SAN FRANCISCO – In celebration of National Innovation Day 2025, the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco organized a forum Unleashing the Startup Mindsets for the Philippines: A National Innovation Update at the historic Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center last April 28.
The event convened Filipino and Filipino American startup founders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and innovation stakeholders to exchange insights on the Philippines’ innovation ecosystem and discuss the future of the country’s startup landscape. The forum aimed to strengthen the bridge between innovation communities in the Philippines and the United States, particularly those in Silicon Valley.
Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer opened the program with welcome remarks, underscoring the Philippines’ growing innovation momentum. “The energy of Manila’s startup scene is undeniable. With over 1,100 startups and nearly $1 billion raised in 2023 alone, Filipino innovation is thriving—not just locally, but on the global stage,” said Consul General Ferrer. “Through events like this forum, we aim to connect our trailblazers in Silicon Valley and beyond, rallying behind our Filipinnovators who are shaping the future of the Philippines through bold and impactful solutions.”
A video primer on Filipinnovation followed, introducing the National Innovation Agenda and Strategy Document (NIASD) 2023–2032 and laying the groundwork for the day’s discussions.
Earl Martin Valencia, a Filipino startup founder and Executive Member of the National Innovation Council served as the main speaker for the event. He spoke about the crucial role of innovation during times of uncertainty, citing how the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the need for resilient systems like telehealth and remote work technologies.
Valencia elaborated on the Philippine Innovation Act (RA 11293) and the NIASD’s Innovation Priority Areas, such as food and agribusiness, health and well-being, and education. He emphasized the potential for Filipino-developed solutions to scale globally, especially given the country’s large domestic market of 120 million people. He also highlighted the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence (AI) in addressing local challenges and encouraged intentional investments in innovation infrastructure—drawing comparisons to neighboring countries in the region.
He also introduced the Filipinnovation Awards, a Presidential-level initiative that seeks to shift mindsets and celebrate Filipino ingenuity. Five individuals or teams will be selected as Filipinnovator Awardees under three thematic areas: food and agribusiness, health and well-being, and learning and education.
Following Valencia’s remarks, a dynamic panel discussion featured Valencia alongside:
● Dan Gonzales, startup investor and co-author with Valencia of Startup Mindsets: A Blueprint to Thrive in an Innovation-Driven and Globally-Connected World; and
● Kendrick Gheluz Kho, president of the Science and Technology Advisory Council (STAC) – Silicon Valley and venture capitalist.
The panel examined the exciting startup trends in the Philippines and emphasized the need for stronger cross-border collaboration. The event concluded with an open forum, where attendees engaged with the panel on topics such as innovation ecosystem comparisons, the role of government in driving innovation, and the future trajectory of the Philippine startup scene.
Consul General Ferrer noted that the forum showcased the vibrancy and potential of the Philippine innovation landscape, reaffirming the importance of fostering global connections and cultivating a startup mindset among Filipinos worldwide.
