The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) invites students, professionals, startups, entrepreneurs, and private sector actors to join the Space Business Innovation Challenge (SBIC) 2025 – a nationwide business ideation and prototyping competition that empowers Filipino innovators to build sustainable and impactful solutions using free satellite data like Earth observation, weather, and environmental datasets.

These datasets hold great potential to solve real-world challenges across sectors such as, but not limited to, agriculture, disaster resilience, energy, mining, supply chain and logistics, land-use and real estate planning, financial and risk management services, and tourism.

Set to be officially launched during Philippine Space Week, this year’s challenge will include a four-week online mentorship program led by experts across industry, academia, and government sectors. Participants will propose their own space-data-powered solutions, and top finalists will compete in a final pitch event for cash prizes.

Applications are open from 11 August to 16 October 2025. We encourage early registration before 12 September 2025 to ensure participants can benefit from the full series of mentoring sessions, including the breakout rooms with experts accessible exclusively to registered participants.

Let your space-powered business idea take flight! Join the challenge and help shape the future of space-powered innovation in the Philippines.

From pixels to prototypes— let’s turn space data into impact!

Register now: SBIC Application Form. Only registered participants will receive the submission form link.

ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS

The SBIC 2025 is open to an individual or a team with a maximum of five (5) members. The challenge has the following categories:

Student Category:

Participants under this category must clearly frame the problem and provide an innovative application of satellite data as a solution. The concept should also demonstrate potential for development into future prototypes or ventures.

Who may apply?

• Must be a Filipino citizen by birth and currently residing in the Philippines.
• Currently enrolled senior high school and undergraduate college students with tech-based ideas or projects.

Professional Category:

Professional participants developing actual technology-based solutions that utilize satellite data must demonstrate a functional prototype of their solution– showcasing its practical application and technical viability –with clear potential for real-world impact and scalability.

Who may apply?

• Must be a Filipino citizen by birth and currently residing in the Philippines.
• Graduate students
• Startup founders and aspiring technology entrepreneurs.
• Software developers and data analysts.
• Micro and small enterprises exploring satellite data applications in their operations or services.

KEY DATES AND MENTORSHIP TRACK (tentative schedule)

Note: The challenge will feature a four-week online mentorship program, designed to guide participants through effective use of satellite data and development of satellite-based business solutions. Weekly sessions will include online plenary discussions to be delivered by technical and industry experts, followed by breakout rooms for focused mentoring.

Other details will be explained during the orientation session.

DELIVERABLES

Upon completion of the mentoring sessions, participants must submit the following deliverables to be qualified for the challenge.

Deadline for deliverables: 20 October 2025 at 11:59 AM

All submissions shall be screened and evaluated based on completeness, relevance of the solution to the problem, innovativeness in integrating satellite data, and market potential. The top participants with submissions that meet these criteria will be invited into the final round.

Changes, modifications, and enhancements of the materials submitted are allowed prior to the final judging.

Deadline for final deliverables: 05 November 2025 at 11:59 PM

While teams may propose their own innovative ideas and solutions aligned with local needs and sectoral priorities, a reference list for illustrative examples of potential satellite-based data business concepts across sectors is available in Annex A to guide ideation and prototyping.

PRIZES

Five (5) finalists will be selected from each category and will have a chance to win huge cash prizes.

APPLICATION PROCESS

All applications and supporting documents must be submitted through the online application portal.

1. Accomplish the official SBIC 2025 Application Form. Please check the link at the bottom of this page.
2. Prepare the following supporting documentation and upload through the portal:
   For students:
   • School ID
   • Proof of enrollment for A.Y. 2025–2026
   • School endorsement (insert endorsement form to be signed by the School Principal/College Dean)
   • Parents’ consent, for applicants under 18 years old

   For professionals:

   • Passport size ID picture
   • Any government-issued ID
   • Company or business profile
   • Valid TIN required (for individual: BIR Form No. 1901/1904 or business)
   • BIR/SEC registration preferred for operating entities

PARTICIPATION TERMS AND CONDITIONS

By participating in SBIC 2025, each participant, team, and their respective members, hereby acknowledge and agree to the following terms and conditions:

• Participants will retain full ownership of their intellectual property, while mentors and judges shall not claim any rights to submitted ideas.
• PhilSA may use team names, logos, or descriptions for promotional purposes.
• All participation-related expenses are the responsibility of the participating teams.
• Disqualification may result from plagiarism, misrepresentation, or failure to follow the challenge guidelines.
• Participation does not imply PhilSA’s endorsement, warranty, or guarantee of the safety, reliability, or effectiveness of any solution or prototype. Participants are solely responsible for ensuring the legality and functionality of their own projects.
• PhilSA is not liable for any damages or losses related to participation.

Note: PhilSA reserves the right to reclassify applicants into categories that best align with their qualifications and experience to ensure fair competition, as well as also reserves the right to refuse applications that are not aligned with the objectives of the program.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Get quick answers to common questions about the Space Business Innovation Challenge (SBIC) 2025, including eligibility, application process, contest mechanics, mentorship, and final pitching. 

Access the FAQs here 

Do not miss your chance to turn satellite data into impactful solutions! Join the mission this August 2025 and be part of the next wave of Filipino innovators building a space-powered future for the nation.

For questions or concerns, please email the Space Business Development Division at sbdd@philsa.gov.ph or catch us during Philippine Space Week on 08-10 August 2025 to learn more about the challenge and how to get involved.