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Third/Final Blog {Entrepreneurial Mind}

 “ To learn, you have to listen. To improve, you have to try.” -Thomas Jefferson.

On the 19th day of April 2023, a program of lecture series that entails valuable knowledge in innovative entrepreneurship was conducted. Different start-up ventures from various learners were proposed this academic year. Hence, to illuminate our inexperienced minds more on this entrepreneurial journey, a total of three resource speakers had passionately affirmed to speak and share their informative yet inspiring insights and technical expertise.

The entire lecture series program was initially commenced by Dr. Gamaleila A. Dumancas from the Intellectual Property Technology Business Management Office of Central Mindanao University. Dr. Dumancas prepared the engaging discussion on Intellectual Property Rights and Technology Transfer. Indeed, intellectual property rights protection has a potential economic value for a wide range of assets, whether they are more contemporary or customary. These rights include copyrights, patents, and industrial design rights, and they mark as protection against unlicensed or uncredited copying, manufacturing or selling. With that being said, the early filing process protects the inventor from business competitors.

From the detailed talk presented by Dr. Dumancas, the team realized that any innovative and practically useful technical solution to a challenge in any area of human endeavor is essential in the field of service mark. Trademarks can be any distinguishing visual symbol that can be used to identify a company's products or services. The duration of its protection can last up to ten years from the filing date. These exclusive rights are not unchangeable, in fact, fair use can be considered a defense to use a portion of someone’s copyrighted work without the need for permission for commentary purposes. The legal defense provided to the owner of the rights to an original work is known as copyright. Owners of copyrights have the sole right to use and reproduce their creations, and the owner should be acknowledged more than only by adding a "ctto" to the copyrighted item. By registering our trademark, we can be guaranteed the exclusive use of the phrase or emblem and eliminate the chance that our rivals may try to use it against us. The right to sue another firm that misrepresents itself as yours by using your trademark is likewise protected by registration.

The speaker, Dr. Gamaleila A. Dumancas, discussed a wide range of property rights and one thing she emphasized about numerous business owners running is the risk of having their innovations or even start-ups to be simply stolen by more powerful, well-funded competitors if the patent system were not there for protection. Its relatively social institution, which has certain social obligations and is linked to owners' legal rights, is essential for the preservation of economic potential, the protection of intellectual property rights on the market, and the growth of firms towards market success.

In the second half of the program, Professor Sheila Poonon explained in details the discussion on “Incubating Innovation: Exploring Start-up Opportunities in the Philippines.” Prof. Poonon discussed the Musuan Peak Incubator, which is the center for technology transfer and business incubation of technologies generated in the university. In this lecture, we were notified that this provides support services to incubatees in terms of product commercialization, enterprise development, access to networks, and knowledge transfer, or what we call PEAK. In addition, Dr. Poonon also shared the successful entrepreneurs supported and guided by them, from an aspiring student to a successful entrepreneur.

This lecture had a huge relevance and significance, especially that a lot of business-minded students who want to start a business in the future through incubation joined the said lecture series program. It was an overwhelming opportunity that Central Mindanao University is willing to assist those students who have high potentials and possibilities of becoming successful entrepreneurs. With this thought in mind, most students has been certainly inspired to dream bigger and work harder to be one of the deserving CMUans supported by them.

        Additionally in the lecture series program, it was followed by Ms. Keren Happuch Alampayan Lacadin, another diverse speaker who stated such an inspirational subject matter. She infused us with knowledge regarding the “RAISE, or Raising Awareness and Inspiring the Start-up Ecosystem." Ms. Lacadin began this informative discussion by sharing her “sugilanon" as a taga-bukid girl. We have been informed that she was raised in Quezon, Bukidnon, and she shared her experiences and opportunities with other people in the country. She began freelancing with CONVERGY'S and CONCENTRIX UPWORK from 2009 to 2013, and then launched CLEVERGRIT, a start-up business in 2014. In year 2017, she participated in a start-up weekend in Bukidnon called VXI: Passion for People, and in 2018, she worked with Clevergrit.

RAISE introduces and improves stakeholders' understanding and appreciation of basic startup ideas. It makes available, meaningful, impactful, and needs-based awareness activities that address gaps in the local start-up community. It encourages collaboration among key stakeholders in the start-up ecosystem. She then discussed DICT's and IIDB's roles in the startup community. She also informed us about RA 11337, the Innovative Start-Up Act. The team has learned that we have a Philippine law that encourages new businesses and startups incentives and focuses on providing benefits and removing constraints to encourage the establishment and operation of innovative new businesses. Certainly, these are critical to the growth and expansion of businesses, as well as to strengthen, promote, and develop an ecosystem of business, government, and non-government institutions that foster an innovative entrepreneurial culture in the Philippines.

