SMALL ENTERPRISE TECHNOLOGY UPGRADING PROGRAM (SETUP)
The Department of Science and Technology’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (DOST-SETUP) is a nationwide strategy encouraging and assisting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to adopt technological innovations to improve their products, services, operations and increase their productivity and competitiveness.
The Program enables MSMEs to address their technical problems and improve productivity and efficiency through:
• Infusion of appropriate technologies to improve products, services and/or operations
• Human resource training, technical assistance and consultancy services
• Design of functional packages and labels
• Assistance in the attainment of product standards including testing
• Database management system
• Provision of assistance for technology acquisition
PRIORITY SECTORS
The Program focuses assistance on the following priority sectors:
• Food processing
• Furniture
• Gifts, housewares, decors
• Marine and aquatic resources
• Horticulture and agriculture
• Metals and engineering
• Health products and services/Pharmaceuticals
• ICT/Electronics
DOST STRATEGIES TO ASSIST MSMES
To attain its objectives, the program has five major strategies.
Provision of Technology
• Technology needs assessment and sourcing of technology
• Seed fund for technology acquisition
• S&T training
• Consultancy and Technical Advisory Services
Product Standards and Testing
• Development of product standards with DTI-BPS (Dept. of Trade & Industry-Bureau of Product Standards)
• Product testing and enhancement of testing laboratories
• Packaging and Labeling
• Development of functional designs for packages
• Identification and development of suitable or alternative packaging materials especially from indigenous materials
Database Management and Information System
• List of available technologies
• List of S&T experts
• List of testing laboratories including available testing services
• Development of website for MSMEs for product promotion and access to information
Linkaging and Networking
• Raw material sourcing
• Marketing
• Financing
• Equipment design and fabrication
Who may apply?
• Any company or individual firm based in the Philippines and wholly owned by Filipino citizens
• Any micro, small and medium scale business firm that can be classified under the identified priority sector
• Any company or individual firm willing to apply technological innovations to their existing products, services and/or operations
• Any LGU willing to apply technological innovations to the existing operations in their locality
What documents must be submitted?
• Full blown project proposal
• Letter of interest to avail of the SETUP assistance, stating commitment to refund the cost of technology acquisition including the proposed refund schedule
• Financial statements at least for the past three (3) years duly signed by a Certified Public Accountant.
• Copy of business permits and licenses from LGUs and other government offices
• Certificate of registration of business name with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or Cooperative Development Authority (CDA).
• Board resolution authorizing the availment of the assistance and designating authorized signatory for the project documents(if applicable)
• Three (3) quotations for each equipment from suppliers/fabricators of the equipment to be purchased/fabricated
• Complete technical design/drawing of all equipment to be purchased/fabricated
How to avail?
1. The proponent shall submit a letter of interest to avail of the SETUP assistance to the DOST Regional Office thru the Provincial S&T Center where the proponent’s company is based.
2. The DOST Regional Office/Provincial S&T Center or external experts together with the proponent shall conduct TNA (Technology Needs Assessment) to identify current problems, improvements and potential technological interventions needed.
3. The proponent shall submit a full blown proposal with all the documentary requirements.
4. The proposal will be evaluated by the DOST VII Regional Technical Evaluation Committee (RTEC). The RTEC will give comments and recommendations on the proposal. The proponent shall provide clarifications or response to these comments if necessary.
5. After evaluation, the proposal will be recommended for approval by the RTEC if it meets all the requirements. Otherwise, it will be returned to the proponent.
6. The final approval will be made by DOST VII Regional Director or DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations or DOST Secretary depending on the amount requested from SETUP