IGNITE 2025: Sparking ASEAN’s Next Wave of Startup Innovation
IGNITE 2025 is set to transform Fairmont Makati into a hub of groundbreaking ideas and cross-border collaborations on October 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.
IMAGE from IGNITE PH’s Facebook page
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, create uplift the local innovation ecosystem and increase economic activities in the Philippines and across the ASEAN region.
The conference opens with an exclusive welcome dinner at the heart of Makati, a by-invitation evening that sets the tone for collaboration. Here, investors, sponsors, speakers, and international guests can engage in meaningful conversations and lay the groundwork for potential partnerships in an intimate, relaxed setting.
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 fresh insights into the latest trends shaping the ASEAN and international startup ecosystems, while breakout sessions and business matching activities create targeted opportunities for collaboration among entrepreneurs, corporations, and investors.
Previous Keynote Speakers/IMAGES from IGNITE PH
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 on 2026.
Startup World Cup 2024 Pitch Competition /IMAGE from IGNITE PH
Startup World Cup 2024 Philippines Grand Winner /IMAGE from IGNITE PH
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.
Launched in 2017 by TechShake, a leading Southeast Asian accelerator and startup ecosystem builder and dentsu, a global marketing agency powerhouse from Japan, IGNITE was created to bridge the gap between startups and investors, sparking collaboration and growth in the Philippine innovation scene.
From its first year with 500 attendees to drawing over 2,000 participants in 2019, IGNITE has grown into one of the Philippines’ top international innovation conferences, inspiring entrepreneurs and driving economic opportunities across the region.
IGNITE 2025 is powered by a robust international network spanning Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines. With over 500 corporations, investors, government agencies, and ecosystem builders worldwide, the conference unites the best minds in the startup and innovation space.
With at least 1,200 attendees expected—including 10% investors, 30% startups, and 60% corporate innovators—IGNITE 2025 is more than a conference; it’s a launchpad for groundbreaking ideas and global connections. From discovering the latest innovation trends to networking with key stakeholders from across Asia, this event offers unmatched opportunities to spark new ventures and collaborations.
This year’s IGNITE 2025 is made possible thanks to over 70 community partners and an extensive list of media collaborators including Philippine Primer that play a crucial role in amplifying the conference’s reach.
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.