Furthermore, Ms. Lacadin gave us light on the Philippine Startup 7 Challenge, a nationwide annual pitching competition for students and Filipinos to develop new and relevant ICT products and services that can also be profitable economic ventures and help solve social problems. It is remarkable to hear that it offers students the opportunity to develop their entrepreneurial attitude, improve start-up concepts through input from industry practitioners, foster strategic relationships and networks among participants and judges, and generate a pool of start-up founders prioritized for DICT financing and assistance.

What was emphasized the most to the team was the motto of Ms. Lacadin, saying “No grit, No glory.” This phrase has been implied in our minds that success and achievement come with a cost, and that one must be willing to put in the necessary effort and endure hardships to attain them. It has been suggested that a willingness to push through difficult times, to keep going when others might give up, and to maintain a positive attitude in the face of adversity are essential qualities for success.

As the ending moments of the entrepreneurial mind journey is fast approaching, it has been quite a tough yet meaningful ride to establish a start-up business, especially when the entire team has no prior professional nor practical experience. We have proved this notion when we launched our start-up venture. We had a rocky start in our entrepreneurial adventure because the idea was too complex, too broad, and not too specific to be ventured on, and we are glad that we listened for it is undeniably so true.

Previously, the young entrepreneurs of the Mosqui-Trap venture had undergone the Business Model Canvas presentation, and constructive feedbacks and suggestions received from the highly-respected panel were all accepted and followed. As of the moment, it is still a challenge for the team regarding the concrete breakdown of the fixed and variable costs that the product will require, and so, we do not have the definite price of the Mosqui-Trap for the target market yet. As a team, we are currently persevering with the mindfulness of time to grasp the envisioned plans and outcomes that we have for our start-up business pre-recorded video. Now, it remains a work in progress, and we must act with collective minds to keep up with the final pitching presentation that we will be preparing as we are expected to be.

Personally, I think that our start was really rough but then through our group effort and our willingness to generate an idea which could benefit our target customers which are the CMUANS, we were able to create an amazing idea. Though it would be really challenging to actualize the idea knowing that it would require a lot of financing. But I do hope that we would be able to achieve what our group would want to achieve in this entrepreneurial journey of ours.

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Portable, Rechargeable Mosquito Trapper

The past few weeks of February were a rollercoaster ride. Through interviews, the team was able to identify the rampant problems that CMU students had. These prompted the group to have a vision of startup businesses primarily in printing services or in developing a sustainable product for university litters. Nonetheless, the team first suggested the “Tabang” website intervention during the presentation of venture proposals to alleviate the significant student concern of inadequate allowances. Upon taking into account the panel's feedback, the team has firmly decided to switch to a different venture. In this time and age, the face-to-face conduct of classes has continued. Students from different locations have opted to avail a boarding house or a dormitory for their needed accommodation as they enroll themselves in Central Mindanao University. Despite the comfort of the provided accommodation, the team took the initiative to assess some residents for timely and relevant concerns that they are currently experiencing.

With the team’s passionate attempt of brainstorming ideas from the gathered responses, an idea for another startup business emerged. It is a generated idea of a product that, as a group, we have believed and thought as much more specific, more practical and feasible to venture for the renting students of Central Mindanao University. Upon the conduct of the brainstorming session among the members of this group, we have envisioned paying attention to the prevalent mosquito issue in boarding houses and some college dormitories, as the interviewed renting students of this prestigious university claimed this to be a recurring matter that they experience during their stay.

To validate the to-be-proposed product from our target market, the team has endeavored to conduct another face-to-face interview among the renting students of the university. Prior to the interview, we have hypothesized that all residents in the dormitories and boarding residences around the university experience mosquito-related issues. Another hypothesis made by the team is that all boarding student residents are willing to avail the mosquito trapper product that the group will propose.

The team was able to have a conversation this week through interviews with 28 boarding students who concurred that there is a prevailing existence of mosquitoes in dorms and some boarding residences, which is such a distraction for their studying and most significantly at risk, their health. In line with this, 2 students, particularly from the Mahogany dormitory, hesitated to be potential customers. This enlightened the group that not all dormitories have frequent encounters with mosquitoes, given that windows of some dormitories are enclosed with mesh screens. Nevertheless, 26 of the interviewees, mostly coming from the College Park and Field 1 Residence, have given the affirmation of interest and willingness in purchasing the product as long as it is affordable and true to its claims.

