FIVE youth-led Filipino agribusiness startups showcased their products at a summit in Singapore to draw investors and business partners and explore overseas markets, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Monday.
The Asia-Pacific Agrifood Innovation Summit 2026, held Oct. 27-29 at the Suntec Convention Centre, brought together industry leaders, innovators, researchers, and investors to discuss technologies and partnerships.
The summit formed part of Singapore International Agri-Food Week.
The Philippine delegation was supported by the DA’s Young Farmers Challenge (YFC), a program that helps Filipinos establish and expand agriculture and fisheries businesses. The DA’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service led the delegation with the Philippine Agriculture Office in Bangkok.
The participating startups were L’Reinvente, which turns agricultural by-products into skincare products while providing livelihoods for farmers and marginalized communities; Negros Oriental-based CHER Cacao Products Manufacturing, which produces bean-to-bar chocolate using locally sourced cacao; and Bluecrust Food Manufacturing, which processes crustaceans into higher-value food products.
Also joining were Aelius, which makes coconut-based wellness products; and Y’Nut Food Products, which develops food products from locally grown peanuts.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., who attended the summit, said exposure to international markets and innovations could help the entrepreneurs expand their businesses.
The goal is to help them “create jobs and attract more investment in agriculture,” he said.
Agriculture Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra said young entrepreneurs were finding ways to turn local resources into higher-value products, develop sustainable solutions and connect Philippine agriculture to regional and global markets.
The five startups met with entrepreneurs, industry leaders and prospective partners from across the Asia-Pacific region, opening opportunities for collaboration, investment, and market access.
They also attended sessions on food systems, biomanufacturing, regenerative agriculture, and food traceability.
