FOURTEEN promising startups from across the Philippines have successfully completed the Startupisland.ph Mentoring Program Cohort 8, which culminated in a demo day and graduation ceremony on May 28, 2025, in Cebu City.
The Department of Trade and Industry in Central Visayas said that of the graduating cohort, nine startups were based in Cebu, with others coming from Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.
Two participants joined from outside Central Visayas—one from Davao and another from Iloilo. This demonstrated the expanding national reach of the mentoring initiative.
The program’s Demo Day served as a platform for founders to pitch their ventures to a distinguished panel of startup leaders and investors.
Among the panelists were Pjotr Steinmetz of StellarPH, April Ong-Vano of Quest Ventures, Angelica Añabeza of the Wadwhani Foundation and Vincent Loremia of Cleaningly, who shared feedback and strategic advice.
Organized by Startupisland.ph, the mentoring program provides hands-on support to early-stage startups through intensive coaching, networking and market validation opportunities. The initiative aims to accelerate the development of high-impact ventures and strengthen regional innovation ecosystems.
The program was delivered in collaboration with local partners The Company and Cebuano Ventures, both of which continue to be instrumental in championing entrepreneurship and innovation in the Philippines.
The DTI 7 said the success of Cohort 8 underscores the growing momentum in the country’s startup scene, particularly in the Visayas region, as more founders seek to scale solutions with social and economic impact. / KOC