Aiming to cultivate entrepreneurial mindset and support business ideas, Mapúa University launched its BEEHIVE Accelerator Program last May 23, 2019 at its Intramuros and Makati campuses simultaneously. The BEEHIVE Accelerator Program is one of the key deliverables of the BEEHIVE Project (Building Entrepreneurial Ecosystems to Enhance Higher Education Value-Added for Better Graduate Employability) under the Erasmus+ Programme for Capacity Building in Higher Education, designed to enhance partner universities’ student and graduate’s employability and their ability to create jobs.
Mapúa’s BEEHIVE Accelerator Program aims to help selected young entrepreneurs to bring their business ideas to an investor-ready stage. Participants will be advised by committed mentors and European Union experts in the project; access business start-up knowledge and education; get hands-on support in the field of finance, taxation, marketing, advertising, and human resources management, among others; get the opportunity to connect and network to build business relations and partnerships; and link to potential investors through the Demo Days at the end of the program.
The program is currently on its fifth week and participated in by 10 startup groups composed of students and alumni. These groups all work, learn, create, and grow together using the common workspace and taking advantage of the benefits provided by the BEEHIVE accelerator located in the Makati campus.
The accelerator program is spearheaded by BEEHIVE Project team leader Dr. Delia B. Senoro and team members Dr. Marthinson M. Villanueva, Engr. Josephine D. German, and Engr. Mary Christine A. Tomas and is set to run for 12 weeks, including seminars/workshops, forums, and coaching sessions. Partners from Ideaspace Foundation and select faculty and alumni of the University serve as speakers during the sessions.
Mapúa Makati Startups together with Dr. Marthinson Villanueva (fifth from left)
Mapua Intramuros Startups together with Engr. Josephine German (back row, fourth from left)
The 10 startups include (1) File Pal of BS Service Engineering Management (SEM) students Maria Arielle Cleofas, Shari Louise Co, and Elijah Santos; (2) Aqualite by SEM students Marco Malabrigo, Loreen Alyana Macasu, and Esmond Adriel Ramos; (3) Smart Wifi Plug by SEM students Esmeraldo Gatchalian III, Mikeala Yttriel Marquez, Rei Martin Bernard Evangelista, and Calvin James Fojas; (4) Automated Pupillometer by BS Electronics Engineering students Denzel Blake Agdeppa, Ken Castillo, Neil Roger Go, and Mikhail Mesina; (5) Automated Smart Clothesline by BS Industrial Engineering students Lillan Sy, Kryzia Lomibao, and Christine Julia Guzman; (6) A1 Beast Powerbank by SEM students Aliana Lois Manansala, Raphael Bernard Bonifacio, and Josef Lazo; (7) Storke by BS Business Administration (BA) students Radigundo Custorio II, Romhar Khan Afsar, and Lourvin Rato Oabel; (8) At-Your-Service by BS Information Systems student Rowena Pamplega and BS Information Technology students Neale Dagdag and Almar Allan De Guzman; (9) Facial clay mask with fermented squash by BA students Romina Rozzette Pancho, Patricia Peñacerrada, Hallie Winslet Soriano, and Mark Joshua Garcia; and (10) ZpritZ Hair & Blouse Odor Buster by BA students Rizza Mae Torres and Michael Edel Genova.
Ms. Brenda Valerio of Ideaspace Foundation facilitating the workshop on Value Proposition Canvas held last May 29.
The participants together with the guest speakers, Engr. Josephine German and Dr. Delia Senoro.
Mr. Arnold Sabado of Iama and Sab Wealth Management (left) and Mr. Edel Alva of Wizher, Inc. (right) shared their startup journeys during the forum and coaching session last June 7 at the Mapúa Makati campus
The startup teams in action during their first team building session last June 14 at the Intramuros campus. The teams had fun completing their tasks while being instructed by Engr. Josephine German
Ms. Eleanor Olegario, one of the guests during the forum on Investors’ Hour held last June 19 shared information on available funding sources for business in the Philippines.
The participants together with Dr. Marthinson Villanueva and guest speakers Mr. Norman Rabaya and Mr. Arnold Sabado
Mapua’s BEEHIVE Accelerator Program is set to conclude with a pitching demo scheduled on August 10, 2019, at the Intramuros campus. The groups will also participate in the BEEHIVE Grand Pitching Day in September 2019, which will be hosted by Mapúa University and will be attended by delegates and partners from the Philippines, Indonesia, and Europe.