QBO Innovation, a public-private initiative supporting the Philippine startup ecosystem, has partnered with the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines and American Spaces Philippines to introduce Step Juan: Young Technopreneurs in Training. This program aims to cultivate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) skills and foster technopreneurship among Filipino high school and university students.
Step Juan is designed to provide accessible, introductory learning opportunities in entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation to students with limited prior exposure to startup initiatives. The program’s launch comes against a backdrop of reported low interest in STEM fields among young Filipinos, as noted by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS). Step Juan seeks to address this by building foundational skills relevant to real-world applications.
The program’s curriculum includes several components: Innovation and Technopreneurship Fundamentals, utilizing QBO’s BASIQS program for interactive talks; Technopreneurship Training for Teachers; and Collaborative Learning and Co-Facilitation. These activities are intended to stimulate critical thinking and prepare students for future opportunities in technopreneurship, while also equipping educators to promote STEM within their institutions.
The initial phase of the program, Cycle 1, involves partnerships with the University of Makati (UMak) and Maximo Estrella Senior High School. This cycle focuses on providing educators with training on startup methodologies, problem-solving, and business innovation to enable them to integrate technopreneurship concepts into their teaching. QBO Innovation plans to extend the program with Cycles 2 and 3 to other cities within Metro Manila throughout the year.
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,” said QBO Innovation Executive Director Alwyn Rosel, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the initiative. “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 U.S. Embassy views the program as aligned with its goals of developing STEM-related skills, promoting skills development, and enhancing English language learning to support sustainable economic growth in the Philippines.
Kevin Punzalan, Specialist at the American Spaces Program, U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, stated: “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.”
