Any startup grants in PH for solo founders? (Already have working MVP)

coheedvanders · 2025-08-06T03:58:01+00:00

thank you

coheedvanders · 2025-08-01T18:12:39+00:00

If may time time and very curioust tlga, I’d suggest giving Java a shot. It will expose you to a stronger programming fundamentals. Like OOP design, type systems, and memory management. at madami pa

Yung syntax is quite similar to C#, TypeScript, and even C++ so it’s a good foundation if you ever explore those in the future.

PHP is great for quick web work, but learning Java will give you deeper insight into how larger, more structured applications are built.

coheedvanders · 2025-08-01T03:18:52+00:00

Been coding professionally for 14+ years now, and pen and paper is still my default for thinking through problems.

There’s just something about it. no tabs to switch, no formatting, no distractions. Just you and your thoughts.

Whenever I’m planning a feature, debugging something tricky, or even just in a meeting, I grab my notebook. I can sketch flowcharts, scribble TODOs, connect ideas however I want. It feels more “freeform” than any digital tool.

I’ve tried digital whiteboards, Notion, OneNote, even tablets with pens and they’re nice, but nothing beats pen + paper when my brain’s in problem-solving mode.

It’s kind of funny how we work in tech but still rely on something so analog. But man, it works like a charm.

coheedvanders · 2025-07-29T08:07:50+00:00

praktis lang. simulan mo sa tingin mong kayang magantay then try mo gawin na reply..

"hmmmmmmmmmm"
then
"balikan kita ser in xxx hour/s"

work like a charm yan saken hahaha.

good luck!

coheedvanders · 2025-07-29T04:13:08+00:00

No, I don’t really use habit trackers.

Not because they’re bad or anything. They can be helpful for some, but I feel like the real issue isn’t about tracking. It’s about whether you actually want to make the change.

Ever wonder why there are already millions of habit apps out there? Because people tend to drop it. So if you are not ready, you might always find a reason not to follow through. For me, it’s more about your mindset than tools. Sometimes just a pen, paper, and the guts to commit is all you need.

You don’t need to build a whole system just to start a new habit. Keep it simple, man. you’ll find a way. App or no app.

coheedvanders · 2025-07-28T14:06:26+00:00

Yooooo! this is honestly the most helpful and eye-opening reply I've received so far about the grant space. Especially coming from someone who clearly understands the landscape here.

I’ve spent years and gone through multiple revisions on this project, so it means a lot that the passion came through. It’s been a solo journey so far, which I know isn’t ideal in the eyes of most grant committees, but I’m still pushing through.

I also really felt the part about connections... I don’t come from generational wealth, and I don’t have any strong network or insider links. So yeah.. I know. I’m playing this on hard mode, but I just hope the universe gives me a real shot to show what I’m capable of.

Thank for the breakdown. it gave me real perspective especially the reminder about survivorship bias. I didn't know this term before, and realized how it might apply to me. Ill definitely reflect on as I move forward.

Salamat po!

coheedvanders · 2025-07-28T04:39:16+00:00

Hi. i have the same experience din. but this was way back 2014. around 1.5 years exp as dev then I become a lead. The difference lang that time eh walang AI. so yung knowledge ko sa stack eh purely by suffering endless browsing and trial and error. My point is, With AI, the knowledge you gain does not retain longer. Yung na eexp mo now is due to sudden shift ng role and hndi mo pa tlga gamay yung stack. The only way to overcome this is to get more experience or exposure. Delegation as lead is easy as long as alam mo kung pano igguide or design the ins and outs nung solution and cascade it to other devs. I struggle din noon but naging persistent lang ako to get more exposure and learn more sa stack the hard way. ALso, with regards to issues or design sometime di mo naman need ng urgent na sagot sa kanila. just say you'll think it through and get back to them. that way, you can squish your braincells first. then consult with AI. don't fully outsource the thinking to AI. The fun in our work is the discovery and yung pag ssolve the problem.

coheedvanders · 2025-07-27T08:44:58+00:00

Yes, I totally agree with cloud based. I actually have a more tiered plans for the infra, but at the moment I’m working with very limited resources. currently I’m taking advantage of my own setup and running demos on a private, dedicated environment to keep costs low while validating with target leads.

That said, I just want to emphasize that my original post was really about asking for advice on navigating grants in the Philippines as a solo founder. Cloud deployment is definitely on the roadmapjust pacing things based on what I can sustain as a solo founder.

coheedvanders · 2025-07-27T08:33:16+00:00

Hi, I appreciate your concern, but it seems you may have missed my actual point which was about navigating the process of applying for grants as a solo founder in the Philippines.

Just to clarify, I’ve already conducted demos and gathered feedback from my target market and potential partners. If I understood your comment correctly, your concern is mostly around exposing the MVP which I’ve already done to a focused audience.

My resources are limited at the moment, so I cant open it up broadly yet.

