Open-data in the Philippines: best practices from disaster relief and transportation mapping
While attending Geeks on a Beach last month, we also spent some time in Manila to visit a few labs and agencies, and had several discussions on the state of open-data in the Philippines. Quick reminder: open-data is a recent trend for government, companies and institutions to release their datasets freely, so that users, developers, […]
The Philippines startup ecosystem: the tipping point of the "island frontier"
This first day of Geeks on a Beach 2 provided a lot of insights on the state of the Philippines startup ecosystem. Several panels addressed the topic of the country itself, and its position in the broader ASEAN region. Overall, speakers and discussions in the audience agree that it’s the right place and the right […]
Malaysian Entrepreneurship: Market Analysis
[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”] Facts: GDP – USD$303.5 billion (2012) GDP growth – 5.6% (2012) GDP breakdown – Services: 48.3% / Industry: 40.2% (2012) Inflation rate – 1.7% (2012) Pros: Proactive supportive government/ Highly successful startup history/ Able to take advantage of Singapore’s networks/ Cheap, well-connected regional hub Cons: Lack of global expansion/ Resource-based economy/ Singapore as a competitor/ […]
Nigeria startup scene: Can "Africa's India" make it?
What can the Nigeria startup scene look like? With this candid question, and a few recommendations and contacts from friends, we decided to explore Africa’s biggest country and economy entrepreneur & tech ecosystem. What triggered our trip was also the reputation of Mobile West Africa, West Africa’s most prominent tech event, where it’s easier to […]
How we can build Kenyan entrepreneurship
How can Kenyan entrepreneurship be built? How can Kenya grow its startup ecosystem and its economy? We have envisioned potential endeavors and proposals that can build the future of Kenya with global startups through minimal but efficiently placed resources. Turn the entrepreneurial youth into people able to understand and develop code Sustain grassroots initiatives such as Nairobi Dev School to […]
Startup books #1: How Asia Works, by Joe Studwell
We at Innovation is Everywhere are fans of history and economics, as we try during our travels to see why some countries succeed in developing their economic strengths and reap benefits in terms of growth, wealth and global influence. How Asia Works – Success and Failure in the World’s most dynamic region, by Joe Studwell (Amazon), […]
Shenzhen startup scene: welcome to the world capital of makers
If you were waiting for a sign that China has changed and is an amazing huge thing adapting to the new industrial revolution, there you go. Take what was a fishing village 30 years ago, with 200-300 000 inhabitants. Create a special economic zone to attract migrants from all over the country. Make it […]
Mobile technology and politics in developing countries: case studies from Nigeria, India and South Africa
There’s no political “perfect state”, but in Africa especially, governance is a recurring issue. Corrupt or broken government make it hard for the population to get out of the poverty cycle, create value through entrepreneurship, or just take part in the political life of the country. There may still be solutions with the combination of […]
Lebanon startups: $400m for the tech scene
[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”] Lebanon startups are amazing when you know the country is a tiny piece of land lost in a quite noisy neighborhood, with Israel and Syria, to name a few, regularly hitting the headlines for war-related topics. Lebanon has an older history of being a pivot between the West and the […]
Hong Kong tech hub: where finance & manufacture turn into startups
Hong Kong is better known for its financial expertise and culture of manufacturing than its startups. However, a generation of bored bankers and veterans of the factories are becoming the first generation of tech entrepreneurs in “Asia’s New York”. What is the position of Hong Kong as an innovation ecosystem? What are the links with […]
