Key Takeaways
- • Kerubin Capital, in partnership with Australia's Investing in Women initiative, introduced the Philippines' first Gender-Smart Investing Map, a free online directory connecting women-led startups with investors, incubators, corporations and policy bodies.
- • Kerubin Capital CEO Tina Di Cicco cited that women receive only about 6 percent of ecosystem funding, while gender-balanced organizations yield 20 to 25 percent better performance.
- • The directory covers five categories (investors, startups, ecosystem supporters, policy bodies and corporations promoting gender equity) and includes angel networks, VC firms, private equity companies and development finance institutions.
- • Kerubin Capital, established in 2021 with backing from the Manila Angel Investors Network and Investing in Women, says every peso it invests mobilizes more than P3.30 in external co-investment.
- • Across Southeast Asia, women-led startups have historically received less than 6 percent of total venture capital funding.
Summary
Women-led startups in the Philippines now have a centralized digital platform to connect with potential investors. Kerubin Capital, in partnership with Investing in Women, an initiative of the Australian government, has launched the country's first Gender-Smart Investing Map, a free online directory linking women entrepreneurs with investors, business incubators, corporations and policy organizations, according to a company statement reported by InsiderPH on October 13, 2026.
The platform is designed to address fragmented information and limited access to investment networks, which industry leaders identified as major obstacles to women-led enterprises securing funding. Across Southeast Asia, women-led startups have historically received less than 6 percent of total venture capital funding. Kerubin Capital CEO Tina Di Cicco argued that better investor-entrepreneur connections could unlock business opportunities and strengthen investment performance, stating that gender-balanced organizations yield 20 to 25 percent better performance while women receive only about 6 percent of ecosystem funding.
The directory provides verified information to help entrepreneurs identify investors whose priorities align with their businesses, and gives capital providers greater visibility into opportunities. It covers five categories: investors, startups, ecosystem supporters, policy bodies and corporations promoting gender equity. Participating investors include angel networks, venture capital firms, private equity companies and development finance institutions.
Kerubin Capital, established in 2021 with backing from the Manila Angel Investors Network (MAIN) and Investing in Women, operates a catalytic financing model; the company says every peso it invests mobilizes more than P3.30 in external co-investments. Di Cicco also highlighted barriers beyond early-stage funding, including traditional collateral requirements and reliance on informal investment networks.
The initiative also highlights technology providers that help startups with financial management, regulatory compliance and governance. Participants included Taxumo CEO and co-founder Ginger Arboleda and UNAWA board director John Sybuenasenso, whose firm offers NotarizeIT, an electronic notarization facility operating under Supreme Court guidelines. The map is publicly accessible, with submissions and partner registrations accepted through kerubincapital.gendersmartinvestingmap.org.
The platform is designed to address fragmented information and limited access to investment networks, which industry leaders identified as major obstacles to women-led enterprises securing funding. Across Southeast Asia, women-led startups have historically received less than 6 percent of total venture capital funding. Kerubin Capital CEO Tina Di Cicco argued that better investor-entrepreneur connections could unlock business opportunities and strengthen investment performance, stating that gender-balanced organizations yield 20 to 25 percent better performance while women receive only about 6 percent of ecosystem funding.
The directory provides verified information to help entrepreneurs identify investors whose priorities align with their businesses, and gives capital providers greater visibility into opportunities. It covers five categories: investors, startups, ecosystem supporters, policy bodies and corporations promoting gender equity. Participating investors include angel networks, venture capital firms, private equity companies and development finance institutions.
Kerubin Capital, established in 2021 with backing from the Manila Angel Investors Network (MAIN) and Investing in Women, operates a catalytic financing model; the company says every peso it invests mobilizes more than P3.30 in external co-investments. Di Cicco also highlighted barriers beyond early-stage funding, including traditional collateral requirements and reliance on informal investment networks.
The initiative also highlights technology providers that help startups with financial management, regulatory compliance and governance. Participants included Taxumo CEO and co-founder Ginger Arboleda and UNAWA board director John Sybuenasenso, whose firm offers NotarizeIT, an electronic notarization facility operating under Supreme Court guidelines. The map is publicly accessible, with submissions and partner registrations accepted through kerubincapital.gendersmartinvestingmap.org.
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