Geeks on a Beach (GOAB), one of the Philippines’ top international tech and startup conferences, is set to return on October 1 to 3, 2025, at JPark Island Resort in Mactan, Cebu. The annual event will once again bring together startup founders, investors, tech leaders, and policymakers to discuss innovation, collaboration, and the future of technology.
Since its debut in 2013, GOAB has become a key meeting ground for the local startup community and a bridge to global networks, attracting participants from Asia, Silicon Valley, and beyond. The conference has helped startups connect with mentors and investors, form partnerships, and find growth opportunities.
GOAB lead organizer Tina Amper said this year’s event comes at a crucial time with AI reshaping industries. “It’s more important than ever for our community to come together, tackle challenges, and strategically refocus, rebuild, and renew,” she said.
What’s New at GOAB 8
The conference is introducing the GOAB Beach Club, a membership platform to extend networking and collaboration throughout the year. “It’s a year-round movement now,” said co-founder and Symph CEO Dave Overton.
A new Startup Demos segment will give founders more time to present their products and ideas, complementing the fast-paced lightning pitches GOAB is known for. Teams interested in AI can also join targeted masterclasses, with topics ranging from beginner-friendly GenAI to advanced AI strategies for developers, product managers, and business leaders.
Tim Santos will present findings from PhilippineAIReport.com, offering insights on AI adoption and strategies for integrating AI while maximizing human talent.
Support and Speakers
GOAB is organized by the non-profit geeksPH with support from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). Sponsors include Kickstart Ventures, 917 Ventures, Sinigang Valley Association, and Apollo Technologies, while partners like QBO Innovation Hub, Ideaspace, and DEVCON PH continue to support the growing startup ecosystem.
This year’s lineup includes Jojo Flores of Plug and Play Tech Center, Foxmont Capital Partners’ Franco Varona and Catrina Magsadia, Epic Angels’ Hester Spiegel-van den Steenhoven, e27 Singapore’s Mohan Belani, and Noneaway Philippines’ Crystal Lee Gonzalez, with more names to follow.
GOAB has a track record of helping small startups grow into acquisitions and international ventures. Organizers hope this year’s edition will continue that momentum, especially with the spotlight on AI and collaboration.
