Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Congratulates Consulate General in San Francisco for 2023 Startup Ecosystem Stars (SES) Awards Recognition
14 December 2023 – Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez congratulated Philippine Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer and the Consulate team, including the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Silicon Valley, led by Trade Commissioner Celynne P. Layug, for the recognition that the Consulate received from Silicon Valley-based global open innovation platform Mind the Bridge (MTB) and the International Chamber of Commerce.
The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco was one of the government entities recognized for its support for the development of the startup ecosystem in the inaugural awards called Startup Ecosystem Stars (SES).
“I wish to congratulate you and your team at the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, including the Philippine Trade and Investment Center-Silicon Valley, for being recognized during the inaugural SES Awards in Paris, France on 07 December 2023, for the Consulate’s support in the development and growth of startups based in the Philippines and abroad,” Ambassador Romualdez said.
“The award is indeed an acknowledgment of the Consulate’s commitment and dedication to enhancing our country’s interests in the United States,” he added.
SES Awards recognizes individuals and government-related organizations focused on supporting innovation and the growth of startup ecosystems in their own region.
“We are deeply grateful to Ambassador Romualdez for his leadership, guidance and support to the Consulate’s initiatives and programs,” Consul General Ferrer said.
“We thank Mind the Bridge and the International Chamber of Commerce for recognizing the Consulate’s efforts in supporting startups. Together with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Silicon Valley, we will continue to work with Dynamico Space and other entities in supporting the growth of Philippine startups. We are optimistic that our startups will continue to innovate and support sustainable development in the country,” Consul General Ferrer said.
The Consulate works closely with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Silicon Valley to support the growth of startups based in the Philippines, as well as foreign startups seeking to expand into the Philippines. The Consulate also has a public-private partnership with Dynamico Space in providing exposure for Philippine startups in Silicon Valley and mentorship as they grow their startups. END
Philippine Consulate in San Francisco Recognized in 2023 Startup Ecosystem Stars (SES) L-R: Consul Vanessa G. Bago-Llona, Dynamico Space CEO JR Calanoc, Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer holding the 2023 SES plaque, and Philippine Trade Commissioner in Silicon Valley Celynne P. Layug
Philippine Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer and Philippine Trade Commissioner in Silicon Valley
L-R: Dynamico Space co-founder Carlo Pimentel, Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer, and Dynamico Space CEO JR Calanoc