Having an entrepreneurial mindset early on can be an added advantage for Filipino students. At the same time, it can also fill the gap in areas where there is a lack of investments like in the provinces, said Monchito Ibrahim, deputy executive director of the Department of Science and Technology-Information and Communications Technology Office (DOST-ICT Office).
Certain places in the country lack investment opportunities for various reasons. Among these are security issues, lack of or limited infrastructure, and unsuitability of its geographical location.
ICT-based startups, however, are not heavily dependent on location, according to Ibrahim. Thus, promoting technopreneurship or technology entrepreneurship among engineering and ICT students is an effective way to bring economic progress to areas not reached by investment opportunities. It maximizes the potential of untapped ICT talent in the provinces as well.
“Having strong technical skills and an accompanying business mindset can elevate our talent pool to not only be skilled professionals employed in local or multinational companies, but also enable them to create their own companies that can provide world-class business / technical solutions as well as offer employment in their locality,” said Ibrahim.
ICT Office has been conducting several workshops in different provinces to guide college students and professors in building ICT-based startups. The workshop includes training on software and mobile applications development that can offer solutions to social problems and attract potential investors.
ICT Office is also encouraging would be technopreneurs to adopt the Lean Startup Methodology. Proven as an effective business model, the Lean Startup Methodology helps start-up founders or technopreneurs to adapt their business quickly to the present needs of their target market based on feedback generated from a small number of customers.
Facebook, Instagram, and Dropbox, all of which were basically startups five or 10 years ago, have used the Lean Startup Methodology.
“We have done a few workshops to teach professors in areas such as the cities of Baguio, Davao, Cebu as well as in Metro Manila,” Ibrahim revealed. (S&T Media Service)
