Press Release
Taiwan has officially launched “Go Healthy with Taiwan 2026” contest in the Philippines, inviting Filipino innovators, professionals, entrepreneurs, researchers, students, government agencies, media organizations, academic institutions, and private sector companies to submit breakthrough ideas that can help build healthier communities and improve quality of life around the world.
Organized by Taiwan through the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), Go Healthy with Taiwan 2026 is a global contest that seeks creative and innovative concepts in healthcare and wellness. Three Global Champions will each receive a US$30,000 cash prize and international recognition.
The Philippine launch gathered key officials from the government, academia, entrepreneurship, innovation ecosystems, and the media, reflecting a collaborative commitment to advancing health and wellness.
More than a contest: An advocacy campaign for healthier futures
During the launch, Claire Yang, Director of Taiwan Trade Center Manila, emphasized that Go Healthy with Taiwan is more than a competition. It is a global advocacy rooted in Taiwan’s commitment to health, wellness, and innovation. Widely recognized for its strong healthcare ecosystem, advanced healthcare technologies, and innovative approach to wellness, Taiwan hopes to inspire more countries and communities to prioritize healthier living as an essential part of progress.
“Go Healthy with Taiwan is not simply about winning a prize. It is about inspiring people to create solutions that can improve the quality of life. Taiwan believes that innovation can come from every sector of society, and we have great confidence in the creativity and ingenuity of Filipinos to make a meaningful impact globally,” said Director Yang.
Filipinos have proven they can win
Taiwan officials noted that Filipinos have consistently demonstrated excellence in previous international competitions organized by TAITRA.
In 2022, under the “Sharing is Caring” campaign, a Cebu-based NGO emerged as a Global Champion and received a ₱7.5 million implementation fund for its educational CSR initiative.
In 2024, students from Silliman University became one of the global winners of “Go Green with Taiwan” environmental CSR idea contest, earning a US$20,000 cash prize.
These achievements have reinforced the Philippines’ reputation as one of the strongest-performing countries in Taiwan’s global innovation initiatives.
StartUp Village PH President and Co-Founder Carlo Calimon; SCALE NCR Founding Member and Partnerships and Investor Relations Lead Margarita N.S. Caparas; Taiwan Trade Center Manila Director Claire Yang; Mapúa University President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Dodjie S. Maestrecampo; and DOST-NCR Regional Director Engr. Romelen T. Tresvalles
Innovation ecosystems working together
The 2026 campaign brings together a distinguished coalition of institutions at the forefront of science, technology, entrepreneurship, and education, united by a common vision.
Engr. Romelen T. Tresvalles, Regional Director of DOST-NCR, highlighted the importance of creating opportunities that enable Filipino innovators to transform ideas into impactful solutions. “Filipinos are known worldwide for their ingenuity, creativity, and excellence, and these qualities are reflected in our growing innovation ecosystem. Through initiatives such as Go Healthy with Taiwan, our researchers, startups, and innovators gain opportunities to collaborate with global partners, exchange knowledge, and develop solutions that address pressing health and wellness challenges. These engagements not only showcase Filipino ingenuity on the global stage but also strengthen the innovation ecosystems and partnerships needed to translate ideas into meaningful societal impact.”
For SCALE NCR, Margarita N.S. Caparas, Founding Member and Partnerships and Investor Relations Lead, emphasized the role of innovation ecosystems in bringing ideas to life. “Some of the most transformative ideas emerge when innovators are connected to the right ecosystem of partners, mentors, and supporters. Go Healthy with Taiwan creates an opportunity for innovators to develop solutions with global relevance and impact.”
Meanwhile, Carlo Calimon, President and Co-Founder of StartUp Village PH, encouraged entrepreneurs to view healthcare and wellness as fertile grounds for innovation. “The future of health and wellness will be shaped by bold ideas and collaborative innovation. We hope this initiative inspires more entrepreneurs and changemakers to develop solutions that address real-world challenges.”
From the academic sector, Dr. Dodjie S. Maestrecampo, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Mapúa University, emphasized the vital role of education and research in addressing societal needs. “Universities play a critical role in nurturing future innovators and generating research that clearly defines the problems. Through initiatives like Go Healthy with Taiwan, students, researchers, and educators are encouraged to transform knowledge into meaningful solutions.”
Anyone can easily join: No thesis, no prototype, no pilot run required
One of the contest’s most attractive features is its accessibility. Participants can join in three simple steps:
- Develop an innovative healthcare and wellness idea.
- Integrate the concept with any product, technology, or solution featured on the Taiwan Excellence website.
- Simply fill-out the Go Healthy with Taiwan eForm.
Unlike traditional innovation competitions, participants are not required to submit a thesis, prototype, business plan, or pilot implementation. The completed eForm already serves as the contest entry.
Call for entries now open
Go Healthy with Taiwan 2026 is open to all professionals, entrepreneurs, researchers, students, government agencies, media organizations, corporations, NGOs, academic institutions, and innovation communities.
As Taiwan and the Philippines continue to strengthen collaboration in healthcare, technology, innovation, and education, organizers are optimistic that the next globally recognized idea could once again come from the Philippines.
For more information and contest updates, interested participants may follow Taiwan Excellence on social media (FB: @TaiwanExcellence.ph, IG: @taiwanexcellence_ph, LinkedIn: taiwan-excellence), or reach out to the Contest Secretariat via email at gohealthywithtaiwan@fireballcomms.com, or mobile +63 917 150 0733 and +63 915 484 3723.
