Looking back at QOMPETE 2024: National Student Startup Challenge
As Filipinos, we value the youth as the hope of the nation. They can bring a lot to the table with their groundbreaking discoveries and creative solutions, but in the startup industry, an unbacked idea simply isn’t gonna cut it.
So at QBO, how do we challenge the capabilities of young techpreneurs and guide them down the right startup path? Last March, we brought back QOMPETE 2024: National Student Startup Challenge—QBO’s one-stop program for the perfect tips, tricks, and tools to build a strong startup mindset!
Established in 2021, QOMPETE stands firm in its four main goals: knowledge-sharing, hyper-QOLLABORATION, innovation development, and national recognition. This year, we challenged teams from top senior high schools and universities nationwide to pitch their innovative tech startup ideas, while offering them hands-on mentorship, extensive connections, and national university representation! Through the different stages and challenges offered throughout the program, the teams are exposed to the importance of bayanihan and QLLABORATION.
What’s new this year?
Compared to the two previous runs in which over 177 teams applied, QOMPETE 2024 reached new heights, receiving over 300 applications nationwide: with 25 teams from Luzon, 3 from Visayas, and 5 from Mindanao!
Over the course of 2 months, the top 50 qualifiers attended 3 online “BOOST Classes,” which tackled topics about startup fundamentals, pitching, lean canvas, validation, and revenue generation from our in-house experts. The top 10 then had the opportunity for 1-on-1 enrichment and feedback sessions from the Startup Development team in preparation for their final paper showcase!
The winning startup teams of QOMPETE 2024
With an abundance of collaborative teams and revolutionary startup pitches, it’s no surprise that this year’s QOMPETE has truly opened up new opportunities for change. From AI, to education, to lifestyle—the teams really brought their A-game!
Out of the carefully curated top 10 list, 3 teams truly stood out for their effective problem-solving ideas, realistic market potential, creativity, and teamwork!
Taking the 2nd Runner Up title from the University of the Philippines Mindanao is TrabaHanap, a website that allows users to easily connect with project-based laborers! Their “LinkedIn for Manual Labor'' won them a 10,000PHP cash prize!
Coming in at 1st Runner up from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila is VitalRadar, with their app being “your best friend in health diabetes management.” Along with their 20,000PHP cash prize, they also brought home the “Best Pitch Presenter Award” for QOMPETE 2024.
“It was really inspiring to see the cracks of our pitch and how we can further improve.” – Cess Ventures, CEO, VitalRadar
And of course, the Champions of this year’s QOMPETE, Kasha PH from Mapua University, “the fitting room at your fingertips.” The 3D fitting room allows consumers to visualize their outfits before making a purchase. Their groundbreaking startup won them the grand prize of 30,000PHP!
“As a team we will bring [our learnings] in the future as we pursue Kasha PH as a startup company.” – Krishia Dela Cruz, CEO, Kasha PH
GudFud from Ateneo de Manila University was awarded the Creative QLLABORATORS award, for the most creative 1-minute team introduction video!
“In the grand scheme of life, we have all these different things happening. But for some things, you really need to focus, and that’s what we learned here at QBO.” – Aidan Olarte, Co-Founder, GudFud
Congratulations once again to all of the winners of this year’s QOMPETE. We can’t wait to see your startups come to life!
The youth as the future of Filipino startups
Especially for students entering the real world, the startup industry can be daunting: Where do I start? Who should I work with? How should I manage my funding? But doubt should never stop anyone from pursuing their ideas. As the next generation of game-changers, it’s important for the youth to have spaces for growth and development, thus the need for healthy QOMPETITION.
This year’s QOMPETE allowed for effective teamwork and healthy competition among students who share the same goals. The feedback from mentors, different BOOST classes, and pitching activities were all steps in bringing out the best in these young techpreneurs.
“I hope that you continue your ideas and projects that you started in this program. But, in reality, the biggest metric or success factor for programs like this are the entrepreneurs it creates.” – Jay Fajardo, Executive Director, IdeaSpace and QBO Innovation
Interested in learning more? Check out the QOMPETE Top 10 Pitches on YouTube and
the QOMPETE 2024 Showcase and Awarding livestream up on our Facebook page.
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