We said 50 guests max.
68 fellows, founders, investors and friends signed up.
Trust us, we said-- if you're building or investing 100X you don't want to miss this.
Did we deliver? Scroll forward and back to recap what we promised in Through The Fire Chapters 1 and 2.
First guests arrived 1PM...
Banged the 3rd gong 2PM, minute of silence...
Dove right in -- Prologue, Chapter 1, Chapter 2...
Accompanied by happy hour and dinner, and a special treat (see Heal The World below)...
Jim and Andre took last Fireside question past 9:30...
Last of us left 10:30...
More than a few confessed to doing their dashboards as soon as the ride home...
The Crazies came out in force. Scroll down, you'll meet them.
You'll never grasp the energy unless you were there, but here's a 14-second sampler.
If you listen carefully you might hear what they're sharing about falling truly, deeply, madly in love.
You heard right. We even codified it as What's Your Crazy?
Make it a better place
For you and for me
And the entire human race
What a brilliant, brilliant call from Jim Ayala, to ask Stephen* to serenade us right before our Fireside.
*Shameless plug: Stephen Willo hails from South Africa and in Feb 2025 was recognized as one of Spotify's best cover artists. Renowned for his signature angelic highs and ability to evoke emotion, his unique artistry breathes new life into the classics and reimagines some of the greatest songs of all time.
Check out the carousel for pictures that say a thousand words but will never do justice.
We asked 4 questions of those who joined us.
What is your top 1 takeaway?
How might your experience move you to action and change?
What points/segments/activities made the most impact on you?
What can we do better?
The answer is key to the Greatest Generation of Filipino startups, our unapologetic goal for our 100X Fellows. We will start and end with founders, who, like the Blue Flame, have given their all-- because they have truly, deeply, madly fallen in love. So it will be for our 100X Fellows.
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Top 1 Takeaway. It was enlightenment for me. Your whole pyramid drill was a path of realization that connected past experiences with what and why I do what I do now. From when I was younger I would always say when asked what my top fear was - it was the fear of the lack of time. The lack of time to build something that would leave an impactful effect long after im gone. It felt validated because now I know that thats my crazy. The compelling need to build, and build I will.
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What I will change. I will always spring to action regardless of external stimulus. In the pyramid I wrote as my genius - “Seeing problems or challenges as problems itching to be solved. “ however this experience helps me not necessarily change but direct all this energy towards a more focused approach. Realizations from continuous discovery what my purpose is as connected with my capabilities.
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My Top 1 Takeaway. The “misfits” that changed the world were only able to do so because they fell DEEPLY in love with a problem.
+ A founder who is “crazy” about something always lives their life for others and serves a mission that is much bigger than themselves.
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What will I change. Applying the power law in my daily life: focus on the few things that can move the needle for my goals and dedicate myself addressing these few things and this will eventually drive a majority of what I want my life to be in the future
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Most hi-impact segment. The GPSMI (Genius, Purpose, Service, Shared Mission, Innovation, Impact) session with the triangles helped me realize that I am much more passionate or “crazy” about a problem than I thought and would like to take a more active stance to nurture this crazy
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What can be done better. I was left wondering what to do with my GPSMI + yarn and found out that we were supposed to do something with it but time did not allow for it. Hence, I would suggest just a better allocation of time so that we could see the activity through until the end. Other than that, the event was very insightful and I would definitely go again
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What is your top 1 takeaway? Your chart/diagram re self capital, network capital, human capital, success capital, life capital.
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It's called the 5 Cycles of Virtuous Capital (5VC). Reflects my personal journey, from just Venture Capital, to Virtuous Capital. Learn more here: https://ignitehouse.vc/
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Forcing audience to think about their GPS (Genius, Purpose, Service) and how they all relate to each other.
Personally my opinion is we all know our Genius, but to connect it to Purpose and Service is something I never reflected on.
