Launched in 2017, the Asian Institute of Management – Dado Banatao Incubator (AIM-DBI) was established to address the need for robust support programs for startup entrepreneurs in the Philippines. A collaboration between the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) and Diosdado “Dado” Banatao, Chairman of the PhilDev Foundation, the incubator received initial funding from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to accelerate startup development. The program aims to drive inclusive, long-term growth through technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship (TIE), providing solutions to global challenges, creating jobs, and promoting equitable wealth distribution. Since its inception, AIM-DBI has supported the launch of over 70 startups, generated numerous jobs, and garnered multiple awards and recognitions.
Program Offerings
• THINC AIM: Provides acceleration, incubation, and mentorship for startups.
• THINC SEED: Focuses on seeding entrepreneurial education and development for technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
• THINC X: An incubator-for-incubator program designed for Higher Education Institution (HEI) and community-based incubator programs.
Benefits for Startups
• World-class mentorship from serial entrepreneurs, top executives, and industry experts, including those with successful track records in Silicon Valley.
• Access to the global funding network of Dado Banatao, PhilDev, and AIM.
• Education and training calibrated to the specific needs of the startup’s founders.
• Resources from a network of selected partners.
• Rent-free, dedicated office space with high-speed internet connectivity within the AIM Campus in Makati.
• Opportunities to participate in demo nights and exclusive networking events for business development and investment.
Eligibility Criteria
The incubator supports early-stage startups with deep technology, science, or engineering solutions for emerging world problems. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to build quickly, sell to customers, and evolve their ideas into a scalable business.
• Founder: Teams should consist of two to six members, with at least one founder possessing rigorous science, engineering, or technical expertise and another with market and business development expertise. Both co-founders are expected to work on the business full-time. The program is open to non-AIM students and graduates.
• Technology: Startups should have an early product demonstrating a strong core science, technology, or engineering innovation, or a vetted market need, up to a minimum viable product.
• Stage: The program is open to early-stage startups, with or without prior external funding, revenues, or customer traction.
• Industry: A focus is placed on sectors needing innovative solutions, including S&T-based approaches in communications, agriculture, health, AI, and IoT. Innovations can include hardware and business models, not just software.
THINCOHORT Program Overview
The AIM-DBI THINCOHORT Program is a twelve-month progressive development track for qualified pre- to early-stage startups. Throughout the program, founders will engage in a deep dive into various aspects of their business. The mode of delivery is hybrid, with a majority of activities conducted onsite to accommodate the schedules of working professionals and founders.
• Development Tracks:
• Branding and Marketing
• Business Investment Readiness
• Business Model and Innovation
• Data and Artificial Intelligence
• Finance and Business
• Founder’s Identity
• Fundraising and Partnership
• Intellectual Property
• Legal and Corporate Compliance
• People and Culture
• Sustainability and Impact
• Technology
Application Details for THINCOHORT 2026-2027
• Application Procedure:
1. Download the application form: AIM-DBI THINCOHORT 2026-2027 Application Form.pdf.
2. Save the completed file in PDF format with the filename “Startup Name – AIM-DBI THINCOHORT 2025-2026 Program Application”.
3. Await a confirmation email from the AIM-DBI Team regarding your submission and the next steps.
• Program Timeline:
• Application Period: 1 April to 31 May 2026
• Application Deadline: 31 May 2026 (Sunday)
• Selection Process: May to June 2026
• Announcement of Final Results and Onboarding: June 2026
Program Milestones and Recognition
• Startups Incubated: 70+ from across the Philippines
• Startup Founders: 215+ (61% Men, 39% Women)
• Job Opportunities Created: 600+ direct startup jobs for professionals, non-degree holders, mothers, people with disabilities, community artisans, and freelancers.
• Community Impact: Millions of Filipinos enabled and serviced, including fishermen, farmers, underprivileged youth, creatives, MSMEs, home-based mothers, corporations, and LGUs.
