Geeks to gather for top Philippine tech event
Trending in Twitter worldwide, Lana del Rey’s latest single “High By The Beach” could very well express half the reason why hundreds of geeks are trooping to Boracay, Philippines some 10 days after the song’s release in iTunes and Spotify this month.
“All I wanna do is get high on the beach.” This catchy line of the West Coast diva’s third album “Honeymoon” probably refers to the beautiful Californian coastline. But it also captures what you feel walking along four kilometers of fine white sand of Boracay’s famous White Beach.
It could also mean hyped up spirits as you hop from one pub to another until dawn.
Besides, the tourism slogan “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” couldn’t be truer when techies, startup founders and venture capitalists, along with other stakeholders converge not just to launch the archipelago’s startup road map. Expect them to also get high by the beach with their drones, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles or UAVs. Wow!
Geeks on a Beach (GOAB) 2015 is on its third year. The first happened also in Boracay last 2013 and followed by GOAB 2 in Cebu. This year, it will be at the Crown Regency Resort and Convention Center on August 20-21, 2015.
Philippine Startup Road map
‘Science parks’ with strong Internet connections and government funding for ‘Startup Philippines’ are two of several initiatives envisioned to make technology-based businesses a driver of Philippines economic growth.
These strategic projects are part of the “Philippine Roadmap for Internet-related (Digital) Startups: 2018 and beyond” to be known as “The Philippine Startup Roadmap” to be launched by the Philippine startup community and the Department of Science and Technology during GOAB 2015.
The strategic plan is a result of a process that began during the first GOAB also in Boracay in 2013 and enriched during the second GOAB in Cebu last year.
The roadmap will generate more innovative Filipino startups that drive economic growth and compete with the best of the world 2018 and beyond. GOAB 2015 will be the watershed moment for the Philippine startup community on the eve of ASEAN integration.
Since its first staging in Boracay Island in September 2013, Geeks on a Beach (GOAB) has grown to be the Philippines’ national tech startup conference. Now in its third year, GOAB will return to Boracay with a splash.
The confab will once more provide an international platform for Filipino and global startups, tech entrepreneurs, and industry designers to take part in a laid back yet productive interaction on the latest on technology and entrepreneurship as well as offer them real business opportunities.
Global tech champs
Throughout the two-day tech confab, delegates can establish networks with some of the country and the world’s biggest names in the startup and investor community as well as secure enduring partnerships and lucrative investments.
GOAB will feature keynotes and panels with now more than 40 tech champs from across the globe. There will also be breakout sessions and workshops where participants get updated with the latest technologies and trends by experienced industry experts.
Unlike in previous years, GOAB 2015 will feature an International Startup Pitching Competition where all early stage tech startups that have revenue and traction will contend with each other for the hand of potential investors on the GOAB stage.
Moreover, the event will also showcase some of the best tech startup services and products at the Booths and Geek Alleys. There will be an Investors Roundtable Dinner, Business Matching sessions, flash consultations, and a geek party.
GOAB 2015 Featured Activities
International Keynote Speakers and Industry Leader Panel Discussions
GOAB 2015 will feature keynote speakers and industry leader panel discussions with more than 40 speakers from across the world. Conference participants will be inspired with the insights and experiences that will be shared in the talks.
GOAB International Startup Pitching Competition
First launched in this year’s event, the international startup pitching competition lets early stage tech startups with revenue and traction vie for potential investors by pitching their products and services on the GOAB stage. Deadline for online applications is on July 20, 2015.
Investors Roundtable Dinner
Interested investors may get a separate ticket (“Investor + Conference”) for access to an exclusive roundtable discussion by investors for investors about investing in tech startups in Southeast Asia.
Business Matching
GOAB provides Business Processing Outsourcing firms with the perfect opportunity to make the right connections with startups, software development companies, outsourcing partners, mentors, investors, employees, employers, clients and supporters.
Exhibition Booths and Geek Alley Exhibition
Strategically located in the open lobby outside the convention hall, exhibition booths will highlight corporate sponsors and retail vendors while startups can showcase their products at the Geek Alley Exhibition. Reserve your booth now by contacting [email protected]
Office Hours
Startups can get a rare chance to meet mentors on a 1-on-1 basis through these flash consultations meeting of a few minutes each. This is an opportunity to get help on your most important issue.
