“ START ENERGY BUILDS AS GOAB MIXERS IGNITE MAKATI & CEBU AHEAD OF PSW 2025 "

 

Geeks On A Beach Mixers in Makati and Cebu put emerging startup opportunities in focus for the Philippine Startup Weekend 2025

Following the success of the Geeks On A Beach (GOAB) conference held in October 2025 in Mactan, Cebu, GOAB is once again gathering founders, investors, and innovators—this time through two intimate community mixers in Makati City and Mandaue City, Cebu. Organized in partnership with Zero-Ten Park Philippines, the GOAB Reunion & Networking Mixers form part of Philippine Startup Week 2025 (PHSW25) and aim to extend the energy, conversations, and connections sparked during the flagship conference.

“We’re coming straight off a fantastic GOAB conference where you could really feel the optimism in the room,” said Tina Amper, GOAB Lead Organizer. “People were energized—founders were pitching new ideas, investors were asking sharper questions, and communities were reconnecting after years of fragmented engagement. These mixers are about keeping that spark alive in two of the country’s leading business districts.”

Despite structural challenges such as limited infrastructure, a lack of diversified funding, and regulatory hurdles, the Philippines continues to rise as one of the world’s fastest-growing startup hubs. According to the 2024 Global Startup Ecosystem Report, valuations of tech startups in the country have climbed from USD 3.5 billion to USD 6.4 billion. Regional innovation centers are also gaining traction in emerging urban areas like Metro Iloilo and Metro Bacolod, drawing both local and global investor interest.

The upcoming GOAB mixers aim to build on this momentum by creating warm, trusted spaces where ideas and collaborations can flourish. Amper noted that new ventures are emerging, regional founders are becoming more engaged, and industry leaders are increasingly eager to support the next wave of innovators. “There’s a lot of quiet yet significant progress happening. Innovation happens when people communicate—and communicate honestly. That’s the purpose of these mixers,” she added.

The first mixer will take place on November 12, 2025, at Zero-Ten Park in Makati, located within the Frabelle Business Center on Rada Street, Legazpi Village, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The Cebu edition will follow on November 15, 2025, at Zero-Ten Park in JDN Square on P. Remedio Street, Mandaue City, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Interested participants may register through Luma.

Attendees can expect founder stories, rapid networking sessions, and a relaxed environment that reflects GOAB’s signature culture—laid-back, vibrant, and community-driven. Zero-Ten Park Philippines will provide refreshments and host collaborative spaces designed to foster deeper conversations. To ensure meaningful interactions, each mixer is capped at 50 participants.

“These gatherings are more than networking events—they offer a glimpse into the future,” Amper said. “You’ll meet people building new companies, experimenting with bold ideas, taking risks, and expanding what’s possible in the Philippines. It’s an exciting time to be part of this community.”

Early registration is highly encouraged. Once slots are filled, waitlists will be available for both the Makati and Cebu events.

This year’s GOAB was held on October 1-3, 2025, at JPark Island Resort Hotel in Mactan, Cebu. It is organized by the non-profit group geeksPH with the support of its foundational government partner, the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT).

 Geeks On A Beach (GOAB) is the Philippines’ pioneering beachside international tech and startup conference. Since 2013, it has brought together global founders, investors, and innovators in a laid-back yet high-impact setting, helping spark collaborations and investments that shape the Philippine and Southeast Asian startup ecosystem.