THE TECHNOLOGICAL Institute of the Philippines finished second place in the 2021 Youthpreneur in Action competition behind its solar-powered ventilation system called ‘Cleenvent’.

A startup venture under the school’s Nurture Innovation Technology Revolution Office, Cleenvent promises a better air environment by providing continuous proper ventilation in households and establishments.

“Good air quality allows for a healthy and more productive life, so Cleenvent is really a need especially this time when everyone’s learning and working from home,” Raven Anot, mechanical engineering senior and Cleenvent co-founder, said.

Anot and his team composed of TIP students, alumni, and industry partners, spent more than a year developing the automated ventilation system.

Unlike typical exhaust fans commonly found in kitchens and restrooms, Cleenvent works on a wider scale and can be installed on walls, ceilings, or attics with zero operating costs.

“Cleenvent uses the sun’s radiation to decrease temperature and humidity buildup inside our homes. It’s powered by renewable energy so it does not contribute to consumers’ electricity bills,” Anot explained.

Meanwhile, TIP Technopreneurship Coordinator Engr. Shearyl Arenas said Cleenvent is proof there is no age requirement for being an entrepreneur.

“If you have a great idea, pursue it. You can have your own venture even before graduation. It doesn’t mean that if you’re a student, you can’t create something impactful to the community,” Arenas said.

Organized by Podomoro University in Indonesia, YPIA is an annual business idea pitching competition which brings student entrepreneurs from all over the globe to overcome world problems with innovative and practical solutions.