Bicol Consortium for Regional Startup Enablers

11/06/2026

The Bicol Consortium for Regional Startup Enablers (BiCoRSE) proudly congratulates Ma. Crestia C. Bañares, BiCoRSE Executive Director, and the entire Bicol University team for being named a finalist in the prestigious 2026 International Green Gown Awards under the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Sustainability category.

This remarkable recognition highlights the impact of the Building Resilience: Empowering Microenterprises through Contextualized Business Continuity Planning initiative, which has empowered hundreds of micro-entrepreneurs across the country through innovative, research-based resilience programs.

May this achievement serve as an inspiration for more transformative initiatives that create lasting positive impact for our communities.
Congratulations and best wishes for the final stage of the awards!

𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦, 𝗕𝗜𝗖𝗢𝗟 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗬!

BU has been named as one of the FINALISTS in the 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗚𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 under the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Sustainability category for its entry, "𝑩𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆: 𝑬𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑴𝒊𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒙𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒆𝒅 𝑩𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝑷𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈."

The International Green Gown Awards, administered by the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC) and supported by United Nations agencies, recognize exceptional sustainability initiatives by universities and colleges around the world.

Through the Micro-Enterprise Resiliency Plan (MERP) and the Micro-Enterprise Resiliency Initiative for Enterprise Sustainability (MERIES), BU has trained 300 micro-entrepreneurs across the Philippines, turning research into real-world resilience for small businesses and their communities.

Team Members: LORENZANA, ELMER A.; BAÑARES, MA. CRESTIA C.; RIVERO, DIMSON M.; PEÑALOZA, ATHEA; BIÑAS, MARICRIS; and BELEN, MARITES L.

Learn more at https://www.eauc.org.uk/resources/resource/building-resilience-empowering-microenterprises-through-contextualized-business-continuity-planning-2026

11/06/2026

Happening Now

BiCoRSE is currently participating in the Committee Hearing of the Committee on Trade and Industry of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Tabaco City, presenting insights and recommendations on the proposed Tabaco Business Innovation and Startup Support Program (TABACO BIZ-START). This initiative aims to strengthen the local startup ecosystem by providing support mechanisms, incentives, and opportunities for emerging and innovative enterprises in Tabaco City.

Through collaboration among local government, industry stakeholders, and ecosystem enablers, we continue to advance innovation-driven entrepreneurship and foster a thriving startup community in the Bicol Region. 🚀

03/06/2026

🚀 Building a stronger culture of innovation and entrepreneurship starts with empowering our educators.

BiCoRSE proudly celebrates the successful completion of the first 2-day session of the Wadhwani Ignite Faculty Development Program, a key component of the comprehensive training journey designed to strengthen entrepreneurial education and innovation leadership among faculty members.

Through engaging discussions, practical learning activities, and collaborative exchanges, participants gained valuable insights and tools that will help cultivate entrepreneurial mindsets within their institutions and communities.

Together, we are creating a more vibrant, inclusive, and innovation-driven startup ecosystem for Bicol. 🚀💙

03/06/2026

🚀 𝐁𝐢𝐂𝐨𝐑𝐒𝐄 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐁𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐓𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔!

Are you ready to transform your innovative idea into a fundable startup venture?

Join the 𝐃𝐎𝐒𝐓-𝐏𝐂𝐈𝐄𝐄𝐑𝐃 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝 (𝐒𝐆𝐅) 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐓𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 – 𝐋𝐮𝐳𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐠, happening on 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟓–𝟐𝟕, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, in 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐳𝐩𝐢 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲.

Through hands-on workshops, mentorship sessions, and proposal writeshops, participants will gain valuable insights on refining their business and technical plans and developing competitive proposals for the Startup Grant Fund Program.

As the Bicol Consortium for Regional Startup Enablers (BiCoRSE), we encourage startups, innovators, researchers, students, and aspiring entrepreneurs across the Bicol Region to seize this opportunity to learn, connect, and grow within the Philippine startup ecosystem.

