The Philippines’ premier international tech startup conference, Geeks on a Beach (GOAB), concluded its seventh-year last week in Cebu, coinciding with Philippine Startup Week. The event, held at Cebu Island’s JPark Island Resort & Waterpark, served as a platform for entrepreneurs, government officials, and investors to discuss the importance of fostering startup innovation beyond Metro Manila.
A joint initiative of GeeksPH and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), GOAB seeks to foster growth in the Philippine tech startup ecosystem by facilitating collaboration and knowledge exchange among industry stakeholders.
A key theme of GOAB this year was the need to empower startups in the regions. DICT Undersecretary Atty. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue emphasized the importance of events like GOAB in promoting “startups” in the provinces and expanding opportunities for tech and innovation in regional centers like Cebu and Davao.
“The Philippines has many talented entrepreneurs outside Metro Manila who don’t have the same level of access to resources,” said Batapa-Sigue. “GOAB is a key platform for these founders to connect with investors and potential partners.”
This sentiment was echoed by Cebu-based GOAB co-founding organizer and Symph CEO Dave Overton, who believes GOAB is “bridging the gap between the concentration of resources in the capital and the untapped potential in the provinces.”
GOAB highlighted the potential of regional startups to contribute to the national ecosystem. Overton emphasized the need to shift focus from exclusive growth in Metro Manila to fostering innovation throughout the archipelago. Initiatives like GOAB aim to create a more balanced and inclusive startup landscape by showcasing regional talent.
Bayanihan Ventures: A Case Study in Regional Impact
The conference highlighted Bayanihan Ventures, a Davao-based venture capital firm focusing on startups in education and agriculture. Co-founders Nikhil Paul Antao and John Naranjo believe these sectors have the most potential to transform local communities.
“GOAB gave us exposure and connections that helped solidify our vision,” said Antao. Bayanihan Ventures prioritizes sustainable growth, focusing on “zebra companies” – startups that grow steadily and have a direct impact on their communities, rather than chasing unicorn valuations.
For Bayanihan Ventures, the focus is on creating real change. Naranjo, a Davao native, aims to empower regional startups and rewrite the narrative for Philippine entrepreneurship.
“The goal isn’t just about achieving billion-dollar valuations,” said Naranjo. “It’s about making real, tangible changes in education, agriculture, and health—sectors that directly improve lives in our communities.”
Bayanihan Ventures extends their mission beyond supporting existing startups by fostering an “innovation mindset” among aspiring entrepreneurs. Through workshops, mentorship programs, and partnerships with educational institutions, they nurture a pipeline of future founders equipped to address regional challenges.
GOAB served as a valuable platform for discussing the importance of regional innovation in the Philippine startup ecosystem. By empowering startups outside Metro Manila and fostering a more balanced landscape, the Philippines can build a stronger and more impactful tech sector.