As a result, the team has agreed to push and propose a model that will not use fire and will not emit smoke. It will be a portable, rechargeable mosquito trapper through its suction-capability. The display of a red-orange hue light that researches have tested to be effective in attracting mosquitoes will be its prime feature. The device will attract mosquitoes, which will then be captured for the product’s tray to die. The team also thought of an option in associating the mosquito trapper with a solar power panel to make use of the renewable energy from the sun in times of recharging. Indeed, this will make the product become sustainable, compared to when electricity is the only main source of power. In addition, it is crucial to consider that "katol" may be powerful in eliminating these mosquitoes, however, it is not permitted to be used inside the dorms or boarding residences because once it is left unattended, it could start a fire.

Our previous venture proposal has made us realize that in starting a startup, we should consider different factors. The team should focus on one specific issue that we want to address. Our previous proposal was quite broad and general, therefore we should be more specific. Secondly, we should consider our own limitations and capabilities as students. We discovered that as students, we are constrained and incapable of providing as much because creating something is expensive, and we are not yet competent to do so. Hence, the team must always bear in mind that we need to come up with a startup, which is a rich idea that something small yet scalable at the same time.

Personally, I have learned that it is important that everyone in the team should share his/her idea. In terms of the interview, I have learned that I must face my fear and face my interviewees with confidence for me to be able to get the information that I needed the most. Lastly, I have learned that cooperation is the key for the team to be able to create an idea that is new and innovative and also helpful to the customers.

[tillanowilmark]

Portable, Rechargeable Mosquito Trapper

The past few weeks of February were a rollercoaster ride. Through interviews, the team was able to identify the rampant problems that CMU students had. These prompted the group to have a vision of startup businesses primarily in printing services or in developing a sustainable product for university litters. Nonetheless, the team first suggested the “Tabang” website intervention during the presentation of venture proposals to alleviate the significant student concern of inadequate allowances. Upon taking into account the panel's feedback, the team has firmly decided to switch to a different venture. In this time and age, the face-to-face conduct of classes has continued. Students from different locations have opted to avail a boarding house or a dormitory for their needed accommodation as they enroll themselves in Central Mindanao University. Despite the comfort of the provided accommodation, the team took the initiative to assess some residents for timely and relevant concerns that they are currently experiencing.

With the team’s passionate attempt of brainstorming ideas from the gathered responses, an idea for another startup business emerged. It is a generated idea of a product that, as a group, we have believed and thought as much more specific, more practical and feasible to venture for the renting students of Central Mindanao University. Upon the conduct of the brainstorming session among the members of this group, we have envisioned paying attention to the prevalent mosquito issue in boarding houses and some college dormitories, as the interviewed renting students of this prestigious university claimed this to be a recurring matter that they experience during their stay.

To validate the to-be-proposed product from our target market, the team has endeavored to conduct another face-to-face interview among the renting students of the university. Prior to the interview, we have hypothesized that all residents in the dormitories and boarding residences around the university experience mosquito-related issues. Another hypothesis made by the team is that all boarding student residents are willing to avail the mosquito trapper product that the group will propose. The team was able to have a conversation this week through interviews with 28 boarding students who concurred that there is a prevailing existence of mosquitoes in dorms and some boarding residences, which is such a distraction for their studying and most significantly at risk, their health. In line with this, 2 students, particularly from the Mahogany dormitory, hesitated to be potential customers. This enlightened the group that not all dormitories have frequent encounters with mosquitoes, given that windows of some dormitories are enclosed with mesh screens. Nevertheless, 26 of the interviewees, mostly coming from the College Park and Field 1 Residence, have given the affirmation of interest and willingness in purchasing the product as long as it is affordable and true to its claims.

As a result, the team has agreed to push and propose a model that will not use fire and will not emit smoke. It will be a portable, rechargeable mosquito trapper through its suction-capability. The display of a red-orange hue light that researches have tested to be effective in attracting mosquitoes will be its prime feature. The device will attract mosquitoes, which will then be captured for the product’s tray to die. The team also thought of an option in associating the mosquito trapper with a solar power panel to make use of the renewable energy from the sun in times of recharging. Indeed, this will make the product become sustainable, compared to when electricity is the only main source of power. In addition, it is crucial to consider that "katol" may be powerful in eliminating these mosquitoes, however, it is not permitted to be used inside the dorms or boarding residences because once it is left unattended, it could start a fire.

