By Edielyn Mangol, Reporter
Once again, IGNITE proved that the Philippines stands at the heart of Southeast Asia’s growing innovation movement. On October 15, 2025, the Fairmont Makati transformed into a powerhouse of ideas and partnerships as IGNITE 2025 convened over 1,000 participants — from visionary founders and investors to policymakers and corporate leaders — under the theme “Gateway ASEAN: Expanding Markets, Empowering Growth.”
Hosted by TechShake and dentsu, the one-day conference reaffirmed IGNITE’s position as one of the region’s most influential innovation events.
Since its debut in 2017, the conference has grown from a 500-participant gathering into a major platform uniting ASEAN startups, venture capitalists, and multinational corporations eager to drive digital transformation and regional growth.
Setting the tone: A gateway to connection
The IGNITE 2025 experience began even before the main conference opened.
On the eve of the event, an exclusive welcome dinner in Makati City gathered a select group of global guests, sponsors, and investors. The intimate evening allowed participants to exchange ideas, explore partnership opportunities, and align on shared visions for ASEAN’s innovation future.
It set a collaborative tone that carried over into the following morning, when the main event officially opened with remarks from Kazuo Nakamura, Executive Director of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Manila; Jhino Illano, Director III of the DICT–ICT Industry Development Bureau; and Russel Pili, Chief Technology Transfer Officer of the DOST–PCIEERD.
Each speaker emphasized a common thread — that innovation thrives where collaboration exists. Their messages reflected ASEAN’s growing unity in harnessing digital technology for inclusive economic development.
Nakamura underscored Japan’s continued commitment to co-innovation with ASEAN markets, particularly the Philippines, while Illano highlighted the DICT’s support for nurturing local startups through the country’s ICT ecosystem. Pili, meanwhile, shared DOST–PCIEERD’s perspective on empowering research-based innovation and turning ideas into impact.
Keynotes and panels: Insights that drive growth
Following the opening session, the event transitioned into a full day of keynotes, panel discussions, and breakout sessions—each designed to provide actionable insights for entrepreneurs and investors alike.
The program explored a diverse range of topics such as AI-powered leadership, emerging AI trends across ASEAN, and a preview of the upcoming ASEAN Summit PH 2025. These sessions tackled real-world questions on how technology, collaboration, and policy can converge to shape the future of ASEAN’s digital economy.
Experts and business leaders shared how artificial intelligence continues to redefine productivity, decision-making, and customer engagement. Meanwhile, discussions on cross-border scaling and regional market access provided valuable lessons for startups seeking to grow beyond their home countries.
“ASEAN is no longer just a collection of emerging markets,” one speaker noted. “It’s a unified network of innovators solving shared challenges — energy, climate, education, and access to finance—through technology and collaboration.”
For attendees, these conversations went beyond trends; they offered a roadmap for building resilience and relevance in an increasingly competitive global economy.
The JETRO Co-Innovation Pitch: Philippines meets Japan
A major highlight of IGNITE 2025 was the JETRO Co-Innovation Pitch Session, which spotlighted collaboration between Japanese corporations and Filipino startups.
This year’s session featured Enebloom, a Japan-based corporation, working alongside four promising Philippine startups: Better-ed, Klimatech, Hotelblock.ai, and Alerto. Each team presented innovative solutions aimed at addressing common regional challenges — from education technology and climate resilience to hospitality and public safety.
The session embodied IGNITE’s “Gateway ASEAN” vision — illustrating how partnerships between established corporations and emerging startups can yield scalable, high-impact solutions.
“The goal is not competition, but co-creation,” shared a JETRO representative. “Japan’s expertise in technology and the Philippines’ creativity and adaptability can together create products that serve wider ASEAN markets.”
This co-innovation format not only showcased talent but also demonstrated the importance of cultural and strategic alignment in cross-border collaboration.
Startup World Cup: Celebrating Filipino excellence
Another centerpiece of the day was the Startup World Cup Philippines Regional Final, where Filipino innovators took the stage to compete for a spot at the Grand Finale in Silicon Valley in 2026.
Emerging victorious was Edge Tutor International Pte. Ltd., an education technology startup that provides high-quality tutoring services to learners worldwide. By winning the national round, Edge Tutor earned the honor of representing the Philippines in Silicon Valley next year — marking a milestone in the country’s growing global startup presence.
Securing second place was Xeleqt Technology Innovations Inc., a platform enabling workforce optimization and gig economy solutions, while Avilta landed third with its innovative take on sustainable materials and design.
Judges praised the participants for their ingenuity, business viability, and commitment to solving real-world challenges. The results underscored that Filipino startups are not just catching up — they are competing head-to-head on the global stage.
Beyond the stage: Innovation in action
Throughout the day, the Fairmont Makati venue buzzed with activity.
Booth exhibitions lined the halls, showcasing cutting-edge technologies, digital solutions, and emerging products from across ASEAN. These displays allowed participants to interact directly with innovators, test prototypes, and discuss potential partnerships.
The diversity of exhibitors reflected the breadth of ASEAN’s startup landscape — from fintech and AI to sustainability, logistics, and digital health. Attendees noted that the exhibition area itself felt like “a living ecosystem,” where ideas flowed freely and opportunities emerged through spontaneous conversation.
As the event concluded, an invitation-only networking dinner provided a fitting finale. Over food and dialogue, investors and founders explored how to transform connections into collaborations—true to IGNITE’s mission of building bridges between innovators and markets.
Eight years of igniting ideas
Since its inception in 2017, IGNITE has steadily evolved into one of the Philippines’ premier international innovation conferences. Co-organized by TechShake and dentsu, it has consistently attracted high-caliber participants from Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and across ASEAN.
From an initial 500 participants, IGNITE now draws thousands — a testament to its growing impact and credibility within the regional innovation landscape.
This year’s edition was supported by over 70 community partners, and a broad media network that included Philippine Primer, When in Manila, BusinessWorld, and FintechNewsPH. Together, these organizations amplified the conference’s reach and reinforced its mission of fostering a connected, collaborative ASEAN startup ecosystem.
Gateway ASEAN: Expanding markets, empowering growth
The theme “Gateway ASEAN: Expanding Markets, Empowering Growth” captured more than just the conference’s agenda — it reflected the region’s collective vision for inclusive, technology-driven prosperity.
In a world where innovation is often siloed by geography or regulation, IGNITE 2025 reminded attendees of the power of openness. By lowering barriers, sharing knowledge, and investing in co-creation, ASEAN nations can unlock new levels of competitiveness and resilience.
As one investor shared during the closing session, “The next wave of innovation in Asia won’t come from one country alone — it will come from collaboration among ASEAN innovators who see opportunity not just within their borders, but across them.”
IGNITE 2025 stood as proof of that belief. It celebrated diversity, championed shared growth, and positioned ASEAN not just as a consumer of innovation, but as a global creator of it.
As the lights dimmed in Fairmont Makati, only one message resonated across every conversation: when markets expand, growth is empowered — and when nations collaborate, the entire region also moves forward — together.