Lunch with a Speaker
Our popular activity where volunteer speakers sit down with the participants during lunch hour for a more personal interaction and connection is back. This opportunity to shake hands and mingle with some speakers in structured networking sessions should not be missed.
Breakout Sessions
Participants get up to date with workshops and talks from experienced industry expert on the latest technologies and trends in investments, tech, startup and design.
Geek Party
With music and drinks, attendees put their party hats on and continue the conversations with us in the beautiful Boracay Island, and hopefully leading to new ideas and new action plans.
The Philippine Startup Roadmap urges the continuation of the annual Geeks on a Beach that “highlights the achievements of local players and provides them opportunities to interact with potential investors, partners, and experienced entrepreneurs.”
Drones
The second day of GOAB 2015 will see something different. Drones will be flying over the world-famous white sand beaches of Boracay.
“Some of the most exciting developments in the world are happening with drones. These cool aerial gadgets are helping people do things in new and exciting ways. Drones are going to rule the world so we better get ready,” said Tina Amper, TechTalks.ph founder and GOAB lead organizer.
Amper explained that drones have been used in the Philippines not only for filming and documentation but also to survey damage and assist search-and-rescue operations after disasters. Drones also have enormous potential for use in other fields such as tourism and agriculture wherein drones have been used to count livestock and monitor the health of crops in other countries, she added.
“Those who are curious about drones can join this event and find out what the fuss is all about. If you already have a drone or want to buy one, joining the event can help you get tips from the experts before choosing your own,” said Amper.
The “drones track” discussion during GOAB is set on August 21, Friday afternoon, from 1PM to 2PM while the “fly-in” for participants bringing their drones to Boracay is set on August 22, Saturday morning. A drone film showing and photo exhibit are also planned during the event.
Apart from promoting drones as a tech solution to many of the challenges facing Philippine enterprises, the event will also educate participants on how to fly their aerial devices responsibly in order to avoid “drone fails” or accidents like aerial gadgets flying into trees or tall buildings.
‘Drone track’ speakers
Some of the GOAB “drone track” speakers include Mayon Studios Inc. CEO Randall Sayat, who has over 15 years of advanced engineering experience with companies such as Intel, Cisco, Apple, NASA, DARPA, and DOD agencies; and Zsolt Vaszary, a seasoned serial entrepreneur, aerial filmographer, and founder of the website dronethusiast.com.
Drone Event Director is Janice Perez, an award-winning independent filmmaker who is working in tandem with GOAB organizer Amper.
GOAB participants get to attend the drone events for free as part of their registration fee. But those who are interested in the “drones track” only can register for a discounted price of P1,500 (US$33) for the first 40 registrants. This is 40 percent off the regular price of P2,500 (US$56).
Apart from the “drones track,” GOAB will also feature a wide variety of other talks on tech, startups, design, and entrepreneurship, booths and exhibitions, a pitching competition, beach parties as well as networking and business opportunities for participants.
Partners
TechTalks.ph has once again partnered with SMART Communications, SMART DevNet, IdeaSpace, PLDT Innolab, and the Department of Science and Technology-Information and Communication Technology Office (DOST-ICTO) to make the third GOAB possible.
Strategic partners include Sym.ph, Happy Garaje, and PRWorks Vis-Min with AirAsia, Amazon, 1337 Ventures, Monk’s Hill Ventures, Plug and Play. Microsoft, Islands Souvenirs, Salarium,Frontier Ventures, RTI International and USAID-STRIDEas main sponsors.
TechTalks.ph is a non-profit organization that supports tech startups and promotes ICT careers in the Philippines. TechTalks.ph has organized 11 Startup Weekend workshops in the Philippines, and two Geeks on Beach tech confabs.
Renowned as GOAB lead organizer and for organizing over 10 Startup Weekend pitching contests in the Philippines, TechTalks.ph is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating, supporting, and empowering Filipino tech entrepreneurs and promoting the Philippine tech sector to the world.
To register, sponsor, or inquire about GOAB, visit the website, www.GeeksOnABeach.com, follow @GeeksOnABeach in Facebook and Twitter @GeeksOnABeach, or email[email protected].
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