Davao City, Philippines – AIMHI, a trailblazing tech startup specializing in AI-powered construction project management software, emerged as the “Startup of the Year” at the prestigious Davao Startup Champion Awards. The award, which recognizes exceptional financial performance, industry recognition, and social impact a year or two after inception, was presented to AIMHI’s Founder and CEO Cherryanne Lee Angoy, alongside Atty. Janice Tejano, Founder and Chief Governance Officer.
AIMHI is all about empowering the construction industry with AI insights to make better decisions. Its success story was celebrated during the awards ceremony held as part of the third edition of Davao Startup Week. The company is dedicated to empowering the construction industry with AI insights, enabling better decision-making for a more efficient and streamlined approach. By optimizing resources—materials, equipment, manpower, finances, and methods—AIMHI effectively prevents project delays and boosts profitability. Its innovative solutions and significant impact on the local construction scene have rapidly gained industry recognition.
Receiving the award, Cherryanne Angoy highlighted AIMHI’s journey and paid tribute to the company’s support network. “At the end of the day, AIMHI Construction App’s milestones aren’t just ours. It’s a result of the collective effort of the entire Technology Business Incubator ecosystem. It wasn’t just about securing funding—it was about mentorship, support, and community,” Angoy shared.
Atty. Janice Tejano emphasized the role of partnerships in AIMHI’s development, particularly thanking the DOST PCIEERD and the University of the Philippines system for their contributions. “Earlier this year, our R&D with DOST PCIEERD to enhance our recommender system and risk analysis features was completed. This milestone has set us on a focused path toward growth and impact, allowing us to give back to the startup community that nurtured us.”
AIMHI’s portfolio manager and Upgrade Innovation Hub Operations Manager, Val Cimafranca, expressed his pride in AIMHI’s milestones for consistently gaining traction in the market since the ISKO program.
“More than my faith in their startup’s vision, I have always admired the grit and passion of the founders. An all-women trio that has aimed to disrupt a male-dominated, traditionally-operated industry – construction. If that is not power, I don’t know what is. Always go higher, AIMHI! Upgrade will always back you up. We are excited to have the first unicorn from Davao Region.”
The Davao Startup Champion Awards honor outstanding achievements in the startup ecosystem, and AIMHI’s win speaks to the company’s growth since its inception. The award recognizes not only financial success but also the startup’s expanding footprint and its role in advancing technology for the construction industry in the Philippines.
Notable Guests and Fellow Winners
In addition to AIMHI’s triumph, other awardees included The Bloom Coffee and Startup Space, which was named “Best Coworking Space in Davao City.” The LGU of Tagum received the “Outstanding Startup Champion in the Government Sector” award, and the Wadhwani Foundation – Philippines was recognized as the “Outstanding Startup Champion in the Private Sector.”
The awards event brought together key figures in the startup community, including Priya Tachadi, Co-Founder and CEO of Villgro Philippines, and Nikhil Antao of Bayanihan Ventures. Also present was Andrew Wong, Founder of Malaysia’s E3Hubs, and Joffreylle Marie Opiano-Plasabas from the Department of Trade and Industry, further underscoring the significance of the event for the local startup ecosystem.
Davao Startup Week: A Hub for Innovation
Davao Startup Week, held from September 19 to 29, 2024, aims to position the region as a key entrepreneurial hub in Mindanao. With the theme “InnovNation: Accelerating Davao’s Global Disruptive Potential,” the event attracted around 5,000 attendees, including students, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals.
Organized by Ideas Davao, Upgrade Innolab, and the Davao City Government in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the event highlights Davao’s growing significance in the Philippine startup ecosystem.
AIMHI’s win at the Davao Startup Champion Awards as Startup of the Year inspires and solidifies its status as a leader in the tech startup scene and showcases the vibrant potential of Davao as an entrepreneurial hub. With continued support from incubators and local government, AIMHI drives further innovation and contributes to the broader tech landscape nationwide.
