SILLAG - Region 1

27/08/2026

The Philippine Startup Challenge (PSC) is back for its 11th year – and it’s evolving to better support the next generation of Filipino innovators 🚀

For over a decade, the PSC has empowered student innovators across the country to think boldly, solve real-world challenges, and take their first steps into the Philippine startup ecosystem. As it enters its 11th year, PSC will introduce an enhanced program – offering an even stronger platform to help students transform their ideas into startup-ready solutions.

Open to Senior High School, College, and Technical Vocational students, PSC XI introduces an enhanced journey that guides teams from ideation to prototype development. Beyond showcasing innovative ideas, participants will take part in mentorship sessions with industry experts and startup enablers, helping them strengthen their ideas, refine their solutions, and build their skills.

If you're building an ICT-enabled solution powered by Software, AI, IoT, Web3, Blockchain, Mixed Reality, or other Emerging Technologies, this is your opportunity to learn, innovate, and build solutions that create meaningful impact. 🌟

Be part of the next wave of young innovators shaping the future of the Philippine startup ecosystem!

📅 Application Period: August 27 - September 20, 2026

❓ FAQs: https://iidb2026.my.canva.site/psc-xi-website

Region 1 Application Form:
https://forms.gle/3fWQkXQpNRvxf4qT8

21/08/2026

Happy Birthday to our Chairperson, Dr. Teresita A. Tabaog! 🎉💙

The SILLAG Region 1 Startup Consortium celebrates a leader whose vision, dedication, and steadfast support continue to inspire our shared pursuit of a stronger and more vibrant startup ecosystem in the Ilocos Region.

Thank you, Dr. Tess, for championing collaboration, innovation, and opportunities for our startups, innovators, mentors, and ecosystem partners.

May your birthday be filled with joy, good health, and renewed inspiration as you continue to lead us toward greater possibilities.

19/08/2026

🚀 CALLING ALL STUDENT INNOVATORS IN NORTHERN LUZON!

SILLAG Region 1 is proud to partner with Enactus Philippines in advancing student innovation and entrepreneurship in Northern Luzon and supporting the Enactus Philippines National Competition 2026.

Before the national competition, we invite students, faculty advisers, universities, and innovation ecosystem stakeholders across Northern Luzon to join our Enactus Philippines Information Session:

📅 Saturday, August 22, 2026
⏰ 1:00 PM
💻 Via Zoom

Learn more about Enactus Philippines, the 2026 National Competition, and how your university can participate in this year's Early-Stage Project Competition Track.

The competition is open to recognized higher education institutions in the Philippines, with participating teams developing and presenting innovative entrepreneurial project concepts that are still in the ideation or early implementation stage.

🏆 What's at stake?
PHP 100,000 for the National Champion, plus the opportunity to represent the Philippines at the Enactus World Cup 2026 in Brazil.

📣 Join the August 22 Information Session to learn how to apply, understand the competition requirements and mechanics, and discover how your team can prepare for the National Competition this October!

Application Deadline: August 25, 2026

🔗 Full competition mechanics: (see comment section for link)

📌 Register/Join the Information Session: (see comment section for link)

Bring your idea. Build your team. Take entrepreneurial action.

13/08/2026

📣 START UP PODCAST PH GOES TO PANGASINAN!!! 🚀

We're visiting PSU Aligwas Technology Business Incubator in Pangasinan State University - Bayambang Campus!!

Excited to be featuring Pangasinan startups this August 14!
Hit us up to meet up if you're in the area!!!

📣 START UP PODCAST PH GOES TO PANGASINAN!!! 🚀

We're visiting PSU Aligwas Technology Business Incubator in Pangasinan State University - Bayambang Campus!!

Excited to be featuring Pangasinan startups this August 14!

Hit us up to meet up if you're in the area!!!

13/08/2026

🚀 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐀𝐈 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩𝐬!

Ready to take your startup beyond the local market?

Applications are now open for the 2026 Korea–ASEAN AI Development & Startup Competition (AI Youth Festa 2026)—a regional platform connecting the next generation of AI innovators from Korea and ASEAN.

