Over 200 submissions were received for consideration, and from these, only 30 entries have been short-listed to be named as gold, silver, and bronze winners across 10 categories, including the top prize, the Startup of the Year award.

Within the gold awardees, Packworks, a local startup that provides a business-to-business (B2B) open platform to sari-sari stores, was honored with the Startup of the Year award, while Patrick Gentry, co-founder and CEO of HR tech company Sprout Solutions, received the Emerging Leader of the Year award, co-presented by Bossjob.

Digital pet care solutions PetPal was awarded for Outstanding Marketing Campaign; fintech GoTyme Bank was celebrated for the Tech Innovator Award; and Sprout Solutions again took the stage for the Customer Excellence Award.

Employment verification solution Smile API received the accolade for the Most Innovative Startup Award. Eduksine, a hybrid streaming platform funded by the Department of Science and Technology, was recognized for the Outstanding Brand Development Award; while Power 4 All, Inc., a clean power and clean water solutions company, stood out in the category of Innovation in Design.

CUBO Modular, known for its engineered bamboo house kits, was lauded for its Sustainable Business Practice Award; while Sakahon, an agritech B2B startup, was commended for the Social Impact Award.

The silver winners are: Female technology startup Kindred (Startup of the Year), Kindred Co-founder and CEO Jessica de Mesa (Emerging Leader of the Year), Packworks (Outstanding Marketing Campaign), Sprout Solutions (Tech Innovator Award), B2B platform Growsari (Customer Excellence Award), CUBO Modular (Most Innovative Startup Award), pet healthcare service Life by Petto, Inc. (Outstanding Brand Development Award), Eduksine (Innovation in Design), logistics startup Mober Technology, Inc. (Sustainable Business Practice Award), and legal tech startup Unawa (Social Impact Award).

Meanwhile, the bronze winners are: Online tax filing platform Taxumo (Startup of the Year), Unawa CEO Reggie Jacinto-Barrientos (Emerging Leader of the Year), Unawa (Outstanding Marketing Campaign), artificial intelligence-augmented intelligence Nudgyt (Tech Innovator Award), GoTyme Bank (Customer Excellence Award), Nudgyt (Most Innovative Startup Award), property management software Collo (Outstanding Brand Development Award), earthquake and structural health monitoring system builder Usher Technologies, Inc. (Innovation in Design), bamboo products-oriented social enterprise Bambuhay (Sustainable Business Practice Award), and Growsari (Social Impact Award).

Michael McCullough, CEO of KMC Solutions, congratulated the winning startups, saying: “We believe that the KMC Startup Awards will be a cornerstone in celebrating and empowering the Filipino entrepreneurial spirit for many years to come. To all the winners and participants, your passion, creativity, and resilience are not just the foundation of your success but the driving force that will continue to propel the Philippine startup community forward.”

KMC Solutions has been a steadfast supporter of the Philippine startup community, and the launch of its Startup Awards is seen as a testament to their dedication to strengthening the startup ecosystem in the Philippines.

The awards offer emerging businesses a unique opportunity to gain exposure, credibility, and access to valuable business development opportunities. Winning an award sets businesses apart in a competitive market, positioning them as industry-recognized workplaces of choice and attracting top talent and potential investors.

KMC Startup Awards was co-presented by Bossjob, in collaboration with the Philippine Startup Week, QBO Innovation Hub, Kaya Founders, Sinigang Valley Association and Uniquecorn Strategies, and in partnership with 917Ventures and Amazon Web Services. BusinessWorld served as one of the event’s media partners.

Led by Project Leader Paul Cabacungan, the SLPLS team seeks to provide a low-cost alternative to traditional phototherapy units. Unlike their electricity-dependent counterparts, the solar-powered SLPLS can be easily assembled, making it adept for various clinical settings, especially in resource-constrained and remote communities in the Philippines.

Upon seeing its potential in advancing neonatal care, the Technology Application and Promotion Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DoST-TAPI) approved the SLPLS as the next supported Technology Innovation for Commercialization (TECHNiCOM) project last March 22.

The SLPLS is an enhanced version of the existing Low-cost Phototherapy Light System (LPLS) and Improved Low-cost Phototherapy Light System (ILPLS) previously deployed by the AIC in 2016 as part of its TECHNiCOM project activities.

The upgraded monitoring component of SLPLS utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to track the yellow pigmentation level in the patient’s skin. The patient’s data is then graphed and displayed on connected devices with a column that allows medical personnel to include remarks on the patient’s progress.

Moreover, the SLPLS also incorporates eye detection to ensure eye safety and environmental monitoring, including humidity and temperature sensors.

To further develop and refine the SLPLS, the team partnered with four hospitals for third-party validation testing. From these consultations, developments were made, including reduced weight and enhanced adjustability, allowing for the precise positioning of light where it is most needed.

Even with these advancements, the SLPLS remains low-cost and utilitarian. Mr. Cabacungan mentioned that the SLPLS costs less than one-tenth of one imported unit and can be easily assembled by a medical staff.

“That’s why we want a lot of communities to learn from this so that in times of life and death situation, they can access this device. And they can make it,” said Mr. Cabacungan.

TECHNiCOM continues to offer its pre-commercialization assistance and services for similar tech-based projects to apply. For more information, visit http://www.tapi.dost.gov.ph/call-for-proposals/technicom; or call (02) 8838-1127 or email acu-n@tapi.dost.gov.ph for inquiries.

Over 200 entries were received from Grades 8-10 students of government-managed Science High Schools from all over the country, which were narrowed down to 10 finalists.

After a round of mentoring from Samsung Philippines representatives, the top 10 teams were asked to present their proposal to an esteemed panel of judges, composed of Monchito Ibrahim, vice-president of the Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Association of the Philippines and member of the National Innovation Council; Jaton Zulueta, founder and executive director of AHA Learning Center; Shumate Royo, a growth and strategy consultant, community and startup enabler, program director and nonprofit advisor; Dr. Ria C. Canlas, founder of Po Lite Technology, director of National University’s Center of Innovation, and executive member of the National Innovation Council; and Yna Quimson, head of corporate marketing at SEPCO.

From the judging, three of the most innovative solutions were selected to be this year’s winners.

This year’s Grand Prize winner hailed from Philippine Science High School — Cagayan Valley Campus, with members Ethan Marc L. Bautista, Resha Amora I. Gaspar, Zion Mhar Kaezer P. Corpuz, Enzo Miguel E. Abad, and adviser Bryle C. Eusebio.

Their entry “Intellimeter — Smart Electric Management System with App Interface” focused on the energy problem, and proposed a smart electric management system operated via an app. The solution aims to improve energy efficiency, help the sector manage energy deficits, and help to mitigate climate change.

They will receive P650,00 worth of tablets and a TV for the school, P100,000 for the team members, P20,000 for the teacher, and Samsung phones and tablets for team members and their teacher.

The second prize winners were from Bansud NHS — Regional Science High School in Oriental Mindoro, with members Ezekiel M. Agarap, Carmelo Gian B. Domingon, Zayra Bhea L. Caguioa, and their adviser Karen Clyde M. Obo.

Their entry “Project O.A.S.I.S.: Oil and solid waste Agricultural absorption System with Integrated Solar-power via Filtration Bin Technology” focused on creating a filtration system to remove oil and microplastics from the ocean, thus helping communities “sea” a bluer future.

They will receive P350,000 worth of Samsung devices for the school, P75,000 for team members, P15,000 for the teacher, and Samsung phones and tablets for team members and their teacher.

The third prize winner is also from Philippine Science High School — Cagayan Valley Campus, with members Aliyah Kaye P. Alejandro, Princess Alyssa D. Cudal, Tyrone B. Liquigan, Cedrick Alexis M. Rivera, and their adviser Jerickson S. Chua.

Focused on the serious problem of waste in the agricultural sector, their entry “TomPost: Agricultural Waste Compost Processor” intends to help manage waste by repurposing tomatoes and other agricultural waste into compost and other products. This not only provides a sustainable solution to waste but also helps farmers to minimize their losses and increase their profit.

They will receive P150,000 worth of Samsung devices for the school, P50,000 for team members, P8,000 for the teacher, and Samsung phones and tablets for team members and their teacher.

The other seven teams to make it to the final round included: Philippine Science High School — Cordillera Administrative Region Campus, with their entry “Machine Learning-Integrated GIS-Based Technology for Soil Analysis and Landslide Hazard Assessment”; Philippine Science High School Eastern Visayas campus with their entry “Red Alert: Detecting Red Tides in Cancabato Bay”; Philippine Science High School Cagayan Valley Campus with their entry: “ECOPOP: Popping Bubbles, Not The Planet!”; as well as Biñan City Science and Technology High School with their entry “Improving the decomposition rate of food waste in modified composting setups”

Calamba City Science Integrated School, meanwhile, has three entries, namely: “ArMeCoFuse: Mechanical Waste Collector Utilized in Sewage Lines for Water Filtration and Solid Waste Extraction Equipped with an Arduino-Based Flood Warning and SMS Notification System”; “H2O-CLEANER: Harnessing Okra, Tamarind, and Rice-Husks for Oil and Microplastic Filtration”; and ACWA PURA: Automatic Garbage Collector and Wastewater Phytoremediation Utilizing Water hyacinth with Capacity Notification, Water Level and Quality Monitoring, and Flood Detection System Operated in Canals.”

The top 10 finalists also received P15,000 for their team and P5,000 for their teacher.

Since its global launch in 2010, Solve for Tomorrow aims to provide opportunities for top students to transform emerging ideas into actions and unlock their full potential as future leaders for a better future. Solve for Tomorrow has successfully helped over 2 million people and has reached beyond the boundaries of 50 other countries, including the Philippines, as the latest addition this 2023.

