Connecting the dots in a growing ecosystem

What does it take to build a thriving technical community in Southeast Asia? How can technology professionals come together not just to learn, but to collaborate, create, and lead? These were the questions at the heart of the OceanBase Tech Social, a new community initiative co-created by e27 and OceanBase.

Held in the Philippines for the first time, the OceanBase Tech Social brought together 60+ engineers, data scientists, and innovation leaders to explore the future of cloud computing and database technology. At the centre of this initiative is e27’s Open Innovation team. It served as OceanBase’s trusted partner in building purpose-led, grassroots engagement in one of Southeast Asia’s most promising tech ecosystems.

A regional collaboration for ecosystem activation

The Philippine tech sector is on the rise, but the path to building truly connected, future-ready communities isn’t straightforward. While there’s no shortage of talent, opportunities to interact meaningfully with cutting-edge technologies and global innovators are still relatively few.

That’s what made the OceanBase Tech Social a timely and strategic intervention. It was a way to bring cloud, data, and infrastructure professionals together in a space built for real exchange. As OceanBase’s local partner, e27’s Open Innovation team played a key role in grounding the initiative in the realities of the Philippine tech ecosystem. This made it both relevant and community-driven.

“We wanted this to be less of a product showcase and more of a launchpad for long-term conversations,” says Francesca Guico, Open Innovation Project Lead at e27. “Our goal was to connect OceanBase with the right people. We also wanted to help them connect with each other in meaningful ways.”

Through e27’s network, the programme drew in voices from companies like GCash and Starpay. Their stories helped anchor the event in real-world success. In doing so, it didn’t just introduce OceanBase to the community—it helped set the stage for a new wave of collaboration and learning in the local tech space.

Also read: Powering AI change: How e27’s Open Innovation Team and Meta are shaping APAC

Designing a programme for lasting impact

According to Guico, the OceanBase Tech Social wasn’t designed as a one-off gathering. Instead, it was built with long-term community growth in mind. Structured around hands-on workshops, in-depth case studies, and candid conversations, the event gave participants both knowledge and connections they could carry forward.

“e27 helped shape the programme to align with the local ecosystem’s needs. From curating the mix of speakers to guiding the format of interactive sessions, the Open Innovation team worked closely with OceanBase to ensure the content felt relevant and actionable,” she elaborated.

To extend the experience beyond the event itself, e27 also facilitated the creation of dedicated channels on platforms like LinkedIn, GitHub, and Slack—enabling ongoing learning and dialogue. The collaboration made sure participants didn’t just attend; they engaged, contributed, and left with something meaningful to build on.

Empowering participants and creating real-world outcomes

The impact of the first OceanBase Tech Social was immediate. With 60+ participants including CTOs, CDOs, engineers, and AI experts, the event sparked not just conversations—but collaborations.

Participants heard from Charlie Yang, CTO & Co-Founder of OceanBase, on building robust, scalable data infrastructure, and from Adrienne Cajayon of Starpay and Vanetta Wong of OceanBase on scaling fintech solutions for underserved markets.

e27’s involvement helped convert these insights into community action. Notably, several attendees have since expressed interest in forming working groups and engaging further with OceanBase technologies and case studies.

“It’s one thing to host an event—it’s another to spark a movement,” notes Guico. “Our role is to help translate bold ideas into meaningful action—and this programme proved how powerful that can be.”

Building community and sustaining momentum

Beyond the event itself, the initiative sparked ongoing conversations and collaborations through e27’s community channels. Participants were encouraged to join dedicated OceanBase groups on Slack and GitHub, while LinkedIn served as a space to share insights and continue the dialogue.

e27 also facilitated conversations with local resellers and ecosystem enablers, further embedding OceanBase into the Philippine innovation fabric. The emphasis on peer learning, mentorship, and real-world use cases helped turn a one-day event into the beginning of a lasting community.

Also read: Building the next generation of e-waste advocates: e27 and Meta’s role in youth-led sustainability

What’s next for the programme and e27’s Open Innovation work

With the success of the inaugural OceanBase Tech Social, the momentum is just beginning. More editions are expected to follow—both in the Philippines and potentially across the region.

For e27’s Open Innovation team, this collaboration signals a growing focus on co-creating impact-driven programmes that activate local communities and elevate ecosystem players. The team continues to seek forward-thinking partners ready to build the next wave of innovation in Southeast Asia.

If your organisation is looking to drive ecosystem engagement or build meaningful connections with the region’s brightest minds, let’s explore how we can co-create the next game-changing initiative together.

Interested in partnering with e27’s Open Innovation team? Let’s talk about building something impactful together.

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This article is produced by the e27 team

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