Philippine Business Conference and Expo
The 51st Philippine Business Conference and Expo (PBCE) showcased the remarkable capacity of Filipino innovation through the Byte Forward Hackathon 2025. The event, held at the SMX Convention Center, gathered young tech talents from across the country to develop digital solutions addressing real-world business challenges, inspiring collaboration among students, business leaders, and technology professionals.
Caya: A Smarter Solution for SMEs
Team TECHMEHOW2DOUGIE from De La Salle University Manila clinched the Grand Winner title for the nationwide Byte Forward Hackathon with Caya, an AI-powered inventory assistant. Caya empowers small business owners by generating actionable insights, automating restocking based on profitability, and streamlining negotiations with suppliers. This innovation exemplifies how student-led initiatives can address critical needs of Filipino SMEs and drive sustainable growth.
Collaborative Forces Fueling Progress
The conference underscored the collaborative spirit among students, tech experts, the government, and industry leaders. Through platforms like the Byte Forward Hackathon, participants benefited from mentorship, networking, and targeted workshops. Support from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and PCCI strengthened the innovation ecosystem, paving the way for inclusive, technology-driven growth.
Building a Future-Ready Filipino Business Community
By developing real-world, digital-first solutions, the competition acted as both a training ground and a springboard for the next generation of innovators. Leadership from PCCI emphasized the essential partnership between business and technology to achieve the country’s digitalization goals, create impactful solutions, and foster a competitive economy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the main focus of the Byte Forward Hackathon?
A: The hackathon empowers Filipino youth to create digital solutions for real-world business challenges, with an emphasis on supporting SMEs and driving digital transformation.
Q: Who organized and supported the 51st Philippine Business Conference and Expo?
A: The event was organized under the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with backing from the Department of Trade and Industry.
Q: What is the winning project and its impact?
A: Caya, by Team TECHMEHOW2DOUGIE, is an AI-powered inventory assistant that helps small businesses make smarter restocking decisions, streamlining operations for entrepreneurs.
Q: How does the Philippine Business Conference and Expo strengthen the local tech ecosystem?
A: By providing networking, mentorship, and platforms for collaboration between students and industry experts, the event fosters innovation and strengthens the digital ecosystem.
Q: What are the broader implications for Philippine business?
A: The initiative drives inclusive, technology-driven growth and prepares the Filipino business sector for a competitive digital future.
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Emman has been writing technical and feature articles since 2010. Prior to this, he became one of the instructors at Asia Pacific College in 2008, and eventually landed a job as Business Analyst and Technical Writer at Integrated Open Source Solutions for almost 3 years.
