Following the success of Philippine Startup Week (PHSW) 2025, the Innovative Startup Act (ISA) Committee, now chaired by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), has unveiled plans for a more strategic, ASEAN-aligned PHSW 2026.
This year marked the formal turnover of the ISA Steering Committee chairmanship from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to DICT. Together with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the National Development Company (NDC), the Committee delivered a milestone edition themed around innovation, alliance, and national impact. The week featured inspiring keynotes, technology-driven startup pitches, awards recognizing Filipino ingenuity, and nearly 150 startups showcased across eight main conferences and 39 community-driven events. Held at the Philippine Innovation Hub in Marikina from November 11–14, PHSW 2025 attracted almost 2,000 participants nationwide, offering networking opportunities with local and international enablers.
Looking ahead to PHSW 2026, DICT aims to align the Philippines’ startup initiatives with broader ASEAN priorities in digital transformation, innovation, and regional collaboration, coinciding with the country’s upcoming ASEAN Chairship. The event will continue spotlighting cutting-edge technologies and world-class Filipino ventures while fostering cross-border collaboration, investor engagement, and policy dialogue across Southeast Asia.
Guided by ASEAN’s regional theme, “Navigating Our Future, Together,” PHSW 2026 seeks to position the Philippines as a hub for startup development, highlighting ventures that drive social impact, sustainability, and digital innovation. By building on its legacy of connecting government agencies, investors, academe, and high-growth startups, the event aims to prepare Philippine startups not just to thrive locally, but to scale regionally and globally.
For updates, participants, investors, and innovators can follow official PHSW channels and stay tuned for announcements leading up to next year’s groundbreaking edition.
