IdeaSpace, the Philippines-based startup accelerator and early-stage venture investment arm of the MVP Group of Companies, has on Monday announced the appointment of Alwyn Rosel, a startup ecosystem veteran, as the new Executive Director of IdeaSpace and QBO Innovation, succeeding Jay Fajardo.

IdeaSpace said in a statement that backed by 13 years of industry experience, Rosel has been with QBO Innovation for the last four years, serving as the Deputy Director.

She previously held senior positions at startup enablers AIM-Dado Banatao Incubator and UPSCALE Innovation Hub, as well as VXI Global.

She also worked at Singapore-based startup and tech media platform e27.

“The cornerstone of my work is to sustain the ecosystem so that we help more startups that have immense potential to contribute to the economy and national development,” Rosel said.

IdeaSpace and QBO Innovation President Rene Butch Meily said he is confident that Rosel has the dedication and strategic vision to do the job as she has been with the QBO and IdeaSpace team for four years.

It is noted that over the last 13 years, IdeaSpace | QBO has been a cornerstone of the startup landscape, investing over PHP 300 million ($5.24 million) in resources and supporting more than 35 startups.

It has also incubated over 250 startup companies, supported more than 700 organizations.

Currently, the firm is conducting 100+ programs and capacity-building activities annually for the benefit of QMMUNITY startups.

Earl Valencia, a Co-founder of IdeaSpace in 2012 and currently a member of the National Innovation Council noted that Rosel has spent her entire career supporting early-stage startups and has been instrumental in creating programs to accelerate the innovation ecosystem in the Philippines.

According to the statement, Rosel will succeed Jay Fajardo, who became instrumental in streamlining the organizational structure and sharpening the strategic vision of IdeaSpace and QBO, defining the distinct roles of each entity for stakeholders and the broader startup ecosystem.

During his leadership, Fajardo established Ideaspace Ventures, reasserting the organization’s position as a committed early-stage investor.

In 2024, Ideaspace Ventures supported seven startups and achieved an average portfolio multiple on invested capital (MOIC) of 1.5 times over four years.

Additionally, he strengthened QBO Innovation’s position as a leading startup community builder driving innovation, expanding its influential programs across government, academe, international development agencies, and private enterprises.

IdeaSpace | QBO said it remains committed to fostering innovation and supporting startups through key partnerships.

It said the firm is actively working on the Regional Startup Enablers for Ecosystem Development (ReSEED) Program with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and collaborating on strategic initiatives with Smart-PLDT Innovation Generation and the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines.

IdeaSpace is the Philippines’ premier startup enabler behind Ideaspace Ventures, a venture capital committed to invest in early-stage Filipino technology startups.

The firm was established in 2012 by its Chairman, Manuel V. Pangilinan with the vision of supporting Filipino tech entrepreneurship, and is backed by First Pacific, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), PLDT-Smart, Meralco, and Maynilad, along with various public and private organizations.

QBO is the Philippines’ first public-private initiative focused on providing a platform for the startup community to collaborate, develop talents, and grow.

It operates incubation and acceleration programs for startups across multiple stages and industries, and conducts an array of startup ecosystem and community activities to improve access to markets, knowledge, network, capital, and talent.

Created in 2016 through a partnership with IdeaSpace, J.P. Morgan, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), QBO has been an active player in creating a globally competitive ecosystem in the Philippines.

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