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After the experience last night, it makes me want to examine more about what I can do to improve the PH society in my own little way . Reflect on what other genius I may have that would serve this purpose
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What points/segments/activities made the most impact on you? I'd say your the limited edition rum, but seriously the Q and A
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What can we do better? Maybe start with Jim talk or an example of its application, then expound on the theory behind it.
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Top 1 Takeaway. I've never seen an investor care so deeply about Customer Impact. Customer-centricity is truly refreshing, and it's encouraging to hear this focus from investors, large enterprise executives, and key stakeholders. We dedicated several hours to exploring the underlying core values and beliefs of our customers, which I believe is one of the most essential fundamentals. We were not influenced by the latest marketing and tech buzzwords; instead, we recognized the importance of timeless principles. Old ideas can still be valuable.
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What I will change. While I share the same philosophy in why we start a business, the new exercise allowed me to recalibrate my “why”. And I’m surprised mine can still be improved or enhanced. I never viewed that “ending the suffering and prolonging a happy life” is my purpose.
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Most hi-impact segment. My answer in no. 2 was most influential (improving my why). But I want to point out that you, Jim and Simon deliberately steered clear of macro-level discussions and spent a good hour or so on “operationalizing” your respective missions. Lastly, I’ve never seen an investor care so deeply on customer impact, so much so spending an entire day to indoctrinate his fellows on the matter. I think you’re sincere in your mission of nurturing the greatest generation Filipino entrepreneurs.
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What can be done better. The only complaint I have is that the session was too long for a confined space. It’s not that I didn’t find it valuable; every minute was worth my time. I only realized it was a bit too long when my legs and feet started to ache, which prompted me to stand and pace several times during Jim’s session.
The questions of a lifetime and the core of all Ignite's 100X endeavors, from VC investing, to innovation and nation-building.
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Top 1 Takeaway. I always wanted to change the world or at least, a part of it, and despite a personal obsession to improve things, just keeping these thoughts to myself would not help make it happen. I highly need to join a group like the 100X fellows that are so obsessed with getting things right and doing their utmost to realize their full potential. Their focus and their never never never give up attitude is a truly inspiring culture, it resonates with me and is a much needed multiplier to reach my goals.
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What I will change. The monotonous “good enough” will not enable me to achieve my mission. 100X is the way to grow my startup to its full potential as much as grow myself and reach personal fulfillment. I left the event full of ideas to live the 100X on a personal and professional level. The next morning, I found myself to already be getting things done differently, with more motivation to reach goals. I guess I may have found an operating system that fits me.
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I was familiar with that “customer first” approach so that was a nicely needed trip back to my core. Falling in love with the problem, not the solution sounded so clear, comforting me that I was on the right journey and reminded me not to drift away from it as it gets so tempting when your product becomes too much the focus.
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Most hi-impact segment. “What’s your crazy?” brought back the dream and the motivation to make it possible - that felt really good especially when the world always tells you to tame your aspirations and reduce your ambitions.
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GPS and NUKE TEST was a really good exercise for a CEO to recenter its mindset and get closer to his core mission.
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What can we do better? There is so much happening, sometimes it is a little confusing to understand how all of this fits together: 100X fellowship, Ignite, VCs, 1DayAI, the multiple events, etc… who can be part of what is not always very clear…but I guess a rigid structure may tame the genius in all of this. Maybe a calendar with all future events to come and who can join them would help people prepare themselves for this journey.
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Top 1 Takeaway. Falling in love with our users and hyperfocusing on the Power Customer will enable us to execute in ways that lead to the 100x multiplier impact. Some say that niching is dangerous, but we actually believe and agree that hyperniching and hyperfocusing is the way to go. Apple wasn’t built for everybody.
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What I will change. I’m already on it! Yesterday’s lessons, reflections, and discussions are inspiring me to review our roadmap, pitch, and narrative (but substance first, because narrative without substance is bullshit), so that’s what I’m blocking time off to do today!
