GCash innovation challenge draws record pool of young innovators

Insider Spotlight

• GCash drew more than 2,385 young innovators across 10 Philippine regions to its 2026 innovation challenge
• More than half of the 477 registered teams came from outside Metro Manila
• Winning teams will secure guaranteed GCash internships to further develop their ideas|
  
  
  
  

GCash gathered its largest pool of young innovators yet as students across the Philippines developed technology-driven solutions aimed at challenges confronting micro, small and medium enterprises.

The three-day ImaGnation: GCash Innovation Challenge 2026 attracted more than 2,385 participants representing 477 registered teams across 10 regions. More than half came from outside Metro Manila, including Calabarzon, Central Visayas, Central Luzon and Northern Mindanao.

Developing fintech

Under the theme “Negosyo Nation: Powering the Rise of the Filipino Entrepreneur,” students explored ways to combine GCash payments, credit, insurance, merchant solutions and analytics to meet entrepreneurs’ financial and operational needs.

Participants also worked with AI platforms, prompt engineering and app prototyping through GCash innovation platform InnovLabs. The Top 10 teams advanced to a bootcamp and hackathon at GCash headquarters in Bonifacio Global City, where 50 students received guidance from employee mentors, product leaders and technical coaches.

Build innovations

“Empowering local entrepreneurs is one of the most vital economic missions in the country today, and ImaGnation offers a real sandbox for bright young minds to make an impact. Maximize this event, ground your technology in real customer problems, and help us build innovations that move both local businesses and the entire nation forward,” Mynt Inc. chief strategy officer Rowie Zamora said in a press statement.

“Seeing student teams join us from across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao shows how far the reach of ImaGnation has grown. Over half of our registered entries came from outside Metro Manila, proving that game-changing tech ideas and brilliant problem-solvers are thriving in every corner of the Philippines,” Mynt Inc. chief people officer Robert Gonzales said.

Up for grabs: Internship at GCash

Five finalist teams eventually presented business cases to GCash executive leadership, proposing ways existing digital financial tools could be combined or reimagined around specific user needs.

The winning teams will receive guaranteed internship placements at GCash, allowing students to work alongside product and technology leaders and continue developing their ideas. GCash said the program connects emerging talent with real business challenges while supporting its broader Finance for All vision. —Vanessa Hidalgo | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma