Mariano Marcos State University-supported teams “Sensitech” and “AniTech” secured P100,000 and P200,000 grants, respectively, during the Demo Day of the 2025 Agri-Aqua Innovation Challenge held on April 30 at the Dr. Stephen H. Fuller Hall, Asian Institute of Management (AIM), Makati City.

Competing in the student category, Sensitech showcased “Fertilitech”—a smart, portable soil nutrient detection device integrated with a farm management mobile application. It was pitched by fourth-year BS Electronics Engineering student James Bryan Martin. Designed to enable real-time soil assessment and nutrient planning, the innovation targets improved decision-making for Ilokano farmers.

In the startup category, AniTech, represented by Chief Executive Officer Gillian Santos, introduced its hardware-enabled Data-as-a-Service (DaaS) platform. The system delivers sensor-based data to help agribusinesses monitor, track, and optimize their operations from pre- to post-harvest stages.

Both teams received mentorship and technical assistance from the MMSU Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubation (ATBI) Dap-ayan under the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Regional Agri-Aqua Innovation System Enhancement (RAISE) program, led by MMSU Research Directorate and Innovation and Technology Director Dionisio Bucao.

Prior to Demo Day, the technologies underwent field validation. Sensitech was evaluated on March 24 at the Rayuray Farmers Agriculture Cooperative in Batac City, while AniTech was assessed on March 26 at Rockwell, Makati.

The evaluation and final judging panel included experts from AIM, the DOST-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), and the Management

Association of the Philippines (MAP). Among the panelists were Dr. Bessie Burgos, Atty. Misael Costes, Ms. Lucy Lastimosa, Prof. Matthew Escobido, Prof. Melissa Balmaceda, and MAP Chairperson Jessie Carpio.

MMSU President Dr. Virgilio Julius P. Manzano Jr. congratulated the finalists, saying, “I hope you will use your grant to further improve your innovations, benefiting our agricultural sector in the Philippines.”

The Agri-Aqua Innovation Challenge is an annual, 12-month program hosted by AIM, DOST-PCAARRD, and MAP. It aims to support student-led and startup agri-aqua innovations through funding, mentorship, and market linkage, helping nurture the next generation of agri-preneurs driven by science, technology, and sustainability.