TechShake Celebrates 10 Years of Driving Innovation with IGNITE X: Shaping an Intelligent ASEAN Future

Manila, Philippines - November 09, 2026 - For a decade, IGNITE has connected the Philippines, Japan, and the wider ASEAN startup ecosystem. This edition convenes founders, corporations, and investors to examine how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are shaping regional business and collaboration.

​Building Cross-Border Innovation

​TechShake creates cross-border innovation opportunities between Southeast Asia and global markets, with strong ties to Japan. Its work spans market-entry support, BPO services, business matching, innovation programs and events, and strategic consulting.

​As AI reshapes industries across ASEAN, IGNITE X aims to strengthen a more connected regional innovation ecosystem. Its audience reflects this international reach: 90% of attendees come from ASEAN countries and Japan, while 10% are from the Philippines. Attendees include corporate leaders (60%), startup founders (30%), and investors (10%).

​Driving High-Impact Partnerships

​IGNITE X will feature three Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremonies to advance cross-border collaboration:

• ​The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Mitsubishi Research Institute (MRI), and TechShake will establish a framework for cross-border technology transfer and innovation.
• ​The Department of Science and Technology–Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI), Mitsubishi Research Institute, and TechShake will strengthen cooperation in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship.
• ​Quezon City Local Government and TechShake will collaborate on local government-focused innovation and business matching.

​The program features keynotes, panels, and fireside chats on technology, investment, and market expansion. Featured speakers include Nathan Aherne; Karl Mak of Hepmil Media Group; Atsushi Koshio of Reitaku University; Dato’ Steve Cheah of AiSED; and Deputy Director General Anidelle Joy M. Alguso of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA). Spotlight talks will feature Kasper-Tanakrit Sermsuksan of SEA Bridge, Colin Kennedy of Creative HQ, Valerie Lim of ChargedUP, and Itamar Gero of TrueLogic.

​Panels will examine ASEAN investment trends with Franco Varona of Foxmont Capital Partners and Richard Armstrong of TA Ventures; the role of ecosystem enablers in strengthening startup ecosystems across ASEAN; and global market expansion, featuring Hayato Kiriyama of Cyber Security Cloud and Shunsuke Ichikawa of GarageBank, moderated by Roman Azanza. Fireside chats will feature Tomoyuki Nishida of Mitsubishi Corporation, moderated by Kazuhiko Yoshimatsu of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, and an AI-focused discussion with Arnie Alvarez of Huawei, moderated by Bim Gutierrez of Ateneo de Manila University.

​Startup World Cup Regional Finals

​A highlight of IGNITE X will be the regional finals of the Startup World Cup, organized with Silicon Valley-based Pegasus Tech Ventures. Seven selected startups will pitch live before a panel of investors and industry leaders, including representatives from Foxmont Capital Partners, TNB Aura, TA Ventures, Union Bank of the Philippines, and Kickstart Ventures. Following an introduction by Pegasus investor Aviscenna Syukri, the winning startup will earn an all-expenses-paid trip to Silicon Valley to compete in the global finals for a US$1 million investment prize.

​The gathering will encourage practical exchange and new partnerships across the region’s industries. IGNITE X marks ten years of connecting innovators and advancing a more intelligent, connected ASEAN future.