Harnessing the potential of startup innovations, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) - Oriental Mindoro,through the collaboration with Mindoro State University launched the Provincial Startup Convention, October 15-16, 2026 at MinSU-Calapan Campus Audio-Visual Room.
Anchored on the theme, “MINDoro SPARK: From Ideas to Impact.,” the two-day convention, which was also simultaneously conducted online via Zoom for participants at the Victoria (Main) Campus, gathered student innovators and startup entrepreneurs to showcase their innovation to a panel of experts and eventually vie for a spot at the DOST-Oriental Mindoro’s Innovation Hubs (iHUBS): MIND SPARK Batch 1 and MinSU i-BIBES’ (Innovative Business Incubation for Biosystems Solutions) Pag-Ukob Program Cohort 3.
On the first day, participants engaged in an interactive discussion from the experts. Dr. Jason G. Ramirez, Director for TBI and Development at Occidental Mindoro State University opened the session with insights on building startups that fit the market through problem solving-focused ventures. The next speaker, Mr. Karl Immanuel D. Medina, MBA, Founder and Chief Technology Officer at LisensyaLab, Inc., shared tips on validating, building and scaling technology-driven startups.
Meanwhile, Prof. Ma. Divina D. Alcasabas, MAS, Adjunct Associate Professor II at the Philippine Women’s University, discussed about food innovation through product development and labelling; and Ms. Catherine P. Amante, MTM, Technology Transfer Officer at UP-Los Baños, gave her lecture on the startup prototype, and the protection, positioning and commercialization of the innovation.
Also gracing the event was Mr. Jesse M. Pine, DOST-Oriental Mindoro S&T Director; Dr. Enya Marie D. Apostol, MinSU University President; Dr. Arnel E. Hutalla, CESO V, DTI-Oriental Mindoro Provincial Director; and Mr. Leonel C. Mendoza, MinSU Vice President for Research, Innovation, Technology and Extension (RITE).
During the Fireside Chat session, the resource speakers further intensified their knowledge-sharing through the open forum, where participants were able to directly ask questions and further advice for their innovations. After the open forum, Engr. Randy A. Joco, MinSU Director for Innovation and MinSU i-BIBES Project Leader, opened the floor for the Pitching Proper, where he oriented the participants on the guidelines and process of their presentation.
In front of the panel of experts, 36 groups of student innovators and startup business owners prepared to defend their 5-minute presentation in hopes of bagging not only the spot at the incubation program, but take home the grand prize worth PhP 15,000.00. The presentations consisted of both in-person presentations by the participants present at the MinSU-Calapan Campus AVR, and via Zoom for the student innovators at the MinSU-Victoria (Main) Campus.
The Pitching Proper continued on the second day, wherein the panel of experts subjected the participants to an intensive questioning session and focused their critical evaluation on the problem that the innovation is trying to solve, marketability, and sustainability.
Through the thorough deliberation and evaluation of the panel of experts, the Provincial Startup Convention concluded with the recognition of five outstanding innovations from 36 entries. Bagging the Championship title was Team CURE, followed by MinSUNDO as 1st Runner Up; Elias Fish Pot as 2nd Runner Up; Mama Nita’s Chewy Banana Nut Bars, 3rd Runner Up; and MAFC as 4th Runner Up.
Special awards were also conferred to Team CURE with the Best Innovation and Best Presentation Award; and to MinSUNDO with Best Sustainability Impact Award. The Champion, 1st Runner-up, and 2nd Runner-up received cash incentives of ₱15,000, ₱10,000, and ₱5,000, respectively.
All participants must await official email notifications from DOST-Oriental Mindoro and MinSU i-BIBES regarding their eligibility for the respective incubation programs. Qualification remains subject to further evaluation and screening.
The Provincial Startup Convention 2026 is a collaborative initiative of DOST-PSTC-Oriental Mindoro and MinSU through the Office of the VP for RITE, Office of Innovation, and MinSU i-BIBES. (kpic)
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