BSU ATBI/IC Hosts 2nd Nat’l Incubatee Summit

Following the success of the first National Incubatee Summit launched and spearheaded by Benguet State University’s Agribased Technology Business Incubator/ Innovation Center (ATBI/IC) last year, the 2nd National Incubatee Summit was held on April 24, 2023 at ION Hotel, Baguio City. The summit with the theme, “Creating and Growing Agri-Aqua Startups Towards a Vibrant Economy” was attended by Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, the executive director of the Department of Science and Technology Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST PCAARRD).

The summit aimed to foster further partnerships and collaboration with key institutions and sectors, utilize innovation as a means of penetrating the national and global market, showcase innovative incubatee products to boost sales, and generate more income and businesses. 

In his message, Dr. Ebora, commended the different incubatee products for incorporating the innovative and constructive feedback from last year’s panelists.

He further promised his constant support to startup businesses. 

“We at DOST PCAARRD are always open to new partnership and collaboration for we believe that together, we can power-up entrepreneurial opportunities… the creation towards a vibrant agri-aqua innovation ecosystem,” he said. 

Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong on the other hand, reminded the importance of promoting and practicing sustainability and the friendly process of conservation in their business and innovation endeavors in line with his goal to make the City of Pines a smart city and his wider objective to protect and preserve our environment.

The event also included an exhibit with the ribbon-cutting  led by Dr. Ebora and Mayor Magalong along with Ms. Lucy A. Lastimosa, Supervising Science Research Specialist & Head of Technology Commercialization Section of the Technology Transfer and Promotion Division (TTPD) - DOST PCAARRD and Ms. Cherly Marie N. Caballero, CEO of Purple Agribusiness, Network and Trading Services (ANTS). 

It was then followed with sharing of experiences in startup creation and sustainability via technology, e-commerce, finding the right partners, and innovation promotion and support by stakeholders Ms.Caballero along with Mr. Jerrison Tiong, president of Aurochs Aerospace Precision Manufacturing Corporation and General Manager of Paper Cart Corporation, Atty. Samuel Gallardo, provincial director of DTI Baguio-Benguet, and Dir. Martin A. Wee, regional director of DOST Region IX.

In addition, owner and operator of Giant Arches Food Corporation Mr. Michael Del Rosario imparted his inspiring story and journey on how he started, overcame, and grew his business over the years amidst the changing and challenging times. According to him, there are six Ps in life and in business: Preparation, Passion, Paying the price, Persistence, Perseverance, and Prayer.

The afternoon session continued with the Incubatee Elevator Pitching in three categories which are: Fresh/ Frozen Food Products, Processed Food Products, and Non-Food Products. Panel discussion with industry partners and panelists succeeded the activity. 

As part of the event, an exhibit and trade fair was  held at SM City Baguio on April 23-29, 2023. The DOST-PCAARRD TTPD OIC Director Ms. Lucy A. Lastimosa, ATBI Program Leader Dr. Ruth C. Diego, and SM City Baguio Assistant Mall Manager Mr. Michael Jason Pea launched the activity through a ribbon cutting ceremony on April 23, 2023.

The exhibit and trade fair was participated by 22 universities from all over the Philippines. Products from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao were showcased. The displays were divided into four categories:  fresh/frozen food products, processed food products, non-food products, and products-in-development.

Through an exhibit and trade fair, the summit displayed the products developed by the incubatees using their own or universities' technologies.

Additionally, it encouraged connections and collaboration among incubatees, as well as between private and public organizations, in order to establish emerging enterprises //CANapiloy and FPDulas (BaComm Intern)