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:
- Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 1:00am, Jul 08, 2025 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/370422
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- Founder’s Guide to AI: Building an MVP with No Coding Skills : 1:00am, Jul 10, 2025 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/374082
- Ask an Investor Anything: Q&A with Sonam Velani: 1:00am, Jul 15, 2025 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/374703
- Founder’s Guide to AI: Using AI to Increase Productivity: 1:00am, Jul 17, 2025 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/374126
- Founder’s Guide to AI: Using Agentic Workflows to Automate Repetitive Tasks: 1:00am, Jul 24, 2025 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/374155
- Responsible AI for Startups: Frameworks You Can Apply from Day One: 1:00am, Jul 29, 2025 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/376186
- How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 1:00am, Aug 12, 2025 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/374689
- Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 1:00am, Aug 19, 2025 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/374887
- Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 1:00am, Aug 26, 2025 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/375539
- How to Get Investors to Notice Your Startup: AMA with Marta Marrucco: 1:00am, Sep 18, 2025 (Asia/Kuala_Lumpur): https://FI.co/e/373885
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:
- Alex Sy: Managing Director, ATLAS Business Consulting and Mentoring Services
- Allan Tan: CEO/Chief AI Scientist, Predictive Systems Inc
- Amrei Dizon, ME, CPM: Founder, Vitalstrats Creative Solutions
- Andrea Livotto: Partner, TenX2
- Annaliza Laxamana: Founder and CEO, Modern Ads and Promo, Inc.
- Apollo Sangalang: Founder, Sangalang & Gaerlan, Business Lawyers
- Arup Maity: President, BlastAsia
- Atty. Marvyn Gaerlan: Attorney, Sangalang & Gaerlan, Business Lawyers
- Carlo Calimon: President, StartUp Village
- Carlo Sagun: President and CEO, Bayan Family of Foundations
- Carlo Silva: CEO, Shoppable
- Carlos Ang: Founder & CEO, SUDS CLOTHING CARE GRP
- Darwin Rivers: Founder - Philippines HR Group, PHIlHRG Inc
- Francisco Lapid: Chairman, SPAC INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INC
- Franco Varona: Managing Partner, Foxmont Capital Partners
- Gerard Escaler: Co-Founder, Lyrium Venture Partners Limited
- Gina Romero: CEO, ConnectedWomen.org
- 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
- 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:
- Mark Pe: Private Wealth Portfolio -IFA GROUP HEAD, COL FINANCIAL
- Marvin Adolfo: EVP, AISTAC Alpha Innovative Skills Training
- Niña Terol: Founder & CEO, Imaginable Impact
- Oliver O. Leonardo: Director, MSRD of the SEC
- Paul Pajo: Director, Incubation Management Head & TBI , Benilde HiFi
- Peng Ong: Managing Director, Monk's Hill Ventures
- Prof JAY Bernardo, III: Chairman , Bayan Family of Foundations, Inc.
- Quenby Go: Executive Director, Manila Angel Investors Network.PH
- Roger Do: CEO, Co-Founder, Watchdog Cyber Defense
- Steph Naval: Founder & CEO, Empath
- Voltaire Magpayo: Board Member, Small Business Corporation
- And many more to be announced.
Since 2009, the Founder Institute has helped over 7,800 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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