Echelon Philippines 2024

Aiming to support and empower the world’s fastest-growing tech market, Echelon Philippines 2024 united the expertise of startup leaders, visionary entrepreneurs, and forward-thinking investors from the Philippines and Southeast Asia. This collaboration aimed to propel the region’s next growth phase, fostering innovation and driving meaningful economic progress.

As part of the tech conference’s keynote speech titled ‘Through the Eyes of the Everyday Filipino: Understanding Daily Challenges Worth Solving’, Julian Cua, Managing Director and Partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), provided insights on the aspirations, challenges, and priorities of Filipinos:

Identify everyday challenges

Cua highlighted that 58 per cent of Filipinos prioritise financial security for health, with starting a business as the next goal. Despite setbacks like the pandemic and high inflation, 53 per cent remain optimistic about achieving their dreams this year, and 68 per cent expect improvement in the coming year, with optimism being particularly strong in rural areas.

Bridge the gap

Key challenges such as financial insecurity and health concerns were discussed, with 66 per cent of Filipinos prioritising health but 46 per cent feeling unprepared for healthcare emergencies. The rise of micro and small businesses was also highlighted, emphasising the need for startups to align solutions with these evolving needs and pain points.

Create impact-driven solutions

The discussion stressed the importance of developing products and services that not only scale but also create tangible benefits. Cua identifies four distinct segments of Filipinos based on their dreams and motivations: providers, trailblazers, guardians, and rebuilders.

Each group has specific aspirations and challenges, making it essential for businesses to understand these nuances to effectively tailor their products and services. Cua underscored the need for tailored solutions that support micro and small businesses, which play a critical role in the economy, ensuring startups can make a meaningful impact on the daily lives of Filipinos.

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Missed Echelon Philippines this year? You can now catch the recorded sessions on demand, showcasing insights from leading startup experts, visionary entrepreneurs, and forward-thinking investors from the Philippines and Southeast Asia, all geared toward driving the next phase of growth. And stay tuned—more videos are coming soon!

Watch Echelon Philippines and ECX here.