Ecothon Philippines 2025 showcases Filipino startups driving sustainable innovation

Makati City, Philippines — 11 September 2025. Fourteen of the country’s most promising startups pitched their innovative business models at the 2025 Ecothon in the Philippines Demo Day, held at the Dusit Thani Manila, marking the culmination of weeks of rigorous training and mentorship designed to help eco-entrepreneurs refine their strategies for advancing sustainable consumption and production, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 12.

Co-hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry – Competitiveness and Innovation Group (DTI-CIG) and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups of the Republic of Korea (MSS-ROK), and co-organized by the ASEM SMEs Eco-Innovation Center (ASEIC), Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) Vietnam, and Brainsparks, this year’s Demo Day once again affirmed the Philippines’ position as an emerging hub for sustainable and impact-driven startups.

DTI emphasized in its opening remarks the transformative role of the competition: “Ecothon is more than just a contest—it is a platform where ideas meet opportunity, and where bold visions for responsible consumption and production can take root and flourish.”

Three eco-innovative startups were recognized for their solutions advancing sustainability. Nascent Batteries, emerged as the first-place winner, taking home 1,500,000 KRW for its Nova SLI, a next-generation sodium-ion starter-lighting-ignition battery. Developed as a sustainable alternative to traditional lead-acid batteries, the Nova SLI offers a cleaner, safer, and more efficient energy solution. With this win, Nascent will also represent the Philippines at the ASEAN Circular Economy Forum (ACEF) 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Following this, Haraya secured second place and a prize of 1,000,000 KRW with AniPlus, a nanotechnology-based banana fertilizer that boosts nutrient absorption, reduces agricultural waste, and promotes sustainable farming in the Philippines. Finally, FilRobotics Technologies Inc. claimed third place and 500,000 KRW for its AGROTIS Navigation System, a GPS-guided autonomous solution for tractors that eases labor demands and increases productivity in rice farming, supporting the country’s push for digital transformation in agriculture.

In addition to their prizes, all winning teams will join the Ecothon Alumni Network, gain access to ASEAN-wide networking opportunities, and become part of the Th!nk Global-Sustainability Network, connecting them to mentors, peers, and partners across the region.

The finalists presented their ideas before a distinguished panel of judges representing government, international organizations, venture capital, and startup accelerators including Mr. Alewijn Aidan K. Ong, Assistant General Manager of the National Development Company; Ms. Jieun Lim, Team Leader of ASEIC; Mr. Michael Siegner, Resident Representative of HSF Vietnam; Mr. Carlo Calimon, President and Co-Founder of Startup Village; Mr. Matthew Cua, Technical Innovation Manager of Brainsparks; and Ms. April Ong Vaño, Head of Environmental, Social and Governance at Quest Ventures.

Now in its fifth year in the Philippines, Ecothon has built a strong legacy of producing impactful ventures. Past winners such as Sikai Inc. (2023), which went on to win the Ecothon Grand Finals in South Korea with its reforestation tech solution, and Pili Adheseal (2024), now gaining international recognition for its eco-adhesive products, exemplify how Filipino startups can make their mark on the global stage.

This year’s winners add to that growing track record of innovation, proving once again that Filipino entrepreneurs are capable of generating world-class solutions for sustainability. As Mr. Seoktae Lee, Secretary General of ASEIC, noted in his message: “With a fast-growing startup ecosystem now valued at $6.4 billion, the Philippines has the talent, creativity, and entrepreneurial drive to shape a sustainable and competitive future.”

With initiatives like Ecothon, supported through the DTI’s Startup Development Program – Startup Pilipinas, the Department reaffirms its commitment to building a thriving ecosystem that empowers startups to create technologies that are both globally competitive, socially impactful, and contributing towards a sustainable future.

For more details on Ecothon and the winning startup teams in the Philippines, please visit Ecothon’s official website. To learn more about the DTI’s initiatives in fostering the Philippine startup ecosystem, follow the Startup Pilipinas FB Page.♦

Date of Release: 23 September 2025