The Department of Science and Technology–National Capital Region (DOST-NCR) officially opened the 2025 NCR Innovation and Technology Transfer Summit (ITTS) to unlock collaboration between the government and innovators.

With the theme TECHGROW (Technology Transfer and Entrepreneurship Collaboration and Harmonization of Growing Regional Opportunities on Wealth Creation): Bridging government, industry, and academe to accelerate innovation, the initiative aims to close the gap between groundbreaking research and real-world application by creating meaningful collaborations between researchers, local governments, startups, and industries.

ITTS is TECHGROW’s flagship convergence event, uniting key stakeholders—government, industry, and academe—to scale innovations from the lab to the local community and the global market.

TECHGROW is a key national movement to open the full potential of Filipino innovation. Launched in 2024 and funded by the DOST, TECHGROW is a three-year initiative led by DOST-NCR and implemented across sixteen regional offices to strengthen the entire innovation value chain—from ideation to research, intellectual property (IP) protection, and technology transfer commercialization.

DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr., emphasized the vital role of applied innovation, highlighting DOST’s commitment not only through discovery but also the impact of these technologies.

“At DOST, we firmly believe that innovation doesn’t stop at invention, but it only starts there. That’s why we are committed to more than just discovery. Our focus is on deployment, ensuring that the technologies we support quickly transition from the lab to actual application, driving tangible change and progress for our communities. Real-world solutions to real-world problems,” said Solidum.

Moreover, Undersecretary for Regional Operations Sancho Mabborang underscored the crucial truth that “Filipino science needs Filipino industry to turn promise into products and research into revenue and impact.”

Additionally, DOST-NCR Regional Director Romelen Tresvalles highlighted key interventions of the initiative, which include capacity building for researchers and TTOs, support to HEIs, SUCs, LUCs, to boost R&D-to-market capabilities; issuances of the Fairness Opinion Report for government-funded technologies prior to licensing of spinoff; and the strategic dissemination and engagement through platforms like the ITTS.

DOST is also leading a four-pillar strategic development approach, focusing on human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection, and sustainability—anchored on the Sustainable Development Goals.

Through these pillars, DOST has strengthened innovation nationwide by supporting 44 innovation hubs (iHubs) including the one in Siquijor; funding research and development through the Science for Change Program; providing IP and patent assistance, and platforms for tech commercialization such as TECHNICOM, SETUP, iFWD PH, and more; and empowering startups through technology business incubators and local innovation consortia.

The summit also showcased Filipino-developed innovations that are now making a difference in sectors from transport to agriculture: 

• C-Trike by Cagayan State University: A locally manufactured electric tricycle that reduces fuel costs and carbon emissions.
• TRISSEA app in Tuguegarao City: A ride-hailing platform modernizing tricycle services through digital tools for safety and transparency.
• SESSY E-Boat by Mapúa University: A solar-electric boat promoting green tourism and inter-island travel.
• AIS-equipped Rescue Boats: Innovative boats using detection technology to improve safety for fishermen and emergency responders.
• USHER (MAPÚA): Real-time building and bridge monitoring to enhance infrastructure safety.
• Vigormin (Adamson University): A natural solution to wastewater pollution.
• GenAmplify (UP Manila): Locally developed COVID-19 test kits were rapidly deployed during the pandemic.
• Bio-N and Project SARAI (UPLB): Agricultural technologies supporting climate-smart and cost-effective farming.

Furthermore, Solidum highlighted the Quadruple Helix Model of Innovation, a framework where government, industry, academe, and civil society work hand-in-hand to identify needs, co-create solutions, and scale impact.

He also emphasized the importance of strengthening the link between innovation and industry and underscored the vital role that the private sector and civil society play in shaping the country’s research agenda, ensuring that science and technology efforts are aligned with market demands and national development goals.

“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. Industry doesn’t just bring capital and market insight, but it also create jobs, drives economic productivity, and contributes tax revenues that help fund public innovation,” said Secretary Solidum.

To ensure fairness and public benefit, DOST is implementing Fairness Opinion Assessments to vet technologies before commercialization, so Filipino communities truly benefit from public R&D investments.

TECHGROW is more than just a one-day summit—it marks a movement. Through programs like TECHGROW, DOST aims to embed innovation into every corner of the country.

“This isn’t just a showcase, but a platform and launchpad for partnerships,” said Secretary Solidum. “While we do not need to stop creating new breakthroughs, we need to change the game already by putting them in action on the ground. We need to utilize our technologies to create impact, through partnerships and meaningful collaborations,” he concluded.

The 2025 NCR Innovation and Technology Transfer Summit (ITTS) is an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) aimed at providing science-based, innovative, and inclusive solutions across four strategic pillars: human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection, and sustainability. These pillars embody the mantra OneDOST4U: Solutions, Opportunities for All. For more information, visit www.dost.gov.ph. (By Abigael S. Omaña and photo by Patrick James Lee Alfonso, DOST-STII