Pangasinan, Philippines, June 29, 2023 - The United Pangasinan ICT Council orchestrated an exhilarating two-day Start Up Ideation Hackathon, bringing together four talented teams from various universities across the province. Fostering a spirit of innovation and collaboration, the event served as a platform for young minds to showcase their entrepreneurial skills while gaining valuable insights from distinguished speakers.

The hackathon, held on June 29 and 30, witnessed a remarkable display of creativity and technical prowess as the participating teams presented their novel business ideas. The atmosphere was charged with excitement as students huddled in groups, brainstorming ideas and transforming them into tangible solutions.

One of the key highlights of the event was the presence of industry leaders who shared their expertise with the participants. Mr. Nestor Feland Panopio, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of IAM Contact Solutions, took the stage to shed light on the significance of customer journey mapping and user story mapping. With his wealth of experience in the field, Mr. Panopio emphasized the importance of understanding and empathizing with the end-users to create meaningful and user-centric products and services.

Another notable speaker at the hackathon was Mr. Tzar Umang, the visionary behind InnovHub. Drawing from his extensive knowledge of design thinking, Mr. Umang enlightened the aspiring entrepreneurs about the iterative and user-focused approach to problem-solving. He emphasized the need for empathy, experimentation, and prototyping to create solutions that truly resonate with the target audience.

The participating teams were invigorated by the insights shared by these industry leaders, incorporating the principles of customer journey mapping, user story mapping, and design thinking into their projects. Their enthusiasm and dedication were palpable as they worked tirelessly, fine-tuning their ideas and prototypes.

The event concluded with each team presenting their innovative business ideas to a panel of esteemed judges. The ideas ranged from tech-based solutions to social entrepreneurship ventures, highlighting the diverse range of talent and entrepreneurial spirit within the province.

The United Pangasinan ICT Council, pleased with the success of the hackathon, expressed their commitment to nurturing the innovative spirit among the youth. By providing a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs and technologists to showcase their skills and learn from industry experts, the council aims to foster a culture of innovation and inspire the next generation of disruptors.

The Start Up Ideation Hackathon not only served as a catalyst for creativity and collaboration but also cemented the province's position as a hub for budding entrepreneurs. With events like these, Pangasinan continues to position itself as a hotbed of innovation, empowering the youth to turn their ideas into reality and contribute to the growth of the digital economy.