De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) and the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) joined forces for the Impact Start-Up Challenge 2025, a week-long innovation bootcamp held from May 26 to 31, 2025, at Benilde’s Hub of Innovation for Inclusion (HiFi).
The event brought together 15 delegates from SUSS—composed of 12 students and 3 faculty associates—and 28 Benildean students from the Social Innovation program. Working in cross-cultural teams, participants co-developed creative, purpose-driven solutions to pressing social issues, using design thinking and entrepreneurship frameworks. The program culminated in a pitch competition on May 31, where teams presented their final prototypes before a panel of industry and academic judges.
As part of the immersive learning experience, the participants visited Bayan Academy and Greenelas, two organizations that exemplify social innovation and sustainability in the Philippine context. These exposure trips provided deeper insights into the local startup ecosystem and the challenges and opportunities within impact-driven enterprises.
The partnership between Benilde and SUSS not only underscores their shared commitment to social innovation and experiential learning, but also paves the way for continued collaboration. Ongoing discussions are focused on institutionalizing the Impact Start-Up Challenge as an annual event, and on expanding opportunities for Benildean students to join international bootcamps organized by SUSS in Singapore and beyond.
Through initiatives like this, Benilde continues to nurture a new generation of entrepreneurial changemakers—students who combine creativity, compassion, and competence to make meaningful contributions to society.
