How many people from my organisation can attend? As many as you like. Truly! All staff are invited—from CXOs to emerging leaders. We’re thrilled when multiple voices join the table, as that’s how ideas return home.
We believe in institutional change. When your team attends and learns together, your organisation is more likely to drive lasting change. A single delegate rarely delivers as much value as a group sharing the full event experience.
I’m not a Pollinate Impact member. Can I still attend? Yes, and we’d love to have you! While Pollinate Impact members will be present, the Global Potluck is open to ecosystem leaders committed to strengthening impact incubation in Africa and Asia. By attending, you’ll gain access to a network of peers, potential partners, and resources designed to help advance your mission in this space.
If you’re exploring membership in the Network, attending the Potluck gives you a direct, immersive experience of the Pollinate Impact network in action, which can help you decide if membership is the right fit for you.
If you apply for membership before September 6, you can secure a special bundle rate of $645. This bundle maximises value by providing both full member benefits and reduced event costs. (Yes! We like a good value too.)
If you’re considering the membership bundle, visit our Become a Member page to learn more. Ready to discuss your options? Email Sophia, our Memberships Mobilizer, at sophia@pollinateimpact.org and take the first step today.
I can’t attend all three days. Are there day passes? For incubators‘Incubator’ refers to any organization whose programs primarily focus on vetting and selecting, promising social enterprises, and providing them with a comprehensive range of support services aimed at building and growing them to achieve maximum sustainable impact. and accelerators, the 3-day pass offers the best value and comprehensive access to sessions. This gathering is a continuous journey—ideas build across days, and trust grows over shared meals, with key conversations often happening between sessions. While day-based passes are available through Partner & Ally passes, the full pass offers better value (and more magic). Unsure what option suits you best? Email Ruod at ruod@pollinateimpact.org, and she’ll guide you to the best fit.
What does my registration include? Your registration grants full access to all 3-day Global Potluck programmes. This includes sessions, an Immersion Visit, workshops, networking, all meals, refreshments, and our Cultural Evening Mixer—celebrating community and connection.
Registration does not include travel to or from Manila, airport transfers, accommodation, or visa-related expenses. We will share recommended hotel options and planning guidance to help you coordinate your trip with ease.
Who is coming to the Potluck? Most participants are impact incubator‘Incubator’ refers to any organization whose programs primarily focus on vetting and selecting, promising social enterprises, and providing them with a comprehensive range of support services aimed at building and growing them to achieve maximum sustainable impact. and accelerator leaders from Africa and Asia—practitioners who directly influence entrepreneurial ecosystems and develop sustainable support for impact ventures. They are joined by aligned funders, investors, entrepreneurs, and ecosystem builders as learning partners. These partners engage in practical dialogue and actively support turning shared ideas into impactful ecosystem initiatives.
What is your cancellation policy? We maintain a standard cancellation and refund policy across all Pollinate Impact events. Please visit our full Cancellation Policy page for details regarding:
We recommend reviewing this carefully before booking travel.
Why Manila? After our first Global Potluck in Bangalore (2024), we’re bringing the next chapter to Manila: a city alive with entrepreneurial energy and growing collaboration between universities, innovation agencies, founders, and public institutions.Manila sits at a key inflexion point. The impact ecosystem is rapidly developing. Government and international engagement are on the rise. University-based incubation programmes are gaining strength. At the same time, the Philippines offers something rare: a deeply relational culture rooted in community.
This year’s Potluck is anchored in the Filipino concept of Kapwa — shared identity and shared responsibility. It emphasises that effective ecosystem building happens through collaboration, making collective engagement more valuable than individual action.
When does the Global Potluck begin and end? The Global Potluck will take place October 6–8, 2026, in Manila, Philippines.
Each day will begin at 9:30 AM PHST (UTC +8).
There may be optional pre- and post-Potluck gatherings, which will be shared directly with registered participants as plans are finalised.
We encourage participants to arrive the day before and depart after immersion visits conclude to experience the full arc of the gathering.
What does the agenda look like? The Global Potluck is immersive and collaborative—never a passive conference. Over three days, plenaries provide shared perspective, workshops develop skills, member-led sessions let you showcase expertise, and co-creation spaces transform learning into practical, valuable outcomes.
See the full, latest agenda with session details on our registration page. Explore it now and plan your experience.
What is the Cultural Evening Mixer, and what can I expect? The Cultural Evening Mixer is one of the most joyful moments of the Potluck.
We invite participants to wear traditional or modern national attire that reflects their heritage or identity. This is a night to celebrate and share the cultures in the room.
The evening will include:
Come ready to represent, appreciate, and enjoy.
