This April, Ayala Malls U.P. Town Center becomes ground zero for the next generation of innovators: StartUp Hub, a one-day launchpad for Gen Z entrepreneurs ready to make their mark.
StartUp Hub gives studentpreneurs the exposure, mentorship, and a real space to grow their business ideas. Brought to life by the interns of Kindle Project Reimagined, the exclusive student internship program of Ayala Malls U.P. Town Center, StartUp Hub serves as the third installment of Project U.P.T.C. under its Thrive pillar. Following the success of Artist Alley and Home Fur the Holidays, this initiative shifts its focus to the entrepreneurial energy already thriving within the student community. StartUp Hub will connect student founders with mentors and real customers, empowering them to turn their ideas into real businesses.
WHAT TO EXPECT | APRIL 11 | THE AMPHITHEATER
IGNITE EXPO | 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Student-founded businesses will take over the Amphitheater for a competitive one-day interactive expo. This will be a living marketplace where young founders sell products, engage with customers, and gather real-time feedback. It will also feature a competition where exhibitors deliver a 15-minute pitch before a panel of industry experts, with scores determining the winners of awards such as Best Innovation, People’s Choice, and Most Viable Business.
THE FOUNDER CLINIC | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Running alongside the expo, The Founder Clinic is an intimate, high-value forum led by seasoned entrepreneurs, designed to bridge the gap between theory and real-world execution. From scaling strategies to brand building and navigating the startup ecosystem, the clinic delivers insights that go beyond the classroom. Open to the public, it brings practical, real-world expertise directly to the Katipunan community.
UNBOUND | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Closing the event on a high note, UNBOUND features the awarding of IGNITE Expo studentpreneurs. It serves as a powerful tribute to ambition, resilience, and the courage of students who dared to turn their ideas into reality.
GROWTH STARTS HERE
Students are already capable of creating everything. However, without access to customers, capital, and mentors, their ideas often remain limited. StartUp Hub is built on this belief and serves as a bridge for aspiring entrepreneurs. Project U.P.T.C. invites studentpreneurs to step out of the crowd and onto the stage.
StartUp Hub
April 11 | Amphitheater, Ayala Malls U.P. Town Center
