1. Introduction
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), maintains this website pursuant to Republic Act No. 11337 or the Innovative Startup Act. As ISA Host Agencies, we are committed to protecting your personal and business data in compliance with Republic Act No. 10173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).
2. Information we collect
To facilitate your eligibility for the Philippine Startup Development Program (PSDP) and related incentives, we collect:
- Startup data — Full name, nationality, contact details, and proof of identity for startup founders and startup enablers.
- Business profile — Nature of the 'Innovative Product, Process, or Business Model' as defined under Section 3(g) of the ISA, business registration (SEC/DTI), TIN number, BIR certificate of registration, and business sector/industry.
- Startup visa requirements — Passport details, biographical data, and proof of investment or employment for the purpose of issuing: Startup Owner Visa, Startup Investor Visa, Startup Employee Visa.
3. Purpose of processing
Your personal data is processed to implement and fulfill the mandates of the ISA in advancing innovation through supporting the startup ecosystem. This includes processing your data for account verification and certification, and ecosystem reports, along with the possibility of reaching out to you for local or international startup events, promotion or media invitations, and endorsement to private stakeholders for collaborations and other startup-related activities connected to the ISA's purpose.
4. Data sharing and inter-agency coordination
Your information may be shared between the following Host Agencies to streamline your applications and endorsements:
- DTI, DOST, and DICT — For program implementation, monitoring, and endorsement.
- Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Bureau of Immigration (BI) — For visa-related endorsements and travel document subsidies.
- Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) — For patent and trademark assistance.
- Local Government Units (LGUs) — For the expedited processing of local business permits.
- Other related government agencies — As needed.
5. Security and retention
Security: We employ encryption and strict access controls to protect sensitive business IP and personal data.
Retention: Data is kept for the duration of your active account under the PSDP for a period of 12 months. After inactivity for 12 months, the account will be tagged dormant until reactivation. Public account data during the dormant period shall be made unavailable.
6. Your rights
You retain all rights under the Data Privacy Act, including the right to access, correct, or object to the processing of your data. Please note that withdrawing consent may disqualify you from receiving benefits or endorsements under the Innovative Startup Act.
7. Contact us
For inquiries regarding your data or the status of your ISA benefits, contact us at:
- For data privacy inquiries and ISA benefits statusstartup.web@dict.gov.ph