Student-innovators secure 120K funding, set sight on top spot in GPNIM finals

Two teams based in UP Visayas secured spots in the top 14 of the Gawad Pangulo para sa Natatanging Inobasyon (GPNIM) and secured a funding of Php 120,000.00 to implement their innovations following their pitch and announcement of the final top 14 last April 16, 2025.

The GPNIM aims to transform students’ ideas into reality, and assist them in launching new products or service with industry partners as startups and would provide students with mentoring, IP protection and technology transfer assistance, incubation services, and investor introduction and pitching.

Team Avamos uSorb Innovators composed of Fourth Year BS in Chemistry students, namely, Arundel Formacion Jr., Jaden Reilly Joguilon, and Jeedwn Suwin Vertosio was among the 23 student-teams from across the UP system who claimed the spot to the final rounds of the GPNIM. They are mentored by Department of Chemistry faculty member, Dr. Concepcion Ponce.

Anchoring on the Sustainable Development Goals SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG12: Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, SDG14: Life Below Water, and SDG 13: Climate Action, they presented their innovation that involves production of efficient, easy-to-use, and cost-effective bio-circular adsorbent from mussel shell that removes ammonia, phosphate, and carbon dioxide from wastewater.

Meanwhile, team Ilaya’t Ilawod, a multi-CU team composed of MS Fisheries (Aquaculture) and BS in Fisheries students from UP Visayas, and a Master of Development Communication student from UP Open University also secured a spot in the top 14 and are on their way towards securing up to 1 million pesos of financial support to launch their venture.

Ande Bryle Genciana leads the team with fellow MS Fisheries student Aienna Faith Guerra, BS in Fisheries student Lyny Giovy Cainglet, and Yan Esquivel, a student of M Development Communication from UPOU. The team is mentored by Institute of Aquaculture faculty members Dr. Sanny David Lumayno and Asst. Prof. Fredson Huervana.

Their innovation involves production of all-female tilapia broodstock to address decline in tilapia production in hatcheries through the use of XX technology, anchored on the Sustainable Development Goals, namely, SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SGD 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SGD 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, and SDG 13: Climate Action.

The student-innovators are monitored and also mentored by the UP Visayas Technology Transfer and Business Development Office (UPV TTBDO) and the Coastline 5023: DOST – UPV Fisheries TBI.

The teams are set to present their pitch this June 17, 2025 on the Demo Day where they will have a chance to secure a higher grant to support their start-up and compete among the finalists to secure a spot in the top three which will be awarded on the 20th of June.