GrowthCon 2026 to Highlight AI Innovations With Killer Pitch Competition

GrowthCon 2026, The Business Manual’s business summit focused on empowering Filipino professionals and founders, is shining a light on the innovations of Philippine startups with its Killer Pitch Competition.

Guided by this year’s event theme, “Unlocking the New Growth Playbook,” The Killer Pitch Competition will spotlight AI-driven solutions that tackle issues faced by micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Check out the details below to learn more about how aspiring entrepreneurs and startup founders can be part of the Killer Pitch Competition.

The Killer Pitch Competition is open to groups of three (3) members consisting of any of the following:

• Startups & early-stage founders (0–3 years)
• MSME owners looking to scale
• Business & entrepreneurship students (3rd–4th year)

Groups submitting an entry must be subscribed to The Business Manual to register.

All submissions for the Killer Pitch Competition will undergo initial screening based on the materials submitted. Groups must submit the following requirements:

• Online Application Form
• Pitch Deck that outlines these points:
  • Problem Being Addressed
  • Solution/Business Idea
  • Target Market
  • Value Proposition
  • Business Model
  • Go-To-Market Strategy
  • Financials 
  • Growth/Scaling Plans
• Five (5)-minute Pitch Video

Participating groups must also note the following guidelines:

• Plagiarism will result in disqualification
• All submitted materials must be original and created by the individual/team

Entries must be submitted via the official TBM Submission link.

All entries will be reviewed by an internal panel of judges to determine the Top 5 finalists who will present live during GrowthCon 2026. 

The judges will use the following criteria for this year’s pitch competition:

Business Viability & Traction (25%)

Is the business model realistic, sustainable, and well thought out? Are there signs of momentum (sales, partnerships, users)?

Problem & Solution Clarity (20%)

Does the business clearly define a real-world problem and offer a viable, impactful solution?

AI Integration (20%)

How is AI meaningfully used in the solution? Does AI improve efficiency, scalability, or user/customer experience?

Scalability & Growth Potential (15%)

Can this idea grow beyond its initial use case or market, and what makes it capable of scaling sustainably over time?

Pitch Clarity & Execution (20%)

Is the idea communicated clearly and convincingly, with a structured pitch that is easy to understand and compelling to investors or judges?

Selected groups will receive an email for official confirmation of their participation as competition finalists.

During the live pitch competition, finalists will deliver a 5-min live pitch followed by a 5-min Q&A from the judges.

Finalist pitches must include visual support that has been submitted to The Business Manual prior to the competition date.