By CPUGAD TBI
CPUGAD TBI supports DOSTĢƵAklan and Aklan State UniversityĢƵs TECHNEST TBI through incubation management training to strengthen AklanĢƵs innovation ecosystem.
In a significant step toward strengthening the startup ecosystem in Aklan, the ĢƵĢƵs CPUGAD Technology Business Incubator (CPUGAD TBI) partnered with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)ĢƵAklan and Aklan State University (ASU)ĢƵKalibo to establish TechNest Aklan, the provinceĢƵs first information and communications technology (ICT)-focused Technology Business Incubator (TBI). This initiative is part of the project ĢƵEstablishment of the Technology, Innovation, and Collaboration Nest for Aklan (TechNest Aklan): Aklan State UniversityĢƵs Technology Business Incubator,ĢƵ supported under DOSTĢƵs Grants-in-Aid (GIA) program and implemented by ASU-KaliboĢƵs College of Computer Studies.
TechNest Aklan aims to serve as a dynamic platform for nurturing innovation-driven startups and transforming research outputs into operational enterprises. By providing the infrastructure, mentorship, and resources necessary to support early-stage ventures, the incubator seeks to position Aklan as a regional hub for technology-based entrepreneurship and innovation. As the provinceĢƵs first ICT-focused TBI, it addresses a critical need for specialized support in technology, research commercialization, and startup development.
To ensure the success and sustainability of TechNest Aklan, a two-day TBI and Incubation Management Training was conducted on October 8ĢƵ9, 2025, at the ASU Innovation Laboratory (iLab) in Kalibo, Aklan. Mr. Mark Gil D. Peraman, General Manager of CPUGAD TBI, was invited as a resource speaker to share expertise in technology business incubation and startup ecosystem development. During the training, participants were equipped with essential knowledge on TBI management and incubation processes, frameworks for effective incubation, and strategies to develop a thriving startup community.
The training also provided a platform for ASU-KaliboĢƵs team to define TechNest AklanĢƵs banner programs, focus areas, and target incubatees. By aligning these key elements with regional needs and industry trends, the incubator is poised to create a sustainable and vibrant environment for startups to grow. This reflects a broader strategy of empowering local innovators, enhancing collaboration among stakeholdersĢƵincluding academe, industry, and governmentĢƵand translating research into impactful ventures that address societal and economic challenges.
The collaboration between DOST Aklan PSTO, ASU-Kalibo, and CPUGAD TBI signifies a shared commitment to advancing technology-based entrepreneurship in Western Visayas. Through this initiative, CPUGAD TBI extends its mission of nurturing startups, sharing best practices in incubation, and building innovation ecosystems across the region. The establishment of TechNest Aklan symbolizes a supportive and collaborative environment where local innovators can not only grow and thrive but also bring their ideas to lifeĢƵtransforming them into viable enterprises that contribute to the provinceĢƵs development.
By fostering this type of ecosystem, TechNest Aklan is expected to produce a new generation of entrepreneurs who are capable of addressing global challenges through innovative technology solutions. With CPUGAD TBIĢƵs mentorship, DOSTĢƵs support, and ASU-KaliboĢƵs commitment, the incubator is positioned to become a catalyst for innovation and entrepreneurship in Aklan, setting a benchmark for other regions seeking to strengthen their startup ecosystems.
This alliance reflects how multi-sector collaboration can turn ideas into enterprises, strengthen local economies, and cultivate a culture of innovation in Western Visayas.