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NAGA CITY, Bicol Region — The new Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-funded Technology Business Incubator (TBI) supports this city’s ambition of becoming an intelligent and innovative urban center by 2030 by assisting local startups in creating proactive Internet of Things (IoT) solutions.
This objective is the goal of the Ateneo de Naga University’s (ADNU) “Maximizing Alliances for a Greater Innovative Society” (MAGIS) TBI), which was inaugurated on April 10, 2025.
“As one of the government agencies to lead the implementation of Republic Act No. 11337, or the Innovative Startup Act, the DOST’s aim is always to create a conducive environment for our startups. We ensure that support for startups extends beyond Metro Manila, establishing innovation hubs in regions like Bicol through initiatives like the HEIRIT Program of the DOST-PCIEERD,” said DOST Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum Jr.
MAGIS TBI is supported with funding from the agency’s Innovation Council, the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) for Php14 million and Phpa3.8 million from ADNU through the Higher Education Institution Readiness for Innovation and Technopreneurship (HEIRIT) Program.
The university’s MAGIS TBI is helping diverse startups develop IoT solutions to enhance efficiency and automation for the Local Government Unit (LGU), academic institutions, and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Naga City.
To prepare startups for commercialization, ADNU has initiated pre-incubation sessions and has co-organized summits, bootcamps, and hackathons. They were also able to host 10 startup teams for market potential validation.
Among the developed IoT technologies are SmartWater and ROBIOT, which digitalize water infrastructure and management. Additionally, Ledtronix creates a remote-controlled smart display system, while Greentech monitors soil, weather, and crop health, offering farmers real-time data for precise farming.
To boost the startup ecosystem in Naga City, ADNU has already established partnerships with 25 government and private organizations.
“We have initiated this TBI with a strong commitment to advancing regional development and aligning with Naga City’s vision of becoming an intelligent and innovative city by 2030. We aim to make significant progress toward this goal over the next five years,” said Engr. Ryan Alvin O. Mercado, Assistant Professor & TBI Manager at ADNU.
“We at DOST-PCIEERD are optimistic that MAGIS TBI will cultivate a culture of innovation through robust collaboration between industry and academia, thereby facilitating the emergence of technology-oriented and innovation-centric enterprises to enhance our economy,” stated PCIEERD Executive Director, Dr. Enrico C. Paringit, highlighting the significance of the Council’s HEIRIT Program in regional advancement.
Over the years, the PCIEERD TBI network, composed of 59 TBIs, has incubated 1,691 startups and has been able to generate P1 billion in revenues.
In the Bicol Region, PCIEERD also funds two more TBIs, which are established in Bicol University and Camarines Sur Polytechnic College, and two innovative startups — Agrabah and Muramart. (/)
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Source: PCIEERD Media Unit