SME assistance programs: DOST’s SETUP

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One of the size-related problems of small businesses is lack of access to technology and other opportunities for innovation.  This has stunted the growth of many small-scale firms, as they get edged in the productivity game by their bigger and more technology-savvy competitors.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST)  launched the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) as a focused program designed to encourage and assist small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to adopt technological innovations to improve their operations, therefore elevating their productivity and competitiveness.

The program enables small businesses to address their technical problems through technology transfer and technological interventions to improve productivity through better product quality, human resources development, cost minimization and waste management, and other operation related activities.

SETUP mainly deals in technology transfer and assessment, but also offers trainings, consultations specialists and scientists from the S&T Experts Volunteer Pool Program, and seed funds to help business commercialize the technology. They also assist in technology matching, branding and packaging development, clean technology, energy audits, and efficiency management. This project is done in cooperation with agencies like the Department of Trade and Agency, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Labor.

Examples of the projects launched under this program are the Manufacturing Productivity Extension Program (MPEX) for business in the manufacturing and food industry, the Consultancy for Agricultural Productivity Enhancement (CAPE), the Consultancy for Cleaner Production Technology, for businesses who want improve the safety and efficiency of their production process and minimize waste. The technological innovations that have successfully commercialized for Mindanao include the wine fermentation kit and vinegar fermentation kit for pineapple plantations.

Although most of the services are free and seed money may be provided for companies that participate in technology transfer, the business owners will have to pay for some of the services like expenses of scientists coming from abroad or other parts of the country.

Those interested in SETUP consultation and services may get in touch with the DOST office nearest them.