In 2024, Cebu City advanced to tenth place in Southeast Asia, based on StartupBlink’s Global Startup Ecosystem Index, maintaining its position as the second leading startup ecosystem in the Philippines.
Amper highlighted Cebu’s strategic location in Central Visayas, historically a trade entrepot, as a key factor in its role as a meeting point for startup enablers from various regions.
Central Visayas, with Cebu at its core, was the fastest-growing economy among the 17 regions in the Philippines in 2023, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. The region also remained the fourth-largest contributor to the national economy and the top contributor outside Luzon, with a 6.6 percent share.
From “Ceboom” to ICT Hub
Jojo Flores, GOAB founding advisor and Plug and Play Tech Center Philippines co-founder, noted that Cebu’s startup scene growth is rooted in a tradition of entrepreneurship dating back to the “Ceboom” era of the 1980s and 1990s and the subsequent rise of its ICT sector in the 2000s.
Cebu’s ICT industry began to flourish in the early 2000s as the national government emphasized ICT-enabled services and business process outsourcing (BPO) as key economic drivers. The BPO and ICT sectors leveraged a large pool of English-educated talent from numerous colleges, universities, private sector training, and government education programs.
In response to these trends, the provincial government established the Cebu Provincial ICT Council in 2006 to attract ICT investments. The creation of IT hubs like the Cebu IT Park, the first of its kind outside Manila, further spurred this growth. By 2010, the Cebu IT Park had become a hub for tech companies and startups, fostering collaboration and innovation.
Flores emphasized that bringing GOAB to Cebu in 2015 for the first time helped nurture the province’s dynamic startup ecosystem, building on its history as an ICT industry investment hub since the 2000s. Events like GOAB have boosted the vibrant local startup scene through networking events, educational workshops, mentorship programs, and collaborative projects.
Challenges and Potentials
Despite the growing success of Cebu’s tech startup ecosystem, challenges remain. A 2015 study, “Cebu City Tech Startup Ecosystem,” identified gaps in infrastructure, investment, and government support as critical areas to address.
Fortunately, the Philippine government has increasingly recognized the value of startups, enacting laws like the Innovative Startup Act and establishing the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) to provide support and incentives.
For GOAB lead organizers Amper and Flores, the return of Geeks On A Beach to Cebu after a decade solidifies the province’s status as a rising tech hub and investment destination in Asia.
“We invite all interested geeks and budding entrepreneurs to join GOAB, where startups are celebrated, founders get funded, co-founders are found, geeks are hired, companies find talent, friends are discovered, partners are established, deals are secured, creativity is unlocked, connections are forged, community is strengthened, support is offered, and inspiration is endless,” said Amper.
To join Geeks On A Beach, purchase tickets at Geeks On A Beach or email hello@geeksonabeach.com. Discounted tickets are available for a limited period.
Connect with GOAB on social media: Facebook: @GeeksOnABeach, X: @GeeksOnABeach, and LinkedIn: Geeks On A Beach.
FAQs
Q: What is Geeks On A Beach (GOAB)? A: Geeks On A Beach (GOAB) is the premier tech startup international conference in the Philippines, serving as a catalyst for Cebu’s tech startup ecosystem.
Q: How has Cebu’s startup ecosystem evolved? A: Cebu’s startup ecosystem has grown from a tradition of entrepreneurship dating back to the “Ceboom” era of the 1980s and 1990s, with significant growth in the ICT sector beginning in the 2000s.
Q: What are the main challenges facing Cebu’s tech startup ecosystem? A: Key challenges include gaps in infrastructure, investment, and government support, as identified in the 2015 study “Cebu City Tech Startup Ecosystem.”
Q: How is the Philippine government supporting startups? A: The Philippine government has enacted laws like the Innovative Startup Act and established the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) to provide support and incentives for startups.
Q: How can I join Geeks On A Beach? A: You can join Geeks On A Beach by purchasing tickets at Geeks On A Beach or emailing hello@geeksonabeach.com. Discounted tickets are available for a limited period.
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