Student startup entries target environmental, farm challenges

The Quezon City Government, through its Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office (LEDIPO), awarded student innovators developing technology-based solutions for environmental and agricultural challenges at the third Startup QC Student Competition at the Quezon City M.I.C.E. Center.

Student entrepreneurs are developing technology-based solutions to environmental and agricultural challenges, as the Quezon City Government seeks to strengthen its pipeline of startups through its student innovation program.

Creekbin of Quezon City University emerged as the grand champion of the third Startup QC Student Competition, winning P100,000 for a solar-powered automated system designed to collect floating waste and monitor waterways in real time.

The team’s system uses Internet of Things (IoT) technology to automate waste collection while providing data on waterway conditions.

Agriculture Farming Innovation Technology, also from Quezon City University, placed first runner-up and received P75,000 for a compact agricultural mixer and cutter designed to improve the processing of raw feed materials. Its reversible blade system is intended to prevent clogging during operation.

Birdseye of the FEU Institute of Technology placed second runner-up and received P50,000 for an artificial intelligence- and IoT-enabled monitoring system for poultry farms. The system detects wet litter and monitors ammonia levels, which the team identified as factors affecting poultry health, growth and survival.

The three teams were selected from 153 applications involving 643 students from 45 schools nationwide.

A total of 92 teams advanced after the initial shortlisting, more than twice the 37 teams that reached the cadetship phase in the program’s second run in 2025, according to the Quezon City Government.

The increase points to growing interest among students in developing technology and business solutions, while the program provides training in design thinking, market segmentation, financial management, pitching, intellectual property and technology business incubation.

“What we witnessed at Pitch Day was the result of the participants’ hard work, learning, and mentorship received throughout the program,” QC LEDIPO Head Jay Gatmaitan said.

“More importantly, it showed that when young people are given the right support and a platform for their ideas, they can develop solutions with real potential to address community and industry needs,” he added.

Eleven teams received Silver Awards worth P25,000 each, while 33 teams received Bronze Awards worth P15,000 each. In total, 47 teams received P995,000 in cash prizes to help develop their proposed solutions.

The Startup QC program is the Quezon City Government’s flagship startup development initiative, providing student innovators and early-stage entrepreneurs with mentorship, capacity-building, networking and funding opportunities.

Student teams may eventually transition to the program’s Professional Category, where eligible early-stage and product-stage startups can access expert mentorship, networking opportunities and potential equity-free funding of up to P1 million. — Kaizzer Angela Marie V. Manuba