 at the Asian Institute of Management. Since establishing its Philippine presence in August 2023, Block Dojo has been committed to nurturing startups by providing a rigorous 12-week incubation program designed to instill essential business skills.
The program centered on three key pillars: a customary curriculum of fundamental business topics ranging from finance, legal, marketing, and operations; a bespoke facet that allows founders to discover how much further they can take their idea forward; and a community-centric approach. “As a collective, we recognize that it takes a village to raise a startup in a short span of time.”
Managing Director Toffer Briones
“This is a celebration not just for the company but also celebrates how far we have come as a startup ecosystem in the Philippines. We wanted each of the startups to showcase their companies, which aim to solve fundamental problems that Filipinos face every day,” said Toffer Briones, Managing Director of Block Dojo Philippines.
The event drew notable government representatives, including General Manager Antonilo Mauricio of the National Development Company, who delivered an inspiring keynote address.
The six featured startups, each with a unique and impactful vision, included:
- Befit2gether: A phygital game designed to make fitness enjoyable and consistent through squad vs. squad challenges
- Upraised: A matchmaking platform connecting owners and funders of curated real estate projects to transform properties into well-designed living spaces.
- Pettopass: An interactive platform offering personalized pet care services based on pet data, enhancing the well-being of pets and their owners.
- Willow: A coaching platform that supports individuals in achieving personal and professional growth.
- Park King: A mobile application for parking reservations that allows users to reserve a parking slot before an event. It is integrated with IoT to physically block each slot for users.
- Certifyed: A blockchain-based credential verification solution aimed at eliminating fraud and enhancing trust through verifiable digital certificates and authenticated credentials.
Eyeing the future
In addition to the startup showcases, the program featured a panel discussion with key enablers from various sectors, focusing on how each sector can support and strengthen the startup ecosystem.
Panelists included regional industry leaders: Jerahmeel Chen, Chief Innovation Officer of National Development Company; Rene Cuartero, Co-founder and CEO of AHG Lab, Lyra Reyes, Head of Marketing at Singapore-based e27; Atty. Jocel Dilag, Adjunct professor at AIM and Chief Innovator at Bughaw Creative Collective; and Stephanie Tower, Country Head at NChain Philippines.
Continuing its mission to empower startups, Block Dojo Philippines is currently recruiting for its third cohort. The application deadline is August 9. For more information and inquiries, visit blockdojo.io.
