USM Launches TBI to Boost Agri-Food Startups in the Region

The University of Southern Mindanao took a bold step as it launched its Technology Business Incubator (TBI) on September 26, 2024, held at the Commercial Building, USM, Kabacan, Cotabato.

Themed “T.I.P.O.N ta sa USM: Launching the Technology Incubation Program for Opportunity and Networks,” the event is set to revolutionize the agri-food sector by empowering local innovators to turn their ideas into market-ready startups.

USM Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension Debbie Marie B. Verzosa, PhD, underscored that the TBI will be a driving force in regional development, providing startups with the resources and guidance they need to succeed. Meanwhile, USM President Francisco Gil N. Garcia, PhD, reinforced the university’s commitment to supporting local entrepreneurs, emphasizing the TBI’s role in incubating startups and creating jobs and economic growth in surrounding communities.

Keynote speaker Ms. Russell M. Pili, Chief of the Research Information and Technology Transfer Division of DOST-PCIEERD, highlighted the roles universities play in fostering startup ecosystems. Pili’s talk focused on how universities serve as catalysts for innovation, offering startups the platform to scale their ideas into viable enterprises.

The importance of mentorship was the focal point of a panel discussion, where industry experts such as Ms. Mary Rose Ofianga of WEN Ignite and Prof. Miguel Guillermo of TBI, UP Mindanao, shared their insights. They emphasized that access to experienced mentors can make or break a startup’s journey.

With the strong backing of local government leaders like Cotabato Governor Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza, USMart TBI is expected to become a critical hub for innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurial success in the region.