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Most hi-impact segment. Pretty much all of it, but the NUKE Math really helps. We’ll learn what we can from the dashboard to keep ourselves focused and really smart about our time and resources. Find the best levers to move the business and impact forward.
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What can be done better. Maybe a more spacious venue with cooler temp? 🙂
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More that can be done better. And, I was discussing this with my seatmate. She was initially intimidated by all the hypermasculine language: POWER, NUKE, 100x, etc. But I told her that your methods are actually very rooted in spirituality and humanity, which surprised her. She initially said, “I wasn’t prepared for this”, but it turned out to be very welcoming and reassuring for her.
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She thought that there was a mismatch in the language and the methodology. I, having experienced an Ignite Circle in the past and knowing your work already, already knew what to expect. But I think there’s merit in exposing more of the spirit- and human-centered elements of the method. It would honestly draw more women in, and perhaps help strengthen their core and boost their confidence.
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We have so much Imposter Syndrome within us, but the GPS actually sheds light on our superpowers that nobody can take away from us.
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Top 1 Takeaway. It is really very important to know your power customers. A good number of times they may not appear to be the most obvious ones.
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What I will change. As an Angel investor and entrepreneur, the experience has helped me be more discerning and inquisitive with startups I will invest in or businesses I will plan to start myself.
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Most hi-impact segment. I should say I came into the event not knowing what to to expect but was not disappointed when I went home. The first part was very rich and informative but I admit quite overwhelming to digest in a few hours. It has definitely given me a new perspective as an angel investor and entrepreneur. The 2nd chapter with Jim resonated well with me on redemptive capitalism as this is what we have been trying to practice in our business for the past 29 years. Given my familiarity and comfort level on the topic, it was easy for me to absorb and be inspired even more.
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Top 1 Takeaway. Personally, building an equity platform, is abstract and it was helpful to get some more clarity on my motivation behind it but also , how is it connected to a true north star? I always think what we are doing is abstract, and I like to feel that connection a bit more now
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What I will change. I will move closer to forming a real company out of it instead of just managing a portfolio. I need to strengthen the connection between my holding and my portfolio, and for this I crafted a strategy to bootstrap companies into company builders to multiply.
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Most hi-impact segment. I liked the exercise very much. I have to share also for context, I've been working with executive coaches since 2 years now, and very familiar with these kind of things. Overall, very insightful and truly a blind spot in the SEA leadership journey (having someone helping with personal development as well) . Maybe a business you wanna build further and specialize on.
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What can be done better. During the exercise, I think it would be good to give more time to exchanging perspectives with your neighbors (extend by 5-10mins perhaps)
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In between the segments, you could also ask to mix up fresh! that might be even more insightful to hear more thoughts. Also possible to have 2-3 individuals share indidividually in front of the group
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Overall very nice session, and thanks again for the invite! I would love to meet up in the next weeks and bounce back some ideas.
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Very tangibly, i remember you saying: "If you are a founder, we are the partner who helps you specifically and only to uncover and shape your motivation, uncovering genius etc.."
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Interestingly enough, i am doing something very similar but different:
"I am helping consumer founders to leverage their unfair advantages better, run the companies for them, and make it more successful, faster, with less investment required."
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Perhaps there are some overlapping interests there. Besides driving turnarounds and taking over management of existing companies, me and my team are also planning to start more companies within the year, hence there is also a dealflow opportunity to explore.
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Most hi-impact segment. Hearing about the likes of Jim Ayala’s life journey challenges me to do more. Seeing how much he’s accomplished and left his impactful mark.
Those BGC slides will forever stay with me. It was very powerful showing it from barren land to what it is today and saying that he built that.
Or sharing the lasting impact his solar lights provide - how privileged it was of me to think that light would only offer finite support but for it to actually improve quality of life by increasing a household revenue, saving one’s business, or even helping their children achieve greater heights. He has already left his impactful marks even long after he’s gone.