Launched with the support of the Department of Education and the Department of Science and Technology, Solve for Tomorrow is part of Samsung’s CSR vision of Together for “Tomorrow! Enabling People.” Its mission is simple: to empower and support the next generation to achieve their full potential and pioneer positive social changes.

The Benilde Open Call thematically explores the curious mindset. Proposals should revolve around curiosities on movement and its relationship to sustainability; the shuttling of thinking across craft and technology; and the culturing of the virtual with the real. The call further seeks design and art projects marked by an appetite for investigation and experimentation, for tinkering that fuels renovation and innovation.

Submissions of proposals are running until Jan. 31, 2024. All selected proposals will be announced by March 2024.

The entries will be reviewed and selected by a noteworthy jury — local and international advocates representing the creative industries. Ten projects will each be awarded a grant of up to P300,000 net of taxes, to assist in bringing the projects to fruition.

The Benilde Open Design and Art 2024 also features the Best of Benilde, a juried degree exhibition of student works. Students are encouraged to submit proposals of school projects resonating with the idea of curiosities — spanning sustainability and movement, the intersection of craft and technology, and the exploration of digital or virtual domains. The Best of Benilde delves into these queries: Is there such a world? Can such a world be more than imagined? Can we create foundational designs and proposals for such worlds to become more than just fanciful ideas?

The Benilde Design and Art Open 2024 is dedicated to shaping art and design sensibilities by championing innovative and collaborative projects across diverse creative disciplines within and outside the school. The project is facilitated by a working team of convenors who are faculty, associates or consultants in service of the school, namely: Ayi Magpayo, Rita Nazareno, Gabby Lichauco, Joselina Cruz, and Dindin Araneta; together with Benilde President Br. Dodo Fernandez, a visual artist.

For more information on the Benilde Design and Art Open 2024, visit open.benilde.edu.ph and follow the social media platforms: @benildeopen on IG and TikTok, and BenildeOpen on FB. For further inquiries, send an email to benildeopen@benilde.edu.ph.

This seminar-workshop will guide participants through the fundamentals of digital media planning and buying, providing insights into the strategic distribution of content across various channels. Attendees will gain theoretical knowledge and practical skills to navigate the dynamic and ever-evolving digital landscape. One of the key objectives is to empower participants with the competence to make data-driven decisions. This hands-on approach ensures that attendees are well-prepared to tackle the challenges of the contemporary media landscape.

Beyond its theoretical aspects, GEAR UP serves as a bridge that gaps academic knowledge and industry demands. It offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to gain real-world insights and hands-on experiences that will set them ahead in their future careers in advertising and public relations.

In preparation for the event, the organizers collaborated with Red Images, the official studio partner for an exclusive photoshoot. RED Images is known for providing premier and timeless photography services. GEAR UP is presented by IN2IT cosmetics, which has been providing world-class beauty to Filipinas so they’ll be at their best and most-comfortable self. A special acknowledgment is given to esteemed media partners and event sponsors, whose dedication and support underscores a shared commitment to initiatives that empower education and elevate industry standards.

Registration for GEAR UP is now open, and interested individuals are encouraged to secure their spot early. For more information about the event, visit their Facebook Page to get updated.

With the theme, “Investing in Filipino Homegrown Heroes as Global Game Changers,” the week-long event showcased a series of programs held in person at multiple venues nationwide, bringing together the local startup community to discuss key issues among startup founders, investors, corporates, academia, and government agencies. Some of the discussions included the investment landscape for Filipino startups, the role of women-led businesses in the current funding climate, the use of AI and other emerging technologies, as well as regional and international expansion opportunities for Filipino entrepreneurs.

“This year’s Philippine Startup Week aims to highlight and strategically position the Philippines as an emerging investment hub for startups in Southeast Asia while facilitating actionable insights and nurturing collaborative efforts and learning among the local startup community,” Katrina Rausa Chan, executive director of QBO Innovation Hub, shared in a statement. “While the tech startup community is facing headwinds in the global ‘funding winter,’ the conference acts as a nexus for innovation and growth, providing a platform for thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors to collectively navigate and shape the future trajectory of the local startup ecosystem.”

Moreover, PHSW23 featured the first-ever “Sinigang Valley Conference” organized by QBO, alongside AHG Lab, Foxmont Capital Partners, and Kaya Founders, founding members of the country’s premier private-sector-led startup organization Sinigang Valley Association (SVA).

Meanwhile, the most promising Filipino startups of the year were unveiled during the “Top 100 Startups SHOWQASE by QBO” and the inaugural “KMC Startup Awards.”

PHSW23 also featured government-led summits, including the “Slingshot Conference x Venture Pilipinas” by DTI in Metro Manila on Nov. 20, the “Technology Business Incubator (TBI) Summit” by DoST in Iloilo on Nov. 21, and “Geeks On A Beach” by the DICT and Geeks PH in Bohol from Nov. 22-24.

PHSW23 also covered over 50 community events spearheaded by various partners from all over the Philippines, including Gobi Partners, Amazon Web Services, 917Ventures, Manila Angel Investors Network, Google Cloud, Maya Philippines, Investree Philippines, FEU Tech Innovation Center, MindanowJuana, Greyhound Innovations, Bukidnon ICT & Innovation Council, Cebu City Cybersecurity Center, FHMoms, The Final Pitch, and Brainsparks. These events showcase the collaborative spirit and diversity of the Filipino startup ecosystem, enabling attendees to learn, interact, network and collaborate through five tracks: Discover, Develop, Collaborate, Invest, and Showcase.

PHSW23 presented an illustrious lineup of leaders from the startup community, both from the Philippines and internationally. Esteemed founders leading the charge include Ron Baetiong of Podcast Network Asia, Dean Bernales of Uniquecorn Strategies, Kim Yao of CloudEats, Dennis Ng of Mober, Kimberly Chen of Bossjob, Nichel Gaba of PDAX, Mel Nava of 1Export, King Alandy Dy of Expedock, and Josef Werker of Humble Sustainability.

Joining them are notable investors and ecosystem enablers, including Franco Varona of Foxmont Capital, Melvin Chan of PLDT Enterprise, Uriah Velunta of Multisys, Puiyan Leung of Vertex Ventures, Dylan Keota of A2D Ventures, Paulo Campos of Kaya Founders, Lisa Gokongwei-Cheng of Summit Media, Niña Terol of Imaginable Impact, Tina Nepomuceno-Di Cicco of Manila Angel Investors Network, Jojo Malolos of PayMongo, Rene Cuartero of AHG Lab, Mike Maté of Kickstart Ventures, Natasha Bautista of 917Ventures, Carlo Delantar of Gobi-Core Philippines, as well as Rene “Butch” Meily and Ms. Chan of QBO Innovation Hub and IdeaSpace Investments.

The five-day conference was expected to draw over 3,000 in-person attendees across the country, over 150 speakers, and over 100 startups.

After going through a rigorous selection and screening process, Eco-Uling by Project Lily, Forent, Hibla PH, Kippap Learning, Likhaan, and Zaxxun’s Boxmatic were selected from a significant number of applicants.

The finalists represent a diverse set of industries from e-commerce, sustainable products to digital platforms.

Eco-Uling by Project Lily produces eco-friendly charcoal briquettes from coconut waste, while Forent is a peer-to-peer car rental platform.

Hibla PH bridges the gap between traditional craftsmanship and modern technology through immersive and interactive product visualization, personalization, and customization features of locally-made woven garments.

Kippap Learning, meanwhile, is a unique e-learning platform that combines top-notch lecture videos, personalized mentorship, and a gamified learning management system.

Likhaan is an online platform and social commerce app connecting a diverse range of Filipino creators.

Lastly, Zaxxun’s Boxmatic automated lockers provide micro and small businesses with more cost-effective storage and logistic solutions.

“Our startup initiative aims to create new jobs and opportunities, stimulate the entrepreneurial spirit, promote innovation, and strengthen the startup ecosystem in Quezon City,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said in a statement.

“This is the kind of business environment we want to foster in the city. With the special focus of these startup finalists towards sustainability and social impact, they also support our commitment to deliver on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals,” she added.

The six finalists are proceeding to the coaching and mentoring phase of the program, which covers a wide range of business and technical training through linkages with the startup community.

This strategic collaboration has provided startups in Quezon City with a comprehensive ecosystem of support composed of members of the government, academe and private sector, thus equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to hone their business models and positioning them towards long-term success.

Ms. Belmonte stressed the significance of a city being both innovative and supportive of businesses, stating that local governments should create an inclusive environment that promotes growth and progress for all types of businesses.

“With funding, mentorship, learning sessions, incentives, and business assistance from the local government, StartUp QC seeks to establish a city with a robust entrepreneurial and innovative ecosystem involving the academe and private sector located in the metropolis,” she added.

StartUp QC Program partners include the Department of Information and Communications Technology, the Department of Trade and Industry, Quezon City University, Ateneo De Manila University, Miriam College, Thames International, Technological Institute of the Philippines, and the University of the Philippines Diliman, along with StartUp Village and Launchgarage.

Farmvocacy is a Mindoro Island-based social climate fintech startup running a circular inclusive business model to support climate-smart rice farming, environment-friendly, and high-yielding farming system.

Vincent Roy Mendoza, the chief executive officer of Farmvocacy, shares how their advocacy of ensuring a sustainable future has been empowered by Shell LiveWIRE.

“Shell LiveWIRE became a validation that what you’re thinking and what you’re trying to innovate can actually contribute to creating better lives for us and specifically more to the future generations,” Mr. Mendoza said.

Tech startups are at the forefront of innovation, developing new products and services that can help to improve the lives of Filipinos. By providing them with support, this can help to drive innovation and boost the competitiveness of the Philippine economy.

