The second edition of the Swiss Innovation Prize Competition culminated in a grand awarding ceremony on Nov. 21, 2024, at the Azalea Hall, Somerset Central, in Salcedo Village, Makati. Nine groups with 23 individual finalists were recognized for their groundbreaking contributions to three innovation strands: digitalization, sustainability, and prosperity. These top nine groups exceeded expectations out of the 163 applications submitted.
Organized by the Embassy of Switzerland in the Philippines, in collaboration with the Swiss Cultural Fund, the competition spanned three days from Nov. 19 to 21. Finalists experienced immersive site visits to leading Swiss-owned companies, including Franke Foodservice Systems in Batangas, Ivoclar Vivadent in Laguna, Holcim in Bulacan, and La Rose Noire in Clark, Pampanga. These visits offered participants valuable exposure to cutting-edge innovation practices and opportunities to engage with esteemed leaders of the Swiss business community.
The awarding ceremony began with inspiring welcome remarks from Thimon Fürst, deputy head of Mission of the Embassy of Switzerland. Messages from the Philippine government were delivered by Leah Buendia, undersecretary of the Department of Science and Technology; Imelda Legaspi, director of the Commission on Higher Education; Leonila Baluyut, assistant secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry; and Atty. Ann Claire Cabochan, Deputy Director General of the Intellectual Property Office.
Kent Marjun Primor, head of Economic and Trade Advisory, presented the journey of the 2024
competition, while Joel Chong, president of Novartis Philippines, reflected on the importance of innovation in fostering societal progress. The program also included a video presentation of the finalists’ experiences and reflections from Efanna Felice Casil, a finalist representative from Laoag City.
The highlight of the evening was the announcement of winners across the three strands,with awards presented by distinguished industry leaders: Daniela San Agustin, president of Ivoclar Vivadent, for digitalization; Jeffrey Ibanez, founder of Impact Acoustic, for sustainability; and Samuel Manlosa, senior vice president of Holcim Philippines, for prosperity. The first prize winners received P100,000; second prize winners at P50,000; and third prize winners at P30,000.
Digitalization Stream winners were: DapatWatt by Erwin Bonto, Sean Natividad, Kate Plantilla at 1st place; NutriGuard by Bea Pallera, Kline Lepardo, Angeli Robes at 2nd place; and Project Zeolite by Tristan Listanco, Princes Fajardo, Sittie Mamangcao at 3rd place.
The Prosperity Stream winners were: Makeroscope Initiative by Jeremy De Leon at 1st place, LAntRN by Veil Castro, Daniel Ombao, Mark Carascal at 2nd place; and Project I.E. by Alenklein Tongawa, Robelyn Malla, Hazael Barino at 3rd place.
For the Sustainability Stream, Algoplast by Tiffany Lao, Kirk Damian at 1st Place; K4MOS by Faith Sarmiento, Katrina Castillo at 2nd place; and Mais Filter by Jessa Ibon, Efanna Casil, Christopher Ruiz at 3rd place.
The Swiss Innovation Prize Competition underscores Switzerland’s commitment to nurturing
transformative ideas and fostering partnerships that inspire positive change. Through this initiative, the Embassy of Switzerland and its partners aim to empower young minds and advance innovation in the Philippines.
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