SBF becomes center for business startups with launching of SBMA Business Acceleration Hub, Subic Bay Angel Investor Network

This premier Freeport has become a center for business startup activities with the launching of the SBMA Business Acceleration Hub and the Subic Bay Angel Investor Network at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) on October 20, 2025.

During the Dakal Lakad 2025 Demo and Graduation Day, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Senior Deputy Administrator for Business and Investment Renato Lee III said that launching the two programs establishes Subic Bay Freeport as a center for business startup activities to access investors and strategic partners while expanding innovations beyond the region.

“The project aims to stimulate growth of startups and support them through acceleration with incentives from the SBMA and a business location within the SBFZ. We are also celebrating the graduation of ten startups, coinciding with the launching of the Angel Investor Network,” Lee said.

The SBMA spearheaded the Angel Network Program in compliance with Republic Act No. 11337, or the Innovative Startup Act, which aims to strengthen the local startup ecosystem through a government-led program.

The act provides benefits and incentives for startups and startup enablers thru the Philippine Startup Development Program, managed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT).

“We’re also proud to share that SBMA has already incubated and produced a successful startup from having 2 Business Process Outsourcing or BPO/Accounting Agents to 300 agents today,” Lee said.

Meanwhile, ten of Central Luzon’s most promising startups took center stage at the Dakal Lakad 2025 Demo and Graduation Day. The event was co-organized by the SBMA, SULONG Central Luzon, and the Wadhwani Foundation.

The event marked the culmination of the five-month acceleration program designed to help startups transition from incubation to investment readiness.

The ten startups that graduated during the event include the Tambanokano Aqua Farm, Dayap Philippines, Project Nitriact, Wisdom | The IP Vault Co., Kilala PH, Kloudtech, Ordermo, Hive Energy PH, InnoVSmarter, and Expoxur.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Engr. Eduardo Jose L. Aliño expressed his gratitude to all partner government agencies and campuses for their keen interest to develop Subic Bay Freeport as a platform to incubate startups, adding that the SBMA will always provide the necessary guidance and support to ensure the growth of businesses in Subic Bay Freeport. 

Other attendees were DICT Region 3 Regional Director Engr. Antonio Edward E. Padre, DTI Region 3 Assistant Regional Director Richard V. Simangan, DOST Pampanga Provincial S&T Director Engr. Mary Michelle M. Quiambao, and Bulacan State University – Main Campus Chancellor Dr. Ruben E. Borja II. (MPD-SBMA)

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First - ever hybrid workspace in Zambales opened

The first-ever hybrid workspace in Zambales has opened at the Pacific Ace Building in this premiere freeport on Thursday. 

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Jonathan D. Tan, International Workplace Group (IWG) Country Manager Lars B. Wittig and Pacific Ace Subic Bay Corporation (PASBC) President Virginia S. Dio led the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Regus Subic center at the Pacific Ace Building.

The Regus Subic center is the first-ever hybrid workspace in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. It is located at the second floor of The Gardens by Pacific Ace.

Tan said that the establishment of shared workspace inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone would entice more companies to locate here while initially testing the waters before going full-scale. “This shared workspace provides investors a platform for exploratory activities before deciding on whether they will be expanding to a bigger facility or undertake something else,” he said.

The Agency chief also lauded the efforts of IWG and Pacific Ace in establishing this virtual platform while incorporating the “green advocacy” of PASBC President Dio. 

“This will help startup companies to grow as the Regus Subic center shared workspace becomes an incubator that provides them an area to grow and develop before investing heavily in Subic Bay Freeport,” he added.

Meanwhile, Pacific Ace President Dio said that the shared workplace consists of co-working desks, meeting rooms, and private offices. She added that the Green Building is environmentally responsible to lessen the negative impact of our footprint to the environment.

“We provide a superior indoor environment that can enhance air and water quality to improve health, productivity, and the energy of the people in the premises. Such conditions are certainly conducive not only to its users but more importantly, to the environment,” she said.

The shared workspace inside the Green Building includes co-working desks, meeting rooms, and private offices. The area bears a design that has a green center with live decorative plants. It is located at the Central Business District (CBD) area of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

“Subic Freeport is a strategic location that we have targeted for expansion since the opening of Regus (shared workplace) in Clark Freeport in 2015. Clark is the gateway, driving from Metro Manila in the northern direction, and Subic is the logical extension that offers excellent logistics, free port and development zones in the same manner as Clark,” Wittig said. 

He added that with the inclusion of Subic Bay Freeport in the Regus brand of IWG, we can expect more investments and developments in this premier Freeport since the location will be a most valued addition to the IWG network. 

IWG is the global leader in hybrid work solutions and workspace brands. The company utilizes hybrid working platforms to increase productivity, efficiency, agility and market proximity of its clientele. It has a network coverage that includes 3,500 locations across more than 120 countries and 83 percent of Fortune 500 companies are part of their customer base. (MPD-SBMA)

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