General Trias, Cavite — August 18, 2025. The University of Batangas Lipa City (UBLC) achieved a major milestone in research and innovation after being named Champion in the PitchCALABARZON: TECHGROW Innovation Pitch Day on August 18, 2025 at Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Cavite. The win capped off UBLC’s successful participation in the DOST-CALABARZON TECHGROW Ladderized Capacity-Building Training Series, which ran from December 16, 2024, to June 30, 2025.
The TECHGROW Project (Technology Transfer and Entrepreneurship Collaboration and Harmonization of Growing Regional Opportunities on Wealth Creation), spearheaded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) CALABARZON, was organized in partnership with DOST Regional Offices and other key agencies. The program aimed to equip faculty researchers and technology transfer officers with the necessary skills to move university-led research from ideation to commercialization.
The training consisted of four modules designed to progressively build innovation capacity: Module 1 laid the foundation, introducing participants to core concepts of technology transfer and commercialization, Modules 2 and 3 focused on R&D needs assessment and aligning projects with market demands, as well as linking university spin-offs with regional opportunities and Module 4, the most extensive, concentrated on the practicalities of technology commercialization, including Intellectual Property (IP) protection, securing funding, proposal development, and effective pitching. The series concluded with a culminating session on delivering competitive technology pitches.
The true test of the training came during the Pitch CALABARZON Innovation Pitch Day, one of the highlights of the 2025 Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (RSTW), held under the theme “Building Smart and Sustainable Communities in CALABARZON.” Six teams from various universities competed in a simulated startup-investor environment, presenting their projects before a panel of experts, investors, and academic partners.
Representing UBLC, Mr. Arjay Gonzales led the team in presenting Project TANAW, a research-driven initiative showcasing both innovative potential and commercial viability. The pitch reflected the culmination of the university’s eight-month intensive training, integrating lessons on identifying real-world problems, aligning with market needs, and crafting compelling project narratives.
Among the six entries, UBLC was declared Champion, followed by National University – Dasmariñas (1st Runner-Up) and Lyceum of the Philippines University – Cavite (2nd Runner-Up). This victory highlights the quality and relevance of UBLC’s research outputs and validates the effectiveness of the TECHGROW training program in preparing institutions for technology transfer and innovation-driven development.