Now in its fourth year, SW Davao will gather around 100 participants to host an environment that will bring together skilled and creative people together to tackle local problems through the use of technology.
“Startups can help solve problems such as social inequality, financial literacy and healthcare provisions,” said Angel Abella, Vice President of Startup Davao.
SWD 2015 will also highlight the role of startups in boosting the Philippine economy.
“The Philippine startup ecosystem is still in its infancy, however, by 2020 the aim is to achieve at least 500 Philippine startups with a cumulative valuation of $2 Billion,” Abella said while citing the Philippine Roadmap for Digital Startups.
According to industry estimates, as of 2015, there are around 100 startups with $40 M in funding, 250 founders and 1,700 highly-skilled jobs created.
According to Lada, past Startup Weekends have taught past participants about the local and global startup industry and gave insights on what Filipino businesses need to compete internationally.
“Most especially, the event encouraged participants to build their own startups and, from there, build a synergetic community of startup movers and shakers,” she added.
The winning ideas from local SW events will then be joining the Global Startup Battle (GSB). The top three teams in each city will compete in two regional rounds. Two regional winners from six regions will then face off against other teams to become the GSB Champ.
Winning teams move into an online video pitch competition for a chance to win prizes designed to help their startup idea succeed.
The panel of judges are Joey Limjap, Vice President & Head of ICT Research and Development of PLDT; Ernie Tomas Jr.,Chief of the Investment Promotions Division of the Mindanao Development Authority; Eric Clark Su, CEO and Co-founder at Lifebit; John Naranjo, CEO & Founder at Ingenuity; Rica Villanueva-Gadi, Managing Director at New Options Worldwide Outsourcing Services.
Mentors for the event are: Timmy de Jesus, Country Manager for the Philippines at JFDI.Asia – Joyful Frog Digital Incubator; Eddie Ybañez, CEO and Co-Founder at MiCab; Gilmar Padua, CEO at Infinityhub.com; Eliza Kirsten, President, Creative Director & Owner of Illumedia; Glorypearl Dy, CEO & Founder at SwitoTwins, Inc.; Marvin Te, Creative Director at Plainly Simple Studios; Franch Maverick Arellano Lorilla, COO and Co-Founder, Heat Stress Analyzer by CloudFarm; and Jan Rey Altivo, CEO and Co-Founder, Heat Stress Analyzer by CloudFarm.
