At GOAB, we love a good underdog story—especially when it’s rooted in the islands.

While most startup conversations still orbit around Metro Manila, the Visayas has been quietly building its own movement, thanks to StartupIsland.ph (SIPH). And it’s not just noise - it’s real, founder-first impact with a strong community core.

So, What Is StartupIsland.ph?

StartupIsland.ph is a regionally rooted, community-powered program that helps early-stage startups turn ideas into ventures with traction. Powered by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 7, and co-driven by local champions like The Company Cebu, Cebuano Ventures, and a wave of ecosystem builders, SIPH provides structured incubation, expert mentorship, and market access for startups across Central Visayas and beyond.

Founded in 2018 by startup visionaries Nannette Arbon (former Regional Director, DTI Region 7), Vince Loremia, and Jann Hiolen, the program was designed to give regional founders the tools, network, and guidance needed to scale without leaving their hometowns.

In May 2025, 14 new startups graduated from SIPH’s latest cohort, pitching their ideas to a room full of mentors, partners, and investors at Demo Day.

And that’s what makes this initiative so special—it’s grassroots innovation with global potential.

The 3 M’s of StartupIsland.ph: Mixers, Mentors, Matching

Mixers

Forget stiff conference rooms. SIPH’s community mixers—especially the ones co-hosted with The Company Cebu—are where connections begin. DTI regional offices also power Fiestartup, a local pitch event and community gathering that feels more like a fiesta than a formality.

→ Fiestartup Facebook Page

Mentoring

SIPH isn’t about “one-hit-wonder” advice. It’s about deep, consistent mentorship through masterclasses, office hours, and a formal Mentorship Program that’s now supported 70+ graduates. The mentor lineup reads like a who’s-who of startup expertise—think Symph, Founder Institute, Gobi Core Philippines Fund, and Performance360, among others.

Matching

And here’s where it gets really exciting—SIPH doesn’t just stop at coaching. It creates pathways to capital. Through reverse pitch sessions and tie-ins with events like Geeks on a Beach, founders get connected with real-world investors and corporate partners ready to collaborate.

Mentorship That Actually Moves You Forward

One of the strongest signals that a startup community is maturing? Mentorship that’s not just lip service. At StartupIsland.ph, mentorship isn’t a one-size-fits-all panel talk—it’s a living, breathing network of operators, founders, and ecosystem builders who show up for the real work.

Mentor Network:

StartupIsland.ph engages a rotating pool of mentors and industry experts depending on the activity—whether mentoring, masterclasses, or coaching. Past mentors have represented organizations such as Cleaningly, Symph, CebUXD, P&A Grant Thornton, 1Export, Performance360 Global Services, Quest Ventures, Gobi Core Philippines Fund, R. Tambis Ventures, StellarPH, Synacy, Founder Institute, IPOPHL, and more.

Why This Matters (Yes, Especially Outside Manila)

Here’s why StartupIsland.ph stands out in the national startup ecosystem:

✅ Regional Roots

It’s one of the few structured incubation programs outside Metro Manila, giving Visayas-based founders an equal shot at growth.

✅ Startup Results

Its alumni are already gaining traction in creative tech, govtech, fintech, and digital services—proving that world-class innovation can happen anywhere.

✅ It’s Free

No tuition. No equity grab. SIPH is backed by public-private partnerships and offers perks like AWS credits, investor intros, and mentor access—all at zero cost to the startup.

✅ Community-Led

This isn’t a “drop-in, drop-out” program. It’s designed to be sustained by its community, run by locals, and built for long-term relevance—not just hype.

Join the Island Movement

Whether you’re a startup founder, a mentor, a VC, or an enabler—there’s a seat for you on this island.

💡 Startup? Apply for the next cohort, join Demo Day, or attend mixers.

🧓🏽 Mentor? Lend your time and shape the next generation.

🤝 Partner? Help build a more inclusive ecosystem across the Visayas.

📩 Visit StartupIsland.ph for more info

📧 Email: startupislandph@gmail.com

📬 Stay in the loop: Subscribe to the newsletter and follow along for open calls and cohort news.

Meet Them at GOAB

Since 2024, StartupIsland.ph has been a regular feature at Geeks on a Beach - bringing their brightest founders to the beach for business matching, investor meetings, and next-level exposure. If you’re coming to GOAB this year, you’ll meet them on the ground and maybe find your next collaboration or investment deal.

Because in the startup world, great ideas deserve great communities. And this one’s built by the islands, for the world. 🌴