Hundreds of college students, grouped into 40 teams, from 19 universities and colleges nationwide, recently made it to the shortlist for Phase 2 of the Smart Prepaid Innovation Generation (InnoGen) Season 2, an innovation grant program for the youth.

Each of the shortlisted teams will receive a connectivity grant worth P10,000.

Setting forth the challenge “How the youth can help the Philippines recover from the pandemic,” InnoGen is aligned with Smart’s and parent company PLDT’s core value of malasakit (compassion). Innovative solutions to the challenge will be presented by the participating teams, using wireless or digital technology, to create opportunities for community development in the areas of disaster preparedness, education, environment, governance, inclusion, livelihood, sports, and tourism.  

“We at Smart recognize that with the youth's passion, creative energy, and desire to shape a better future combined with the enabling power of technology, we can altogether rebuild our nation,” said Smart Community Relations Assistant Vice President Stephanie V. Orlino.

Connectivity and cash grants of up to P60,000 are at stake for the teams who will reach InnoGen’s Phases 2 and 3, and the Demo Day. Participants also get the chance to learn from experts and advocates through a series of exclusive online lectures that will help them gain knowledge and skills to enhance their projects.

Working with Smart Prepaid in the implementation of the InnoGen Program are PLDT Enterprise, ePLDT, Innolab, PayMaya, and Ideaspace and QBO Innovation Hub.

The InnoGen Grant Program forms part of PLDT and Smart’s strong advocacy for education which ensures that there will be #NoLearnerLeftBehind. It also aims to help the country attain the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), particularly SDG #4: Providing Quality Education.

For more information on Smart Prepaid Innovation Generation, send an email to LearnSmart@smart.com.ph.