Tell me more about the Snack Exchange. Yes, it’s coming back.
Participants may bring a small, shareable snack from their country or region—something that tells a story. During the Cultural Evening Mixer, we’ll make time to exchange, taste, and learn from each other. It’s informal, joyful, and often the start of unexpected conversations.
My organisation would like to host a session. How can we get involved? We are currently running a Call for Sessions, open to Pollinate Impact members until May 1st.
Members can collaborate with partners, allies, and non-members when designing a session. Applications must be submitted by a Pollinate Impact member, but co-facilitation is encouraged. Submit your session proposal now on our Call for Sessions page and help shape the Potluck programme. Selected sessions become part of the official Potluck programme and help shape the dialogue in Manila.
Do speakers receive a complimentary Potluck pass? We cannot provide complimentary passes for plenary or session speakers. If your session is accepted through the Call for Sessions process, you will receive a two-week window to purchase your conference ticket at the Early Bird rate.
We appreciate your understanding as we work to keep the Potluck financially sustainable and community-supported.
Is there an online or hybrid option? No. The Global Potluck 2026 is fully in-person and will not be live-streamed. The depth of dialogue, co-creation, and trust-building that define the Potluck are designed to happen in the room.
Do I need to pre-register for sessions? Most sessions will follow a free-flow Potluck style — you’ll be able to choose where you’d like to participate on the day. For Immersion Visits, we will release a selection form closer to the event to ensure a balanced distribution of groups across sites.
What can I expect during the Immersion Visit day? Our Immersion Visits are designed to offer firsthand exposure to Manila’s innovation and impact ecosystem. Participants will visit selected local impact incubators‘Incubator’ refers to any organization whose programs primarily focus on vetting and selecting, promising social enterprises, and providing them with a comprehensive range of support services aimed at building and growing them to achieve maximum sustainable impact. and accelerators.
Visits are curated to spark learning and dialogue. Expect a guided tour of the incubation space, interactive elements or hands-on activities, and intentional time to connect with entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders on the ground. This is an opportunity to ask real questions, exchange perspectives, and see how local context shapes incubation models in practice.
Closer to the event, registered participants will receive a form to select their preferred immersion site so we can distribute groups thoughtfully.
I’d love to post about the Potluck. Do you have a social media toolkit? Yes, a social media toolkit is coming soon! It will include:
Check back and start sharing as soon as it’s live!
I’m interested in sponsoring or partnering for the Global Potluck. Who should I contact? Thank you for your consideration. Partnering with us at the Global Potluck lets you engage with 80–100 impact leaders shaping incubation in Africa and Asia. Your support increases your organisation’s visibility, connects you with emerging leaders, and enables wider participation through scholarships. Email us to discuss how your involvement creates value for everyone.
Partnership provides meaningful visibility within a committed network of incubators‘Incubator’ refers to any organization whose programs primarily focus on vetting and selecting, promising social enterprises, and providing them with a comprehensive range of support services aimed at building and growing them to achieve maximum sustainable impact. and accelerators, while also contributing to broader ecosystem strengthening, including supporting scholarship access for emerging members.
We invite you to review our Stewards at the Table brochure to explore the available opportunities.
To discuss partnership opportunities directly, please contact Ruod at ruod@pollinateimpact.org. We would be delighted to explore what meaningful collaboration could look like.
I have limited resources, but would love to attend. Are scholarships available? Yes, we believe the Global Potluck should reflect the diversity and realities of the ecosystems we serve. Financial barriers should not prevent meaningful voices from being at the table.
Scholarships are available for Pollinate Impact members and are awarded based on demonstrated need and available budget. Support may include partial or full registration and, in some cases, limited travel assistance, depending on the context.
Applications will open May 6 and close May 18, with most decisions communicated by May 20. Because funds are limited, we encourage thoughtful applications and full participation from those selected.
If you’d like more information or wish to express interest, please reach out to Ruod at ruod@pollinateimpact.org.
Will there be a hotel room block for guests? We will share recommended hotel options near the conference venue to make planning easy. Details on negotiated rates and options will be shared as soon as we have them.
Accommodation is not included in registration. We encourage early booking, as October is an active season in Manila.
What airport should I fly into, and what are the recommended travel dates? Please book your travel to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila, Philippines. NAIA has multiple terminals serving international and regional flights.
We recommend arriving on October 5 to be fully rested and ready for our 9:30 AM start on October 6. Immersion Visits on October 8 are expected to conclude around 2:30 PM PHST, so we suggest booking flights to depart later that evening or the following day.
