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July 31 - August 2, 2025 — Innovate Iloilo joined hundreds of delegates at the Innovator Summit 2025, a three-day gathering that brought together visionaries, entrepreneurs, government leaders, and changemakers to explore bold ideas and chart the course of innovation in Western Visayas and beyond.
Hosted by PCCI Iloilo in partnership with JCI Philippines and key ecosystem partners, the summit highlighted the power of collaboration across government, industry, and academe in building a more inclusive, sustainable, and future-ready Philippines.
From its opening to its closing sessions, the summit underscored a central theme: innovation thrives when rooted in purpose and driven by collaboration.
Welcome messages from PCCI Visayas and JCI Philippines set the tone by emphasizing youth leadership, startup empowerment, and inclusive progress.
Keynote speakers including Iloilo City Mayor Raiza S. Treñas-Chu (represented by Hon. Alan Zaldivar), Ms. Cosette Canilao (Aboitiz InfraCapital), Senator Bam Aquino, Richard Anthony Cruz (AIM/Shift Consulting), and Lars Hajslund (Global Leadership Trainer) shared powerful insights on smart cities, infrastructure for nation-building, MSME empowerment, human-centered innovation, and global megatrends shaping the future of work.
The Fireside Chat and parallel sessions explored pressing topics such as community-driven innovation, startup financing, branding, and digital transformation, providing participants with practical tools to turn ideas into action.
Closing the summit, Engr. Fulbert Woo, President of PCCI Iloilo, called for sustained collaboration between government, industry, and academe (GIA) to nurture Iloilo’s growing innovation ecosystem.
Beyond joining the plenary sessions, Innovate Iloilo also took part in the summit’s workshops, engaging in dynamic discussions and interactive learning experiences alongside other innovators and ecosystem partners. These workshops provided valuable insights and practical applications that further strengthen the organization’s mission to support founders, MSMEs, and community-driven innovation.
The team highlighted how the creativity, energy, and momentum of the three-day event reinforced their commitment to building a thriving innovation ecosystem in Iloilo and Western Visayas.
The success of Innovator Summit 2025 is a testament to the collective effort of its organizers, speakers, and partners. With Iloilo City’s rising profile as one of the Philippines’ leading startup ecosystems, the summit stands as both a milestone and a springboard—signaling that the work of building the future, together has only just begun.
