Student entrepreneurs from the Ateneo de Davao University – School of Business and Governance triumphantly earned recognition at the Impact Startup Challenge hosted by the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) last July 2022.
The Impact Startup Challenge (ISC) was a 6-day intensive entrepreneurship bootcamp where students teamed up with like-minded individuals from different cities across China, India, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Together, the young entrepreneurs identified business models and opportunities by testing, validating, and pivoting their ideas until they have developed minimum viable products that translate into businesses that added value to the community and to society at large. ISC is an international workshop conference that so far had 21 runs in the past five years with more than 700 participants from all over the world.
The SUSS Impact Startup Challenge invited participants to three (3) different ideation tracks: ASEAN-China, Sustainability, and Gerontology. Similar to previous runs of the startup challenge, they had the opportunity to work in international groups to develop their business ideas.
Ateneo de Davao University was represented by Entrepreneurship students under the Business and Management Cluster of the School of Business and Governance. Amongst all of the participants from different countries and universities, two of our students have made it to the top list with their business ideas: 1) Mr. Emmanuel (Yuwel) Baltazar II with his ”P-Bricks,” and 2) Mr. Kent Oliver Abuzo with their “Pa Face Tee.” The two then became the leaders of their groups.
The student attendees are all required to choose a business idea in the top list. With Mr. Baltazar are Ms. Franchezka Ambagan and two Singaporean students. They will be working together for the business idea “P-Bricks,” a brick made out of eco-friendly and recycled materials.
In another group, Mr. Abuzo collaborated with Ms. Bumatay, Ms. Cunanan, and two Singaporean students to work for “Pa Face Tee,” a paper bag made out of recycled materials as well. After a week-long preparation and constant work for the improvement of their respective business ideas, Mr. Baltazar’s business idea won First Runner-up.
Student attendees: (ASEAN-CHINA)
- Abuzo, Kent Oliver
- Ambagan, Franchezka Audrey
- Baltazar, Emmanuel II
- Bumatay, Princess
- Cunanan, Michelle Anne
Testimonies:
Abuzo: “It was a great challenge during the SUSS: ASEAN-China Track Bootcamp, because all of us in the team are officers of different clubs and organizations. The incoming school year is one of the heaviest task we are having. But because of my team, as well the other members of ADDU-YES club who joined the SUSS BOOTCAMP, we are able to finish the task and able to be on TOP 6 and the other is even better the 1st Runner up. It was a great challenge with a great outcome, I hope we could enjoy another extraordinary bootcamp soon.”
Ambagan: “Joining the ASEAN-China Impact Start-up Challenge held last 5-9 July 2022 at Singapore University and Social Sciences allowed me to widen my perspective about the business world. It was very an insightful and productive event knowing that we were only given 5 days to absorb bombarding informations and tasks in order for us to effectively pitch our start-up ideas. I was culture shocked at first but it is also nice to learn more about various cultures, most especially their ethics and behaviours. Not only that, I’ve also met some friends internationally and managed to keep connected with each other.”
Baltazar: “The Asean-China and Gentrology Impact Startup Challenge 2022 was a worthwhile experience. It was my first time joining in an international challenge with participants from other ASEAN countries. I was able to meet new acquaintances and be exposed to people from various backgrounds and cultures. The first task was to share our own individual ideas to address the Sustainable Development Goals, and mine was P-Bricks (P-Bricks addresses the environmental issues of sustainability and pollution through plastic recycling). To my surprise, my business idea was chosen. Working with participants from different cultural backgrounds, I have learned that we have different approaches and solutions to addressing the problem. With these, I developed my skills of open-mindedness, flexibility, social skills, and problem solving.
I am grateful and thankful towards Ateneo de Davao University for giving me the opportunity to participate in this start-up challenge and also to the Singapore University of Social Science for organizing the event where I met amazing entrepreneurs with great minds.”
Cunanan: “Though challenging, the ASEAN-China Impact Startup Challenge 2022 is an event that’s one for the books! I have virtually met people from different universities who have so much to offer. Their minds and ideas have challenged me to think outside of the box and do more of what I think I can. However, as a student with responsibilities, it frankly became overwhelming too. The schedule conflicted with my personal schedule, and the workload was not that light either. Luckily, this group made me realize how you can do everything when you’re with the right people. We shared our frustrations, confusion, and achievements together. It was indeed a rollercoaster ride with multiple “give up nako” but we stayed and conquered this challenge. A core memory indeed.”
Another set of students enrolled and participated in another course but only Mr. Emmanuel Baltazar II managed to finish the Geontrology course – one of the three courses offered by SUSS.