Makati City, Philippines—On September 10, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in partnership with Brainsparks, hosted the Ecothon Philippines 2024 Demo Day. This virtual event provided a platform for 11 innovative Filipino startups to showcase their eco-solutions, designed to promote a more sustainable Philippine business landscape.

Ecothon Philippines holds a pivotal position within the DTI’s Startup Development Program, Startup Pilipinas—a government initiative dedicated to cultivating a new generation of businesses in the digital economy. It strives to create a supportive environment for the sustainable growth of Philippine startups.

During the event’s fourth edition, DTI Competitiveness and Innovation Assistant Secretary Leonila Baluyut reaffirmed the country’s commitment towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 12: Sustainable Consumption and Production.

“Ecothon Philippines is a natural extension of this commitment. This event has provided our participants with invaluable training and mentorship, helping them to refine their sustainable business models. Today, we are proud to showcase the results of their hard work as they present their innovative solutions,” ASec. Baluyut added.

ASEM SMEs Eco-Innovation Center (ASEIC) Secretary General Mr. Seoktae highlighted the Philippines’ strategic location in Southeast Asia, positioning it as a prime candidate poised to become the logistics and trade hub in the Asia-Pacific region. He also cited that the country’s existing information technology development centers offer a solid foundation for startup growth.

The participating startups presented innovative technologies, ranging from alternative eco-solutions to circular business models, before an esteemed panel of judges. This panel comprised DTI Division Chief Karl Pacolor, ASEIC Manager Jiyoon Kim, HSF Resident Representative Michael Siegner, Brainsparks Founder and President Lionel Belen, Gobi-Partners Senior Investment Associate Sophia “Phoebe” Fontanilla.

Pili AdheSeal, a Filipino startup offering sustainable sealant and adhesive solutions, clinched the top spot. The company impressed the judges with its innovative products derived from waste materials.

CEO Engr. Mark Kennedy Bantugon emphasized Pili AdheSeal commitment to transform the global industry with cost-effectiven, safe, and eco-friendly solutions.

The win earned Pili AdheSeal a 1,500,000 KRW prize and the opportunity to join the 5th KOREA-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Business Model Competition for SDGs 2024. They are also set to participate in the ASEAN Circular Economy Forum 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand from 30 September to 03 October 2024.

Farmtri claimed second place with its eco-solution for increasing crop production efficiency and promoting sustainable precision agriculture and food supply chain. Lithos Manufacturing secured third place with its nanotechnology aimed at combating climate change. These startups received awards of 1,000,000 KRW and 500,000 KRW, respectively.

The Philippines’ leading eco-startups will now join the Ecothon’s Alumni and ASEAN Network, gaining access to valuable opportunities for collaboration with other winners from across Southeast Asia.

Featuring international and local mentors, coaches, and judges, the Demo Day marked the culmination of the three-week intensive training and coaching sessions.

The event is a crucial part of the larger Ecothon program—an annual competition for sustainable business ideas in the ASEAN countries.

The Ecothon program is hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups of the Republic of Korea. It is also held in several ASEAN countries including Vietnam, Malaysia, Lao PDR, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The program is jointly organized by the ASEIC and Hanns Seidel Foundation Vietnam (HSF).

For further insights into the Ecothon and the winning startup teams in the Philippines, visit Ecothon’s official website. To learn about other DTI initiatives and programs supporting Philippine startups, follow the Startup Pilipinas FB Page.  ♦

Date of release: 17 September 2024

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