USTP Panaon MARIS team wins most innovative product at DOST Misamis Occidental Startup Demo Day
By Mary Jane L. Duamalagan, Department of Information Technology, USTP Panaon
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The Marine Archiving for Real-Time Coral and Ichthyofaunal Identification Using RAG-Based AI (MARIS) team from the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines in Panaon, Misamis Occidental (USTP Panaon) won the Most Innovative Product award during the Demo Day of the three-month Startup Incubation Program on August 13, 2026, at Kahakai Resort in Aloran, Misamis Occidental. The program was facilitated by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Misamis Occidental Innovation Hub in partnership with iDEYA, the technology business incubator of MSU-IIT, with funding from the National Innovation Council through the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev).
The Demo Day served as the culminating activity of the incubation program, where six startup teams presented their business models and pitches before potential investors, local government representatives, and industry experts. USTP Panaon was represented by two teams from the Information Technology Department: MARIS and E-Attendance: Student Monitoring System.
MARIS received the Most Innovative Product award for its use of Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)-based artificial intelligence in marine archiving and biodiversity documentation. The project explores the application of AI in identifying corals and ichthyofauna and supporting marine biodiversity documentation.
The startup pitches were evaluated by Oroquieta City Mayor Lemuel Meyrick Acosta, DICT Provincial Officer Engr. Kenneth Asuncion, and DTI representative Reeya Mara Aguirre.
Prior to the Demo Day, the participating teams underwent a three-month incubation program that included mentoring on startup development, value proposition refinement, and business model design. The program also included sessions such as “Tech, Talent, and Traction” and the World Café Mentoring Session, where participants received feedback from industry mentors and entrepreneurs.
Through its participation in the incubation program, USTP Panaon provides students with opportunities to develop their technical and entrepreneurial competencies and apply technology-based ideas to practical challenges. The recognition of the MARIS team also highlights the potential of student-led innovation in supporting marine biodiversity documentation and technology-driven solutions.
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