Ateneo Center for Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Development - ACEND

𝐁𝐈𝐌𝐏-𝐄𝐀𝐆𝐀 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆: 𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐔𝐏 𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐍 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐄!

Your innovation shouldn't stop at the ZAMBASULTA shores. It’s time to think bigger, scale faster, and look toward our Southeast Asian neighbors!

Through the HERMOSA Consortium and AZUL Hub, we are opening a direct gateway to regional expansion. By securing BIMP-EAGA endorsement opportunities, your startup can unlock access to international networks across Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, connect with strategic global partners, and gain massive regional visibility.

If your startup is ready to cross borders, don't miss this opportunity.

🔗 Submit your application today: tinyurl.com/zambasulta-startup
🗓️ Application Deadline: June 15, 2026

𝟏𝟎 𝐃𝐀𝐘𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐆𝐎!
The clock is ticking to scale your startup! The Pre-Acceleration Program is designed to equip visionaries across Zamboanga Peninsula and Western BARMM with the foundational tools needed to build a market-ready business.
This program is an initiative formed by the HERMOSA Consortium, a partnership between DOST IX, DTI IX, DICT IX BASULTA, JRMSU, and WMSU, and implemented by AdZU, giving your startup direct access to technical mentorship, training, investor networks, and market opportunities all in one place.
🔗 Application Form: tinyurl.com/zambasulta-startup
🗓️ Application Deadline: June 15, 2026

𝟏𝟎 𝐃𝐀𝐘𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐆𝐎!

The clock is ticking to scale your startup! The Pre-Acceleration Program is designed to equip visionaries across Zamboanga Peninsula and Western BARMM with the foundational tools needed to build a market-ready business.

This program is an initiative formed by the HERMOSA Consortium, a partnership between DOST IX, DTI IX, DICT IX BASULTA, JRMSU, and WMSU, and implemented by AdZU, giving your startup direct access to technical mentorship, training, investor networks, and market opportunities all in one place.

🔗 Application Form: tinyurl.com/zambasulta-startup
🗓️ Application Deadline: June 15, 2026

𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐜𝐨-𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 🌊🌱
Hear it straight from 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐆𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐦, Founder of Sambag Innovations and an AZUL Hub Cohort 2 Incubatee!
Did you know that "Sambag" is a Tausug word that means "response"? True to its name, this incredible startup is providing a direct response to the global crisis of plastic pollution by developing seaweed-based bioplastics—offering a sustainable, eco-friendly alternative to conventional single-use plastics that harm our oceans and land.
Great innovations often start in a lab or a university classroom. But bridging the gap between scientific research and commercial viability is a massive journey. That’s exactly where the 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐌𝐎𝐒𝐀 𝐏𝐫𝐞-𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 steps in.
Through dedicated mentorship, training, and a supportive community, we help early-stage teams across the Zamboanga Peninsula and Western BARMM translate their environmental and scientific innovations into scalable, market-ready startups.
If your team is holding onto an innovative concept or research project that can transform our region, you don't have to navigate the business world alone.
The Pre-Acceleration Program is an initiative formed by the HERMOSA Consortium, a partnership between DOST IX, DTI IX, DICT IX BASULTA, JRMSU, and WMSU, and implemented by AdZU.
Be the response our community needs. Apply today! 🚀
🔗 Submit your application today: tinyurl.com/zambasulta-startup
🗓️ Application Deadline: June 15, 2026

𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐜𝐨-𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 🌊🌱

Hear it straight from 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐆𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐦, Founder of Sambag Innovations and an AZUL Hub Cohort 2 Incubatee!

Did you know that "Sambag" is a Tausug word that means "response"? True to its name, this incredible startup is providing a direct response to the global crisis of plastic pollution by developing seaweed-based bioplastics—offering a sustainable, eco-friendly alternative to conventional single-use plastics that harm our oceans and land.

Great innovations often start in a lab or a university classroom. But bridging the gap between scientific research and commercial viability is a massive journey. That’s exactly where the 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐌𝐎𝐒𝐀 𝐏𝐫𝐞-𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 steps in.

