MANILA – Katalyst, a new incubator company just launched last July, is planning to organize what it calls as the largest startupfunding event in the world in Bonifacio Global City this November.
Called #Katalyst2015, it aims to gather more than 1,500 startup cofounders and 500 independent and institutional investors. But instead of creating a venue to network like in your typical conference, the event was created to get the participants to strike deals on that very night.
Happening on November 27 at the Palace Pool Club, #Katalyst2015 will feature secure and protected rooms where negotiations on terms can be discussed. A counter in the event will tabulate the total U.S. dollar value of the deals made throughout the night, all in real time for the audience to see and celebrate over.
The idea is show how much interest there is in Philippinemade products and solutions, said Pinky Natividad, cofounder of Katalyst. “People like hearing about investment deals because it’s a rough index of how well a tech ecosystem is doing. In true Filipino style, it’ll be the debut of our ecosystem.”
A web platform will also be set up to help investors do their homework. It gives access to database of more than 1,500 qualified startups by niche and industry, fundraise size, addressable market, gross revenues and net profits, as well as a wide range of other criteria. Startup documents, such as pitch decks, even incorporation papers, business licenses, and other pertinent documents can also be accessed.
Joe Maristela, another cofounder of Katalyst, says that Philippines has no shortage of startup events, but there will be none quite like what they have.
“We will set it up so that investors feel comfortable making investments then and there, thereby acknowledging that real business is made between people who share the same vision, not between people who have happened to register for the same conference,” he adds.
The publicity blitz #Katalyst2015 has started early. Lyle Jover, one of the cofounders of freelancing platform Raket.ph and its CEO, shares why he thinks the event will appeal to entrepreneurs, particularly those who may be fundraising.
“Let’s face it: Fundraising takes up a lot of time time that you could otherwise be spending building your business. By hosting #Katalyst2015, which encourages entrepreneurs and investors to make deals in a comfortable environment, Katalyst saves both parties time. They can then pour the entirety of their energy into the developing the products that our nation needs.”