📌 Participation is FREE, but slots are limited.
🔗 Register now: https://tinyurl.com/2026BOOTSTART

30/05/2026

26/05/2026

Game on, founders! 🏓✨

The startup ecosystem goes beyond boardrooms and pitch decks — it’s also about building genuine connections, collaborations, and community.

BiCoRSE is excited to support Meet A Founder Friday: Pickleball Socials happening on May 29, 2026, where founders, entrepreneurs, investors, creatives, and innovators come together to play, network, and exchange ideas in a more relaxed and engaging space.

See you on the court as we connect, collaborate, and strengthen the growing startup ecosystem in Bicol! 🚀

📍 F&J Basketball Court | FnJ Coworking Space
🔗 RSVP now: https://reclub.co/m/1R3BUS

Introducing Meet A Founder Friday: Pickleball Socials, a casual space where founders, entrepreneurs, investors, and creatives connect beyond the usual networking scene.

Play. Network. Collaborate. Repeat.

RSVP: https://reclub.co/m/1R3BUS

Venue partner: F&J Basketball Court | FnJ Coworking Space
Official beverage partner: APT Social
Tech community partner: Bicolit.org Inc.
Startup community partner: Bicol Consortium for Regional Startup Enablers
Sponsors: Mayon Timepieces, Argon Software, HSJ Technologies
Pickleball community partner: Drills Ngani

23/05/2026

HAPPENING NOW | BiCoRSE Startup Studio Session 🚀

More than 15 startups are currently joining today’s BiCoRSE Startup Studio Session at SILI DELI TBI this May 23, 2026, for an afternoon of networking, collaboration, and meaningful kamustahan with fellow founders, innovators, and ecosystem enablers.

Creating spaces where startups connect, learn, and grow together through the BiCoRSE community. ✨

23/05/2026

🏆✨ 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦! ✨🏆

Warmest congratulations to Prof. Ma. Crestia Bañares, Executive Director of BiCoRSE, and the entire Bicol University Center for Technology Commercialization and Enterprise Development (BUCTCED) Team for the university’s outstanding achievement in the 2026 World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI), securing Top 100 placements across five categories during its first-ever participation.

Special recognition to the team behind the highest-ranking entry:
“Coming Home to New Beginnings: Empowering OFWs Through Technopreneurship towards Sustainable Enterprises”

Written by:
👏 Prof. Joyce Camille T. Cepe

👥 In collaboration with:
👏 Dr. Arnulfo P. Malinis
👏 Prof. Ma. Crestia Bañares
👏 Prof. Rene B. Jelly

This winning entry was anchored on the DOST-funded iFWD Project, which provided entrepreneurial support and technopreneurship opportunities to returning and displaced Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This remarkable achievement reflects the team’s dedication to innovation, technopreneurship, and transformative impact for communities, startups, and aspiring innovators in the Bicol Region and beyond.

May this milestone inspire even greater breakthroughs and strengthen Bicol University’s role in shaping a globally competitive and innovation-driven future.

17/05/2026

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗗𝗢𝗦𝗧-𝗔𝗹𝗯𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗼 𝗔. 𝗣𝗲𝗻̃𝗮, 𝗝𝗿.! 🎉

Your steadfast leadership and dedication continue to inspire innovation, excellence, and meaningful impact within the community. May your special day be filled with good health, happiness, and continued success in all your endeavors.

Thank you for your unwavering support in strengthening the startup and innovation ecosystem in the Bicol Region.

𝑮𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝒊𝑪𝒐𝑹𝑺𝑬 𝒇𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒚! 🚀💙

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗯𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗗𝗢𝗦𝗧-𝗔𝗹𝗯𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗼 𝗔. 𝗣𝗲𝗻̃𝗮, 𝗝𝗿.!

Your leadership continues to inspire excellence, purpose, and growth among those around you. Wishing you good health, genuine happiness, and even greater success in all that you pursue.

𝑭𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑫𝑶𝑺𝑻-𝑨𝒍𝒃𝒂𝒚 𝒇𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒚! 💙🤍🖤