DOST-NCR Pushes for Innovation-Driven Commercialization and Tech Transfer at TECHGROW 2025 

The Department of Science and Technology-National Capital Region (DOST-NCR) highlighted the need for demand-driven, innovation-led research during the 2025 TECHGROW Summit, held at The Eye, Green Sun Hotel in Makati City.  

With the theme “TECHGROW: Bridging Government, Industry, and Academe to Accelerate Innovation,” the summit convened key stakeholders across the triple helix – the government, academe, and industry – to strengthen regional innovation ecosystems through technology transfer and commercialization. 

TECHGROW, short for Technology Transfer and Entrepreneurship Collaboration and Harmonization of Growing Regional Opportunities on Wealth Creation, is DOST-NCR’s flagship initiative that aims to transform research outputs from State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs), Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), and Research and Development Institutes (RDIs) into viable products and services. Anchored on DOST’s Regional Operations strategy and RA 10055 (Philippine Technology Transfer Act of 2009), TECHGROW promotes the translation of public R&D investments into inclusive economic growth. 

Emphasizing the role of LGUs, researchers, industry and government agencies, DOST-NCR Regional Director Engr. Romelen Tresvalles explained that TECHGROW was launched to ensure that government-funded innovations directly benefit people by addressing real-world needs.  

 “It is ideal that the inputs for R&D should come from the industry sectors and civil society since they are the ones who know the market needs and economic trends”, DOST Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr. further added while explaining the helix of innovation.  

The Science Chief added that the academe acts as the catalyst of innovation, with its rich pool of knowledge, research talent, and technical capacity. “Academic institutions should work closely with the industry and the civil society to know their needs and satisfy this through research, development, and innovation,” he added. The government, for its part, supports by providing infrastructure such as laboratories, innovation centers, and incubators, while drafting and proposing legislative agenda to empower researchers. 

A Call for Innovative Technologies that Solve Real-World Problems 

In his keynote address at the 2025 TECHGROW Summit, DOST Secretary Solidum further called on researchers and innovators to “fall in love with the problem, not the solution.” This, he emphasized, is the foundation of impactful and sustainable innovation, solutions rooted in a deep understanding of real-world challenges. 

To illustrate, Secretary Solidum highlighted several DOST-supported technologies developed in collaboration with local universities and research institutions. These innovations, many of which were showcased during the Teknolokal Reverse Pitching session respond to urgent societal and environmental needs.  

Among the innovations highlighted were the C-Trike, developed by Cagayan State University, a low-carbon electric tricycle designed to provide accessible, sustainable transport across rural and urban communities. He also cited the Solar-Assisted Plug-In Electric Boat (SESSY E-Boat) by Mapúa University, which offers green mobility for inter-island travel while enhancing tourism experiences and protecting marine ecosystems. Also developed by Mapúa, the USHER technology serves as a real-time structural health monitoring system that ensures the integrity of buildings and bridges. Adamson University’s Vigormin solution was also mentioned – a natural, low-cost approach to wastewater treatment now being used by several LGUs and small businesses. In the health sector, the GenAmplify Detection Kits by UP Manila proved critical during the pandemic, while UP Los Baños contributed both Bio-N, a microbial biofertilizer that promotes sustainable farming, and Project SARAI, which empowers farmers through climate-smart advisories tailored to specific locations. 

Throughout the Summit, the spotlight remained on how science and technology can bridge gaps between research and real-world application. Dr. Luis G. Sison of the UP System Technology Transfer and Business Development Office (TTBDO) walked attendees through the innovation journey—from ideation and R&D to intellectual property, licensing, and commercialization. DOST Assistant Secretary for Technology Transfer, Communications, and Commercialization Dr. Napoleon Juanillo Jr. then challenged researchers to take their innovations to global markets through the DOST PROPEL Program, emphasizing that Filipino science has the potential to generate not just solutions, but industries. 

The commitment to inclusive development was underscored by DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Dr. Sancho Mabborang, who said that “the most powerful innovations are those that transform lives in the communities.” Echoing this, Assistant Secretary for Countryside Development Engr. Maria Teresa De Guzman stressed that “true development is not defined by what grows at the center, but by what reaches the farthest corner.” 

Through the TECHGROW Program, DOST continues to build a future where Filipino innovations are not only invented locally but are also adopted widely to create value, solve real problems, and transform communities across the country.  

The TECHGROW Summit concluded with a turnover of hosting the 2026 Central Luzon Innovation and Technology Transfer Summit to DOST-III.