By Brylle Lancelot R. Abad

StratCom Intern

To showcase technologies for possible investments, the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) conducted a virtual Technology Pitch Day for state universities and colleges (SUCs) in Region I yesterday, July 26. 

Livestreamed via the University’s Facebook page (@MMSUofficial), the event enabled researcher-participants to pitch their technologies to potential investors to generate income for their respective SUCs. 

Organized by the MMSU’s Intellectual Property and Technology Business Management (IP-TBM), the Technology Pitch Day convened 16 participants from MMSU, University of Northern Philippines, Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College, North Luzon Philippines State College, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, and Pangasinan State University. 

Thirteen of the pitched products are food while three are non-food. The participants also showed their product posters during the presentations. 

For the food products category, MMSU pitched two technologies: Pickled Native Egg by Jerson S. Coloma of Research Directorate and the Seaweed Cracker by Honnie Joy M. Balauro of the College of Aquatic Sciences and Applied Technology. 

On the other hand, the pitches of NLPSC are the NLPSTea, a tea made from string bean leaves; and KAPI, a 3 in 1 coffee drink that is made from Robusta bean, cacao nibs, and Muscuvado sugar. These were presented by Ryan Jay Cuevas and Jairus Anthony G. Vallejos, respectively. 

Entries from PSU are the Mungbean Cereal Flakes that was presented by Catalina Platon, and the Baked Tupig (glutinous rice cake) by Roseanne Jane Agustin. 

Technology pitches from UNP are the Seaweed Ice Cream by Reynaldo N. Regucera, Breadfruit Tart by Claudette C. Rabago, and Longganisaba (banana peel longganisa) by Rozen C. Villa.

Products from ISPSC were the Nutri and Deli Dragon Fruit cupcake by Joanna Marie T. Guarin, D’Paltat (catfish) Loaf by Desa D. Abaya, Haishen Sea Cucumber Dumplings by Katrina S. Sarazawa, and Canistel Steamed Cake by Geremy Sanchez. 

Under the non-food category, MMSU’s entries were the Multi Fuel Dryer (conventional dryer with multiple functions) and Portable Vulcanizer. These were presented by Zaldy Fernandez and Ferdinand Huenda of the College of Industrial Technology, respectively. 

Meanwhile, PSU’s entry was the Electric Plug Cover, an electric shock protector, presented by Harry Allan P. Errasquin.

Dr. Dionisio Bucao, project leader of IP-TBM at MMSU, said that the pitched products will give potential investors and entrepreneurs an opportunity to adopt these via start-ups, spin-offs, and licensing agreements.

He added the best pitched products were determined based on their marketability, substance, and presenters’ mastery of the presentation; while the best poster presentations were selected based on their visual appeal, substance, and marketability. 

The PSU’s Baked Tupig, MMSU’s Picked Native Egg, and ISPSC’s D'Paltat Loaf were regarded as first, second, and third best pitched products, respectively. The presenters of these products were given certificates and cash prizes amounting to Php 5,000 (1st), Php 3,500 (2nd), and Php 2,000 (3rd). 

Meanwhile, the ISPSC’s D’Paltat Loaf, Haishen Sea Cucumber Dumplings, and Canistel Steamed Cake landed first, second, and third places in the poster presentation, respectively. The presenters of these products received certificates and cash prizes: Php 3,000 (1st), Php 2,000 (2nd), and Php 1,000 (3rd). 

“Through the Pitch Day, we made the bold move to share and attract investors that should help us commercialize our innovations,” said Dr. Epifania O. Agustin, program leader of the Ilocos Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resource Research and Development Consortium (ILAARRDEC). 

Dr. Lily Ann Lando, a freelance training professional, served as the motivational coach of the participants for technology pitching.

Prior to the event, the participants underwent a virtual seminar writeshop on technology commercialization last July 19-23. – with report form Christine Louise Semana (StratCom)