Bridging Filipino Founders & Funders — From Brain Drain to Brain Gain
FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH
Bridging Filipino Founders and Funders — From Brain Drain to Brain Gain
This event is co-presented by the Filipino American Community at Stanford, PhilDev Foundation, and Dream Bigger Squad.
Agenda:
3:00pm - Doors Open for Registration & Open Networking
🚀 Founder Huddle with Christeen Green
💰 Funder Huddle with Eric Valle
3:45pm - Opening Remarks by PhilDev & Stanford
Keynote: Dr. Elisa Nguyen, Vice President & Chief Nursing Officer for Inpatient at Stanford Health Care
4:15pm - Funders Panel Moderated by Regina Manzana-Sawhney
Kendra Viloria, Angel Investor at Kapwa Capital
Eric Valle, GP at Foundery1
5:00pm - Founders Showcase Co-hosted by Christeen & Joe Green in partnership with Founders Live
🎤 Four Filipino American founders pitch LIVE
❓ Interactive audience Q&A session
🗳️ Vote for your favorite pitch!
🎉 Fun, engaging community segment
5:45pm - Closing Remarks & Winner Announced
6:00pm - Networking Reception (light Filipino appetizers)
Venue, Attire & Parking:
📍 Venue: Havana Room, Stanford Graduate Community Center - Click Here
👕 Attire: Smart casual or traditional Filipino attire welcome! Whether you come in your barong, terno, or everyday wear—bring your energy and authentic self.
🅿️ Parking Information:
Best Option: Park at Wilbur Field Garage
Upon entering, follow signs for visitor parking on the first level to the right (plenty of spots available!)
After parking, visit ParkMobile.com and enter Zone 7206 to purchase parking
Good news: Parking is FREE starting at 4:00pm!
Use this campus map to locate Wilbur Field Garage or access the Google Maps link
♿️ For Accessible Parking: Refer to this map
For more info: Stanford Visitor Parking details
Description:
Roughly one in ten Filipinos live or work overseas—a testament to talent and resilience, but also a signal of the opportunity gap at home. This Filipino American History Month, Stanford convenes Filipino American founders, funders and ecosystem builders to shift the story from brain drain to brain gain. Building on the example of leaders like Dado Banatao and the work of PhilDev—and in partnership with Dream Bigger—we will explore how diaspora talent, capital, mentorship, and research partnerships can catalyze high-value jobs, homegrown startups, and globally competitive industries in the Philippines and beyond.
Our goal is simple: connect Filipino American founders, funders, and builder with students, scholars, and the FACS community to create pathways for Filipino talent to thrive in the Philippines—and to mobilize not just remittances, but relationships, know-how, and long-term capital for a shared future.
Who should come:
This gathering is designed for Filipino American business founders, nonprofit founders, investors, philanthropists, students and builders of all kinds—across industries, generations, and sectors. Whether you are aspiring to launch a venture, leading a venture, funding impact-driven initiatives, or building community infrastructure, your voice and vision belong here.
Why come:
This is more than a networking event—it’s a step toward shaping the future of Filipino innovation and impact. Together, we will build the relationships and shared vision needed to fuel a larger 2026 Filipino Founders, Funders & Builders Summit in Seattle, WA. Your presence today helps shape what’s possible tomorrow. Let’s dream bigger and build, together.
Event Partners:
Want to partner?
Email [email protected].
Stay in touch
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