The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) announced four category winners of the 17th Business Idea and Development Award (BIDA), which aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurial spirit among students.
The BIDA competition inspires young Filipino entrepreneurs to create innovative business concepts, promoting innovation, creativity, and the entrepreneurial spirit of the youth.
The winners of the four categories, including food; non-food; service; and technology, were honored at a special ceremony last Oct. 25, as part of the 49th Philippine Business Conference & Expo (PBC&E) at the Fiesta Pavilion, Manila Hotel.
The award for food category was given to "VitaStrip" by Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna, a dissolvable strip made from native ingredients collectively instilling optimum nutrition in the elderly.
For non-food category, University of Northern Mindanao’s "Lif'sh Cosmetics” received the award. The project was an organic product for lips made from purified fish scales.
"Furry Care Pet Aquamation" by Our Lady of Fatima University - Antipolo, a pet memorial service that offers a professional pet aquamation process, received the award for service category.
Misamis University’s "Bamboost Essentials" was awarded for technology category. The project was a product that uses UV-C LED technology that ensures water sterilization, reducing the risk of waterborne illnesses.
Meanwhile, Naga College Foundation Inc.’s "Bichanos Butong Isda" and the University of Mindanao’s “Ecossential” placed second in the food and non-food categories, respectively.
A special citation was also awarded to Caraga State University’s entry “SnapScout.”
The awards were presented by PCCI President George T. Barcelon; 49th PBC&E Chairman Arch. Felino A. Palafox, Jr.; PHILEXPORT President and PCCI Honorary Chair and Treasurer, Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr.; PCCI Education Committee Chairman Dr. Eduardo G. Ong; and 17th BIDA Chair, Dr. Cindy F. Soliman.