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July 28, 2025 – The University of Southern Mindanao, through its USMart Technology Business Incubator (TBI), successfully held its first-ever Technology Demo Day and Networking event, themed “TIPON 2.0: Technology Incubation Program for Opportunity and Networks,” at the USM Commercial Building. The event marked the culmination of the Cohort 1 Harnessing Agri-Food Growth through Innovation and Business Incubation Support (HAGIBIS) Program, where incubated startups presented their innovative solutions before a panel of evaluators, stakeholders, and regional partners.
Opening the event was Dr. Debbie Marie B. Verzosa, Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension, who welcomed guests and highlighted the importance of incubation in driving inclusive innovation. Messages of support followed from key institutional leaders, including Dr. Jonald L. Pimentel, USM SUC President IV, who reaffirmed the university’s commitment to research-driven entrepreneurship. Provincial Governor Hon. Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza and Vice Governor Hon. Rochella Marie Taliño Taray, represented by Board Member Reyman Saldivar, expressed their support for local technopreneurs and emphasized the province’s role in enabling innovation.
Also extending their support were Dr. Michael T. Mayo, Provincial Director of DOST Cotabato Province; Hon. Evangeline Pascua Guzman, Municipal Mayor of Kabacan, represented by Councilor George Manoel; Engr. Gil Dureza, Provincial Advisor on Investments; Engr. Mohadjirin P. Matanog, Regional Director of DICT Region XII; and PD Robert A. Orfrecio, Provincial Director of DTI Cotabato Province. Their presence highlighted the alignment of local and regional stakeholders in empowering grassroots innovators.
A Ceremonial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Signing was held during the event, formalizing collaborative partnerships between USMart TBI and key ecosystem enablers, including ManPro Philippines, the Wadhwani Foundation, DOST Region XII, DICT Region XII, DTI Region XII, the Provincial Government of Cotabato, and LGU Kabacan. These partnerships are expected to bolster the support system for startups and strengthen innovation-driven economic development across Region XII.
The highlight of the event was the Demo Pitching of the pioneering Cohort 1 startups, composed of: FreshBytes, SINAG, AGRIMOVE, NetPower Nexus, Pixel Forge, Copify, and MECAOTECH. Each startup took center stage to present their validated solutions, business models, and scaling strategies. From food technology and agriculture innovations to energy access and digital tools, the pitches reflected the transformation these early-stage ventures underwent during the HAGIBIS incubation program. The energy and creativity demonstrated by the cohort captured the essence of the TIPON 2.0 theme—fostering opportunity and networks through innovation.
The startups were evaluated by a distinguished panel composed of Ms. Mary Rose Ofianga, Program Manager of the Wadhwani Entrepreneur Network; Ms. Giselle Eve O. Siladan, Consortium Director of SICAD SOX; Mr. Christopher G. Francisco, Entrepreneur-in-Residence of USMart TBI and CEO of NASYA Business Consultancy Services; PD Robert A. Orfrecio of DTI Cotabato; and Engr. Gil Dureza, Provincial Advisor on Investments. Their feedback and industry insights served to guide the incubatees in refining their ventures as they prepare for market entry and investment-readiness.
The TIPON 2.0: Technology Demo Day and Networking event not only showcased the outcomes of the incubation program but also served as a celebration of collaboration, ingenuity, and the growing technopreneurial spirit in Mindanao. It marked a milestone in USMart TBI’s journey toward becoming a hub of inclusive and impact-driven innovation. The journey of Cohort 1 is just the beginning, and we look forward to seeing their ideas thrive and make lasting impact in their communities and beyond.
