Kaya Founders, Sinigang Valley, and Ateneo JGSOM collaborate to build high-value ventures

Kaya Founders and Sinigang Valley, in partnership with the Ateneo de Manila University John Gokongwei School of Management (JGSOM), entered into a pilot program called the Ateneo Startup Accelerator Program ("ASAP"), an eight-week program that aims to build high-value ventures among Ateneo student startup groups. The program culminates with a Demo Day on 27 January 2023. 

Dr. Roberto Galang, Dean of JGSOM, shared, “We envision Ateneo de Manila University as the primary launch pad for tech-enabled startups that will disrupt markets and promote inclusive innovation. Our partnership with Kaya Founders is a key pillar for implementing this vision. We are proud to be the first academic member of the Sinigang Valley Association.” 

Of 163 applicants, 75 student applicants from the programs BS Information Technology Entrepreneurship (BS ITE), BS Management Engineering (BS ME), and BS Computer Science (BS CS) were accepted and divided into 14 teams. Students signed up either as a group or as solo applicants, with or without an idea. Teams were then matched based on their responses to questions during the program's registration process. BS ITE Program Director Joseph Benjamin R. Ilagan encouraged the students to use ASAP to refine their Capstone Design Project by pitching on Demo Days to real industry leaders.

There is an open invitation to be a mentor, speaker, judge, or observer during Demo Day. More than 30 industry leaders and subject matter experts have volunteered so far. 

Using Agile and Scrum as guiding methodologies, ASAP's challenge includes mentorship sessions, stand-ups, sprint planning, and reviews. Each week is a Sprint where the teams finish a deliverable, from ideation and validation to prototyping and beta testing, culminating in a Demo Day presentation with prize winners. "We believe the methodology is a necessary step in the participants' learning process as Agile has gone mainstream in 2021, used in 86% of software development teams," according to Rambo Joinani, Venture Development Director at Kaya Founders. The goal is to introduce these students to the core concepts of the industry and challenge them to apply their knowledge as they continue to iterate on and build their ventures.

About Kaya Founders and Sinigang Valley

Kaya Founders is an early-stage investment firm that builds and invests in the next
generation of companies driving digital transformation in commerce and critical services
in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.

Sinigang Valley is a community focused on helping the Philippines' tech ecosystem.