Young Filipino innovators take center stage at the Swiss Innovation Prize 2026, showcasing breakthrough ideas and industry-driven solutions for the future. (Photo from the Swiss Embassy in Manila)
Young Filipino innovators took center stage at the awarding ceremony of the Swiss Innovation Prize 2026 that showcased breakthrough ideas and industry-driven solutions for the future.
The Embassy of Switzerland in the Philippines, together with the Swiss Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines and leading Swiss industry partners, successfully concluded the event that recognizes young Filipino innovators whose ideas aim to address real-world industry and societal challenges.
Widely recognized as one of the world’s most innovation-driven countries under the Global Innovation Index, Switzerland launched the Swiss Innovation Prize to strengthen industry-academe collaboration, foster a culture of innovation and support the next generation of Filipino problem-solvers.
Now on its third edition, the competition introduced a more industry-focused approach by shifting from innovation strands to industry clusters, aligning the program more closely with current business priorities and industry needs.
More than 140 applications were submitted from across the archipelago, with finalists representing universities and institutions from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao reflecting the growing reach and inclusivity of the initiative.
The competition featured three major industry clusters: IT-BPM, Life Sciences and Digital Health Manufacturing and Construction.
As part of the three-day innovation program, finalists joined workshops, mentoring sessions and company immersions hosted by Swiss companies and organizations, including Zuellig Pharma, Avaloq Philippines, Base Bahay Foundation, Inc., Nestlé, Franke Foodservice Systems, and SGS Philippines.
The engagements provided participants with valuable exposure to Swiss innovation ecosystems, industry best practices, and insights from business leaders and technical experts.
The program culminated in a final pitching competition before a panel of industry experts, followed by an awarding ceremony honoring the smost promising and impactful innovations. Winners received cash prizes of ₱100,000 for first place, ₱15,000 for second place, and ₱10,000 for third place in each cluster.
Daniel Hans and Karelle Martinez of Skill Bridge PH (Ateneo de Manila University) won first place in the IT-BPM Cluster category while DanielZacarias Lancelot Pangan of Nexus Pro (University of Perpetual Help DALTA – Las Piñas) and Sean Kirk Cruz, John Michael Robles and Joshua Gran of PERPSAT-1
(University of Perpetual Help DALTA – Las Piñas) grabbed second and third place, respectively.
In Life Sciences and Digital Health Cluster, Thomas Manulat, Malt John Solon and Simon Escaño of STEMI Flow (Cebu Institute of Technology-University) got the top award with Hans Labordo of Care-to-Cure (University of the Philippines Diliman) taking second place and Leif De La Cruz, Jennifer Tobes and Matthan of C.O.R.E Health (National University – Cebu) getting third honors.
Finally, in the Manufacturing and Construction Cluster category, Harvey Melendrez, Rodric Luceno and Edison Limbaga of SIBOLution (Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology) was awarded first place while Glenn Maujon, Maria Elisa Refugio and Sean Manlup of RHA Biosilx (Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology) snagged second place and Mark Angelou Siega of RePET (University of Mindanao) got third place.
The Swiss Innovation Prize Competition reflects Switzerland’s continuing commitment to innovation, sustainability, and meaningful collaboration among industry, government and academe. By connecting young Filipino innovators with Swiss companies and industry experts, the initiative aims to help transform promising ideas into practical solutions with lasting economic and societal impact.
