CPU Startups ArticuLit and PackUp Claim Top Honors at Visayas Startup Awards 2025
Iloilo City, Philippines – Central Philippine University (CPU) startups ArticuLit and PackUp emerged victorious at the Visayas Startup Awards 2025, demonstrating the growing innovation ecosystem within Western Visayas. ArticuLit secured the first-place prize, while PackUp finished in the Top 3, marking a significant achievement for student-led entrepreneurship in the region.
ArticuLit focuses on providing accessible learning materials, embodying its mission of delivering “learning on the go” for students. PackUp offers logistics solutions, and during the awards pitch, Assistant Regional Director of DOST Region VIII, Marilyn Ong Radam, expressed interest in adopting PackUp’s services for Eastern Visayas.
The PackUp team, comprised of Matthew B. Ledesma (BSSE-4), Jed Matthew Mamosto (BSSE-4), and Matt Rafael Genito (BSPkgE-4), was mentored by Alexa Chloe Cray Pizon, Faculty of the Packaging Engineering Department. Genito highlighted the accessibility of the competition through the Wadhwani WEN platform, enabling collaboration despite team members being located in Manila and Iloilo City.
“It was a bit easier for us to compete as it was done online. I was in Manila for my internship at Belo Essentials, while my team was in Iloilo City, managing their studies on weekdays and attending mentoring sessions every Saturday. Despite the distance, we worked together as one,” Genito stated.
The success was attributed to the support of CPU, CPUGAD TBI, DOST, and Wadhwani. packup is also nominated for the Startup of the Year Award (IEET Category) at the Western Visayas Innovative Startup Fest 2025 Innovation Awards,with the ceremony scheduled for September 20,2025,at Festive Walk Mall.
Two additional CPUGAD TBI startups, NexLock and Baylo Central, where recognized as finalists in the Tourism and Creative Technology categories. Both ArticuLit and PackUp acknowledged the role of CPU and CPUGAD TBI in their achievements on their respective Facebook pages.
These wins highlight the thriving innovation ecosystem at CPU and CPUGAD TBI, fostering collaboration between mentors, students, and partners to drive impactful innovations.
