Ateneo teams triumph in Startup Wars

Three Ateneo de Manila University student teams triumphed in the Startup Wars Philippines 2024 competition held on 26 September 2024, at Ateneo de Manila University. This was in partnership with TNB Aura and supported by Foxmont Capital Partners and Kaya Founders.

The Grand Champion team, composed of Chanel Cerise Ang (4 AB POS-COM), Sofia Marianne So (4 BS CTM), and Gabrielle Anne Uy (4 BS ITE), won with a pitch on a startup specializing in portable solar energy systems.

Startup Wars is the first event of its kind, challenging business-minded, innovative students to step into the shoes of leading startup founders and investment researchers.  Only six final teams were chosen to proceed from over 130 submissions in the initial round. Project Unicorn, the final round, tasked teams to apply a thesis-led, high-conviction approach for investment in a climate technology startup from any of the three given categories: energy, waste management, or reCommerce.

The selected teams underwent two mentorship sessions at TNB Aura and Foxmont Capital Partners’ offices to refine their initial ideas. The Grand Finals took place on 26 September 2024, at Escaler Hall, Ateneo de Manila University, where the teams presented their finalized pitches to a distinguished panel with leading venture capitalists, investors, and startup founders.

Team TTF, composed of Chanel Cerise Ang (4 AB POS-COM), Sofia Marianne So (4 BS CTM), and Gabrielle Anne Uy (4 BS ITE), secured the title of Grand Champion with a pitch for a portable solar energy startup. They are set to receive P215,000 and internship opportunities from one of the partner VCs or startups of their choice.

Team Tsindu composed of Francine de Asis (3 BS ITE) and De La Sally University students Sharan Manshukani and Kyle Saw, finished as 1st Runner-Up with a pitch on a startup providing sodium-ion batteries for energy storage. Their team will gain P130,000 and internship opportunities.

Lastly, Team Eagle Eye Analysts with Melvin Kristofer A. Lim (4 BS MGT), Paolo Nicolo R Opeña (4 BS MGT-H), and Maria Daniela Sofia S Pedrosa (4 BS ITE) claimed the title of 2nd Runner-Up with a pitch for an electric vehicle startup. Their team will be awarded a prize of P85,000 and internship opportunities.

The first iteration of Startup Wars was a highly competitive showcase of Atenean talent in the startup space. It is a milestone only made possible thanks to the support of TNB Aura, a venture capital firm concentrated on building the future of Southeast Asian startups.