Events

KickSTART Mindanao will convene DOST-SEI techno-scholars from across the island in a high-impact, face-to-face general assembly. Designed to inspire collaboration and innovation, this event will provide scholars with opportunities to exchange ideas, gain industry insights, and align with the country’s evolving technological landscape. At the heart of this gathering is the formal introduction of Scholars Transforming Advancement and Research for Technology (START), an organization dedicated to leveraging technology as a tool for community empowerment and sustainable progress.

The START Onboarding Session 2025 is a virtual orientation program designed to welcome, equip, and empower the first batch of techno-scholars with the organization’s visions, missions, core initiatives, and internal structures while fostering early engagement through interactive and meaningful connections and community platform.

KickSTART Luzon was a groundbreaking tech gathering, bringing together 100 techno-scholars from the island. This face-to-face general assembly served as a platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and alignment with national technological initiatives. As the first event of its kind, KickSTART Luzon introduced scholars to Scholars Transforming Advancement and Research for Technology (START), emphasizing its mission to drive innovation and tech empowerment. This assembly served as a pivotal moment for scholars to connect, exchange ideas, and contribute to the future of technology-driven advancements for the nation’s progress.

The START Pre-Event Series brought together DOST-SEI scholars, tech enthusiasts, and industry leaders for two engaging and insightful virtual sessions leading up to KickSTART 2025, the START General Assembly. Centered on the theme “Scholars Bridging Vision and Innovation for Technological Transformation,” the series served as a platform for learning, mentorship, and collaboration, equipping scholars with industry knowledge and forward-thinking perspectives from esteemed tech leaders. The first session, held on January 25, 2025, featured Mr. Raphael Francis Quisumbing, an AWS Hero, technopreneur, and cloud enthusiast, who shared his expertise on leveraging technology for innovation and impact. The second session, on February 1, 2025, welcomed Mr. Rem Lampa, widely known as “Kuya Dev”, a tech content creator, TEDx speaker, Prosple’s Lead, and tech community leader and founder, who inspired with insights on career growth, skill development, and the power of tech communities. The START Pre-Event Series set the stage for the groundbreaking opportunities of KickSTART 2025.