NDMC Joins Philippine Startup Challenge 10 – Provincial Pitching 2025
The Notre Dame of Midsayap College (NDMC) proudly participated in the Philippine Startup Challenge 10 – Provincial Pitching 2025 held on October 6, 2025, at the USM Commercial Building, Kabacan, Cotabato. The event was organized in collaboration with DICT-IIDB, DICT North Cotabato Team, DOST XII, EULAP, and the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) to promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation among young innovators.
The competition opened with Dr. Debbie Marie B. Versoza, USM Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension, who emphasized the importance of nurturing entrepreneurial mindsets among students, followed by Mr. Rizber S. Escanilla of DICT-IIDB, who presented an overview of the competition’s objectives and framework.
Representing NDMC were two promising teams:
Team DevLift, composed of Jan Matthew Vargas (BSCS 2), Adrian Ebrao (BSCS 3), and Shanshiru Shaynne Cabante (BSECE 2), introduced an educational platform that connects students, startups, and schools to promote project-based learning and employment readiness. The platform aligns with SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by bridging the gap between education and industry needs.
Team SleepSnap, composed of David Frank Tanamal, Al-Nurhamen S. Kidas, and McArl C. Corpuz (all BSECE 4), presented an embedded safety device that detects driver fatigue through facial recognition technology, issuing alerts to prevent road accidents. This innovation supports SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).
Both teams were mentored by Engr. Ram Owen Savier J. Licayan, ECT, who guided them throughout their preparation and pitching sessions.
The event concluded with Team Project DeepGreen emerging as champion for their Android-based plant health monitoring app, while Team Eigens was named first runner-up for their AI-powered halal verification system.
The Philippine Startup Challenge successfully showcased the creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit of young Filipinos, reinforcing the vital role of academic institutions like NDMC in shaping future technopreneurs and changemakers.