DOST awards accreditation and grants; Benilde 1st
The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) ranked the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Hub of Innovation for Inclusion (HiFi) 1st among 27 universities to receive a Technology Business Incubator (TBI) grant.
Through this recognition, Benilde HiFi is now classified as an accredited TBI, with the shared goal to promote technopreneurship by nurturing financially viable business start-ups into sustainable operations. This initiative will be able to develop entrepreneurs, create jobs and promote public-private partnerships in regional economic development.
Founded in 2016 and housed at the Peter D. Garrucho Innovations Institute, Benilde HiFi opens its doors to provide office spaces, facilities and analytical laboratories. It will offer technical, administrative, business development, marketing assistance, intellectual property management and legal counselling services, all needed during the developmental stage of technology entrepreneurs.
The team is comprised of Benilde Partnership Advancement Director Robin Serrano, together with Benilde Center for Intellectual Property Management Director Atty. Janice Tejano, Benilde Partnership Advancement Officer Patricia Go-Manere, HiFi Incubation Coordinator Alex Abear, HiFi Entrepreneur-in-Residence Camille Albarracin, and HiFi Incubation Manager and OIC-Director Paul Pajo.
“With the DOST team working with us, we foresee more active participation by our students and faculty with HiFi, and would rev up the interest of the industries and communities we work with and serve,” Serrano noted.
“We will be able to directly support our incubation initiatives with the funds from the grant,” he added. “The recognition will enable us to bring in more supporters and believers in HiFi as well as our schools and programs involved in its initiatives.”
To be admitted to the TBI program, learning institutions should have active research and development and existing facilities that may be tapped by future startups. They likewise should have an existing partnership with business schools, industry associations or private organizations. They must also offer entrepreneurship or technopreneurship programs.
DOST-PCIEERD received a total of 89 applications from diverse Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) around the country, which underwent the meticulous screening by a panel of industry experts.
Ateneo de Manila University and Philippine Women’s College of Davao placed 2nd and 3rd places, respectively. The Central Philippine University in Iloilo landed 4th, while the University of the Philippines Baguio clinched 5th.
