CHED allots P120 million to help student innovators launch agri-aqua startups

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has allocated P120 million to help student innovators transform research projects into startups through a new technology business incubation program for the agriculture and fisheries sectors.

During the ceremonial launch of the SIBOL: Student Technology Business Incubation Program for the Agri-Aqua Sector on Thursday, CHED announced that 24 state universities and colleges (SUCs) nationwide were selected to participate in the initiative.

Each SUC will receive P5 million over two years, with CHED allocating P60 million annually—or P120 million in total—to support student innovators in commercializing research and innovative ideas.

“The program aims to help our students move beyond research and transform their innovations into viable startup enterprises,” CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis said.

Agrupis noted that many promising student research projects remain as theses or capstone projects because of limited opportunities for commercialization.

“Every year, our students and faculty produce promising research and technologies. However, many remain as theses, capstone projects, or course requirements because they lack opportunities for further development into products, services, or startup ventures that can benefit our communities and industries,” she said.

Under the program, each participating SUC will mentor 10 student innovators by providing capacity-building activities, access to facilities, technical and financial assistance, and industry linkages.

CHED said the initiative aims to help establish at least 200 local enterprises, with participating student startups expected to complete their business registration by the end of the two-year implementation period.

“This is an investment in our institutions, but more importantly, it is an investment in the potential of Filipino students to become innovators and entrepreneurs,” Agrupis said.

The participating SUCs already operate Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubators under the National Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubation Network of the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD).

During the launch, CHED and Isabela State University (ISU) presented the program framework, incubation process, and selection criteria, while ISU students showcased technologies and prototypes with commercialization potential.

The 24 participating SUCs include 12 from Luzon, five from the Visayas, and seven from Mindanao. –VBL, GMA News