Young Filipino scholars are harnessing the power of science and technology to tackle some of the community’s most pressing issues, from education gaps to agricultural diseases, demonstrating a new wave of technopreneurial spirit in the Davao Region.
Twelve teams of Department of Science and Technology (DOST) scholars recently culminated their six-month journey in the 2025 Scholars Technopreneurship Training Program (STTP) by presenting their innovative concepts at a Demo Day pitching competition. The event marked the finale of a program designed to transform research-based ideas into potential real-world solutions.
The STTP, spearheaded by the DOST-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) in partnership with DOST Davao and Leave a Nest Philippines, aims to nurture an entrepreneurial mindset among the country’s next generation of scientists and engineers.
“These ideas show what is possible when we combine curiosity, science, and compassion for the community,” said DOST Davao Regional Director Anthony C. Sales. “Even at the concept stage, our scholars are already thinking about how technology can improve lives, and that is exactly the kind of mindset DOST seeks to cultivate.”
Top Honors for Educational Tech
Claiming the top spot was Team ALLYMath, with its concept for a mobile learning application designed to revolutionize mathematics education for Filipino students. The proposed app would use gamified lessons, adaptive learning technology, and localized content to make math more interactive and accessible. It also includes monitoring dashboards for teachers and parents to track student progress.
The team was inspired by the persistently low math proficiency scores among learners in international assessments, aiming to create a tool that makes learning more inclusive and data-driven.
Sustainable Solutions for Health and Agriculture
The first runner-up, Team ecoKUBETA, addressed a critical sanitation need with its concept for a modular, compost-generating toilet system. Designed for coastal communities like Barangay 23-C in Davao City, where many lack access to safe toilets, the system operates without running water or complex sewage. It sustainably converts human waste into compost, emphasizing portability and environmental protection.
Meanwhile, the second runner-up, Team TrichoMend+, took aim at a major threat to the local economy: Panama disease in banana plantations. Their biotech concept integrates Trichoderma Pellets to enrich soil health with a Panama Early Detection Device. This sensor-based device is designed to identify the fungal infection before visible symptoms appear, potentially helping farmers reduce crop losses and reliance on chemical fungicides.
While the projects presented are still in the conceptual stage, they represent a critical first step toward creating tangible technologies. Through initiatives like the STTP, DOST continues to empower young innovators to apply scientific thinking beyond the laboratory, fostering solutions that promise to change lives and build a more resilient future for the Philippines.#
