Ateneo launches PHP 3 million student enterprise grants

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

QUEZON CITY — The Ateneo Center for Social Entrepreneurship (ACSEnt) at Ateneo de Manila University on Thursday, Sept. 25, launched its KisLap – Student 1Mpact Enterprise Grant Program to support student-led ventures addressing pressing social issues.

The program will award PHP 1 million each in seed funding to three student teams, alongside personalized mentorship from seasoned entrepreneurs and experts.

Participants must develop social enterprises that are innovative, sustainable, and rooted in real-world impact, aiming to transform ideas into implementable solutions.

The grant is funded through the Kwan Laurel Social Enterprise Fund, established through a donation from Ateneo alumnus Robby Kwan Laurel and his family.

KisLap builds on the IDeaCO1 initiative launched in academic year 2024–2025 for students of Communications Technology Management and Information Design under the John Gokongwei School of Management and the School of Humanities, respectively.

This year’s edition expands eligibility to senior and graduate-level students across Ateneo, who may form teams of two to four members.

Each team must submit a social enterprise name and concept addressing an urgent issue in their chosen beneficiary community, along with other required documentation.

Proposals will be judged based on the clarity and relevance of the problem (15 percent), innovation and feasibility (30 percent), potential social impact (35 percent), sustainability and business model (15 percent), and clarity and quality of the proposal (5 percent).

Submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 5, 2025, with 10 shortlisted teams advancing to mentoring and bootcamp sessions.

The three winning teams will be announced on Nov. 19.

John Gokongwei School of Management Dean Roberto Galang said the program was inspired by previous student theses that showcased strong ideas that failed to launch due to lack of funding.

“The issue is that, when they graduate, many times these tremendous ideas just fall by the wayside, and many times the reason why is for the lack of funding,” Galang said during his opening remarks.

“In essence, instead of just educating the students, and explaining to them the social reality, and giving them the marketing, accounting, and finance insights to do this work, why not provide them with actual resources?” he added.

ACSEnt Director Ana Tan described KisLap as an invitation for Atenean students “to dream boldly and act courageously.”

“[KisLap] is a space where passion meets purpose, and where ideas can be transformed into enterprises that touch lives and bring hope,” Tan said.

“KisLap reminds us that even the smallest spark, when rooted in faith, compassion, and a desire to serve, can become a flame that lights the way forward.”