Bataan, a province in the Central Luzon region of the Philippines, is supporting technologies such as blockchain and aims to become a leader in the country’s emerging technology sector.
The provincial government of Bataan (PGB) is considered one of the richest provinces in the Southeast Asian country with a per capita GDP of 297,930 Philippine pesos ($5,144), according to a 2023 report by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) based on economic data collected from 82 provinces and 17 cities outside Manila.
This wealth has led the province to be known as a “major player in the Philippine industrial scene” thanks to the various projects and ventures taking place in its capital, Balanga, and the Free Port of Bataan (FAB).
Last May 16, the second batch of Block Dojo Philippines bootcamp participants in Bataan had the opportunity to tour projects in the province and dive into the local startup scene.
Who is Block Dojo and what do they do?
Block Dojo is a UK-based global venture builder with connections to 68 startups, 3,000+ angel investors and 200 capitalists. The venture builder seeks out early stage startups, accelerates their business through rigorous 12-week training and provides access to investment funding rounds.
Earlier this year, Block Dojo branched out from the UK to help Filipinos build businesses with blockchain integration in mind, and in March, three successful startups graduated thanks to Block Dojo Philippines’ efforts.
Keynote speech by Mr. Christopher Briones of Block Dojo at the Bataan LGU Day
“The problem is that over 90 percent of startups disappear within the next two years,” Block Dojo Philippines managing director Christopher Briones said during a recent visit to Bunker, the capital of Bataan province.
Briones brought up the analogy of risking one’s life for a surgery that has only a 90% success rate, likening it to a business venture with no guarantee of success in the next five or 10 years.
“We are here so that we can support them as they step out in faith,” he told attendees of the LGU visit, which included nine members of Block Dojo Philippines’ second batch, local Bataan start-up Keri, and students and faculty from ACLC Balanga.
Introducing Block Dojo and the Bataan startup scene
Crowds at Bataan LGU Day
Following Briones’ introduction to Block Dojo, participants of the second Block Dojo Philippines Bootcamp pitched their own venture ideas to the crowd.
Unlike previous founders from the first batch, who dabbled in industries like real estate, logistics and education, the second batch is tackling a wide range of businesses, including mental health, food, fitness, authentication, digital identity, transportation, rentals, subscriptions and crafts.
Following the elevator pitches from the cohort, ReGen introduced their company.
QR code for ReGen website
ReGen (short for Rent Solar GENerator) is a startup company working to provide sustainable renewable energy solutions.
Currently in the proposal stage with the Philippines’ Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector, ReGen’s solar-powered generators promise five times more savings than traditional gas-fired generators, higher conversion rates, plug-and-play capabilities and a 10-year reliability guarantee. The company is now experimenting with incorporating IoT and blockchain into the new phase of its startup.
Bataan at the forefront of technological innovation
From right to left: Christopher Briones, Abul Kaya Alonto II, Benjamin Louis Coe, and Chino Araullo.
Following the sumptuous lunch, PGB Division Head Abul Khayr Alonto II will guide the audience through the various projects of PGB realized through the Public-Private Partnership Investment Center, the agency that promotes and manages works in the infrastructure, development, investment, environment and governance frameworks of the province of Bataan.
“Bataan is the investment destination of choice,” Alonto began his presentation. “Currently, as rated by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, we are the most business-friendly province in the country.”
An integral part of PGB’s development, the bunker was designed and constructed by the Public-Private Partnership Investment Center at a cost of more than 900 million Philippine pesos ($15 million) to serve as a one-stop destination for residents’ needs.
Other projects under consideration by the agency include the construction of the Bataan-Cavite Link Bridge, a hotel, a convention center and another government building where the provincial judicial and medical center will be built.
Regarding the startup ecosystem, Alonto emphasized that the state is very open to technological developments, as it is the first state in the world to accept blockchain projects.
“[For startup sectors]”You can register in Bataan and apply for incentives that the Freeport will grant. Our Bataan Freeport Region is currently the only regulatory body in the world that recognizes blockchain development.”
The day ended with the startups hanging out on the Bunker rooftop to take in the province’s beautiful skyline overlooking Mount Samat and Balanga City. In the afternoon, Brock Dojo Cohort 2 enjoyed a relaxing yacht cruise before returning to the resort to prepare for the next day of completing their second bootcamp.
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