New tech startups hub ‘La French Tech Philippines’ launched

Visual from La French Tech Philippines' Facebook page.

By Tomas S. Noda III

April 19, 2016

The France-based La French Tech group has launched its latest tech startup hub in Manila – La French Tech Philippines, which is  meant to drive growth of technopreneurship in the country.

An initiative launched by the French government in 2013, La French Tech is a tech startup ecosystem coordinated by Business France. It has developed startup hubs in San Francisco, London, Barcelona, San Paulo, New York, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Cape Town, and Tel Aviv.

France Ambassador to the Philippines Thierry Mathou first formed La French Tech Philippines last month with 22 entrepreneurs, composed of investors, engineers, developers, associations, designers, conglomerates, media, and government agencies who aim to promote growth of IT startups, locally and internationally.

Also read: Spring.ph breaks 50 software startups target, adds 7 new firms to LaunchPad

“The Philippines is an attractive venue for entrepreneurs worldwide. Being a traditional exporter of electronic components whose people have acquired a strong technical and IT background, the Philippine environment is a naturally favorable site for those who want to develop IT and tech business,” La French Tech Philippines said in a statement.

“French entrepreneurs are attracted to the highly skilled workforce in the Philippines and Filipinos proficiency with languages,” it added.

The new local community organization will be participating in the two-day Slingshot Philippines (SlingshotPH) conference in Pasay City on April 21 and 22. SlingshotPH is the official congress for innovation and startups in the Philippines organized last year by the Department of Trade and Industry with support from the Department of Science and Technology.

Also Read: Philippines’ startup ecosystem faces several barriers, yet to take off: John Orrock, Future Now Ventures

Also on April 21, La French Tech Philippines together with the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Philippines (CCIP) will be launching their Entrepreneurship Committee right after the SlingshotPH conference.

“The initiative shall indeed favor the networking of talents and encourage entrepreneurship among them, thereby creating a synergy whose common goal is to contribute to develop opportunities, creativity, attract more entrepreneurs and investors while also positioning France on a path to become a major tech and innovation partner of the Philippines,” said La French Tech Philippines ambassador Thierry Tea.

WeCube Inc, a French startup accelerator, will be opening its working space in the financial district of Makati City. It plans to operate an incubator to propel the local startup ecosystem.

WeCube plans to guide startups to achieve traction and access to funding by providing mentorship, coaching, networking and advisory on fund raising.

Also read:

Philippines, APEC form new startup conference ‘SlingshotMNL’

Philippine tech startup roadmap guns for 500 startups with $2b valuation by 2020

Modelled on Block 71 & MaGIC, PH launches first Innovation Hub

Philippine govt launches first global ICT biz incubator hub

PH: IdeaSpace opts for equity-free funding, opens 2016 startup contest

Singapore Reporter/s

In Singapore, we are looking to double our reporting team by this year-end to comprehensively cover the fast-moving world of funded startups and VC, PE & M&A deals. We want reporters who can tell our readers what is really happening in these sectors and why it matters to markets, companies and consumers. The ability to write precisely and urgently is crucial for these roles. Ideal candidates must have to ability to work in a collaborative, dynamic, and fast-changing environment. We want our new hires to be digitally savvy and ready to experiment with new forms of storytelling. Most importantly, we are looking for hard-hitting reporters who work well in a team. Collaboration and collegiality are a must.

Following vacancies can be applied for (only in Singapore).

Following vacancies can be applied for (only in Singapore).   

  • A reporter to track companies/startups that have raised private capital, and have the potential to become unicorns. SEA currently has over 40 companies with a valuation of over $100 million and under $1 billion.
  • A reporter who can get behind the scenes and reveal how funding rounds are put together, or why they’ve failed to materialise. She/he in this role will largely focus on long-format stories. 
  • A journalist to track special situations funds, distressed debt and private credit (from the PE angle) across Asia.
APPLY NOW

Singapore Reporter/s

In Singapore, we are looking to double our reporting team by this year-end to comprehensively cover the fast-moving world of funded startups and VC, PE & M&A deals. We want reporters who can tell our readers what is really happening in these sectors and why it matters to markets, companies and consumers. The ability to write precisely and urgently is crucial for these roles. Ideal candidates must have to ability to work in a collaborative, dynamic, and fast-changing environment. We want our new hires to be digitally savvy and ready to experiment with new forms of storytelling. Most importantly, we are looking for hard-hitting reporters who work well in a team. Collaboration and collegiality are a must.

Following vacancies can be applied for (only in Singapore).

Following vacancies can be applied for (only in Singapore).   

  • A reporter to track companies/startups that have raised private capital, and have the potential to become unicorns. SEA currently has over 40 companies with a valuation of over $100 million and under $1 billion.
  • A reporter who can get behind the scenes and reveal how funding rounds are put together, or why they’ve failed to materialise. She/he in this role will largely focus on long-format stories. 
  • A journalist to track special situations funds, distressed debt and private credit (from the PE angle) across Asia.
APPLY NOW