DOST-ADZU AZUL HUB

DOST-ADZU AZUL HUB Ateneo de Zamboanga University Technology Business Incubator Instilling these virtues in their innovations will carry them through the skies and beyond.

DOST-ADZU AZUL HUB has a dream of empowering innovators by creating innovative products and services to solve the most pressing problems faced by the region. DOST-ADZU AZUL HUB is inspired by the Ateneo de Zamboanga emblem - an blue/azul eagle symbolizing courage and freedom. Moreover, we will help innovators in their journey from an idea to a scale-up in order to produce startups that soar high and create an impact in Zamboanga City, Region, Western BARMM, and beyond. DOST-ADZU AZUL HUB will create an ecosystem where local entrepreneurs can promote businesses, products, and service ideas and support commercialization.

๐Œ๐ž๐ง๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ ๐“๐ซ๐š๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ง๐  ๐Œ๐š๐ฌ๐ญ๐ž๐ซ๐œ๐ฅ๐š๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐†๐ซ๐š๐๐ฎ๐š๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐งThe HERMOSA Mentorship Training Masterclass concluded with the graduation of o...
27/08/2026

๐Œ๐ž๐ง๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ ๐“๐ซ๐š๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ง๐  ๐Œ๐š๐ฌ๐ญ๐ž๐ซ๐œ๐ฅ๐š๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐†๐ซ๐š๐๐ฎ๐š๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง

The HERMOSA Mentorship Training Masterclass concluded with the graduation of our dedicated mentors after three days of learning, collaboration, and hands-on practicum with startups under the HERMOSA Pre-Acceleration Program.

The training equipped mentors with practical tools and approaches to better guide and support startups throughout their innovation journey.

Congratulations to our HERMOSA Mentors on completing the masterclass and taking the next step toward creating meaningful impact in the regional innovation ecosystem.

From learning to mentoring, and from mentoring to impact.

๐ˆ๐ ๐๐‡๐Ž๐“๐Ž๐’ | ๐ƒ๐š๐ฒ ๐Ÿ‘ ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐Œ๐ž๐ง๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ ๐“๐ซ๐š๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ง๐  ๐Œ๐š๐ฌ๐ญ๐ž๐ซ๐œ๐ฅ๐š๐ฌ๐ฌDay 3 of the Mentorship Training Masterclass focused on putting ...
27/08/2026

๐ˆ๐ ๐๐‡๐Ž๐“๐Ž๐’ | ๐ƒ๐š๐ฒ ๐Ÿ‘ ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐Œ๐ž๐ง๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ ๐“๐ซ๐š๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ง๐  ๐Œ๐š๐ฌ๐ญ๐ž๐ซ๐œ๐ฅ๐š๐ฌ๐ฌ

Day 3 of the Mentorship Training Masterclass focused on putting the knowledge and frameworks from the previous sessions into practice through a hands-on mentorship practicum.

Mentors were given the opportunity to work directly with startups participating in the HERMOSA Pre-Acceleration Program, practicing how to assess their current stage, ask meaningful questions, provide constructive feedback, and guide them toward clearer goals and next steps.

Through this hands-on experience, mentors strengthened their mentoring and coaching approaches while gaining a deeper understanding of how to provide relevant, structured, and actionable support to startups at different stages of development.

The session marked an important step in preparing mentors to support the startups of the HERMOSA Consortium and contribute to a stronger and more connected regional innovation ecosystem.

๐ˆ๐ ๐๐‡๐Ž๐“๐Ž๐’ | ๐ƒ๐š๐ฒ 2 ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐Œ๐ž๐ง๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ ๐“๐ซ๐š๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ง๐  ๐Œ๐š๐ฌ๐ญ๐ž๐ซ๐œ๐ฅ๐š๐ฌ๐ฌDay 2 of the Mentorship Training Masterclass focused on practica...
26/08/2026

๐ˆ๐ ๐๐‡๐Ž๐“๐Ž๐’ | ๐ƒ๐š๐ฒ 2 ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐Œ๐ž๐ง๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ ๐“๐ซ๐š๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ง๐  ๐Œ๐š๐ฌ๐ญ๐ž๐ซ๐œ๐ฅ๐š๐ฌ๐ฌ

Day 2 of the Mentorship Training Masterclass focused on practical tools and frameworks that mentors can use to better assess, guide, and support startups throughout their development journey.

