From very careful deliberation of 250+ applicants across the world, down to the consideration of the diverse and dynamic group of 25 startups to compete at the elite-level semifinals until to the remaining five (5) contenders for the finals from each region in Sub-Saharan Africa represented by Mark Musinguzi of Hya BioPlastics from Uganda, Americas by Federico Restrepo of Energia Vectorial from Colombia, Middle East North Africa by Ayman Sabae of iCheck from Egypt, Europe by Selen Senal of ALBIO.Co from Turkey and Jay Gajudo of Galansiyang from the Philippines for the Asia/Pacific.

On November 9 of 2021 during the final round at around 10 PM GMT+8 (11 AM EDT), Galansiyang won two (2) major awards. The People’s Choice from the pride of the Philippines and the Spirit of Global Innovation through Science and Technology award.

“We have been through a lot of struggles from day one up to this point that has drained us mentally, physically, and financially. We started as students with no substantial support to cater the technology we need since it is likely expensive to build a technology that revolves around industrial drones and now, we are making a name across the globe with lots of opportunities ahead of us. We will never forget everyone who had high hopes for our success. Still, we are far from our goal. I will never forget the time when our COO, Maynard Costanilla, said during our early days where he had this ridiculous idea to terraform Mars using our drones. Although this may seem unattainable now, it only goes to say that surely our journey does not end here. We will hold on to our grit and passion for we know the gravity of the problem we are solving and what change we can contribute.” – Joshua Fernandez, CTO

“For a startup that requires travel in order to provide innovative solution to somehow improve forestry, the pandemic nearly killed us! but it didn’t… we’re so thankful for the US Government and to the American People for giving us a chance; those support from GIST all goes on enhancing our technology that brings innovative solution dedicated to the community we represent in the Island of Mindanao and to our environmental frontliners (Foresters, Biologists, Ecologists, Agriculturists, Silviculturists, Environmental Scientists and Tree Planters) in mining who work tirelessly 24/7 blood, sweat and tears just to sustain our Planet’s limited resources for our very own benefit… We couldn’t be more grateful, this US Gov department of state’s GIST startup resources will surely help us speed-up our recovery from the rock-bottom economic deterioration we’re facing right now… and we will always live the spirit of innovation.” Jay Gajudo, CEO.

Galansiyang Developers is also the global nominee representing Cagayan de Oro on NASA Space Apps Challenge 2021; initiating the development of the LANTAWA app with a principle to empower communities, industries, and policy makers by just automating forestry.

We would also like to thank our family, friends, mentors, advisors, and the entire community who supported us from the very beginning of our journey! DAGHANG SALAMAT – MAGPADAYUN PA TA!