USM-IPTTBDO Hosts SPARK 2.0 Pitching Competition

The University of Southern Mindanao – Intellectual Property, Technology Transfer, and Business Development Office (USM-IPTTBDO) gathered nineteen startup teams, innovators, and student entrepreneurs for the SPARK 2.0: Pitching Competition under USMart TBI on September 26, 2025, held at the University Commercial Building, USM, Kabacan, Cotabato.

Each team was given three minutes to pitch their innovations and ideas, followed by a question-and-answer session where they defended their startup concepts. During this segment, teams provided background on the intended use of their innovations and explained how these could benefit communities and address real-world challenges.

Notably, the teams—comprising participants from various colleges of USM, including the University Laboratory School—took part in the initial Design Thinking and Reverse Pitching sessions. During these activities, they learned how to develop innovative solutions based on real-world challenges presented by industry players during the pitching segment.

The Panel of Evaluators for the Pitching Competition was composed of the following distinguished professionals:

1. Ms. Giselle Eve O. Siladan, Consortium Director of SICAD SOX and Provincial Director of DOST South Cotabato
2. Engr. Gil Dureza, Advisor on Investments, Provincial Government of Cotabato
3. Ms. Samsia Banlasan, KMME Coordinator, DTI Cotabato Province
4. Ms. Sheryl Demillo, Science Research Specialist II, DOST Cotabato Province
5. Engr. Jennifer T. Amistad, Information Systems Analyst II, DICT North Cotabato

These are the winners of the Pitching Competition:

Overall Champion – FARMWISE 
1st Runner Up – DiTech Grow
2nd Runner Up – Agrisort (Fruit Sorting Machine) 

Guided by its theme: “Pitching the Filipino Innovations in Agri-Tech and Real-world Knowledge for the future,” the activity was spearheaded by USM-IPTTBDO with its Director Dr. Jalaloden B. Marohom, in collaboration with the SIKAD SOX Consortium, Innovation Hub, and Globe.