By Edmar Delos Santos

MMSU Innovation and Technology Directorate (InnoTech) organized its 2025 Technology Showcase and Reverse Pitching event on January 17 at the Center for Flexible Learning. The event featured university-funded products and technology pitching sessions between innovators and solutions providers.

Dubbed Research and Enterprise Ventures for Enhanced Regional Sustainability and Economic Growth (REVERSE), the event convened faculty and full-time researchers, innovators, and organizations from the public sector and support organizations, including the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte, local government units, the Department of Interior and Local Government, the Cooperative Development Authority, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative, and the Department of Education.

Representatives from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Enterprises, Association of Weavers in Ilocos Norte, Association of Restaurants and Bakers in Ilocos Norte Medical Society, Association of Travel Agencies, and Association of Hotel Operators participated in the reverse pitching sessions for the business, tourism, and service industries. They shared current industry problems and gathered potential solutions from innovators, scholars, and business incubators within and outside the university.

In her keynote speech, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Acting Regional Director Merlie Membrere, represented by DTI Ilocos Norte Director Amelia Galver, emphasized the potential of collaborative solutions for economic development. She commended MMSU for spearheading the event, which sparks collaboration, innovation, and mentoring among organizations and business incubators. 

Dr. Marilou Lucas, the university's Extension Director, described this year’s technology pitch event as different from previous years. She explained that it prioritized real-world relevance, enabling the reverse pitching sessions to present industry needs to researchers and innovators.

Besides the reverse pitching event, the showcase highlighted MMSU’s research and technological advancements, to foster potential partnerships. Some of the groundbreaking products and innovations across different units and colleges featured included the Nipahol (Nipa alcohol),  Nipa Vodka, probitiocs-powered juice drinks, ceramic products, Brown Rice Krispies, black garlic cookies, innovative inabel textile bags, portable power station, and technology-based applications. 

Dr. Dionisio Bucao, Director of Research and InnoTech, said that the event provided visitors and potential investors the opportunity to explore how MMSU’s innovations could create meaningful contributions to various sectors, including agriculture, health, technology, and manufacturing. 

MMSU-OIC President Prima Fe R. Franco thanked the industry partners for their involvement in the technology showcase and pitching sessions, highlighting the importance of collaborating with industry partners to establish a resilient community and drive progress for humanity.