The other two finalists include LITHOS Manufacturing OPC, a producer, trader of industrial and feed-grade minerals, such as calcium carbonate, zeolite, and bentonite; and Lycan Motorcycles, a Filipino motorcycle and technology startup that is developing two-wheeled electric motorcycles and smart products.

Banking on the goals of empowering communities, six community enterprises who became part of the Acceleration Program were also recognized during the Final Pitch Day.

The community enterprises selected this year for their work to strengthen local economies by promoting entrepreneurship, innovation and meaningful employment are: Samahang Mangingisda ng Dalupaon (SAMADA), a group of fisherfolk who ventured into an agri-enterprise, related to fish processing; Tagbilaran Young Workers Association, a local organization that produces bags and other souvenir items from upcycled plastic waste; PHILIA Variety Store, a direct market conduit for smallholder community farmers of coffee, cacao, coconut, and other agricultural products; DLR Foods Supply Trading, a company that provides ready-to-eat meals in halal-certified retort pouches; Odicon Small Coconut Farmers’ Organization (OSCFO), an agricultural enterprise that specializes in the sustainable processing of coconut byproducts; and Agri-VINO Enterprises, a chicken poultry business that provides egg incubation service to the community, reducing travel costs for fellow growers.

All of the community enterprises who became part of the Acceleration Program received a P100,000 funding grant.

Present during the Final Pitch Day, Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary for the Competitiveness and Innovation Group Rafelita Aldaba, Ph.D. applauded the works of the startups and community enterprises.

“Today’s presentations showcase a dedication to sustainability, covering a wide range of innovations from industries like transportation and innovations for climate and smart agriculture — leading us on into our future without limits,” she said. “Let’s all rally behind innovation that really inspires.”

Also, one of the judges during the Final Pitch Day, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. Executive Director Sebastian Quiniones, Jr. posed a challenge to the innovators of this year’s Shell LiveWIRE.

“Try to find out ways where you can collaborate with all of these enterprises that we have been putting forward so that we can all succeed as a nation,” Mr. Quiniones said.

Among those who joined Mr. Quiniones in judging the Final Pitch Day were Geraldine Samson, real estate facilities manager of Shell Pilipinas Corp. (SPC); Rui Bom, a resident mentor of 500 Startups; Emmy Lou Versoza-Delfin, director for ICT Development Bureau of the Department of Information and Communications Technology; and Liezl Sueño, senior technology transfer officer of Department of Science and Technology.

Shell LiveWIRE supports the continuous growth in the local business landscape by strengthening the country’s economy, by promoting entrepreneurship, innovation, and meaningful employment.

“At its very core, Shell LiveWIRE remains committed in its vision of promoting local growth by empowering individuals and communities. This is why it remains our flagship development program,” said Serge Bernal, vice-president for corporate relations at Shell Pilipinas Corp.

Since it launched in 2020, Shell LiveWIRE has helped 42 innovators and business owners through the Acceleration Program. 12 of these enterprises have entered the SPC’s supply chain. By equipping tech startups and community enterprises, this has led to creating more than 500 local jobs for Filipinos.

The study explored the “effects of waste rubber as an additive substitute for coarse aggregates” in concrete mix. It was among the “Best Papers” submitted in the 2023 Advanced Materials and Sustainable Energy Technologies (AMSET) international conference hosted by Sunway University.

Grant Onell Villojan presented their findings in-person on behalf of his classmates and co-authors, namely John Aaron Abejo, Rainiel Engelhart Antipuesto, June Hernan Basiya, Nathaniel Delos Santos, Kim Lloyd Lura, Krishel Usi, and research adviser Engr. Juland Padilla.

Their investigation revealed that using rubber as a coarse aggregate in concrete reduces its “compressive strength,” or the capacity of the building material to withstand loads. “Our conclusion is that rubber does not mix well with cement,” Mr. Villojan said.

“This is because rubber has distinct properties and does not chemically react with cementitious components during the hydration process. As a result, the rubber-concrete mixture has low adhesion and bonding,” the team noted in their abstract.

Mr. Villojan said they appreciate the citation they received from AMSET and took note of the advice of the panelists who evaluated their research, one of them is a concrete specialist. The team is now hoping to improve their study within the same framework.

“We are thinking of the ideal ratio for the rubber mixture, so the pavement will not break down easily once the materials are applied to increase its coefficient of friction,” Mr. Villojan said. This will enable their experiment to pass a skid resistance evaluation once it is tested for human activity.

Sunway University received a total of 146 paper submissions for the 2023 AMSET held last Oct. 30-31, 2023 in its Kuala Lumpur campus. Of this figure, 84 was short-listed for presentations, including 14 from TIP Manila and Quezon City.

According to Dr. Therese May G. Alejandrino, director of the Technopreneurship and Collaborative Applied Research (TechnoCoRe) thrust, TIP is engaging in these international conferences to ramp up its overall research agenda in the area of sustainable development.

The School of Engineering and Research Center for Nanomaterials and Energy Technology (RCNMET) of Sunway University spearheaded the two-day conference with TIP as one of its co-organizers.

The event was part of the ongoing partnership between the two higher education institutions following the 2021 signing of a memorandum of understanding for the International Research Networks grant scheme.

The theme highlights the significance of economic history in pursuing progress and the vital role of youth in promoting economic equity. NYC 20 urges to reflect on key economic and social transformations to address persistent disparities and inequalities. The theme aims to empower and guide the path toward sustainable, inclusive development, spanning the past two decades and beyond.

Additionally, NYC 20 reintroduces the tradition of a field trip on the third day, offering delegates the chance to visit a prestigious institution and gain real-world insights into development.

The NYC Organizing Body’s mission is to unite its passion for youth development and academic excellence to provide a meaningful platform for the nation’s young minds, and NYC 20 represents a significant milestone in its journey.

This event is co-presented by Globe, Asahi Beverages, The Moment Group, Cravewell Snacks, Y.O.U. Beauty and Komunidad, and sponsored by Allegro Beverage.

This developed following a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and manifesto of support signed between the parties during the NCR TBI Summit held last Oct. 4 and 5 at Novotel Manila in Araneta City, Cubao, Quezon City.

The Strategic and Collaborative Alliance for Leveraging the Ecosystem of Startups (SCALE) NCR — the TBI consortium funded and supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) — initiated the undertaking with the Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP) through its Nurture Innovation Technology Revolution Office (NITRO) serving as the project lead.

The manifesto outlined several commitments among 30 signatories, including fostering a culture of innovation, knowledge-sharing between the stakeholders, granting access to funds and resources for startups, and creating educational programs that encourage entrepreneurship.

Members of the consortium also agreed to work together to streamline regulatory processes for startups, develop frameworks for evaluating the impact of their collaboration, explore opportunities for international cooperation, and promote an inclusive and diverse ecosystem.

“By nurturing innovation, sharing knowledge, and providing the necessary resources, we aim to drive economic growth, create jobs, and solve pressing global challenges,” part of the SCALE NCR manifesto read.

The two-day summit gathered ranking officials from higher education institutions (HEIs) that already have existing TBIs in support of the DoST’s call to provide an enabling environment for innovation and technopreneurship.

In her keynote address, DoST-NCR Regional Director Engr. Romelen Tresvalles acknowledged the critical role that educators play in raising socially responsible individuals, especially those who aspire to build their own economically viable and problem-solving startups in the future.

“We recognize that establishing an enterprise that is technology-based is another level of challenge, and with the TBIs around, it eases the burden of our technopreneurs to find the path towards entrepreneurial success,” she said.

The Philippines is currently ranked at 59^th in the 2023 Global Startup Ecosystem Index of research center StartupBlink. It has five cities in the index with Manila on top, ranked 95^th globally, buoyed by its thriving financial technology (fintech) sector.

With this development, the DoST Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) encouraged SCALE NCR to replicate its success in other regions as well in terms of attracting investments and generating revenues.

“It boils down to the quality and attractiveness of the startup… There is an urgent need for all of us to reinforce startup developments in the region. That is our job as part of the ecosystem,” said DoST-PCIEERD Research Information and Technology Transfer Division Chief Russell Pili.

Also present were representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Information and Communications Technology, National Innovation Council, and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority/Regional Development Council-NCR, among others.

They conducted learning sessions on how to access funding and investment opportunities, as well as navigate the intricate policies and processes of national government agencies, when it comes to establishing startup businesses.

Representatives from the investment offices of Quezon and Pasig cities, meanwhile, introduced summit attendees to the startup programs of their respective LGUs. Other speakers addressed the prevailing challenges for entrepreneurs amid an evolving business landscape.

Nonprofit organizations such as Philippine Development (PhilDev) and IdeaSpace Foundations, alongside investors and accelerators, shared their pieces of advice and winning strategies to ensure the success of startup ventures in different fireside chats.

The last day of the summit featured different startup founders in the spotlight, pitching their enterprises to all interested investors, including DALA Smart Lockbox of TIP Manila Assistant Professor Engr. Jennalyn Mindoro.

Vice-President for Academic Affairs Dr. Cynthia Llanes signed the SCALE NCR MoU on behalf of TIP together with dignitaries from other participating HEIs and TBIs including Adamson University (AdU), Mapua University, University of the Philippines-Diliman (UPD), University of Santo Tomas (UST), Miriam College (MC), De La Salle University (DLSU) Animo Labs Foundation, Inc., and IdeaSpace Foundation, Inc.

“We are here to be a force of unity, innovation, and growth… Together, we can help SCALE NCR be a beacon for startups and create a fertile ground for new ideas and solutions,” said Engr. Shearyl Arenas, TBI manager for TIP NITRO and lead convenor of the summit.

