Tech background not requirement for pre-incubation program: official

ALTHOUGH technology plays a part in the acceptance of start-up companies at the DOST-UP Cebu Technology Business Incubator, its program director said that there is a misconception that only those with IT or computer backgrounds can take part in the program.

Jerry Salvador, during the graduation of the second batch of start-ups to complete the pre-incubation program, said ideas can come from anyone.

As they welcomed a third batch of companies into the pre-incubation program, Salvador noted huge potential from people who did not necessarily make a living from information technology. What is important, he said, is if they can get a good grasp of a problem and come up with an effective way yo solve it using technology.

He cited as an example, a nurse, who thought of a new way to address problems hounding the queueing system at government agencies or a musician who came up with an idea to sell music online.

During yesterday’s graduation, companies presented their own ideas.

Start-up entrepreneurs presented ideas for an online directories, websites for inexpensive goods and an online healthcare information system that would enable the user to encode a full medical history that can be made accessible to a doctor.

Full capacity

Since they first accepted start-up companies two years ago, Salvador believes they have done well, as they are currently full. To be able to serve more companies, they have opened the virtual locator, which is a similar program for new companies but without the benefit of the space.

Though these companies in the virtual locator can work from other locations, Salvador said they still get the same benefits such as the trainings, which will aid them in further developing their business.

The trainings, he said, will help those with the bright ideas become entrepreneurs, saying most who come up with the good ideas lack the business skills to make their ventures successful.

After completing the pre-incubation program, Salvador said the companies have the option to stay on for three more years to continue developing their businesses. After three years, he said they are expected to have grown and become able to support themselves.

However, he said some who have just started are already receiving outside support from those who appreciate their ideas.

He pointed out that a group behind Codetoki, which gathers IT graduates and challenges them to write codes required by big companies, has gotten support from a company that offered to host their site for free, saving them P30,000.

The TBI offers cheap office space and facilities at rates much lower than those available in the market for those who are enrolled in the program.