Enactus
· National Competition

Enactus Philippines
National Competition 2026

Early-Stage Project Competition Track · October 8–10, 2026 · Manila, Philippines

· Call for Applications opens July 31, 2026

Competition countdown

The premier gathering of student leaders, faculty advisors, and social innovators across the Philippines.

37Days
19Hours
54Minutes
28Seconds
· Overview

A new chapter for Filipino innovators.

Enactus Philippines proudly announces the Enactus Philippines National Competition 2026, the country's premier gathering of student leaders, faculty advisors, entrepreneurs, industry experts, government partners, and social innovators committed to creating a better world through entrepreneurial action.

As 2026 marks the relaunch year of Enactus in the Philippines, this year's national competition introduces the Early-Stage Project Competition Track as the official competition category. Instead of the traditional Enactus Core Competition, student teams will present innovative entrepreneurial project concepts that are still in the ideation or early implementation stage.

The Early-Stage Competition was first introduced globally by Enactus at the Enactus World Cup 2024 to strengthen support for student teams at the beginning of their entrepreneurial journey. It provides students the opportunity to receive expert feedback before their projects begin generating measurable impact.

Projects developed through this year's competition are expected to mature and eventually compete in the Enactus Core Competition, which will officially return beginning in 2027.

· Timeline

Key dates for competition season.

Call for Applications OpensJuly 31, 2026
Application Deadline (11:59 PM PHT)August 25 · Extended: August 31, 2026
Screening and EvaluationAugust 25–30, 2026
Announcement of Accepted TeamsSeptember 1–5, 2026
National Capacity-Building ProgramSeptember 21–26, 2026
Enactus Philippines National CompetitionOctober 8–10, 2026
· Eligibility

Who can participate.

The competition is open to all recognized Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the Philippines.

Team Composition

Each participating institution shall send:

  • One (1) Faculty Advisor
  • Three (3) Student Team Members

One Team Per Campus Policy

In accordance with Enactus Global policies:

  • Only one (1) team may represent a school's campus.
  • Institutions operating multiple legally distinct campuses may send one team per campus.
  • Campuses must be officially recognized as separate campuses by the institution.
· About the Competition

What is an Early-Stage Project?

An Early-Stage Project is a project that has not yet produced measurable or tangible impact at the time of competition.

1Idea conceptualization
2Prototype development
3Validation
4Pilot implementation
5Initial market testing

Teams are expected to present the project's vision, business model, innovation, implementation strategy, and anticipated positive impact rather than completed results.

· Objectives

What the competition aims to achieve

Early-Stage Support

Provide constructive feedback and mentorship to strengthen student projects during their earliest stages of development.

Increased Opportunity

Expand participation by allowing more student innovators to showcase promising ideas before implementation.

Enhanced Judging

Enable judges to directly influence the development of emerging social enterprises through meaningful feedback.

Stronger Projects

Prepare teams to become competitive in future Enactus Core Competitions by improving project quality and scalability.

· Application Requirements

How to apply.

Interested teams must submit an Entrepreneurial Project Concept through the official online submission portal. The concept shall be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Needs Assessment
20%
Business Principles & Financials
20%
Innovation
20%
Potential to Scale
20%
Potential Positive Impact
20%

Applications must be submitted on or before:

August 31, 2026

Applications received after the deadline shall no longer be considered.

· Selection Process

How teams are selected.

1

Independent Evaluation

All submitted applications shall undergo an independent evaluation.

2

Top 60 Teams

The Top 60 Teams nationwide will be selected.

3

Official Notification

Accepted teams will be officially notified on September 1–5, 2026.

4

Advancement

Only accepted teams shall advance to the National Competition.

· Capacity-Building Program

Mandatory training for all accepted teams.

Participation in the Capacity-Building Program is mandatory for all accepted teams. The program consists of four (4) to six (6) virtual sessions on September 21–26, 2026, organized in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) and its Regional Consortia.

Refined entrepreneurial project concept
Improved business model
Professionally developed pitch deck
Competition-ready presentation
· Competition Format

Four rounds to the championship.

Round 1Opening RoundAll accepted teams. Multiple leagues with independent judging panels.
Round 2Top 30Advancing teams compete before a new judging panel.
Round 3Semi-FinalTop 10 teams compete for a place in the championship round.
Round 4FinalTop 4 teams compete for the title of National Champion.
· Per Team Schedule

10 minutes to make an impact.

Each team shall be allocated a total competition slot of 10 minutes. Unused presentation time cannot be transferred to the Question-and-Answer period.

Activity
Duration
Team Set-up
1 minute
Project Presentation
5 minutes
Judges' Question and Answer
4 minutes
· Judging Rubric

How teams are evaluated.

Throughout the competition, judges shall answer one overarching question:

“Which Enactus team most effectively presented a project idea with the greatest potential for sustainable positive social and/or environmental impact?”

