Sunday, July 17, 2016

MSU-IIT CIT launch Mindanao startup challenge 2016

By Jun Enriquez

Press conference at the Board room, MSU-IIT, Iligan City, June 9, 2016
Iligan City – it’s an opportunity for the local inventors and innovators to keep open of their technical knowledge to be an entries to the Mindanao Startup Challenge 2016 at the Center of Innovation & Technopreneurship  (CIT) at Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) this city.

New CIT Bldg at MSU-IIT campus

The CIT started of accepting entries since June 6, 2016 and will accept applications until August 20, 2016. The first round of judging will be on August 24 and on August 30 will be the announcement of top 30 teams. On September 3 will be the second round of judging, then the announcement of the top 15 teams will be on September 8. On September 15-17 will be the 3-day boot camp and on September 23, 2016 will be the start of incubation program for the top 5 teams.

The CIT is the first business incubator in Mindanao funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) that aims to create a progressive entrepreneurial ecosystem through various community building activities and technology-based business support services to enable budding entrepreneurs in the region to fulfill their startup dreams. They offer incubation program that includes business mentoring and trainings, infrastructures and linkages to potential partners, mentors and inventors.

The objective of the program is to provide a nurturing environment for technology-based and social enterprises in the early stages of their development specifically aim to develop the entrepreneurial and innovative culture at Mindanao with a dynamic and collaborative environment. The project is very first Mindanao startup challenge that aims to help budding technology entrepreneurs transform their ideas into successful businesses.

This year’s roadshow includes Butuan, Agusan, Surigao, pagadian, Dipolog, General Santos City, Cotabato, Misamis Oriental, marawi, Tawi-tawi and Ozamiz City. The roadshow will have 3-5 - hour event which aims to bring together different technical startup enthusiasts, aspiring entrepreneurs, researchers, inventors and spread the word about startups and technopreneurships through the ideation and design thinking workshops.
 
Dr. Jinky B. Bornales
Dr. Jinky B. Bornales, Vice Chancellor for research and extension, and the project leader reminded that in the application phase, there must have a minimum of 2 persons and a maximum of 5 members per entry. At least 1 member must have technical expertise relevant to the proposed product or service. The group can submit more than 1 entry. Students, faculties, alumni, industry practitioners are welcome to join. Family members within the second degree of CIT at MSU-IIT and any person, directly or indirectly, involved in the running of the program are not allowed to apply. All entries must have been received by the CIT on or before August 20, 2016, 11:59 PM. Beyond the deadline no more entries will be accepted. All applicants must completely fill out and submit the application form available at www.msuiit.edu.ph/offices/cit.

Dr. Sukarno Tanggol

Dr. Sukarno Tanggol, Chancellor, MSU-IIT said that they started to develop technical research for the project for many years and provide equipment especially computers, build infrastructure to house the required facilities intended for the Mindanao startup challenge 2016. Dr. Tanggol said that he is hoping for the success of the project to provide opportunity to the creative individuals. (with reports by Joan Eslit)



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