UMWAD Western Visayas

What UMWAD Western Visayas does

UMWAD Western Visayas (Unified Movement in Western Visayas to Accelerate Startup and SpinOff Development) is a regional startup ecosystem consortium headquartered at the ISAT U-Kwadra TBI in Iloilo City, Philippines. It coordinates Technology Business Incubators, government agencies, mentors, investors, and startups across the 6 provinces of Region VI (Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Occidental). The organization operates the Startup Western Visayas Portal (startupwesternvisayas.com.ph), a web-based ecosystem hub with modules for startups, TBIs, accelerators, mentors, talents, news, events, and a downloadables resource library that includes the Innovative Startup Act (RA 11337) and RDC VI resolutions.

The consortium's product surface is a directory and coordination platform rather than proprietary technology. At least 10 TBIs are aggregated under the umbrella, including ISLA TBI, QUINTO TBI, Coastline 5023 (DOST PCAARRD-UPV Fisheries TBI), UPV SEEDS-TBI, CAPSU Agri-Aqua TBI, Agribusiness Incubator, CPUGAD TBI, WVSU BINHI, and ISAT U-Kwadra TBI. Programs include Kwadra Kampo sessions, KAPEHAN TA startup huddles, FyrFest Iloilo, Angel Investing sessions, the Iloilo Investors Match & Mixer, and the Western Visayas Innovative Startup Fest. The affiliated ISAT U-Kwadra TBI was recognized as the 1st EPIC Awardee by DOST PCIEERD in 2024, and ISATech Society was a back-to-back Regional Champion.

UMWAD operates as a non-commercial, publicly supported consortium. Its activities are funded through government programs from DOST, DICT, DTI, and RDC VI; all services to startups and ecosystem participants are provided free of charge. There is no disclosed pricing model, commercial revenue stream, or equity ownership structure. The go-to-market motion is community-led, emphasizing partnership-building, mentorship, ecosystem mapping workshops, and government program promotion through the central portal and social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, LinkedIn).

Name

UMWAD Western Visayas

Legal name

Western Visayas Startup Portal

Website

https://startupwesternvisayas.com.ph

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

UMWAD Western Visayas is a government-supported regional startup ecosystem consortium headquartered in Iloilo City, Philippines. It coordinates 10 Technology Business Incubators and partners (DOST, DICT, DTI) across the 6 provinces of Region VI via the Startup Western Visayas Portal, providing free mentorship, acceleration, and ecosystem support to technology startups.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Iloilo

HQ country

Philippines

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Ecosystem Development (Non-Commercial): UMWAD Western Visayas is a government-supported regional consortium that does not generate commercial revenue. Its activities are funded through government programs (DOST, DICT, DTI) and regional development council resolutions. Services are provided free of charge to startups and ecosystem participants.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

UMWAD Western Visayas operates a regional startup ecosystem consortium that coordinates Technology Business Incubators (TBIs), accelerators, mentors, government agencies, and investors across Western Visayas (Region VI), Philippines. Its primary product is the Startup Western Visayas Portal, a web platform that aggregates ecosystem directories (startups, TBIs, mentors, talents, accelerators, government programs) and provides free access to incubation, acceleration, mentorship, and government program linkage services for technology startups.