The sessions delved into the Lean Canvas Model, providing participants with a structured approach to understanding and validating key aspects of a startupโ€™s business model. Mentors also explored Technology Readiness Level (TRL), Market Readiness Level (MRL), and Investment Readiness Level (IRL)โ€”important frameworks for evaluating a startupโ€™s technology, market potential, and preparedness for investment.

The day also highlighted the importance of effective pitching, equipping mentors with insights and approaches to help startups communicate their value proposition, potential, and opportunities more clearly and convincingly.

Through these discussions and activities, participants gained practical perspectives that can help them guide startups from idea development and validation toward market entry, growth, and investment readiness.

As the masterclass continues, mentors are building the knowledge and tools needed to provide more meaningful support to startups and contribute to a stronger regional innovation ecosystem.

๐ˆ๐ ๐๐‡๐Ž๐“๐Ž๐’ | ๐ƒ๐š๐ฒ 1 ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐Œ๐ž๐ง๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ ๐“๐ซ๐š๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ง๐  ๐Œ๐š๐ฌ๐ญ๐ž๐ซ๐œ๐ฅ๐š๐ฌ๐ฌThe HERMOSA Consortium, in partnership with QBO and IdeaSpace, k...
25/08/2026

๐ˆ๐ ๐๐‡๐Ž๐“๐Ž๐’ | ๐ƒ๐š๐ฒ 1 ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐Œ๐ž๐ง๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ ๐“๐ซ๐š๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ง๐  ๐Œ๐š๐ฌ๐ญ๐ž๐ซ๐œ๐ฅ๐š๐ฌ๐ฌ

The HERMOSA Consortium, in partnership with QBO and IdeaSpace, kicked off Day 1 of the Mentorship Training Masterclass on August 24, 2026, bringing together mentors from the academe, industry, government, and startup sectors.

The first day featured two key sessions: โ€œThe Philippine Startup Landscape & TBI Dynamicsโ€ and โ€œThe Startup Life Cycle: From Idea to Market.โ€ These sessions provided valuable insights into the Philippine startup ecosystem, the role of Technology Business Incubators (TBIs), and the different stages of a startupโ€™s journeyโ€”from developing an idea to entering and growing in the market.

The discussions set the foundation for a three-day learning experience designed to strengthen mentorsโ€™ capabilities and equip them with the knowledge and practical approaches needed to effectively guide and support startups across the region.

๐‡๐€๐๐๐„๐๐ˆ๐๐† ๐๐Ž๐–: ๐Œ๐„๐๐“๐Ž๐‘๐’๐‡๐ˆ๐ ๐“๐‘๐€๐ˆ๐๐ˆ๐๐† ๐Œ๐€๐’๐“๐„๐‘๐‚๐‹๐€๐’๐’The HERMOSA Consortium, in partnership with QBO and IdeaSpace, officially ...
24/08/2026

๐‡๐€๐๐๐„๐๐ˆ๐๐† ๐๐Ž๐–: ๐Œ๐„๐๐“๐Ž๐‘๐’๐‡๐ˆ๐ ๐“๐‘๐€๐ˆ๐๐ˆ๐๐† ๐Œ๐€๐’๐“๐„๐‘๐‚๐‹๐€๐’๐’

The HERMOSA Consortium, in partnership with QBO and IdeaSpace, officially kicks off Day 1 of the Mentorship Training Masterclass, bringing together a pool of mentors representing the academe, industry, government, and startup sectors, all committed to strengthening the regionโ€™s startup and innovation ecosystem.

Throughout the three-day masterclass, mentors will participate in intensive sessions, discussions, and practical activities designed to strengthen their mentoring capabilities and equip them with the knowledge, tools, and approaches needed to effectively support startups.

This initiative aims to foster a strong and connected network of mentors who can provide valuable guidance, industry insights, meaningful connections, and continued support to innovators and entrepreneurs as they navigate their startup journey.

Through mentorship, collaboration, and shared expertise, HERMOSA continues to build an enabling ecosystem where regional startups can grow, innovate, and create meaningful impact.

