PLDT Group backs startups for nation-building at 5th Geeks on a Beach

PLDT, together with pioneering digital companies in the PLDT Group, is reinforcing support to the country’s thriving start-up communities as innovative tools and online solutions designed for budding entrepreneurs mark the upcoming ‘Geeks on a Beach’ conference in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Aside from discussions on digital entrepreneurship and new technology and opportunities for startups to meet angel investors, the annual conference organized by TechTalks.ph will also highlight a digital exhibit showcasing different solutions from PLDT, mobile leader Smart Communications, Voyager Innovations, Paymaya Philippines, and ICT solutions provider ePLDT.

“Helping build and empower local startups is an integral part of the PLDT Group’s objective of inclusive nation-building. Through technology and connectivity, we hope to lay out digital opportunities that will help their businesses reach their full potential, and positively impact the country for the better,” said PLDT VP and Head of Core Business Research and Development Joey Limjap.

With connectivity being a critical resource that enables businesses today, PLDT will showcase the PLDT Meraki wifi solution. Through this device, businesses can fully manage their wifi connectivity and monitor their users’ activities giving owners control of how much bandwidth is allocated for each connected user, the kinds of sites or platform users are connecting to like movie streaming which can hog bandwidth if connectivity is being primarily used for business purposes.

Owners are also presented with valuable insights on their users’ behavior, sites they visit and how long they log on which are quite useful for restaurants who provide wifi to their patrons, or coffee shops who bank on different social media platforms to get their business promoted.

The conference venue will also be powered with Smart Wifi which lets subscribers connect and get free Wifi access at speeds that go up to 200mbps. PLDT, through Smart Wifi, has already provided free high-speed wifi access in transportation hubs in the country, including 28 major airports, 20 bus terminals, and 11 seaports, and MRT stations. Smart Wifi is also accessible in several foodparks in key cities, as well as government buildings, hospitals, malls, and entertainment centers.

Startups will also get to experience ePLDT’s enterprise cloud solutions and digital engagement applications. These include Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), which gives new businesses the flexibility to manage their cloud storage at cost-efficient rates depending on their needs and Microsoft Office 365, which boosts office productivity, collaboration and remote working. Digital applications like Workplace by Facebook, Web Builder and Enhanced Visitor Experience (EVE) app have already been put in place by many local organizations in the country helping them boost their operational capabilities which startups can also adopt to benefit their business.

Dindo Marzan, Managing Director for hatch at Voyager Innovation will be one of the keynote speakers. Marzan will share experiences in helping companies with their digital transformation through emerging market platforms. Voyager, the digital innovations arm of PLDT and Smart, focuses on developing scalable platforms and solutions in the areas of commerce, financial services and customer engagement. Voyager's financial services arm PayMaya Philippines, meanwhile, will provide free PayMaya cards to participants. 

Smart Senior Manager for Digital Platforms and Product Development and SmartDevNet Developer Evangelist Paul Pajo, meanwhile, will discuss developer ecosystem updates during the breakout sessions.

Ideas incubator Ideaspace Foundation of the MVP Group is also a sponsor for this year’s Geeks on a Beach and has been an essential part of the group in developing local startups through funding and mentorship.

The PLDT Group is taking broad steps to powering a digital nation that give new entrepreneurs that complete ecosystem to getting their ideas off the ground

- Ideaspace Foundation President Butch Meily.

Filipinos are really talented and have really great ideas that have the potential to be the next Facebook or Amazon, they just need to get into the right network who can help them get there, and this conference is one way to connect everyone eyeing that same vision

This year’s Geeks on a Beach will run from August 24 to 25 which expects to draw in over 500 participants from the country’s most promising start-ups and technology leaders.