SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — The Philippines took center stage at this year’s San Francisco (SF) Tech Week, where cutting-edge solutions aimed at mitigating climate risks were unveiled.
Filipino American-founded startups Talino Venture Studios and BayaniPay hosted an event entitled “Climate Resilience by Design: Opportunities in Deep Tech and AI to Mitigate Climate Risk” during SF Tech Week 2024.
“The Philippines is uniquely positioned to lead in climate resilience innovations, having experienced the impacts of climate change firsthand. Developing solutions to anticipate future challenges is crucial, and by integrating technology, education, and government initiatives, we are creating scalable solutions that can benefit both the Philippines and the world,” said Winston Damarillo, CEO and founder of Talino Venture Studios and BayaniPay.
The SF Tech Week event brought together a diverse group of policymakers, climate tech entrepreneurs, impact investors, and sustainability experts to discuss how deep technology and artificial intelligence (AI) can mitigate climate risks—particularly in the Philippines, the world’s most climate-vulnerable country.
Two fireside chats were featured, focusing on strategies and actionable steps for climate risks and technology commercialization. The first discussion, “Macro Strategies for Climate Resilience: Effective Approaches and Solutions,” explored the intersection of innovation, policy, and community engagement to drive climate risk mitigation. Moderated by climate advocate Kristy Drutman, the panel included Philippine Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary Sancho Mabborang; De La Salle University (DLSU) President Br. Bernie Oca; Chemonics International’s Senior Vice President for Impact Saeed Uri; Kiana Kazemi, co-founder and CEO of Beaker, a climate-tech startup; and ABS-CBN Foundation U.S. Managing Director Lisa Cabahug, all discussing policy frameworks and capacity building for resilient communities.
“We must prioritize climate resilience across all regions in the Philippines, not just urban centers. By focusing on vulnerable communities nationwide, we can ensure that our climate adaptation strategies are inclusive and far-reaching, safeguarding both rural and urban areas from the increasing impacts of climate change,” said DOST Undersecretary Sancho Mabborang.
The second panel, “Productizing Innovations: Turning Ideas into Marketable Solutions” centered on turning climate tech ideas into scalable, market-ready solutions. The discussion featured Damarillo, Chemonics board member Gunjan Bhow, DOST Asec Dr. Napoleon K. Juanillo, Jr., and DLSU Animo Labs Executive Director Atty. Mike David, who provided insights into commercialization and the role of interdisciplinary partnerships in climate tech development.
Jamey Butcher, President and CEO of Chemonics International, delivered a keynote address underscoring the critical role of global collaboration in combating climate change. “The climate crisis is one that all of humanity faces,” Butcher said. “And to address it we have to bring the brightest minds and substantial resources to find and implement solutions that have sustainable global impact.”
The event also showcased the recently announced pioneering partnership between the Philippine Department of Science and Technology (DOST), De La Salle University (DLSU), and DEVCON Philippines (DEVCON). This collaboration, which will develop the Climate Resilience Technology (CResT) platform, aims to accelerate climate tech innovations through scientific research, advanced technology, and commercialization efforts.
Building on the momentum of SF Tech Week, the Climate Resilience Innovation Summit is scheduled for February 27-28, 2025 in the Philippines, with events at De La Salle University Manila and Verde Island, a marine biodiversity hotspot in Batangas. This summit will convene innovators, policymakers, and investors to further drive climate action.
Damarillo extended an invitation, saying, “We are at the cusp of groundbreaking climate solutions, and the upcoming summit will be a platform for the world to come together and turn ideas into impactful actions. We invite innovators, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to join us in the Philippines in 2025 to be part of this global movement toward climate resilience.”
About Talino Venture Studios
Talino Venture Studios is an award-winning global venture studio for inclusive fintech. Born in the intersection of Silicon Valley and Southeast Asia, Talino Venture Studios is on a mission to bridge financial inclusion for over 1.7 billion people around the world. It uses the successful venture studio model to build repeatable, scalable, and profitable fintechs that empower underserved, underrepresented groups around the world with financial access and mobility. Learn more at www.talinolabs.com
About BayaniPay
BayaniPay’s mission is to use technology to break down the borders in banking and level the playing field for all global professionals. Based in Los Angeles, its mobile-first service empowers global professionals working abroad to take financial care of their families and communities back in their home countries. BayaniPay Inc. is a collaboration among Talino Venture Studios, The Asian Journal, East West Bank, and Wavemaker Partners, and is the authorized agent of BDO Unibank, the Philippines’ largest bank. For more information, visit bayanipay.com.
BayaniPay is a fintech company, not a bank. U.S. banking products and services are offered through East West Bank, Member FDIC.
For additional media inquiries and investor relations, please contact:
Talino Venture Studios
Shen Acosta
Strategy and Business Development
BayaniPay
Christina Oriel
VP of Strategy and Operations