Please also note that optional pre- and post-Potluck gatherings may be announced as we get closer to the event. If you’re able to build in a small buffer before or after the main dates, we encourage you to do so — many participants find these extended moments just as valuable as the formal programme.
Is airport transportation included? Travel to and from the airport is not included in your registration.
Participants may arrange their own transfers via:
We will provide detailed arrival guidance and estimated travel times closer to the event.
I need a visa letter to attend. How can I obtain one? If you require a visa support letter, please email Ruod at ruod@pollinateimpact.org after completing your registration. We are happy to provide documentation to assist with your visa application.
Visa requirements vary by nationality. We encourage all international participants to review entry requirements as early as possible and allow adequate time for processing in your home country.
You can review visa policies and requirements for the Philippines through the official eVisa portal here.
Do I need vaccinations before entering the Philippines? Vaccination requirements vary by country of origin. We recommend consulting your medical provider and reviewing guidance from the World Health Organisation or your national travel advisory before travelling.
You can find up-to-date vaccination recommendations for the Philippines through TravelHealthPro here.
How should I get around Manila? Ride-hailing services such as Grab and GreenGSM are widely used and reliable in Metro Manila. Taxis are also available, and many hotels can assist with transport arrangements if needed.
While distances between key areas may look short on a map, traffic conditions can significantly affect travel time. As a general rule, a 5–10 km trip within Metro Manila can take 20-90 minutes, depending on the time of day.
We strongly recommend:
Where can I exchange currency in Manila? Currency exchange services are available at the airport, major malls, and banks throughout the city. ATMs are widely accessible.
The local currency is the Philippine Peso (PHP).
What are cultural expectations and tipping practices in the Philippines? If this is your first time in the Philippines, mabuhay (welcome in Filipino)! You’ll likely notice quickly that Filipino culture places a high value on warmth, hospitality, and respect. Conversations are often relational before they are transactional. A smile, a greeting, and a little patience go a long way.
English is widely spoken in Manila, particularly in professional settings, so communication is generally easy for international visitors.
A few helpful cultural notes:
Tipping
Tipping in the Philippines is appreciated but not strictly required.
In general, tipping is a gesture of appreciation rather than an obligation.
What medications or essentials should I bring? We recommend bringing any personal prescription medications you may need, along with copies of your prescriptions if applicable. It’s also wise to carry basic travel essentials such as motion sickness remedies, allergy medication, sun protection, and any items you typically rely on while travelling.
That said, Manila is a large metropolitan city with extensive access to pharmacies, drugstores, supermarkets, and medical facilities. Major pharmacy chains are widely available throughout the city, particularly in malls and commercial districts, and many carry common over-the-counter medications and health essentials.
If you have highly specific or speciality prescriptions, it’s best to bring what you need for the duration of your stay. For general items, you’ll likely find everything easily accessible.
As always, we encourage you to consult your medical provider before international travel.
How will we coordinate during the Potluck week? To ensure smooth communication throughout the Global Potluck, especially during Immersion Visits and any pre- or post-Potluck gatherings, we will use WhatsApp as our primary coordination channel.
Registered participants will be added to a dedicated WhatsApp group prior to the event. This will allow us to share:
Because of its reliability and wide international use, WhatsApp helps us coordinate quickly and efficiently across time zones and mobile networks.
If you do not currently use WhatsApp, we strongly recommend downloading it for the duration of the Potluck to ensure you receive timely updates and instructions. It will be our main channel for on-the-ground communication.
What should I wear to the conference? October in Manila is typically warm, humid, and occasionally rainy, as it falls within the tail end of the rainy season. Daytime temperatures usually range between 25–32°C (77–90°F). Expect tropical weather, so light fabrics will be your friend.
A few practical tips:
For the Potluck, we are very much a come-as-you-are gathering. There is no rigid dress code. Business or smart casual works well — think comfortable enough for workshops, ecosystem visits, and long working-table conversations. More than anything, wear what helps you show up fully and feel like yourself.
(As long as we’re not in swim attire, we’re good. 😌)
For the Cultural Evening Mixer? The one night we encourage a little extra intention is the Cultural Evening Mixer. We warmly invite you to wear traditional or modern national attire that reflects your heritage or identity — whether bold or subtle, formal or contemporary. It’s a celebration of the cultures in the room.
Have a question that isn’t answered here? Reach out to us at secretariat@pollinateimpact.org.
We’ll continue to refine and update this page as questions arise, keeping everything clear and accessible for the community.
Our Network is a community of stakeholders in the impact incubation ecosystem within the Global South. We work together to scale change, so get in touch and don’t be a stranger.
Contact our Marketing Team:
Communications@pollinateimpact.org
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