TECH PLANTER in the Philippines 2026: 10 Years of Championing Deep Tech through Partnerships

The Law Office of Flores and Ofrin

PLDT Inc.

Quest Ventures

National Development Company

Focus Systems Corporation

 TERAL Inc.

UntroD Capital Asia Pte., Ltd.

Ezaki Glico Co., Ltd.

Sohbi Kohgei (Phils) Inc.

Wadhwani Foundation

Dr. Yevgeny Aster Dulla
Director
Leave a Nest Philippines, Inc.

Dr. Dulla 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 former Managing Director for Leave a Nest’s Philippine office, their newest subsidiary.

Atty. Flores was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 1999. He obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science in 1994 and a Bachelor’s Degree in Law in 1998, both from the University of the Philippines. He is heavily into litigation and corporate law practice as well as intellectual property law. He has successfully litigated cases involving construction disputes before the Construction Industry Arbitration Commission; intra-corporate disputes under the Interim Rules of Intra-Corporate Controversies; and proceedings before the regular courts involving injunctive relief, property, and family law. He has developed expertise in projects involving power, ecological solid waste management, and real estate development. He is the Corporate Secretary of various companies and industry associations including the Philippine Travel Agencies Association Inc. and the Filipinas Copyright Licensing Society.

Dara is the Head of PLDT Innovations Lab and Ecosystem Partnerships, leading co-creation and co-innovation of breakthrough solutions with startups, enterprises, and ecosystem partners. She fosters innovation across the PLDT Group through open innovation programs that build a sustainable, collaborative environment. She also manages PLDT’s co-working innovation laboratory, where solution testing, prototyping, and client proof-of-concepts come to life. A champion of ecosystem and community building, Dara leads strategic partnerships and startup business opportunities under PLDT Enterprise. She holds a BS Entrepreneurship degree from the University of Santo Tomas and is a YSEALI Professional Fellowship for Economic Empowerment alumna and former Luzon Lead for YSEALI Amplify 9.

At Quest Ventures, April works closely with startups to accelerate their growth through a combination of acceleration services and programmes. In the Philippines, April has worked with the private sector and government agencies in policy development, innovation programs and startup ecosystem development support. Currently based in Cebu, she plays an active role in regional startup innovation initiatives including the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Startup Ecosystem Alliance and Fiestartup. April is an SDG advocate and champion for women empowerment, education and environmental sustainability.

Saturnino H. Mejia is General Manager of the National Development Company (NDC). A seasoned public sector leader, Mr. Mejia brings over 30 years of expertise in investments and public-private partnerships. He previously spearheaded NDC’s Special Projects Group, driving major industrial, infrastructure, and renewable energy initiatives. Currently, he champions local innovation by overseeing the Marikina Enterprise Center, a landmark I-Hub facility designed to provide infrastructure, mentorship, and corporate acceleration support to Philippine startups. He leads NDC in managing the Startup Venture Fund, bridging equity funding with ecosystem growth. Mr. Mejia holds degrees from Saitama University and Ateneo de Manila University.

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.

Joined Teral Inc. in 2023 and has since been engaged in pump development and design, including fluid and structural design for new products as well as various performance tests. Assumed the current position in 2025. Currently promotes internal and external collaboration to create new businesses and expand into emerging markets beyond the industrial and building sectors in which Teral has traditionally been strong.

Henry joined UntroD Capital Asia in 2023 and became a director in 2025. Currently leading investments across Southeast Asia, Japan, and global markets, his work focuses on backing and supporting high-growth founders in frontier sectors. Prior experience includes early- and growth-stage investments in industrial and agri-tech sectors, following roles at Bayer AG in Germany, the US, and Singapore. MBA from Harvard Business School.