Beyond the Pitch: Team Leverage as finalist in TNB Aura Startup Wars 2025

Last 17 October, Ateneo John Gokongwei School of Management students Natania Amour Cello, Sayde Ryzelle Pajarillaga, Annika Louise Yorobe (2 BS CTM), and Karelle Vanessa Martinez (2 BS ITE) represented Ateneo de Manila University as Team Leverage at the TNB Aura Startup Wars 2025 Grand Finals in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Among over 200 teams in the Philippines, Team Leverage rose to the top six and ultimately placed first regionally, advancing to compete with the top teams from Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia at BINUS University’s Anggrek Campus.

Startup Wars challenged participants to think like venture capitalists, analyzing markets, evaluating startups, and pitching investment strategies to industry leaders. Team Leverage’s final presentation spotlighted GRWM Cosmetics, recognized for its “climate-proof” makeup line, as a solution to the evolving demands of Southeast Asia’s growing beauty market.

“Our team stepped into this with so much unfamiliarity,” Sayde Pajarillaga reflected as this was all the members’ first case competition. “But we took it round-by-round, and that’s what got us this far, surpassing our own expectations and all the challenges that made many moments feel impossible”

Karelle Martinez shared that, “With the help of Sir Joben (Ilagan) and Sir Arkel (Mendoza), we realized the value of crafting a narrative that makes people understand the problem we’re trying to solve.” Pajarillaga added, “What set us apart was our storytelling, bringing each piece of data together to communicate what it truly meant for the industry, the market, the business, and the Philippines.”

“From knowing nothing about venture capital, we eventually learned so much about creating a business and understanding what makes one valuable,” Annika Yorobe highlights. “Being on a global stage made us realize how big the world truly is, and how much potential there is for our country’s startup scene, leading the next generation,” Natania Cello mentions.

From late-night pitch rehearsals to navigating cross-country competition, Team Leverage’s journey was marked by collaboration and resilience. “People love seeing you win,” Cello remarks, “but what’s more inspiring is realizing that every small win, from learning a concept to delivering a story that lands, builds something bigger than yourself.” As one of the youngest finalist teams composed of all sophomores, Team Leverage’s success serves as a testament to the power of curiosity and courage to step into the unfamiliar.