Cauayan City, October 16, 2024 – In a remarkable showcase of innovation and community-focused technology, the Marian startup team OnioNet has clinched 1st place at the iDeaTech 2024 Pitching Competition held at the ICON Convention Center. This annual event, co-hosted by the DOST ISU Smart City Technology Business Incubator (DISC-TBI) in partnership with UNLEASH, brought together the brightest young minds from the region to present creative solutions to pressing societal challenges.

OnioNet, developed by a dedicated team from the School of Engineering, Architecture, and Information Technology at Saint Mary’s University, is a pioneering tagging and tracking system designed specifically for effective onion cold storage management. The project aims to tackle the inefficiencies that lead to spoilage and theft, significantly affecting local onion farmers. Team members Jo Arman Ken Quiambao, Jericho Pineda, Marc Edison Suarez, and adviser Rocel Audrey J. Batara expressed their commitment to providing a solution that not only improves storage management but also delivers justice to farmers and their produce.

OnioNet’s innovative system utilizes PVC tagging and barcode technology to enable real-time tracking of stored onions, empowering farmers with SMS alerts for better inventory management. This transformative approach not only aims to reduce waste but also ensures that farmers receive fair compensation for their hard work.

The event also recognized Team Wattcher, which emerged as a finalist. Comprising Shein Marcos, Gabrielle Rivera, James Michael Tallungan, and mentored by Engr. Teofilo M. Sagabaen, Wattcher presented another promising solution in the realm of smart city technologies.

The iDeaTech Challenge serves as an essential platform for students to present innovative, sustainable solutions that address local challenges. The participation of over 300 attendees, including university students, local stakeholders, and entrepreneurs, underscored the event’s significance in fostering collaboration and creativity in the field of technology.

As the OnioNet team prepares for the next steps, they will receive continued support from DISC-TBI and the UNLEASH community in the Philippines, including mentorship and resources to further develop and scale their innovative solution.

Written by: Rocel Audrey Batara, PL Coordinator SEAIT