Rethinking Waste: AIM-Rooted Startup Klimatech Makes Waves at Filipinnovation 2025 

MAKATI CITY, Philippines — In a world where discarded cooking oil usually clogs drains or pollutes rivers, a group of Asian Institute of Management (AIM) alumni has turned waste into a climate-forward startup. Their venture, Klimatech Innovative Solutions Inc., is now gaining national recognition as a finalist in the 2025 Filipinnovation Awards. 

Capstone to Climate Tech: The Birth of Klimatech at AIM

It all began with a capstone project under the Master in Innovation and Business (MIB) program at AIM. Joseph Valdez, an MIB 2023 alumnus and now Chief Executive Officer of Klimatech, led a team that set out to build a sustainable value chain for used cooking oil. One team member, already in the business of trading used oil, faced a common challenge: inconsistent supply. The problem was not demand, but the absence of an organized, climate-conscious system for collection and conversion. From this gap, SanaOil was born—later evolving into OyLoop, a rebranded identity that reflects its broader mission and scale.  

Klimatech Innovative Solutions Inc. Chief Executive Officer and Master in Innovation and Business Alumnus, Joseph Valdez

From Circular Economy to Scalable Impact

Anchored in circular economy principles, the initiative collects used cooking oil, converts it into biodiesel and other byproducts, and redistributes it—often at discounted rates—to sectors such as agriculture and construction. 

After the MIB program laid the theoretical groundwork, such as market validation, business modeling, and sustainability logic, among others, the team joined the Asian Institute of Management-Dado Banatao Incubator (AIM-DBI) for hands-on development. Through AIM-DBI, they refined founder roles, established shareholders’ agreements, and tackled real-world startup issues like logistics, compliance, and operations. This transition from MIB to AIM-DBI was pivotal. The Klimatech team pursued real-world execution with determination and a deep sense of purpose, building on their capstone project to bring meaningful impact to life. Today, they offer three climate-aligned products: SanaOil (Circular Economy), Salba.AI (Disaster Resilience), and Vortex (Renewable Energy). 

Greening Communities Through Responsible Oil Collection

SanaOil’s system is designed to promote the responsible collection and repurposing of used cooking oil through a scalable, community-based approach. With a focus on environmental compliance and operational integrity, the team ensures that the collected oil is properly assessed and redirected for sustainable use. SanaOil partners with legitimate and trusted collectors certified by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and other government agencies. These certifications, coupled with sustainability incentives, strengthen partnerships and present a compelling model for organizations embracing circular economy values. 

Scaling with Global Support: Klimatech Joins Narwhale Ventures Ocean Accelerator 

Klimatech continues to refine its operations for greater efficiency and scalability. Recently, the startup was selected to join the prestigious Narwhale Ventures Ocean Accelerator—an initiative that supports early-stage ventures focused on advancing the blue economy and sustainable innovation. This milestone not only affirms the relevance of Klimatech’s mission but also connects them with global networks and expert mentorship to further scale their impact.

An AIM Education’s Role in Nurturing Climate-Driven Entrepreneurs

From polluted rivers to circular revenue streams, Klimatech exemplifies how purpose-driven innovation, academic grounding from AIM, and practical incubation via DBI can come together to tackle urgent environmental challenges. Follow Klimatech’s journey and climate solutions through its official social media platforms. 

Explore AIM Programs That Empower Green Innovators

For aspiring innovators looking to create sustainable impact, explore AIM programs that empower innovators to shape the future of the circular economy and green innovation—where breakthrough ideas like Klimatech are developed and nurtured into real-world solutions. 

*Photos courtesy of Klimatech