Nascent Signs MOA with UP Diliman for Battery Development

Nascent Technologies Corp. proudly announces that Dr. Joey D. Ocon , President and Chief Technology Officer, has been selected as one of the 2026 Yale Emerging Climate Leaders Fellows -- becoming the first Filipino to receive this prestigious distinction. The Yale Emerging Climate Leaders Fellowship recognizes exceptional professionals from developing and emerging economies who are advancing impactful solutions in climate action, sustainability, and clean energy. For its 2026 cohort, Yale selected 16 global leaders from thousands of applicants to participate in a five-month program featuring immersive learning sessions, leadership development, and international dialogues. The fellowship begins in February at Yale’s campus in New Haven and culminates in an in-person event in Paris. Dr. Ocon’s selection is a testament to his exceptional work in advancing sustainable energy, battery innovation, and science-based climate solutions in the Philippines and beyond. As part of this global network of changemakers, he will represent the Philippines on the international stage, contributing his expertise and perspective to strengthen climate leadership and collaboration worldwide. Learn more about the program and announcement here: Yale Climate Fellows – Class of 2026 ILC Announces the 2026 Climate Fellows

Nascent Technologies Corp. was recently featured in BusinessWorld Online, highlighting the development of NOVA, a sodium-ion starter battery designed as a safer, more durable, and sustainable alternative to lead-acid. In the interview, President and CTO Joey Ocon and Business Development Manager and R&D Scientist Joshua Santiago explained how NOVA addresses the shortcomings of lead-acid batteries by offering longer cycle life, intrinsic safety, and the use of abundant, non-toxic materials. Field trials with fleet vehicles are planned this year, with commercial rollout targeted for 2026. COO and Head of Electrochemistry Maricor Divinagracia-Luzadas emphasized that sodium-ion technology provides strong thermal stability in hot climates and eliminates the use of critical and toxic metals, while noting that it is best seen as a complement to existing battery chemistries. With NOVA, Nascent aims to provide a safer, longer-lasting drop-in solution for fleets and eventually expand to applications in telecom, solar, and rural electrification. Read the full feature here: BusinessWorld Online

Nascent has emerged as the first-place winner of Ecothon Philippines 2025 , a premier competition for sustainable startups. The event culminated in a Demo Day held last September 11, 2025, where 14 innovative Filipino startups showcased their solutions for sustainable consumption and production. Nascent's groundbreaking sodium-ion battery technology, Nova SLI, earned them the top honor and a grant of 1,500,000 KRW. Ecothon Philippines 2025 is organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and co-hosted by the Hanns Seidel Foundation Philippines. The competition aims to foster eco-entrepreneurship and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a focus on SDG 12: Sustainable Consumption and Production.

Nascent Technologies Corp. has been recognized as an A-Lister in Shell LiveWire 2025 , the flagship enterprise development program of Shell Pilipinas. The recognition was formally awarded during the Echelon Event 2025 , where Nascent also showcased its innovations at the startup exhibition booth. The A-Lister citation highlights startups with strong innovation potential and alignment with sustainability goals. For Nascent, it affirms the company’s vision of advancing sodium-ion battery technology as a scalable and sustainable alternative to traditional energy storage. This milestone comes as Nascent expands product development and pilot projects, positioning itself to address the growing demand for smarter, cleaner, and circular battery technologies.

Nascent Technologies Corp. joined industry leaders at Solar & Storage Philippines Live 2025, with Engr. BenJeMar-Hope Flores, Head of ESS Services and Solutions , representing the company on a high-level expert panel last May 20, 2025 at the SMX Convention Center, Manila. Flores emphasized the crucial role of battery energy storage systems (ESS) in ensuring resilience and power reliability for facilities highly sensitive to electricity fluctuations, such as data centers, hospitals, and manufacturing plants. “It’s really looking at ESS in general for the other value that it offers, just aside from the savings. It’s resilience, reliability, especially for these crucial facilities”, said Flores, highlighting the broader value of ESS in stabilizing power quality, especially as solar adoption grows. He also discussed the barriers to wider ESS adoption in the commercial and industrial (C&I) sector, including the absence of clear revenue models and limited supportive policies. “The incentives now are more indirect, like importation incentives… So there’s not much on the revenue side or revenue options for C&I,” Flores adds. Nascent’s participation reinforces its position at the forefront of climate-smart energy storage solutions in the Philippines, pushing for a more reliable and sustainable energy future.

