Naga City Hall, September 2, 2025 — Sixteen promising startup teams from Ateneo de Naga University (ADNU), Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology (BISCAST), Naga College Foundation (NCF), and University of Nueva Caceres (UNC) were formally conferred with the Digital Innovation Fund during the Batch 4 Idea2Startup Ceremonial Grant Turnover held at the Naga City Hall.
Launched in 2021 by the City Government of Naga through the Investment and Tourism Promotions Office, the Idea2Startup Program is an annual initiative under the Naga City Startup Development Program. It is designed to transform student and faculty projects into viable startup ventures. As a collaborative effort between the city government and the academe, the program not only nurtures innovation but also builds a culture of technopreneurship, providing young innovators with the means to translate their ideas into real-world solutions.
Through the Digital Innovation Fund, the city provides seed grants for prototype development of projects that address pressing community challenges. For Batch 4, the 16 participating teams successfully completed a rigorous process that included bootcamp sessions, ideation workshops, and a pitching challenge, culminating in today’s ceremonial turnover.
ATENEO DE NAGA UNIVERSITY
ADNU continues to showcase strong representation with eight startup teams securing a total of ₱454,682.20. The following projects are:
DormEase, a web and mobile platform designed to simplify dormitory searching, booking, and accreditation (₱46,234.00)
Proponents: Angelea O. Dela Torre, Ela Mariz Z. Rivera, and Isaac Paul C. Dy
Adviser: Mr. Jude Buelva
NagaVRse, a VR platform that brings Naga City’s rich cultural heritage to life through interactive storytelling and virtual exploration (₱44,368.28)
Proponents: Nicole B. Castillo and Jamie Marie A. Jarme
Adviser: Ms. Michelle Santos
Smart and Scalable Urban Monitoring System, a centralized open-access data repository, a mobile app and dashboard for real-time AQI, heatmaps, alerts, and predictive analytics (₱106,500.00)
Proponents: Elmer C. Claveria Jr. and Cornelio G. Labrador II
Adviser: Engr. Gilbert Detera
EMISENSE, an IoT-based methane monitoring system for landfills (₱31,019.00)
Proponents: Karl Shandrick A. Bathan, Lyan Dacoycoy, and Paul C. Enriquez
Adviser: Engr. Jean Paul Paje
VetKita, a platform that enables seamless booking for veterinary consultations and pet grooming, all in one place (₱37,180.00)
Proponents: Ma. Louise Arsent P. Bico, Ma. Kristine R. Mien, Justin Ira A. Natividad, Gil Jose F. Peñaflor, and Gian Roilo P. Salen
Adviser: Mr. Kenneth Del Carmen
OkieDoc+,  an innovative blockchain-enabled telehealth platform that transforms healthcare access and management (₱112,476.00)
Proponents: John Pio Anthony A. Buena, Katrina M. Sarmiento, Aaron Joshua V. Señar, and Phoebe Anne R. Mallapre
Adviser: Engr. Gilbert Detera
Project HARIBON, an innovative disaster response platform that optimizes relief distribution & rescue operations (₱61,084.72)
Proponents: Martin Edgar Atole, Justin Ira A. Natividad, Albert Elezer B. Perez, and Kevin Guadalupe Vega
Adviser: Mr. Kevin Vega
ATLAS: Automated Local Weather Sentry, an IoT-enabled weather station that logs and uploads local weather data (₱15,820.20)
Proponents: Kyra Radji C. Dagondon, Justin Daniel L. Ng Suy, and Emmanuel C. Nieva
Adviser: Dr. Referendo Soriano
BICOL STATE COLLEGE OF APPLIED SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY
BISCAST is proudly represented by one innovative startup team with a total funding of ₱27,421.00:
PaperHub, an automated paper vending machine designed to efficiently dispense formatted engineering papers to students (₱27,421.00)
Proponents: Joash Mari P Manzanero, Yssa Mae Nivales, Augusto Miguel P. Ramos, Benedick San Gabriel, and Adrian Rey D. Santos
Adviser: Engr. Christian Albert D. Huerto
NAGA COLLEGE FOUNDATIONÂ
NCF successfully secured a total of ₱202,404.34 for three innovative projects. The following are:
InternNook, a tech-driven platform that transforms the internship process through AI-powered intern matching and digital contract automation (₱113,592.34)
Proponents: Harvin G. Ong, Ivan A. Ramos, Dian Kristine Raygon, and Maria Fe Surtida
Adviser: Dr. Nora Elizabeth Maniquiz, CPA
PetCo, a pet collar with real-time tracking and monitoring system (₱41,312.00)
Proponents: Arvin Jay Agna, Deoneil Raven N. Bathan, Romnick Claveron, Lawrence Colis, and Francel Kaye Parma
Adviser: Mr. Lorenzo Jay Pantalla
TetherX, a smart tracking bracelet that provides real-time location monitoring and automated entry/exit alerts (₱47,500.00)
Proponents: Nikko N. Ricafrente and John Kirk Y. Navarrete
Adviser: Dr. Nora Elizabeth Maniquiz, CPA
UNIVERSITY OF NUEVA CACERESÂ
Four startup teams from UNC were awarded with a combined funding of ₱140,560.00. These projects are:
CoPeMS: Construction Permit Management System, a digital platform designed to streamline the process of building and occupancy permit applications (₱23,300.00)
Proponents: Baby Jacqueline Azada, Julian Lumanta, John Timothy Umali, and Winston Villante
Adviser: Mr. June Arreb C. Danila
DigiStall Management System, a stall management system for managing rental stalls, streamlining payments, and connecting stall finders with available spaces (₱41,580.00)
Proponents: Giuseppe Marie B. Archivido, Voun Irish Florence C. Dejumo, Jeno Aldrei A. Laurente, and Shimri Gabriel C. Luansing
Adviser: Mr. June Arreb C. Danila
City Ventures, a digital tourism platform that centralizes tourism information and services (₱41,580.00)
Proponents: Hans Gabriel Cando, Emmanuel V. Collao, Rayven Clores, and Lewis Wayne Q. Sanao
Adviser: Mr. June Arreb C. Danila
AidVantage, an online assistance application that equips social workers with tools to manage and process requests efficiently (₱34,100.00)
Proponents: Jovel B. Portuguez, Graham Russell A. Gonzales, John Joseph P. Asoro, and Weneilyn Paronda
Adviser: Mr. June Arreb C. Danila
Building the Path to Commercialization
With the official release of the Digital Innovation Fund, the 16 teams are now set to move forward with the development and testing of their prototypes. The city government envisions these projects advancing toward commercialization, creating both social impact and entrepreneurial opportunities for the academe and the broader Naga community.
(Krizia Francine Coronel, ITPO)
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