Product overview

UMWAD Western Visayas operates the Startup Western Visayas Portal, a unified regional startup ecosystem platform. The platform functions as a comprehensive ecosystem hub combining multiple interconnected modules: a Startup Directory featuring registered startups, a Technology Business Incubator (TBI) Directory showcasing various TBIs like ISLA TBI, QUINTO TBI, and UPV SEEDS-TBI, an Accelerator Programs section, a Mentors Network connecting founders with experts, a Talents Directory for freelancer matching, a News & Articles Platform for ecosystem communications, an Events Calendar for activities, and a Downloadables Resource Library with regulatory documents. Together, these modules form an integrated ecosystem management platform designed to support startups from ideation through growth across Western Visayas, Philippines.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Startup Western Visayas Portal A unified regional startup ecosystem portal providing a directory of startups, Technology Business Incubators (TBIs), accelerators, mentors, talents, government programs, news, and events across Western Visayas, Philippines. Targets technology startups, ecosystem enablers, and government partners.
• Technology Business Incubator Directory A directory listing Technology Business Incubators operating in Western Visayas, including ISLA TBI, QUINTO TBI, Coastline 5023 (DOST PCAARRD-UPV Fisheries TBI), UPV SEEDS-TBI, CAPSU Agri-Aqua TBI, Agribusiness Incubator, CPUGAD TBI, WVSU BINHI, and ISAT U-Kwadra TBI. Provides founders with access to incubation facilities and programs across 6 provinces.
• Accelerator Programs Directory A directory section showcasing accelerator programs available in Western Visayas to support startup growth, scaling, and acceleration. Targets technology startups seeking structured growth support.
• Mentors Network A directory connecting startups with expert mentors across domains such as TBI management and marketing & communications. Targets founders seeking expert guidance to navigate startup growth and improve fundability.
• Government Program Linkage Services Coordination and distribution of government startup programs (DOST Startup Grant Fund, DICT Startup programs, DTI MSME programs) to startups in Western Visayas through the consortium network. Targets founders seeking access to public funding and institutional support.
• Ecosystem Events and Workshops Regional startup ecosystem events including Kwadra Kampo sessions, KAPEHAN TA startup huddles, FyrFest Iloilo, Angel Investing sessions, Iloilo Investors Match & Mixer, and the Western Visayas Innovative Startup Fest. Targets founders, mentors, investors, and TBI operators across Western Visayas.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DOST (Department of Science and Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDOST is a key government partner supporting the startup ecosystem through its PCIEERD division which funds TBIs, innovation programs, and the EPIC Awards. DOST programs are promoted and distributed through the UMWAD Western Visayas portal. The partnership provides institutional backing, funding, and program framework for regional startup development.
• DICT (Department of Information and Communications Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDICT partners with UMWAD to deliver startup programs including the DICT Startup Grant Fund, orientation sessions on startup support, and national ICT initiatives. DICT programs are promoted on the UMWAD portal and distributed through the regional ecosystem network.
• DTI (Department of Trade and Industry)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDTI supports the Western Visayas startup ecosystem through trade, industry, and MSME development programs. DTI's startup-related programs and opportunities are promoted through the UMWAD portal and consortium activities.
• PPKPminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPPKP appears as a partner organization on the UMWAD portal, collaborating on the shared commitment to empowering startups and entrepreneurs in Western Visayas. The full scope of collaboration is not detailed.
• Re-SEEDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRe-SEED is part of the organizational structure of UMWAD Western Visayas, collaborating to establish a Regional Startup Development Roadmap, promote startup programs, secure joint RDC resolutions, and implement mentorship and upskilling programs.
• QBOxCitiesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUMWAD Western Visayas participated in QBOxCities TBI Qnnect events alongside Scale NCR, involving QLITAN startup community mixer activities and the QBOxCities Roadshow AQADEMY Campus Tour at ISAT University.
• ISAT U-Kwadra TBIcoreOthersISAT U-Kwadra TBI is a Technology Business Incubator co-located with UMWAD Western Visayas headquarters. It hosts the regional TBI training workshops, organizes Kwadra Kampo sessions, and serves as the physical anchor of the UMWAD consortium in Iloilo City.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Foxmont Capital Partners: Philippine early-stage VC fund investing in Filipino startups with a focus on inclusive growth. Tangentially comparable as a Philippine startup ecosystem enabler, though Foxmont is a commercial fund rather than a consortium, and serves as a potential downstream capital partner for UMWAD-portfolio startups.

Direct peers

• QBO Innovation Hub: Philippine government-backed (DTI-affiliated) startup innovation hub providing incubation, mentorship, and ecosystem coordination. Closest functional analog to UMWAD as a publicly-supported Philippine innovation platform, though QBO operates nationally and in Metro Manila rather than regionally.
• Impact Hub Manila: Philippine chapter of the global Impact Hub network, offering co-working, incubation, and innovation programs. Comparable as an ecosystem builder serving Filipino startups and social entrepreneurs with a community-led model similar to UMWAD's approach.
• IdeaSpace Foundation: Philippine startup accelerator and foundation providing incubation, mentorship, and seed funding. Comparable as a Philippines-based ecosystem builder supporting early-stage startups through structured programs, though IdeaSpace is a private foundation rather than a government consortium.

Broad incumbents

• Kickstart Ventures: Philippine corporate venture capital and accelerator (affiliated with Globe Telecom). Operates the Launchgarage accelerator and funds Philippine startups at scale; comparable as a Philippine ecosystem player but operates as a commercial VC rather than a government consortium.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php?id=61560000000000
• Instagraminstagram.com/umwadwv
• Xtwitter.com/umwadwv
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/umwad-western-visayas

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments2 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about UMWAD Western Visayas