Promising New Tech Startups Bag Honors at The Business Manual’s GrowthCon PH 2025
GrowthCon 2025 introduced its first-ever Startup Awards, and put the spotlight on talented and tech-savvy students in this year’s pitching competition.
Five high-impact and innovative startups that have shown exceptional growth, resilience and industry leadership were honored at GrowthCon PH 2025’s first-ever Startup Awards, held at the Samsung Hall of SM Aura in Taguig on Tuesday, June 10.
The five were chosen among 16 finalists coming from various industries, based on their innovation and AI integration, market impact, growth trajectory, scalability, leadership,vision, and sustainability.
The Startup Awardees are:
Shoppable– An AI-powered Business to Business marketplace with an automated procurement system
Lithos Manufacturing– A startup that uses nanotech and AI to tackle pollution and climate challenges
Invest Ed– A fintech that uses AI to deliver loans to underserved Gen Zs
MindNation– A global mental health and well-being company that partners with schools, organizations and individuals, offering 24/7 access to licensed therapists and various tools to support mental health and well-being
Flying Tigers Express– A logistics innovator that connects underserved towns across the Philippines through a direct inter-island delivery network.
The winners will each get Php 500,000 worth of media values from The Business Manual.
Startup Pitching Competition winners
As with previous years, the Startup Pitching Competition was a much-awaited highlight of the event. This year’s edition was exclusive to students of universities and colleges and their respective organizations.
From 11 contenders, six finalists were chosen to present their AI-driven business ideas before a distinguished panel of judges: Carlo Calimon, President and Co-founder of Startup Village; Jay Fajardo, CEO of Launchgarage Innovation Hub; Joseph De Leon, Founding Member and Lead Investor of Manila Angels Investors Network; Xavier Marzan, Managing Partner of Embiggen Ventures and Embiggen X; and Emmy Lou Versoza-Delfin, Director at the Department of Information and Communications Technology.
Clinivue emerged as the overall champion, winning over the judges with its groundbreaking AI-powered approach to detecting a pressing health concern. Representing Mapúa University Makati, Kobe Lituañas and Christine Julliane Reyes of Clinivue showcased an innovative mobile application that uses a smartphone camera to assess cardiovascular biomarkers and detect atrial fibrillation—a heart condition affecting over 46 million people worldwide. Their compelling pitch and cutting-edge technology earned them top honors.
Taking home the 1st Runner-Up title was BuddyBetes, a digital companion app designed to support diabetic patients through AI-powered monitoring, personalized coaching, and real-time support. Pitched by Princess Angel Ventures of the University of the Philippines Diliman, the app was recognized for its user-centric features and its potential to make a meaningful impact in diabetes management.
Meanwhile, AGAP.Ai, represented by Reynand Jay Canoy of the Asian Institute of Management, was awarded 2nd Runner-Up for its impressive pitch on leveraging artificial intelligence to build Southeast Asia’s first AI-powered, culturally tailored developmental milestone monitoring platform that empowers parents and healthcare professionals to detect early signs of childhood developmental delays and disorders.
Other notable finalists included Avilta of Ateneo de Manila University, Ground Up of De La Salle University, and Pack Up of Central Philippine University in Iloilo.
“We are thrilled to see such incredible talent and purpose-driven innovation among our student startups,” said RJ Ledesma, Editor-in-Chief of The Business Manual. “Clinivue, BuddyBetes, and AGAP.Ai exemplify the ingenuity and resilience of our youth-driven local startup ecosystem. We’re excited to watch their journey unfold.”
Second runner-up winner AGAP.AI will receive Php200,000 in media values from The Business Manual, while Buddy Betes, as 1st runner-up, will receive Php300,000 in media values.
Grand Champion Clinivue will receive Php500,000 in media values from The Business Manual as well as a scholarship at Founder Institute Philippines, which will afford them entry into a mentorship program, $25,000 in Google Cloud Credit. and exposure to the world’s largest network of startup incubators, accelerators, and investors–setting them up for the next stage of their startup growth.
Now on its third year, The Business Manual’s GrowthCon PH is an annual business summit that gathers esteemed business and thought leaders, startup founders and entrepreneurs to learn from each other, explore opportunities, and network with some of the most successful ecosystems enablers in the country.
Two panel discussions provided attendees with deeper insights into the expanding influence of AI in both business and everyday life. These sessions highlighted practical AI tools that can enhance business operations and shared best practices from companies currently using AI, featuring firsthand accounts from founders who shared their experiences.
The Business Manual’s GrowthCon PH 2025 was made possible through the unwavering support of our venue partners: Samsung Hall at SM Aura, and SM Supermalls; our sponsors: Luxe Beauty and Wellness Group, GCash, and Eastern Communications; our food and beverage partners: Savore Catering, H2V2, and Pickup Coffee; our media partners: The Philippine Star and Gadgets Magazine; our partner professional organizations: Philippine Marketing Association, Startup Village, Anvil Business Club, Women’s Business Council Philippines, Association of Filipino Franchisers, Inc., and the Philippine Young Entrepreneurs Association; and our partner student organizations: Ateneo Management Association and UST Economics Society.