SCALE NCR involves the following DoST-funded TBIs: TIP NITRO, DLSU Animo Labs Foundation, Inc., UST TOMASInno Center, Mapua Think and Tinker Laboratory, AdU Neo Science and Technology Incubation Center (NEST), UPD UPSCALE Innovation Hub, MC Technology Business Incubator, and QBO Innovation Hub.

Co-presented by Bossjob and in collaboration with Philippine Startup Week, QBO Innovation Hub, Kaya Founders, Sinigang Valley and Uniquecorn Strategies, and in partnership with 917Ventures and Amazon Web Services, this event will shine a spotlight on exceptional startups and visionary entrepreneurs who are making significant contributions to the business and technology sectors in the Philippines.

The KMC Startup Awards will provide a platform to inspire innovation and recognize outstanding startups and visionary entrepreneurs reshaping the business and technology landscapes in the Philippines.

The awards feature 10 categories: Startup of the Year, Emerging Leader of the Year, Outstanding Marketing Campaign, Tech Innovator Award, Customer Excellence Award, Most Innovative Startup Award, Outstanding Brand Development Award, Innovation in Design, Sustainable Business Practice Award and Social Impact Award.

Nominations across these categories ran until Nov. 10 and winners will be announced at a gala awards event on Nov. 24 at 6F KMC One Ayala, Makati.

These awards offer emerging businesses a unique opportunity to gain exposure, credibility, and access to valuable business development opportunities. Awardees will benefit from expert feedback and actionable insights to enhance their growth.

“Having experienced the challenges of entrepreneurship firsthand, I believe in the power of giving back,” Michael McCullough, CEO of KMC Solutions, shared. “The KMC Startup Awards is my way of supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs who are navigating the ever-evolving business landscape.”

“I aim to provide them with a strong foundation in a conducive environment, so they, too, can one day make a meaningful impact and give back to the Philippines’ business community,” he added.

“With the right tools and resources, those with innovative minds and the will to persevere are those who have the potential to disrupt their respective industries,” he continued. “At the KMC Startup Awards, we’re here to recognize and shine a spotlight on emerging businesses pushing the boundaries of innovation. Together, we’re not just building businesses; we’re shaping the future of the Philippine business landscape.”

Mr. McCullough also reiterated KMC’s steadfast commitment to nurturing startups and fostering growth through innovative facilities and events.

“[KMC Startup Awards] will play a vital role in promoting the Philippine startup ecosystem to a wider audience across the business community. Alongside the new awards, the KMC Solutions stands committed to providing the facilities, space, and business development opportunities a startup or entrepreneur in the Philippines needs to thrive.”

C40 Cities is a global network of nearly 100 mayors united in action to confront climate crisis. The Quezon City C40 Minecraft Challenge builds on C40 Cities’ Reinventing Cities initiative to stimulate sustainable development, and Minecraft Education’s platform, ultimately aiming to empower students to create a more sustainable future for Quezon City.

Minecraft Education is a game-based learning platform being implemented in the Philippines by the Department of Education (DepEd), private schools and Microsoft Philippines. Minecraft Education aims to implement game-based learning and inspire more creativity and inclusive learning through play in classrooms. For the competition, public and private schools throughout Quezon City used the platform, giving participating students a customized virtual representation of the city to navigate and build in. This virtual QC even had in-game versions of city leaders and experts whom students could interact with during the competition.

“Through our collaboration with C40 Cities and Minecraft Education in launching the C40 Minecraft Challenge for our young innovators in Quezon City, we aim to further our whole-of-city approach to create a sustainable future for all,” said Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte. “We believe that it is more crucial than ever to give the youth, our next generation of innovators, the opportunity to help develop programs to protect the environment.”

The competition was open to all students In Quezon City, featuring three categories: Grade School, Junior High School and Senior High School.

Participating students were given the task of reinventing the city with innovative solutions specific to a prominent road in Quezon City such as Agham Road, White Plains and Belfast Avenue. The goal was to build urban biodiversity, promote sustainable mobility, and improve public health in their selected area. Each team was required to submit a short video and write-up describing their builds and how they addressed the challenges they were presented with.

15 finalists were selected out of 36 entries, who then pitched their sustainable solutions to a panel of judges, which included Ms. Belmonte.

The three overall champions are Old Balara Elementary School (Grade School Category), Ateneo de Manila Junior High School (Junior High School Category), and San Francisco High School (Senior High School Category).

The Overall Champions In the Grade School Category, Old Balara Elementary School proposed environment-friendly electric vehicles, solar-powered streetlights, advanced medical tools in hospitals, and recreational areas that promote sustainability and community well-being along Belfast Avenue in Fairview, Quezon City.

In the Junior High School Category, Ateneo de Manila Junior High School students emerged as the Overall Champions. They showcased innovative designs for low-cost sustainable housing, enhanced transportation terminals, and efficient lighting and rainwater separation systems along Agham Road, Quezon City.

The Overall Champions in the Senior High School Category developed urban diversity solutions, smart traffic management, and smart drainage systems within Agham Road, Quezon City.

Special recognitions were also given to teams with the Most Impactful Proposal, Most Innovative Build, and Best Pitch.

“Congratulations to Quezon City’s students for their remarkable innovation in the Schools Reinventing Cities program,” said Allison Matthews, head of Minecraft Education. “We’re excited about the limitless potential of Minecraft Education to empower more youth across Quezon City and the Philippines. A brighter, sustainable future starts with youth!”

Clarissa Segismundo, a panelist and the Regional Industry Advisor for Education for Microsoft, shared that the success of the Quezon City C40 Minecraft Challenge further solidifies the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors in creating relevant education solutions for societal impact.

“Young learners deserve to have a platform that allows them to bring their most innovative ideas to life. By sharing the Minecraft Education platform with the Quezon City youth, we are able to promote creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving in an immersive digital environment. We worked closely with the DepEd, C40 Cities, the Minecraft Education team, and the Quezon City local government to ensure a seamless integration of our technology in the competition,” explained Ms. Segismundo.

The survey was rolled out online from July to September 2023 to 1,000 Filipino participants aged 18 and above through the Hustle PH app.

The study revealed that 60% of Filipinos are involved in some form of part-time work, with younger Filipinos being the most involved.

Analyzing the average earnings of part-time workers across different regions revealed that individuals are reportedly earning as much as P10,000 per month in the leading three areas, which are CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) at 20%, the National Capital Region at 18%, and Central Luzon at 11%.

About 78% of men and 76% of women with part-time jobs expressed a necessity to save their income. This trend is more noticeable among Generation Z (Gen Z) and Millennials, who are reportedly shying away from buying non-essential products.

The study also found that in terms of juggling multiple part-time jobs, women are likely to have a single part-time job, while men are more inclined to have two or more part-time positions.

“We see an increasing number of Filipinos, particularly the younger generation, seeking part-time employment as a means to bolster their income and attain financial stability. This trend is further driven by the prevailing economic challenges and inflation, which reached 6.1% in September,” Jason Gaguan, chairman and chief executive officer of Agile Data Solutions, said.

The study also revealed a shift in values and priorities among different generations. Specifically, financial independence takes precedence for 83% of Gen Z individuals (aged 18-25) compared to just 76% of older generations (41-60).

Conversely, older generations prioritize flexibility more, with 47% emphasizing its importance, while only 25% of Gen Z respondents share this sentiment.

This illustrates a willingness among Filipinos to exchange time for financial stability in their younger years. As individuals age, their focus tends to shift towards the importance of time and achieving a better work-life balance.

Across both genders, there’s a strong consensus that communication skills are crucial to getting hired. A substantial 84% of women and 81% of men emphasize the value of these skills for part-time employment, underscoring the importance of strong interpersonal abilities, even in part-time roles.

Call center roles top the list of part-time positions that Filipino workers look for, closely followed by virtual assistant roles, service crew positions, information technology roles, and sales positions, respectively.

Work from home emerges as the top preference for working arrangements among individuals of all ages which signals a growing acknowledgment of the value that remote setups bring.

“Filipinos today aren’t just adapting to the digital age — they’re truly making the most of it. With all the new technology and online platforms out there, many are finding jobs that fit their preferences and skills. It’s a testament to the adaptability and spirit of the modern Filipino workforce,” Mr. Gaguan said.

End-to-end digital energy solutions platform SolX Technologies, Inc. bagged the top award in the Wildfire X Startup World Cup Philippine Regional Competition during the IGNITE 2023 on Oct. 13 at Fairmont Makati.

SolX Technologies topped nine other early-stage startup finalists. They will represent the Philippines at the 2023 Startup World Cup Grand Finale in Silicon Valley, with a chance to win the $1-million grand prize.

In an exclusive interview, SolX Technologies Co-Founder and CEO Sergius Santos stated the importance of providing digital energy solutions to help make cost-effective decisions with energy consumption.

“SolX provides three core technologies. Our proprietary hardware allows real-time data acquisition from any smart meter brands and sensors. It fully encrypts the data, which is used to verify electricity bills and utilize it to get the best energy contract. Second, the energy contract optimization system matches customers with the fittest energy portfolio, including suppliers, grid-connected, and self-generating assets. We also utilize the data from the first system to recommend key operational changes to further save on energy costs. Third, our anomaly detection system allows end-users to set certain thresholds on important energy parameters to monitor and verify,” said Mr. Santos.

SolX has already saved their clients close to P400 million in energy costs through their system as of date.

“Our technology is 100% Filipino-made, and our team is all from the Philippines. This showcases what our engineers, data scientists, and software developers can make when given the right opportunity,” Mr. Santos added.

The Wildfire X Startup World Cup PH by IGNITE 2023 is part of the Startup World Cup, an annual conference and competition that brings together promising startups, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, and world-class tech CEOs worldwide. The event will happen in San Francisco, California on Dec. 1.