๐‡๐„๐‘๐Œ๐Ž๐’๐€ ๐‚๐จ๐ง๐ง๐ž๐œ๐ญ: ๐‘๐ž๐ฏ๐ž๐ซ๐ฌ๐ž ๐๐ข๐ญ๐œ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐  ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ” | ๐€ ๐ƒ๐š๐ฒ ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐‚๐ก๐š๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ž๐ง๐ ๐ž๐ฌ, ๐‚๐จ๐ง๐ง๐ž๐œ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ, ๐š๐ง๐ ๐ˆ๐ง๐ง๐จ๐ฏ๐š๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐งThe HERMOSA Consortium successf...
22/08/2026

๐‡๐„๐‘๐Œ๐Ž๐’๐€ ๐‚๐จ๐ง๐ง๐ž๐œ๐ญ: ๐‘๐ž๐ฏ๐ž๐ซ๐ฌ๐ž ๐๐ข๐ญ๐œ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐  ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ” | ๐€ ๐ƒ๐š๐ฒ ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐‚๐ก๐š๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ž๐ง๐ ๐ž๐ฌ, ๐‚๐จ๐ง๐ง๐ž๐œ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ, ๐š๐ง๐ ๐ˆ๐ง๐ง๐จ๐ฏ๐š๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง

The HERMOSA Consortium successfully conducted HERMOSA Connect: Reverse Pitching 2026 on August 20, 2026 at Ateneo de Zamboanga University โ€“ Lantaka Campus, bringing together industry challenge owners, startups, student innovators, faculty members, researchers, and technology developers to explore solutions to validated industry challenges.

The program opened with welcome remarks from Fr. Rene C. Tacastacas, SJ, Vice President for Higher Education of Ateneo de Zamboanga University, followed by a keynote message from Dir. Rosemarie S. Salazar, Chair of the HERMOSA Consortium and Regional Director of DOST IX. Messages of support were then delivered by Dir. Cheryl C. Ortega, Co-Chair of the HERMOSA Consortium and Regional Director of DICT IX BASULTA, Engr. Al-Zamir I. Lipae, Co-Chair of the HERMOSA Consortium and Regional Director of DTI IX, and Dr. Marvin A. Maulion, Chair of ZIEERDEC.

The plenary session featured insights from Dr. Elmer-Rico Mojica, DOST-PCIEERD Balik Scientist Program Faculty from Pace University, New York, and Hon. Kimberly D. Villaflores, City Councilor of District II, City of Zamboanga, who served as reactors following the presentation of the industry challenges. The event concluded with closing remarks from Mario S. Rodriguez, Project Leader of ReSEED HERMOSA and Director of ACEND.

Through the reverse pitching format, industries presented their real-world challenges while participants engaged in discussions, explored potential solutions, and identified opportunities for collaboration, pilot implementation, technology adoption, and future partnerships.

From challenges presented to connections made, HERMOSA Connect continues to bring the regionโ€™s innovation ecosystem closer to action.

Here are some moments from HERMOSA Connect: Reverse Pitching 2026.

21/08/2026

๐—ฅ๐—ฒ๐˜ƒ๐—ถ๐˜€๐—ถ๐˜ ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ ๐—›๐—˜๐—ฅ๐— ๐—ข๐—ฆ๐—” ๐—–๐—ผ๐—ป๐—ป๐—ฒ๐—ฐ๐˜: ๐—ฅ๐—ฒ๐˜ƒ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜€๐—ฒ ๐—ฃ๐—ถ๐˜๐—ฐ๐—ต๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ด 2026

Take a look back at the HERMOSA Connect: Reverse Pitching, where industries, startups, student innovators, researchers, and technology developers came together to share insights, present industry challenges, and explore potential solutions.

The event created a space for meaningful conversations, collaboration, and connectionsโ€”bringing the innovation community closer to addressing real-world needs and creating opportunities for partnership, investment, and commercialization.

Hereโ€™s a glimpse of the conversations, connections, and moments that made the event a meaningful step toward a stronger regional innovation ecosystem.

