The ACCRE (Coral growth booster) of Bohol Island State University (BISU) – Candijay, Bantay Palay (Grain saver) of the University of Bohol (UB) and Cocobot (Transforming coconut toy) of TIRServ lorded the final pitching and judging stage of the Bohol Idea to Innovation (BHL i2i) Competition held last January 8, 2016 at the Belian Hotel, Tagbilaran City.
These teams came out on top from the ten (10) finalists selected during the BHL i2i Boot Camp last October 5-6, 2015 at the Bohol Cultural Center. All teams underwent the idea development stage where they were advised by mentors from Ideaspace. In the prototyping stage, they have availed of the services and technical support of the Bohol Fablab, the first fabrication laboratory in the Philippines.
An added feature of this competition was the Co-creation Stage with nine (9) Japanese mentors who met with the Bohol teams for five (5) days and did surveys, field interviews and final prototyping. Bohol ICT Council Chairperson Lai Biliran, DOST-Bohol’s Engr. Marcial Tanggaan, Yorbs Electronics’ Roy Bayonas and Concept Mobile’s Thomas Ridenour were the judges and panelists during the final pitching and presentation. During the closing program, messages of support were given by Tagbilaran City Mayor John Geesnell L. Yap II and Bohol Gov. Edgardo M. Chatto who were represented by Mr. Valentino Gamutin and Dr. Glenn Doloritos, respectively.
Launched in July 2015 during the Sandugo Regional Trade Expo, the Bohol Idea to Innovation (BHL i2i) Competition, the first of its kind in the province, promotes innovation and start-ups in developing technology-based solutions to local problems through digital fabrication. The competition is composed of four (4) stages, namely boot camp, prototyping, co-creation and exhibition.
The BHL i2i Competition is spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry – Bohol Provincial Office, in coordination with the Bohol ICT Council, Bohol Fabrication Laboratory (Fablab), Bohol Island State University, Provincial Government of Bohol and the City Government of Tagbilaran. (Engr. Jerome John J. Gabin, DTI-Bohol)