Not every success story needs fireworks.

At Geeks on a Beach (GOAB), some of the most powerful outcomes come quietly—sealed over coffee by the shore, during breakout chats after panels, or in handshakes that happen between talks. These are the wins that don’t always make the headlines, but they shape careers, fund startups, and forge partnerships that ripple across the tech community.

Over the years, GOAB has created a space where people don’t just meet—they connect.  

Founders pitch not just to be heard, but to be believed in. Investors show up not just for due diligence, but to discover. And for seven years, these quiet but consistent moments have stacked up into something bigger: a startup ecosystem that is more connected, confident, and ready to scale.

From Boracay to Founder: Arnlee’s GOAB Journey

Arnlee Vizcayno first attended GOAB in 2013 in Boracay with friends from Code Republiq. He signed up on-site, and a simple conversation changed his path. "While coding, my seatmate, a Japanese developer, liked what I was doing. That connection eventually helped me land a job in Japan."

A decade later, he returned in 2024 as part of DTI’s Startup Island mentoring program for founders. "We spoke with many attendees to conduct market research and test our ideas. We discovered our original pitch didn't resonate well, so we refined it based on the feedback. We also networked with other founders to build valuable connections. The candid feedback at GOAB helped us grow fast! We hope to be back at GOAB this year with our updated startup offering.”

Reflections from a First-Time GOAB Attendee (2024)

“This was my first time at GOAB. I’d heard about it for years from friends and colleagues, but it was only this year that I finally made it—thanks to John Naranjo and Nikhil Antao for the push, and to Rose Ofianga who connected me to the volunteer program that helped open the door.

Instead of volunteering, I got to represent Bayanihan Ventures and DICE, and that made the whole experience hit differently. GOAB gave me something I didn’t expect: clarity on what’s possible when communities come together. Also, before GOAB, I didn't even know what a startup founder was. But after meeting the community, I realized it was a path I could take—and that opened up possibilities for me.

I came away with real conversations, ideas to bring home, and new people I could actually build with. It helped me see how we could do more for Davao and Mindanao too. After GOAB, we started forming a collective with our closest developer friends—now working on community-first startup solutions through Dotside Studios.

I left GOAB feeling more connected, more driven, and with a stronger sense of how to move forward.”

The testimonials from GOAB attendees across the years aren’t just memories—they're markers of movement. A pitch that landed a term sheet. A beachside chat that led to a joint venture. A chance encounter that turned into a co-founder story. These moments tell us that the real value of GOAB isn’t just in the talks or panels—it’s in what happens after.

As we gear up for GOAB 8, we look back not just to celebrate, but to remind ourselves what’s possible when the right people gather in the right place—with no pretense, just purpose. 

Whether it’s your first time or your eighth, one thing is clear: at GOAB, things get done. Quietly. Boldly. Together.