The recently concluded ACTAI Asia Pacific Summit, held at the stunning Ayala-owned Pangulasian Island, brought together some of the most influential figures in the venture capital and tech communities.
With a shared mission to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges, the summit, directed by Maria Serafica, a native of the Philippines, gathered innovators, thought leaders, venture capitalists, conservationists, and entrepreneurs focused on harnessing purpose-driven technologies and innovations to create meaningful change. This was the second event that Serafica brought to the Philippines after discovering Pangulasian Island back in 2019.
ACTAI Global believes in the transformative potential of innovation to create social, environmental, and economic change. By uniting experts across industries, ACTAI fosters collaboration to address global challenges. Its mission is to support entrepreneurs who leverage cutting-edge technologies, including AI, to help provide scalable solutions that improve lives, protect the planet, and build a more sustainable, equitable future.
Another mission of ACTAI Global is ocean conservation, and the gathering included a distinguished panel to discuss ways to help with coral restoration in El Nido and to establish marine protected areas surrounding the Philippines.
Empowering High-Potential Innovators
As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting innovation, ACTAI Global partnered with Ayala Land to organize an AI competition aimed at identifying and empowering high-potential startups. The competition was designed to highlight startups developing practical solutions to address some of the world’s most critical problems, ranging from sustainability to healthcare to education.
The AI competition provided a platform for entrepreneurs to showcase their groundbreaking ideas, offering them resources, mentorship, and opportunities to scale their innovations. Judges of the competition included Lars Rasmussen, inventor of Google Maps, Bill Tai, Patrick Chang of Dispersion Capital, and members of the Ayala family, Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala and Mariana Zobel de Ayala.
By bringing together promising startups with industry leaders and venture capitalists, ACTAI Global seeks to accelerate the development of transformative technologies and empower the next generation of tech innovators.
The standout winner of the AI competition was Perle AI (formerly Kiva AI), a leader in delivering innovative AI-driven solutions that optimize operations, enhance decision-making, and accelerate business growth. By harnessing cutting-edge technologies, Perle AI helps organizations across industries unlock the full potential of their data, streamline workflows, and tackle complex challenges. During the competition, Perle distinguished itself by showcasing its ability to tailor solutions that deliver scalable, efficient, and impactful results that empower businesses to stay ahead in today’s fast-paced, data-driven world.
“We are incredibly honored to be recognized by ACTAI Global,” said Ahmed Rashad, Founder and CEO of Perle AI. “This event is more than just a competition; it’s a convergence of brilliant minds coming together to create meaningful change. Being part of this network is a game-changer for us, and we’re eager to leverage AI to drive real-world impact on sustainability and economic growth.”
Bill Tai, co-founder of ACTAI Global, underscored the importance of leveraging technology to tackle global issues. “The future of innovation is not just about creating new technologies—it’s about using those technologies to make a positive difference,” Tai stated. “Innovation is at its best when it serves a purpose beyond business success. At ACTAI, we’re not just fostering tech entrepreneurship; we’re championing visionaries who are committed to solving humanity’s biggest challenges.”
He continued, “Perle AI exemplifies the kind of companies we are excited to support—innovators who are using AI not only to drive business growth but to solve some of the world’s most urgent problems. I am thrilled to see how Perle AI and other participants in the competition will continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible.”
Beyond the conference discussions and networking opportunities, attendees also indulged in exhilarating outdoor activities, including kite surfing, a sport that has become synonymous with the ACTAI community. Many of today’s top tech leaders and venture capitalists are drawn to kite surfing not only for the adrenaline rush but also for the parallels it shares with innovation—strategic risk-taking, adaptability, and harnessing the forces of nature to move forward. A memorable highlight of the event was the duo performance by Matt Sorum of Guns and Roses and APL.de.AP. Their high-energy musical performance ended the summit at a level that left participants wanting to return to the next ACTAI Asia Pacific.
The ACTAI Asia Pacific Summit, sponsored by Bank of the Philippines and GCASH, drew an eclectic mix of attendees from over thirteen countries, from tech entrepreneurs and venture capitalists to conservationists and adventure enthusiasts. Its unique blend of high-level discussions and experiential activities, like kite surfing and environmental initiatives, made it an engaging space for both business and leisure, driving the acceleration of transformative solutions that have the potential to create lasting change.