“To be able to be given an opportunity to pitch in front of Pegasus Tech Ventures, one of the largest funds in the valley, is already a huge upside regardless of the outcome,” Mr. Santos shared. “Hopefully, the Philippines can win the cup globally one day, whether it’s us or another venture. This will strongly impact the narrative towards looking at the Philippine startups and allowing better flow deals to our country.”

As the gaming industry continues to grow and evolve, a new generation of Web3 gaming is in the spotlight — a centralized platform for gaming and social interaction. The hype for Web3 gaming is a significant step toward the gaming industry in a more advanced and more efficient manner.

Since 2018, Yield Guild Games (YGG), the first and largest gaming guild, has become a platform where gamers “enrich themselves as they find their community, discover games, and develop vital skills for Web3.” Moreover, it has been at the forefront of supporting the use and adoption of Web3 gaming in the Philippines.

To further strengthen the Web3 gaming community, YGG is holding one of the most anticipated gaming summits this year, the YGG Web3 Games Summit 2023, at the Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig, from Nov. 18 to 25.

According to Mench Dizon, country head of YGG Pilipinas, the YGG Web3 Games Summit is set to be the world’s premier Web3 gaming event that will offer an exclusive look at the future of Web3 gaming.

“The Filipino Web3 gaming community will be among the first to learn about where the industry is headed as blockchain technologies continue to evolve, and how mutual support will be beneficial in the long run as communities become even more interconnected,” Ms. Dizon said in a press conference held at BGC last Oct. 17.

“The Philippines has consistently been among the top countries with the highest interest in Web3. Most of this interest is driven by the roster of engaging Web3 games that are currently in the market. The fact that global leaders from the Web3 gaming industry are coming all the way to the Philippines for the Web3 Games Summit shows that the world recognizes us as one of the leading countries in Web3 adoption and home to a thriving market for new and upcoming Web3 games,” she added.

More than 1,500 global Web3 leaders are expected to attend the summit, which will start with a two-day game jam at STI’s BGC Campus on Nov. 18-19, which will welcome over 300 developers and students and 5,000 active gamers.

This will be followed by a two-day conference at Shangri-La, The Fort on Nov. 21-22, which will bring 90 global and local speakers talking on topics such as Web3 gaming development, eSports, content creation, and player adoption.

Some of the speakers include Yat Siu, co-founder and executive chairman of Animoca Brands; Jeffrey “Jihoz” Zirlin, co-founder of Axie Infinity and Sky Mavis; Rohit Gupta, co-founder of NYXL; Kyu Lee, president of Com2Us; and Gabby Dizon, co-founder of YGG.

Lastly, the summit will hold a three-day expo and tournament at Samsung Hall on Nov. 23-25, which will feature more than 40 Web3 games, such as Ragnarok Landverse, Pixelmon, PROJECT XENO, Parallel, Mighty Action Heroes, Anito Legends, Metacene, Star Atlas, and Axe Infinity: Origins. On the last day of the three-day expo and tournament, content makers and eSports athletes will be featured in a Web3 gaming tournament.

“Despite the challenging times, we continue to give back and remain steadfast in our mission to provide Filipinos with sustainable opportunities to participate in this exciting Web3 space and we want to make sure that the Filipinos are at the forefront of this. This is one of the core drivers and a source of passion for us is seeing how Filipinos can be at the forefront of this pioneering technology,” Ms. Dizon said in her opening remarks at the press conference.

Tickets are available at ygg.events, with packages offering access to different experiences during the event.

Over two months, these budding visionaries immersed themselves in an intensive program, arming themselves with essential tools and knowledge necessary to transform their tech-for-good ideas into reality, all through the strategic application of the Design Thinking framework.

Facilitated with consulting and training social enterprise YGoal, Inc. as learning partner and sponsored by the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, the Ideathon produced a diverse range of innovative projects, from developing a mobile app that alleviates commuting challenges to creating an online platform that provides tutorial support to students. These projects are dedicated to addressing pressing social challenges in the Philippines, contributing significantly to the nation’s societal well-being.

Through a series of workshops and mentoring sessions, delegates gained valuable insights into effecting meaningful change in their communities. These sessions, facilitated by experts and like-minded individuals, equipped them with essential tools for empathizing with end-users, operationalizing projects, and addressing community challenges.

Moreover, participants engaged in in-person workshops focused on project management and prototyping, enhancing their learning journey. Consequently, the program guided delegates in collaboratively designing and developing 15 civic projects that tackle diverse social issues.

At the heart of the program was the core mission of developing tech-for-good civic projects, aligning with Pinas Forward’s primary objective of advancing digital democracy and digital development. The participants not only refined their initial ideas but also presented well-developed solutions to various social challenges such as unemployment, livelihood accessibility, education, online safety, and disinformation. These projects are poised to instigate meaningful and sustainable change in their respective communities.

Among the standout projects was “TraPick,” a mobile application developed by Team Maji from the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines in Cagayan de Oro. TraPick aims to enhance commuting in Cagayan de Oro by providing real-time bus occupancy and seat availability information, streamlining travel, and minimizing stress for commuters.

Another noteworthy initiative is #BAYANKABUHAYAN, a project developed by Team SIKAP from Parañaque National High School-Main. This initiative takes the form of a livelihood website, aiming to provide vocational ideas and opportunities to both students and unemployed individuals in Parañaque City. To empower citizens, the project offers valuable vocational resources, enhancing their prospects for sustainable livelihood.

In a similar vein, Team SHORE-SKwela from Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan has implemented innovative techniques in their supplementary education programs for incoming first-year students and aspiring scholars in Cagayan de Oro (CDO) City. By integrating these innovations, they effectively enhance the knowledge base of their young kababayans, preparing them thoroughly for scholarship-qualifying exams such as the CDO City Scholarship Program and Department of Science and Technology scholarships.

One of the participants, Lord Cedrick Haroll T. Abaya of San Luis National High School in Pampanga, shared his gratitude for being part of Ideathon.

“I was able to connect with other people, and at the same time, I was able to showcase my passion for connecting with people and creating positive impact and change in society. I would like to thank Pinas Forward and Taiwan Foundation for Democracy for this wonderful opportunity to promote and showcase our visions for the betterment of the nation,” he said.

Meanwhile, one of the advisers of the participating teams, Kim Patrick B. Caparal from Ilaya Barangka Integrated School, said, “The impact of this event is huge. It’s not just about them. It’s not just about themselves anymore. It’s about their community. Now they have a sense of responsibility that they feel they have a duty. So, I’m happy that their sense of ownership of their projects has come alive.

15 entrepreneurs from seven innovative, high-growth ventures around the world were selected at the organization’s most recent vISP following a rigorous, multi-step evaluation process, which has a historical acceptance rate of less than 5% based on candidates screened.

Ms. D’Souza and Mr. D’Souza, founders of edamama, a leading online-to-offline parenting platform in the Philippines, stands out among Endeavor’s latest selections.

When edamama was launched in 2020, its founders set out on a mission to build a personalized, community-driven platform where families could find a trusted assortment of authentic, affordable and quality products for their children, family and home.

Three years since its launch, edamama has delivered over 3.5 million essential products to Filipino households across the country via its proprietary e-commerce app — which was one of the top 10 most downloaded shopping apps in the country last year. Due to its rapid expansion, the company has grown to become the largest online-to-offline parenting platform in the Philippines. In addition to its app, edamama hosts the largest annual family shopping and learning expo, and has also begun rolling out brick-and-mortar stores across multiple malls in Metro Manila.

To date, edamama has raised over $35 million in venture funding from leading strategic and financial investors, including Gentree Fund, anchored by the Sy family; Gokongwei Group’s Robinsons Retail; Ayala Corp.’s ACTIVE Fund and Kickstart Ventures; Foxmont Capital Partners; as well as regional heavyweights such as Alpha JWC Ventures, GS Group, and Innoven Capital, anchored by Temasek.

edamama aims to become Southeast Asia’s leading parenting brand. Made by parents for parents, edamama is dedicated to giving families access to a range of well-chosen, genuine, and competitively priced parenting products, paired with expertly written content and a well-engaged community of parents to support their journey.

With the goal of building healthy entrepreneurial ecosystems in developing and underrepresented countries, Endeavor serves as a beacon for startup founders who “dream big, scale fast, and give back.” Endeavor now supports over 2,500 entrepreneurs who are leading over 1,500 businesses in over 40 global markets.

Among the semifinalists, 88% originate from Asia, while the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Africa collectively make up the remaining 12%. These startups are at various stages of development, with 53% in Seed/Pre-A, 40% in Pre-Seed, and 7% in Series A/B.

The categories they represent reflect the pressing needs of today’s world, with 39% focusing on digital economy, 29% on sustainability, 20% on healthcare, and 12% on advanced manufacturing.

Among the startups in this list, which is published at www.xpitch.io, five are from the Philippines. These are: AtoANI Agriventures, a Bohol-based social enterprise that produces and distributes fresh produce through its own farm and partner farmers; CAWIL AI Solutions, an industry-agnostic artificial intelligence solution that provides AI-driven business solutions integrated to web, mobile application, and industry automation; LESSTICS, a producer of construction materials made of single-use plastics; SACHI-Group, a manufacturer of biodegradable biobags made from cassava; and TANAW (by Samar Island GIS and Data Analytics Center), a project that uses augmented reality and virtual reality for digital city models in Catbalogan City, Samar.

All of them are nominated by the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DoST-PCIEERD).

X-PITCH 2023’s overarching theme revolves around “Accelerating Deeptech.” The primary objective is to foster innovation that not only advances technology but also contributes to the betterment of society. With a commitment to “Tech for Good,” the competition aims to harness the power of deeptech in addressing critical global challenges.

X-PITCH has a history of hosting pitches in unconventional locations, including skyscraper elevators, self-driving cars, and even the MRT. This year’s semifinals take place on the Singapore River, where startups will pitch aboard the city’s iconic bumboats.