Whether you're developing AI for healthcare, agriculture, education, sustainability, fintech, or other real-world challenges, this is your opportunity to showcase your innovation on the regional stage.
Selected startups will receive:

• Online acceleration program with global mentors
• 1-on-1 mentoring and IR/pitch coaching
• Business matching and networking opportunities
• Round-trip airfare and hotel accommodation for the Final Competition in the Philippines
• Chance to win up to USD 20,000 in prizes

Who can apply?
✔ AI startups established on or after 29 July 2019
✔ AI pre-startups
✔ AI solutions that contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

📅 Application Deadline: 21 August 2026 (Friday), 4:00 PM (PHT)

Only a limited number of Philippine startups will advance to represent the country in the regional competition.

📄 Visit the webpage to access the Application Notice, Application Form, and FAQs:
https://en.aiyouthfesta2026.com/

We encourage Philippine AI startups and university spin-offs to seize this opportunity to gain international exposure, strengthen their investment readiness, and expand into regional markets.

12/08/2026

𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐆 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧 1 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐓𝐁𝐈 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬, 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩 𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐚 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠

Startup ecosystem stakeholders from La Union and Pangasinan participated in the First Leg of the SILLAG Region 1 Startup Consortium Mentors’ Training on Problem Identification and Idea Validation on August 10, 2026, via Zoom.

51 mentors, coaches, and facilitators from Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) and private startup-enabling organizations in Pangasinan and La Union participated in the training. Participants from La Union included representatives from Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University–Agri-Aqua TBI and Collabspace, while Pangasinan was represented by DOST-PSU Aligwas TBI, Makerspace InnovHub, and United Professionals for Innovation and Convergence of Technologies (UPICT).

Mr. Mark Philip Comandante, Chief Executive Officer of ExoAsia Innovation Hub, served as facilitator and resource person, introducing practical tools such as the Experiment Card, Business Model Canvas, ExO Canvas, Pitch Canvas, Systemic Canvas, and Value Proposition Canvas to help mentors understand customer needs, develop and test business models, validate assumptions, identify opportunities, and communicate startup ideas.

The activity aimed to strengthen the capacity of mentors, coaches, and startup ecosystem enablers to provide effective guidance and support to technology-based startups and aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly in identifying meaningful problems, validating ideas, and developing ventures toward investment readiness.

The second leg of the capacity-building activity will extend the training to TBI enablers from Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur later this month, further broadening the reach of the initiative and strengthening the network of startup mentors and ecosystem support providers across Region I.

(𝘉𝘺 𝘑𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘰 𝘙. 𝘓𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘴)

10/08/2026

THE WAIT IS OVER! Enactus Philippines is back. 🇵🇭

We are excited to officially announce the Enactus Philippines National Competition 2026, happening on October 8–10, 2026 in Manila.
As 2026 marks the relaunch of Enactus Philippines, this year's National Competition will exclusively feature the Early-Stage Project Competition Track—providing student innovators the opportunity to transform bold ideas into impactful social entrepreneurial ventures while competing on the national stage.

🌟 CALL FOR APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN!

We are looking for the next generation of changemakers ready to create innovative solutions for real-world challenges.

📅 Application Deadline: August 25, 2026
Eligibility

✅ One (1) official team per eligible campus
✅ Three (3) undergraduate or graduate student members
✅ One (1) Faculty Advisor
✅ An early-stage social entrepreneurial venture with strong potential for sustainable impact

🏆 Awards & Global Opportunity
🥇 National Champion
PHP 100,000 Cash Prize

Championship Trophy
An ALL-EXPENSE-PAID trip for the Champion Team (3 Students + 1 Faculty Advisor) to represent the Philippines at the Enactus World Cup 2027 in São Paulo, Brazil 🇧🇷

🥈 First Runner-Up
PHP 50,000 Cash Prize
🥉 Second Runner-Up
PHP 25,000 Cash Prize

✨ Additional Special Partner Awards may also be presented.

🌎 Represent the Philippines on the Global Stage!

The Enactus World Cup 2027 will be held in São Paulo, Brazil, where National Champion teams from Enactus countries around the world will gather to showcase innovative entrepreneurial solutions, exchange ideas, and compete for the title of Enactus World Cup Champion. This is your opportunity to bring your innovation from your campus to the world.
Participation is completely FREE, including the mandatory National Capacity-Building Program for selected teams.

