The Philippines Department of Science and Technology (DOST) recognises the importance of transforming research into real-world solutions that serve communities, boost enterprise competitiveness and support regional development.
DOST convened innovators, technopreneurs, researchers and academic institutions from across Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and Central Luzon for the 2025 North Luzon Innovation and Technology Transfer Summit (NLITTS) in Baguio City.
The summit encouraged dialogue among diverse actors, fostering a collaborative ecosystem where ideas, expertise and resources could be aligned for greater societal and economic impact. It also highlighted the need for sustained engagement among stakeholders to ensure that innovations move beyond prototypes and achieve real-world applications.
The summit focused on advancing Innovation and Technology Transfer and Commercialisation (TTC), which DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. described as a national imperative. In a keynote address delivered on his behalf by Assistant Secretary Napoleon Juanillo Jr., Secretary Solidum stressed that TTC plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between research and the market.
TTC is about people – transforming lives, creating decent jobs and building thriving communities, he noted. Through licensing, spin-off creation and collaborative partnerships, TTC enables Filipino innovations to drive inclusive economic progress.
A key session, Pathways to Successful Technology Commercialisation, offered innovators practical guidance on using government support and technopreneurial strategies to turn research into viable market solutions. It aimed to foster entrepreneurship, growth, industry collaboration and long-term sustainability, as well as drive positive social impact.
Another, Technology Readiness and Commercialisation, focused on evaluating the maturity and commercial viability of technologies. Participants learned to assess readiness levels using established frameworks and explored how technologies can be deployed to support smart and sustainable communities in the region. This included tools for gauging technology performance, feasibility of scaling and matching innovations with industry demands.
Real-world applications of these strategies were showcased during the TechTalk: Success Stories of Technology Adopters. Speakers from local enterprises shared how integrating government-supported innovations improved productivity, enhanced operations and expanded income opportunities.
These accounts demonstrated how innovation, when effectively transferred, can have meaningful impact at the community level. Their experiences also highlighted the importance of sustained mentorship and technical guidance for successful innovation adoption.
To encourage further commercialisation of research outputs, the summit featured TechPitch: Commercialising Innovation. Researchers and technology developers from North Luzon’s higher education and research institutions presented mature, government-funded technologies with strong potential for MSME adoption. This session aimed to accelerate partnerships between innovators and local enterprises ready to bring new technologies to market.
The Smart Solution Pitch Competition was another highlight, drawing participation from HEIs in CAR, Regions 1, 2 and 3. Teams presented innovative ideas to address pressing challenges faced by MSMEs, particularly in sectors like food processing, agriculture and creative industries such as gifts, décor and handicrafts.
The competition showcased the ability of young innovators to craft context-specific, scalable solutions that directly address local industry needs. The pitches reflected a strong alignment between academic research and the practical challenges faced by grassroots entrepreneurs.
Running from April 23 to 25, the summit also included a technology exhibit that displayed ongoing research and development initiatives from HEIs, RDIs and MSMEs across North Luzon. These projects demonstrated the region’s growing capacity for innovation and its alignment with national development goals.
Visitors were able to engage with prototypes, interact with inventors and explore the potential of new technologies firsthand. The exhibit helped raise awareness of homegrown innovations and encouraged further investment in local R&D initiatives.
“Innovation must continue to move forward – boldly and purposefully,” Secretary Solidum urged in closing. “Together, let’s push Filipino innovations to the global stage and continue to champion a future shaped by sustainability, resilience and shared prosperity.”
