As featured on DTI.gov.ph last December 15
MARIKINA CITY — ITOOH Homestyle, a trailblazing startup, celebrated its success as the 3rd place winner at the Marikina Creative and Innovation Hub Pitch Competition, a momentous event held at Launchgarage on December 14, 2023. The competition, organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in collaboration with Launchgarage, Inc., aimed to bolster entrepreneurship and innovation in creative sectors.
The Marikina Creative and Innovation Hub, which officially launched just a week prior, hosted the event as one of its inaugural programs. The initiative is a key component of the Hub's commitment to fostering creative entrepreneurship.
Lilian Salonga, Director of the DTI Competitiveness Bureau, underscored the significance of the pitch competition as a gateway to the Hub's extensive programs and services. "This pitch competition will serve as an inspiring showcase of groundbreaking ideas, motivating participants to actively engage in DTI programs," stated Director Salonga.
Ten startups from nine creative domains, as defined by the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act (PCIDA), presented their innovative solutions to a distinguished panel of judges. The judging criteria included Innovativeness and Creativity, Sustainability and Viability, Relevance, Impact, and Team Composition.
In a closely contested competition, WIKA emerged victorious with its groundbreaking assistive AR technology catering to individuals with hearing or visual impairments. The technology provides sign language or captions for the deaf and audio descriptions for the visually impaired.
Securing the second position was Podcast Network Asia, offering a platform empowering storytellers across various genres and languages, particularly focusing on Filipino content.
ITOOH Homestyle claimed the third spot, impressing the judges with its tech-enabled online marketplace. The platform provides a diverse range of quality-vetted, locally-made furniture, décor, art, and interior design.
Other notable startups that participated in the competition included Alfombra, Callback, Denim 'N Denim, Hibla Philippines, Katoonz, Likhaan, and Supafaya.
The top three startups, including ITOOH Homestyle, were granted the opportunity to join the Hub's incubation and acceleration programs for creatives—the Incubation, Development, and Entrepreneurial Assistance (IDEA) program and the Accelerating Development, Valuation, and Corporate Entrepreneurship (ADVanCE) Program.
As of the release date on December 15, 2023, applications for these programs are open, inviting creative startups to continue their journey of innovation and entrepreneurship within the vibrant ecosystem of the Marikina Creative and Innovation Hub.
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