Ep 318 - The Hustle Behind AHG Lab

EPISODE INTRODUCTION

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.

Episode Timeline: 

[00:03:50] - Rene's Hustle: AHG Lab

[00:09:07] - Growing Up in Bataan

[00:13:08] - Overcoming Insecurities and Assimilating

[00:17:15] - Balancing Identity and Assimilation

[00:20:25] - First Hustles: Writing Theses for Others

[00:25:35] - First Corporate Job: Procter & Gamble in Singapore

[00:28:08] - Returning to the Philippines: Deutsche Bank

[00:33:04] - Master's Degree and International Development

[00:36:00] - Working in Financial Literacy and Inclusion

[00:39:01] - Child and Youth Finance International

[00:42:04] - Founding Ye Community

[00:46:01] - Transition to Startups and Returning Home

[00:50:01] - Teaching and Pandemic Challenges

"Once you recognize that you don't have to do everything and that there are other people around you that could help you do that, then life becomes not easier but more manageable and you're never alone."
- Rene Cuartero

Links: 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renecuartero/
AHG Lab (Website): https://www.ahglab.com/
AHG Lab (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/company/ahglabph/

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