The Swiss Innovation Prize 2024 recognized the ingenuity of Filipino innovators, awarding top honors to groundbreaking projects in sustainability, digitalization, and prosperity. The grand ceremony, held on November 21, 2024, at Azalea Hall, Somerset Central, Makati City, highlighted transformative solutions selected from over 160 entries submitted by young scholars, entrepreneurs, and researchers.
This annual initiative, organized by the Embassy of Switzerland in the Philippines, promotes innovation inspired by Switzerland’s global leadership in fostering creativity and collaboration.
Three Days of Learning and Collaboration
Finalists participated in a series of activities designed to inspire, educate, and connect them with industry leaders:
- Day 1: Visits to Franke Foodservice Systems in Batangas and Ivoclar Vivadent in Cabuyao offered insights into innovation in practice and opportunities for networking.
- Day 2: A panel discussion on artificial intelligence’s role in research and education, hosted in collaboration with the Swiss Chamber of Commerce, preceded site visits to Holcim Philippines in Bulacan and La Rose Noir in Clark.
- Day 3: Finalists presented their projects to a distinguished panel of judges, culminating in the awarding ceremony.
Award-Winning Innovations
The competition featured three streams: digitalization, prosperity, and sustainability, with nine winners emerging as transformative contributors to societal and environmental progress.
Digitalization Stream
- 1st Place: DapatWatt – A real-time IoT energy metrics system developed by Erwin Bonto, Sean Francis Natividad, and Kate Zyril Plantilla.
- 2nd Place: NutriGuard – A personalized food safety tool leveraging AI, by Bea Therese Pallera, Kline Jeff Lepardo, and Angeli Robes.
- 3rd Place: Project ZEOLIGHT – A sustainable water filtration solution by Tristan Listanco, Princes Myer Fajardo, and Sittie Hafsa Mamangcao.
Prosperity Stream
- 1st Place: Makeroscope Initiative – A low-cost, portable microscope for STEM education, created by Jeremy De Leon.
- 2nd Place: LAntRN – A molecular diagnostic tool for detecting antibiotic resistance, by Veil Maria Castro, Daniel Jose Ombao, and Mark Carascal.
- 3rd Place: Project IE – A dynamic pricing system empowering farmers, developed by Alenklein Tongawa, Robelyn Malla, and Hazael Barino.
Sustainability Stream
- 1st Place: Algoplast – Biodegradable plastics from seaweed, by Kirk Benedict Beau Damian and Tiffany Louise Lao.
- 2nd Place: K4MOS – Kapok-based oil spill clean-up solutions, by Faith Laurence Sarmiento and Katrina Joy Castillo.
- 3rd Place: MAIS Filter – A water filtration system using corn waste, by Jessa B. Ibon, Efanna Felice Casil, and Christopher Demetrio Ruiz.
Recognition and Support for Innovators
The winners received cash prizes of PHP 100,000, PHP 50,000, and PHP 30,000 for first, second, and third places, respectively, in each stream. Additional rewards included mentorship opportunities, company visits, and features in business journals by the Swiss Chamber of Commerce and the Embassy of Switzerland.
These incentives aim to propel the projects into impactful ventures, addressing societal challenges while fostering sustainable development.
Inspiring Collaboration Between Nations
By supporting Filipino innovators, the Swiss Innovation Prize reinforces the collaboration between Switzerland and the Philippines. This competition exemplifies Switzerland’s dedication to fostering education-driven creativity and innovation, ensuring a lasting positive impact on communities and industries worldwide.
For more details about the Swiss Innovation Prize, visit the Embassy of Switzerland in the Philippines’ website.
Jellybeans in the City 