DLSU Innovation Ecosystem
At De La Salle University, innovation is supported by an integrated ecosystem led by three offices: the DLSU Intellectual Property Office (DIPO), the DLSU Innovation and Technology Office (DITO), and Animo Labs, the university’s technology business incubator. Together, they guide ideas from creation, to protection, to real-world application.
DIPO is responsible for the protection and management of University-owned intellectual property. It secures and manages the protection of University-owned IP, advises faculty, students, and staff on protecting their own IP, and facilitates the registration with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL). It implements the DLSU IP policies and recommends enforcement actions when necessary. DIPO also leads Knowledge and Technology Transfer activities, manages the utilization and commercialization of University-owned IP, serves as a “gateway” for industry collaboration, and is responsible for signing licensing agreements on behalf of the University. In addition, it engages with internal and external stakeholders, answers IP-related queries, organizes awareness activities, supervises the Intellectual Property Advocates (IPA) student organization, and builds partnerships with different industries.
DITO on the other hand is a service provider that focuses on the support needed for Knowledge and Technology Transfer. It aids DIPO in implementing the Knowledge and Technology Transfer Policy, managing the utilization and commercialization of University-owned IP, and creating and executing marketing strategies for University researchers and their innovations. DITO leads negotiations for licensing agreements, monitors licensee compliance, receives and helps compute royalty payments, and may provide patent services to the University and third parties. It also engages with stakeholders, referring new ventures to incubators such as Animo Labs, building relationships for commercialization opportunities, and helping build capacity in knowledge and technology transfer. DITO coordinates with other units, analyzes and reports its program results, co-represents the University in IP-related events, supervises the UNBOXD student startup organization, and may assist in the utilization of non-University-owned IP.
Animo Labs is at the forefront of technopreneurship and research-based startups. It provides a nurturing environment that mainly endures mentorships programs, industry and investor connections, as well as training and workspace opportunities. The university’s representative primarily enables groundbreaking innovations into the transformation intended for market-ready conjectures. As such, they not only cultivate the strong commercialization potential within the company but seek to communicate their ideas on a global and international scale.
Together, these three entities form DLSU’s innovation pipeline. DIPO ensures ideas are protected and managed as valuable intellectual assets. DITO develops strategies to bring these assets to market, builds industry partnerships, and manages licensing. Animo Labs provides the entrepreneurial environment for innovations to grow into sustainable businesses. This collaborative framework ensures that the creativity and research output of the DLSU community are transformed into innovations with real societal and economic impact.