Through dedicated mentorship, training, and a supportive community, we help early-stage teams across the Zamboanga Peninsula and Western BARMM translate their environmental and scientific innovations into scalable, market-ready startups.

If your team is holding onto an innovative concept or research project that can transform our region, you don't have to navigate the business world alone.

The Pre-Acceleration Program is an initiative formed by the HERMOSA Consortium, a partnership between DOST IX, DTI IX, DICT IX BASULTA, JRMSU, and WMSU, and implemented by AdZU.

Be the response our community needs. Apply today! 🚀

🔗 Submit your application today: tinyurl.com/zambasulta-startup
🗓️ Application Deadline: June 15, 2026

𝐙𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚 𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐚 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐈 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐦𝐚𝐩 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩
The Zamboanga Peninsula Artificial Intelligence (AI) Roadmapping Workshop, organized by the Department of Science and Technology Regional Office IX, continued its third day with the participation of key officials and representatives from various government agencies, industry partners, and the academe.
The session featured expert inputs from academe and government resource persons, including Engr. Eugene Rex Jalap of the University of the Philippines – Operations Research and Artificial Intelligence Program, Engr. Eduardo Piedad of DOST-ASTI, and representatives from DOST-Caraga, who shared insights on AI applications, research directions, and innovation pathways.
Serving as a collaborative platform, the workshop focused on AI visioning and the formulation of strategic goals and outcomes that will guide the region’s AI development agenda toward inclusive, innovative, and sustainable growth across key sectors.
AZUL Hub participated in the workshop, contributing to ongoing efforts in strengthening regional innovation ecosystems and advancing AI-enabled development in the Zamboanga Peninsula.
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Let’s clear up a few things holding you back from applying! 💡

❌ 𝐌𝐘𝐓𝐇 𝟏: "𝘔𝘺 𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘢 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘺."
✨ 𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐓: 𝐖𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝐫𝐚𝐰, 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲-𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐬. You don’t need a finished product or a single cent in revenue to join us.

❌ 𝐌𝐘𝐓𝐇 𝟐: "𝘑𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘱 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦."
✨ 𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐓: 𝐈𝐭 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞. Instead of spending months trying to figure things out alone through trial and error, this structured program fast-tracks your growth without overwhelming your daily schedule.

The Pre-Acceleration Program is an initiative formed by the HERMOSA Consortium, a partnership between DOST IX, DTI IX, DICT IX BASULTA, JRMSU, and WMSU, and implemented by AdZU, giving your startup direct access to technical mentorship, training, investor networks, and market opportunities all in one place.

Stop letting misconceptions hold your vision back. Your startup journey across Zamboanga Peninsula and Western BARMM starts here! 🚀

🔗 Submit your application today: tinyurl.com/zambasulta-startup
🗓️ Application Deadline: June 15, 2026

𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐔𝐏𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐙𝐀𝐌𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐔𝐋𝐓𝐀!

Have an innovative idea or an early-stage startup ready to grow? This is your chance to take your vision further and become part of the growing innovation and startup ecosystem in Zamboanga Peninsula and BASULTA. Join the Pre-Acceleration Program and transform your ideas into impactful and scalable ventures.

Whether you are building a tech solution, creative enterprise, or community-driven innovation, this program is designed to help startups move from idea to impact and prepare them for the next stage of growth and development.

The Pre-Acceleration Program of AZUL Hub under the ReSEED HERMOSA Consortium is a startup support initiative that nurtures aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage startups through innovation-driven learning, mentorship, and entrepreneurial development. It aims to strengthen the regional startup ecosystem by empowering local innovators to develop scalable and sustainable solutions for their communities and industries.

🔗 Application Form: tinyurl.com/zambasulta-startup
📌 Application Deadline: June 15, 2026

Step forward. Turn your ideas into impact and drive ZAMBASULTA’s innovation future.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭. 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞. 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭.

During the HERMOSA Consortium Memorandum of Understanding Signing Ceremony, consortium members and partners shared inspiring messages highlighting collaboration, synergy, and shared responsibility in strengthening the regional innovation ecosystem.

