Students, Pros compete for reverse pitching competition at DIGIMC 2025

The first Digital Malaybalay City (DIGIMC) 2025 Conference, held on October 29-31, 2025, showcased local tech talent through the Reverse Pitching Competition attended by students and professionals in Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental, held at the host institution, Bukidnon State University.

A reverse pitching competition flips the traditional pitching model. Instead of entrepreneurs pitching their startup ideas to investors, the Local Government Unit (LGU) and other partners present real-world government challenges or problems that need innovative solutions.

The competition was categorized for freelancers and students to enhance public safety and environmental sustainability in the city.

Freelancer Category

Under the Freelancers category, team With KM secured the top spot in innovating public safety. The system is designed for disaster preparedness and public safety. Khent Mark J. Dahay pointed out the life-saving potential of their work: “It’s for everyone’s safety, really. The system is designed to alert people if something happens. The government can monitor and predict possible floods in certain areas so that they can evacuate them in advance. This will lessen the damage and ensure everyone’s safety.”

Student Category

In the Student category, Team SEE.MU claimed 1st Place.  They created a system designed to digitalize and streamline reforestation efforts. Beatrix Ann Daleon explained the system’s impact: “The one who will benefit from our system is the CENRO Malaybalay, which handles our reforestation activities… If we are going to digitalize our process, it will be easier, and reforestation in Malaybalay will be greener.” (Genavev Labora and Shybelle Encabo, DevCom student volunteers)