GrowthCon PH 2025 to Feature Student Edition of Startup Pitching Competition

The Startup Pitching Competition returns for GrowthCon PH 2025 with a focus on student-led startups.

Now in its third year, GrowthCon PH 2025 will be held on June 10, 2025, at the Samsung Hall, SM Aura Premier, Taguig. In collaboration with SM Supermalls and its SM for MSMEs program, GrowthCon seeks to be a platform that champions the growth of MSMEs in the country.

With the theme “Powering Up the Startup Ecosystem Through AI,” this year’s summit will focus on the transformative role of artificial intelligence in fueling startup growth. Entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and industry leaders will gather for an afternoon of insightful discussions, networking opportunities, and a showcase of some of the most promising startups in the country. 

Part of this year’s GrowthCon is the return of the Startup Pitch Competition. For GrowthCon PH 2025, however, the spotlight will be on student-led startups.

The Business Manual is excited to unveil the Student Edition of the Startup Pitch Competition—a platform dedicated to showcasing emerging talent from leading educational institutions with incubator programs. This will be a venue for student founders to pitch their AI-driven ideas, gain professional feedback, and compete for national recognition.

Here’s how interested startups can get the chance to participate in this pitching competition. 

Submission Guidelines

Interested startups must comply with the guidelines to submit an entry to the Student Edition of the Startup Pitch Competition, which is open to currently enrolled students only.

All submissions will undergo initial screening based on the quality of the materials submitted. From here, only the Top 5 startups will move forward to pitch live at GrowthCon 2025. A maximum of three (3) presenters from each of the Top 5 startups will be allowed to go on stage to pitch.

Those interested in submitting an entry must be subscribed to The Business Manual to proceed. Include the following details in the submission:

• School & Program
• Member(s) Name(s)
• Startup Industry
• Pitch Deck (PDF format)
• Startup Logo

Screening Criteria 

The following screening criteria will be used for this year’s pitch competition:

Problem & Solution Clarity – 25%

• Does the startup clearly define a real-world problem and offer a viable, impactful solution?
• Is the solution innovative and aligned with the startup’s value proposition?

AI Integration – 30%

• How central and innovative is AI in the startup’s offering?
• Does AI improve efficiency, scalability, or user experience?

Market Opportunity – 20%

• What is the target market’s size and demand?
• Does the team have a well-defined customer segment and signs of traction?

Business Model & Traction – 25%

• Is the startup’s model scalable and sustainable?
• Are there signs of momentum (sales, partnerships, users)?

Submission Deadline

Deadline for the submission of entries is June 8, 2025. Selected startups may expect an email to find out if they have been selected to participate in the final pitch competition.

During the final pitch, each of the Top 5 student startups will have five (5) minutes to pitch, followed by three (3) minutes of live Q&A with the judges.

Finalists will pitch live on stage at GrowthCon PH 2025, receive professional feedback from top judges, and be featured across The Business Manual’s platforms, with ₱500,000 worth of media exposure.

GrowthCon 2024 Pitch Competition

Last year’s inaugural pitch competition featured startups that, regardless of whether they were already operational, stood out for their innovative and promising business ideas.

Outsourcing company Remotify emerged as the winner after beating eight other finalists, including the likes of Dehusk, KaHero, and Nexhire. 

Who will win this year’s competition? We’ll find out on June 10 at GrowthCon PH 2025. 

Stay updated on GrowthCon PH 2025 via The Business Manual’s official website, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn pages.