As part of the Integrated Trade and Investment Campaign of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Taipei (PTIC-Taipei), with the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Young Farmers Challenge (YFC), Philippine agri-tech startups were prominently featured at InnoVEX 2025 held on 20-23 May 2025. The initiative was jointly organized with the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO). 

Three YFC startups — iCarus Agritech, Innov Smarter Agricultural Services, and Chaptu Farm Technology—represented the Philippines, in partnership with QBO Innovation Hub. Their participation highlighted cutting-edge solutions in precision farming, digital agriculture, and sustainable production. 

PTIC-Taipei facilitated a comprehensive program that included courtesy visits, investor meetings, pitch competitions, and networking events with Taiwanese innovation stakeholders. The delegation conducted technical visits with the Taiwan Cold Chain Association (TCCA), exploring future collaboration in cold chain and post-harvest logistics — key to strengthening the Philippine agri-value chain.  

Notably, Innov Smarter Agricultural Services entered advanced discussions with a European investor for a USD 100,000 trial project in Bulacan, with a potential signing scheduled for July 2025. 

The Philippine delegation successfully promoted local agricultural innovation while deepening trade and investment engagement with Taiwan.  This initiative also provided Philippine agri-tech startups with critical exposure to global innovation ecosystems, paving the way for investment, partnerships, and the modernization of Philippine agriculture. ♦

Date of Release: 09 June 2025