By Matthew Bryan P. Villanueva
DOST-TAPI has finally operationalized its premier mentoring and capacity-building program called HIRANG 2.0, or Honing Innovations, Research, Agreements, and Negotiations of the Government-funded Technologies 2.0. The Program intends to help startups and DOST-Research and Development Institute (DOST-RDI) spinoffs build their capability in running their business, building their portfolio, and eventually closing investment deals and business partnerships.
With HIRANG 2.0, the enrolled startups and DOST-RDI spinoffs will undergo three to four months of training, depending on their needs. Some of the areas covered by the training include investment and business development and Intellectual Property (IP) business portfolio creation.
HIRANG 2.0 aims to capacitate startups and DOST-RDI spinoffs in different areas to secure investment deals and business partnerships.
The Program will shoulder the costs of contracting mentors, experts, and consultants to guide the startups and DOST-RDI spinoffs throughout the program. And for DOST-RDI spinoffs, they can also access up to ₱ 250,000.00 to produce product samples.
Mr. Romeo M. Javate, Chief of the Investment & Business Operations Division (IBOD), where HIRANG 2.0 is implemented, says that startups and spinoffs miss out on optimum growth opportunities if they are not investment-ready. Speaking in a promotional video for HIRANG 2.0, Mr. Javate hopes that budding technopreneurs will be better equipped to secure funding from investors with the program.
The program was first launched in 2020 to capacitate technology transfer officers (TTOs) from the DOST-RDIs in securing Technology Licensing Agreements (TLAs) with private sector technology adopters. With the program's relaunch into HIRANG 2.0 in 2023, it now focuses on supporting startups and DOST-RDI spinoffs and helping them thrive in the local innovation ecosystem.
HIRANG 2.0 is open year-round, subject to the availability of program funds. Interested startups and DOST-RDI spinoffs may review the details of the program, including how to apply, by visiting http://tapi.dost.gov.ph/call-for-proposals/hirang.
