WHEN WOMEN LEAD: A Startup panel & Networking Event in the Philippines for Students, Founders, and Allies

Women’s Month at Ateneo is bringing together founders, venture capital leaders, and ecosystem builders for an evening designed for two things: real conversations and meaningful connections.

WHEN WOMEN LEAD is a panel and networking-focused event for women students, aspiring entrepreneurs, early-stage founders, and allies who want to understand what leadership looks like in male-dominated industries—and how to navigate it with clarity, confidence, and community.

If you’ve been looking for startup networking opportunities in the Philippines, this is one of those rooms worth showing up for.

Why this event matters for startup networking in the Philippines

The Philippine startup ecosystem is growing—but access to rooms where deals, partnerships, mentorship, and opportunities happen can still feel limited, especially for students and women entering the space.

This event is built to be a bridge:

• Students meet founders and investors

• Aspiring builders meet operators and ecosystem leaders

• Women and allies learn how to have the difficult conversations (bias, power, credibility) in a constructive way

• Attendees connect with startup ecosystem builders, incubators, and investors in the audience

  
  

Whether you’re exploring entrepreneurship, building your first idea, or already working on a startup, WHEN WOMEN LEAD is designed to expand your understanding of the ecosystem—and your network within it.

Event Details

WHEN WOMEN LEAD: Women in Startups and Venture Capital

Date: March 26, 2026 (Thursday)

Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Venue: Leong Hall, Ateneo de Manila University

Hosted by: Ateneo Intellectual Property Office (AIPO) & Ateneo Blue Nest

Registration link: https://luma.com/qwscsakq

What we’ll talk about

This conversation goes beyond inspiration. Expect grounded insights on:

• Navigating leadership and credibility in male-dominated rooms

• The realities of building companies, raising capital, and driving partnerships

• The “unspoken rules” of high-stakes negotiations and decision-making

• How women can build confidence and influence without shrinking themselves

• How allies (especially men) can show up better—and what concrete support looks like

  
  

Meet the Speakers

These are women who don’t just talk about leadership—they’ve built it, backed it, and shaped the ecosystems around it.

Niña Terol Aquino — Founder, FoundHer / Co-Founder & CEO, Imaginable Impact

A women’s entrepreneurship and inclusion leader building platforms that convene founders, investors, and corporate partners. Niña brings a deep narrative and ecosystem lens to what it takes for women to lead—and be heard—in business and innovation spaces.

Reese Fernandez-Ruiz — Founder, R2R (Rags2Riches)

A social enterprise founder known for building an impact-driven business model rooted in community and craftsmanship. Reese brings practical insight on scaling with purpose, leading through complexity, and building resilience in industries that don’t always make room for women.

Raya Buensuceso — Managing Director, Kaya Founders

An early-stage venture capital leader supporting the next generation of founders. Raya brings the investor perspective: what makes a company fundable, what leadership looks like under pressure, and how women navigate capital and power in high-stakes environments.

Sarah Perez — Senior Corporate Partnerships Manager, Plug and Play Tech Center

A partnerships leader operating at the intersection of startups and corporates. Sarah offers a front-row view of collaboration, innovation pipelines, and how founders can build strategic relationships that accelerate growth.

Moderator

Daniella Annika Guerrero — Partnerships & Community Lead, Ateneo Intellectual Property Office (AIPO) & Ateneo Blue Nest; x2 Founder

Daniella leads partnerships and community initiatives that connect founders to local and global opportunities through Ateneo’s innovation and incubation ecosystem. As a two-time founder and ecosystem builder, she brings a grounded, student-accessible approach to conversations on leadership, strategy, and building credibility in real rooms.

Who should attend

WHEN WOMEN LEAD is for:

• Women students exploring startups, entrepreneurship, VC, tech, and innovation

• Aspiring founders who want to meet ecosystem builders and mentors

• Early-stage founders looking for community and capital literacy

• Allies who want to support women more effectively in business spaces

• Anyone seeking startup networking opportunities in the Philippines in a purposeful, structured setting

  
  

What you’ll gain from attending

1) Real-world insight you can apply immediately: Not theory—actual stories, decisions, and strategies from women who lead.

2) A better understanding of the startup ecosystem in the Philippines: How founders, investors, and ecosystem builders think—and what matters at each stage.

3) Stronger connections: You’ll be in the same room as startup ecosystem builders, incubators, and investors, alongside students and alumni who are building.

Register now

Seats are limited, and registration helps us plan a smoother experience for attendees.

Register here: https://luma.com/qwscsakq

We look forward to welcoming you to WHEN WOMEN LEAD—and to building a stronger, more inclusive startup ecosystem in the Philippines.