Angel Investors Network Pushes for Advocacy and Intentionality in Empowering Filipina Entrepreneurs

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Navigating the capital-raising environment is especially challenging for women. But the investing community and the startup ecosystem can benefit from a two-pronged approach: advocacy and intentionality.

Tina Di Cicco, Chairperson of MAIN’s Gender Lens Investing Committee, discussing MAIN's Gender Lens Investing strategy.

This was the statement of Tina Nepomuceno-Di Cicco, the Gender Lens Investing Committee Chairperson of Manila Angel Investors Network (MAIN), the Philippine’s largest network of angel investors, in the recently concluded FoundHer Forum, organized by a Filipino-based women-led inclusion studio, Imaginable Impact at KMC One Ayala in line with Women’s Month.

 

In her keynote speech, Di Cicco highlighted that advocating for and intentionally supporting women-led businesses will encourage more women to succeed and attract and grow investments.

 

“Through advocacy, we communicate our vision and goals, as well as promote and support each other’s businesses. Intentionality, on the other hand, is when we turn our advocacy into action–it's when we put our resources into investing in women and helping make women-led businesses succeed,” Di Cicco said, sharing tips on how women can appear more investible. 

 

In addition, she noted that while the gender gap remains a pressing issue with only 2% of global venture capital funds going to women-led businesses, investments on women entrepreneurs are in fact growing in Southeast Asia with data indicating that female-led startups raised $1.41 billion in equity funding in 2023, which accounts for 18 percent of capital raised in the region. This is a 12.6 percent increase from the previous year.

 

Di Cicco also pointed out that the current trend indicates that more investors and networks are using Gender Lens Investing when considering startups to invest in and support. Gender Lens Investing (GLI) is a strategy that MAIN employs, through the support of the Australian Aid’s Investing in Women program, to maximize investment potential in women-led businesses. Through the GLI, MAIN provides extensive support to women-led startups, especially those at the early stage, in terms of capital allocation, training, and mentorship. To date, more than 40% of the startups that MAIN members have invested in are female-led.

 

“We are hearing investors prioritizing portfolio diversity, with many incorporating gender lens investing strategies. What we see across the board is a slow but steady increase in gender lens investing,” Di Cicco said, underscoring investors’ intent to address gender disparity through their investment choices.

 

“This is the time for women founders. We are being sought. We are more visible. There is no better time to be a woman than now,” Di Cicco added.

 

The FoundHer Forum is a signature event series elevating the conversation on investing in female founders, to bridge the capital gap for women in the startup ecosystem. Aside from MAIN, FoundHer Forum was made possible in partnership with KMC Solutions, a leading provider of flexible office space requirements and co-working space for emerging businesses in the Philippines.

 

Aside from supporting women-led businesses, MAIN, composed of more than 120 angel investors, aims to increase the number of female investors in the Philippines by diversifying their own membership. MAIN is also a member of the Gender Lens & Impact Investment Council (GIIC), a member-based industry body that seeks to build the gender lens and impact investment ecosystem in the Philippines.

 

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About Manila Angel Investors Network (MAIN)

MAIN is the largest committed private investors network in the Philippines that was formed to support the country’s startup ecosystem by connecting investors with promising early-stage companies. Apart from providing capital funding, it also mentors entrepreneurs, provides expertise support, and opens networking opportunities. This innovative startup ecosystem will benefit both MAIN members’ portfolio and overall growth of Filipino startups.

 

MAIN’s upcoming pitch nights are slated on April 30 (Q2), July 23 (Q3), and October 22 (Q4). The network also conducts seminars and training sessions semi-annually. This includes a StartupAcademy and MAINAcademy sessions this coming May, and a HardTalk session in June.

 

To learn more about these upcoming events, stay tuned to MAIN’s social media platforms (linkedin.com/company/manila-angel-investors-network/) for more details. For investors interested in joining MAIN, please contact invest@main.ph.

