PALO, LEYTE — The future of regional enterprise took center stage in Leyte as aspiring student innovators pitched groundbreaking business solutions during the Innovate8Leyte: Startup Business Challenge. Held on the afternoon of October 8, 2026, at Annex A of the Leyte Convention Complex, the high-stakes pitching competition formed a core highlight of the ongoing Handa Pilipinas 2.0 – Visayas Leg.
Bridging Science, Innovation, and Enterprise
Sponsored by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) in active partnership and convergence with the Department of Science and Technology in Eastern Visayas (DOST-8), the event brought together bright young minds from various schools and universities across the region.
The competing student teams presented forward-thinking business concepts specifically engineered to address pressing community challenges, technological gaps, and industry needs. To ensure rigorous evaluation, a distinguished panel consisting of prominent regional entrepreneurs and key industry leaders served as judges, grilling the participants on market viability while offering expert insights to sharpen their business models.
Empowering the Next Generation of Visayan Entrepreneurs
By pairing youth-led creativity with commercial mentorship, the Innovate8Leyte challenge serves as a powerful catalyst for regional growth. The collaborative initiative aims to inspire students to transform academic research and tech-driven ideas into viable entrepreneurial ventures, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive, innovative, and economically resilient Eastern Visayas.
