CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The National Innovation Council (NIC), through the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Innovation Staff as its Secretariat, invites innovators, enterprises, and changemakers in Northern Mindanao to join the 2025 Filipinnovation Awards. Recognized as the country’s most prestigious innovation competition, the Awards honor Filipino innovators, with the national winner receiving recognition from the President of the Philippines. Applications are open until 20 March 2025.
Approved during the NIC’s 6th Meeting on 8 February 2024, through NIC Resolution No. 1, series of 2024, the National and Regional Innovation Awards and Competitions, or Filipinnovation Awards, aim to highlight Filipino innovators ready for early-stage commercialization. The competition celebrates local talents contributing to the national agenda of fostering a culture of innovation and supporting economic growth through pioneering solutions.
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be Filipino citizens or Filipino-owned enterprises legally recognized under Philippine laws;
- Submit proposals requiring support for early-stage commercialization at a minimum of Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7, signifying that the innovation has been proven in an operational environment and is ready for large-scale deployment; and
- Be registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) or the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), as applicable.
The competition will be held in two stages:
- Sub-National Level: Innovators will compete within four geographic clusters (NCR, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao). Three finalists from each cluster will be selected, with three additional entries chosen to complete a roster of 15 national finalists.
- National Level: The top 15 will undergo mentoring and capacity-building sessions before the final pitching event. Five winners, one from each cluster and an additional wildcard entry, will be awarded as Filipinnovator Awardees during National Innovation Day.
WHY PARTICIPATE?
Finalists will receive grant awards, personalized coaching, and access to mentorship programs. Winners will gain additional opportunities to showcase their innovations at international trade fairs and investor-matching events. Beyond recognition, the competition serves as a springboard for local innovators to scale their solutions nationally and globally.
HOW TO APPLY
Applicants can submit their proposals through the competition’s dedicated online platform by 20 March 2025. Instructions, eligibility details, and required documents are outlined at https://filipinnovation.neda.gov.ph/.
Let us champion Filipino ingenuity and put Northern Mindanao innovations on the national stage!
