IdeaCamp on PIA Daily News Reader

This article is from PIA -RG Alama

Davao City (23 May) -- Do you have an idea, or a concept, or solution to a problem you want to discuss? Or are you in need of novel solutions or practical business concepts? Then perhaps you can consider joining the maiden launching of Davao Ideacamp, the first activity of this kind in Davao City.

Ideacamp is an interactive activity where people get to share various ideas in a unique adhoc set-up and where the topics are decided upon by the participants themselves.

"It is foremost an ad-hoc gathering of interesting and interested individuals who like to collaborate and bring ideas to life. It's about sharing and learning in an open & friendly environment. There's no registration fee, no dress code. Just bring yourself and an open mind," says Mark Maglana.

30-year old Maglana, is the founder of Davao Ideacamp which is being organized by DabaweGnu a local group of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) advocates of which Maglana is a member. He says he got his inspiration when he was an AusAID scholar.

"We (the scholars) were tasked to step up the entrepreneurial activity in Davao City. I wanted to set the conditions whereby this would happen rather than try to teach the city. I believe that Davao already has the answers to the question of entrepreneurship," Maglana said.

"I think the problem is that these "answers" are found in pockets of communities or small groups. By putting up the Ideacamp Davao, I'm hoping that we'll get these small pockets to converge, share ideas, and form something really useful for the city," he added.

The event is free of charge. The space, snacks and wifi access are provided by kind sponsors. You have to register first at the website www.ideacampdavao.com or call dabaweGNU office at 227-8238 since limited slots are available because of space constraints.

According to Maglana, the first part of the activity is the talk where the speakers are strictly given 10-minutes each to discuss their topics and another 10 minutes for questions and answers. After their talk, it is up to the participants who they want to approach and talk to.

This is the time where the participants are formed into mini-group depending on the topics which they are interested in. The topics are sourced from the participants themselves. The topics in the first Ideacamp are listed as follows:

• Developing successful entrepreneurs in Davao City
• Energy from the wind for P5, 000 or less
• Opportunities in the educational sector
• Innovating in the crowded Internet cafe industry
• Why your customers can't afford to buy from you
• Online city maps: How business can benefit from them
• Sustainable solutions from your backyard.
• A grand design to make Internet cafes profitable.

Maglana said the theme for the first Ideacamp is "Opportunities in a downed economy." He said he hopes to develop IdeaCamp into a monthly affair. The maiden Ideacamp is slated to be held this May 30, at Kublai's café, Ponce Suites; the activity will start at 2.p.m in the afternoon.