In a country long recognized for its strides in gender equality, a new movement is reshaping the startup landscape. On October 14, 2025, hundreds of founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders will gather at SPACE at One Ayala, Makati City for the FoundHer Summit — a full-day event billed as the biggest and boldest gathering championing Filipina founders to unlock the female-led economy.
Organized by Imaginable Impact, an inclusion studio on a mission to close gender gaps for women in business and leadership, the FoundHer Summit builds on the earlier traction of FoundHer Forums held in Manila in October 2023 and March 2024, as well as other FoundHer events organized in 2025. By gathering the Philippines’s top startup leaders, the FoundHer Summit aims to make a loud, bold statement and a clear business case for the investibility of Filipina-led startups.
“The FoundHer Summit will make clearly visible what we have seen in data: that Filipina founders are investible and build healthy, sustainable businesses. They create positive outcomes for their customers and shareholders and provide a tremendous multiplier impact on the economy and society,” shares Niña Terol, Co-Founder and CEO of FoundHer by Imaginable Impact.
Terol further cites data from the World Bank showing that closing gender gaps in employment and entrepreneurship could add up to $190 billion to the Philippine GDP from 2040 to 2050.
“It’s time for Filipina founders to step up from out of the shadows and shine,” Terol adds. “We’re building a bigger stage to show the tremendous impact of Filipina-led ventures here at the FoundHer Summit.”
Stellar speaker lineup and empowering program for women leaders and entrepreneurs
Headlining the FoundHer Summit is a Who’s Who of Philippine startup leaders. Speakers include:
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Welcome Remarks – Senator Bam Aquino
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Investor Keynote – Jojo Malolos, PayMongo
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Investor Allyship Panel – Conrad de Jesus (Investing in Women), Joan Yao (Kickstart Ventures), Patch Dulay (The Spark Project), Paulo Campos (Kaya Founders), Priya Thachadi (Villgro Philippines)
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Women Investor Panel – Catrina Magsadia (Foxmont Capital Partners), Fatima dela Cruz (Qatalyst Ventures), Rowena Reyes (Sweef Capital), Tina Di Cicco (Kerubin Capital)
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FoundHer Story: “Girl Power: Activated – Pivots and Breakthroughs” – Ina Flores, HeyRoomie
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FoundHer Masterclass: “Building a Women-Centered Marketplace” – Claire Ongcangco, Parlon
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FoundHer Masterclass: “Feminine Leadership and Serial Entrepreneurship” – Crystal Lee-Gonzalez, nōna
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FoundHer Workshop: “Periods and Productivity” – Jessica de Mesa-Lim (Kindred), Camille Escudero (Lily of the Valley), Dr. Marianne Go (OB-GYN)
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FoundHer Workshop: “Presence and Influence” – Ceej Tantengco-Malolos, Go Hard Girls
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Hosts – Sarah Perez (Plug and Play APAC), Szachi Ducusin (QBO Innovation), Ron Baetiong (Podcast Network Asia)
Quimpo explains, “We’ve carefully curated our speaker lineup to demonstrate that real change happens when the whole ecosystem is involved and engaged. At the FoundHer Summit, we’re spotlighting women investors and founders who are reframing the investibility narrative for Filipinas in startups. And we’re amplifying the voices of mission-aligned allies who believe in closing the gender gap. Because driving progress isn’t a solo act; it’s a collective movement.”
Exclusive investor access
A highlight of the FoundHer Summit is the Investor Mentoring Sessions segment, which offers rare and valuable investor access to an exclusive session for FoundHer Access Members and FoundHer partners’ guests.
Here, delegates will participate in roundtable discussions and an Investor Masterclass with investor-mentors who will share expert-based insights on fundraising, business scaling, and other topics critical to the investibility, growth, and success of female-led ventures. Around 20 investor-mentors will participate from top investor firms.
FoundHer Summit 2025 happens on October 14, 2025, from 9 AM to 6 PM at SPACE at One Ayala. For information and ticket registration, visit https://www.foundher.ph/.
