AFTBI Hosts Technology Pitching in celebration of RIDe Fest 2023

The Central Luzon State University (CLSU), through the Agriculture and Food Technology Business Incubator (AFTBI) hosted the Technology Pitching for the commercialization effort of the university on food and non-food technologies and products as part of the Research Innovation and Development (RIDe) Festival 2023 with the theme “R4D: Key to a Sustainable Society” on October 11, 2023, held at the Academic Affairs Amphitheater, CLSU. Dr. Ariel G. Mactal, Vice President for Business Affairs, expressed his warm welcome to the participants as he stated the pitching’s purpose which is the transition of technologies and products of the CLSU faculty-researchers developed from research, laboratory to the market place to generate more income and be sustainable for the future generation. “We offer you the eight food and five non-food products and we are now pitching the ball for you to catch so that we as a team will win the game towards a very fruitful and successful business journey for the future generation,” VP Mactal stressed. Meanwhile, in his inspirational message, Dr. Melvin B. Carlos, Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) Deputy Executive Director for Administration, Resource Management and Support Services, shared that technology pitching is an avenue for researchers to meet potential investors to adopt and communicate the industry needs. He also encouraged the ‘pitchers’ to seize the moment as they present their technologies and products. The presentation covered topics on issues and challenges, technology background, and business plan, among others. The presenters for food cluster include: Ms. Kathlene Claire O. Ganareal for Mushroom Seasoning Flakes and Mushroom Snack Chips; Ms. Charlene Hade S. Cabral for Non-Dairy Frozen Desert; Ms. Geraldine G. Tayag for Rice Raisin Oatmeal Cookies and Instant Organic Aromatic Rice Chicken Porridge; Ms. Venus Q. Lagmay for Vacuum Fried Squash Chips; Ms. Alliah Samantha P. Sugue for Spicy Tilading; and Dr. Judith P. Antonio for Vitapeel Gummies. Moreover, the presenters for non-food clusters include: Dr. Karl Marx A. Quiazon for Aerokit: Tilapia Disease Test Kit; Ms. Ellen Romero for Bio-Cares Fish Amino Acid or the Fish Amino Acid as Organic Liquid Supplement for Crops; Ms. Jonalyn J. Noveno for Biosensors for Rice and Onion Diseases or BLAST biosensor; Dr. Ronalie B. Rafael for Pro & Pre-Biotic from Onion Waste; and Ms. Candace Anne Rabang for ASF Nanogold Biosensor Test Kit. Different concerns such as technology transfer, licensing, Halal approval, start-up grant fund, and spin off were raised and answered by Mr. Noel Catibog, DOST-PCAARRD TTPD head, Dr. Pablo J. Rafael Jr, AFTBI Program Leader, and other staff from DOST-PCAARRD. Furthermore, Dr. Richard V. Simangan, Provincial Director of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) expressed his warm congratulations to the CLSU faculty-researchers and wished the best for the adaptation of their technologies and products by the community. The technology pitching was attended by more than 200 participants from private companies, government agencies, and offices within the University.