The journey culminates with the selection of the top 10 startups from the semifinals, who will advance to the finals at the National Gallery Singapore.

The grand finale, scheduled for Nov. 9, will see the presentation of ten awards. The Deeptech Summit, a focal point of the event, will feature thought leaders exploring deeptech’s transformative potential in different industries.

“X-PITCH 2023 aspires to be a platform for deeptech innovation, bringing together outstanding startups from across the globe in the shared pursuit of groundbreaking solutions,” said K. Yu, organizing committee chair of X-PITCH 2023. “We cordially invite you to join us for the finals in Singapore, where these visionary founders will take center stage, contributing to a future where technology serves the greater good.”

Since 2021, X-PITCH has expanded its global footprint, reaching over 50 countries, engaging over 8,000 startups, and involving more than 100,000 participants. The competition has been instrumental in securing a total of US$2 million in investment prizes and over $38 million in funding for the winners.

Beyond the competition, X-PITCH’s global partners will provide a range of value-added activities to benefit the top 100 startups. These activities include market access seminars, pitch training, workshops, investor matching, and more.

Hosted by venture capital firm XCEL NEXT and tech media platform e27, X-PITCH 2023 is made possible through the support of Enterprise Singapore and A*StartCentral. DoST-PCIEERD is listed among the co-organizers, along with Block71 Singapore, BSSC, Cool Japan Fund, HKSTP, HUB.ID, KOVA, MDEC, TA, TINVA, TusStar, and VITTBI.

The commercialization plan will guide TIP researchers in their initiatives along technology transfer. As a component of this partnership, a WDI-UM Multidisciplinary Action Project (MAP) team visited the TIP campuses in Quezon City and Manila from Sept. 18 to 22.

The collaboration seeks to assess the readiness of various externally funded TIP technologies and intellectual properties, and obtain economic value from them down the road through licensing, startup ventures, or corporate spinoffs.

This will be a six-month project between the WDI and TIP. Michigan-based WDI is expected to deliver a comprehensive report on the commercial viability of TIP technologies and how these can be marketed moving forward.

“We’re talking about taking ideas that come out of the industry or out of an academic institution and making them progress to the point that they can end up in the customers’ hands,” said WDI President Dr. Paul Clyde.

This entails a multidisciplinary approach. Hence, there is a need to strengthen the synergy among the engineering and business education departments, the legal consultants of TIP, and all the various units that support the aforementioned objectives.

“We need to be prepared for the fact that most ideas that come up are likely to fail,” Dr. Clyde noted. “But when you combine it with educational opportunities, it’s not a failure… This is part of a longer journey between TIP and the William Davidson Institute.”

Dr. Clyde conducted learning sessions for TIP Quezon City and Manila faculty researchers during the one-week visit in the Philippines. The MAP team also held discussions with educators and industry partners to conduct market research on two potential business ideas.

“Getting to know the originators of technologies and the resources at TIP TechnoCoRe (Technopreneurship and Collaborative Applied Research) gave us a good launching point for this longer-term collaboration with WDI,” the MAP team said.

Dr. Therese May Alejandrino, director of TIP TechnoCoRe, said engaging WDI-UM and its MAP team in this project offers a necessary “outsiders’ perspective” for TIP to evaluate its existing structures and practices and how those may be improved further through a tailored commercialization plan.

“We always have to be anchored on TIP’s vision of ensuring a better life for the Filipinos. We hope that as we firm up our commercialization road map, in collaboration with WDI and other stakeholders, we will ensure that TIP technologies benefit the Filipino communities,” she added.

Multiple wins at Vietnam conference

Meanwhile, several teams representing TIP prevailed in competitions at the 4^th Asia Pacific Conference on Industrial Engineering Operations and Management (IEOM) held last Sept. 12 to 14 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Leading the list of podium finishers this year is the group who designed a technology-enabled service, where students may lease essential devices to their fellow learners at lower cost, so they would no longer have to buy them.

Fresh graduates Mary Jo Santiago, Christine Joy Olanosa, and Angel Shaine Martin presented this concept and called it “Helpy: A Mobile Application System for Engineering and Architecture Tools Rental Business.” It won first place in the Senior Design Project category.

Another team composed of Thea Espinueva, Jhia Angelyck Mavy Cruz, and Vincent Matthew Labrador also placed third in the same competition with their project titled “Filtrar: A Canal Solid Waste Collector and Compactor Machine.” This group created an innovative prototype using Arduino technology that can stand as an alternative solution to collect discarded materials in urban waterways.

Both groups are from TIP Manila and worked with the guidance of Dr. Maria Teresa Mendoza.

Two teams from TIP Quezon City likewise won in the Undergraduate Research competition. Engr. Jaypy Tenerife and his students took second place for developing a food container with spoilage detector. Jan Marielle Bidayan, Arjen Guila Cruz, John Rei Garchitorena, Erika Mae Ople, and Carl Joseph Quintana named their project “WasteNot.”

Lastly, Engr. Ma. Teodora Gutierrez and her students — Mac Friedrich Dantes, Antonio Mari Garcia, Carlo Gonzalez, John Matthew Halog, Alliyah Jade Paguio, and Marinell Santos — claimed third place for their project that caters to the elderly and persons with disabilities (PWD). The group submitted “Ergo Let,” which aims to ease the accessibility of senior citizens and PWDs to conventional public restrooms in Metro Manila.

“I think it’s education which should be one of the areas that we need to focus [on]. From regulatory clarity and obviously gaming, I would say from a Philippines perspective, we’re yet to adapt to that. We’re still following that US discussion on SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) regulatory issues, particularly for exchanges. Not necessarily copying or mirroring, but we’re obviously observing and waiting for it to kind of unfold,” he said.

In his resource speech that provided students with a dissected discussion and a clearer perspective on blockchain, Mr. Abello explained the core principles of blockchain and the five layers of the technology, namely Presentation, Consensus, Network, Data, and Hardware Infrastructure.

He also touched on the common misconceptions surrounding the technology, such as that it is a tangible asset, solely focused on cryptocurrency, confined to computer systems, functions like a traditional bank, or exists in the physical realm.

“Misconceptions can hold us back from harnessing the true potential of blockchain technology. By dispelling myths and embracing accurate knowledge, we can unlock a world of possibilities of blockchain and drive innovation in various industries,” Mr. Abello said.

Mr. Abello, widely known in the social media community as Coach Miranda Miner, founded the Web3 learning platforms Elite University and FEASTGold to share valuable trading techniques, expert advice, and the latest news in the crypto world with more Filipinos.

In 2022, his firm GMMG also launched “CrypTalk: University Caravan,” a free educational initiative that aims to equip students with basic knowledge of blockchain technology. The team has already visited 12 Philippine universities and recently engaged with students and faculty members of the Junior Confederation of Finance Associations (JCFA) and the National University’s (NU’s) Finance Executives.

“Blockchain is something I encourage all of you, young people, to get to know. It’s something I would like to oversimplify just because people have fear of what blockchain is, simply because it appears to be hard to comprehend,” he added.

The universities that participated in the full house session included Mapua University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, De La Salle University, Our Lady of Fatima University, University of Batangas, and AMA Computer Learning Center. Students had the chance to engage in interactive discussions, ask questions, and explore practical applications of blockchain in various industries.

DICT Industry Development Bureau Director Emmy Lou Delfin delivered the closing message, urging students to recognize the immense potential that emerging technologies, like blockchain, offer.

“The world is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and it is your generation that will shape the destiny of our nation. Blockchain is not just a buzzword; it is a powerful tool that can revolutionize industries, enhance transparency, and drive innovation,” Ms. Delfin said during the Block Bytes session.

Despite the bear market, Mr. Abello stated that he expects to see more and more students taking an interest in the real-world implementations of blockchain beyond cryptocurrencies.

Universities and colleges looking to incorporate GMMG’s free blockchain and cryptocurrency courses into their educational programs can send their inquiry through their official website, www.globalmirandaminer.com.

Technologies are being incorporated in nearly every aspect of people’s lives at present. From connecting to other people, working or learning, or even availing services such as banking and healthcare, a lot of activities can now be undertaken in the digital space. Even so, physical devices are needed to access these digital services. And with more innovations rapidly emerging, many old technologies are being discarded to make room for new ones.

However, this could result in a problem with electronic waste (e-waste). The generated waste stream from thrown out electrical and electronic equipment hold hazardous and valuable materials, according to the United Nations (UN). In its Global E-Waste Monitor from 2020, the UN reported that the Philippines is among the top producers of e-waste in Southeast Asia, with an estimated 3.9 kilogram of e-waste per capita in 2019.

But this record was before the pandemic. In 2020, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis spurred digital transformation amid the restricted mobility to curb the situation. As such, many organizations and people began to further embrace digital technologies.

Amid the rise of reliance on such devices, an opportunity was generated to come up with a recycling solution to deal with unused technologies, particularly in households in Australia. This led to the development of tech recycling startup ZOLO there in 2020.

“In light of COVID, the demand for technology and the fact that there isn’t really a solution for households as to what to do with old technology. We started the business from that insight, and that propelled us to explore it a bit further,” ZOLO CEO and Founder Franz Phillip Siasat told BusinessWorld in an interview.

Started out with a Facebook campaign to encourage Australians to declutter for good and going house to house in Sydney to gather these old technologies, ZOLO has grown as a purpose-led startup trusted by brands such as Canva, Dyson, and Bank Australia for tech recycling.

“What we have established here in Australia, we have created a solution for businesses to get rid of their tech in a way that’s sustainable, secure, and good for the company as well,” said Mr. Siasat.

