SM Supermalls champions young entrepreneurs with the Youth Entrepreneurship Summit 2025

Youth Entrepreneurship Summit 2025 kicks off at SM City Urdaneta Central with 452 students from across Region 1.

SM City Urdaneta Central, in partnership with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Region 1 and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 1, hosted Youth Entrepreneurship Summit 2025 on October 2, 2025, at The Event Center, Level 3, SM City Urdaneta Central.

DTI Region 1 Assistant Regional Director Natalia B. Dalaten and CHED Region 1 Atty. Dessa Estrada join SM Supermalls in inspiring youth to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.

With the theme “Igniting Ideas, Empowering Young Entrepreneurs,” the summit featured inspirational talks from successful MSMEs in Pangasinan, who shared their entrepreneurial journeys to motivate over 400 students to dream big and pursue business ventures of their own.

SM City Urdaneta Central Mall Manager Abraham M. Malicdem highlights SM’s commitment to empowering young entrepreneurs.

The program featured inspirational talks from successful MSMEs in Pangasinan, who shared their own entrepreneurial journeys, challenges, and triumphs, serving as real-life examples for aspiring youth entrepreneurs. In addition, participants took part in interactive discussions and mentorship opportunities.

Students listen attentively during the inspirational talk of Mr. Racky Doctor, President- Nutridense Food Manufacturing Corporation, and Grand Winner- Medium Category of the Presidential Awards 2025 for Outstanding MSMEs in the Philippines, gaining fresh ideas for their business aspirations.

The highlight of the day was the Youth Business Pitch Competition, where student teams presented innovative business ideas aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Judges from SM, CHED, and DTI awarded prizes and vouchers to the most promising pitches, while all participants and advisers received tokens and vouchers from The SM Store.

Proud moment for Phinma University of Pangasinan! GRAND Champion of Youth Entrepreneurship Summit 2025: [Center] Rachelle A. Castro, Alethea C. Cayago, and Ara Mae O. Monserate with their advisers in the Business Pitch Competition

Students from University of Eastern Pangasinan cheer for their schoolmates as they were announced as 1^st Runner Up in the Business Pitch Competition

“As the home of MSMEs, SM Supermalls is proud to provide a platform where young people can learn directly from local success stories and gain the tools to shape their own future businesses,” said Joaquin San Agustin, Executive Vice President of SM Supermalls.

Participants from NJ Valdez Colleges Foundation take a photo before the program proper

The event concluded with a call for the youth to take charge of their future, harness their creativity, and be catalysts for growth and innovation in the region.

Through this summit, SM Supermalls continues to strengthen its advocacy of supporting MSMEs and empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs to be catalysts of growth and innovation in the region.

About SM Supermalls MSMEs

Celebrating 40 Super Years of Evolving With You, SM Supermalls—one of Southeast Asia’s largest mall developers and operators with 88 malls nationwide—marks a new era of connecting communities and redefining the malling experience through sustainability, innovation, and inclusivity. SM also champions Filipino entrepreneurship, empowering MSMEs—driving local growth, showcasing homegrown talent, and fueling the Filipino spirit of enterprise. Be part of this success story—visit msme.smsupermalls.com or email customercare@smsupermalls.com

Participating Malls