Mindanao is undergoing a transformative shift toward sustainability, with the circular economy emerging as a key strategy for inclusive growth. At the forefront of this movement is Upgrade Innolab Inc., a Davao City-based nonprofit business incubator that has become a catalyst for green innovation by nurturing startups and social enterprises committed to environmental and social impact.
Why Mindanao Is Poised to Lead the Green Economy
Mindanao’s abundant natural resources and strategic initiatives position it as a prime hub for green economic development:
- Rich Renewable Energy Resources: The island boasts significant potential in hydropower, geothermal, and solar energy. Notably, the Pulangi IV Hydroelectric Plant in Bukidnon contributes 25% of Mindanao’s power needs, and the Mount Apo Geothermal Power Plant adds 106 MW to the grid, underscoring the region’s capacity for sustainable energy production.
- Agricultural Abundance: Mindanao contributes approximately 40% of the Philippines’ agricultural output, producing key commodities like bananas, pineapples, and rubber. This agricultural strength provides a solid foundation for agro-industrial ventures that align with circular economy principles.
- Strategic Development Plans: The Mindanao 2020 Peace and Development Framework Plan emphasizes an ecosystem-based approach to development, integrating environmental sustainability with economic growth. This comprehensive plan supports initiatives that promote renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and natural resource management.
Upgrade Innolab: Incubating Green Solutions
Established in 2018 under the DOST-PCIEERD HEIRIT Program, Upgrade Innolab has evolved into a private nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering inclusive entrepreneurship and innovation in Mindanao. It supports early and growth-stage startups with a strong emphasis on sustainability, social impact, and regional development.
Over the past years, Upgrade Innolab has garnered national recognition for its work:
- DOST Kabalikat Awardee (2023) – for outstanding partnership in regional innovation.
- DOST-PCIEERD Home of Global Startups Awardee (2024) – for supporting globally competitive, tech-based startups.
- Outstanding Private Business Incubator in Region XI (2022–2023) – cited for inclusive entrepreneurship and ecosystem leadership.
Furthermore, Upgrade Innolab co-created the Region 11 Startup Consortium with the University of the Philippines Mindanao, which received a Presidential Award as Outstanding Development Partner for expanding access to innovation and technology across Southern Philippines.
Spotlight on Circular Economy Startups
Several enterprises accelerated through Upgrade Innolab exemplify how the circular economy can be both mission-aligned and market-ready:
- Waste4Good – Converts biowaste into eco-friendly fertilizer using its proprietary Compost Activator Solution (CAS), enabling regenerative agriculture and zero-waste systems.
- Plantbox PH – Promotes sustainable urban agriculture through modular planters made from upcycled materials, bringing edible gardens into homes and schools.
- Next2Fly – turns organic waste into eco-feeds for poultry and fish also producing frass fertilizer.
- Ryori – an operation management system that helps restaurants increase profitability, achieve productivity, and practice sustainability by reducing food waste, and use of paperless transactions.
- Sureplus – Tackles systemic food waste by connecting businesses with surplus goods to underserved communities, transforming excess into equity.
- Mustard Industrial Inc. – Upcycles industrial waste into construction-ready materials, closing the loop in manufacturing and reducing landfill pressure.
Each of these startups began with a local insight and scaled with the help of Upgrade’s tailored incubation support—spanning mentorship, funding linkages, piloting, and ecosystem exposure.
Redefining Mindanao’s Green Economy Future
Beyond incubation, Upgrade Innolab actively shapes the regional startup ecosystem through multi-stakeholder collaboration. Through initiatives like IDEAS Davao, the Startup Investors Community, and flagship events like Davao Startup Week, the incubator fosters cross-sector collaboration for climate-smart innovation.
“We believe that the green economy is not just a global imperative, but a regional opportunity. By enabling local innovators to create circular, climate-smart solutions, we’re planting the seeds of a more resilient and inclusive Mindanao,” said Richard R. Day, President of Upgrade Innolab Inc.
As more startups take root in the region with circularity at their core, Upgrade Innolab’s work proves that sustainability can be both scalable and transformative—grounded in the realities of Mindanao and aligned with national and global development goals.
