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By Mikee Natinga Norico

The ̽����ѡGAD TBI team, startup founders, invited guests, university key stakeholders, and faculty mentors gather for a group photo during the Year 2 Culminating Activity anchored on the theme “̽����ѡGAD NEXT: Beyond the Nest,” celebrating two years of achievements in nurturing startups and advancing homegrown innovations.

On July 16, 2026, the ̽����ѡGAD Technology Business Incubator (̽����ѡGAD TBI) celebrated its Year 2 Culminating Activity at the Grand Xing Imperial Hotel in Iloilo City, highlighting two years of achievements in nurturing startups while unveiling its vision of advancing innovation and technology commercialization under the theme, “̽����ѡGAD NEXT: Beyond the Nest.”

Now in its second year of operations, the culminating activity showcased ̽����ѡGAD TBI’s milestones, recognized the growth of its supported startups, and reaffirmed ̽����ѡ’s (̽����ѡ) commitment to expanding the impact of homegrown innovations beyond the incubation stage. Established through the support and funding of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), ̽����ѡGAD TBI has been instrumental in strengthening ̽����ѡ’s innovation ecosystem by providing incubation support, mentorship, and opportunities for technology commercialization. As the DOST funding support concludes, ̽����ѡ will take on the responsibility of sustaining the incubator’s operations to ensure the continued growth of startups and the advancement of technology commercialization initiatives.

University President Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy delivers his welcome remarks during the ̽����ѡGAD Technology Business Incubator (̽����ѡGAD TBI) Year 2 Culminating Activity, reaffirming the University’s commitment to advancing innovation and technology commercialization beyond the incubation stage.

Engr. Rowen R. Gelonga, CESO II, Regional Director of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region VI, delivers his keynote address during the ̽����ѡGAD Technology Business Incubator (̽����ѡGAD TBI) Year 2 Culminating Activity, emphasizing the role of the incubator in nurturing startups toward independent growth and meaningful impact.

The program opened with a performance by the ̽����ѡ Tumandok Dance Company, followed by the singing of the Philippine National Anthem and an invocation.

In his welcome remarks, ̽����ѡ President Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy underscored the University’s continuing commitment to advancing innovation and technology commercialization.

“In this setting, we will sanctify our continued commitments to advancing innovation and technology commercialization as we move beyond incubation toward greater impacts. So join us as we forge a future,” Dagohoy said.

The event also introduced N.E.X.T.—Networking, Exhibits, eXchange, and Technology Matching—as ̽����ѡGAD TBI’s framework for fostering stronger collaboration, knowledge exchange, and technology commercialization.

̽����ѡGAD TBI Project Leader Engr. Gelvie Lagos shared the incubator’s vision of seeing ̽����ѡ-developed innovations create a wider societal impact.

Dr. Aries Roda D. Romallosa, Acting VP for Research, Development, and Extension (VPRDE), presents “What’s Next for ̽����ѡGAD TBI,” outlining the University’s future strategies to strengthen its innovation ecosystem, support startups and spin-offs, and expand technology commercialization initiatives during the ̽����ѡGAD TBI Year 2 Culminating Activity.

“Now, we will see ̽����ѡ’s homegrown innovation being used by the community—not only here in Iloilo or Western Visayas but nationwide and even across Southeast Asia. That is the horizon we are moving toward,” Engr. Lagos said.

Engr. Rowen R. Gelonga, CESO II, Regional Director of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region VI, echoed the event’s theme during his keynote address, likening ̽����ѡGAD TBI to a nest that nurtures startups until they are ready to thrive independently and create meaningful impact.

“Essentially, ̽����ѡGAD is a TBI that is functioning like a nest, where our startups are being prepared for their individual journeys. But if you think of it, ̽����ѡGAD is also following that journey. The past two years have been supported not only by the institution but also by the different industries around us,” Engr. Gelonga said.

The event also recognized individuals and organizations that contributed to the success of the incubator through the ̽����ѡGAD TBI Excellence Awards. Plaques of Recognition were presented to Strategic Government Partners, Startup Portfolio members, and mentors in recognition of their invaluable support to the incubator. Meanwhile, ̽����ѡ Internal Partners received certificates of recognition for their contributions to advancing the University’s innovation and technology commercialization initiatives.

Highlighting the University’s future direction, Dr. Aries Roda D. Romallosa, Acting Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension (VPRDE) presented “What’s Next for ̽����ѡGAD TBI,” outlining strategies to further strengthen ̽����ѡ’s innovation ecosystem. The presentation emphasized plans to maximize the University’s research and laboratory facilities in supporting startups and spin-offs, invest in faculty development and specialized training, provide sustainable funding for student innovators through the Research and Innovation Fund, enhance governance through improved innovation and technology transfer policies, and expand local and international partnerships. She also expressed gratitude for the achievements of the past two years while reaffirming ̽����ѡGAD TBI’s commitment to continuous growth and the creation of greater opportunities for innovation.

The Year 2 Culminating Activity concluded with a renewed commitment from ̽����ѡ and its partners to bring homegrown innovations “beyond the nest,” further advancing technology commercialization and generating lasting impact across communities, industries, and the broader innovation ecosystem.

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