The fourth annual “Geeks on a Beach” (GOAB) international tech and start-up conference, which has played a crucial role in empowering local start-ups, returns this time at The Bellevue Resort in Bohol this August 25 to 26, 2016.
 
 
Bannering the theme “Empowering Startups, Leading change,” GOAB will again highlight communities of startups and innovation-driven enterprises based on software and apps, which have experienced surging growth in the last few years.
 
 
Speakers will be comprised of some of the brightest minds from the Philippines, Silicon Valley, Singapore, and other countries. These are Techstars co-founder and managing partner David Brown, Startup Week-end co-founder Marc Nager, Zalora Philippines managing director Constantine Robertz, PLDT SME Nation head Mitch Locsin, STAC Silicon Valley President Cristina Laskowski, and many others.
 
 
Senator Bam Aquino declared that GOAB will serve as a venue to talk about problems and solutions especially those that continue to haunt startups and seek solutions for both age-old and new problems, as well as the do’s and don’ts of government.
 
“The role of government should be when to follow, when to get out of the way, and how to plan top down. In order to further help the startups, I have also filed a bill which eliminates any form of taxation for the first two years in order to minimize their birth pains,” he stated in a Crossroads Mall outlet.
 
He added that the Filipinos have the creativity, drive, and talent to take the next big step but is faced with many obstacles that have derailed their progress.
 
Foreigners should also be allowed to come in minus any harassment from the Bureau of Immigration. We need to create space, fast-track the development process, and solicit more support from the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for the sake of the start-ups, Aquino added.
 
Tina Amper, founder of TechTalks.ph, a crucial party in conceptualizing the GOAB, said those who are into technology, online/web/social media solutions and innovation should not miss the opportunity
to learn about the latest developments in the industry and meet the key players in the startup world.
 
GOAB will also offer its second International Startup Pitching Competition. All such entities are encouraged to apply for the opportunity to get funding and mentorship from leading investors and sponsors.
 
GOAB is offering 15 percent discount on tickets and a 40 percent group discount for five or more until July 31, 2016. Interested parties may log on to www.geeksonabeach.com or email hello@geeksonabeach.com. For more information, visit www.GeeksOnABeach.com; Facebook: Geeks on A Beach and Twitter @GeeksOnABEach.
 
 
By RICHARD RAMOS