Advanced Science and Technology Institute

What Advanced Science and Technology Institute does

DOST-ASTI (Advanced Science and Technology Institute) is the Philippine government research and development institute mandated under Executive Order No. 128, S.1987 to conduct scientific R&D in advanced fields of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Microelectronics. Operating under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the institute serves as the country's primary builder and operator of national-scale science and technology infrastructure, including the COARE supercomputing facility, PREGINET national research and education network (NREN) with 100 Gbps international connectivity, and the PEDRO Center satellite ground receiving stations in Quezon City and Davao City.

The institute's portfolio of interconnected technology platforms extends to specialized applications: PhilSensors (2,000+ hydrometeorological monitoring stations deployed nationwide since 2010), SARwAIS (NovaSAR-1 satellite-based maritime surveillance with AIS data), ASTI-ALaM/DIMER (AI model development and distribution hub), DATOS (remote sensing and data science help desk for disaster mitigation), REIINN (digital inclusion and distance learning), and NetMesh (broadband measurement for NTC). These systems serve Philippine national government agencies (DOH, DOT, DA, NSC, PhilSA, NAMRIA, PSA, LLDA), state universities and colleges (UP system, MSU-IIT, MMSU), and local government units.

DOST-ASTI operates as a government-funded entity with no commercial revenue model; all services are provided free of charge as public goods. The institute is funded through DOST annual appropriations and engages stakeholders through community-led GTM motions including stakeholder meetings, capacity-building training, international conferences (APAN, APRICOT), and the annual ASTICON conference. In 2022, DOST-ASTI began transitioning its space-related assets (PEDRO Center, DATOS, SARwAIS, GRASPED) to the newly established Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), refocusing its core mandate on ICT, microelectronics, and AI/ML research and infrastructure.

Name

Advanced Science and Technology Institute

Legal name

Advanced Science and Technology Institute

Website

https://asti.dost.gov.ph

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

DOST-ASTI is the Philippine government's R&D institute under DOST, providing ICT, microelectronics, space technology, AI, and high-performance computing infrastructure to national government agencies and state universities and colleges. Founded in 1987 under E.O. No. 128.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

NAICS

Satellite Telecommunications (5174), Space Research and Technology (92711), Computer Facilities Management Services (541513), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)

SIC

Communications Services, Nec (4899), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Computer Processing & Data Preparation (7374), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)

akta.pro primary industry

NTN-Enabled Emergency, Government & Defense Communications (Public Safety, Tactical, Resilience) (HDAIAJAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Technical Enablement & Adoption Services (Change Management, Adoption, Champions) (BPAEANAC)

Keywords

• Government research institute
• High-performance computing
• Satellite ground receiving station
• Research and education network
• Remote sensing analytics

Headquarters

HQ city

Quezon

HQ country

Philippines

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Government R&D Funding: DOST-ASTI is a government research institute funded through the Department of Science and Technology's annual appropriations. Services and technologies are provided free of charge to government agencies, academic institutions, and the public as part of national science and technology infrastructure.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

DOST-ASTI operates national science and technology infrastructure for the Philippine government, providing high-performance computing (COARE), the national research and education network (PREGINET), satellite ground receiving stations (PEDRO Center), hydrometeorological monitoring (PhilSensors), SAR-based maritime surveillance (SARwAIS), AI model development (ASTI-ALaM/DIMER), remote sensing help desk services (DATOS), distance-learning infrastructure (REIINN), and broadband quality-of-service measurement (NetMesh). These services are delivered free of charge to government agencies, state universities, and research institutions as part of the country's public R&D mandate.

Product overview

DOST-ASTI operates as a government research and development institute offering a portfolio of interconnected technology services rather than a unified commercial product. The core infrastructure includes COARE (supercomputing and data archiving), PREGINET (national research network with eduroam), and PEDRO Center (satellite ground receiving station). These are complemented by specialized applications: PhilSensors for environmental monitoring with over 2,000 deployed stations; SARwAIS for maritime surveillance using NovaSAR-1 satellite data; ALaM/DIMER for AI model development and sharing; DATOS for disaster-related data science; and NetMesh for broadband measurement. The SIYASAT Portal serves as the interface for satellite tasking requests. Services are provided to government agencies, academic institutions, and research organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ASTI-ALaM: Automated Labeling Machine Project - part of Philippine Sky Artificial Intelligence Program (SkAI-Pinas) developing machine learning and AI models for mapping and computer vision using remote sensing data.
• COARE
• PREGINET
• PhilSensors
• PEDRO Center
• DATOS
• SARwAIS
• REIINN

Products and services

• PhilSensors Network of over 2,000 hydrometeorological and early warning stations deployed nationwide since 2010, providing near-real-time data for weather forecasting, flood monitoring, and agrometeorology, with data accessible via a public website and mobile app.
• COARE (Computing and Archiving Research Environment)

