Daily Tribune
The Embassy of Israel in Manila, in partnership with the Manila Angel Investors Network (MAIN), hosted a hybrid pitching event on Monday featuring Israeli femtech startups seeking to enter the Philippine market.
The event, held at a private venue and joined virtually by companies based in Israel, brought together Filipino investors and early-stage Israeli firms focused on female health, wellness, and science-based innovations. The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts by the Israeli Embassy to promote technology and business partnerships in the country.
In his remarks, Israeli Ambassador Ilan Fluss said the event is in line with Israel’s drive to support startups through international cooperation, particularly in Southeast Asia.
“What you are doing is exactly what we are trying to do — raise not only investments but awareness to innovation and technology to assist startups,” Fluss said.
Fluss emphasized Israel’s global reputation as a “startup nation,” citing the country’s dense concentration of early-stage ventures and ongoing activity in the investment sector, even amid recent geopolitical conflict.
“There is a heavy price for war,” Fluss noted, referring to the recent Iran-Israel exchange, “but investments in Israel continue almost as usual.”
The femtech sector in Israel is currently the fourth largest globally, according to IMPACT.51, a company focused on building businesses in women’s health. Participating companies at the pitch night presented innovations ranging from environmental and indoor air-quality solutions, to AI-assisted coaching tools for sports performance, to scientific applications with relevance to cancer research.
MAIN Executive Director Quenby Go said the group evaluates startups based on their potential for high growth and long-term scalability.
“When screening startups, MAIN focuses on high growth,” Go said, adding that femtech aligns with the organization’s interest in addressing real-world needs through technology.
MAIN is the country’s largest private investor network for early-stage businesses, providing seed funding, mentorship, and investor access. It is a non-stock, non-profit corporation registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Go said that events like Monday’s pitch night allow MAIN to connect Filipino investors with high-potential ventures abroad while supporting cross-border collaboration.
The pitching session is part of a broader effort by the Israeli Embassy to introduce more Israeli technologies to the Philippine market. The embassy has previously worked with Philippine agencies on agriculture, water technology, and health.
“Israel has a lot to offer,” Fluss said. “And I’m happy that together we are opening these opportunities.”
Femtech, short for female technology, includes products and services that leverage technology to improve women’s health. These range from diagnostics and reproductive health to mental wellness and preventive care.
The three Israeli startups featured in Monday’s event showcased solutions designed for both consumer and institutional applications. One company presented an air-quality monitoring tool for home, office, and industrial use; another pitched a virtual coaching platform for tennis players using AI; a third focused on health science with potential applications in oncology.
According to Fluss, the partnership with MAIN helps streamline market entry for Israeli companies by linking them directly with local investors and startup experts.
“MAIN really became, not just a group of friends, but one of my [go-to’s] when I talk about investment, opportunities,” Fluss said. “I’ve joined them in so many events.”
The Israeli Embassy and MAIN said they intend to scale up joint engagements by matching Philippine demand with Israeli innovation.
The Embassy said Monday’s event also served to increase awareness of femtech as a growing category in the global tech landscape.