Dr. Maricor Divinagracia-Luzadas, Chief Operating Officer and Head of Electrochemistry Division at Nascent Technologies Corporation, took the stage at PhilEnergy Expo 2025, delivering an impactful message on sustainable battery development during the panel discussion “Advancing Circular Economy in the Green Energy Sector" last March 19, 2025. Her talk, titled “Sustainable Batteries for the Clean Energy Transition” , emphasized recent developments in the battery sector and featured the current research activities at Nascent. Speaking to an audience of energy professionals, policymakers, and sustainability advocates, Dr. Luzadas emphasized the urgent need to develop sustainable energy storage technologies such as sodium-ion batteries through the use of better materials and improved chemistries. Her insights reinforced the crucial role of local battery innovation for the country’s push toward a cleaner and more resilient energy system.

Nascent Technologies was featured in the Philippine Daily Inquirer last August 30, 2024 for its pioneering work in developing sodium-ion batteries. The article, titled “PH battery development: A startup joins the charge,” highlights Nascent’s mission to build the country’s first high-energy-density, rechargeable sodium-ion battery. Founded in 2022, Nascent is composed of a young, dynamic team of engineers and scientists aiming to revolutionize the Philippine battery industry. With its three specialized divisions driving innovation, Nascent is currently developing a prototype sodium-ion coin cell battery aiming to deliver advanced, locally engineered energy storage solutions. This milestone represents a significant achievement for the startup, which has faced challenges in securing funding, with early pitches being declined by major conglomerates. Nascent’s inclusion in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, one of the country’s most widely read newspapers, is a testament to the growing recognition of their work and a promising signal that the Philippine clean energy sector is ready for takeoff. To access the news article, click here.

In the recent Annual Stockholders' Meeting held on May 30, First Philippine Holdings (FPH) shared exciting updates on its strategic initiatives. Francis Giles B. Puno (President and COO) highlighted various achievements and plans across FPH's diverse platforms. A notable announcement was the partnership between First Philec and Nascent Batteries. First Philec, a key player under the FPH umbrella, is a pioneer and leader in transformer solutions in the Philippines. While its portfolio focuses on power distribution solutions, its product innovation goes into initiatives and solutions for the transitioning grid, including EV chargers and energy storage. This prompted First Philec's partnership with Nascent Technologies, a local organization composed of talented Filipino scientists and engineers looking for ways to develop sustainable sodium ion battery storage as an alternative to the looming scarcity of Li-ion energy storage. First Philec is set to lead the funding round for Nascent Batteries, a promising startup specializing in innovative battery solutions. The partnership with Nascent Batteries is expected to drive significant advancements in the field of battery energy storage, aligning with FPH's vision of fostering sustainable and resilient energy infrastructures. About FPH First Philippine Holdings (FPH) is a leading holding company in clean energy, real estate, manufacturing, and construction industries in the Philippines. Since 1961, FPH has been a trailblazer, focusing on sustainable practices for a better future. Their clean energy portfolio aims to reduce coal dependence and uplift community lives. Know more About First Philec First Philec is a leading provider of electrical distribution equipment and solutions in the Philippines, serving various sectors for nearly sixty years. As part of the Lopez Group, it supports manufacturing and technology investments to boost the country's economy and enhance global competitiveness. Know more About Nascent Nascent Technologies, headquartered in Metro Manila, Philippines, is an emerging energy leader in the nation's shift towards renewable energy sources. Specializing in battery energy storage technology for both stationary and transportation applications, Nascent Technologies recognizes the critical role of energy storage in balancing the variability of renewables and meeting growing energy demands. With a focus on decarbonizing industries, Nascent Technologies emphasizes the potential of emerging energy storage solutions to support the clean energy transition, aiming to lead Southeast Asia in providing innovative and effective solutions for a sustainable future. Know more