Whether your project is in the ideation, validation, prototype, or pilot stage, this is your chance to gain expert mentorship, connect with leaders from business, government, and academia, compete for national recognition, and earn the opportunity to represent the Philippines internationally.

⏳ Applications close on August 25, 2026. Don't miss your chance to be part of the relaunch of Enactus Philippines!
📖 Full competition details, eligibility requirements, timeline, and application submission are available at:
https://enactus.ph/2026-national-competition

Build innovative solutions. Create sustainable impact. Represent the Philippines. See you at the Enactus Philippines National Competition 2026! 🇵🇭

Official Competition Partner

This year's Enactus Philippines National Competition 2026 is proudly made possible through the partnership and support of Khan Academy Philippines Inc., our Official Competition Partner, in advancing entrepreneurial action, innovation, and student leadership across the Philippines.

02/08/2026

Drawing from her experience as former President of Mariano Marcos State University, CHED Chairperson Shirley C. Agrupis has seen how universities can produce technologies and ideas with the potential to improve lives and support local industries. She has also seen how many of these innovations remain as theses or prototypes without the guidance, resources, and connections needed to move forward.

Through the SIBOL: Student Technology Business Incubation Program for the Agri-Aqua Sector, CHED is helping student innovators take the next step—from refining their technologies and testing their ideas to developing enterprises that can serve farmers, fisherfolk, industries, and communities. The Commission allocated a total of ₱120 million for the program, with each approved state university and college receiving ₱5 million over the two-year implementation period to support its student incubatees.

The initiative supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive for government agencies to provide Filipinos, particularly youth and women entrepreneurs, with greater opportunities to build and grow their businesses. By investing in young innovators, SIBOL aims to establish at least 200 new local enterprises, create jobs, and produce solutions that benefit farmers, fisherfolk, industries, and communities.

READ HERE: https://ched.gov.ph/press-releases/798

30/07/2026

🚀 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐀𝐈 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩𝐬!

Ready to take your startup beyond the local market?
Applications are now open for the 2026 Korea–ASEAN AI Development & Startup Competition (AI Youth Festa 2026)—a regional platform connecting the next generation of AI innovators from Korea and ASEAN.

Whether you're developing AI for healthcare, agriculture, education, sustainability, fintech, or other real-world challenges, this is your opportunity to showcase your innovation on the regional stage.

Selected startups will receive:
• Online acceleration program with global mentors
• 1-on-1 mentoring and IR/pitch coaching
• Business matching and networking opportunities
• Round-trip airfare and hotel accommodation for the Final Competition in the Philippines
• Chance to win up to USD 20,000 in prizes

Who can apply?
✔ AI startups established on or after 29 July 2019
✔ AI pre-startups
✔ AI solutions that contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

📅 Application Deadline: 21 August 2026 (Friday), 4:00 PM (PHT)

Only a limited number of Philippine startups will advance to represent the country in the regional competition.

📄 Visit the webpage to access the Application Notice, Application Form, and FAQs:
https://en.aiyouthfesta2026.com/

We encourage Philippine AI startups and university spin-offs to seize this opportunity to gain international exposure, strengthen their investment readiness, and expand into regional markets.

29/07/2026

Here are 5 things that are worth your attention especially if you're building a technology startup 👀

You still have a few more days before the deadline. Don’t let this opportunity pass by and submit your proposal now to receive up to ₱5 million in R&D funding.

🔗 Submit your proposal through DPMIS Version 2: https://dpmisv2.dost.gov.ph/

🗓️ Deadline: July 31, 2026 (5:00 PM)

For more details, scan the QR code or go to https://pcieerd.dost.gov.ph/.../2026-call-for-proposal.../

Here are 5 things that are worth your attention especially if you're building a technology startup 👀

You still have a few more days before the deadline. Don’t let this opportunity pass by and submit your proposal now to receive up to ₱5 million in R&D funding.

🔗 Submit your proposal through DPMIS Version 2: https://dpmisv2.dost.gov.ph/
🗓️ Deadline: July 31, 2026 (5:00 PM)

For more details, scan the QR code or go to https://pcieerd.dost.gov.ph/work-with-us/2026-call-for-proposal-for-the-pcieerd-startup-grant-fund-program/