Mactan Cebu, Philippines - November 16, 2024 - Fresh from wrapping up last week, Geeks on a Beach 2024 proved once again why it's the Philippines' most unique tech conference. Picture this: entrepreneurs in beach shorts, investors in slippers, and tech leaders sporting sun hats, all converging at the JPark Hotel and Resort in Mactan, Cebu.
Now in its 7th year, the conference returned to Mactan, Cebu, after last year's successful event in Panglao, Bohol. Despite recent typhoons in the region, the weather cooperated beautifully for the event, offering perfect conditions for both outdoor networking and indoor sessions. The sunny skies and gentle sea breeze provided an ideal backdrop for the conference, creating the perfect environment for meaningful connections and conversations.
AI Podcast Summary:
Day 0: Pre-Conference Masterclass
The energy was palpable from the start, with a fresh crop of young entrepreneurs flooding the venue - a testament to the Philippines' rapidly growing startup scene. The day kicked off with intensive masterclasses across key startup areas:
Product Development & Technology: Experts led Sessions on accelerating product-market fit and MVP development using AI and no-code tools
Marketing & Communications: Practical workshops on startup marketing strategy and gaining media attention for fundraising and growth
Leadership & Personal Growth: Deep dives into startup leadership challenges and success stories from rural founders turned investors
One highlight was Guilherme "GUI" Faria's masterclass on startup offshoring. Drawing from a decade of experience building remote teams, he shared practical frameworks for evaluating offshore opportunities, demonstrated how strategic offshoring can transform a company's P&L through real case studies, and led an interactive session addressing specific challenges in talent acquisition and remote team management.
Another standout session came from Robert Cristobal, who delivered an insightful presentation on leveraging AI for marketing. He outlined key areas where AI can transform marketing operations - from developing brand stories and optimizing keywords to streamlining content production and crafting website copy - while emphasizing that AI should enhance rather than replace human creativity.
Evening Networking: Move the Fridge
The real magic happened after hours during "Move the Fridge" - an evening networking session hosted by Kickstart Ventures. Cocktail tables dotted the garden space, laden with food and drinks, as attendees gathered in small groups for spirited discussions. The garden gathering ran overtime as conversations flowed freely into the night.
Day 1: From Pitches to Partnerships
The conference officially kicked off with the dynamic duo of Dave Overton and Albert Padin hosting the opening ceremonies, setting an energetic tone for the day. GOAB co-founder Tina Amper delivered a heartfelt welcome message, reflecting on how far the Philippine startup ecosystem has come since GOAB's inception.
The morning's highlight was the Lightning Pitch Competition, where four promising startups presented their innovations:
Remotify: Next generation remote hiring solution that aims to provide scalable and cost effective remote hiring through Employer of Record Service.
Ticketnation: A platform that aims to revolutionize event ticketing in the Philippines, offering seamless buying and selling of concert and show tickets.
Voyadores: Unified software that aims to simplify business operations for Filipino SMEs
Bookspine: A Platform that aims to provide access to curated and pre-loved books. To change lives one a book at a time.
Following the pitches, attendees gained valuable insights into the Philippine Startup Ecosystem Landscape, with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) highlighting their continued support for local tech initiatives.
The afternoon sessions divided into focused parallel tracks covering Investing and Fund Raising, Founders, Design, Operations and Scale, Government Initiatives, and Business Matching.
Breaking Down Barriers, Building Connections
The casual beach setting created a natural, relaxed atmosphere that made networking feel effortless. Throughout the event, meaningful connections were formed with remarkable individuals like:
Ursel Former school principal turned entrepreneur who transformed her frustration with educational systems into two edtech startups: SkoolTech and Edpolio
Dom: Community Lead of DevCon Philippines, bringing together thousands of developers across the country through events and initiatives that foster learning and collaboration
Michie: Organizer behind CTRL+ALT+RUN, an innovative marathon event specifically designed for the tech community, scheduled for February 2025. The event aims to promote both physical and mental wellness among tech professionals
The conference attracted dozens more community leaders and innovators, each bringing their unique perspectives and contributions to the Philippine tech ecosystem. From VC partners like Paulo Campos of Kaya Founders and Nikhil Paul Antao of Bayanihan Ventures, the event drew influential figures from across Southeast Asia. The diversity of participants - spanning startup founders, community builders, and seasoned investors - reflected the vibrant and collaborative nature of the local tech scene.