Stay Connected and Capture Life’s Beautiful Details with realme 12+ 5G

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Smartphones have become an extension of one’s self in their daily lives. It’s used in work for sending emails, attending online meetings, and in play for creating and streaming content. The realme 12+ 5G is an excellent choice for everyday activities like staying connected with loved ones, browsing the internet, and capturing life’s beautiful moments through its stunning camera. realme’s latest smartphone effortlessly blends performance and functionality, delivering exceptional results with minimal lag at a mid-range price point.

Here are a few ways to elevate everyday activities with the superior quality of the realme 12+ 5G:

Capture and appreciate details in everyday life

Photography enables users to archive moments that can be looked back on at any time. The 50MP Sony LYT600 OIS Camera turns ordinary photos into movie-level portraits ready to be shared on social media. Its flagship-level sensor promises next-gen photography with the support of Optical Image Stabilization. Aspiring photographers can #BeThePortrait Master with just one click.

Seamlessly handle work meetings and other daily tasks

The realme 12+ 5G becomes an extension of one’s self, and with the ultra-powerful MediaTek Dimensity 7050, workdays become even more efficient. With its 6nm Architecture,  the phone has a high level of power efficiency that allows smooth transitions from sending an email, updating a spreadsheet, attending an online meeting, and researching—all with minimal lag and low power consumption. It also has Dynamic RAM Expansion of up to 24GB providing a hassle free experience for doing multiple tasks and shifting between different apps.

Stream content and browse social media

All work and no play makes for a dull day. End a long shift at work by streaming the latest movies and series online. The 120Hz Super AMOLED Display offers a true flagship experience with super fast scrolling, brilliant colors, and incredible clarity. Quickly jump from the real world to viewing reels with ease as this display also supports up to 4,096 levels of brightness, suited for keeping eyes protected no matter how dim or dark surroundings can get.

Never miss a beat throughout the entire day

With a 5000mAh battery, get a full day of usage on the realme 12+ 5G, without having to worry about the longevity of the battery. When power runs low, the  67W SUPERVOOC Charge can get the smartphone from 1% to 50% in 19 minutes and up to 100% in 48 minutes.

Enjoy an exclusive limited-time giveaway from Techlife

Everyday activities are enriched by the cutting-edge capabilities of the realme 12+ 5G. And as an added bonus, members of the Squad are encouraged to anticipate the realme 12+ 5G Freebie Giveaway Activity. Taking place only from April 12 to 14, each purchase of the realme 12+ 5G in 12GB+256GB storage variant (P19,999 SRP) includes a FREE TechLife 10-Blade Remote Control Electric Fan, originally priced at P1,499 SRP. This exclusive giveaway is available at all realme offline stores nationwide.

To learn more about realme’s latest updates, visit the realme official website and follow realme on Facebook.

Hop in, HONOR fans! We’re Getting the HONOR X6a for FREE with Globe's GPlan 799 Postpaid Deal!

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The leading global smart devices provider, HONOR, is now even more accessible to Filipino users on a budget through its partnership with Globe. The HONOR X6a is now available with a Globe Postpaid Plan priced at Php 799 at Globe Stores online and in 28 stores nationwide.

"We are very excited to share the latest offers in partnership with Globe. HONOR Fans can now enjoy more flexible payment plans for their favorite HONOR products such as HONOR X6a. This is just another upgrade, and we can’t wait to give you more exciting offers with Globe," said Stephen Cheng, Vice President of HONOR Philippines.

The HONOR X6a is known for its 5200mAh battery capacity that can last an average of 17.8 hours of video playback and 35 hours of audio calls for only Php 6,990. It also has a fast-charging feature with 22.5W HONOR SuperCharge, reaching 30% charge in 20 minutes.

Moreover, the HONOR X6a is equipped with an impressive 50MP Main Camera, a rarity in smartphones at this price point, ensuring vivid and detailed captures day or night. Its 5MP Front Camera delivers high-quality selfies for instant sharing with friends and family. With a generous 128GB storage capacity, users can store over 28,000 pictures, 11,000 songs, or 100 HD videos, perfect for offline media enthusiasts.