ZOLO will soon extend such a service to the Philippines by setting up a tech recycling facility in Santa Rosa, Laguna this year. By introducing its tech recycling solution to the country, the startup could create several benefits both for Filipino businesses and communities.

The startup contributes to sustainability by employing a circular approach, that is by refurbishing technology to give it a new life instead of ending up in the landfill. And for security, it uses a military-grade data destruction process to ensure that these old technologies would have their data deleted and unable to be retrieved.

It also came up with a platform for companies’ information technology teams to deal with their e-waste. The Zolo Single Touch streamlines this management for businesses by simply uploading their e-waste inventory, and then Zolo handles the rest of the complex processes.

The software also comprises a feature where businesses could have a look at their environmental impact, including real-time data on e-waste averted from landfills and an estimate of carbon emissions prevented, among others.

Businesses could benefit further through the rebate program that allows them to maximize the value of their eligible old devices, which could be spent for procuring new technologies.

“It’s an Australia first; it’s a Philippine first as well. So, I’m excited to launch that, and some of the partners that we have in the Philippines are very excited to introduce that to their teams as well.” Mr. Siasat said.

In addition, as its tech recycling solution supports businesses, ZOLO also enables further accessibility to technology among other people.

“What we’re passionate about and what works for us as a business as well is creating opportunities for other people to have access to technology. And that’s by working with companies, securing their old tech, and recycling it in a way that creates a platform for other people to be able to access technology in a more cost-effective way,” Mr. Siasat said.

Still, the ZOLO Founder never would have imagined that they would help solve the digital divide problem if he were to be asked years before.

“But I think that’s the beauty behind the platform that we’ve built, and also the market that we’ll soon be operating in, which is in the Philippines,” he said. “[There are] plenty of opportunities to implement new solutions to potential problems that we could solve as a company because that’s the most important thing for us.”

“Whilst we are a business, we use our platform and business to be a force for good, and that’s kind of our approach as well when we work with other partners,” he continued.

Mr. Siasat said he looks forward to building partnership and community, and creating something that can engage the community as ZOLO will soon kick off its operations in the Philippines.

The company’s innovative approach focuses on crafting mouth-watering plant-based meat and chicken, as well as melting dairy-free cheese and condiments — delivering delicious and sustainable alternatives to traditional animal-based products.

Green Rebel, co-founded in 2020 by long-time vegans Helga Angelina Tjahjadi and Max Mandias, who also own Burgreens, Indonesia’s largest plant-based eatery chain, is driven by a powerful philosophy of providing healthy, affordable, and delicious plant-based meals to Asian consumers seeking flexitarian (flexible vegetarian) and plant-based alternatives.

By encouraging individuals to embrace healthier and greener choices, Green Rebel not only caters to diverse dietary preferences but also fulfills its commitment to reducing the negative impact of traditional animal agriculture on the environment.

Green Rebel offers a diverse range of plant-based products including Asian-inspired dishes such as Beefless Rendang, Chick’n Karaage, Chick’n Satay, to Cheddar Cheeze, and Asia’s first whole-cut steak made from plants.

With a wide range of products, Green Rebel takes pride in using wholefoods ingredients, such as shiitake mushrooms in its beefless range, non-GMO soy in its chicken category, and cashew in its dairy-free cheese & sauces.

All Green Rebel products are high in protein, rich in fiber, lower in saturated fat, and free from cholesterol. The meats are developed specifically for different Asian culinary applications and the flavored products are authentically Asian. All ingredients are sustainably sourced from the region with natural herbs from Indonesia.

In addition to its roots in Indonesia and successful expansion into the Philippines, Green Rebel has firmly established its presence across various Asia-Pacific regions, including Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and most recently, Vietnam.

As part of its expansion strategy, the company is working diligently to establish partnerships with various grocery stores, supermarkets, and select food service outlets in the country. Since it recognizes the importance of building a sustainable and efficient supply chain that can properly meet the increasing demand for plant-based alternatives, Green Rebel actively looks for partnerships and collaborations with local partners and stakeholders in the Philippines namely Santan by AirAsia; Tierra Café; Haribowl Vegetarian Kitchen; retailers Berdelish Imus Vegan Store, The Vegan Grocer, and real food; and e-commerce platforms EVE Grocer, Berdeeats, Mayani, and Vegore.

“According to ‘Charting Asia’s Protein Report’ — Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia and the Philippines will only be able to decarbonize by ending supply chain deforestation (importing soy and corn from Brazil and Argentina for animal feed), stopping the growth of animal protein consumption by 2030, and transitioning to alternative protein to 60% of total protein volume by 2060.

“Green Rebel’s venture into the Philippine market marks a significant milestone in our mission to create a more sustainable, healthy, and delicious future for all,” said Ms. Tjahjadi, adding that working with local partners can make plant-based food easily accessible across the country.

In alignment to its vision across Asia, Green Rebel hopes to give Filipinos accessible and healthy alternatives to their usual diets, as well as to offer several benefits which can positively impact their lives. Most notably, the plant-based meals and products offer a healthier alternative to traditional meat-based diets.

By promoting plant-based eating, Green Rebel can contribute to reducing health issues such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Filipinos who adopt a more plant-forward diet may experience improved overall well-being and better nutritional intake.

With its recent graduation from Techstars in Israel, Betterteem has secured funding to further develop its technology to address a major talent pain point that impacts the growth of BPO companies in the Philippines.

“Our technology allows operation and human resource (HR) leaders to anticipate employee resignations before they happen,” said Founder and CEO Bo Discarga. “We digest massive amounts of employee data from the existing data of our client’s HR system, such as compensation, performance reviews, and individual job function, and their demographics, enabling us to deliver our prediction of people heading for the door.”

AI has the potential to assume a pivotal role in improving employee experience and predicting attrition volumes, thereby enhancing resource demand planning. AI can detect early indicators of employee dissatisfaction, resignation intents, and recommend training requirements, enabling proactive intervention.

Now operating in the Philippines and South Korea, Betterteem is greatly focusing on mitigating unwanted employee resignations in the Asia-Pacific region. Betterteem AI concentrates on launching features and technologies that are focused on arming operation and HR leaders with data and insights that enable them to understand the underlying drivers of unwanted resignations in their organizations and model the results of the actions they are planning to take.

With a free trial, an AI-enabled technology, and an employee benefits app, Betterteem is helping BPO companies enhance employee experience, and predict unwanted resignations, resulting in improved employee retention.

Limited partners (LPs) across its early-stage and growth investment vehicles include a sovereign wealth fund, public and private pension funds like Khazanah Nasional Berhad; Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (Diperbadankan), or KWAP; and Employees Provident Fund (EPF). A university endowment, family offices of prominent global investors, and portfolio companies valued at over US$1 billion from 500 Global’s first Southeast Asia early-stage fund have invested as LPs as well.

500 SEA III is 500 Global’s third Southeast Asia-focused early-stage fund, with each successive fund having nearly doubled in size since 2014. Originally targeted for US$75 million, 500 SEA III closed at US$100 million with over half of the fund coming from returning LPs.

The early-stage fund will focus on investing in businesses and AI-enabled technologies that advance rural digitalization, sustainable cities, human and machine productivity, healthcare, food security and financial inclusivity. 500 SEA III aims to invest in 100 pre-seed to Series A startups, providing first checks between US$250,000 and US$500,000 across Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia.

Hazman Hilmi Sallahuddin, chief investment officer of Malaysia’s KWAP, said that its investment in 500 Global began in the latter’s early days through its second Southeast Asia early-stage fund.

“500 Global has since grown considerably in strength to a multi-stage investment platform and remains instrumental in securing co-investment opportunities for KWAP,” he said. “We are encouraged by its efforts in developing the regional venture capital ecosystem, and look forward to the successes that our ongoing collaboration will bring in optimizing KWAP’s investment returns.”

Dato’ Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir, managing director of Khazanah Nasional Berhad, added that in line with their fund’s Future Malaysia Program they are “excited about their potential to facilitate the market expansion of startups via their Southeast Asia platform, with the anticipation of creating new global champions.”

500 Global’s past Southeast Asia investments have included US$5 million-US$20 million checks in Series C to D rounds of portfolio companies such as Carousell, Carsome, and, most recently, eFishery. Also, 500 Global has in the past invited their LPs to co-invest alongside them in select opportunities. The team is expanding its growth investing capabilities with the new vehicle.

“We have seen our platform produce a pipeline of high-quality growth stage opportunities which we can underwrite with the added diligence of knowing the companies and founders over the years,” Vishal Harnal, managing partner at 500 Global, shared. “While we developed our growth stage capability investing over the years, we have also added resources and new partners in line with our aim to support founders from pre-seed to pre-IPO.”

Christine Tsai, CEO and founding partner of 500 Global, added that their firm, with a global portfolio of over 2,800 companies across more than 80 countries, believes that founders in Southeast Asia will benefit from “one of the few truly global venture platforms with deep local roots and in-market expertise.”

“We’re confident that with access to insights, connections, and capital, this can help the next generation of Southeast Asian founders build global tech giants,” she added.

The Forbes Asia’s 100 to Watch List this year aims to give a spotlight to companies and startups that are “targeting underserved markets or applying new technologies.”

Packworks is one of only nine companies from the Philippines that have made it to the list. It is also one of the nine listed companies from the e-commerce and retail industry.

According to Forbes Asia, the final 100 were selected from over 550 submissions and nominations from accelerators, incubators, small and medium enterprise (SME) advocacy organizations, universities, and venture capitalists across the region.

To qualify for the list, companies must be headquartered in the Asia-Pacific region, be privately owned and for-profit, have an annual revenue not exceeding $50 million, and have received no more than $100 million in total funding as of Aug. 7. Metrics such as a positive impact on the region or industry, a track record of strong revenue growth or ability to attract funding, promising business models or markets, and a persuasive story were looked at for consideration.

