To help in the promotion and building of the innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Philippines, Kickstart Ventures, Inc., is throwing its support behind the first Innovative Development through Entrepreneurship Acceleration (IDEA) Global Entrepreneurship Symposium 2014.
“Science and technology are key building blocks for creating high-value digital startups, and whilst substantial expertise develops with experience, an early start in university boosts an individual’s skills and disciplines. It’s important to encourage science and technology undergraduate and post graduate students to deepen their capabilities and pursue their passions, and to consider a broad range of options, whether traditional employment at established corporations, joining an innovative startup team, or starting their own entrepreneurial journeys,” said Minette Navarrete, President of Kickstart Ventures, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Globe Telecom.
She added, “The IDEA symposium will give them an insight into local and global entrepreneurial opportunities and trends; and it could offer introductions to startups and investment firms.”
IDEA is a brainchild of PhilDEV S&T and USAID. The symposium is designed to encourage Philippine colleges and universities to implement and institutionalize the entrepreneurship approach to science and technology courses.
Kickstart officials led by Dan Siazon, Senior Vice President and Treasurer; and Christian Besler, Vice President and Head of Community Engagement will discuss in separate breakout sessions how to build entrepreneurial communities and the best practices and challenges of entrepreneurs and venture capitalists in the Philippine startup community.
The symposium hosted by the Philippine S&T Development Foundation – Manila, Inc. and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will be held at the Isla Ballroom of EDSA Shangri-la Hotel on March 17, 2014.