The Founder Institute (http://fi.co), the World’s Largest Startup Accelerator, announced today that it is exploring a new chapter launch in Manila this Summer 2014.
In the Founder Institute's four-month, part-time program, promising entrepreneurs “learn by doing” and launch a company through structured training courses, practical business-building assignments, and expert feedback from a large network of business mentors. Plus, aspiring founders are not required to quit their day job to participate, so they can begin building a business around their ideas without putting their livelihood at risk.
Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 200 cities and 100 countries, the Founder Institute has helped launch over 8,900 companies, which have created over 30,000 new jobs. The company's mission is to “Globalize Silicon Valley” and create sustainable startup ecosystems that will create one million new jobs worldwide.
If you'd like to help bring this great program to Manila, then fill out an Interest Form. If enough people complete this form by Sunday, March 30th 2014, then the Founder Institute will formally launch a Manila Chapter for the Summer of 2014.
In order to test demand in Manila, the Founder Institute will host several free startup events;
- From Idea to Startup Team: Meet Your Future Co-Founder: 8:00am, Apr 07, 2026 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/392148
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- Stuck Without a Startup Idea? Build One That Fits You: 8:30am, Apr 08, 2026 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/390100
- How Multiple Pivots positioned Checkbox as the ‘Legal Front Door’ for Corporations: 8:00am, Apr 14, 2026 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/389415
- Real Startup Lessons From FI Alumni Across the World: 12:00am, Apr 15, 2026 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/390798
- How to Go From Raw Idea to Polished Pitch using AI: 12:30am, Apr 21, 2026 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/395826
- Turn Your Expertise Into an Audience on LinkedIn: 12:00am, Apr 28, 2026 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/392477
- How to Overcome the Fear of Starting Your Own Company: 12:00am, Apr 29, 2026 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/394930
- How to Get Your First 10 Customers Without a Marketing Team or Budget: 12:30am, May 05, 2026 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/394592
- How to Choose the Right Startup Idea Before You Build: 8:00am, May 19, 2026 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/390371
- Inside the Founder Institute: Real Stories From Alumni: 12:00am, Jun 03, 2026 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/390530
- Startup Advisors 101: How to Find Advisors and Maximize their Impact: 8:30am, Jun 09, 2026 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/388390
- Turn Startup Hesitation Into Action: A Founder Mindset Framework: 8:00am, Jun 16, 2026 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/395047
- Stop Guessing, Start Raising: An Investor Q&A : 8:00am, Jul 07, 2026 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/392780
- Stop Overthinking and Build a Great Startup Idea: 12:00am, Jul 21, 2026 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/390801
- From Idea to Action: The Startup Mindset : 8:30pm, Aug 10, 2026 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/395130
- Meet FI Alumni Founders: High-Growth Startups Panel : 12:00am, Aug 11, 2026 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/391220
- Build a Startup Idea Investors Won’t Ignore: 8:00am, Aug 19, 2026 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/391228
- What Makes Investors Say Yes: Startup Funding AMA: 12:00am, Sep 02, 2026 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/393581
- Break the Idea Loop and Decide What to Build: 8:00am, Sep 22, 2026 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/391507
- From Idea to Traction: Lessons From Global FI Alumni: 8:30am, Oct 06, 2026 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/390944
- From Dreamer to Doer: Build the Founder Mindset: 12:00am, Oct 14, 2026 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/393509
- From Founder to Funded: Interactive Q&A with Top Startup Investor: 1:00am, Nov 04, 2026 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/393598
- From “Maybe” to Momentum: Building a Great Startup Idea: 9:00am, Nov 18, 2026 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/391367
- From First Idea to First Funding: Global Alumni Stories: 1:00am, Dec 02, 2026 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/391081
Leading the Founder Institute’s efforts in Manila are Dale David, Founder of Pickld, who also founded the non-profit organizations MightyMinds, FilipinoMatters and GoTOTO; David Elefant, a startup incorporation specialist who has successful mentored numerous startups; and Allan Tan, Founder of Ideyatech, creative software application company and has spent the last 10 years working in information technology.
Manila is gaining speed on the startup ecosystem, more and more accelerators and incubators are coming out, and even more great ideas are born each day. With more 100 million in population in Philippines, the potential for successful startups is huge. - Allan Tan
Other successful entrepreneurs who have signed on to mentor founders in the program include:
- Aaron Tan: CEO, Carro
- Abdi Dharma Ginting: Chief of Business Development Officer, Solecode
- Abhinav Goswami: Sr Director (Investments), Daiwa PI Partners Singapore
- Adeo Ressi: CEO, Decile Group / VC Lab
- Aditya Chintawar: Chief Product & Tech Officer (CPTO), KoinWorks
- Aiken Larisa Serzo: Partner, Disini & Disini Law Office
- Alan Wong: Co-Founder & CTO, Ula
- Alex Alabiso: N/A, Clickaramat
- Alex Sy: Managing Director, ATLAS Business Consulting and Mentoring Services
- Alexander Rusli: Co-Founder of Digiasia | Investor in 25+ startups), Independent Commissioner of PT Link Net Tbk | BoC of Multinational Companies
- Allan Tan: CEO/Chief AI Scientist, Predictive Systems Inc
- Althea Lim
- Alvin Yap: CEO, Laku6
- Amrei Dizon, ME, CPM: Founder, Vitalstrats Creative Solutions
- Anam Bhatia: Senior Product Designer II, Rubrik Inc
- Andi Boediman: Managing Partner, Ideosource Venture Capital
- Andrea Livotto: Partner, TenX2
- Andrew Escaler: Executive Vice President, Pasudeco
- Andy Zain: Founder & Managing Partner, Kejora Capital
- Anna Leshchuk: Founder & CEO, Breamsresearch
- Anna Leshchuk, Breamsresearch
- Annaliza Laxamana: Founder and CEO, Modern Ads and Promo, Inc.
