By DANIEL P. TAPAOAN, JR.

Innovation. Investment. Income. 

Researchers of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) virtually pitched their patented technologies to potential investors here in Ilocos Norte on September 8.

During the Technology Pitch Day event conducted by the MMSU Intellectual Property – Technology Business Management (IP-TBM) office, the participants presented their technologies to gain possible investments from or collaboration with agencies and individuals to generate income for the University.

The researchers presented agri-based food and non-food products in the said program.

For the food category, Ms. Milen Inocencio pitched the Black Garlic, a processed garlic cloves with sweet syrupy taste and hints of balsamic vinegar. 

Meanwhile, Mr. Jonathan Ramos presented sand-cooked peanut, also a processed product that has lesser moisture and prolonged shelf life.

Other presenters for the same category were Prof. Fairie Anne Domingo for the Pink Noodles which was made out of dragon fruit peel; Ms. Noralyn Legaspi for the Kamangeg Flour, a gluten-free alternative to wheat flour; and Ms. Christine Quiapo for the Kamangeg Cheesecake.

For the non-food category, Ms. Alecsis Villarin pitched the DFATm, a plant-based biopesticide for early blight of tomato; while Ms. Maridette Saclayan presented Bioethanol Distiller, an improved apparatus for reflux distillation of hydrous ethanol. 

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 that prior to the event, the participants underwent a seminar-writeshop on technology commercialization last August 18-20. They were mentored by Dr. Lily Ann Lando, program leader of the Applied Communication Division of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD). She is also the national team leader of WorldFish, an international, nonprofit research organization based in Malaysia. 

Dr. Lando taught the participants on how to prepare marketing and business plans of their patented technologies, and to calculate the value of their products using income, cost, and market methods.

In the technology pitch day, the researcher-pitchers were evaluated and ranked based on their performance during their presentations and ability to respond during the open forum. 

The presenters of the Kamangeg Flour, Biopesticide, and the Black Garlic were regarded as the first, second, and third best pitchers, respectively. They were given certificates and cash prizes amounting to Php 5,000 (1st place), Php 3,500 (2nd place), and Php 2,000 (3rd place). Other participants received consolation prizes of Php 1,000.

“More than the certificates and cash prizes, this event ultimately facilitates the transfer and commercialization of patented technologies through partnerships with various industries, both in the locality and nationwide,” Bucao stressed. 

University President Shirley C. Agrupis commended the IP-TBM project team and the technology pitchers for the successful activity, saying that such bold move potentially creates more opportunities even during the pandemic. 

“Our technology pitchers have also proven that there is no limit to our will and commitment to make human life better through research-based products,” she said. 

Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew M. Manotoc thanked MMSU and DOST-PCAARRD for their efforts to grow innovations in the province by supporting local inventors and innovators. He, too, assured that the provincial government supports the agencies’ goal to promote technology generation. 

The event was conducted in cooperation with the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte. (StratCom)