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Promoting SCP and Circular Transition in ASEAN countries
ECOTHON in the Philippines 2025

From May to September 2025, Ecothon in the Philippines 2025 brought together start-ups innovative, sustainability-driven business models and investment-ready pitches. Organised by the ASEM SMEs Eco-Innovation Center (ASEIC) and Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) and co-hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry of the Philippines (DTI), this year’s Ecothon in the Philippines marked the beginning of a series of Ecothons to be held in 4 ASEAN countries: Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, and Indonesia.

Ecothon - short for Eco-entrepreneurs’ Marathon - is a flagship competition designed to promote sustainable and circular business models aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 12 on Sustainable Consumption and Production. Since its launch in 2019, the programme has provided a platform for start-ups to engage directly with policymakers, investors, and ecosystem stakeholders, fostering regional dialogue on sustainable innovation. 

This year, Ecothon in the Philippines attracted 62 applications, reflecting strong and diverse interest from early-stage start-ups across the country. Following a competitive selection process, 15 teams were invited to participate in an intensive two-day online training course held on 26–27 July 2025. Led by international experts, the training covered key aspects of eco-entrepreneurship, including ESG and SDG integration, sustainable business model development, impact investment, and branding strategies.

Complementing the group training, participating teams were given 1:1 mentoring sessions led by local experts, supporting them in refining business plans, strengthening pitch decks, and improving investor communication skills.

Based on performance in the training and coaching phase, 14 teams advanced to the offline Demo Day in Makati City, where finalists presented their solutions to a panel of judges. In his opening remarks, a representative of DTI outlined the Philippines’ start-up ecosystem and policy support measures, emphasising the importance of multi-stakeholder cooperation among government, the private sector, and development partners in advancing sustainable entrepreneurship.

Participants in the offline Demo Day in Manila on 10 September 2025

Participants in the offline Demo Day in Manila on 10 September 2025

HSF

Three winner of Ecothon in the Philippines 2025 were identified:

  • First Prize: Nascent Technologies – next-generation sodium-ion battery technology for safe and sustainable energy storage

  • Second Prize: Haraya – nanotechnology-based banana fertiliser improving nutrient absorption while reducing agricultural waste

  • Third Prize: FilRobotics Technologies – AGROTIS Navigation System, a GPS-guided autonomous tractor solution for increased rice-farming productivity

As a next step, the winners of Ecothon Philippines 2025 will be invited to join HSF’s delegation to the ASEAN Circular Economy Forum in Kuala Lumpur in October 2025, offering further opportunities for regional exchange and international exposure.

HSF’s support for Ecothon is part of the Think Global Sustainability Network under HSF’s Global Project on Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change (GMACC).