From Research to Market: VSU Learns Innovation Strategies from Leading Business Incubators
As part of its continuing commitment to innovation and collaboration, the VSU Innovation Office, along with the RAISE Program Region 8 Projects and the DA-BAR TBI Project, embarked on a three-day benchmarking visit from July 14-16, 2025. The team visited three key innovation hubs: UPLB’s Technology Transfer and Business Development Office (TTBDO), the AIM-Dado Banatao Incubator (AIM-DBI), and CLSU’s Agriculture and Food Technology Business Incubator (AFTBI).
During the visit, the three hubs showcased their unique approaches to managing innovation and strengthening their respective incubation programs. The VSU team also had the opportunity to learn best practices in incubation through spin-off enterprises, gaining valuable insights into how their programs successfully transformed research outputs into viable business enterprises that generate meaningful impact within their communities.
The team gained further understanding of effective intellectual property (IP) management, technology commercialization strategies, and innovation systems as key elements in building a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.
These learnings will serve as a vital guide as we move forward in empowering local entrepreneurs, enriching our incubation initiatives, and contributing to a more resilient and sustainable agri-aqua innovation ecosystem in the Visayas and beyond.
The VSU team was warmly welcomed by the directors of the hosting hubs, including Director Emil John Cabrera, Prim Paypon, and Dr. Pablo Rafael, whose hospitality and insights fostered a spirit of collaboration and mutual learning.