“We are honored to be recognized by Forbes Asia and included in their ‘100 to Watch List’ for 2023. At Packworks, our mission has always been to empower sari-sari stores through our open platform, and this recognition underscores our commitment to driving innovation in the e-commerce and retail industry,” Packworks Co-Founder and CEO Bing Tan said.

“To every sari-sari store owner, partner, and dedicated team member who has believed in and journeyed with us — this recognition is as much yours as it is ours,” he added.

Packworks was born in 2018 out of a passion project by Mr. Tan alongside Co-Founders Ibba Bernardo and Hubert Yap, who first started as motorbike buddies delivering solar panels to provinces and far-flung places across the country. During their excursions, they saw firsthand the challenges brought by limited access for sari-sari store owners and embarked on developing an application for small store businesses to have a one-app stop for all their needs.

Launched as a solution for multinational companies with only a handful of sari-sari store partners, Packworks has rapidly expanded as a B2B platform that enables growth and success throughout all stakeholders in the supply chain ecosystem, from small sari-sari store owners to wholesalers, distributors, and renowned FMCG companies and brands. With about 75% of sari-sari stores owned by women, Packworks also works to empower female entrepreneurs.

The company raised US$2 million in seed fund in August last year and is backed by ADB Ventures, Arise, CVC Capital Partners-Fast Group, IdeaSpace Foundation, and Techstars. It then launched its mobile enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform and now provides technology solutions to over 270,000 sari-sari stores across the Philippines. Through the Sari.PH Pro app, sari-sari store owners can access pricing tools, inventory management, sales and revenue tracking, and working capital loans.

Packworks also launched last year the business intelligence tool Sari IQ, which utilizes data analytics to understand and predict consumer behavior, enabling retailers and multinational brands to make data-driven decisions that boost sales for sari-sari store owners and expand their product offerings to a larger customer base.

Packworks will represent the Philippines at the Startup World Cup 2023 in Silicon Valley, USA, in December after winning Ignite 2022’s Startup World Cup (SWC) x Wildfire Pitch competition in October last year.

Six incoming TIP Quezon City industrial engineering (IE) seniors led by Allen Serrano and Francine Daphne Carigma earned the Outstanding Research of the Year award for their ‘HeatFlask’ project, which also won the Best Commercialization Research category.

‘HeatFlask’ is a self-heating container for people who are looking for a safe and convenient way to warm up canned food and drinks in the absence of a stove or microwave oven. It is made of stainless steel with a heat pack inside to facilitate the reheating process.

Mr. Serrano said the product was a result of their project feasibility study under adviser Engr. Jaypy Tenerife.

Ms. Carigma, who is into the food packaging business, pitched the idea after she saw a Filipino startup adopt a similar approach using boxes.

“We just thought of other alternative methods to heat up food products and that is how we came up with ‘HeatFlask,’” said Ms. Carigma.

The team left many rooms for improvement in terms of product design as it is currently limited to reheating canned goods.

Nevertheless, Engr. Tenerife is proud that the ARAW panelists saw merit in the project of his students. He credited it to his team’s “level of commitment” in developing a good business model that emphasized the unique selling proposition of their prototype.

“It (HeatFlask) really showed a lot of promise as a business concept. I think that became our edge compared to the rest of the entries,” Mr. Tenerife said.

Other IE students involved in the project were Cyrdio Adrian Dela Peña, Irah Scott Naldoza, Jemuel Tan and Neriel John Villamor.

The 2023 ARAW awards welcomed 97 submissions from different schools nationwide with the theme “Resiliency and Sustainability in Times of Post-Pandemic: The Commitment of Serving the Country through Engineering, Science, and Technology.”

A group of graduating TIP Manila civil engineering students were also named first runner-up in the Best Scientific Research category of the competition for presenting a viable strategy to protect the structural integrity of buildings.

Batchmates Honey Lyn Gutierrez, Annedrei Figueroa, Jamniel Danish Gonzales, and Russel Veraña submitted their research titled “Enhancing the Seismic Resilience of 42-Story Reinforced Concrete Structure with Fluid Viscous Damper System Using Modal Decomposition Method.”

The study focused on developing a cost-effective approach to install energy dissipating devices in high-rise buildings. This also served as their capstone project under faculty member and adviser Engr. Dustin Glenn Cuevas.

Fluid viscous dampers work by absorbing vibrations or seismic waves from earthquakes to mitigate, if not eliminate, cracks and fissures that may otherwise result in significant property damage. This system is quite expensive depending on the scale of the construction project.

“In structural engineering, we refer to it as the ‘optimal damper placement’ problem, which many structural engineers are still trying to solve today,” said Mr. Cuevas. There are several ways to address this, but the team adopted the modal decomposition method because “it is more efficient and you get the same performance.”

The 14^th ARAW awards was held onsite last July 25 at the PUP campus in Santa Mesa, Manila. It was organized in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology-Technology Application and Promotion Institute.

CanvasConnect Philippines, which took place last Aug. 22 at the Manila Hotel in Ermita, Manila, brought together a diverse group of educators and industry leaders from the country’s top universities to discuss best practices as institutions embrace new approaches and tools to complement and improve online, hybrid and traditional face-to-face learning.

Edtech experts from Instructure also shared their insights on significant technological advancements and trends that are setting the tone for 2023 and beyond.

Melissa Loble, chief customer experience officer at Instructure, highlighted how institutions in the post-pandemic are placing students at the center of learning. More than just traditional degree programs, students are looking for alternative educational options for their learning journey. Many Institutions acknowledge that shift by offering non-degree programs and courses that provide credentials or digital badges, paving the way for students to pursue their desired careers or upskill and change career paths.

Ms. Loble also explored the growing focus on lifelong learning, the growing importance of data analytics, and how educators across the globe are testing ways to recreate the classroom learning experience in a virtual environment.

“Even when we’re coupling a physical environment and an online environment together, there’s so much opportunity in data to create more personalized learning paths and much more effective and just-in-time teaching experiences,” she said.

With the current public focus on generative AI like ChatGPT, Instructure Vice-President of Global Strategy Ryan Lufkin said it is time for educators and administrators to incorporate digital innovations into their teaching and learning processes.

According to Mr. Lufkin, students today grow up in a world dominated by technology and will eventually work in careers where the use of technology will be imperative to their success. Learning these tools in the classroom helps prepare them for the digital future. He encouraged embracing AI for instructional purposes by training educators and incorporating these innovative tools into the curriculum.

“We’re seeing the world’s leading schools take a proactive approach toward professional development training around AI for educators, but we’re not seeing as much as we want to. In a lot of cases, it is individual educators going out and kind of tackling this on their own. Educators need to know how AI can be used and how to use it properly, so they can teach students” he explained.

While Intructure’s approach to generative AI is based on an intentional, secure, and human-driven implementation to promote equitable and impactful learning experiences for everyone, Mr. Lufkin also pointed out the need to provide a comprehensive policy on the ethical use of AI for educators and students alike. He said transparency, fairness, and safety must be guiding principles for universities in drafting these guidelines.

Mr. Lufkin also suggested changing how institutions measure learning. He advised clarifying the “why” behind course activities to help prevent them from using AI tools as shortcuts and emphasized the need to teach critical thinking, as tools like ChatGPT often don’t cite sources.

The conference also featured beta and future technologies that will be integrated into Canvas LMS and other products in the Instructure Learning Platform. The innovations include enhancements to learning and admin analytics, bulk publish and unpublished modules, flexible displays, AI-assisted course templating, the beta AI-powered right-and-wrong answer rationale and integration of AI writing tutor Khanmigo, made available through a partnership with Khan Academy. The speakers emphasized how these innovations will improve personalized learning experiences, collaboration, accessibility, engagement and productivity for educators and students alike.

To cap it off, Harrison Kelly, regional vice-president for Asia Pacific at Instructure, emphasized the pivotal role of educational technology in empowering educators with valuable data-driven insights and inspiring students to dream bigger and stay aligned with the rapidly changing global landscape.

“As the Philippine educational landscape transforms, it’s clear that with the right educational tools and commitment, together we can pave the way for limitless possibilities,” he said.

The technology consulting firm tapped students from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) School of Management and Information Technology (SMIT) to produce a proof of concept for their proposals with an option to build a prototype of their drafts.

For the competition, 28 contenders were split into eight groups with three to four members each. Three units were hailed as winners.

Team GAS, comprised of Stephen Sausa, Sebastien Mendoza and Gabriel Lee, clinched the first prize and received P15,000 for their mobile application PinoyCareConnect. It ensures accessibility of quality healthcare assistance for everyone. It expands the QR code setup for emergency aid and allows easier information gathering for clients with limited means.

Team Voltes IV, namely, David Concon, Alfred Layug, Christian Molino and Nathanael Tecson, was lauded as second place and was awarded P10,000 for developing the Coordinated Traffic Ordinance System (CTOS). The CTOS introduces a sensory unit to traffic lights that would detect available lanes and determine which should be prioritized. This intends to reduce traffic in Manila.

Team Genius Junction, comprised of Kyle Dy, Jan Reily Rabot and Cavin Ramirez, was the third-prize winner with P5,000 for their invention of a multifunction platform Household. Opportunities. Made. Easy (H.O.M.E.), which empowers users through records management, vital support access and employment opening alerts.

The participants were under the guidance of Benilde SMIT Analytics, Computing, and Infotech Cluster Associate Dean Catherine Mojado, together with educators and mentors Jelica Enriquez, Henry DV. Castro, Jacob Catayoc and Veronica Gamboa.

Entries were methodically screened by industry experts from Accenture, composed of Managing Director Rudy Guiao, Intelligent Automation Director Ebenezer Uy, and Recruiting Senior Analyst Veronica Hernandez.