FoundHer Summit: Biggest, Boldest Event Championing Filipina Founders to Unlock the Female-Led Economy

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - In the Philippines, a country known for its relative gender parity and supportive stance towards female empowerment, a movement is gaining ground in its vibrant startup ecosystem.

On October 14, 2025, over 500 founders and entrepreneurs, investors, startup ecosystem leader, and multi-sectoral allies and champions will gather in Manila for the FoundHer Summit, a full-day gathering that its organizers tout as the “biggest, boldest event 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, and other FoundHer events organized in 2025. In 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, and what we know from closed-door conversations and small discussions with investors and business leaders,” points out Niña Terol, Co-Founder and CEO of FoundHer by Imaginable Impact. “That Filipina founders are investible, bankable, and build healthy, sustainable businesses. They create positive outcomes for their customers, produce positive returns for their shareholders, and provide a tremendous multiplier impact on the economy and society.”

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

The FoundHer Summit speaker lineup is a veritable Who’s Who of Philippine startup leaders and champions. Headlining the event, to deliver the welcome remarks during the morning segment, is Senator Bam Aquino, the principal author and principal author of the Innovative Startup Act (Republic Act No. 11337)—himself a champion of women entrepreneurs and inclusive growth prior to becoming a senator. Jojo Malolos (PayMongo CEO, Sinigang Valley Association Trustee, and angel investor) will give the Investor’s Keynote on why now is the perfect time to invest in the Filipina founder and unlock the female-led economy.

The morning’s host and other speakers include Sarah Perez (Plug and Play APAC); Terol and her FoundHer co-founder, Candice Quimpo; followed by a Women Investors panel featuring Catrina Magsadia (Foxmont Capital Partners), Fatima dela Cruz (Qatalyst Ventures), Rowena Reyes (Sweef Capital), and Tina Di Cicco (Kerubin Capital). 

The morning will be capped off by an Investor Allyship panel featuring Conrad de Jesus (Investing in Women), Joan Yao (Kickstart Ventures), Patch Dulay (The Spark Project), Paulo Campos (Kaya Founders), and Priya Thachadi (Villgro Philippines).

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.”

Empowering program for women leaders and entrepreneurs

The afternoon will feature sessions, themed “Lead Like a Girl”, that aim to accelerate the business growth of female founders with founder-driven insights, stories, masterclasses, and empowering workshops.

The host and speakers include: Szachi Ducusin (QBO Innovation); Ina Flores, Founder and CEO of HeyRoomie, delivering a FoundHer Story on “Girl Power: Activated - Pivots and Breakthroughs”, followed by FoundHer Masterclasses on “Building a Women-Centered Marketplace” by Claire Ongcangco, Founder and CEO of Parlon; and “Feminine Leadership and Serial Entrepreneurship” by Crystal Lee-Gonzalez, CEO and Founder of nōna. 

There are also FoundHer Workshops on “Periods and Productivity”, led by Jessica de Mesa-Lim, Co-Founder and CEO of Kindred; and “Presence and Influence” by Ceej-Tantengco-Malolos, Founder of Go Hard Girls. 

“For women to thrive as leaders, we need to support and empower them holistically. A founder’s investibility isn’t just about strengthening skills in business and leadership. It’s also about mastering the self, which includes building confidence, deepening self-awareness, and understanding one’s own biology,” Quimpo shares.

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 two roundtable discussions each with investor-mentors who will share expert-based insights on fundraising, business growth and scale, go-to-market strategies, startup culture-building, and other topics critical to the growth, investibility, and success of female-led ventures.

Over a dozen investor-mentors will participate from firms and networks such as AHG Lab, Brainsparks, Bullet Day Consulting, Endeavor Philippines, Far East Venture Credit, Findicate Angels, Foxmont Capital Partners, Gentree Fund, Gobi Partners, IdeaSpace Ventures, Kerubin Capital, Kickstart Ventures, KVG Ventures, Manila Angel Investors Network (MAIN), Quest Ventures, Sinigang Valley Association, and Sweef Capital, among others.

The session will be facilitated by Ron Baetiong, founder and CEO of Podcast Network Asia, and will also feature an Investor Masterclass to be led by Andre Yap of Ignite House of Innovation and the co-founder of the 100x Fellows Program.

“Our Investor Mentoring sessions give female founders a meaningful opportunity to connect with investors early in their journey,” Quimpo shares. “We recognize the gender capital gap in our ecosystem, and one way we address this is by creating safe, welcoming spaces for authentic engagement. Here, investors will serve as guides and mentors, helping build understanding, trust, and the confidence founders need to take bold steps forward. Through these open conversations and genuine connections, new opportunities can take shape for everyone involved.”

FoundHer Fair: A community experience for female founders

The FoundHer Summit also showcases partner-led experiences and special offers to demonstrate how women collaborate to support each other. A community lounge set up by The Company Manila, featuring OMO Furniture by Milo Naval, will be available for delegates to network and chill apart from the conference sessions, while Kindred will provide discounts to women’s healthcare services such as consults, vaccines, ultrasounds, IV drips, and the like. Go Hard Girls will be showcasing “Pinay Power” through postcards, posters, and other lifestyle products inspired by the achievements of Filipina athletes. Additional products, merchandise, and services will be available from Antonina, HOPE, and other partners.

Behind the FoundHer Summit 2025 is a network of support from across the startup ecosystem. The event is co-presented by Imaginable Impact, SPACE at One Ayala, and OMO Furniture and Home Living Designs; in partnership with The Company Manila, Kindred, Go Hard Girls, Ticketnation, HOPE, Butterboy, Modern Ads and Promo, Antonina, Parlon X Marqed, Candid Coffee, Cocopan, Dumbo Coffee, Hey Lucky Café, Tomoro Coffee, Zus Coffee, San Miguel Corporation, Rebisco, Project Vino, Quantity Solutions, Inc., VRITIMES, LIKED, and PLDT.

“If you’re a female founder—or an ally who wants to see women entrepreneurs succeed and thrive— and if you’ve been looking for her tribe of kindred spirits, bold dreamers, and ambitious achievers, this is where you need to be,” Terol says. “The FoundHer Summit recognizes and celebrates feminine impact and leadership, and we’re here with a network of partners, investors, fellow founders, and leaders to lift everyone up. When women thrive, everyone wins.”

FoundHer Summit 2025 happens on October 14, 2025, 9AM to 6PM at SPACE at One Ayala. For information and ticket registration, visit https://www.foundher.ph/.