NextGen Day

STEM gets real for Filipino students as QBO and the U.S. Embassy team up to shape the country’s future tech leaders.

PRESS RELEASE

QBO Innovation, US Embassy partner up to empower Filipino youth towards STEM skills

Launches Step Juan program to cultivate young technopreneurs among high school and university students

Manila, Philippines — QBO Innovation, the Philippines’ first public-private initiative geared towards providing a platform for the startup community to collaborate, develop, and grow, has launched Step Juan: Young Technopreneurs in Training. In partnership with the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines and American Spaces Philippines, the program is designed to empower Filipino youth towards Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and innovation.

The Step Juan program is designed to provide high school and university students with limited exposure to startup initiatives with accessible, beginner-friendly learning opportunities in entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation.

The Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) reported little interest in STEM in young Filipinos. Recognizing the need to address this gap, the Step Juan program aims to foster interest in STEM fields and equip students with essential skills for real-world applications.

The Step Juan program features a curriculum designed to inspire young innovators. It includes: Innovation and Technopreneurship Fundamentals using QBO’s BASIQS program, which provides interactive talks by QBO faculty for aspiring entrepreneurs; Technopreneurship Training for Teachers; and Collaborative Learning and Co-Facilitation. These activities aim to ignite curiosity and enhance critical thinking to future-proof young technopreneurs as well as onboard professors and educators to effectively champion STEM within their schools.

Currently, the program is partnering with the University of Makati (UMak) and Maximo Estrella Senior High School for Cycle 1 to provide insights and training to its educators about startup methodologies, problem-solving, and business innovation, preparing them to champion technopreneurship in the classroom. Plans for Cycle 2 and 3 will continue throughout the year with other cities in NCR. 

QBO Innovation, a leader in fostering entrepreneurship, reaffirms its commitment to nurturing young talent through Step Juan. QBO Executive Director Alwyn Rosel emphasizes the importance of collaboration between schools and industries, highlighting Step Juan as a vital bridge.

“Step Juan envisions a future where Filipino youth are empowered to pursue STEM and technopreneurship, with educators playing a crucial role in shaping innovative thinkers. The program inspires and equips youth with STEM skills, creates a network of educator mentors, and cultivates stakeholders in the innovation landscape. Long-term, we envision Step Juan encouraging students to pursue STEM careers and providing teachers with new tools and frameworks for innovation-driven education.”

The program aligns with the U.S. Embassy’s mandate to develop STEM-aligned skills, promote skills development, and enhance English language learning, all contributing to sustainable economic growth in the Philippines.

“The U.S. Embassy, through the 2024 American Spaces Small Grants Program, is committed to equipping young Filipinos with 21st-century skills essential for success in an evolving digital landscape. By supporting programs that advance STEM education, innovation, entrepreneurship, and skills development, we aim to foster economic opportunity and sustainable impact. Our collaboration with QBO Innovation on the Step Juan: Young Technopreneurs in Training program reflects this commitment—providing public-school students and educators, who have little to no exposure to these opportunities, with hands-on learning experiences and the tools to continuously inspire and nurture future innovators.” said Kevin Punzalan, Specialist at the American Spaces Program, U.S. Embassy in the Philippines.

Learn more about the Step Juan program at hello@qboinnovation.com or via www.qboinnovation.com and @QBOInnovation on social media.

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ABOUT QBO INNOVATION

QBO (‘ku-bo’) 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, fueled by its vision of Filipino startups changing the world.

For more information on QBO, visit their website at qboinnovation.com or follow their social media accounts at @QBOInnovation. 

Insights

• STEM disinterest among Filipino youth is a pressing concern—Step Juan addresses this by integrating real-world innovation and entrepreneurship into early education.
• Step Juan’s educator-centered approach recognizes that sustainable change in tech adoption must start with teachers who inspire and lead.
• Hands-on, community-rooted training gives public school students and university learners equal access to innovation tools and startup frameworks.
• Public-private collaborations like this set the blueprint for future-ready education and sustainable national development.
• The program not only trains students but empowers educators, creating a multiplier effect across future cohorts and schools.

Conclusion

The Step Juan program by QBO Innovation and the U.S. Embassy is more than just a training initiative—it’s a mission to build a future-proof generation of Filipino innovators. By addressing the gap in STEM engagement and introducing startup mindsets at an early age, Step Juan connects the classroom to the real world. As more students and educators join the movement, the Philippines moves closer to becoming a regional leader in tech, entrepreneurship, and digital innovation. Step by step, Step Juan is shaping a smarter, more resilient nation.

Key Phrases

1. Filipino youth STEM training
2. Step Juan technopreneurs
3. STEM education Philippines
4. QBO Innovation partnership
5. U.S. Embassy STEM support
6. High school entrepreneurship
7. Technopreneurship training
8. Teacher innovation programs
9. Startup learning in schools
10. Future-ready Filipino students

Best Hashtags

#StepJuan
#QBOInnovation
#USTechPH
#STEMEducationPH
#YoungTechnopreneurs
#FutureFilipinoInnovators
#StartupEducation
#21stCenturySkillsPH
#TechForYouth
#InnovatePH

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Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute endorsement of any specific technologies or methodologies and financial advice or endorsement of any specific products or services.

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