As a content creator, attending the FoundHer Summit was much more than covering “just another event,” it felt like a milestone in my journey and in the broader narrative of female-led entrepreneurship in the Philippines. Below are my reflections, the standout moments, and what this means moving forward.
Setting the Scene
The summit was held at SPACE at One Ayala on October 14, 2025. Organized by FoundHer, it brought together hundreds of delegates: female founders, investors, startup ecosystem leaders, advocates, and allies, in what the organizers describe as the “biggest, boldest event galvanizing the startup community to champion Filipina founders and unlock the female-led economy.”
Why It Resonated with Me
As someone working in content creation who often feels the pressure to “shrink myself” to fit in or sound a certain way in male-dominated spaces, a session titled “Lead Like a Girl” really struck a chord.
In that session I recognized parts of my story:
- The feeling that I had to be like the boys to be taken seriously, or to feel powerful.
- The gradual realisation that embracing my femininity (instead of burying it) can actually be a source of strength.
- Hearing other women’s stories of starting from scratch, navigating self-doubt, building something meaningful, it reinforced that I’m not alone.
When Ceej Tantengco‑Malolos (founder of Go Hard Girls) said “Don’t make the decision for them,” it lingered with me. It meant: don’t assume what others think, don’t decide your path just because you think of what they think of you, whether you’re a founder, an ally, a content creator covering their story. That line opened up a richer perspective for me.
Standout Moments & Encounters
- The “Lead Like a Girl” afternoon programm: the Founder Story, Masterclasses and Empowerment Workshops (including Influence & Presence by Ceej Tantengco-Malolos) offered more than practical tips, they wove in identity, courage and connection.
- Meeting the influencers from the Liked Platform: their creative drive, authenticity and community-oriented approach inspired me to raise the bar in my own content.
- Covering the event made me realise just how big the ecosystem is. As a content creator, I often feel solo-oriented; but here I saw hundreds of women and allies, founders and investors, all converging. It made me feel part of something much larger.
- Moments of “behind-the-scenes” content creation (chatting with attendees, capturing candid reactions, overhearing conversations) gave me a deeper flavour of the summit than a stage-only view.
Why It Matters in the Bigger Picture
The FoundHer Summit is a signal. A few references:
- The event positions itself as a platform “setting up a bigger space to create bigger impact”.
- The Philippines startup ecosystem is increasingly recognising female‐led businesses as not just socially desirable but economically crucial. For example, closing gender gaps in entrepreneurship could add up to USD 70-190 billion to Philippine GDP by 2040-2050.
- When women founders build, lead and thrive, the ecosystem benefits: more jobs, more diversified ideas, more inclusive growth.
From my lens as a content creator, that means: the stories we tell matter. The platforms we give visibility to matter. And the shift from invisibility/undervaluation to prominence and voice is happening, and I’m excited I got to witness part of it.
Final Thoughts
Attending the summit reminded me that:
- My voice is needed. My content matters because it can amplify voices that are still undervalued.
- Embracing who I am (not shrinking, not hiding) creates more authentic connection, both for me and for those I represent.
- The startup/founder ecosystem is bigger than just business deals. It’s about identity, community, and possibility.
If you’re reading this and you’re a content creator, a founder, an ally, or someone navigating your place in this ecosystem: I hope this encourages you to lean in. Show up fully. Tell the story that needs telling. Collaborate. Create. And above all: don’t leave your femininity or your authenticity behind.