Head on to the nearest Globe Store or online starting April 6, 2024, just visit https://bit.ly/GPlan_HONORX6a for easy access.

To know more about the complete lineup of HONOR devices available, you may visit HONOR Philippines’ social media platforms: Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram (Instagram.com/honorph/) and TikTok Shop: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines). To check out HONOR’s complete list of retail stores, go to https://www.hihonor.com/ph/retailers/.

Ruth Cabal Headlines Rapid News Updates on TV5’s Frontline Express

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Get ready for a swift dive into the latest headlines as TV5 emerges as your ultimate destination for quick news updates this summer. The Kapatid network proudly introduces esteemed journalist Ruth Cabal as the anchor of their new afternoon newscast, Frontline Express, a concise yet comprehensive 15-minute live news update that airs every Monday to Friday at 3:15 PM.

With a distinguished career marked by widespread acclaim, Ruth Cabal stands as a stalwart figure in the world of journalism. Her previous endeavors include anchoring CNN Philippines’ daily Filipino newscast, Newsroom Ngayon, producing numerous audio-video packages and live reports. She also served as a trusted broadcasting part-time lecturer at a state university. Her fearless pursuit of truth and dedication to quality reporting have earned her respect and admiration from peers and viewers alike.

Renowned for her incisive reporting and insightful commentary, Ruth Cabal brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role as the newest anchor of Frontline Express. Her addition to the program not only strengthens TV5’s commitment to delivering accurate and engaging news but also symbolizes a full-circle moment as Ruth returns to her roots, having started her career with TV5, then ABC 5.

Frontline Express is designed to provide audiences with a quick and reliable source of information, allowing viewers to stay informed without the disruption of their daily routines. With Ruth Cabal at the helm, this marks another significant milestone for TV5 in strengthening the network’s news and information arm, News5. Ruth’s extensive experience as a seasoned and well-rounded journalist ensures that viewers will receive top-notch reporting and analysis.

Tune in for a dynamic and insightful 15-minute live news update with one of the country’s most reputable journalists. Don't miss Ruth Cabal as she navigates through the headlines on Frontline Express every Monday to Friday at 3:15PM, and soon in more of TV5’s news and current affair programs.

Get to Know Korean Actor-Singer Kim Won Shik

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Korean actor-singer Kim Won Shik is no stranger to the Philippine entertainment scene. Since he lived in the country for six and a half years, he’s familiar with local showbiz and Filipino celebrities.

Kim Won Shik opens up about his journey in the entertainment industry and how he landed a role in the Philippine adaptation of “What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim” in the latest cover of Metro Man.

In the cover story published on Metro.Style, Won Shik shared that he got scouted to be an idol trainee after helping his sister out to watch Park Shin Hye’s fan meet in Manila. This opportunity also led him to become a part of popular Korean series such as “True Beauty,” “Love Like a K-drama,” and “Alchemy of Souls.”

This rising artist considers the Philippines his second home

Prior to his acting projects, he lived in the Philippines with his sister for six years where he became fluent in English and Filipino.

He also described the country as his “second home” and expressed his love for the popular Pinoy meal liempo or pork belly.

He is now set to captivate the hearts of viewers as he portrays the role of Daniel Park in “What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim” which he describes as a rival of Paulo Avelino’s character.

“It was hard for me to act because it’s totally different. But I did my best and I put more effort into it. The whole ‘What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim’ team/family helped me a lot to finish it,” said Won Shik.

Aside from acting, he also showcased his musical talent as he recorded the series’ soundtrack “To Be With You,” which is available now on digital streaming platforms.

Check out Won Shik’s Metro Man latest cover story. For more exclusive articles, follow @metrodotstyle on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok as well as Metro Magazine @metromagph on Instagram and Twitter and @Metro.Magazine on Facebook, or visit Metro.Style.

#MetroLovesKimWonShik