by Queency Eurranne G. Castillo
The Intellectual Property and Technology Business Management Office convened 30 local technology generators and researchers for a four-day seminar-workshop, with the theme “Promoting Agri-Aqua Innovations: An Introduction to Technology Commercialization and the Art of Pitching,” on February 27-March 2, 2023, at the PSAU University Food Center – Conference Room.
Chonnie Cholla R. David, Sibul TBI manager, said, “Our goal for technology commercialization is still far but never out of sight. It is a fairly new battlefield in our R&D space, so we hope that you will be our prime movers in our university-based technologies after this event.”
Dr. Lily Ann D. Lando took the floor in this session to provide ideas on how to pitch products and the needed entrepreneurial attitude in commercializing technologies.
Lando discussed the following topics: key steps in doing market analysis, Aristotle’s rhetorical triangle in persuasion, preparing a business model, pitching a technology through a story, elevator pitch, and intro to technology commercialization.
The participants then pitched their agri-aqua technologies, such as cup-brewed coffee in a bag, weaved bangkat of Sitio Cananaoan, tamarind candy strips, and lupog pinunog sausage to name a few.
After each presentation, the technology generators were given comments and key pointers to find their edge over their competitors.
Towards the end, Department of Science and Technology Pampanga Director Mary Michelle Quiambao, Department of Trade and Industry’s Maria Cristina Evangelista, Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Ronel Tiamzon, Metro Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Ervin Jerome Laceda, and PSAU R&D Cluster Director Dr. Rogelio P. Carandang, Jr. joined as panelists during the pitch activities.
Lando left the participants a question to reflect on, “”Lahat naman ng mga produkto may istorya. Ngayon, ano naman ‘yung sa’yo?”
“It’s better to know your unique selling proposition because it is the statement that you choose to embody and differentiate your technology among competitors,” she added.
The IP-TBI Series is organized in collaboration with the DOST Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) and the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR).