Fin-X Ignite: Fueling Innovation and Bridging Startup Financing Gaps in Western Visayas 🔥💙💛

July 7, 2025 — Over 60 founders, funders, and innovation champions came together for Fin-X Ignite, a powerhouse event organized by CPUGAD TBI that tackled one of the region’s biggest challenges: startup financing.

The event gathered key players from the startup ecosystem, including DOST VI, PCCI, UPV SEEDS TBI, UPV Coastline 5023, ISAT U Kwadra TBI, WVSU BINHI TBI, Kaya Founders, Innovate Iloilo, FyrLab Accelerator, and UMWAD, united by a mission to unlock startup success through smarter and more inclusive financing models.

The day opened with inspiring messages from Engr. Gelvie Lagos (CPUGAD TBI Project Leader) and Mr. Mark Gil Peraman (General Manager, CPUGAD TBI), setting the stage for collaboration. Engr. Rowen R. Gelonga, CESO III, Regional Director of DOST VI, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the role of startups in fueling innovation, creating jobs, and sustaining local economies.

A major highlight was the panel discussion, “The State of Startup Financing in Western Visayas: Challenges and Innovations,” featuring experts from government, academe, and the private sector, including Innovate Iloilo’s very own Renan Herrera. The panel tackled funding realities such as the overreliance on grants, the need to boost investor confidence, and opportunities for growth in the region.

Adding practical insight, Ms. Jahleel-AN Burao (Kaya Founders) outlined steps to improve investor readiness for local startups. This was followed by the Fin-X Clinic, a hands-on workshop led by Mr. Daryl Lasafin (FyrLab) with support from UMWAD, Kaya Founders, and CPUGAD TBI, where participants designed actionable solutions to strengthen funding access and scalability.

Closing the program, Prof. Renjo B. Debil (CEO of RenDewTech, CPUGAD TBI Mentor, and PCCI Iloilo Chapter Director) captured the essence of the initiative: capacitating local startups and strategically linking them to partners and investors.

Innovate Iloilo was grateful to be part of this high-energy event that championed collaboration, inclusivity, and action. Fin-X Ignite reaffirmed the region’s commitment to building a smarter, more resilient startup ecosystem—one where no idea gets left behind.

#InnovateIloilo #CPUGADTBI #SustainableCPUGADTBI #FinX #NestingIdeas #IncubatingSuccess