Student innovators behind solutions for cleaner waterways, more efficient livestock farming and improved poultry biosecurity emerged as the top winners of the third Startup QC Student Competition.

Creekbin was named grand champion during the Pitch Day and awarding ceremony at the Quezon City MICE Center on 3 September, taking home the ₱100,000 top prize.

Its proposed system uses solar power and Internet of Things-enabled monitoring to automate waste collection and track floating debris in waterways.

Agriculture Farming Innovation Technology placed second and received ₱75,000 for a compact feed mixer and cutter designed to improve livestock feed processing and reduce clogging during operation.

Birdseye finished third and received ₱50,000 for an AI- and Internet of Things-enabled monitoring system for poultry farms. The system is designed to detect wet litter and monitor ammonia levels, which can affect poultry health and survival.

The three teams emerged from a nationwide pool of 153 applications. Of these, 92 teams advanced to the mentorship stage after screening by the program committee.

Participants received training in design thinking, market segmentation, financial management, pitching, intellectual property and technology business incubation.

Quezon City said the number of teams that reached the mentorship stage was more than double the 37 teams that advanced during the program’s second run in 2025.

Aside from the top three teams, 11 received Silver Awards worth ₱25,000 each, while 33 received Bronze Awards worth ₱15,000 each.

A total of 47 teams received ₱995,000 in cash prizes to support the development of their proposed solutions.

“What we witnessed at Pitch Day was the result of the participants’ hard work, learning, and mentorship received throughout the program,” QC Local Economic Investment Promotions Office head Jay Gatmaitan said.

“More importantly, it showed that when young people are given the right support and a platform for their ideas, they can develop solutions with real potential to address community and industry needs,” he added.

Startup QC is a Quezon City government initiative aimed at encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation among young Filipinos.