The mentorship sessions for the project “Transforming R&D Outputs Into Innovations through Technopreneurship and Customer Validation (TransDI),” which ran from October 2021 to May 2022, have been completed by three CTU faculty innovators.
DOST-MIMAROPA Region led the project with the UP Technology Transfer and Business Development Office Director team, which aims to capacitate the technopreneurial capability of the participating Regional Invention Contests and Exhibits (RICE) winners. The activity also allows the participants to be mentored and connect with investors, venture capitalists, business collaborators, and industry partners in different fields, including health, food, agriculture, and construction.
The event features the technology pitches from CTU-RICE winners, including Math Kit, Shrimp Shell Powder, Sea Urchin Crackers, and Instant Sea Urchin Noodles.
Math Kit is one of the breakthroughs from the Educational Research and Resource Center, according to Dr. Gamaliel G. Gonzales, Principal investigator from CTU-Danao Campus (ERRC). It is intended to assist teachers in teaching fraction operations using manipulative tiles. The Math Kit is designed to help elementary students improve and strengthen their skills in solving fractions to learn and grasp ideas better. “I think the kit is ripe for commercialization,” DOST Josie Albano stated.
Shrimp Shell Powder is one of the innovations developed by University Production, a by-product of shrimp processing. “The best value from waste is the opportunity to process the shrimp waste for food, agriculture, and biotechnology,” says Dr. Renissa S. Quinones. Shrimp shell powder is a versatile product with potential applications in food additives, animal feeds, chitosan, a carotenoid pigment, and components for seasoning and flavoring. The product is gluten-free and shelf-stable with no artificial additives.
Dr. Jonita V. Literatus developed sea Urchin Crackers and Instant Sea Urchin Noodles. These are flour-based snacks enriched with sea urchin gonad to increase the nutritional value of the crackers and sea urchin noodles.
CTU is looking for a potential pilot partner, research collaborator, and manufacturing technology licensee.