- Anton Rifco: Founder, Teman Produk
- Antonny Liem: CEO, MCM Group
- Apollo Sangalang: Founder, Sangalang & Gaerlan, Business Lawyers
- Arcui Usoara: Global Board Advisor and Brand Strategist, Founder, Iaculus
- Ardy Satria Hasanuddin: Co-Founder, CTO, MyRobin
- Ari Juliano Gema: Partner, IP & Entertainment Practice, Assegaf Hamzah & Partners
- Arup Maity: President, BlastAsia
- Atty. Marvyn Gaerlan: Attorney, Sangalang & Gaerlan, Business Lawyers
- Audrey Maximillian Herli: Co-Founder, Riliv
- Aviandri Rivai: CPO, Mekari
- Azran Osman Rani: CEO and Co-Founder, Naluri
- Billy Boen: DIrector, Kejora - SBI Orbit Fund
- Boye Hartmann: Founder - CEO, BAT VENTURES PTE LTD
- Busthon M Amil: Senior Data Scientist, Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison Indonesia
- Carlo Valencia: Founder / Facilitator, Startup PH Training
- Carlo Calimon: President, StartUp Village
- Carlo Sagun: President and CEO, Bayan Family of Foundations
- Carlo Silva: CEO, Shoppable
- Carlo Almendral: Founder, AI First
- Carlos Ang: Founder & CEO, SUDS CLOTHING CARE GRP
- Charlie Chandra: CEO, DotX
- Charmaine Co: Co-Founder, Round One
- Chintan Oza: Founder, Anantam Ecosystems
- Christian Blanquera: Angel Investor, Incept Asia
- Danny Wirianto: CBO, GDP Ventures
- Darwin Rivers: Founder - Philippines HR Group, PHIlHRG Inc
- David Tjokrorahardjo: Managing Principal, Sovereign Capital
- Dr. Hanan El Basha: Strategic AI & Growth Advisor to SMEs & Scale-Ready Businesses, The Business Doctor
- Edy Sulistyo: CEO GoPlay, Founder Loket.com
- Fanny Verona: Country Manager, Line Corp
- Farhat Bashir: Founding CEO, Seerab Technologies
- Francisco DEANPAX Lapid: Chairman, SPAC INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INC
- Franco Varona: Managing Partner, Foxmont Capital Partners
- Gaery Undarsa: Co-Founder & CMO, Lifepack / Jovee
- Gear Fajardo: CEO, Goodmeal Hunting
- George Hendrata: CEO, Tiket.com
- Gerald Castillo: Chief Executive Officer, Eight Media Online Solutions, Inc.
- Gerard Escaler: Co-Founder, Lyrium Venture Partners Limited
- Gia Santos: CEO & Co-Founder, BookSpine PH
- Gina Romero: CEO, ConnectedWomen.org
- Gurun Nevada: Entrepreneur in Residence, Antler
- Herwan Ng: Board & Committee Member | Advisor | Mentor, IDX Listed Companies | Financial Institutions | Startups
- Ian Morris Yapjuangco: CEO & Co-founder, Nutricoach
- Isabel Pablo: Founder, GK Innovations Lab
- James Tan: Managing Partner, Quest Ventures
- James Soriano: VP, Investments, Pasudeco
- Jeff Gutierrez: Managing Partner, Muralla Street Ventures
- Jeffrey Paine: Managing Partner & Cofounder, Golden Gate Ventures
- Jefrey Joe: Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Alpha JWC Ventures
- Jerry Cocabo-Yao CPM: Founder, TMSPH Training & Consultancy Services
- Jj Disini: Managing Partner, Disini and Disini
- Joel Santos: PRESIDENT, THAMES INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SCHOOL
- John D. Evans, CFA: Founder & General Manager, SEIML Ventures
- Jorge Wieneke: Founder & CEO, TOKYO TEMPURA
- Jose Maria Fajardo: CEO, Proudcloud
- Joseph De Leon: Founder, MAIN [Manila Angel Investors Network]
- Joseph De Leon
- Juan Roy: Founder & CEO, Regenerative Transformation Institute
- Karin Wellbrock: Executive Leadership Coach and Co-Founder., Kay Group K.K.
