Cebu universities join mobile app challenge

• Source: https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-business/2018/06/06/1821949/cebu-universities-join-mobile-app-challenge
• Wednesday, June 6, 2018 12:00 am

By Carlo S. Lorenciana (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu university students are up for a challenge.

At least nine Cebu universities are joining the Mobile App Venture Challenge (MAVC) 2018, conceptualized by Chris Waller, in partnership with various government agencies.

MAVC aims to give university students an exceptional learning experience that encompasses creative design and the development of entrepreneurial skills, mindset, and spirit, Waller said.

The competition, launched Tuesday, opened applications starting yesterday until July 31.

Participants from the nine universities will go through mentoring, video pitching, and critiquing in the process.

Presentation day, where 12 finalists will be invited, is set on November 24.

Agencies involved in the competition include the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Information and Communications Technology and the Cebu IT BPM. Organization (CIB.O).

DTI-Cebu director Ma. Elena Arbon said founder Waller has already secured funding for the competition.

Winning team will get P150,000, while the second and third prize are P50,000 and P25,000, respectively.

The mobile phone has captivated the minds of the young all over the Philippines like nothing ever before.

Waller said this presents loads of opportunity for young, inventive firms to design, market and sell apps not only in the Philippines, but to a global audience.

MAVC has three categories of mobile apps: FinTech, Leisure, and Open Class. On a technical level, each mobile app is expected to be creative, innovative and well designed.

In addition all teams must be able to demonstrate a sensible, revenue generating business model for any app submitted to the challenge.

The MAVC partners along with Cebu’s universities are committed to providing accessible, innovative programs to Cebu’s future entrepreneurs.

A series of innovative programs are designed to help university students build self-confidence, knowledge, IT, and business skills. These programs provide unsurpassed opportunities for community-wide, cross-disciplinary sharing, collaboration and learning.

In doing so, they are laying the groundwork for the continued development of Cebu’s dynamic, inventive technology sector.