August 15 – 16, 2025 — 5 min read
Strategic Mentorship Drives Student Success at DLSU’s Premier Tech Competition
The halls of De La Salle University buzzed with entrepreneurial energy during Hackercup 2025, hosted by the La Salle Computer Society from August 15-16, 2025. Among the 24 innovative teams competing to solve real-world challenges, one name stood out: Team Neosolve, whose groundbreaking solution “KitaKita” captured the attention of judges and industry leaders alike with its revolutionary approach to micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) digitalization.
What set Neosolve apart wasn’t just their technical prowess—it was the strategic mentorship and guidance they received from Jake Go, Managing Partner of Springboard Philippines and Professor at De La Salle University. This winning combination of student innovation and expert mentorship exemplifies how the right guidance can transform creative ideas into commercially viable solutions with genuine market potential.
The Vision Behind KitaKita: Unlocking the Final Mile of Commerce
Led by Kean Rosales and his team, Neosolve identified a critical gap in the Philippine business landscape that major corporations and government agencies have struggled to address. Their solution, KitaKita, represents a sophisticated Point-of-Sale (POS) system designed specifically for MSMEs, with particular focus on the often-overlooked sari-sari store sector.
“Right now, major FMCG companies, logistics providers, and even government agencies operate with a significant blind spot,” explained the Neosolve team. “They have excellent data from supermarkets and hypermarkets. But they are almost completely blind to the ‘final mile’ of commerce—the 1.3 million sari-sari stores where the majority of daily transactions happen.”
This insight demonstrates the team’s deep understanding of the Philippine market dynamics, where MSMEs comprise 99.6% of total business enterprises and represent the backbone of the country’s economy.
Jake Go’s Strategic Mentorship: Bridging Academia and Industry
Jake Go’s involvement in Neosolve’s success story reflects his dual expertise as both an academic leader and industry veteran. As Managing Partner of Springboard Philippines and Professor at De La Salle University, Jake brings a unique perspective that combines theoretical knowledge with practical business acumen.
Jake’s mentorship philosophy extends beyond technical guidance to encompass product-market fit validation and commercial viability assessment—critical factors that separate successful startups from mere academic exercises. His approach mirrors his recent success mentoring Team Neosolve’s ProCrash application to a third-place finish at the FFDG Manila Hack Fest, where they addressed UN Sustainable Development Goals through gamified productivity solutions.
“Jake’s role extended beyond technical coaching—he encouraged the team to draw on personal experiences to craft a solution that resonated deeply with users,” noted industry observers. “His mentorship exemplifies Springboard Philippines’ dedication to fostering innovation that bridges local challenges with global goals.
The Commercial Imperative: POS Systems and the MSME Market
The Philippine POS system market presents a compelling opportunity for innovative solutions like KitaKita. Current market analysis reveals that cloud-based POS systems are increasingly popular among SMEs due to their low upfront costs and subscription-based models. The retail sector in the Philippines is experiencing rapid growth, with the retail market projected to reach ₱11,601 billion by 2025.
However, traditional POS solutions often fail to address the specific needs of micro-enterprises and sari-sari stores, which operate under different constraints compared to larger retailers. This market gap represents exactly the kind of opportunity that Jake Go’s mentorship helps students identify and exploit.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has recognized this need, with initiatives like the Inventory Processing System for the Food Enterprise Sector (i-ProSES) helping MSMEs automate inventory and sales tracking. Such government support validates the commercial potential of solutions like KitaKita.
Industry Trends Supporting Innovation
The Philippine startup ecosystem has experienced remarkable growth, expanding from approximately 100 startups in 2015 to over 700 active startups today. This growth is supported by progressive government policies, including the Innovative Startup Act (ISA) and Philippine Innovation Act (PIA), both passed in 2019.
Key market drivers supporting solutions like KitaKita include:
- Digital transformation acceleration: The government’s MSME Development Plan 2023-2028 prioritizes digitalization as a key strategic shiftfundsforcompanies.fundsforngos
- Regulatory support: Over 7,000 barangays have adopted digital systems like the Barangay Information Management System (BIMS)dlsu
- Investment momentum: Manila’s startup ecosystem reached $2.4 billion in VC funding from 2020 to 2024springboard
- Infrastructure development: The rollout of digital national ID systems through the eGovPH app streamlines business operations for MSMEs
Lessons in Product-Market Fit and Commercialization
The success of Neosolve’s KitaKita solution demonstrates several key principles that Jake Go emphasizes in his mentorship:
1. Market-Driven Innovation
Rather than developing technology for its own sake, Neosolve identified a genuine market need—the data gap in sari-sari store commerce—and designed their solution accordingly.
2. Scalability Considerations
With 1.3 million sari-sari stores representing potential customers, KitaKita addresses a market large enough to support significant growth while maintaining focus on a specific customer segment.
3.Data-Driven Value Proposition
The team’s emphasis on generating “proprietary datasets” that provide “real-time, hyper-local, ground-truth data on consumer behavior” demonstrates understanding of how data creates competitive advantage.
