6 Filipino innovations showcased at inaugural Hong Kong tech expo

MANILA, Philippines — Six homegrown technologies in food innovation, agriculture, wearable cooling, artificial intelligence, assistive communication and digital recruitment represented the Philippines at the inaugural LEAP East Hong Kong 2026, as the government stepped up efforts to bring locally developed innovations to international markets.

The Philippine delegation presented the technologies to an international audience of investors, multinational companies, technology leaders, government agencies, startups and research institutions, highlighting the country’s capacity to develop globally competitive solutions across industries.

The mission was supported by the Department of Science and Technology’s Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI) through its Science and Technology Promotion for International Contest and Exhibit (SPICE) Program.

It sought to expose Philippine innovations to global markets while creating opportunities for business matching, partnerships, commercialization and investment.

According to DOST-TAPI, the delegation “generated new international business leads, established strategic connections with potential partners and investors, and gained valuable market insights” throughout the exhibition.

The technologies addressed challenges in sustainability, food systems, workforce development, digital transformation, agriculture, assistive technology and artificial intelligence.

Representing the country were DOST-TAPI-assisted startups KoolGear, PasaJob, Pic-A-Talk, CirPro Innovations and Fullmight Corp., along with iCOUNT, recipient of the DOST-TAPI National Invention Contest and Exhibition (NICE) 2026 Sibol Award for Outstanding Student Creative Research in the college category.

Showcasing Filipino technologies

According to DOST-TAPI, the exhibition served as more than a venue for displaying products.

“The mission enabled Filipino innovators to showcase their technologies to a diverse international audience composed of startups, investors, multinational companies, government agencies, and research institutions,” the institute said in a statement.

“Through business matching, networking sessions, and technology exhibits, the delegation explored potential collaborations, market opportunities, and pathways for expanding Filipino innovations into regional and global markets,” it added.

Throughout the event, the delegation engaged prospective partners while promoting locally developed technologies designed to address real-world challenges across industries.

“The participation reinforced DOST-TAPI’s commitment to accelerating the internationalization of Filipino innovations by creating opportunities for technology promotion, market validation, partnership development, and future commercialization initiatives through its SPICE Program,” the institute said.

Six innovations across diverse sectors

The technologies showcased in Hong Kong reflected the breadth of Philippine research and innovation — from agricultural biotechnology and functional food ingredients to artificial intelligence, assistive communication, workforce technology and wearable cooling systems.

Limontene Liquid Pectin

Developed by CirPro Innovations, Limontene Liquid Pectin transforms discarded calamansi peels into plant-based liquid pectin that can serve as a stabilizer, texturizer and gelling agent in food and beverage formulations.

The technology demonstrates how agricultural waste can be converted into value-added food ingredients while supporting sustainability and circular economy practices.

According to DOST-TAPI’s official product profile, the innovation offers the following features:

• Versatile plant-based ingredient
• Multifunctional and easily adoptable formulation
• Extended product shelf life
• High-yield agricultural upcycling
• Simultaneous byproduct extraction

The product is positioned as a functional food ingredient extracted from upcycled calamansi peels, combining food innovation with agricultural waste utilization.

KoolGear

Another featured technology was KoolGear, a lightweight, wearable thermoelectric cooling device designed to rapidly reduce whole-body thermal discomfort.

The device uses solid-state thermal engineering and automatic thermo-conditioning while maintaining a lightweight, ergonomic form.

Its official product profile highlights the following features:

• Solid-state thermal engineering
• Ultra-low-power mode
• Automatic thermo-conditioning
• Lightweight, ergonomic design
• Extended runtime session

The technology addresses the growing demand for wearable cooling solutions in hot work environments and outdoor conditions.

Nutrio Wonder

Representing agricultural biotechnology was Nutrio Wonder, a microbial-based foliar biofertilizer developed from the beneficial endophytic bacterium Enterobacter sacchari.

The formulation is intended to support plant nutrition while helping reduce dependence on conventional chemical fertilizers.

Its official product profile lists the following advantages:

• Maximum yields
• Multicrop application
• Microbial system
• Direct foliar delivery
• Reduced chemical fertilizer use
• Stable powder formulation

The technology reflects continuing efforts to develop more sustainable agricultural inputs using beneficial microorganisms.

PasaJob

Digital workforce innovation was represented by PasaJob, described as a digital, incentive-driven, long-chain job referral platform connecting employers with qualified candidates.

The platform incorporates a referral ecosystem designed to expand recruitment networks while rewarding users through digital incentives.

DOST-TAPI’s official material highlights the following features:

• Superapp ecosystem integration
• Long-chain recruitment framework
• Dual incentive structure
• E-wallet reward disbursement
• Automated reward halving

The platform seeks to improve talent matching through digital referral mechanisms.

iCOUNT

Artificial intelligence was also featured through iCOUNT, an AI-powered smart poultry system designed to improve poultry unloading operations.

According to its official product profile, the system combines computer vision, optical counting, thermal imaging and edge computing to automate chick counting while detecting mortality.

Its features include:

• Multi-object counting accuracy
• Thermal mortality detection
• Zero-connectivity edge computing
• Modular conveyor compatibility
• Automated data management

The technology aims to improve efficiency, counting accuracy and biosecurity during poultry operations.

Pic-A-Talk

Completing the Philippine lineup was Pic-A-Talk, an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) application developed to assist people with speech and language challenges.

The mobile application uses visual symbols and picture-supported vocabulary to help users communicate in different contexts.

According to its official product profile, the application offers:

• User-centered interface
• Text-to-speech functionality
• Symbol-based communication
• Customizable communication boards
• Multicontext communication support

The technology reflects the growing role of inclusive digital innovations in supporting people with communication disabilities. 

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Building international connections

DOST-TAPI said participation in international technology exhibitions extends beyond product promotion.

According to the institute, the Hong Kong mission forms part of its continuing efforts to accelerate the internationalization of Filipino innovations by creating opportunities for technology promotion, market validation, partnership development and future commercialization through the SPICE Program.

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Philippine Consul General in Hong Kong Romulo Victor Israel Jr. also emphasized the value of international technology platforms.

“This is a platform where we can interact with international companies and explore opportunities for our country to develop the innovation industry in the Philippines and to invite more investors to come to the Philippines,” Israel said.

Expanding the reach of Philippine innovation

For Filipino startups, participation in international technology events extends beyond showcasing products.

According to DOST-TAPI, these engagements allow innovators to benchmark their technologies against global developments, better understand industry trends, validate market demand and build relationships that can support research collaboration, technology transfer, business growth and future investment.

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Such opportunities, the institute said, are essential to helping Philippine innovations transition from locally developed solutions into globally