- Kevin Brockland: Founder & Managing Partner, Indelible Ventures:
- Khailee Ng: Managing Partner, 500 Startups
- Lily Phang: Co-Founder, Eblity
- Lily Suriani: Country GM, Kredivo Indonesia
- Maaike Doyer: Founder, Epic Angels
- Mark Pe: Private Wealth Portfolio -IFA GROUP HEAD, COL FINANCIAL
- Mark Ferrer: Technology Innovation for Commercialization (TECHNiCOM) Program Manager, DOST-TAPI
- Marvin Adolfo: EVP, AISTAC Alpha Innovative Skills Training
- MC Lijauco: Founder, Snipe
- Muhammad Ichsan Rahardianto: Customer Solutions Consultant , Google Cloud
- Nafinia Putra: Managing Director, Ladies in Tech Network
- Nilay Jayswal: 5+ Years in B2B Growth Marketing (APAC, EMEA, LATAM) | Experienced in Advertising, Analytics and Automation | Mentor at GrowthMentor | TEDx Speaker, GrowthMentor
- Niña Terol: Founder & CEO, Imaginable Impact
- Norman Sasono: CTO, DANA
- Novita Sari: Partnership and Public Relations, 1000 Startup Digital
- Oliver O. Leonardo: Director, MSRD of the SEC
- On Lee: CTO, GDP Venture
- Ongki Kurniawan: Co-founder and CEO of Skor Technologies, ex-Country Head of Stripe Indonesia
- Paloma Lecheta: Regional Director - LatAm, Founder Institute
- Patrick Zulueta: Co-founder , Apper.ph
- Paul Bastian: Director of Sales Marketing, GoFleet by Astra & Gojek
- Paul Diaz: Co-Founder, Rocket Digital Business Innovations, Inc.
- Paul Pajo: Director, Incubation Management Head & TBI Manager, Benilde HiFi
- Paula Filart: Senior Associate, Disini & Disini Law Office
- Peng Ong: Managing Director, Monk's Hill Ventures
- Petra Barus: ex-CTO, Kuncie
- PH MENTOR Francisco Lapid: CHAIRMAN, ITSPAC
- Prof JAY Bernardo, III: Chairman , Bayan Family of Foundations, Inc.
- Quenby Go: Executive Director, Manila Angel Investors Network.PH
- Raymond Rodis: Chief Executive Officer, Startup Law PH
- Rexy Josh Dorado: Co-Founder, Kumu
- Richie Wirjan: Executive VP Investment, Kejora-SBI Orbit
- Rizki Suluh Adi: CRO of Everywhere.id, Bapak HarBolNas 12-12 Indonesia
- Robert Bernabe: Founder & CEO, Sandman Systems
- Roger Do: CEO, Co-Founder, Watchdog Cyber Defense
- Rossana Llenado: Founder and President, AHEAD Learning Systems
- Rudy Lim: CEO, OIO Singapore
- Saiful Bahri: CTO, PT Hybrid Indotech International
- Sakti Makki: Co-Founder, Managing Director, Creative Director, MakkiMakki Strategic Transformation Consultant
- Samira Shihab: Principal, Value Creation & Portfolio Advisory , AC Ventures
- Sandy Permadi: CEO, Erigo
- Sau Sheong Chang: Director, Applied Cloud Computing Lab, SP Digital
- Sheikh Masud Iftekher: Controller, Ericsson Malaysia
- Shinta Dhanuwardoyo: CEO, Bubu Ventures
- Sony Yoga Delarama: Group Head of Strategic Partnership - Financial Services Holding, Sinarmas
- Steph Naval: Founder & CEO, Empath
- Steve Melhuish: CEO & Founder, Propertyguru
- Tessa Wijaya: Co-Founder & COO, Xendit
- Tina Di Cicco, MAIN [ Manila Angel Investors Network]
- Vit Vavřinec: Head of CRM Sales Performance, Home Credit Philippines
- Voltaire Magpayo: Board Member, Small Business Corporation
- And many more to be announced.
Help bring the Founder Institute to Manila and fill out an Interest Form today.
About The Founder Institute
The Founder Institute (www.FI.co) is the world’s largest entrepreneur training and startup launch program, helping aspiring founders across the globe build enduring technology companies. In the Founder Institute's four-month, part-time program, promising startup entrepreneurs “learn by doing” and launch a company through structured training courses, practical business-building assignments, and expert feedback from a large network of business mentors. Plus, aspiring founders are not required to quit their day job to participate, so they can begin building a business around their ideas without putting their livelihood at risk.
Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 200 cities and 100 countries, the Founder Institute has helped launch over 8,900 companies, which have created over 30,000 new jobs. The company's mission is to “Globalize Silicon Valley” and create sustainable startup ecosystems that will create one million new jobs worldwide.
The Founder Institute was founded in 2009 by serial entrepreneur Adeo Ressi.
(Manila Cityscape Image via Shutterstock)