4. Partnership Strategy
Their plan to “partner with large corporations to deliver data-driven insights” shows strategic thinking about business development and revenue diversification.
Building the Future: Springboard’s Commitment to Innovation
The success of Neosolve at Hackercup 2025 represents more than a single victory—it exemplifies the transformative impact of combining student creativity with expert mentorship. Jake Go’s guidance helps bridge the critical gap between innovative ideas and market-ready solutions.
This approach aligns with the Philippine government’s vision of developing four Filipino startups to unicorn status by 2030, supported by initiatives to establish 50 new Technology Business Incubators and achieve 90% self-sustainability among existing TBIs.
Springboard Philippines’ involvement in university-level innovation competitions like Hackercup 2025 demonstrates the company’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of Filipino entrepreneurs. By providing strategic guidance on product development, market validation, and commercial viability, Jake Go helps ensure that student innovations can evolve into sustainable businesses that contribute to economic growth.
The Path Forward: Innovation with Impact
As the Philippine startup ecosystem continues to mature, the importance of experienced mentorship cannot be overstated. Jake Go’s dual role as academic and industry leader positions him uniquely to guide emerging entrepreneurs through the complex process of transforming innovative ideas into commercially successful ventures.
The Hackercup 2025 success story of Neosolve and KitaKita illustrates how the right combination of student creativity, strategic mentorship, and market understanding can produce solutions that address real business challenges while building sustainable competitive advantages.
For students and entrepreneurs seeking to develop market-ready innovations, the partnership between academic institutions like DLSU and industry leaders like Springboard Philippines provides an invaluable framework for success. This collaborative approach ensures that innovation is not just creative but also commercially viable and strategically sound.
Ready to Transform Your Innovation into Market Success?
The combination of strategic mentorship and market expertise that propelled Neosolve to victory at Hackercup 2025 is available to ambitious entrepreneurs and organizations seeking to develop commercially viable solutions.
Discover KitaKita’s app through their Facebook page.
Connect with Jake Go directly at jake@springboardph.com to explore how his proven mentorship approach can accelerate your innovation journey.
Discover Springboard Philippines’ comprehensive service offerings at www.springboard.com.ph and learn how their expertise in digital transformation, talent development, and business strategy can support your entrepreneurial ambitions.
Whether you’re a student with a groundbreaking idea, an established business seeking digital transformation, or an organization looking to develop market-ready innovations, Springboard Philippines provides the strategic guidance and practical expertise needed to achieve sustainable success in today’s competitive marketplace.
August 15 – 16, 2025 — 5 min read
Strategic Mentorship Drives Student Success at DLSU’s Premier Tech Competition
The halls of De La Salle University buzzed with entrepreneurial energy during Hackercup 2025, hosted by the La Salle Computer Society from August 15-16, 2025. Among the 24 innovative teams competing to solve real-world challenges, one name stood out: Team Neosolve, whose groundbreaking solution “KitaKita” captured the attention of judges and industry leaders alike with its revolutionary approach to micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) digitalization.
What set Neosolve apart wasn’t just their technical prowess—it was the strategic mentorship and guidance they received from Jake Go, Managing Partner of Springboard Philippines and Professor at De La Salle University. This winning combination of student innovation and expert mentorship exemplifies how the right guidance can transform creative ideas into commercially viable solutions with genuine market potential.
The Vision Behind KitaKita: Unlocking the Final Mile of Commerce
Led by Kean Rosales and his team, Neosolve identified a critical gap in the Philippine business landscape that major corporations and government agencies have struggled to address. Their solution, KitaKita, represents a sophisticated Point-of-Sale (POS) system designed specifically for MSMEs, with particular focus on the often-overlooked sari-sari store sector.
“Right now, major FMCG companies, logistics providers, and even government agencies operate with a significant blind spot,” explained the Neosolve team. “They have excellent data from supermarkets and hypermarkets. But they are almost completely blind to the ‘final mile’ of commerce—the 1.3 million sari-sari stores where the majority of daily transactions happen.”
This insight demonstrates the team’s deep understanding of the Philippine market dynamics, where MSMEs comprise 99.6% of total business enterprises and represent the backbone of the country’s economy.
Jake Go’s Strategic Mentorship: Bridging Academia and Industry
Jake Go’s involvement in Neosolve’s success story reflects his dual expertise as both an academic leader and industry veteran. As Managing Partner of Springboard Philippines and Professor at De La Salle University, Jake brings a unique perspective that combines theoretical knowledge with practical business acumen.
Jake’s mentorship philosophy extends beyond technical guidance to encompass product-market fit validation and commercial viability assessment—critical factors that separate successful startups from mere academic exercises. His approach mirrors his recent success mentoring Team Neosolve’s ProCrash application to a third-place finish at the FFDG Manila Hack Fest, where they addressed UN Sustainable Development Goals through gamified productivity solutions.
“Jake’s role extended beyond technical coaching—he encouraged the team to draw on personal experiences to craft a solution that resonated deeply with users,” noted industry observers. “His mentorship exemplifies Springboard Philippines’ dedication to fostering innovation that bridges local challenges with global goals.
