Now, more than ever, the world needs entrepreneurs to build the future.
At the Founder Institute, we know times are tough, but we also know that economic downturns are a great time to start a business. This isn't just conjecture - the Founder Institute was started in April of 2009 (during the "Great Recession"), and world-leading companies like Microsoft, Tesla, and Apple also took advantage of cost savings during a recession to launch and get their initial traction.
That's why we are excited to announce today that applications are now open for the Philippines 2025 program.
If you could use a structured process and a lifetime of support from Manila's top investors and entrepreneurs to build something meaningful, then apply to the Philippines 2025 Founder Institute today.
We will be hosting several free startup online events in Manila over the coming weeks, where you can learn from top entrepreneurs from the comfort of your home:
- Future-proofing CPG Brands: Key Strategies for Sustainable Growth: 10:00pm, May 15, 2025 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/371024
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 1:00am, Jun 03, 2025 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/370904
- How to Build Your MVP Using Artificial Intelligence : 1:00am, Jun 05, 2025 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/371432
- Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 8:00am, Jun 10, 2025 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/370811
- Meet the FI Alumni Scaling Startups in Asia: 7:00pm, Jun 16, 2025 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/371560
- FI Alumni Panel: Meet Portfolio Companies and Ask Questions: 1:00am, Jun 24, 2025 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/371856
- Startup Finance & Banking Basics: AMA with Grasshopper Bank: 1:00am, Jun 26, 2025 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/372055
- Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 1:00am, Jul 01, 2025 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/371693
- Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 1:00am, Jul 08, 2025 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/370422
Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 200+ cities worldwide, the Founder Institute provides high-potential entrepreneurs and teams with the devoted support network and structured growth process needed to get to traction and funding. Participants in the 4-month core program also get access to a lifetime of support through the Founder Institute's industry-leading post-programs.
The Manila program is led by some of the region's top startup leaders, including Allan Tan (Managing Director, Predictive Systems Inc), Artie Lopez, Francisco Lapid (DEAN PAX (Francisco) LAPID, SPAC INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INC), Gerard Escaler (Co-Founder, Lyrium Venture Partners Limited), Joseph De Leon (Founder, Bullet Day).
In addition, some of the Philippines's top investors, entrepreneurs, and CEOs will be participating in the program, providing them with expert feedback and evaluation. The list of startup mentors for the Philippines Virtual 2021 Founder Institute includes:
- Aaron Tan: CEO, Carro
- Adeo Ressi: CEO, Decile Group / VC Lab
- Aditya Chintawar: Chief Product & Tech Officer (CPTO), KoinWorks
- Ainun Najib: Global Head of Data Platform, Dyson
- Alex Alabiso: N/A, Clickaramat
- Althea Lim
- Amrei Dizon, ME, CPM: Founder, Vitalstrats Creative Solutions
- Annaliza Laxamana: Founder and CEO, Modern Ads and Promo, Inc.
- Antonny Liem: CEO, MCM Group
- Apollo Sangalang: Founder, Sangalang & Gaerlan, Business Lawyers
- Arcui Usoara: Founder/CEO, Iaculus
- Arup Maity: President, BlastAsia
- Atty. Marvyn Gaerlan: Attorney, Sangalang & Gaerlan, Business Lawyers
- Carlo Valencia: Founder / Facilitator, Startup PH Training
- Carlo Calimon: President, StartUp Village
- Carlo Sagun: President and CEO, Bayan Family of Foundations
- Carlos Ang
- Christian Blanquera: Angel Investor, Incept Asia
- Danny Wirianto: CBO, GDP Ventures
- Darwin Rivers: Founder - Philippines HR Group, PHIlHRG Inc
- Francisco Lapid: Chairman, SPAC INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INC
- Gaery Undarsa: Co-Founder & CMO, Lifepack / Jovee
- Gerard Escaler: Co-Founder, Lyrium Venture Partners Limited
- Gina Romero: CEO, ConnectedWomen.org
- Isabel Pablo: Founder, GK Innovations Lab
- Jerry Cocabo-Yao CPM-Asia, CPME, MBA: Founder, TMSPH Training & Consultancy Services
- Jj Disini: Managing Partner, Disini and Disini
- Joel Santos: PRESIDENT, THAMES INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SCHOOL
- John D. Evans, CFA: Fouinder & General Manager, SEIML Ventures
- Jorge Wieneke: Founder & CEO, TOKYO TEMPURA
- Jose Maria Fajardo: CEO, Proudcloud
- Joseph De Leon: Founder, MAIN [Manila Angel Investors Network]
- Juan Roy: President, Regenerative Transformation Institute
- Karin Wellbrock: Executive Leadership Coach and Co-Founder, Kay Group K.K.
- Kevin Brockland: Founder & Managing Partner, Indelible Ventures:
- Maaike Doyer: Founder, Epic Angels
- Mark Pe: Private Wealth Portfolio Manager, COL FINANCIAL
- Marvin Adolfo: EVP, AISTAC Alpha Innovative Skills Training
- Niña Terol: Founder & CEO, Imaginable Impact
- Olivia Marzuki: Business News Presenter & Producer, Channel News Asia TV Singapore
- Paloma Lecheta: Regional Director - LatAm, Founder Institute
- Peng Ong: Managing Director, Monk's Hill Ventures
- Prof. Franciso Enrique M. Bernardo, III: Chairman of the Board, Bayan Family of Foundations, Inc.
- Roger Do: CEO, Co-Founder, Watchdog Cyber Defense
- Rossana Llenado: Founder and President, AHEAD Learning Systems, AHEAD Education Technologies
- Rudy Lim: CEO, OIO Singapore
- Steph Naval, Empath
- Steve Melhuish: CEO & Founder, Propertyguru
- Voltaire Magpayo: Board Member, Small Business Corporation
- And many more to be announced.
Since 2009, the Founder Institute has helped over 7,500 Alumni raise over $1.85BN funding, get into seed-accelerators, generate traction, recruit a team, build a product, transition from employee to entrepreneur, and more (see the FI 10 Year Impact Report here).
Join us in the Philippines and help build the future.
Apply to the Philippines 2025 Founder Institute today, or learn more at FI.co/overview.
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