![\"Finalist\nGlenda](\"https:\/\/pacificposts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/codeimg-810.jpg\")
<\/p>\nEco-conscious start-ups are proving that the future of business is green. A dynamic group of food and non-food innovators emerged as finalists in “Future Proof: The Green Innovation Pitch”\u2014the first-ever start-up pitching competition under the Sustainability Solutions Exchange (SSX) at the recently concluded IFEX Philippines 2026.<\/p>\n
Eco-conscious start-ups are proving that the future of business is
\ngreen. A dynamic group of food and non-food innovators emerged as
\nfinalists in “Future Proof: The Green Innovation Pitch”\u2014the
\nfirst-ever start-up pitching competition under the Sustainability Solutions
\nExchange (SSX) at the recently concluded IFEX Philippines 2026. <\/p>\n
The following
\nstart-up leaders delivered the most persuasive pitches of the contest\u2019s
\nsemi-final stage:<\/p>\n
\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Arlyn Jubilee Kalsim of GNS Enterprises, a
\nstart-up with sustainable programs transforming waste into valuable, customized
\nproducts <\/p>\n
\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Glenda Esperidal of Green Beauty and Wellness, a
\nsocial enterprise promoting natural health and beauty<\/p>\n
\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Czar Carbonael of Magwai, a producer of reef-safe
\nsunscreen<\/p>\n
\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Wilma Alvester of FLQ Foods and Panciteria,
\nproducer of cassava powder, cassava polvoron, and cassava crunchies, works with
\ncommunity farmers to ensure a sustainable future for cassava production<\/p>\n
\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mark Sultan Gersava of D\u2019 Sustainable Planet, a
\nsocial enterprise using bamboo and technology to provide eco-friendly solutions.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A final round of
\npitching will be held during the full-scale SSX Conference in October 2026,
\nwhere two overall winners will be chosen. In addition to monetary prizes,
\nvictors will be named delegates to SDG Asia 2027 in Taiwan.\u00a0 <\/p>\n
\u201cFuture Proof\u201d
\ngathered a total of eight startups presenting sustainability-driven products
\nand business models across different industries. Each startup was given eight
\nminutes to present its products, scalability potential, and social impact.
\nMembers of the competition\u2019s Technical Working Group (TWG) then conducted a
\nseven-minute question-and-answer session with each participant.<\/p>\n
Other
\nparticipants included DEMAF 3D Printing Hub, Veronica Trabilla Upcycling, and
\nBuenavita Food Product. <\/p>\n
The TWG was
\ncomposed of Theodore Cacayan of the Ateneo Institute of Sustainability, Alwyn
\nJoy Rosel of IdeaSpace\/QBO Innovation Hub, and Zedrick Avecilla of Philippine
\nAlliance for Recycling and Materials Sustainability (PARMS). To prepare for the
\nfinals, the start-up finalists will attend two TWG mentorship sessions between
\nJune and September to sharpen their business strategies and presentations. <\/p>\n
An initiative of
\nthe Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the
\npitching competition was designed to support outstanding, market-ready
\nsustainable solutions to build a more resilient future. In her welcome remarks,
\nIFEX Philippines Project Director Rowena Mendoza detailed that the contest was
\na measure to connect start-ups with experts, investors, and potential
\npartners\u2013figures to help achieve their vision.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to boost
\nstart-ups on the verge of breakthroughs, providing networking opportunities to
\nhelp you reach your potential,\u201d Mendoza said. She added that the competition
\nreflects SSX\u2019s goal of promoting enterprises that create a positive
\nenvironmental and social impact.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday\u2019s
\ncompetition can be a game-changer\u2014a doorway to stronger partnerships and real
\nmarket traction for your ideas,\u201d Mendoza declared.<\/p>\n
Reflecting on
\nSSX\u2019s growth, CITEM Executive Director Leah Pulido Ocampo said she was honored
\nto see the platform\u2013her brainchild\u2013garner support from promising start-ups.
\n\u201cFrom the very beginning, the principal objective of SSX has been to support
\nour sustainability-oriented enterprises,\u201d Ocampo explained. \u201cThis is anchored
\nin our belief that circularity and sustainability are essential to achieving
\nglobal competitiveness.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe look forward
\nto seeing the contest yield opportunities for these great thinkers and
\ninnovators,\u201d Ocampo continued. \u201cMoving forward, CITEM will continue to affirm
\nits commitment to sustainability, developing initiatives to advance the
\nPhilippines\u2019 green agenda.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spotlighting
\n\u201cTropical Flavors for the World,\u201d IFEX Philippines 2026 featured more than 500
\nexhibitors from the Philippines and overseas across key food product
\ncategories. Returning as a specialized feature, SSX highlights technologies,
\nsystems, and business models that support circularity and resilience in the
\nfood industry in line with the country\u2019s green agenda.<\/p>\n
The SSX Conference will run from October 15 to 17, 2026 at the
\nPhilippine Trade Training Center (PTTC), concurrent with the staging of the
\n74th Manila FAME at the World Trade Center Metro Manila. As an expanded
\nconference platform, SSX will broaden the sustainability conversation by
\npromoting circular models across the lifestyle, home, and fashion sectors, as
\nwell as smart cities. The program will feature technical discussions,
\ninteractive sessions, and knowledge-sharing activities designed to complement
\nManila FAME\u2019s showcase of Philippine design, craftsmanship, and innovation. <\/p>\n
Learn more about
\ntransformative green solutions at sustainability.ph.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Eco-conscious start-ups are proving that the future of business is green. A dynamic group of food and non-food innovators emerged as finalists in “Future Proof: The Green Innovation Pitch”\u2014the first-ever start-up pitching competition under the Sustainability Solutions Exchange (SSX) at the recently concluded IFEX Philippines 2026. Eco-conscious start-ups are proving that the future of business […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":48493,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-48492","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-philippines"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pacificposts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48492","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pacificposts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pacificposts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pacificposts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pacificposts.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=48492"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/pacificposts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48492\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pacificposts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/48493"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pacificposts.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=48492"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pacificposts.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=48492"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pacificposts.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=48492"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}