• Awards and Recognitions: 205 multiple awards (71 Local and 134 International), including:
• Selected for the Sisu Launchpad 2026 Cohort, Finland, April 2026: SeeYouDoc
• Recipient of LIF Global 2026 Cohort of the Royal Academy of Engineering, February 2026: John Andrew Mañacop (Makarius Smart Learning) and Joseph Valdez (Klimatech Innovative Solutions)
• Selected for E-Disc Innovate Bridge Cohort 2 for 2026, February 2026: Klimatech Innovative Solutions
• Top 13 Finalist for the Fair Future Accelerator by Villgro Philippines, February 2026: Container Living PH and Klimatech Innovative Solutions
• Accepted to the Singapore Management University’s Business Innovations Generation (SMU BIG) Program for January 2026 Cohort: Klimatech Innovative Solutions
• Winner of the Thang Long Industrial Park Challenge at the Inno Vietnam-Japan Fast Track Pitch 2025, January 2026: Klimatech Innovative Solutions
• Granted USD40,000 by UNDP Circular Solutions Innovation Challenge 2025, December 2025: Klimatech Innovative Solutions
• Philippine representative and Top 22 Startup for The Korea-ASEAN AI Development & Startup Competition 2025, November 2025: Makarius Smart Learning
• Best Civic Innovation Award at the UNDP Asia-Pacific Regional Civic Tech Innovation Challenge on Governance 2025: AI4GOV (Citisense)
• Exclusively invited to SAM African Financial Inclusion Week, October 2025: Farmvocacy and InvestEd
• Top 5 Winner of DOST Inno.Venta 2025, October 2025: Klimatech Innovative Solutions
• Selected for Seeds of Science, Asia 2025 by the Australian Academy of Science and INGSA-Asia, October 2025: Agrabah Ventures
• Selected for Top 20 Startups for ASEAN Sparks : Catalyse Program, October 2025: Klimatech Innovative Solutions and Agrabah Ventures
• Selected for WISE EdTech Accelerator of Qatar Foundation, October 2025: InvestEd
• Recipient of Asia’s Modern Hero Awards 2025, September 2025: Carmina Bayombong (InvestEd)
• Selected for inaugural 100x Fellowship Program, August 2025: InvestEd
• 12th Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition – Grand Finalist, July 2025: Klimatech Innovative Solutions
• Recipient of Presidential Awards for Outstanding Development Partners, July 2025: BEECALL TBI, Naga City
• Included in the 2025 Tatler Asia’s Gen.T List, July 2025: Kiel Flores (CocoPallet) and Lei Motilla (AI4GOV / CitiSense)
• Winner at The Business Manual’s GrowthCon Startup Awards, June 2025: InvestEd
• Silver Award at the 2025 KPMG Private Enterprise Global Tech Innovator Competition, June 2025: Klimatech Innovative Solutions
• Grantee for DICT Startup Grant Fund (SGF) Cohort 2, June 2025: Klimatech Innovative Solutions
• Grant winner of Nexus for Equity Accelerator by Villgro Philippines, May 2025: Klimatech Innovative Solutions
• Grantee for DOST-TAPI’s Galing Program, May 2025: Klimatech Innovative Solutions
• Gold Medal at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva, April 2025: SeeYouDoc
• Champion, ThinKuvate’s Pitch to Win, Singapore, March 2025: Mayani
• Champion, Asia Technology Entrepreneurship Conference – AI and Digital Innovation Track, Hongkong, December 2024: InvestEd
• Winner of the Women of the Future Awards South East Asia 2024, November 2024: Carmina Bayombong of InvestEd
• Startup QC Program – Cohort 3 Winner (PHP1M grant), November 2024: PasaJob
• Grand Prize of CATAPULT: Financial Inclusion Southeast Asia 2024: InvestEd
• Special Coup de Coeur Prize of CATAPULT: Financial Inclusion Southeast Asia 2024: Farmvocacy
• 2023 Breakthrough Maverick by Glenfiddich’s Where Next Club Program: Mayani
• 2023 ASEAN Business Awards for Net Zero Leader Category: Agrabah
• Emerging Market Solutions Award at the Asian Technology Entrepreneurship Conference (ATEC) 2023: Mayani
• Grand Prize Winner + USD100,000 venture capital investment from SaaScon Philippines’ Impact 2023 Challenge: Olivia
• Impact Awardee, Cartier Women’s Initiative 2022: Carmina Bayombong (InvestEd)
• World Health Organization’s Western Pacific Innovation Challenge Winner 2022: AI4GOV
• Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia List for 2021: Founders from InvestEd, Eskwelabs, Kumu
• 2021 Best Incubator Startup Program Recognized by DOST-PCIEERD
Incubator Location
AIM-Dado Banatao Incubator, 2/F AIM Conference Center, corner Benavidez and Trasierra, Legaspi Village, Makati City, Philippines
Innovation-driven entrepreneurs with businesses poised to impact Asia's diverse sectors are encouraged to explore the opportunities offered by the AIM-Dado Banatao Incubator. By providing access to mentorship from global visionaries, strategic resources, and a robust network, the incubator is committed to fostering the next generation of transformative enterprises. While specific cohorts like the THINCOHORT have defined application periods, the general AIM-Dado Banatao Incubator maintains a rolling application process, with forms available on the AIM website for interested early-stage startups.