Prosperna once again demonstrated its commitment to the Philippines’ digital transformation and startup community by actively participating in the Philippine Startup Week 2022 (PHSW22), the country’s largest 5-day startup conference held from November 14–18, 2022.
“What all of us are doing here is to change the game.” – Dennis Velasco
The Biggest Startup Gathering in the Philippines
There were lots of exciting Philippine Startup Week 2022 highlights and Prosperna's participation brought together entrepreneurs, investors, government agencies, and innovators in a hybrid format—finally combining onsite and online events after two years of virtual-only conferences. Organized by DICT, DOST, DTI, and QBO Innovation Hub, the event featured:
- 60+ online sessions
- 20+ onsite events across multiple cities
- 160 virtual booths
- 150 speakers
- 100 startups
- 4 night fests
The Prosperna team, led by CEO & Founder Dennis Velasco and Head of Partnerships Fro Oliva, proudly joined talks, networking functions, and showcases to strengthen ties with the startup ecosystem.
An Ally for Women in Tech
At the Startup Pinay Conference, Dennis Velasco stood out as the only male ally on a panel of women entrepreneurs discussing “She Can Have It All: Career Progression and Work-Life Balance.”
Velasco shared how growing up and surrounded by strong women—his mother, sisters, wife and daughter—inspired his leadership values of equality and fearless communication. He emphasized that workplace equality can reshape the nation’s socio-economic landscape and encouraged more one-on-one conversations to empower women in leadership roles.
“You don’t want to go to a market where you’re just like everybody else. You wanna be unique.” – Dennis Velasco
Government’s Role in the Startup Ecosystem
The Philippine government continues to play a pivotal role in nurturing startups:
- DICT InnovNation Program – Educates and motivates the public on startup opportunities.
- Startup Grant Fund (Innovative Startup Act) – Financial support for at least 10 early-stage startups.
- DOST Technology Business Incubator (TBI) Summit – Now in its 6th year, fostering local innovation.
- DTI Slingshot Conference – Connecting startups and investors to build partnerships.
Leaders like Rene “Butch” Meily (Ideaspace Foundation) and Sec. Renato Solidum Jr. (DOST) highlighted how collaboration between government and private sectors can accelerate growth and job creation.
Helping SMEs Embrace Digital Transformation
SMEs are vital to the Philippine economy, yet many struggle with resources to digitize. Prosperna is bridging this gap.
During the session “Impact of Digitization on SMEs”, Fro Oliva explained how Prosperna supports SMEs in Philippine digital transformation with simple and affordable eCommerce software that helps businesses expand markets and boost sales.
Prosperna customer Marilyn Ceredon (LVMCC Hardware Trading) praised the platform for making her transition to eCommerce seamless.
As part of the QBO Top 100 Startups Showcase, Velasco proudly shared Prosperna’s traction:
- 5,000+ clients
- 2x GMV growth year-over-year
- 270% MRR growth year-over-year
“My team and I are looking forward to empowering 1 million SMEs during this extraordinary time of rapid Philippine digital transformation.” – Dennis Velasco
Philippines: Asia’s Fastest Growing Hub of Innovation
PHSW22 also marked the country’s first live crowdfunding event, where startups pitched to global investors via Stonks. Winners included:
- Cocotel International – Tech-hotel brand
- On Demand Deals – Social commerce company
- Britana – App development startup
Conclusion
Prosperna’s active role in PHSW22 reflects its mission to empower Filipino SMEs, entrepreneurs and digital creators with the tools to thrive in the digital economy. By championing equality, supporting innovation, and collaborating with government and industry leaders, Prosperna continues to help shape the Philippines into one of Asia’s most dynamic startup hubs.
Prosperna, Your Partner to eCommerce Success
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