Through this partnership, HERMOSA Consortium members reaffirm their commitment to supporting startups, driving innovation forward, and creating opportunities for inclusive and sustainable growth—with strong support from the City Government of Zamboanga.

Together, we move forward—united by purpose, strengthened by collaboration, and driven by innovation toward a better future for our communities.

𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐌𝐎𝐒𝐀 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠
The Ateneo de Zamboanga University through AZUL Hub convened the identified faculty, startup, government, and industry mentors for the HERMOSA Consortium on April 28, 2026 at Zampen Innohive, ADZU Lantaka Campus for a day of collaboration and strategy.
The discussion began with an introduction to the real-world gaps and challenges facing startups in the region, followed by an overview of the HERMOSA Consortium’s mission to address these hurdles by creating a stronger, more connected ecosystem where innovation can truly thrive. The heart of the discussion centered on the mentors—defining their roles, responsibilities, and the roadmap that will provide the essential guidance startups need to reach their full potential.
This was followed by an engaging Q&A section, where mentors and organizers tackled critical topics such as the protection of intellectual property for student innovators, the criteria for startup readiness, and the long-term investment required to secure patents.
To round out the visit, the group also toured the Fabrication Laboratory (FabLab) to explore the prototyping tools available to the community.

Custom-made laser-engraved wooden products—including stamps, lei, and token boxes—were specially created for the Hermosa Consortium Memorandum of Understanding Signing Ceremony.
For inquiries:
📞: 993 8543 local 609
📩: [email protected]
Visit us:
📌Room 106, G/F David Walstrom Bldg, Lantaka Campus, NS Valderosa St, Zone IV, ZC

[𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐀, 𝐀𝐃𝐙𝐔 𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐀 𝐂𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐔𝐒] — 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐌𝐎𝐒𝐀 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝐌𝐎𝐔 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 — 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟖, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

The 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐌𝐎𝐒𝐀 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐮𝐦 formally strengthened its commitment to advancing a dynamic and inclusive innovation ecosystem through the successful "𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐎𝐔 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲", anchored on the theme “𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦,” in celebration of 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔.

The HERMOSA Consortium, composed of six partner agencies namely DOST IX, DTI IX, DICT IX BASULTA, JRMSU, WMSU, and implemented by Ateneo de Zamboanga University, and funded by DOST-PCIEERD, brought together key leaders and stakeholders in a shared commitment to regional innovation and collaboration.

The program commenced with inspiring opening remarks from Fr. Guillrey Anthony M. Andal, SJ, followed by the keynote message of DOST IX Regional Director Dir. Rosemarie S. Salazar. A message of support was delivered on behalf of Hon. Khymer Adan T. Olaso by Mr. Rosendo Castillo, Executive Assistant, LEDIPO, while Engr. Edward Paul Apigo, Program Lead of the ReSEED Program of DOST-PCIEERD, shared an inspirational message that reinforced the consortium’s shared vision for innovation-driven growth.

Key partner agencies reaffirmed their commitment through messages from DTI IX Regional Director Engr. Al-Zamir I. Lipae, DICT IX BASULTA Regional Director Dir. Cheryl C. Ortega represented by Engr. Jacob Mohammad, Chief of Technical Operations Division, and WMSU Dr. Ma. Carla A. Ochotorena represented by Dr. Reynante E. Autida, Director of the Research Development and Evaluation Center.
The ceremony culminated in the Renewal of Commitment, where consortium members formally sealed their shared responsibility to drive innovation, strengthen collaboration, and accelerate sustainable regional development.

The event was witnessed by Councilor Kim Villaflores, Chair of the Committee on Science and Technology of the Sangguniang Panglungsod of Zamboanga City, and concluded with closing remarks from Project Leader Mr. Mario S. Rodriguez.

Together, the HERMOSA Consortium continues to champion stronger partnerships and transformative innovation for the Zamboanga Peninsula, Western BARMM, and beyond.