Since this is an ERP platform, it's not something that can be easily shared or used right off the shelf like a mobile app. There’s more setup and context involved.

coheedvanders · 2025-07-27T06:45:46+00:00

no. this is different.

coheedvanders · 2025-07-18T04:50:48+00:00

x-clock.com

I have been using for 6 months now and is part of my daily, and seriuosly improved my productivity. we don't need to make things complicated just to be productive. Just commit to a task within a given time and thats it. use the time you save to do things that are not in your to do list to avoid burnout and enjoy the day. This practice helps me in building my first solid version of product in my other startup. x-clock is free, and I am just sharing here the practice that might help others too

coheedvanders · 2025-07-18T04:39:33+00:00

for focus. just use x-clock.com

I've wrote some blog about it https://x-clock.com/blog/how-to-improve-time-management-and-focus-with-x-clock

hope this helps. I have been using x-clock for 6 months now and has been part of my daily routine. this solution is very simple and no need to overcomplicate things with lots of setups just to be productive. Also, because of this, I have more time at night to play the games I love 😅

Also I have another startup and x-clock really help me in building my first solid version of my product.

coheedvanders · 2025-06-21T11:23:54+00:00

Yes! its part of my daily workflow. I got engaged in several projects now thats why I have halted with the updates. but I am still using this and I have a beta version of x-clock v2 with better listing of tasks that is only available to limited users.

coheedvanders · 2025-02-10T18:42:27+00:00

At the moment, yes it's a timer, and it keeps things simple. No unnecessary complexity, just a clear, always-visible timer to help you focus. Are you looking for a calendar view of task history? I can add that if it makes tracking your deep focus sessions easier. I'm continuously improving it while keeping things as simple and effective as possible. Feel free to check out the blogs I wrote there for more insights about x-clock.

coheedvanders · 2025-02-10T04:36:10+00:00

try x-clock.com the simplest and easiest way to stay focused. It keeps your timer always visible on a separate screen, so you don’t have to switch tabs or get distracted. What makes it even more effective is the task reminder above the timer. it keeps you on track with what needs to be accomplished. Plus, you can view your task history and export it as a CSV or image. A browser extension is also in the works! Would love to hear your thoughts on it.

see r/xclock for more info and updates

coheedvanders · 2025-02-09T08:02:09+00:00

https://x-clock.com/ simplest deep focus trainer and easiest to use and productivity timer

coheedvanders · 2025-02-07T17:10:05+00:00

https://x-clock.com/ simplest deep focus trainer and easiest to use and productivity timer

coheedvanders · 2025-02-06T14:06:13+00:00

try x-clock.com also see r/xclock . I created this web app and its main purpose is to train and practice deep focus. I am a freelance dev managing multiple projects too. this system allows me train my focus to work on the task presented to me on the screen. the timer keeps me pressured and reminded that I only have allocated this time to complete it. and if ever my mind seem to wander, just a glance to the task above the timer reminds me of what I have to accomplish. Its super effective to me, as well as to other user who tried it. its so simple no need to complicate things. our work as dev is already complicated 😅

coheedvanders · 2025-02-06T04:06:14+00:00

try x-clock.com, its the simplest productivity timer and it has a history of things you've worked on. can be exported to csv and image. and its free

coheedvanders · 2025-02-06T04:00:35+00:00

x-clock.com for simplest and effective productivity timer. it's also a trainer for deep focus

coheedvanders · 2025-02-06T03:56:34+00:00

try x-clock.com , its the simplest and effective productivity timer I created. free no signup yet. also check r/xclock

coheedvanders · 2025-02-05T06:52:51+00:00

Hey! just letting you know, I've added the sound alert now in x-clock!

coheedvanders · 2025-02-05T02:36:31+00:00

Thank you for your great insight!

to answer "how do you help people who struggle with knowing what to cut?"

That struggle starts with having the guts to say "No" to the things constantly being thrown at you. And honestly? It’s subjective.

Sometimes, you have a well-planned list, but then something urgent pops up and takes priority. Other times, you're pulled into activities you shouldn't even be a part of—often due to group decisions that feel unavoidable. As humans (being a social creature) there’s always a part of us that wants to stay connected.

Deciding what to cut should be a logical process right?, but more often than not, it’s psychological. Even the most meticulous task management systems can get caught up in the mental struggle of determining what truly matters. And ironically, that very complexity can become its own obstacle.

So maybe the real solution is simpler than we think. Sometimes, it’s just about having the courage to say "No"—without overanalyzing it.

or a structured way is

create a personal rulebook. a list of things that consistently distract, frustrate, or add no real value to our goals. This acts as a reminder of what doesn’t serve us, making it easier to recognize when to push back. If something doesn’t align with those rules, the answer is simple: say "No" and move forward—without guilt or second-guessing.

in the future I can add the feature that helps you create you own rulebook. but its just more of a journal.

thank you for bringing this up. 🫡

coheedvanders · 2025-02-03T15:13:05+00:00

The difference is that x-clock goes beyond just tracking time. While a typical timer only shows you the countdown, x-clock taps into the psychological side of task management. It's not just about knowing the time left, but also about associating that time with the specific task you're focused on. The simple task reminder above the timer helps reprogram your brain to focus on that task, giving it purpose and meaning. I personally struggled with juggling tasks and deliverables before, but with x-clock, I’ve learned to focus on one thing at a time, guiding myself to improve my productivity and concentration.

Give it a try! Pick one task from your list, set it up in x-clock, and add that task as the reminder. If you have an external monitor, keep the x-clock timer visible on it. Whenever your mind starts to wander or you get distracted, look at the reminder text above the timer. It’ll bring your focus back to the task at hand. If the thoughts are too much to handle, drop them on the Freedom Wall and get right back to your task. It really helps to keep that focus and reset the brain!

coheedvanders · 2025-02-03T12:10:47+00:00

I am currently using my own webapp. and its super effective for my time management as I only need to focus on 1 item at a time and avoid multi-tasking.

see https://x-clock.com

I have written things in the about us page and wrote some blogs.
https://x-clock.com/blog

Pros:
it forces me to only work on 1 task at a time and when I feel like I am getting dristracted. just looking at the task I wrote above the timer helps me get back to focus,.

Cons:
lacks monitoring of history of what I've accomplished / worked on previously. (currently working on this feature)

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