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You are doing the same in transferring these knowledge to us and letting us experience this whole transformational journey. You are providing the medium for us to leave our own impactful marks in the world.
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The event for me was perfect. I left 9:15 I wish I stayed until 10:30. I look forward to the Jojo Malolos talk of his experience in Silicon Valley!
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Overall I just want to thank you again Andre for these opportunities of learning, self discovery, and environment for growth. Truly a great experience yesterday I could not stop talking about it with my girlfriend all night last night hahahaha
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Top 1 Takeaway. "Falling Madly deeply in love with the customer". Really resonates with my experience working with different projects from startups to big companies like McKinsey. One of the reasons a product fails is when it fails to match what the customers actually need or want.
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What I will change. I believe in the 100X Power Dashboard. My current company revolves around the same framework, although named differently. It's why things like Design Sprints and the MVP concept were created. The necessity to figure out the Fundamentals as fast as possible so we can get to that market-relevant product that solves our customers pains. I find the NUKE test much more appealing than MVP though. Done right, they technically end at the same place.
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Friday's Power Dashboard was just a sampler. The full Dashboard is the heart and soul and daily applied practice of our 100X Fellowship, which kicks off in June and runs as a 100-day sprint of what else but... the 100X Dashboard!
Click here to learn more about 100X Power Dashboard. Or scroll down for the preview we covered.
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Most hi-impact segments.
Q & A with the Founders and VCs – hearing the insights directly from the founders and the VCs in the same room is such a great & impactful experience.
The concept of redemptive capitalism – resonates with me a lot. I am a problem solver and I want to help make the world a better place, aside from of course, making money by solving people's pains.
The discussion about the Power Dashboard – I wish we had more sessions to deep-dive on it.
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The bareness and a bit unruly nature of this fellowship session, I think, is something to love. It just represents how passionate every individual in the room is about their craft and their goals.
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What can be done better. I think the only thing that could have been better there was the improvement on paired sessions since it was really hard to hear your partner's voice unless you speak really loud in a room full of people competing to be heard.
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All in all, it's a superb experience. Thank you for the opportunity to experience it. (smiley)
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Top 1 Takeaway. Purpose is not something we chase as it is already something within us, revealed not just through our pain but also through our overall experience in life. And in my case, it is through these experiences that my empathy has taken root, which has been the most authentic good in me that remains, no matter how much the world changes.
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What I will change. Recognizing that empathy is not just a good trait someone possesses, but also a responsibility we should continue to ignite within us, has made us more intentional in how we provide solutions. We focus on creating systems and spaces where people who have been neglected for so long are truly seen, valued, and heard, grounding our work in compassion and real human connection.
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Most hi-impact segment. The segment that focused on identifying our "Customer Delta" was especially powerful. It helped reinforce how we view our power customers, not just as users of our product, but as people whose lives we want to meaningfully uplift. It allowed me to reflect on what has truly changed for our customers by engaging with us, and how we can continue to anchor the solutions to their problem in what's important to them, not just what we want to deliver.
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What can be done better. It was a grounding experience. We understand the time constraints, but a bit more space for individual reflection or allowing a few volunteers to share their insights would also add value by bringing in perspectives from people in different walks of life.
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Sharing the slide here. Innovation is a fancy word for Customer Delta-- What changes Before vs After. Why is this change important? How has my innovation made life meaningfully better for the customer? The answer points straight to Impact. All innovation should point to Customer Impact.
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Several good points - but the topic on Customer Delta takes the cake for me. Looking deeper at the impact and the transformation it will bring to the customer will definitely guide and validate your actions and strategies.
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Moved me to focus on delivering the solution faster to my customers (software to accompany our current medical devices)
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The networking portion for me was the best part - getting to talk to the hosts and attendees and learning from them. Definitely good sharing.
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What can we do better? More booze? Haha kidding aside - maybe longer networking/free flow portion.
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Top 1 Takeaway. The strongest takeaway for me was the emphasis on obsession with understanding your customer—truly resonating with their pain and consistently adding real value. That message hit home deeply and reframed how I think about product-market fit.