๐‘๐ž๐ฏ๐ž๐ซ๐ฌ๐ž ๐๐ข๐ญ๐œ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐  ๐Œ๐ž๐œ๐ก๐š๐ง๐ข๐œ๐ฌ ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐‡๐„๐‘๐Œ๐Ž๐’๐€ ๐‚๐จ๐ง๐ง๐ž๐œ๐ญ: ๐‘๐ž๐ฏ๐ž๐ซ๐ฌ๐ž ๐๐ข๐ญ๐œ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐  ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ”What if industry challenges could become opportuniti...
19/08/2026

๐‘๐ž๐ฏ๐ž๐ซ๐ฌ๐ž ๐๐ข๐ญ๐œ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐  ๐Œ๐ž๐œ๐ก๐š๐ง๐ข๐œ๐ฌ ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐‡๐„๐‘๐Œ๐Ž๐’๐€ ๐‚๐จ๐ง๐ง๐ž๐œ๐ญ: ๐‘๐ž๐ฏ๐ž๐ซ๐ฌ๐ž ๐๐ข๐ญ๐œ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐  ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ”

What if industry challenges could become opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and real-world solutions?

Join us for HERMOSA Connect: Reverse Pitching 2026, where industry challenge owners take the stage to present their validated challenges and pain pointsโ€”and participants get the opportunity to explore, clarify, and identify the challenges they want to pursue.

Come ready to listen, ask, connect, and turn challenges into opportunities for innovation.

๐Ÿ“… August 20, 2026
๐Ÿ“ Ateneo de Zamboanga University โ€“ Lantaka Campus
๐Ÿ’ป Virtual participation is also available

๐Œ๐ž๐ž๐ญ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐๐š๐ซ๐ญ๐ข๐œ๐ข๐ฉ๐š๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐’๐œ๐ก๐จ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐‡๐„๐‘๐Œ๐Ž๐’๐€ ๐‚๐จ๐ง๐ง๐ž๐œ๐ญ: ๐‘๐ž๐ฏ๐ž๐ซ๐ฌ๐ž ๐๐ข๐ญ๐œ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐  ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ”The innovation community is coming together!We a...
18/08/2026

๐Œ๐ž๐ž๐ญ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐๐š๐ซ๐ญ๐ข๐œ๐ข๐ฉ๐š๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐’๐œ๐ก๐จ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐‡๐„๐‘๐Œ๐Ž๐’๐€ ๐‚๐จ๐ง๐ง๐ž๐œ๐ญ: ๐‘๐ž๐ฏ๐ž๐ซ๐ฌ๐ž ๐๐ข๐ญ๐œ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐  ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ”

The innovation community is coming together!

We are proud to welcome participating schools from across the Zamboanga Peninsula and BASULTA to HERMOSA Connect: Reverse Pitching 2026. Their student innovators, faculty members, and researchers will join industry challenge owners in exploring real-world challenges and opportunities for innovation.

Together, we are bringing the academe and industry closer to turn real challenges into opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and solution development.

๐Ÿ“… August 20, 2026
๐Ÿ“ Ateneo de Zamboanga University โ€“ Lantaka Campus
๐Ÿ’ป Virtual participation is also available

๐๐‘๐„-๐‘๐„๐†๐ˆ๐’๐“๐‘๐€๐“๐ˆ๐Ž๐ ๐‚๐‹๐Ž๐’๐„๐ƒ!Thank you to everyone who registered for HERMOSA Connect: Reverse Pitching 2026!We are pleased t...
16/08/2026

๐๐‘๐„-๐‘๐„๐†๐ˆ๐’๐“๐‘๐€๐“๐ˆ๐Ž๐ ๐‚๐‹๐Ž๐’๐„๐ƒ!

Thank you to everyone who registered for HERMOSA Connect: Reverse Pitching 2026!

We are pleased to announce that pre-registration has officially closed after reaching the eventโ€™s participant capacity. We appreciate the overwhelming interest from startups, student innovators, faculty members, researchers, technology developers, and industry partners across the Zamboanga Peninsula and BASULTA.

Registered participants will receive confirmation and further event details through email.

We look forward to seeing you on August 20, 2026 as we connect real industry challenges with innovative solutions.

See you at HERMOSA Connect!

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AdZU Lantaka Campus
Zamboanga City
7000

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