DOST-Wadhwani Demo Day Showcases Smart City Solutions from Regional Technopreneurs
In a vibrant display of innovation and regional empowerment, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), in partnership with the Wadhwani Foundation, held its Technopreneurship Program Demonstration Day on 21 October 2025 at Bayview Park Hotel, Manila. The event marked a significant milestone for the program’s second cohort, as participants unveiled validated solutions addressing smart city challenges across the Philippines.
The Demonstration Day served as a culmination of months of intensive training, mentorship, and fieldwork. Participants—comprising regional and provincial S&T officers—presented their tech-driven solutions developed through a comprehensive smart city gap assessment. These solutions were tailored to address real-world problems identified by municipal partners, ranging from traffic management to waste disposal and public safety.
This year’s cohort emphasized the integration of local development challenges into the innovation process. By aligning with the needs of smart city and municipal stakeholders, the program ensured that technopreneurial efforts were grounded in practical relevance. The initiative reflects DOST’s commitment to fostering inclusive innovation and strengthening the country’s regional startup ecosystem.
The DOST-Wadhwani Technopreneurship Program is designed to build capacity among government officers and local innovators, equipping them with entrepreneurial skills and tools to transform ideas into viable ventures. Through workshops, mentorship, and validation exercises, participants learned to navigate the startup landscape and pitch their solutions effectively.
Bayview Park Hotel became a hub of collaboration and inspiration as teams showcased prototypes, business models, and impact assessments. The event drew attention from policymakers, investors, and innovation advocates, all eager to support the next wave of Filipino technopreneurs. Several solutions received commendations for their scalability and potential to be adopted by other LGUs.
DOST’s continued investment in regional innovation reflects its broader mission to decentralize technological advancement and empower communities outside Metro Manila. By embedding technopreneurship within local governance and development planning, the agency is paving the way for more resilient, responsive, and future-ready cities.
As the second cohort concludes its journey, the momentum for inclusive innovation continues to build. With programs like DOST-Wadhwani leading the charge, the Philippines is poised to harness the creativity and ingenuity of its regions—one smart solution at a time.
