The Philippines’ Universal Structural Health Evaluation and Recording System (USHER) Technologies start-up has won the top spot at the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Global Innovation Challenge, touted the Olympics for start-ups.
The Mapua University-developed company placed first among the top 5 finalists for the incubation program of the Global Innovation Challenge pitch competition held on November 6, 2020, at the UNOPS GIC in Kobe, Japan.
USHER Technologies from the Philippines bested SAgri (Japan), Kivu Cold Group (Japan/Rwanda), Non-polluting Textile Dyeing (China), and Green Science Alliance (Japan) and 20 other finalist startups selected out of more than 600 applications from nearly 100 countries that pitched innovative ideas ranging from water management, sustainable agriculture, emergency response, renewable energy, environmental protection, and more.
USHER and the other top 4 finalists will enjoy tailor-made coaching from the UNOPS, Sony coaching, piloting assistance, access to investors and UNOPS procurement and investment, incubation space at the UNOPS Innovation Centre, and prize money.
The winning USHER System is the only Filipino-made 24/7 structural health monitoring system composed of an advanced accelerograph, web portal, and mobile application.
The USHER 24/7 web portal system and mobile application allow developers, building owners, local government units, and structural engineers to remotely monitor and analyze the structural integrity of buildings and other structures before, during, and after an earthquake event.
The USHER system enables advanced structural health monitoring and a sensor mesh system effective in earthquake detection and early warning.
USHER exceeds the compliance standards of the Department of Public Works and Highways guidelines and implementing rules on earthquake recording instrumentation for buildings and the National Structural Code of the Philippines (NSCP).
“Being chosen in the UNOPS GICS opens doors for our Filipino startup to be promoted in the UN Network. This will make it possible for us to bring USHER in other countries thru UN,” USHER CEO and President Dr. Francis Aldrine Uy shared with Good News Pilipinas.
USHER Technologies is a spin-off company that was formally launched by Mapua University in September 2019.
USHER Technologies also developed USHER GoClean, the first locally-made disinfection booth in the country presented during the Department of Science and Technology 5th National Research and Development Conference.
SEND CONGRATULATIONS in the comments below to the Philippines’ USHER Technologies start-up for topping the UN Global Innovation Challenge.
Want to know how to be a Proud Pinoy? Like, Follow, Subscribe to GoodNewsPilipinas.com, and our socials Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Good News Pilipinas! TV on YouTube, for new good story notifications and e-mail newsletters for updates on more Filipino Pride stories
