ICT Industry Development Bureau

The Digital Startup Development and Acceleration Program (DSDAP) is a key initiative of the ICT Industry Development Bureau (IIDB) under the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), designed to nurture and accelerate the growth of Filipino tech startups.

DSDAP provides a comprehensive support framework that includes mentorship, capacity building, funding access, policy support, and startup ecosystem development. The program empowers early-stage digital entrepreneurs to transform innovative ideas into viable, scalable solutions that contribute to national development and economic growth.

By strengthening the local startup ecosystem and fostering innovation across the country, DSDAP helps position the Philippines as a competitive player in the global digital economy.

AI.DEAS for IMPACT is a flagship initiative of the ICT Industry Development Bureau (IIDB) under the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), aimed at harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to address real-world challenges and drive inclusive, meaningful innovation.

The program empowers local innovators, startups, researchers, and government units to develop AI-driven solutions that create social impact, promote digital transformation, and support the country’s sustainable development goals. Through mentorship, funding support, and collaboration opportunities, AI.DEAS for IMPACT fosters a dynamic ecosystem where technology meets purpose building a future-ready Philippines through responsible and impactful AI.

Digital Innovation for Women Advancement (DIWA) is a flagship initiative of the ICT Industry Development Bureau (IIDB) under the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), dedicated to empowering women through digital innovation.

DIWA aims to bridge the gender gap in the ICT sector by providing training, mentorship, digital tools, and entrepreneurial support tailored for women. The program fosters inclusive participation in the digital economy, enabling women to thrive as innovators, startup founders, digital professionals, and leaders in tech.

By championing women’s advancement through technology, DIWA supports a more equitable, diverse, and empowered digital future for all Filipinos.

The Startup Community and Locale Enhancement (SCALE) program is an initiative of the ICT Industry Development Bureau (IIDB) under the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), designed to strengthen and expand the local startup ecosystems across the Philippines.

SCALE focuses on enhancing community capabilities by providing infrastructure support, mentorship programs, networking opportunities, capacity building, and collaboration between local stakeholders including startups, academic institutions, investors, and government units. The program promotes balanced growth by enabling regional innovation hubs to flourish, ensuring that startup development is inclusive and accessible beyond major urban centers.

Through SCALE, IIDB empowers communities to create sustainable, resilient, and innovation-driven ecosystems that contribute to national digital transformation.

The Philippine Online Freelancing Conference (POFCON) is a pioneering initiative of the ICT Industry Development Bureau (IIDB) under the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), aimed at empowering the growing community of online Filipino freelancers.

POFCON serves as a national platform that brings together freelancers, digital professionals, industry experts, and platforms to share knowledge, explore opportunities, and promote best practices in the online freelancing space. The conference offers insights on global trends, skills development, digital tools, client acquisition, and career sustainability in the freelance economy.

By fostering collaboration and continuous learning, POFCON plays a crucial role in strengthening the Philippines’ position as a global leader in digital freelancing while supporting inclusive economic growth and digital empowerment across the nation.

The Philippine Startup Challenge (PSC) is a flagship competition organized by the ICT Industry Development Bureau (IIDB) under the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), aimed at igniting innovation and entrepreneurial spirit among the Filipino youth.

PSC encourages students and aspiring technopreneurs to develop innovative, ICT-based solutions that address real-world problems. Through mentorship, pitching opportunities, and exposure to the startup ecosystem, the challenge cultivates the next generation of Filipino startup founders and digital problem-solvers.

By empowering young innovators from across the country, the Philippine Startup Challenge plays a vital role in strengthening the national startup pipeline, fostering inclusive digital innovation, and driving the Philippines toward a globally competitive digital economy.

The Digital Career Expo is a strategic initiative led by the ICT Industry Development Bureau (IIDB) of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), aimed at bridging the gap between digital talent and career opportunities in the fast-evolving ICT industry.

The expo brings together job seekers, students, ICT professionals, industry leaders, and hiring companies in one dynamic platform to explore careers in tech, remote work, freelancing, and digital entrepreneurship. Participants gain access to job matching, skills development workshops, industry talks, and networking opportunities tailored to the digital economy.

By connecting talent with opportunity, the Digital Career Expo plays a vital role in building a digitally empowered workforce and supporting the Philippines’ vision of a future-ready, inclusive digital nation.

RAISE is an initiative of the ICT Industry Development Bureau (IIDB) under the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) that aims to cultivate awareness, inspire innovation, and build stronger connections within the Philippine startup ecosystem.

Through nationwide forums, workshops, and community engagement activities, RAISE introduces aspiring entrepreneurs, students, and stakeholders to the world of startups highlighting success stories, industry trends, and available government support. The program fosters a culture of innovation by equipping participants with foundational knowledge and encouraging collaboration across sectors.

By inspiring the next wave of Filipino innovators, RAISE helps drive inclusive growth and contributes to the development of vibrant, sustainable startup communities across the country.

RISE, or the Regional ICT Summit and Exhibition, is a flagship initiative of the ICT Industry Development Bureau (IIDB) under the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). It serves as a premier platform for showcasing regional innovation, promoting digital transformation, and strengthening collaboration across local ICT ecosystems.

RISE brings together government leaders, industry players, startups, academia, and communities to discuss key trends, share best practices, and explore opportunities in the digital economy. The summit features exhibitions, panel discussions, workshops, and technology showcases aimed at empowering regions to become active contributors to the nation’s digital development.

By fostering local innovation and inclusivity, RISE plays a vital role in accelerating the country’s progress toward a digitally competitive and future-ready Philippines.

Generation Connect – Philippines is a national initiative aligned with the global Generation Connect movement by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and supported locally by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). It aims to empower young Filipinos to actively shape the country’s digital future through meaningful engagement, skills development, and innovation.

The program brings together youth leaders, students, digital advocates, and community builders to promote digital inclusion, ICT education, and youth-driven innovation. Through workshops, dialogues, mentorships, and collaborative projects, Generation Connect Philippines nurtures the next generation of changemakers in the digital age.

By placing youth at the heart of digital transformation, the initiative supports a more inclusive, innovative, and future-ready Philippines.