ASEAN Business Awards 2026 Opens Regional Stage to Start-ups, SMEs

Filipino entrepreneurs have another chance to put their businesses on the regional map. The ASEAN Business Awards (ABA) 2026 is now accepting nominations and applications from start-ups, SMEs, and large enterprises across the region.

The awards give businesses a platform to showcase their achievements beyond the local market. Start-ups and SMEs compete alongside large corporations for recognition. These businesses may operate on a smaller scale, but they create jobs, build products, and support communities.

For Philippine businesses, the awards open doors beyond the local market.

Philippine awardees have included some of the country's most respected business leaders over the years. Past Legacy Award recipients include Henry Sy Sr., John Gokongwei, and Jaime Zobel de Ayala.

But the awards don't only recognize large corporations or established leaders.

Philippine companies have also won in categories such as SME Excellence, Inclusive Business, Agri-Food, Retail, and Sustainability. These wins reflect the country's key strengths: family-owned conglomerates, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies, and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with strong social impact programs.

More Than Recognition

The ABA 2026 goes beyond recognizing business performance. It aims to highlight companies shaping the future of the ASEAN economy.

The awards recognize enterprises that show excellence in leadership, sustainability, digital innovation, and inclusive development. They also highlight business models that strengthen regional value chains and support ASEAN's goals for stronger supply chains and deeper economic integration.

Inclusive growth is another focus. The awards recognize businesses and leaders that promote gender equality, economic empowerment, and the growth of MSMEs.

The program also spotlights sectors expected to drive the region's future competitiveness, including creative industries, semiconductors, green technology, and agri-tech.

It builds on the Philippines' legacy initiatives in ASEAN connectivity, regional value chain integration, digital trade facilitation, and governance reforms. It also encourages businesses to collaborate across borders and expand their impact throughout the region.

ABA Categories

The Priority Integration Sector Excellence Award (PIS) recognizes established market leaders and high-growth SMEs that show strong business performance, resilient cross-border value chains, and meaningful integration in priority sectors.

The eight PIS categories are:

· Agriculture & Agri-Food — for businesses advancing agribusiness, climate-smart farming, food processing, and cross-border agro-trade

· Human Capital & Business Services — for enterprises strengthening workforce capabilities, talent mobility, professional services, outsourcing, and technology-enabled business services

· Manufacturing & Industrial Technology — for companies driving innovation in manufacturing, electronics, semiconductors, automation, and other industrial sectors

· Infrastructure, Connectivity & Supply Chain — for businesses improving logistics, transportation, telecommunications, infrastructure, and supply chain systems

· Omni-Channel & Retail Trade — for retail and trade businesses combining physical stores with digital commerce

· AI & Digital Transformation — for companies using technology, cloud infrastructure, enterprise software, and artificial intelligence to improve business operations

· Creative Economy, Culture & Tourism — for businesses turning creativity, culture, heritage, design, media, and tourism into economic and social value

· Energy & Renewable Energy — for enterprises advancing solar, wind, geothermal, and other solutions that support the transition to cleaner energy

All eight PIS categories accept both SMEs and large enterprises.

The SME Excellence Award focuses specifically on the backbone of the Southeast Asian economy.

It recognizes SMEs with strong market performance, financial health, and the potential to become competitive regional or global players.

It covers three areas: SME Excellence for Growth & Innovation recognizes businesses that have grown through new or improved products, services, processes, or business models.

SME Excellence for Employment recognizes SMEs that build a supportive workplace and invest in their workforce. SME Excellence for Corporate Social Responsibility recognizes businesses that integrate responsible practices into their operations and create positive impact on their workplace, marketplace, environment, and communities.