The Southern Luzon State University (SLSU) marked a defining step in its innovation agenda with the successful conduct of the Ceremonial Signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for Incubation on March 30, at the REPDI Training Center, formally onboarding three enterprises into the SLSU Technology Business Incubator (TBI), signaling the transition from program establishment to full operational delivery of incubation services.
At the center of the event were the pioneering incubatees or enterprises that have completed the TBI’s screening and technical evaluation process. Representing them at the event were Engr. Jessica M. Castillo of Beegood Agriventures OPC, recognized as SLSU’s first technology adopter; Dr. Nona D. Nagares of Nnovate Food Products, identified as the university’s first spin-off company; and Ms. Ma. Louchiel S. Labay of Ouan’s Worth Farm and Family Resort Corporation, which represents the first co-incubation initiative between SLSU and Laguna State Polytechnic University’s Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubator (LSPU ATBI).
During the ceremony, Dr. Frederick T. Villa, University President, reaffirmed the strategic importance of the initiative, noting that programs such as the TBI enable SLSU to move forward as an institution that actively engages with stakeholders beyond the academe to benefit local industries and communities.
Meanwhile, Dr. Marissa C. Esperal, Vice President for Research, Extension, Production, Development, and Innovation (REPDI), expressed her strong enthusiasm for the continued development of the TBI, recognizing it as one of the core strengths of the REPDI cluster. She underscored the role of the TBI in bridging research outputs with enterprise applications and in reinforcing SLSU’s institutional capacity for technology transfer and commercialization.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Jennifer Edytha J. Lagrazon, Center Chief and Manager of SLSU TBI, emphasized that the achievement of the SLSU TBI is grounded in the administration’s continued support and trust, which enabled the office to move from concept to implementation.
The ceremony also featured messages of commitment from the incubatees, reinforcing a shared direction toward product development, market validation, and long-term enterprise sustainability. This is supported by the TBI’s structured approach, which includes capacity-building activities, business development planning, and continuous performance monitoring.
Photos: Jefferson L. Abris & Jake Española