STTP Progress: Halfway Through the Journey of Becoming a Technopreneur
The Scholars Technopreneurship Training Program (STTP) is a 5-month training program for DOST Scholars located in Region 6 which started last July 2024 and will be ending in November 2024. The program aims to train young university students into becoming future technopreneurs by instilling in them the concepts and mindset required to build their own startup companies, and possibly solve the many issues of the country using their innovative technologies and ideas.
This September 15th, the 3rd Bootcamp has successfully concluded bringing the program into halftime with 3 out of 5 Bootcamps already completed. Below are some of the key learnings instilled to the students during Bootcamps 1 to 3.
Bootcamp 1 was held on July 20-21 which Kickstarted the event and officially welcomed the 100 young technopreneurs in their 5-month long training program. The 1st day's morning was filled with important remarks from various principal figures related to the event, and the afternoon started off immediately with a Module teaching the students about the Mindset required for this program. The 2nd day then continued on with other Modules relating to finding their own Issues that the students are passionate to solve, and thinking of possible Solutions that they could think of to solve these problems.
You may view more details about the 1st Bootcamp Kickoff via this link: LINK
Bootcamp 2 was held on August 10-11 which had the Visayas Tech Planter 2024 Demo Day during the 1st day. This was the very first time a regional Tech Planter was done in the Philippines and it aimed to expose the STTP students to what a real startup event with real experienced startups looks like, as they would most likely experience the same things if they continue forward with their startup journey. For the 2nd day, various local and global startups from the Leave a Nest network were then invited to be the “Senpais” of the students and share their startup journey with their young “juniors”. This session aimed to provide a guide to the students by sharing the good and bad experiences that the Senpais had encountered in building up their startups.
The Local Senpais invited for this session were Galansiyang Inc., Anihan Technologies Inc., Dali Innovative Solutions Inc., and Jeremake. While the Global Senpais consisted of FiberCraze Co., Ltd., Panta Rhei Corp., Galdieria Co., Ltd., and Alterno Pte., Ltd. Together, they were able to provide a good amount of supportive advice and insightful comments to the ideas of all the students who also interacted with these experienced Senpais through the Question and Answer portion of the module. The CEO of the Leave a Nest Group, Dr. Yukihiro Maru also gave a wonderful ending comment at the end of the session to refine the presentation of each and every team in terms of improving how they should deliver their message to their audience.
For the Visayas Tech Planter Demo Day, you may read more about this event via this link: LINK
Lastly, Bootcamp 3 was held on September 14-15 and had Module lectures for both days. The 1st day's morning session consisted of a Module about “Bringing your Technology to Society” where the students were taught how to start with something attainable when trying to start producing a sellable product, but also taught the importance of not forgetting about their original mission by making it their long term goals for the company. In the afternoon, the students were then taught about the importance of collaboration in the startup industry in order to attain success. They were given a well needed skill in order to succeed with negotiations with other partners and get them to help achieve their goals.
On the 2nd day, the students were then taught the importance of their team dynamics, as they originally have themselves to rely on in building up their companies. All of the teams were told to do a personality test in the morning in order to get to understand each other's work dynamics. The results of the tests were then used in determining which member fits which role in a company and so the students assigned each and every one of their team members to “Chief” ranking officers.
Two more Bootcamps remain for these young technopreneurs before they take on the stage and pitch their startup ideas in front of an audience and a panel of judges during the STTP Demo Day in November 2024.
OPEN FOR COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITIES
The event is open to interested partners who would want to join and take part in this rare opportunity of experiencing what the regional startup scene of the Philippines has to offer. As our world consists of different kinds of problems, different areas and regions actually have other ways of viewing these issues, and hearing the perspectives of different people in how they see these problems may give way to new innovative ideas and solutions to the countless issues we encounter.
Through these regional events similar to the Visayas TECH PLANTER 2024, our partners gain a deeper understanding about the situation in the region which helps them think about how they can contribute and work together with the local society. Collaborations and partnerships with local institutions could be formed through the connections that will be obtained through this event. Previous partners in regional events were able to connect with local government agencies and universities which gave them new opportunities to develop their companies through technological proof-of-concept collaborations or business partnerships.
As the teams under the STTP try to solve the various issues that they personally experience, your participation may be the key in opening up the gateway for these innovative ideas to grow and prosper.
For any questions or concerns regarding the STTP, please contact the following:
- Ronrick Arayata – [email protected]
- Bill Mercardo – [email protected]