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What I will change. Since the session, I’ve been independently researching the customer discovery process. However, I’ve realized that many questions have come up—especially around applying the concepts to my own context. I’m now considering following up with a 1-on-1 or smaller group sessions for more intimate and focused learning.
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Most hi-impact segment. What points/segments/activities made the most impact on you? “Chapter 1” really opened up a new perspective for me as a startup founder. It challenged some assumptions I’ve held and helped me rethink my approach to early-stage validation.
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What can we do better. One suggestion: consider providing a checklist for attendees—something interactive that encourages intentional networking or reflection. This could help participants be more goal-driven and ensure they leave with clear takeaways or next steps
Our 69th guest, here's what Steve had to say:
By "Crazy Ones", Steve Jobs was referring to these 18 Greats of humanity (60-second video):
However, on closer reflection we corrected (or at least sharpened) the truth of what our late great friend was really saying.
In other words, our own words:
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Hi Andre, first of all congratulations for the great event, I am still in shock (positive shock). I love listening to intelligent people.
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Take away, Love my crazy again … I will not tell you what it is. With this being said, i am more confident in what I do. There is actually not one point or segment, the mix of listening, reflecting and bring into action made it a great event! Thanks Andre!
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My top 1 takeaway. My crazy. The whole 100X experience so far has allowed me to both embrace and exercise my crazy.
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Yesterday reinforced my crazy. I was already moved to action as soon as getting invited to the program. It’s additional validation to put in the work.
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GPS - it made me empathize with our customers even more.
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While I do agree - the best way to make truly make an impact is to focus and change what you can, I believe there is value in jackoff questions. Not because it’s complaining about the current and hoping for an idealized system but because it’s in having conversations like those that the sentiments resonate. Information in a silo is inactionable. Mutual information - that shared sentiment - drives those who do hold power to action. Ultimately it leads to a more conducive start up environment in the long run.
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Top 1 Takeaway. A lot of very good questions were asked and with those questions my LOVE for my purpose turned into MADLY IN LOVE. I was expecting to be working on my business model and my start up. But it’s was all about me as a Founder, and that was an amazing experience
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What I will change. Just gave me more urgency and the feeling that I can overcome any obstacle
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Most hi-impact segment. GPS was very effective. It gave me the opportunity to evaluate my state of Being. And if my state of Being is aligned with my fire and porpoise.
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What can be done better. It was my first experience so overall it was great experience. My expectations were surpassed so no suggestions on improvements at this time.
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Top takeaway is validation of the theme of my life for the next 20 years which is playing your own unique game
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I love the energy of the group (coming from your energy). Feels very much like an iron-sharpens-iron type of thing. I worked on the dashboard last night haha.
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The GPS was a simple yet strong aligning activity
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You need to fall in love with the problem and the community/customer to be able to solve it in the most efficient way.
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How might your experience move you to action and change? I am still exploring
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What points/segments/activities made the most impact on you? To discuss with others that help you go further and deeper in analyzing
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What can we do better? I think it was great!
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Thank you, Andre and team, for the invitation. It was fantastic!
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Need to reconsider investment mechanisms. Impact investment is probably not what my company needs.
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I need to do more work on my NUKE and power customer. I know the pain of the community side very well but haven't focused enough on the buyer side.
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Jim's story and the concept of redemptive capitalism (not just another elitist term after all!)
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The dashboard part felt like it needed more time (whereas the earlier part was quite long - but maybe that's because I've already done a lot of work on the GPS side of things). I know that's part of cohort content but I would have loved more case studies and examples of dashboards.
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My head is still spinning a bit to be honest - I have a 100x hangover - and not from alcohol 😆
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Top takeaway is to always do everything with love, passion and integrity. One needs to care deeply about the problems that need solutions
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The experience moves me to be thoughtful about what I want to do so need to organize thoughts and articulate using the framework you shared for clarity and validation.