The After Party
Day 1 concluded with a spectacular drone shot at the beach, capturing hundreds of attendees. The day transitioned into a lively beachfront after-party, where founders, investors, and tech enthusiasts continued their discussions in a more relaxed setting. Over local craft beers and Cebuano delicacies, many participants found this informal atmosphere perfect for deepening connections made earlier in the day and exploring potential collaborations.
Day 2: Future Forward
The second day opened with a powerful lineup of sessions addressing critical themes in tech and innovation:
The morning kicked off with "Thriving In The Tech Fog," exploring how companies can navigate today's volatile tech landscape. This was followed by two data-rich presentations: a comprehensive research report on AI application development trends and the anticipated Philippines Venture Capital Report 2025, which highlighted opportunities emerging from the country's growing middle class.
Digital finance took center stage with "From Pesos to Pixels," examining how digital currencies could reshape the Philippine economy. Regional perspectives were well-represented through sessions on ASEAN insights and Southeast Asia's tech market realities, while an investment panel explored cross-border opportunities. Industry leaders discussing AI's role in content creation.
The afternoon broke into focused tracks:
Celebrating Founders: Spotlighting success stories and lessons learned
Tech Talks: Deep dives into technical innovations
Startup Communities: Building and nurturing tech ecosystems
Startups & Beyond: Scaling strategies and future pathways
One highlight was the CTO Fireside Chat, which brought together four technology leaders to explore the evolving role of CTOs in startups and strategies for AI adoption. During the discussion, Albert from Symph shared a fascinating story about their 30×30 AI app challenge. The project took an unexpected turn when a participant created an AI that generates AI apps, leading to thousands of applications - a perfect example of innovation taking on a life of its own.
A notable segment features Jojo Malolos discussing ecosystem empowerment through innovative value creation. He shares his professional journey, including his role as CEO of PayMongo, a controversial but promising startup. Malolos explains how he successfully steered the company back on track.
The Final Pitch - Cebu Edition
The conference reached its peak with "The Final Pitch - Cebu Edition" filming, transforming the venue into a professional TV set. Camera operators positioned themselves strategically around the stage, while a production assistant's "Rolling in 3, 2, 1..." echoed through the hall. Above, a drone weaved gracefully, capturing aerial shots of the packed venue. After few takes to perfect each moment, the finale erupted in applause and cheers as confetti rained down - a made-for-TV moment that perfectly captured the event's blend of serious business and joyful community.
Cebuano Hospitality Takes Center Stage
The grand finale at Cebu City Hall showcased the warm hospitality that makes Philippine tech events special. Between the mayor's witty historical references (including a playful nod to Magellan's fate) and impromtu Karaoke - including startup founder Ron Baetiong's rendition of "Magbalik" and another participant's show-stopping performance of "New York" that could have been straight from an America's Got Talent audition - the evening ended in waves of laughter and song, embodying what Filipinos do best - turning business connections into lasting friendships over great food, music, and endless stories
The Team Behind the Magic
A heartfelt thanks to the entire GOAB organizing team who made this incredible event possible. From the tireless volunteers to the production crew, their behind-the-scenes work and legendary Cebuano hospitality turned this conference into an unforgettable experience. The seamless execution and warm atmosphere were testaments to their dedication and passion for the Philippine startup community.
Looking Ahead
As the sun set on GOAB 2024, one thing became clear: the Philippine startup ecosystem isn't just growing - it's thriving in its own unique way. By combining serious business discussions with the relaxed atmosphere of island life, Geeks on a Beach has created something special: a conference that feels less like a networking event and more like a gathering of friends dreaming up the future together.
The next wave of Philippine innovation might just be born on these shores, one beachside conversation at a time.
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About the Author
Miguel Fermin is the CTO of White Cloak Technologies, co-host of KakaComputer, a tech geek, and a proud supporter of PH Startups and Tech Communities.
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