CHED-CAR and DTI-CAR Open Applications for YEP–Project MARITES Batch 2026 to Develop the Next Generation of Young Entrepreneurs

Every Successful Entrepreneur Starts Somewhere

Behind every successful business is a founder who was once searching for guidance, opportunities, and the confidence to take the first step.

To help nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs in the Cordillera, CHED-CAR and DTI-CAR have opened applications for YEP–Project MARITES Batch 2026, a free entrepreneurship development program designed to equip aspiring founders with the knowledge, mentorship, and networks needed to launch and grow their own businesses.

The program will select 40 mentees from across the Cordillera Administrative Region, providing participants with intensive entrepreneurship training led by experienced mentors and industry practitioners.

Building Entrepreneurial Skills Beyond the Classroom

YEP–Project MARITES is designed to bridge the gap between entrepreneurial ambition and practical business experience.

Selected mentees will have the opportunity to:

• Learn business fundamentals from industry experts.

• Receive mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and business leaders.

• Build connections with fellow aspiring founders.

• Develop the skills and confidence needed to transform business ideas into viable enterprises.

The four-day training program will be held September 1 to 4, 2026, providing participants with practical learning experiences that go beyond traditional classroom instruction.

Rather than simply teaching business concepts, the program encourages participants to develop an entrepreneurial mindset while learning how to identify opportunities, validate ideas, and prepare for launching a business.

Supporting Students and Young Entrepreneurs Across the Cordillera

The program consists of two pathways that support both higher education students and aspiring young entrepreneurs.

Under Project MARITES, 30 mentees will be selected from participating State Universities and Colleges and Private Higher Education Institutions across the Cordillera, including:

• Benguet State University

• Ifugao State University

• Kalinga State University

• Mountain Province State University

• Abra State Institute of Sciences and Technology

• Apayao State College

• Private Higher Education Institutions

Applicants must:

• Be beneficiaries of the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) or Tulong Dunong Program (TDP-TES) for Academic Year 2026–2027.

• Not have previously participated in Project MARITES or the Youth Entrepreneurship Program.

• Preferably have an existing startup business or business idea.

• Demonstrate commitment to completing the training.

• Show a strong interest in starting a business after the program.

Meanwhile, the Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP) will select 10 mentees from youth aged 18 to 30 years old, including in-school youth, out-of-school youth, and Indigenous youth who are interested in entrepreneurship, regardless of whether they already operate a business.

The program particularly welcomes aspiring entrepreneurs with little or no prior business experience who are eager to learn and committed to completing the training.

Applications Are Now Open

Applications for YEP–Project MARITES Batch 2026 are open from July 27 to August 14, 2026.

Interested applicants may submit their applications through the official registration link:

🔗 Application Form:
https://bit.ly/YEPMARITESBATCH2026

Only 40 mentees will be selected for this year’s batch.

Why Mentorship Matters in Entrepreneurship

Starting a business involves more than having a good idea.

Many aspiring entrepreneurs struggle with developing business models, understanding customers, managing finances, and navigating the early stages of building a company.

Programs like YEP–Project MARITES help address these challenges by connecting participants with experienced mentors who can provide guidance based on real entrepreneurial experience.

Mentorship also helps founders avoid common mistakes, expand their professional networks, and gain practical insights that are difficult to learn through self-study alone.

What This Means for Northern Luzon’s Innovation Ecosystem

Building a stronger innovation ecosystem begins by investing in people.

While startup funding and innovation programs are important, long-term ecosystem growth depends on developing entrepreneurs who have the knowledge, confidence, and support to build sustainable businesses.

The partnership between CHED-CAR and DTI-CAR demonstrates how government agencies can work together to strengthen the region’s entrepreneurial pipeline by supporting young founders before they launch their ventures.

Equally important is the program’s inclusive approach. By welcoming students, Indigenous youth, out-of-school youth, and aspiring entrepreneurs from across the Cordillera, YEP–Project MARITES helps expand access to entrepreneurship education and creates opportunities for innovation beyond traditional business communities.

As Northern Luzon continues to strengthen its startup and innovation ecosystem, programs like this will play an important role in developing founders who can create jobs, solve local challenges, and contribute to the region’s long-term economic growth.

Every successful entrepreneur starts with a willingness to learn. Through YEP–Project MARITES Batch 2026, aspiring founders across the Cordillera are being given the opportunity to build the skills, networks, and confidence needed to transform ideas into businesses that create lasting impact.

Original Source

This article is based on information released by the Commission on Higher Education – Cordillera Administrative Region (CHED-CAR) and the Department of Trade and Industry – Cordillera Administrative Region (DTI-CAR) regarding the Call for Mentees for YEP–Project MARITES Batch 2026, inviting eligible students and young entrepreneurs to participate in a free entrepreneurship and mentorship program.

Market Context

Entrepreneurship development programs have become an important strategy for strengthening regional innovation ecosystems by equipping aspiring founders with practical business skills before they launch their ventures. Research consistently shows that mentorship, entrepreneurship education, and peer learning improve startup survival rates and increase entrepreneurial confidence. In the Philippines, initiatives like the Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP) help expand access to entrepreneurship among students, Indigenous youth, and first-time founders. For Northern Luzon, programs such as YEP–Project MARITES contribute to building a stronger pipeline of entrepreneurs who can create new businesses, generate employment, and drive inclusive economic growth across the region.