MAKATI CITY—Startup founders and innovation delegates from Naga City, including homegrown startups like Fillr, Dormease, Hellokasyon, OkieDoc+ and representatives from the City Government of Naga, participated in the 100X Philippines 2026 Open House held on February 12. The event was organized by the Ignite House of Innovation and KAYA Founders, spearheaded by prominent executives Andre Yap and Ray Alimurung.
The open house gathered founders, investors, and ecosystem builders, featuring insights from notable industry leaders such as Christina Björnström, co-founder of artificial intelligence infrastructure platform Noroot, and Paulo Campos, former CEO of Zalora Philippines.
At its core, the event served as a springboard for the 100X Framework System—an innovation model powered by compressed AI and designed to accelerate venture-building cycles. The program was structured around three key movements: The Why, The How, and The Who, guiding participating startups to gain clarity on purpose, execution, and long-term partnerships.
The Movements
Movement 1: 100X Genesis (The “Why”)
This segment challenged participants to map their personal experiences and translate them into systematized, scalable solutions. Founders were guided to identify their Power Pain—the deep-rooted problem they aim to solve—and Power Delta, or the magnitude of change their solution seeks to create.
The exercise resonated strongly with attendees, grounding them in their advocacies and the origins of their ideas. Rather than spotlighting polished or idealized narratives, the movement emphasized the strength of “misfits and rebels,” highlighting how authenticity and intensity often fuel transformative innovation. Through this process, participants anchored their ventures in purpose from the outset.
Movement 2: 100X in Action (The “How”)
The second movement focused on execution, emphasizing the importance of founders being deeply immersed in their customers’ realities. Participants were encouraged to “be on the ground” with their Power Customers to gain a full understanding of the problems they aim to solve.
This session introduced the 100X Dashboard Cells, which serve as a practical guide for founders in navigating the venture capital operating system. Topics included First Principles thinking, Power Law dynamics, execution sequencing, distinctions between venture capital and founder roles, and the differences between First Principle Foundations versus second- and third-order strategies. Collectively, these tools allow startups to expand their perspective and sharpen their approach to building solutions.
Movement 3: 100X 2026 Expedition (The “Who”)
In the final movement, participants fulfilled a good grasp of the dashboard, placing themselves for potential long-term engagement within the 100X ecosystem, including a possible 10-year investment horizon. This segment provided clarity on who the 100X venture capitalists are and what founders can expect beyond the upcoming 100X Fellowship, slated for launch in 2026.
While cities like Naga may still be considered unprecedented destinations for venture capital, the event underscored a shifting narrative. Naga City has steadily gained recognition as a startup hub, ranking 6th nationwide for having a strong startup ecosystem. Increasingly, investors and venture capitalists are looking beyond traditional centers, recognizing cities like Naga as a seedbed for technology-driven innovators and community-rooted problem solvers.
As exposure to platforms like 100X grows, Naga’s startup community continues to strengthen its stand within the national, even global, innovation landscape.
