The Philippines’ largest startup conference draws hundreds of entrepreneurs, business leaders, and innovators from across the country to connect and build partnerships through leadership conversations, talks, and lively after-hours networking.

In celebration of the Filipino startup community and the key players contributing to the growing Philippine startup ecosystem, homegrown startup heroes and ecosystem enablers joined the PHSW22 last November 14-18, 2022.

After two years online, PHSW22 goes hybrid—showcasing over 150 homegrown startups, 300 speakers, and100 community events with the help of over 50 community partners. Yes, you read that right, IN-PERSON EVENTS WERE BACK—PHSW22 have had four Nights led by Qapita, Amazon Web Services, 917Ventures, and Microsoft, in partnership with Gentree Fund, Seedstars, and KodeGo.

The Opening Ceremony is headlined by Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. of the Department of Science and Technology, Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba of the Department of Trade and Industry, Secretary Ivan John Uy of the Department of Information and Communications Technology, and Rene “Butch” S. Meily, President of QBO Innovation Hub.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) spearheaded the InnovNation at the PHSW22 on November 15. This event aimed to simultaneously inspire and inform the public on the vital knowledge and milestones in the startup industry through the lenses of the department. This year, its topic revolved around “Developing the PH Startup Ecosystem: EdTech and Ecosystem Assessment as First Steps for Digital Transformation”. The event aims to present the PH EdTech Ecosystem Report Recommendations and the results of the DICT-conducted Startup Ecosystem Mappings in 15 locations nationwide. 

DEVCON Philippines, Stonks, Talino Venture Labs, and QBO Philippines, in partnership with Philippine Startup Week, joined forces to bring an exciting LIVE pitch competition! These 8 fast-growing startups pitched their ventures at Accelerate PH: The Philippines’ First Live Funding Demo Day, including Britana, Cocotel, Forent, ODD Store, Smile API, Stanible, Trash Cash PH, and Uproot Urban Farms.

They have also provided a daily community events schedule so you can bookmark the Virtual Hub and create your own agenda for the 5-day startup conference. The event had specialized tracks, interactive activities, panel discussions, main summits, and learning sessions for everyone.   

What is Philippine Startup Week 2022?

The Philippine Startup Week 2022 (PHSW22), themed “Homegrown Heroes: Cultivating Future Tech Giants”, gathered the local startup community during a 5-day conference. To enhance the local startup scene, it became a platform to build long-term partnerships, investments, and collaborations to take the ecosystem a step further.  

There is a misconception that big corporations pose a challenge to small and medium-sized businesses. But through these corporations’ resources and affiliate networks, SMEs could gain a competitive advantage by unlocking more assets to help future-proof their businesses.

“In the Philippines, we’re all on a path—and that path will always be forward. In 2023, we will find great founders that will be solving Filipinos’ problems [through tech].”

Natasha Bautista of 917Ventures, Franco Verona of Foxmont Capital Partners, and Joan Yao of Kickstart Ventures shared their thoughts on the tech industry in the Philippines and what to expect in the coming years as we move towards digitization.

Women who are redefining the tech landscape were featured at PHSW22 Startup Pinay Conference. This conference aimed to strengthen the pipeline of female entrepreneurs and leaders-from classrooms to executive boardrooms to political arenas led by QBO Philippines, Australian Aid and Investing In Women, and co-presented by Amazon Web Services and Accion.

The session opens with a keynote message by Katrina Chan, Executive Director of QBO Innovation Hub—who has spearheaded the Startup Pinay initiative since its inception.

  This is an overview of what happened on the 4-fold program this week:

● A woman’s perspective on launching a successful startup

● The role of tech in empowering female founders

● The perspectives, challenges, and triumphs of female startup founders in the tech startup space

● Addressing the disparity and shaping a gender-divers investment ecosystem

GTX offers endless training and learning opportunities at PHSW22

It was another successful day of talks for the attendees at Philippine Startup Week 2022 as we sat through more inspiring sessions brought to you by GTX. Our minds were challenged and filled with creativity as we had another great conference. Abakada’s Gamification Expert, Tobie Abad, spearheaded the GTX to share his insights on how Filipino entrepreneurs can scale their businesses with Gamified Training Experiences and use gamification to their advantage. It was hosted by our very own Friday Galvez, so mark your calendar and join the discussion at PHSW22!

In the midst of the pandemic, startups have gone to great lengths to guarantee that their goals and missions are not hampered. Thanks to all of the keynote speakers, startups, and sponsors who made this a success. May all the knowledge and tips from our experts be useful to all of us as we continue to adapt to new technologies and a new normal. 

We would like to acknowledge the work that PHSW22 does for startups like us and other sectors of the industry. We appreciate you having us promote excellence and implement effective learning and training strategies through gamification. We hope for more partnerships with you and events like this in the future!

A big shoutout to all of PHSW22 Sponsors, including PLDT, Accelevents, 917Ventures, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, Shell LiveWIRE, Meta, Accenture, AHG Lab, JobStreet Philippines, Xendit Philippines, Globe myBusiness, CloudEats, Qubit, Great Deals E-Commerce Corp., PayMongo, and PwC Philippines.This year’s biggest startup conference wouldn’t have been possible without your amazing support!