Our previous venture proposal has made us realize that in starting a startup, we should consider different factors. The team should focus on one specific issue that we want to address. Our previous proposal was quite broad and general, therefore we should be more specific. Secondly, we should consider our own limitations and capabilities as students. We discovered that as students, we are constrained and incapable of providing as much because creating something is expensive, and we are not yet competent to do so. Hence, the team must always bear in mind that we need to come up with a startup, which is a rich idea that something small yet scalable at the same time.

Personally, I have learned that it is important that everyone in the group shares his/her idea so that the tesam will be able to come up with a better idea. In terms of creating the idea, I have learned that it is alright if your idea is not accepted, rejection is part of the process. For the interview, although indeed it would be hard but, I have learned that I should have the courage to face my interviewees and ask them the questions that are related to the validation of our product for me to be able to have their answers which are needed in our report.

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Tabang: Accessible website for Students

As the recent global health crises gradually became less intense or severe than before, the advent of returning to traditional learning has been practiced nowadays. Professors in universities have conducted face-to-face classes, and students can now attend to learn and continue their education. In line with this, during the first week, the students belonging to this group decided to divide into two portions with the aim of gathering diverse respondents from the premises of Central Mindanao University, including the students, tricycle drivers, and security guards, for a greater range of the encountered problems. The team conducted eight interviews and distributed online surveys regarding their different personal inconveniences, which garnered 82 responses from the people at CMU.

From the gathered data, several issues have been identified that need to be addressed. The team made a few selections, such as creating a venture that primarily focuses on printing services since their stations are distant from college buildings, making it a problem for students. Another choice was to innovate a sustainable product that could help lessen scattered garbage since trash bins are quite limited around the campus. Nonetheless, it can be indicated that the need for allowances among students remains timely and significant in the present time, given the existing inflation in food prices from various markets. As fellow students, we share the same sentiments, hence understanding them, especially since we have fees to pay, daily food expenses to budget, and school necessities to buy. Due to these circumstances, as a team, we attempted to create an intervention to alleviate this relevant concern of students.

To solve these problems, the team devised a website called "Tabang." Tabang is an accessible website for students, faculties, and any residents of the university. It specifically aims to help students earn money while accepting tasks that are posted by either faculty or other students. Students can work and earn money with jobs that are convenient to their schedules, especially since they also have to prioritize good academic performance. The work to be posted on the website is not limited to cleaning assistance; it also includes delivery orders around the university, printing orders, paperwork assistance, and some additional tasks that do not require a professional license to perform. This website will be tested to see if it will be beneficial to the users in alleviating their problems. When it comes to profit, the team has come up with the idea of giving free trials until one successful transaction is made. After that, for the users to obtain continued access to the website, an accompanying two percentage charge for every transaction that follows will be implemented. The team will ask for 2% of both the so-called employer and employee as compensation for our facilitation service in their every successful transaction. We will only ask for 2% to make it friendlier since the main problem for the student users is allowance.

Furthermore, the entire team learned to work in association with each other for this venture. We realized the value of decision-making as a whole, with a concrete aim of achieving our planned ideas and objectives. Consistent efforts must be exerted in both the minds and actions of the group members. Additionally, we also learned that we need to bear in mind that our acts of brainstorming will always lead to a more productive outcome and a widened perspective, resulting in various possible solutions.

Personally, when it comes to the interview that we’ve conducted, I have learned that you need to have confidence while doing the interview for you to be able to yield something. Your confidence will help you in formulating your questions and in the proper delivery of those questions. It will also help prevent awkwardness between you and your interviewee. Additionally, it is also important to take note that you should always show courtesy to your interviewees before asking questions. You should always ask first if those individuals that you’re going to interview are free, and you should ask them if they are willing to be interviewed. In terms of the process that we’ve been through in creating and venture proposal, I have learned that you should open your mind to different and new ideas. You also need to think outside the box and from a wider perspective. You should not limit your ideas to the present; you should also consider the future. For the lessons that I have learned after our defense of our venture proposal, I have learned that when you are proposing something, you should be ready to be rejected. Rejection is also part of your progress. Aside from that, I’ve also learned that business is broader and more complex than I thought. To end this, I hope that I will be able to learn more as we go along with this journey of creating something for the benefit of the students, faculties, and our university, Central Mindanao University.