MU MBA students launch AI-powered reviewer application LisensyaLab

Article by: Hailey Jade T. Miranda and Lorrieza Jhoilyn C. Punzalan

Photo by: Luis Inigo A. Lava

Marking a milestone for Mapúa University’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) program, LisensyaLab—an AI-powered licensure reviewer application—was launched at the Makati Campus Global Classroom last January 23.  

The startup was founded by a team of MBA students under the tutelage of E.T. Yuchengco School Of Business (ETYSB) professor Dr. Donn Enrique L. Morenolead by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Hannah Abenoja, alongside her co-founders: Chief Technical Officer (CTO) Karl Medina, Chief Operations Officer (COO) Hazel Cabante, Chief Finance Officer (CFO) Maurene Morera, and Chief Partnership Officer Sean Espina. LisensyaLab was also part of the incubation program of the University’s Think and Tinker Laboratory and was its first incubation graduate. 

Recognizing the immense pressure students face during preparations for the Certified Public Accountant Licensure Exams (CPALE), Abenoja and her team conceptualized LisensyaLab as a solution to help students navigate licensure review challenges.  

“Behind every exam is not just pressure, right? It’s a need for clear direction, and that is exactly why LisensyaLab was created." Abenoja stated during the launch.  

During the event, CTO Karl Medina conducted a demonstration of LisensyaLab’s features. He emphasized how the application targets the root cause of exam failure, where “the problem isn’t intelligence, [it] actually is with preparation."  

LisensyaLab provides multiple mock tests approved by the Professional Regulation Commission’s Table of Specification (PRC TOS), covering various core accounting subjects such as Auditing and Taxation, “...we actually coded [...] the AI system so that all the questions generated for the mock exam actually comply with all the PRC TOS requirements." Medina noted. 

He also explained that the app keeps track of mock test data and informs users of possible areas for improvement. It also includes AI agents that are programmed to double-check test scores and provide accurate feedback for improvement. “If it's correct-correct, it will feed it to the system. If one AI check says it's correct, the second checker says it's wrong, it will be manually forwarded for a manual check.” 

COO Hazel Cabante has also highlighted that LisensyaLab is designed to be a “supplementary review app” to work alongside traditional review centers, where “students can review anywhere, anytime, at their own pacing."

To ensure a wide reach among reviewees, LisensyaLab will be available as a free app with premium subscription tiers for advanced mock test features priced at PHP500 per month, or PHP5,000 per year. 

Looking ahead, CTO Medina mentions the expansion of the application to cater to more licensure examinations such as the Licensure Examination for Teachers and engineering board exams this year.  

The app is currently available for pre-launch, where supporters may sign-up for the waitlist by emailing info@lisensyalab.com. Meanwhile, the startup team aims to expand the app for an international launch in early 2027.