Kendrick Geluz Kho is the Founder & General Partner of Hyperparameter, an early-stage VC firm driving AI innovation in industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and finance. He previously founded Fourth Realm, where he invested in groundbreaking companies like SpaceX and Stripe, and served as Partner at Global Founders Capital, backing renowned startups such as Deel and Brex.  Kendrick shares insights on founding Hyperparameter, its mission to merge Silicon Valley technology with opportunities in the Philippines, and how he balances innovation with cultural and market relevance. With a unique vision, he is transforming industries by introducing advanced technology to underserved markets, driven by his Filipino heritage and passion for global impact.

Jeremy Au is the COO of Lucence, a cancer diagnostics company that analyzes circulating tumor DNA from blood samples to help cancer patients find effective precision therapies. He is also the host of the Brave Podcast, a platform focusing on the Southeast  Asian startup ecosystem through interviews with founders, venture capitalists and industry leaders. Jeremy shares his diverse career journey, including his education at UC Berkeley and his consulting experience at Bain & Company, which shaped his entrepreneurial spirit and led him to start his own consulting firm. He discusses the challenges and successes of launching CozyKin in Boston, his transition into venture capital at Monk’s Hill, and the creation of the Venture Scout Program. Finally, he reflects on the growth and influence of the Brave Podcast within the Southeast Asian startup community. 

Gia Santos is a visionary entrepreneur and the co-founder of Bookspine. After a challenging journey through startup hell, she's back and ready to inspire. Gia’s story began at just 10 years old as a freelance writer and evolved through ventures in blogging, e-commerce, and health tech with her startup HeartSmart. In July 2020, during the height of the pandemic, Gia and her co-founder John Etchouse saw an opportunity to bridge the gap left by shuttered bookstores. They launched Bookspine, a platform designed to connect readers with their ideal books. Starting as a marketplace for secondhand books, Bookspine quickly gained momentum, onboarding sellers and captivating readers worldwide. Tune in as Gia opens up about her heartbreak and how she turned grief into growth.

Michael Calma, Country Manager at Advance AI, introduces the company’s goal of enhancing financial inclusion by providing seamless identity verification and credit assessment tools powered by artificial intelligence. He reflects on his early hustles and learning programming in the 2000s, leading to key corporate roles, including his time at NEC where he acquired valuable hard skills. Transitioning back to the startup world, Mike helped build DDLS, an IT training center, and adapted the business during the pandemic. In 2022, he joined Advance AI, launching Credit Bureau Philippines to support the underbanked and highlighting early adopters like Skyro, a fast-growing POS loan provider leveraging Advance AI’s identity verification technology to serve thousands of customers daily. Mike concludes the conversation with a discussion on Advance AI’s accessible, API-driven platform for enterprises and startups including the company’s future goals to further enhance AI-driven security and credit solutions across Southeast Asia.

Rene Cuartero is the Co-Founder and CEO of AHG Lab – the largest independent venture studio in the Philippines that empower entrepreneurs and enrich ecosystems. With extensive experience in leadership roles at multinational companies such as P&G, Deutsche Bank, and Morgan Stanley Capital International, Rene also made a significant impact with the Red Cross and Child and Youth Finance International, scaling operations to 150 countries. Finally, Rene shares how the pandemic inspired his return to the Philippines, where he founded AHG Lab. Under his leadership, it has grown into the country’s largest independent venture studio, empowering tech founders and startups through accelerator programs, services, and ecosystem funds to foster growth and innovation across Southeast Asia.