USMart TBI Incubatees Pitch Prototypes at TIPON 2.0 Demo Day

Innovation met opportunity as the University of Southern Mindanao (USM), through its USMart Technology Business Incubator (TBI), staged its first Demo Day and networking event on July 28, 2025, at the USM Commercial Building in Kabacan, Cotabato.

Branded as TIPON 2.0, or Technology Incubation Program for Opportunity and Networks, the event marked the conclusion of the first incubation cycle under the HAGIBIS program: Harnessing Agri-Food Growth through Innovation and Business Incubation Support. Startup teams presented working prototypes and business models to a panel of technical evaluators and stakeholders from government, academe, and the private sector.

Among the startups were FreshBytes, SINAG, Agrimove, NetPower Nexus, Pixel Forge, Copify, Sortech Bean, and MECAOTECH, with innovations ranging from food and agriculture technologies to energy and digital solutions.

Before the showcase, the delegation from the Cotabato Provincial Government and key agencies joined institutional leaders for the opening ceremony. USM President Dr. Jonald L. Pimentel, DOST–Cotabato Provincial Director Dr. Michael T. Mayo, Cotabato Board Member Reyman Saldivar, representing Governor Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza, and Vice Governor Rochella Marie Taliño, Kabacan Mayor Evangeline Pascua Guzman was represented by Councilor George Manoel, Engr. Gil Dureza, Provincial Investment Advisor, Engr. Mohadjirin P. Matanog, DICT Regional Director, and PD Robert A. Orfrecio, DTI Cotabato Provincial Director were among those who voiced support for the growing innovation network in the region.

A ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Understanding was also held during the event, formalizing continued collaboration among USM, the DOST, and the provincial government in support of local technopreneurs and grassroots innovation.

In the afternoon session, startup teams took turns pitching their prototypes, followed by technical feedback from evaluators. These included representatives from the Wadhwani Entrepreneur Network, Southern Central Mindanao Innovation Consortium, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Information and Communications Technology Region XII, NASYA Business Consultancy Services, and the Cotabato Provincial Government’s investment unit.

With private and public stakeholders committing continued support, the program aims to sustain its momentum in nurturing early-stage startups and advancing technology-based solutions from Cotabato to the wider Philippine innovation landscape.