The TECH PLANTER Philippines 2024 Demo Day was a vibrant showcase of researchers and deep technology startups committed to driving meaningful change and making a global impact. Organised by Leave a Nest, the event facilitated pitching sessions and helped foster collaborations between emerging ventures and established corporations to create groundbreaking new businesses.
Launched in Japan in 2014 and introduced to the Philippines in 2016, the TECH PLANTER program has played a pivotal role in nurturing deep technology startups and supporting researchers, entrepreneurs, and individuals who are passionate about tackling complex issues.
The 8th TECH PLANTER Philippines focused on identifying and supporting local innovators dedicated to solving pressing social issues in agriculture, the environment, food, medicine, and other critical fields. The Demo Day, held on May 11, 2024, at the Frassati Auditorium, University of Santo Tomas, highlighted innovative ideas from the finalists, fostered new partnerships, and drove the development of solutions to entrenched challenges, playing a crucial role in nurturing innovation and facilitating meaningful collaborations within the local tech and startup ecosystem.
TECH PLANTER’s brief history and evolution
TECH PLANTER began as an acceleration program in Japan with the goal of supporting deep tech startups. During the 2000s, while the IT sector saw numerous successes, there was a noticeable lack of support for deep tech startups. Recognising this gap, one of TECH PLANTER’s founders aimed to build an ecosystem that would aid startups requiring extensive R&D and engage academic researchers eager to apply their technologies for societal benefit.
Developed in partnership with major Japanese corporations, professional businesses, and top-tier factories, TECH PLANTER has made significant progress. To date, it has engaged over 1,500 teams, collectively raising approximately $30 billion USD. By 2021, TECH PLANTER had established partnerships with 55 major corporations.
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The initiative includes rigorous acceleration programs, mentorship, and opportunities for startups to connect with industry leaders. It focuses on providing deep-tech startups with essential resources and support for successful growth and development.
Over the past 11 years, Leave a Nest has expanded the TECH PLANTER Program to Southeast Asia, addressing significant regional challenges. Founded in 2002 by a group of science and engineering researchers, Leave a Nest is a leading science and communication company in Japan, dedicated to bridging gaps in science through effective communication and leveraging advancements in science and technology to benefit society.
TECH PLANTER’s success stories and prominent alumni
TECH PLANTER has had a profound impact on startups, as demonstrated by the remarkable achievements of its alumni. For example, CRUST, founded in 2019, addresses food waste by converting discarded but edible food into beverages such as beer and sparkling drinks through innovative fermentation technology. CRUST, a finalist at Tech Planter Singapore 2021, later received investment from LVNS SG to enter the Japanese market.
Another notable success is Crown Digital, founded by Keith Tan, which created ELLA, an AI-powered robotic barista designed to tackle labour shortages in coffee shops. Since 2019, Leave a Nest Group and Enterprise Singapore have facilitated Crown Digital’s collaborations with Japanese companies, supporting its expansion in Japan and Singapore.
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Similarly, JALA Tech PTE, an Indonesia-based startup, focuses on sustainable shrimp aquaculture using proprietary hardware and data platforms, recently raising $6 million from investors like the Meloy Fund, Real Tech Fund, and Mirova.
These success stories underscore TECH PLANTER’s significant role in helping startups grow, secure investments, and expand into new markets. Participating startups benefit from increased visibility, access to funding and resources, and enhanced collaboration opportunities, all contributing to accelerated growth and successful market entry.
TECH PLANTER Philippines 2024 Winners
At the 2024 Demo Day, a diverse array of companies showcased their groundbreaking technologies.
LITHOS Manufacturing OPC demonstrated advancements in natural zeolite and bentonite processing, employing clay nanotechnology for wastewater treatment, veterinary care, and aquaculture. Filrobotics Technologies, Inc. introduced the AGROTIS Navigation System, a GPS-compatible technology for automating agricultural tractors. Abacawesome Burger Patty utilised waste abaca core to produce alternative protein meat patties, while Dali Innovative Solutions, Inc. applies AI to analyse weather and disaster indicators in power generation.
Other companies include Tacteam, which presented a piezoelectricity-based solution for converting kinetic energy into sustainable electricity. HESS unveiled a smart home energy management system using AI and machine learning, and Jeremake offered a low-cost, single-lens keychain microscope that magnifies samples from 125 to 400 times.
Additionally, BellyBond developed a local fetal heart rate monitor, and Bambuhay introduced a plantable toothbrush aimed at reducing plastic pollution and deforestation.
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Awards were presented to the top innovations: Filrobotics Technologies was honoured as the Grand Winner and received the Best Use of Technology Award for its AGROTIS System. Dali Innovative Solutions won the Leave a Nest Award for its energy and disaster preparedness work. HESS earned the Focus Systems Award for its energy management system, while Bambuhay received the SOHBI KOHGEI Award for its sustainable toothbrush. Both BellyBond and LITHOS Manufacturing OPC were also recognised by Flores & Ofrin for their promising technologies.
Attend these upcoming Leave a Nest events!
Leave a Nest Philippines is excited to launch the inaugural TECH PLANTER in Western Visayas. Higher education institutions, startups, and incubators from Visayas are invited to participate in VISAYAS TECH PLANTER 2024 where finalists will have an opportunity to present their ideas and engage in a Q&A with judges who will evaluate submissions based on novelty, practicability, potential for world-changing impact, and the passion of the team. The Demo Day is scheduled for August 10, 2024, at the Iloilo Convention Center.
If you are interested in knowing more and are keen to participate in similar programs happening in the Philippines, Leave a Nest will also be hosting the Tech Venture Meetup in the Philippines 2024 with the theme, “Deep Tech in the Philippines” slated on October 23, 2024 at the Philippine Innovation Hub, Makati City, and the Hyper Interdisciplinary Conference in the Philippines 2024 slated on November 9, 2024 (Metro Manila venue to be declared). For the Hyper Interdisciplinary Conference in the Philippines 2024, Leave a Nest is looking for applications from eligible researchers and deep tech startups who are interested in participating as presenters (deadline: August 31, 2024) as well as individuals who are affiliated with any academic and government institutions who want to attend the program free-of-charge.
For Leave a Nest program application information and updates, you may check out the official Leave a Nest Group on Facebook.
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