By Karren Jay G. Asgar
Mr. Mark Gil D. Peraman, General Manager of DOST–CPU CPUGAD TBI, is named a Finalist for the Rainmaker Award at the Western Visayas Innovation Awards 2025.
Innovation ecosystems thrive when there are visionaries who bring people, ideas, and opportunities together. At this year’s Western Visayas Startup Awards 2025, Mr. Mark Gil D. Peraman, General Manager of the DOST–CPU CPUGAD Technology Business Incubator (CPUGAD TBI), was honored as a Finalist for the Rainmaker Award—a recognition reserved for leaders who ignite collaboration and create meaningful impact in the startup landscape.
A Visionary at the Helm of DOST-CPU CPUGAD TBI
Since its establishment in 2024, DOST-CPU CPUGAD TBI has emerged as a powerhouse of innovation and entrepreneurship in Western Visayas, with Mr. Peraman at its helm. Under his leadership, the incubator has launched flagship initiatives such as Central Launch, Crack IT, IdeaHatch, the N³ Incubation Program, Fin-X, Nest Circle, and the BIRD’s i-VIEW Program—all designed to support startups and student-led ventures from ideation to market readiness.
These programs have already empowered dozens of young founders, guided research spin-offs toward commercialization, and fostered faculty-driven innovations—all while positioning CPU as a regional hub for technopreneurship.
Championing Inclusivity and Collaboration
More than launching programs, Mr. Peraman has cultivated a culture of collaboration and inclusivity within and beyond CPU. Through partnerships with government, academe, and industry, he has built bridges that connect local innovators with funding, mentorship, and markets.
His advocacy for entrepreneurship education and grassroots innovation has ensured that opportunities reach not only seasoned entrepreneurs but also student founders, faculty researchers, and emerging startup leaders across Western Visayas.
The Rainmaker Spirit
What makes Mr. Peraman stand out is his ability to bring people together—to align innovators, mentors, and institutions toward shared goals of sustainability, resilience, and impact. His influence extends beyond CPU, as he has also supported emerging TBIs across the Philippines, sharing best practices and offering mentorship to strengthen the national innovation network.
By embodying the Rainmaker spirit, Mr. Peraman continues to inspire a generation of innovators and changemakers. His work proves that with the right leadership, vision, and collaboration, ideas can be transformed into enterprises that create real-world solutions.
Inspiring the Next Chapter of Innovation
Being named a Rainmaker Award Finalist is not only a personal achievement for Mr. Peraman but also a recognition of CPUGAD TBI’s growing role in shaping Western Visayas’ startup ecosystem. It celebrates his unwavering dedication to nurturing startups, advancing technopreneurship, and helping research breakthroughs reach the communities that need them most.
As CPUGAD TBI’s guiding force, Mark Gil D. Peraman continues to prove that innovation is not just about technology—it is also about people, purpose, and possibilities that allow you to soar higher.