UMasenso Hub Pitch Festival Ignites Innovation During National Intellectual Property Month Celebration
Innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration took center stage as the University of Mindanao's UMasenso Hub successfully conducted its Innovation Pitch Festival on April 27 as part of the celebration of National Intellectual Property Month 2026.
The afternoon program opened with welcome remarks from Mr. Conrado Panerio Jr., who encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators to pursue their ventures with confidence and determination. His message set the tone for an engaging event that highlighted the role of innovation in driving economic growth and sustainable development.
The highlight of the festival was the Pitching and Mentoring Session, where incubatees presented their startup concepts and business innovations before a distinguished panel of experts from government agencies, industry, academia, and innovation support organizations.
Among the panelists were Ms. Joann A. Delos Reyes from the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office XI, Ms. Beverly Grace S. Hernandez from the Davao City Agriculturist Office, Mr. Rommel Aquino from the Department of Trade and Industry XI, Dr. Nathan Ray A. Alim from the Department of Science and Technology XI, Ms. Nichol May Fortun from the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), and Ms. Mirasol B. Tiu, DBA representing the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII).
Joining them were Mr. Mikhail D. Young of the Food and Drug Administration XI, Mr. Jomari Lloyd Valdez from the Lyceum of the Philippines University–Davao, Ms. Niña Jessica Crisanto and Ms. Val Anthony Cimafranca from Upgrade InnoLab, Inc., and Dr. Reil S. Romero of the University of Mindanao's Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship program.
Throughout the session, the mentors provided strategic insights and constructive feedback to help startup founders refine their business models, strengthen market positioning, and improve the commercial viability of their innovations. The exchange of ideas demonstrated the importance of mentorship and industry-academe collaboration in nurturing a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The event culminated in an award ceremony recognizing outstanding pitches, followed by a networking session that enabled innovators to establish connections with potential partners, mentors, and stakeholders. The gathering served as a valuable avenue for fostering collaboration and opening opportunities for future business development and innovation initiatives.
Through the UMasenso Hub Innovation Pitch Festival, the University of Mindanao reaffirmed its commitment to cultivating a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship while advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).
University officials lauded the incubatees for their creativity, resilience, and willingness to showcase their ideas before a panel of experts. Their participation reflects the growing potential of local innovators to develop solutions that can compete not only in regional markets but also on the global stage.
As the National Intellectual Property Month celebration continues to promote awareness of intellectual property rights and innovation, the UMasenso Hub remains steadfast in empowering entrepreneurs and transforming promising ideas into impactful ventures that contribute to economic development and nation-building.
Share this article
