Visayas TECH PLANTER 2024: Announcement of Judges
Through the first Visayas TECH PLANTER 2024, Leave a Nest hopes to build the local ecosystem for deep technology startups to thrive and bring solutions to the issues encountered in the Visayas region. This is only made possible through collaboration and coming together of different stakeholders to develop the ecosystem and support the materialization of these deep technologies into the society. We are proud to announce the judges and partners who will be joining us this August 10, 2024 at the Iloilo Convention Center (ICON) not just to evaluate the teams, but also to explore ways of collaboration and development in the Visayas Region together.
HEAD JUDGE
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Yev was born and raised in Iloilo City, Philippines. He graduated with a degree in BS Chemistry from the University of the Philippines – Visayas, after which he worked as an instructor at the University of the Philippines – Manila. He came to Japan in 2013 to pursue graduate studies where he acquired his Masters in Health Life Sciences and PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences. In 2020, he joined Leave a Nest Co., Ltd. and is currently under the Human Development Division, and is part of the Kansai/Osaka office, as well as the Group Creation Division. He is also a Balik Scientist Awardee for 2020~2021, and is a co-founder and the Managing Director for Leave a Nest’s Philippine office, their newest subsidiary. |
LOCAL JUDGES
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Nannette Arbon is currently the Regional Director of the Department of Trade and Industry in Region VII. She is a graduate of Silliman University in Dumaguete City and has held various positions at DTI in all the four provinces of Central Visayas. Innovation, Digital, MSMEs and the Creatives are some of the major advocacies of RD Nannette. As such, she has conceptualized and initiated various related programs such as the establishment of Fabrication Laboratories (FabLabs), the StartupIsland Program to support the growth of startups, DREAM (Digital Services Entrepreneurs Advancement Mentoring) Program specifically designed for digital services entrepreneurs, Creative Konnect which is a multi-faceted program to promote the growth of both digital and traditional creative enterprises, among others. MSME development programs of the DTI cover the gamut of value chain upgrading including product and market development. RD Nannette has been active in this sphere, conceptualizing and implementing programs that not only promote entrepreneurship but also help our MSMEs and their products and services become better and more competitive. Even before the pandemic, initiatives pushing for the digitalization of MSMEs were already in full swing. Post pandemic, this push for more digital and e-commerce has been accelerated through several programs such as Negosyo Mapping (putting our MSMEs on the google map), Digital Marketing training series, Onboarding in platforms, matching with Startup tech solutions, and the like. |
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Velma Jane C. Lao serves as the Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Officer for Iloilo City Government, overseeing strategic planning and implementation of economic development initiatives. Previously, she was a Trade & Industry Development Specialist at the Department of Trade and Industry, focusing on ICT sector development in Iloilo. She co-founded IFIT Inc., enhancing local ICT skills and attracting investments. Velma holds a BS in Commerce, MBA from IAME, and a DURP from UP Visayas. A fellow of the Netherlands Fellows Foundation, she's involved in national and local workshops on economic empowerment and gender sensitivity, and pursuing a doctorate in Development Management. |
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Engr. Fulbert C. Woo is a distinguished leader and innovator, serving as President of New Prime Gas Inc. and Metrogas Iloilo Inc., and COO of Citigas Inc. He is Chairman of Concord Global Solutions and holds key roles in various other companies. As President of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Iloilo, he transformed the business community's leadership, launching impactful community programs and earning awards for Iloilo's business development. Engr. Woo also served as National President of Junior Chamber International Philippines in 2009 and has received multiple awards for leadership excellence. He currently sits on key development councils in Iloilo and Region 6, focusing on trade, innovation, investments, and public-private partnerships (PPP). Engr. Woo is a Mechanical Engineer by profession, a graduate of De La Salle University. |
GLOBAL JUDGES
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Ryo Inori joined Focus Systems Corporation in 2015. He is responsible for the sales of information security products such as data encryption for the financial industry, as well as content security products such as copyright protection for still and moving digital data. He has been promoting information security products such as data encryption for the financial industry, as well as content security products such as copyright protection for digital data of still and moving images. He is also engaged in the promotion of services in the manufacturing and medical industries. Currently, in parallel with his product sales activities, he is also working with startup companies and university research laboratories. |
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Hai Ho is a serial entrepreneur with a deep commitment to sustainable development and technological innovation. His career spans the travel, blockchain, and climate tech sectors, where he has excelled in product development, team building, and fundraising. Hai's core philosophy centers on sustainability, aiming to initiate business models that drive industry-wide ecological transformation. His dedication is recognized in his features across major financial media outlets like The Wall Street Journal, CNN, Forbes, Nikkei Asia, Tech In Asia, e27, The Next Web, Pacific Asia Travel Association, and Shark Tank Vietnam. |
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Born in 1997 in Japan. Attracted by the potential of the world-unique technology engaged in researching, founded FiberCraze Co., Ltd. with professor at the age of 23 in September 2021, while still a postgraduate student. Using the core technology of Gifu University, materials with insecticide, antibacterial and moisture retaining functions have been developed. Aiming to establish materials that will become an infrastructure for the development of life and industry. Selected for Forbes JAPAN 30 UNDER 30 in 2023. |
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After starting his professional career at Booz Allen Hamilton, where he worked for five years, Mr. Tanimoto moved to Silicon Valley and conducted international business expansion services to startups for six years. In 2000, he moved back to Tokyo and founded Realcom, Inc., an enterprise software company that was able to IPO in 2007 at the Tokyo Stock Exchange. After leaving Realcom, Mr. Tanimoto founded TENEX, Co. and assisted entrepreneurs as an angel investor and a mentor. In 2015, he co-founded Galdeira, Co., Ltd and now he leads the company as CEO. He received an MBA from Keio Business School in Tokyo and completed an exchange student program at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He also completed an executive program at The Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. Member of MENSA Japan and summited Denali in 2014. |
So, who's up for Winning?
Visayas TECH PLANTER’s Panel of Judges will be evaluating the nine (9) Finalists Teams during the Demo Day on August 10, 2024 (Saturday). To know more who these are, you may read the Announcement of Finalists and Lightning Talk Teams for Visayas TECH PLANTER
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If you have any questions or comments about Visayas TECH PLANTER or the TP ecosystem, feel free to direct your queries through email [email protected] with attention to: Ms. Joanna Marie Cua and Engr. Ronezza Delos Santos