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2,000 PhilSensors deployed nationwide for hydrometeorological monitoring
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability10 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 August 2023MOU signing to formalize collaboration for AI research and development, fostering academic participation in leveraging AI for national development. The partnership aims to invigorate AI R&D and create impactful AI applications and services.
• University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 December 2022MOA signing during DOST-ASTI's 35th Anniversary for collaboration on ASTI-ALaM Project, providing AI training and engaging students in machine learning initiatives.
• Technological University of the Philippines - Visayas (TUP-V)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 December 2022MOU signing for collaboration on AI research and development, supporting academic institutions in leveraging space and AI technologies.
• Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 October 2021MOA for AI4LaWa Project implementing AI-developed mapping technology for preservation of watersheds draining to Laguna de Bay, developing monitoring systems using temporal satellite images for aquaculture structure detection.
• Libmanan Water District (LiWaD)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2021MOA for AI4LiWa Project developing GIS-based monitoring system for watersheds to ensure continuous domestic water supply protection.
• National Security Council (NSC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 May 2021MOA for SARwAIS Project implementation to improve terrestrial and maritime monitoring capabilities through NovaSAR-1 satellite data for national security applications.
• University of the Philippines (UP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOU signing to formalize partnership for collaborative research and development in space technology, AI, and other advanced science initiatives.
• Busan IT Industry Promotion AgencyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOU signing to foster international collaboration in IT industry development and technology exchange programs.
• Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOA for AI4CAF Project using earth observation data for PSA's 2022 Census on Agriculture and Fisheries. Includes training on SIYASAT Portal and SAR concepts for remote sensing applications.
• University of the Philippines-MindanaocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for ASTI-ALaM Project with ALaM-Large-Scale Initiative (ALaM-LSI), supporting AI design and AIPI framework implementation.
• Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through PREGINET since 2017 and collaboration with other DOST-ASTI services including space, data science, and DRRM technologies.
• Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTripartite memoranda for space S&T assets transition and collaboration. PhilSA to absorb and enhance SARwAIS capabilities and expand space data applications for national development.
• National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStakeholder in SARwAIS Project for earth observation data utilization and geospatial analysis support.
• Department of Agriculture (DA) - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStakeholder in SARwAIS Project for aquaculture monitoring and maritime surveillance applications.
• National Coast Watch System (NCWS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStakeholder in SARwAIS Project for maritime domain awareness and coastal monitoring.
• Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining on radar remote sensing for maritime surveillance and search and rescue operations support.
• Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL)coreTechnology or IntegrationUK-based company that designed and built NovaSAR-1 satellite. Capacity-sharing agreement allows Philippines to access satellite data throughout spacecraft lifespan.
• Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Regional Stakeholders Consultation Meeting partnership for strengthening regional R&D through collaboration.
• National Museum of the Philippines (NMP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOA for REIINN virtual museum tours bringing National Museum galleries to Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Communities through virtual tour technology.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA): The Philippine government's space agency that is absorbing DOST-ASTI's space assets (PEDRO, DATOS, SARwAIS, GRASPED) under the 2022 MOA. Directly comparable as a Philippine government entity with overlapping mandate in satellite data utilization and space applications for DRRM.
• National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC): Thailand's national R&D institute under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, performing similar roles in ICT R&D, AI/ML, and national research infrastructure. Operates Thailand's NREN (ThaiREN/SARnet) comparable to PREGINET.
• MIMOS Berhad: Malaysia's national R&D center under MOSTI providing national ICT infrastructure, semiconductor design, and applied research. Comparable in mandate as a government R&D arm focused on ICT, microelectronics, and national technology infrastructure.
• Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL): UK-based satellite manufacturer and partner that built NovaSAR-1 with capacity-sharing access for DOST-ASTI. Comparable in mission ownership of small satellite constellations and earth observation data products.
• Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA): Fellow DOST agency providing weather forecasting and hydrometeorological services that consumes PhilSensors data. Comparable as a DOST-attached agency with overlapping disaster preparedness mandate.

Broad incumbents

• Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR): Singapore's lead public sector R&D agency with broad mandate across biomedical, physical sciences, and engineering. While much larger in scale and budget, it represents the equivalent national R&D vehicle for a Southeast Asian government with overlapping themes in AI, HPC, and applied research.
• BRIN (Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional): Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency, formed by consolidating multiple research bodies. Comparable as a regional government R&D consolidation effort with overlapping space, AI, and earth observation capabilities.
• CSIRO Data61: Australia's national science agency's digital and data science arm, operating comparable satellite ground stations, AI research, HPC infrastructure, and serving as a national research network operator comparable to PREGINET.
• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO): India's national space agency operating one of the largest satellite ground station networks in Asia. Comparable at the macro level as a government space R&D entity with earth observation, satellite tasking, and DRRM applications analogous to PEDRO/SARwAIS.

Others

• APAN (Asia Pacific Advanced Network): International consortium of NRENs in Asia-Pacific, where DOST-ASTI's Director serves as DMWG Chair. Directly comparable network operator peer where DOST-ASTI participates through PREGINET at the international research networking layer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/DOSTASTI
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCTwDsp5Qlef_jV20hjk_ZYg
• Facebookfacebook.com/dostasti
• Instagraminstagram.com/dost_asti
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/department-of-science-technology

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Advanced Science and Technology Institute