The function room of Luxebridge Davao pulsed with energy as students of Stockbridge American International School (SAIS) turned it into a bustling marketplace during the highly anticipated 2025 Junior Entrepreneurship Fair (JEF) Spark Market. Held from April 11 to 12, the event showcased their creativity, innovation, and business acumen in full force.
A signature learning experience at Stockbridge, the JEF is more than just an academic exercise—it’s a dynamic, hands-on journey into entrepreneurship for students across primary, middle, and senior high levels.
This year’s theme, “Innovate. Inspire. Impact. Business for a Better World,” set the tone for a marketplace bursting with ideas that merge profit with purpose. Young entrepreneurs engaged eager parents, fellow students, and guests, drawing them into an immersive experience of bold business ventures. Attendees roamed from booth to booth, sampling products, availing services, and witnessing firsthand the entrepreneurial fire of Stockbridge’s students.
From delectable food offerings to eco-friendly innovations, tech-driven solutions, and community-focused enterprises, each display reflected fresh thinking and a deep commitment to making a difference. But the Spark Market wasn’t just about selling—it was about learning how business can be a force for good.
Beyond the marketplace, students took part in an eye-opening forum led by top-caliber industry pioneers. Among them were Evangeline Novela, founder of Novela Farms, who shared her inspiring journey in sustainable agriculture and women empowerment; John Naranjo, CEO of Ingenuity Software, who explored the resilience and creativity needed in tech entrepreneurship; and Mary Grave Belviz, director of Rosario’s Delicacies, who urged students to build local brands with heart and heritage.
One of the event’s highlights was the business pitch competition, where students stepped into the high-pressure world of startup presentations, refining their persuasion skills and receiving valuable feedback from experts. Teams presented their business plans before a panel of esteemed mentors, including Kenneth Lao, co-founder of Cacao Culture Farms, and Mischa Alngog, president of JCI Daba-Daba and business consultant.
The mentors were deeply impressed—not just by the originality of ideas but by the maturity and confidence displayed by the students. Their ventures weren’t just exercises; they were blueprints for a future where businesses drive meaningful change.
At Stockbridge, the JEF is more than an annual event—it’s a launchpad for future leaders and changemakers. Through this immersive experience, students don’t just learn about entrepreneurship; they embody its principles, shaping a future where innovation serves a greater purpose.
The JEF 2025 reaffirmed Stockbridge’s commitment to empowering young minds—not just to prepare for the future, but to actively create it.
