Start-up forum expects more Pinoy innovations

CEBU, Philippines - Organizers of the second "Geeks on a Beach" (GOAB 2014) convention expect more innovative Filipinos to show off their talents and skills to help push the Philippines as one of the hottest "start-up" destinations in the world.

Tina Amper, the founding organizer of the GOAB convention which started last year in Boracay Island, said that the staging of this year's event is seen to encourage more Filipinos to boast their talents to the world's community of start-up supporters.

"You don’t have to be a developer to be a geek," Amper said adding that any good concept or innovation idea can be developed and could earn commercial viability, not only for domestic market, but also worldwide.

"Cebu is not only home to flourishing startups but also boasts of rich culture heritage and some of the world's best beaches which is just a walk away from the GOAB2 venue at Movenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu,"said Amper.

The convention, which is slated next month, expects to gather the best minds in technology development, gaming design, business and marketing technology, among others.

According to international start-up expert Bowei Gai, the Philippines needs to develop its potential as melting pot of start-up as he noted rich supply of talents here.

If the eco-system is well organized, such as support from government, and strong start-up community the country will become a magnet for venture capitalists all over the world.

Sponsored by Smart DevNet and ideaSpace, this year’s GOAB slated on August 21-22 is organized by TechTalks.ph and the Department of Science and Technology-Information and Communications office.

Gai, who is a serial entrepreneur from Silicon Valley who traveled in 29 countries and 36 cities said that money is not a problem for start-up geeks, as venture capitalists will eventually follow, if good ideas are well developed.

Recently, Tholons principal Vikrant Khanna, called the attention of the Philippines to make the development of start-up and techno-preneur community as one of the top priorities.

Although, the GOAB event is purely private-sector led, it has gained support from the government through the DOST-ICTO.

International techno-preneurs are encouraging Filipino start-ups to highten its confidence for growth, as the global investors for this kind of industry are now looking at the Southeast Asia including the Philippines as potential breeding ground.  (FREEMAN)