The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has officially announced the launch of the Philippine Startup Challenge (PSC) 2026. As a flagship initiative under the Digital Startup Development and Acceleration Program (DSDAP), this nationwide competition aims to inspire young Filipino innovators to transform tech-driven concepts into viable, social-impact business ventures.
Open to Senior High School, College, and Tech-Voc students, PSC 2026 encourages participants to tackle real-world challenges through Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Competing teams will present solutions spanning artificial intelligence, agricultural technology, digital health, and sustainable development.
The competition progresses through multi-stage regional pitching rounds, with top teams advancing to the national finals. Beyond titles, finalists gain direct access to industry mentorship, networking with tech leaders, and potential funding avenues to scale their prototypes.
By empowering youth to pursue entrepreneurship alongside traditional career paths, DICT reinforces the country’s growing startup ecosystem under the Innovative Startup Act. Students across the country are invited to form teams, submit their proposals, and help shape the future of Philippine digital innovation.
Interested applicants can find your region below to access the corresponding application form;
- National Capital Region: https://lnkd.in/gxGe5e84
- Cordillera Administrative Region: https://lnkd.in/gFNuhvj6
- Region I – Ilocos Region: https://lnkd.in/ggSSYqvd
- Region II – Cagayan Valley: https://lnkd.in/gDgSiQVc
- Region III – Central Luzon: https://lnkd.in/gzr3tdAB
- Region IV‑A – CALABARZON: https://lnkd.in/gmrSX7s3
- MIMAROPA: https://lnkd.in/g9ztM9Zf
- Region V – Bicol Region: https://lnkd.in/gFTnzNTZ
- NIR – Negros Island Region: https://lnkd.in/gZfKEQbh
- Region VI – Western Visayas: https://lnkd.in/gzBpeKrH
- Region VII – Central Visayas: https://lnkd.in/gMbahfmG
- Region VIII – Eastern Visayas: https://lnkd.in/gSYzVvnD
- Region IX – Zamboanga Peninsula: https://lnkd.in/gk86r53m
- Region X – Northern Mindanao: https://lnkd.in/gtU4hEgs
- Region XI – Davao Region: https://lnkd.in/gKtyjbSe
- Region XII – SOCCSKSARGEN: https://lnkd.in/gQEKb98H
- Region XIII – Caraga: https://lnkd.in/gP9XAZUM
- BARMM – Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao: https://lnkd.in/g6f5aARW
For more information on Philippine Startup Challenge 2026, please visit the Philippine Startup Challenge 2026 official website at https://iidb2026.my.canva.site/psc-xi-website