Partner case study Β· #SHEISDEVCON Γ— Austrian Business Agency

Nationwide #SHEISDEVCON code camps and hackathons, supported by the Austrian Business Agency

2025–2026 Β· Two years Β· Manila to Mindanao

Women in tech remain an underrepresented but highly skilled talent pool. For two years, the Austrian Business Agency has met them where they are: at #SHEISDEVCON code camps, summits, and hackathons from Manila to Iloilo to Davao, opening doors to global tech careers in Austria.

More than a hundred students, mentors, and partners pose together under a giant THANK YOU at the #SHEISDEVCON Davao event
Students, mentors, and partners at #SHEISDEVCON Davao.
At a glance

Two years, four cities, one movement

  • 2 yearsOf ABA support for #SHEISDEVCON
  • 4 citiesManila, Iloilo, Cebu, and Davao
  • 1stMindanao stop for ABA, in Davao
  • 100%Free relocation and career guidance from ABA
The partner

Austria’s official location agency, in the room with Filipina builders

The Austrian Business Agency (ABA) is Austria’s official location agency under the Federal Ministry. Through WORK in AUSTRIA, it gives international IT professionals free, end-to-end relocation guidance, work permit advice, and global career matching.

Raphael Rey Bacolod speaking on stage
Raphael Rey BacolodDirector for Indonesia and the Philippines, Austrian Business Agency (WORK in AUSTRIA)

A steadfast champion of #SHEISDEVCON for two years, travelling from Manila to Iloilo, and in 2026 making ABA’s first stop in Mindanao to connect local talent directly with European tech opportunities.

The route

From Manila to Mindanao

Great talent doesn’t only come from the capital. Each stop brought ABA closer to regional tech communities that traditional job fairs rarely reach.

  • Women mentors guiding students at a Move smart contracts code campManilaMove Smart Contracts Code CampWomen mentors lead a full-day Web3 build with Sui.DEVCON Manila
  • A panel of women tech leaders on stage at the She Builds Tech Summit in IloiloIloiloShe Builds Tech SummitPanels, a pitch competition, and a community dinner.DEVCON Iloilo
  • Who run the world? Girls! Ask-us-anything session with women in tech from DEVCON CebuCebuWho run the world? Girls!An ask-us-anything with women in tech.DEVCON Cebu
  • The hackathon champion team holding certificates with mentors at SUBAY in DavaoDavaoSUBAY: AI masterclass and hackathonABA’s first Mindanao stop, co-presenting the day.DEVCON Davao
Manila Β· March 28, 2026

Women mentors in action

At Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Intramuros, #SHEISDEVCON and the Move Smart Contracts Code Camp ran a full-day blockchain experience. Women mentors took the lead, guiding Letran students as they built their own smart contract portfolios on Sui, with hands-on coding support and real-time problem solving.

Four photos of women mentors helping students code and presenting a Git lesson
Women mentors guide students through their first smart contracts.
Raphael Bacolod giving the plenary talk From SheIsDevCon to Austria at a Letran podium
The plenary: From SheIsDevCon to Austria, pathways to an IT and tech career in the heart of Europe.
Iloilo

She Builds Tech Summit

With Future Women Tech Founders, the Iloilo edition brought together female tech entrepreneurs, students, and regional IT leaders.

  • A panel of women tech entrepreneurs: Ilongga women on what it takes to thrive in tech and innovation.
  • A pitch competition showcasing local startup ideas.
  • A community dinner with regional IT leaders: the standout moment for ABA, a chance to exchange perspectives on the Iloilo ecosystem and talk openly about international career paths, including Austria.
Women tech leaders on a panel at the She Builds Tech Summit
Organizers and regional tech leaders smiling at a long community dinner table
Raphael Bacolod receiving a certificate of appreciation on stage at the She Builds Tech Summit

“In FWTF, we don’t just build technologies, we want to shape careers, develop confidence, and build a future where women lead in tech.”

Ted Hyacinth T. AsperaFounder, Future Women Tech Founders

“Innovation comes from the courage to be the ‘first’ or the ‘only’ until you are the ‘many’.”

Marie Ariessa Lane C. KoVisayas Lead and Board Member, DEVCON Philippines
Davao Β· October 14, 2026

SUBAY: navigating the technical and ethical path in AI

DEVCON Davao and #SHEISDEVCON ran a full day at the University of Mindanao, Matina Campus, with ABA as co-presenter and major partner. It was ABA’s very first stop in Mindanao.

Raphael Rey Bacolod delivering the keynote at the University of Mindanao podium
The keynote: connecting Mindanao talent with European tech opportunities.
A slide of quick facts about working in Austria: collective agreements, labour law, social security, and parental leave
Quick facts about working in Austria.
Students coding at computers during the hackathon
The hackathon build.
Two students pitching BantayBuild, an AI-powered construction loss prevention and financial intelligence app
Pitching BantayBuild: AI for construction loss prevention.
The champion team and mentors holding certificates of excellence
Hackathon champion

Girl, Boy, Bakla, Hapon

From Ateneo de Davao University.

Women leading the day

  • Altheae OweAltheae Owe#SHEISDEVCON Coordinator, DEVCON DavaoLecturer at the University of Mindanao, bridging academic learning with industry exposure.
  • Glyrhiz Marhiel TabamoGlyrhiz Marhiel TabamoPresident, DEVCON BukidnonFaculty at Central Mindanao University and founder of QuantumHive Innovations.
Why it matters

Trusted connections, early and local

ABA builds trusted connections with regional tech communities in markets where traditional job fairs can’t reach. Connecting early, locally, and through networks like #SHEISDEVCON makes a real difference.

  • An underrepresented, highly skilled talent pool: women in tech, from students to founders.
  • Beyond the capital: Iloilo, Cebu, and Davao, not just Manila.
  • Global careers, made practical: free relocation guidance, work permit advice, and career matching.

See the event on WORK in AUSTRIA (opens in a new tab)

Smiling students seated in an auditorium at the Davao event
Students at #SHEISDEVCON Davao.
Made possible together

Partners and collaborators

Supported byAustrian Business AgencySuiBoard of Investments

Davao collaboratorsAmihanAvticaTutorials DojoCowork MugnaMugnaMonde NissinTigerThe BloomDaviesP&G Printing Services

Hosts and partnersUniversity of MindanaoDICTColegio de San Juan de LetranFuture Women Tech Founders

Sponsor the next one

Help scale #SHEISDEVCON code camps and hackathons nationally, across 13 locations and beyond the capital, in 2027.