AIPO Conducted an Intellectual Property Awareness Session for Startup QC Squad 3

Student teams under Squad 3 of the Startup QC Program – Student Category gathered for an Intellectual Property (IP) learning session on August 25, 2026, at the 5th Floor Function Hall of the Quezon City Community Center in Barangay Paligsahan, Quezon City. Held from 2:00 to 4:00 PM, the hybrid session brought together participants both on-site and online to deepen their understanding of IP and its importance in developing and protecting their startup ideas.

Image: StartUp QC Team and participants with the guest speaker, Mr George Quitoriano

The discussion was led by Mr George “Sir GQ” Quitoriano, Resident Entrepreneur of the Ateneo Intellectual Property Office (AIPO). Drawing from his experience working with startups, Sir GQ emphasized that intellectual property is not merely a legal consideration to be addressed later in the entrepreneurial journey, but a strategic asset that can influence how a startup grows, competes, protects its innovations, and attracts potential partners and investors.

Image: Sir GQ takes the teams through the Philippine IP system and the different types of IP protection available to innovators.

With the teams now in the mentorship phase of the program, where they are actively developing and refining their ideas, the session highlighted the important role of intellectual property in safeguarding the originality and value of their innovations. Participants gained a clearer understanding of how a sound IP strategy can strengthen a startup’s position as it moves from concept development toward market entry. The session also introduced the various programs, services, and support mechanisms offered by AIPO, providing young innovators with pathways to further develop, protect, and advance their projects.

The session fostered an open and engaging exchange between the participants and the speaker, as students raised questions related to their own startup projects. These discussions allowed the session to go beyond theoretical concepts and provide practical guidance that the teams can apply as they continue to develop, refine, and strengthen their ideas.

Image: Squad 3 teams join the session online during the hybrid learning activity.

By introducing intellectual property concepts early in the teams’ startup journey, the session reinforced the Startup QC Program's broader goals of cultivating a strong culture of research, innovation, and entrepreneurship among Quezon City’s young talents. With AIPO's support, participants gained a deeper appreciation of intellectual property not only as a means of protecting innovation, but also as a strategic asset that can strengthen a startup’s competitive position, support commercialization, and create long-term value. 

Image: Sir GQ highlights how IP fuels exponential growth and opens doors to international markets.

As the teams continue to refine their ideas throughout the program, the session served as an important reminder that building a successful venture begins not only with a promising idea, but also with understanding how to protect, develop, and maximize its potential. Through initiatives such as this, AIPO continues to help equip emerging innovators with the knowledge and guidance needed to move their ideas forward and turn them into sustainable, competitive, and impactful ventures.

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For more IP-related sessions like this, you may visit www.aipo.ateneo.edu or email them at aipo@ateneo.edu. You may also check out their Facebook and LinkedIn pages for the latest updates and announcements.

To learn more about the programs and services offered by the Startup QC and its partners, you may follow their official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/StartUpQuezonCity.

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