The future of Philippine business is getting a digital upgrade courtesy of the country’s next generation of innovators. The Metro Manila leg of the Byte Forward Hackathon, held August 7-8 at Seda Vertis North in Quezon City, showcased how student-led ingenuity can solve pressing business challenges through technology.
Organized in collaboration with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and hosted by Converge SME Solutions and Rev21 Labs, the 24-hour hackathon brought together ten teams from top universities across the region. Each team tackled real-world problems sourced directly from PCCI members and Converge SME partners — ensuring the solutions were not only innovative, but also grounded in actual operational needs.
“Hackathons like this are more than just competitions—they are launchpads for the country’s future innovators,” said Ron Puno, CEO of Rev21 Labs Inc. “By giving young talents real business challenges to solve, we’re not only testing their skills, we’re unlocking fresh perspectives and bold ideas that can transform how enterprises operate. The creativity and drive we saw here prove that investing in the next generation is an investment in the nation’s digital future.”
After an intense round of designing, prototyping, and live pitching to a panel of judges from PCCI, Converge, and Rev21 Labs, three standout teams emerged victorious:
● 1st Place, De La Salle University (DLSU): A voice-powered mobile app that delivers sales and inventory insights, creates smart suggestions like pricing and bundling, AI-powered Q&A, and an auto-ordering feature.
● 2nd Place, Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP): A voice-command sales and stock logging solution with an analytics dashboard, designed for micro and small businesses, including live sellers.
● 3rd Place, Asian Institute of Management (AIM): A web portal that provides MSMEs with pricing assistance based on competitor data, using optical character recognition (OCR) and data clustering.
The winners received cash prizes of ₱50,000, ₱30,000, and ₱20,000, respectively, with the 1st and 2nd place teams also earning 12 months of free internet.
“We learned how important teamwork is—trusting each other’s ideas, dividing roles, and making the most of AI tools,” shared one participant. “Our output isn’t perfect, but that’s the beauty of it—it has room to grow. What matters is that we were able to integrate AI in a way that makes a real impact, and we believe it has the potential to help businesses in the real world.”
Present in the awarding is Mr. Butch Guerrero, co-chair of Philippine Business Conference & Expo and PCCI Director for Labor and Services. He said, “The NCR Hackathon was not just an event—it was a celebration of the brilliance, creativity, and determination of the youth of tomorrow. We witnessed students from some of our top universities come together to tackle real-world challenges with tech-driven solutions that reflect both heart and innovation.
This milestone would not have been possible without the unwavering support of Converge, whose commitment to digital empowerment inspires us all, and our trusted partner Rev 21, whose energy and vision helped bring this initiative to life. Together, we are building a platform where ideas flourish, talents are discovered, and future leaders are born. The NCR Hackathon proves that the Filipino youth are not just ready for the future—they are already shaping it.”, he added.
Consul Enunina V. Mangio, President of PCCI, commended the participants for their innovative spirit and alignment with local priorities. “This hackathon proves that when we empower young minds with real business challenges, they rise to the occasion with creativity and purpose,” said Consul Enunina V. Mangio, President of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “It also reflects PCCI’s advocacy to harness innovation and technology in strengthening MSMEs and bridging the digital gap, so every sector can actively participate in the country’s economic growth.”
The journey continues at the 51st Philippine Business Conference and Expo on October 21-22, 2025 at the SMX Convention Center, Manila. There, breakthrough ideas from across the country will converge for the final tournament and grand awarding of the Byte Forward Hackathon’s national champion — all under this year’s theme, “The Future Is Now: Unleash the Power of Digital Transformation.”
For more information, visit: https://www.philippinechamber.com/philippine-business-conference-and-expo
