Meet the ten female founders competing at She Loves Tech

Ten startups have been selected for the Philippine leg of She Loves Tech 2019 Global Startup Competition to be held on August 3, 2019 at QBO Innovation Hub.

On the heels of a successful premiere run, She Loves Tech, a global platform committed to building an ecosystem that promotes technology for and by women, partners once again with QBO Innovation Hub, the country’s first public-private initiative for startups, for this year’s local round of the world’s largest women and technology-focused competition.

Last year, QBO brought She Loves Tech to the Philippines for the first time with the support of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through its Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD).

This year, with the continued support of DOST and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), women-founded startups will be given another shot at an international win.

With the Philippine leg being only one of over 20 international rounds, the competition aims to spotlight women entrepreneurs and startups dedicated to improving the lives of women globally.

“She Loves Tech has been a key element to QBO’s Startup Pinay initiative, which aims to narrow the gender gap within the startup community,” said Katrina Chan, Director of QBO Innovation Hub.

Less than a fifth of tech startup founders in the Philippines are women according to reports published by Startup Genome and PwC. QBO’s Startup Pinay program has worked to raise awareness about this gender disparity as well as encourage more women to participate in tech startups. The program has also empowered Filipina startup founders and female-centric startups by providing them with chances to take part in international exposure opportunities and specialised bootcamps.

“The new and increasing number of female founders that joined this year’s applicant pool is a welcome development,” Chan said. “This year’s lineup is quite interesting, with a mix of more experienced startups competing against exciting newcomers in the Philippine finals.”

These are the ten women-led startups competing this year:

1Export

1Export was founded by Mel Nava and is a one-stop, end-to-end exporting platform helping MSMEs and farming communities. They carry out this service by matching suppliers with traditional wholesalers and retailers abroad through data analytics, and processing export-compliant documents and labels.

Antipara Exploration Inc

Antipara Exploration is an underwater 3D geospatial mapping and analytics company. Founded by Cherry Murillon-Cubacub, Laurice Dagum, Engr. Francis Corpuz, and Engr. Aaron Hilomen. it uses its own built underwater towed platform with camera and sonar system to provide maps and relevant information for marine management.

Container Living PH

Container Living provides a sustainable and modular-construction approach to modern building practices by using decommissioned shipping containers that are disaster-resilient and highly customisable. It was founded by Mac Evangelista, Engr. Aly Reyes, Mitch Menez, and John Aguilar.

Enabling Technologies

Founded by Liz Dy-Olaso, Vanessa Garcia, and Alec Sentones, Enabling Technologies specialises in assistive solutions such as devices like Vybii, which enables people with disabilities to become independent.

FHMoms

FHMoms provides a platform which helps women find online jobs. Founded by Maria Korina Bertulfo, Lyra Jewel Decena, Rose Anne Fermocil, and Elisa Javier, their app narrows down employment options based on the results of their skill-career matching quiz, and links users to online courses that will equip them with the knowledge and professional skills for their chosen online career path.

Goally

Founded by Gladis Morales and Rachel Jaro, Goally helps employees achieve their financial goals by providing an online dream planner, investment marketplace, and salary deduction facility.

Payo

Co-founded by Liron Gross, Payo is a gateway that manages and simplifies cash on delivery (COD) transaction for online sellers. We provide a full-suite of technological solutions including fraud detection, data analysis and courier optimisation, aimed to empower the merchants with abilities to seize control of the COD process, reduce cancellations and increase revenues.

SmartBride

Founded by Queency Kay Koh and Ira Manalastas, SmartBride is a virtual wedding planner powered by Artificial Intelligence. Their service automatically recommends free customisable wedding packages based on user’s preferences such as budget, location and target wedding date.

StyleGenie

StyleGenie is an online personalised styling service, with over 100 Fashion Brands and 30,000 users on their platform. Founded by Abbie Victorino, Minrie Macapugay, Steph Oller, and Rhij Sarenas, stylists outfits based on customers’ Style Profiles and provide door-to-door delivery of the corresponding StyleBoxes.

Vesl Pte Ltd

Founded by Maureen Nova Ledesma, Jessica Manipon, and Yroen Guaya Melgar, Vesl is a financial technology company innovating the trade finance sector by providing a platform that connects trade lenders and businesses to per invoice trade credit insurers, among other specialised insurance products.

The winner from the Philippine round will win a trip to Beijing, China where they will participate in a week-long bootcamp, and gain numerous networking and immersion opportunities with China’s leading tech players in the days leading up to the finals. At Global Finals, to be held during the International Conference on September 14, the winner will be given a pitching spot, competing
against finalists from around the world, for a chance to win an equity-free cash prize of $15,000 from Teja Ventures, a VC fund with a gender lens and She Loves Tech’s official venture partner.

You can register to watch She Loves Tech Philippines 2019 here.