UNLEASH Philippines Innovation Lab & Prototyping Program

UNLEASH aims at supporting innovators in the Philippines with the potential to solve some of the world’s most complex environmental, economic, and societal challenges.

About UNLEASH Philippines Innovation Lab & Prototyping Program

Opportunity Details

Date Published: June 24, 2025
Application Deadline: July 02, 2025
Category:
Oppotunity Locations: Philippines
Eligible Locations: Philippines

UNLEASH Philippines is the first stage of LIF Launchpad, an initiative from the Royal Academy of Engineering. This three-month, early-stage program is aimed at supporting innovators in the Philippines with the potential to solve some of the world’s most complex environmental, economic, and societal challenges.

The Philippines is emerging as a powerful force in tech-driven innovation, fueled by a dynamic community of changemakers eager to tackle prominent social challenges. UNLEASH in partnership with Leaders in Innovation Fellwoships (LIF) from the Royal Academy of Engineering aims to support Filipino innovators in their journey to create sustainable solutions for their communities, and beyond.

The UNLEASH Regional Innovation Lab in the Philippines will take place in Manila in September 19 – 25.

Successful participants will continue to the second stage of LIF Launchpad, from January to March 2026.

LIF Launchpad is an early-stage program aimed at nurturing changemakers with exceptional skills and ideas who want to develop solutions for the most pressing challenges in the Philippines and beyond.

The innovation journey starts with the Innovation Lab, where innovators identify the root causes of a problem and design a potential solution. Afterwards, they join a Prototyping Program where they get a chance to validate their assumptions and test the viability of their solution.

The program consists of two stages designed to turn ideas into tangible solutions:

UNLEASH Philippines Innovation Lab: An intense, week-long innovation experience where 150 Filipinos will collaborate to develop solutions addressing complex social challenges framed by design thinking principles. All program costs will be covered, with the program taking place from September 19-25, 2025, in Manila.
Prototyping Program: All participants who successfully complete the Innovation Lab will access the Prototyping Program. Here, with dedicated support, they will continue to transform their concepts into working prototypes that can be tested in different environments. This includes technical guidance, resource access, and connections to a global network of changemakers. It is an online program that will run from January to April, 2026.

Innovators who complete LIF Launchpad will be supported in applying to LIF Global, the Royal Academy of Engineering’s flagship international start up program.

Sponsor Organisation: UNLEASH

Benefits of UNLEASH Philippines Innovation Lab & Prototyping Program

1) UNLEASH covers all costs associated with on-site programming, including accommodation, meals, local transport, other logistical necessities, and all of their innovation programming.

As a general rule, all Talents must cover the following costs:

USD 60 Registration Fee to confirm their spot at the UNLEASH Innovation Lab. This fee mitigates no-shows and ensures that we do not have empty seats where other Talents could have had the opportunity to participate.
Travel costs to the program location. Participants are expected to arrange and cover their travel to and from the program location, including any associated costs with obtaining a visa and travel insurance.

2) They understand that costs can be a barrier for some, so they offer need-based scholarships that can fully or partially cover these costs, including the registration fee and travel costs.

If you would otherwise not be able or willing to come to UNLEASH, they encourage you to apply for a scholarship. If so, you will be asked to complete some additional scholarship application questions explaining your reasons and situation.
Do note that scholarship application questions will be assessed only after you are accepted into the UNLEASH program, and all answers will be kept anonymous.
They believe in equal opportunity and are committed to ensuring that financial limitations do not prevent brilliant minds from joining the Innovation Lab.
Talents have the option of applying for a scholarship for the registration fee or for their travel costs to the program location, or both. If you receive a registration fee scholarship, you do not have to pay the participation registration fee. If you receive a travel scholarship, you do not have to cover your travel costs. The scholarship is meant for individuals who are unable or willing to attend the Innovation Lab without scholarship support.
In the application form, you will be asked if you require scholarship support. If so, you will have to fill in information surrounding your economic situation. Scholarship applications will be assessed once you are accepted into the UNLEASH program.