By CPUGAD TBI
The winners will be receiving their awards today at the Innovation and Technology Transfer Summit and Visayas Startup Awards 2025 Awarding Ceremony at Summit Hotel, Tacloban City, marking a milestone not only for CPU and CPUGAD TBI but for the entire innovation ecosystem in the Visayas Region.
For generations, universities have been the cornerstone of academic excellence—a place where knowledge is pursued for its own sake. But today, the most impactful institutions are those that go beyond the classroom, transforming ideas into innovations that fuel economies, uplift communities, and inspire the next generation of changemakers.
Central Philippine University – CPU has done exactly that. CPU has been named the Most Outstanding HEI at the Visayas Startup Awards 2025, recognized by the DOST and the Wadhwani Foundation.
This prestigious honor reflects not only the university’s commitment to excellence but also the tireless efforts of the CPU community. We are deeply grateful for the unwavering support of the CPU Administration, led by University President Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy, whose vision and guidance continue to empower our students and faculty to dream big.
This win is not only for Central Philippine University but also for the communities it serves. The award was made possible through the dedication and collaborative efforts of the CPUGAD TBI and all functional units of the University.
At the heart of this recognition are the incubated startups themselves, whose passion, creativity, and perseverance have brought their innovations to life. Guided by the mentorship and strategic leadership of CPUGAD TBI Project Leader Engr. Gelvie Lagos, CPUGAD TBI General Manager Mr. Mark Gil D. Peraman, and the CPUGAD TBI team, these startups have grown from student-led ideas into ventures with real societal impact.
Two of CPU CPUGAD TBI’s incubated startups also claimed major wins among the 18 finalists following the virtual pitching—remarkably, they were the only two representing Western Visayas!
📱ArticuLit, awarded the Educational Technology Category Winner, is a mobile-first platform using AI trained on IELTS standards to improve literacy in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
📦PackUp, recognized as the Tourism and Creative Technology Category Winner, and overall 2nd Runner-Up for the Visayas Startup Awards, empowers local entrepreneurs to compete with big brands by making packaging accessible and impactful.
Aside from these winners, two other DOST-CPU CPUGAD TBI startups—NexLock and Baylo Central—were also named finalists under the Tourism and Creative Technology categories, further proving the breadth of innovation and talent emerging from CPU.
These awards are a testament to the ecosystem built at CPU and CPUGAD TBI. This also reflects the hard work of the students, the guidance of the mentors, and the collaborative spirit of the entire university community.
The Visayas Startup Awards 2025 celebrate not just success but also the power of innovation to change lives. CPU, CPUGAD TBI, ArticuLit, PackUp, Baylo Central, and NexLock’s achievements remind us that when institutions, mentors, and passionate innovators come together, the possibilities are limitless.
As the celebrations continue, the CPU community stands united in gratitude, pride, and anticipation for the next wave of startups ready to make their mark—because at CPU and CPUGAD TBI, every idea has the potential to transform into impact. Here, we are nesting ideas and incubating success, turning bold visions into tangible innovations that impact communities!
Congratulations to CPU and the CPUGAD TBI startups—ArticuLit, PackUp, Baylo Central, NexLock, and all our incubatees—for this well-deserved recognition!