Smart, Agri-tech startup bags PLDT Enterprise Award during the TECH PLAN Demo Day 

With the goal of empowering tech researchers and startups to bring positive change to the world, PLDT Enterprise supported the TECH PLANTER in the Philippines  2023 by Leave a Nest, a knowledge-manufacturing company in Japan whose goal is to “advance science and technology for global happiness.”

From left to right: Kristine Dara Ever Juan, Head of Innovations Lab & Ecosystem Partnerships (Innolab) at PLDT Enterprise, with the members of ARES, the winning team of the PLDT Enterprise Award, namely Richmon Corres, Jemarson Abel, Karl Leyco, Maruh Bernardo, Celina Borromeo, Francis Bernardo, Michelle Borras, and Margo Mananquil.

Held at the Ateneo de Manila University, nine finalists from a total of 46 teams of startups and research teams from fields of biotech, eco-tech, med-tech, food-tech, agri-tech, and deep tech presented local solutions that they have been developing that aim to solve deep issues in society.

Planting the Seeds of Technology

As one of the event's local partners, PLDT Enterprise motivated this year’s finalists with invaluable mentorship and a co-working space by awarding the PLDT Enterprise Award through its innovation arm, PLDT Innolab.

The PLDT Enterprise Award was given to  ARES with their unique smart agriculture technology that uses innovative renewable energy solutions and remote monitoring systems to optimize poultry farm yield.

“We are proud to witness ARES’ technology which aligns most with PLDT Enterprise’s key focus areas and Innolab’s sustainability goals,” says Kristine Dara Ever Juan, Head of Innovations Lab & Ecosystem Partnerships (Innolab) at PLDT Enterprise. “We are looking for Smart City solutions that integrate well with our Internet of Things capabilities and ARES’ vision connects well with this drive.”

“We are excited to collaborate with PLDT Innolab and get the good work started. Our drive to win in the competition really stemmed from our desire to elevate the lives of farmers through innovation and we are grateful for this opportunity from TECH PLANTER and PLDT Innolab,” says Jemarson Abel, the team lead of ARES.

The PLDT Enterprise Award grants ARES access to the labs and facilities of the PLDT Innolab for six months to develop and refine their product in collaboration with highly capable mentors. Through this collaboration, PLDT Enterprise and ARES can continue to promote sustainability through the winning group’s innovative solution that ushers a new generation towards creating a sustainable yet smart city, by helping to enact innovations centered on bringing smart agriculture.

Further Together Through Technology

Beyond supporting local startups through technology solutions and products developed from cutting-edge innovation units, PLDT Enterprise is also fully committed to empower the youth.

“PLDT Enterprise's partnership in TECH PLANTER in the Philippines 2023 has been truly instrumental in fostering innovation in our country and its commitment to supporting aspiring entrepreneurs and startups is commendable,” says Ludhovik Luiz Madrid, Research Development Division at Leave a Nest Philippines. “Their dedication to empowering the next generation of tech pioneers is paving the way for solutions that will shape our nation. We are grateful for PLDT Enterprise's partnership and their support in nurturing the entrepreneurial ecosystem and advancing technologies that solve deep issues in Philippine society.”

“To co-innovate and collaborate with young minds of startups and academe has always been in the DNA of PLDT Innolab,” says Melvin Jeffrey Chan, Vice President & Head of Enterprise Innovations, Business Development, Consulting & Presales at PLDT Enterprise. “We believe in the youth’s vast imagination and capability to produce new and world-class ideas to help the community and we’re glad that we can become partners in co-development through our cutting-edge technologies and expertise at PLDT Enterprise.”

PLDT Enterprise continues to enable the startup community to go Further Together with PLDT Innolab’s deep expertise in innovation development as they pursue groundbreaking solutions to bring positive impact to the community.