Silliman University (SU), through its College of Computer Studies (CCS), secured first runner-up honors in the Philippine Start-up Challenge (PSC) XI Negros Island Region Regional Competition held on October 23, 2026, at the SU Audio Visual Theater.
Its entry, AgakAI, also received the Regional Special Award for Best Startup Logo.
Representing SU was Pyth.On!, a team composed of Franzyl Bjorn L. Macalua (BSCS-III), Mario Antonio S. Lee (BSIT-III), and Ari Benedikt H. Ebrole (BSIT-III), under the mentorship of CCS Dean Asst. Prof. Joy M. Dy.
AgakAI is an artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled civic access companion application designed to help senior citizens access government services, claim benefits, and participate in public consultations.
It aims to address the difficulties older adults encounter in navigating government processes and accessing information about available programs and services.
The application features multilingual voice and text prompts that allow users to inquire about benefits, opportunities, and government programs in Cebuano, Filipino, or English.
Its AI-enabled system matches queries with a database of local government unit (LGU) information to provide relevant and verified responses. Through pattern and sentiment analysis, it also learns from users' interactions to deliver more relevant notifications about community activities, services, and programs.
AgakAI seeks to make public services more accessible to senior citizens by providing information through simple voice commands and text searches, reducing the need for extensive online searches or physical visits to government offices.
For LGUs, the platform offers a way to improve the reach and participation of their programs, including health screenings, medical assistance, and services provided through the Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA).
The PSC is the Department of Information and Communications Technology's (DICT) flagship annual startup pitching competition for senior high school and college students. It encourages young Filipinos to develop innovative information and communications technology (ICT) products and services that address social problems and have the potential to become viable business ventures. Entries may cover software, the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, Web3, blockchain, and mixed reality.
During the regional competition, each team was given five minutes to present its startup concept, followed by a five-minute question-and-answer session with the panel of judges.
The presentations covered the problem being addressed, proposed solution, target market, business model, innovative features, potential impact, and readiness for further development.
The competition also provides student-founded startups opportunities to establish industry linkages, networks, partnerships, and collaborations. Participating teams are prioritized in DICT's provision of services and incentives and may be invited to events organized by industry partners. They also gain opportunities to present their concepts before key players in the startup ecosystem.
The Top 10 regional qualifiers were Gestura, PULSE, and RiceShield of Bago City College; TrashWise of Carlos Hilado Memorial State University; PreskoNet of Foundation University; AgakAI of Silliman University; NearBuy and ResiboPH of the University of Negros Occidental–Recoletos; and PigS and Restora of the University of St. La Salle.
Restora of the University of St. La Salle emerged as regional champion, while AgakAI placed first runner-up and ResiboPH of the University of Negros Occidental–Recoletos finished second runner-up.
Through AgakAI, the Silliman team presented an innovative application of AI technology to promote inclusive access to government information and services, particularly among senior citizens.