The Commercial Imperative: POS Systems and the MSME Market
The Philippine POS system market presents a compelling opportunity for innovative solutions like KitaKita. Current market analysis reveals that cloud-based POS systems are increasingly popular among SMEs due to their low upfront costs and subscription-based models. The retail sector in the Philippines is experiencing rapid growth, with the retail market projected to reach ₱11,601 billion by 2025.
However, traditional POS solutions often fail to address the specific needs of micro-enterprises and sari-sari stores, which operate under different constraints compared to larger retailers. This market gap represents exactly the kind of opportunity that Jake Go’s mentorship helps students identify and exploit.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has recognized this need, with initiatives like the Inventory Processing System for the Food Enterprise Sector (i-ProSES) helping MSMEs automate inventory and sales tracking. Such government support validates the commercial potential of solutions like KitaKita.
Industry Trends Supporting Innovation
The Philippine startup ecosystem has experienced remarkable growth, expanding from approximately 100 startups in 2015 to over 700 active startups today. This growth is supported by progressive government policies, including the Innovative Startup Act (ISA) and Philippine Innovation Act (PIA), both passed in 2019.
Key market drivers supporting solutions like KitaKita include:
- Digital transformation acceleration: The government’s MSME Development Plan 2023-2028 prioritizes digitalization as a key strategic shiftfundsforcompanies.fundsforngos
- Regulatory support: Over 7,000 barangays have adopted digital systems like the Barangay Information Management System (BIMS)dlsu
- Investment momentum: Manila’s startup ecosystem reached $2.4 billion in VC funding from 2020 to 2024springboard
- Infrastructure development: The rollout of digital national ID systems through the eGovPH app streamlines business operations for MSMEs
Lessons in Product-Market Fit and Commercialization
The success of Neosolve’s KitaKita solution demonstrates several key principles that Jake Go emphasizes in his mentorship:
1. Market-Driven Innovation
Rather than developing technology for its own sake, Neosolve identified a genuine market need—the data gap in sari-sari store commerce—and designed their solution accordingly.
2. Scalability Considerations
With 1.3 million sari-sari stores representing potential customers, KitaKita addresses a market large enough to support significant growth while maintaining focus on a specific customer segment.
3.Data-Driven Value Proposition
The team’s emphasis on generating “proprietary datasets” that provide “real-time, hyper-local, ground-truth data on consumer behavior” demonstrates understanding of how data creates competitive advantage.
4. Partnership Strategy
Their plan to “partner with large corporations to deliver data-driven insights” shows strategic thinking about business development and revenue diversification.
Building the Future: Springboard’s Commitment to Innovation
The success of Neosolve at Hackercup 2025 represents more than a single victory—it exemplifies the transformative impact of combining student creativity with expert mentorship. Jake Go’s guidance helps bridge the critical gap between innovative ideas and market-ready solutions.
This approach aligns with the Philippine government’s vision of developing four Filipino startups to unicorn status by 2030, supported by initiatives to establish 50 new Technology Business Incubators and achieve 90% self-sustainability among existing TBIs.
Springboard Philippines’ involvement in university-level innovation competitions like Hackercup 2025 demonstrates the company’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of Filipino entrepreneurs. By providing strategic guidance on product development, market validation, and commercial viability, Jake Go helps ensure that student innovations can evolve into sustainable businesses that contribute to economic growth.
The Path Forward: Innovation with Impact
As the Philippine startup ecosystem continues to mature, the importance of experienced mentorship cannot be overstated. Jake Go’s dual role as academic and industry leader positions him uniquely to guide emerging entrepreneurs through the complex process of transforming innovative ideas into commercially successful ventures.
The Hackercup 2025 success story of Neosolve and KitaKita illustrates how the right combination of student creativity, strategic mentorship, and market understanding can produce solutions that address real business challenges while building sustainable competitive advantages.
For students and entrepreneurs seeking to develop market-ready innovations, the partnership between academic institutions like DLSU and industry leaders like Springboard Philippines provides an invaluable framework for success. This collaborative approach ensures that innovation is not just creative but also commercially viable and strategically sound.
Ready to Transform Your Innovation into Market Success?
The combination of strategic mentorship and market expertise that propelled Neosolve to victory at Hackercup 2025 is available to ambitious entrepreneurs and organizations seeking to develop commercially viable solutions.
Discover KitaKita’s app through their Facebook page.
Connect with Jake Go directly at jake@springboardph.com to explore how his proven mentorship approach can accelerate your innovation journey.
Discover Springboard Philippines’ comprehensive service offerings at www.springboard.com.ph and learn how their expertise in digital transformation, talent development, and business strategy can support your entrepreneurial ambitions.
Whether you’re a student with a groundbreaking idea, an established business seeking digital transformation, or an organization looking to develop market-ready innovations, Springboard Philippines provides the strategic guidance and practical expertise needed to achieve sustainable success in today’s competitive marketplace.
