Agile Data Solutions Co-founder Jason Gaguan Charts the Future of AI-Powered Market Research on Start Up Podcast PH

On Stack Up #10, Gaguan unveils Hustle PH’s hyper-targeted growth, GCash integration, and the upcoming AI “Journey Aware Interview Agent” for next-generation customer insights.

3 November 2025, Manila, Philippines — Jason Gaguan, Co-founder and Chairman of Agile Data Solutions Inc., took the spotlight on the 10th episode of Stack Up, a series under Start Up Podcast PH, to share how his four-year-old market research technology company is reshaping the insights industry in the Philippines—and where AI will take it next.

The episode, which premiered on November 3, 2025, and was recorded live at YSpaces Co-Working and Event Space in BGC, Taguig, dove into Agile’s hyper-targeted growth, its “honest” approach to buying data directly from users, and its vision for AI-driven marketing and research.

“From day one, we built Agile to be product-focused and revenue-driven,” Gaguan shared. “We only build what clients will actually pay for—and we make sure the value is clear, fast, and measurable.”

Hustle PH: An “Honest Platform” That Pays for Real Data

At the heart of Agile Data Solutions is Hustle PH, its survey and task-based app that allows Filipinos to earn money by participating in market research. Respondents complete surveys, missions, and product tests via mobile and are paid in cash, making the platform, as Gaguan described, an “honest” way of buying data directly from users.

Unlike passive data collection models, Hustle PH is transparent: users know they are being compensated for their time, opinions, and behavior. This clarity has helped the platform build trust and scale nationwide.

Agile now boasts the largest panel size in the Philippines, powered by its partnership with GCash and more than 74 million customer data points in its ecosystem. Hustle PH has surpassed 1 million users across the country, reflecting strong adoption among Filipinos eager to turn their smartphone time into income. (Hustle PH Hits 1 Million Users, Powers the Growth of the Filipino Microgig Economy)

The app is also integrated into GCash’s GLife, under the “Earn Money” section, making it easier than ever for users to discover and join research missions without leaving their everyday financial app.

Hyper-Growth and Strong Financials

On the podcast, Gaguan highlighted how Agile’s disciplined approach has translated into strong financial performance. The company has doubled its revenue year-over-year while maintaining operational profit margins reportedly between 70% and 75%.

Gaguan attributed this to a clear, consistent philosophy:

• Build products that solve specific client problems

• Focus on speed, accuracy, and targeting

• Monetize only what delivers real value to customers

  
  

“We didn’t chase vanity metrics,” he explained. “We chased usefulness. That’s why clients stay and why we’ve been able to grow this fast.”

From Surveys to Conversations: Introducing JIA, the Journey Aware Interview Agent

Looking ahead, Gaguan shared one of Agile’s most important upcoming innovations: JIA, the Journey Aware Interview Agent, slated for release in 2026.

JIA is an AI-powered chat agent designed to transform traditional online surveys into contextual, conversational interviews. Instead of rigid question-and-answer formats, respondents will engage in dynamic, human-like chats that adjust based on their answers, context, and customer journey. (JIA: The ONE for Brands — Agile Data Solutions Unveils the Journey-aware Interview Agent at DigiCon 2025)

This allows Agile to collect both quantitative and qualitative data at scale, combining the structure of traditional surveys with the depth of open-ended interviews.

“JIA lets us ask not just ‘what’ customers do, but ‘why’—and do it thousands of times at once,” Gaguan said. “That’s where AI changes the game for marketing and research.”

By layering JIA’s conversational data on top of Hustle PH’s massive panel and GCash-linked data environment, Agile aims to push hyper-targeted customer modeling into a new era—where insights are not only precise, but deeply contextual and continuously updating.

A New Standard for Market Research in the Philippines

Throughout the Stack Up episode, Agile Data Solutions emerged as a company that doesn’t simply automate old research processes—it rethinks them. From buying data transparently and fairly, to integrating seamlessly into GCash, to building AI tools like JIA, the company positions itself at the intersection of technology, ethics, and real-world business needs.

“Most brands don’t need more dashboards—they need clearer decisions,” Gaguan noted. “Our job is to turn the noise into something you can act on tomorrow.”

With aggressive growth, strong profitability, and a clear AI roadmap, Agile Data Solutions is set to play a leading role in the future of marketing, insights, and data-driven decision-making in the Philippines and beyond.

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About Agile Data Solutions Inc.

Your agile partner in data-driven growth

Agile Data Solutions Inc. is the Philippines’ premier market research technology company. Through its mobile platform Hustle PH, Agile connects brands directly with Filipino consumers, delivering fast, hyper-targeted insights through paid surveys, missions, and product tests. Integrated with GCash and backed by over 74 million customer data points and more than 1 million app users, Agile powers decision-making for leading companies across multiple industries. Its upcoming AI solution, JIA (Journey Aware Interview Agent), will further expand its ability to blend quantitative and qualitative insights at scale.