DAVAO CITY — The City Government of Davao, in partnership with the Davao Inventors Association, launched the inaugural Davao Innovations and Inventions Expo 2026 on June 19 at the Abreeza Mall Activity Center. The three‑day event runs until June 21, gathering 54 exhibitors from across the country.
A Platform for Grassroots Inventors
The expo transformed the mall into a vibrant marketplace of ingenuity, bridging government agencies, academic institutions, and private enterprises. Exhibitors displayed technologies addressing agriculture, coastal industries, and everyday challenges. The diversity of participants reflected Mindanao’s deep and largely untapped inventive potential.
DIIE Chairperson Julieto C. Mejos described the event’s core mission as finding unrecognized inventors whose ideas remain hidden in workshops and garages. Many participants had never before presented their work publicly. The platform gave them professional validation, peer feedback, and renewed confidence to pursue their dreams.
Bridging Ideas to Commercialization
Beyond static product displays, the expo offered robust educational programming. Workshops guided participants through startup formation, business model development, and navigating government grants. These sessions translated complex concepts into actionable steps for inventors unfamiliar with commercial landscapes.
The Department of Science and Technology opened its advanced testing facilities to local creators, providing access to equipment typically reserved for corporate laboratories. This technical backing helps inventors refine prototypes without prohibitive costs, accelerating the journey from concept to market‑ready product.
Organizers noted that several featured technologies had remained unreleased for years before finding a platform at the expo. Innovations addressing high fertilizer costs and post‑harvest losses finally connected with potential investors and government agencies capable of funding their deployment.
Legislative Backbone and Institutional Support
The expo is anchored by Ordinance No. 0546‑21, which created the Davao City Inventions and Innovations Center. Designated as a startup enabler under the Philippine Startup Act, the center offers prototype assistance, feasibility analysis, and comprehensive intellectual property protection services to local inventors.
A subsequent amendment through Ordinance No. 0214‑23 optimized collaboration with venture capitalists and business incubators. This dynamic legal framework ensures that support mechanisms evolve alongside the needs of the innovation community, from ideation to full‑scale commercial launch.
Fostering Economic Sustainability Through Innovation
Former Davao Inventors Association President Virgilio M. Sangutan emphasized that building an invention ecosystem is foundational to local economic resilience. Homegrown solutions reduce dependence on imported technologies and create employment for skilled workers, strengthening Davao’s self‑reliance.
The expo’s emphasis on agricultural and coastal technologies reflects the city’s economic profile. Solutions that lower farming costs or improve fish processing directly uplift the region’s backbone industries. The event proved that community‑centered innovation delivers both social impact and viable business returns.
A Festival of Creativity and Collaboration
The expo also welcomed creative sector participants, including designers, artists, and multimedia developers. This interdisciplinary approach acknowledged that innovation extends beyond engineering and science. When diverse talents converge, breakthrough ideas emerge from unexpected intersections.
As the inaugural edition concluded, organizers expressed optimism about the future. The strong exhibitor turnout and engaged audiences confirmed that Davao’s innovation ecosystem is thriving. Plans are already taking shape for an even larger and more ambitious event next year.