A

Advanced

4 points

B

Proficient

3 points

C

Developing

2 points

D

Basic

1 point

Needs Assessment

Evaluates the team's understanding of community needs, strengths, and the evidence supporting the proposed intervention.

Business Principles & Financials

Evaluates the viability of the business model, financial sustainability, revenue generation strategy, and understanding of entrepreneurship principles.

Innovation

Evaluates originality, creativity, and the extent to which the project introduces or improves products, services, technologies, or methodologies.

Potential to Scale

Evaluates the project's capacity for growth, replication, expansion, and long-term sustainability.

Potential Positive Impact

Evaluates the project's potential to generate measurable, lasting social, environmental, and economic improvements.

Pitch

Evaluates clarity, organization, persuasiveness, confidence, storytelling, and overall communication effectiveness.

Question & Answer

Evaluates the team's ability to provide thoughtful, well-supported, and insightful responses during the judges' questions.

· Code of Conduct

Standards we uphold.

Demonstrate professionalism at all times.
Observe honesty and integrity.
Treat fellow competitors, judges, volunteers, and organizers with respect.
Refrain from disruptive or unethical behavior.
Follow all instructions issued by Enactus Philippines.

Violation of competition policies may result in deductions, disqualification, or other disciplinary actions at the discretion of the Organizing Committee.

· Competition Rules

Guidelines all participants must follow.

!Only officially accepted teams may compete.
!All competing students must be officially enrolled in the institution they represent during Academic Year 2026–2027.
!Teams shall consist of the officially registered delegation only.
!Presentations must not exceed five (5) minutes.
!Judges' decisions are final and non-appealable.
!Enactus Philippines reserves the right to modify schedules and operational procedures when necessary.
!Participation in the mandatory Capacity-Building Program is required to maintain eligibility for the National Competition.
!Projects must be original works developed by the competing team and must comply with applicable laws, ethical standards, and intellectual property regulations.
· Awards

What's at stake.

Top Prize
National Champion

PHP 100,000

  • Trophy for the Champion Team
  • Champion Certificates for the official student delegates and faculty advisor
  • Cash Prize of PHP 100,000
  • Official designation as the Enactus Philippines Early-Stage Project National Champion 2026
  • The right to represent the Philippines at the Enactus World Cup 2026 – Early-Stage Competition Track
First Runner-Up

PHP 50,000

  • Trophy
  • Certificates
  • Cash Prize of PHP 50,000
Second Runner-Up

PHP 25,000

  • Trophy
  • Certificates
  • Cash Prize of PHP 25,000
· World Cup

Philippine Representative to the Enactus World Cup 2026

The Enactus Philippines Early-Stage Project National Champion shall be officially designated as the Philippine Representative to the Enactus World Cup 2026 – Early-Stage Competition Track, subject to full compliance with all eligibility requirements, competition rules, and participation policies prescribed by Enactus Global.

World Cup Sponsorship Package

Enactus Philippines shall provide an all-expense-paid sponsorship for the official delegation composed of three (3) student representatives and one (1) Faculty Advisor.

Round-trip international airfare
Hotel accommodation for the World Cup program
Registration and participation fees
Local transportation for competition activities
Comprehensive travel insurance
Daily allowance per diem
· Forfeiture Policy

Responsibilities of the National Champion.

The title of National Champion and the corresponding opportunity to represent the Philippines carries significant responsibilities.

1

Eligibility for Representation

The National Champion must remain fully compliant with all eligibility requirements, competition rules, and participation policies.

2

Grounds for Forfeiture

Voluntary withdrawal, failure to confirm participation, failure to submit required documents, disqualification, or discovery of misrepresentation.

3

Alternate Representative

Should the National Champion forfeit, the next highest-ranked eligible team shall be designated. Order of succession: First Runner-Up → Second Runner-Up → Next highest-ranked finalist.

4

No Cash Conversion

The opportunity to represent the Philippines and the corresponding sponsorship package are non-transferable and may not be converted into cash.

· FAQ

Frequently asked questions.

Answers to the most common questions about eligibility, composition, judging, awards, and everything in between.

General

Campus Eligibility

Team Composition

Team Substitutions

Project Eligibility

Intellectual Property

Capacity-Building Program

Competition Proper

Judging: Pitching at the National Competition

Travel and Accommodation

Registration Fees

Attendance

Awards

Other Matters

· Apply Now

Ready to make your mark?
Applications open July 31.

For inquiries regarding eligibility, competition mechanics, submissions, or participation, please contact the Enactus Philippines Secretariat.

Together, let us empower the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders and create innovative solutions that improve lives, strengthen communities, and build a more sustainable Philippines.

See you at the Enactus Philippines National Competition 2026!