DOST-TAPI Opens Call for Startups Seeking Global Technology Exhibition Opportunities

Global Markets Begin With Global Exposure

For startups developing innovative technologies, building a successful product is only part of the journey. Reaching international customers, investors, and partners often requires visibility on the global stage.

To help Filipino innovators achieve this, the Department of Science and Technology–Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI) has opened a call for eligible startups to participate in its Science and Technology Promotion for International Contest and Exhibits (SPICE) Program.

The initiative aims to identify DOST-supported startups with the potential to represent the Philippines at international technology exhibitions, including IFA Berlin 2026 and other global innovation events.

Opening Doors for Philippine Innovations

The SPICE Program helps Philippine startups gain exposure beyond the local market by supporting participation in international exhibitions where innovators can showcase their technologies to investors, industry leaders, buyers, government agencies, and innovation ecosystems from around the world.

Rather than serving as a funding program, this call allows DOST-TAPI to assess the readiness and capacity of startups for future international engagements.

Selected participants may have the opportunity to demonstrate how Filipino-developed technologies can compete alongside innovations from leading technology ecosystems worldwide.

Who Can Apply?

The current call is open exclusively to startups that have previously received support through the following DOST programs:

• DOST Startup Grant Fund (SGF)

• Expanded Venture Financing (EVF) Program

• TECHNiCOM Program

Interested startups are encouraged to complete the expression of interest survey on or before 31 July 2026.

However, startups that have previously participated in DOST-TAPI-funded international exhibitions are no longer eligible under this call, allowing new innovators to access international opportunities.

It is also important to note that submitting an expression of interest does not guarantee selection but enables DOST-TAPI to include applicants in its pool of prospective exhibitors for future international events.

International Exhibitions Are More Than Product Showcases

Participating in global technology exhibitions provides startups with opportunities that extend beyond marketing.

International events expose founders to emerging industry trends, customer insights, investor networks, research collaborations, and commercialization opportunities that may not be readily available in domestic markets.

For technology startups, these events can accelerate product validation, open export opportunities, and establish partnerships that support long-term business growth.

Programs like SPICE help reduce one of the biggest barriers faced by early-stage startups—gaining access to international innovation ecosystems.

What This Means for Northern Luzon’s Innovation Ecosystem

Although the opportunity is open nationwide, it is particularly relevant for startups across Northern Luzon that have received DOST support through programs such as the Startup Grant Fund, TECHNiCOM, or Expanded Venture Financing.

As the region continues to produce more technology startups and research-driven enterprises, international exposure will become increasingly important for attracting investment, expanding markets, and demonstrating that innovations developed outside Metro Manila can compete globally.

The SPICE Program also reflects the growing maturity of the Philippine startup ecosystem. Beyond providing grants and research support, government agencies are now helping startups access international platforms where innovation, commercialization, and global partnerships intersect.

For founders, this represents an opportunity not only to showcase their technologies but also to position Philippine innovation within the broader global market.

Helping startups scale requires more than funding—it requires access to markets, networks, and opportunities beyond national borders. Through the SPICE Program, DOST-TAPI continues to support Filipino innovators as they take the next step toward global commercialization and international recognition.

Original Source

This article is based on the official call for interest released by the Department of Science and Technology–Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI) regarding the Science and Technology Promotion for International Contest and Exhibits (SPICE) Program, inviting eligible DOST-assisted startups to express their interest in participating in international technology exhibitions.

Market Context

International technology exhibitions have become critical platforms for startup growth, offering founders opportunities to validate products, meet investors, explore export markets, and build strategic partnerships. Countries with strong innovation ecosystems—including South Korea, Singapore, Germany, and Japan—regularly use global exhibitions to promote emerging technologies and attract international collaboration. In the Philippines, programs such as DOST-TAPI’s SPICE initiative help bridge the gap between local innovation and global commercialization by enabling startups to gain international exposure. As more Filipino startups develop globally competitive technologies, participation in international exhibitions can accelerate investment readiness, market expansion, and the country’s reputation as an emerging source of innovation.