IGNITE 2025 is set to transform Fairmont Makati into a hub of groundbreaking ideas and cross-border collaborations on Oct. 15, 2025, with the theme “Gateway ASEAN: Expanding Markets, Empowering Growth,” bringing together visionary startups, investors, and industry leaders from across the ASEAN region and beyond.
Across one vibrant day, IGNITE 2025 will offer a mix of high-value networking and thought-provoking content designed to spark connections and create opportunities for local players to connect with international players, and, later on, uplift the local innovation ecosystem and increase economic activities in the Philippines and across the ASEAN region.
The conference will kick off with an exclusive welcome dinner at Dr. Wine Poblacion, a by-invitation gathering that sets the stage for meaningful exchanges. In this intimate and relaxed atmosphere, investors, sponsors, speakers, and global guests can connect, share ideas, and explore future collaborations.
The following day, the venue transforms into a bustling arena of ideas and action. From 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the main conference hall will come alive with keynote addresses and panel discussions led by renowned innovators and business leaders from across the globe.
Attendees will gain valuable perspectives on the emerging trends driving the ASEAN and global startup ecosystems. Through focused breakout sessions and business matching activities, the event will open meaningful opportunities for collaboration among entrepreneurs, corporations, and investors.
Adding to the excitement is the annual major pitch competition, the WILDFIRE Pitch Competition, where startups deliver powerful one-shot pitches to win prizes and access international acceleration programs.
The Startup World Cup Philippines Regional Final’s winners will advance to the Grand Finale in Silicon Valley in 2026.
Throughout the day, 20 to 25 exhibitor booths will showcase innovative products, services, and technologies, while media coverage will capture every moment. The event culminates in a by-invitation networking dinner, providing a fitting close to a day of groundbreaking ideas and connections.
First launched in 2017 by TechShake, a leading Southeast Asian startup ecosystem builder, and dentsu, Japan’s global marketing powerhouse, IGNITE was envisioned as a bridge between startups and investors, a platform to fuel collaboration, inspire innovation, and accelerate growth within the Philippine startup scene.
From its humble beginnings with 500 participants, IGNITE has evolved into one of the Philippines’ premier international innovation conferences, drawing over 2,000 attendees in 2019 and continuously expanding its reach across Asia.
Powered by a strong international network spanning Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines, IGNITE 2025 brings together more than 500 corporations, investors, government agencies, and ecosystem builders, uniting the brightest minds in the region’s innovation landscape.
This year’s conference expects over 1,200 participants, including investors (10%), startups (30%), and corporate innovators (60%). More than just a conference, IGNITE 2025 serves as a launchpad for transformative ideas and global connections, offering an unmatched space to explore trends, share insights, and forge impactful partnerships across Asia.
The event is made possible through the support of 70+ community partners and an extensive roster of media collaborators, including Philippine Primer, who help amplify IGNITE’s mission to spotlight innovation and entrepreneurship on the global stage.
Register now and be part of the movement that shapes the future of ASEAN innovation. For more details and updates, visit their official website and Facebook page.
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