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I appreciated the fireside chat dialog discussions on real life use cases and sharing of ideas and challenges.
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Top 1 takeaway: GPS Framework
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What I will change: use GPS framework and ask similar questions (about Founder-Market Fit).
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Favorite segment: Q & A brought some very good questions.
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For improvement: maybe a live and webminar stream together could benefit a lot of other founders, specially in the provinces...
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Top 1 takeaway from yesterday’s session? The heart posture matures into its GPS (Genius Purpose Service) no other way except breakthroughs. Breaking to go through is the way towards being moved in life, that blue flame! Seasoned.
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How might your experience move me to action and change? Love the problem so much, like six sigma methodology. The solutions will have the natural impact, especially when it seems like there is no way from the problem. What is measurable? What needs to be improved or monitor that the cause (problem) will create its framework.. and from the 100x through the fire.. love does this magic..
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#TransformingLove starts from within
Uniquely so.
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What points/segments/activities made the most impact on you? Q&A was raw and authentic and a vulnerable time for most! Thank you!
Genius sparks another genius. It is the heart posture that regulates the mind and actions. It is normally reflected in the little things,
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What can we do better? Introducing each other like a 30-second creative way.. maybe from the activity.. and perhaps ff up activity to encourage remembering each other and always a timed activity incorporated.
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Kudos Andre! You've got the gift to rally the GPS that makes the divine spark aflame. Wagi talaga.
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Inspired by Jim's story about the solar lights. I realised that if the product is valuable and is able to make an economic impact to the lives of people, it will return profits which will allow the social enterprise to scale and touch more lives.
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Pushes me to think of how we can make our (startup's) learning program truly impactful.
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What points/segments/activities made the most impact on you? Fireside chat with Jim.
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What can we do better? Earlier announcement of dates sessions
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Top 1 Takeaway. FALL IN LOVE WITH THE PROBLEM:I think this is the starting point and the focal point of any 100X journey.
This will drive you to understand the problem better, dive deeper into its root causes and design solutions that will address it at the very core.
Solutions that you will continually keep iterating until one day the problem ceases to exist, and life becomes better and happier.
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Jim’s story was about this precisely, but even made more meaningful and purposeful with the fire of spirituality.
FALLING IN LOVE WITH THE PROBLEM leads to a 100X journey of transformation not only for the beloved but also for the lover. This is what Jim’s story revealed to us.
Gratitude to both of you, Andre and Jim, for the unselfish sharing of yourselves.
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What I will change. I will dare TO FALL IN LOVE WITH ONE NAGGING PROBLEM: THE EXORBITANT INTEREST CHARGES THAT PEOPLE BLINDLY TAKE FOR LACK OF OPTION. THIS EATS UP ON THEIR PURCHASING POWER, DEPRIVING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES OF RESOURCES FOR OTHER IMPORTANT NEEDS.
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Hi-impact segment. To me, Chapters 1 and 2 were integral to the experience. The first chapter was the theory and the second chapter, the practice. Both were impactful to me. Looking forward to the time when Chapter 2 will also show the actual implementation of the steps in Chapter 1.
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Top 1 Takeaway. We must get real with ourselves, and one another to succeed. It requires humility, and true personal reflection.
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What I will change. In ways it reaffirmed what I know I enjoy the most, and makes me most fulfilled. It made remember there are many ways to do what I get most reward from, and have super powers to help others.
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Most hi-impact segment. It was good when you had that dialogue with Carlo (CEO of Shoppable, an Ignite portfolio company) on what it’s like to go through the 100X process. Shifted the session to include example, or a case study. You should make that more deliberate. What he found hard, what helped.
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What can be done better. It was a lot of sitting down. 5.5 hours by the time I had to go. The content was good, yet the formats could have changed up a bit more often. My partner was helpful during the session, yet more of the collaboration with partners, or a mix of partners would help get more perspective on my 100x GPS, and others.