DEVELOPMENT Studies students of the Ateneo de Manila University won in the Sole Searchers Hackathon hosted by Eskwelabs held at the Asian Institute of Management last week.

Participating teams were challenged to create a digital marketing campaign proposal to drive innovation and foster the growth of the shoemaking industry in Marikina City.

Team Go the DStance composed of Napia Faye Begtang, Monica Isabel Jose, Jameelou Maramag, Pio Francisco Ramirez and Erri Mikaela Tan was recognized for their proposal on digital capacity building for Marikina-based MSMEs.

Their two-phase capacity-building program includes digital literacy and citizenship (four months) and digital creativity and entrepreneurship (eight months).

They proposed to integrate Ateneo de Manila University’s business centers as potential partners.

“Their goal of co-creating digital integration that fosters sustained development and growth for the local shoemaking industry proved to be worthwhile, as they were hailed a winner of the hackathon,” Ateneo said.

“In their presentation, the group emphasized the idea that Marikina shoes have been able to take many generations of Filipinos to where they are today. With this, the group posed the question: Where can Marikina shoes take us next?” it added.

The event was held in partnership with the Asian Development Bank, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Philippine Footwear Federation Inc. and Zapateria Hub.