Here's What Went Down at Endeavor ConnectX
Some of the most promising startups and top corporations congregated at Endeavor's ConnectX last November. Focusing on the theme "Building Connections, Boosting Innovation," leaders were asked to weigh in on topics like risk mitigation, agility in business, potential market opportunities between startups and corporates, and more.
Two segments comprised the talks. First was Learning xChange, where Managing Director of Endeavor PH Manny Ayala provided a recap of an entrepreneurial ecosystem study by Bain & Co. Here, he highlighted the need for improved Market Access in the Philippines, especially for B2B opportunities. Steve Sy, an Endeavor Entrepreneur and the CEO of Great Deals eCommerce Corp., also added, "If you don't ever plant a seed, you will not bear fruit."
Included in the first segments were various panel discussions that featured a diverse group of corporate leaders and open innovation experts. These included speakers like John Januszczak of UBX, Xavier Marzan of f(dev), Joy Santamarina of Energy Development Corporation, and Sarah Perez of Plug & Play. Each would come to share their strategies for integrating innovation into their business models, as well as the factors that make a startup agile.
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Meanwhile, a separate discussion was held with the central question: "Can Big Fish and Little Fish Really Work Together?" Leaders were asked to share insights on how successful collaborations between startups and conglomerates can materialize. Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala of AC Mobility Holdings, Lisa Gokongwei-Cheng of JG Summit, Nate Clarke of GoTyme, Nish D’Souza of edamama, and ER Rollan of Growsari would lead such discussions.
The other segment of the program was MatchBiz. Here, startups within Endeavor's network were asked to pitch directly to a room of corporates, followed by targeted, pre-arranged meetings. It was a way for the groups to transcend traditional networking in a way. This would empower 1Export, Mayani, Salmon, and TendoPay (acquired by Tonik) to engage directly with established corporates like Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Ayala Corporation, Filinvest, and JG Summit Holdings.
First held in 2021, the event has served as a constant platform that celebrates innovation and growth on both sides of the spectrum. Endeavor ConnectX serves as a reminder of the transformative power of collaboration, aligning with Endeavor's mission of supporting high-impact entrepreneurs to dream bigger, scale faster, and pay it forward.
Esquire Philippines is published by Summit Media, a company owned and managed by the Gokongwei Group of Companies, which also includes JG Summit Holdings and GoTyme Bank
