Glossary

A fixed-term program that provides cohort-based support — typically mentorship, workshops, and a small amount of capital — in exchange for equity or a fee.

An individual who provides early-stage capital to startups, typically in exchange for equity.

For this directory: Includes both active and inactive angels with a Philippine mandate or portfolio.

A formal or informal group of individual investors who co-invest and share deal flow.

An investment arm of a corporation that takes equity stakes in external startups, typically aligned with the parent company's strategic interests.

A government-backed or multilateral institution that provides debt, equity, or guarantees to private-sector projects in developing markets.

An organization whose primary function is to strengthen the conditions for startup or entrepreneurship activity — through events, networks, policy advocacy, or infrastructure.

An ownership stake in a company. Equity investors receive shares in exchange for capital and share in the upside — and risk — of the business.

A private firm that manages the investment portfolios of one or more high-net-worth families.

A non-profit entity that makes grants or program-related investments aligned with a defined mission.

An investment approach that intentionally considers gender as a factor — through who leads a business, who works there, or who a product or program serves.

Non-repayable funding provided by a foundation, government body, or multilateral institution, typically for a defined purpose or program.

A fund that targets measurable social or environmental outcomes alongside financial returns.

An investor who seeks financial returns alongside measurable positive social or environmental outcomes.

A program that provides early-stage support — workspace, mentorship, and sometimes seed funding — to startups, usually without a fixed end date.

An organization that facilitates capital flows or connections between investors and companies — including fund managers, advisors, and platforms.

A provincial, city, or municipal government in the Philippines with authority over local economic development and permitting.

The defined investment focus of a fund or institution — including geography, sector, stage, or impact theme.

An organization that provides small loans, savings products, and financial services to low-income individuals and micro-enterprises.

An institution owned or governed by multiple national governments, such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) or the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

A non-governmental organization that operates for a social, charitable, or development purpose rather than for profit.

A government agency, regulatory authority, or quasi-governmental institution that shapes the legal or operating environment for businesses.

The earliest stage of startup funding — typically covering initial product development and validation before a formal seed round.

An investment made by a foundation primarily to advance its mission rather than to maximize financial return.

A form of capital where repayments are tied to a percentage of the company's revenue, rather than fixed interest or an equity stake.

An early funding stage designed to take a startup from validated concept to initial traction.

Successive rounds of venture capital investment as a company scales. Series A typically follows proof of traction; Series B and beyond fund growth and expansion.

A business that trades primarily to achieve social, environmental, or community objectives, and reinvests most surplus toward that mission.

The category used in this directory to classify an organization — Investor, Startup or SME, Accelerator or Intermediary, or Policy Body.

A form of private equity where firms invest in early- to growth-stage companies in exchange for equity, with the expectation of high returns.

For this directory: An organization whose product, service, or program is primarily designed to serve women or girls as end users or beneficiaries, regardless of who leads it.

For this directory: A company or organization where women hold majority ownership, occupy the CEO or equivalent role, or comprise the majority of the founding team.

A global standard for defining gender-lens investment, developed by the 2X Collaborative. Organizations qualify under one or more thresholds across leadership, ownership, workforce, supply chain, or product.

For this directory: Used as a reference point in this directory when assessing whether an organization demonstrates an intentional gender lens.