Hustleshare

Gillian Santos, co-founder and CEO of AniTech, and Neil Kho, co-founder of Arka, join the Founders Only podcast to share how they turned research backgrounds and last-minute grant wins into real, working agri-tech startups. They talk about the hustle of building in a close-knit industry, earning trust from the ground up, and why working in agriculture isn’t just about deploying tech—it’s about solving real-world problems with people, persistence, and a whole lot of heart. With support from Villgro Philippines, they’re proving that collaboration—not competition—is what will move the industry forward.

"It all comes back to what you don't measure, you don't know. And what you don't know, you can't solve." – Gillian Santos

Resources:

LinkedIn (Gillian Santos): https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillian-santos-3aa1ba115 

Website (AniTech): https://www.anihan.tech 

LinkedIn (Neil Kho): https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilkho

Website (Arka Inc.): https://arka.asia 

Links/Sponsors:

Villgro Philippines: https://villgrophilippines.org/

Paymongo: https://www.paymongo.com/

GoTyme Bank: https://www.gotyme.com.ph/

SeekCap: https://www.seekcap.ph/

Hustleshare is powered by Podmachine

Listen to our brand new podcast: Founders Only HERE

Diamond Supporters: Sarisuki, PayMongo, SeekCap, Shoppable Business, Qapita, GoTyme Bank, Sprout Solutions, UNO Digital Bank

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In this episode of Hustleshare, we sit down with Mr. Michael Sta. Maria, the dynamic President and CEO of Northeast Business Solution, Inc. — a company at the forefront of digital transformation and business optimization in the Philippines.

Michael shares the inspiring story behind Northeast Business Solutions, Inc.: how it grew from a promising concept into a trusted provider of software solutions for companies across various industries. With a strong focus on innovation, client service, and operational excellence, he walks us through the company’s evolution, its key milestones, and the challenges he faced as a leader navigating today’s fast-changing digital landscape.

This episode also explores how Northeast Business Solutions, Inc. has harnessed the power of technology — including strategic partnerships with digital providers like PLDT Enterprise — to deliver smarter, scalable, and future-ready solutions to clients. A must-listen for forward-thinking entrepreneurs and executives looking to lead with vision, agility, and purpose in the digital era.

This episode is brought to you by Onecfo PH and PLDT Enterprise.

PLDT Enterprise: 

- MSME Fiberbiz - https://bit.ly/pldtenterprise-ROId-nbsi-fiberbiz 

- 5G SIM Only - https://bit.ly/pldtenterprise-ROId-nbsi-smart-postpaid

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In this episode of Hustleshare, we sit down with Dan Gonzales and Earl Valencia, co-authors of Startup Mindsets, to unpack the emotional and mental journey of building startups especially through the lens of the Filipino experience. Dan, a Filipino-American writer with a tech background, reflects on his path from tech skeptic to ecosystem builder, while Earl, a pioneer of the Philippine startup ecosystem and co-founder of IdeaSpace, shares how a billion-peso fund came to life after a bold pitch to MVP. They dive into the irrational realities of entrepreneurship, the truth about failure and regret, and why mindset—not just execution—is what defines success. Packed with grit, vulnerability, and decades of hard-won wisdom, this episode is a must-listen for anyone standing at the edge of starting something meaningful.

Resources:

Earl Valencia (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/earlvalencia

Dan Gonzales (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/dangonzales1/ 

Website: https://www.startupmindsets.com/book 

Fullybooked: https://fullybookedonline.com/book-business-startup-mindsets-paperback-by-earl-valencia.html 

Hustleshare Ep. 4 – The Hustle of Incubating Innovation: https://www.hustleshare.com/episodes/earlvalencia-ideaspace-podcast 

This episode is brought to you by OneCFO

Hustleshare is powered by Podmachine

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Hustleshare, we sit down with Luis Mesina and Marilen Yap, the visionary founders and owners of Cake2Go. A homegrown cake brand that redefined convenience and taste in the Philippines long before online delivery was mainstream. From humble beginnings in a side porch with a borrowed oven, to running 18 stores and pioneering the takeout cake model, Luis and Marilen share their incredible 20-year journey filled with grit, innovation, and heart. This episode also talks about thriving during the pandemic, passing the torch to the next generation, and how tech—especially digital solutions from PLDT Enterprise—has helped them grow in the digital era.

Resources:

Website: https://cake2go.com.ph

This episode is brought to you by Onecfo PH and PLDT Enterprise (MSME FiberBiz & %G SIM Only Plans)

Hustleshare is powered by Podmachine

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Hustleshare, we talk with Ben Alderson—startup mentor, angel investor, and founder of BA Mentor, a platform supporting early-stage founders with practical, no-fluff guidance. With a career spanning engineering, management consulting, startup founding, and venture capital, Ben unpacks the uncommon path that gave him a uniquely grounded lens for helping founders succeed. He shares hard truths about fundraising in the Philippines, the difference between real traction and noise, and why execution—not theory—separates the winners. Candid, deeply tactical, and full of firsthand insights, this is a must-listen for any founder serious about making better decisions, faster.

“I don't promote burnout culture. You've got to have a little bit of an outlet and you've got to be able to stay healthy. But you have to be obsessed with the problem and you have to be obsessed with the customer. And you have to prioritize the most important activities at the right stage of your growth journey.”

Resources:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-alderson-mentor

Website: https://www.bamentor.online/ 

Links/Sponsors:

OneCFO: https://www.onecfoph.co/

Lark: https://www.larksuite.com/referral/a/hello_zgw24t

This episode is brought to you by OneCFO, and Lark.

Hustleshare is powered by Podmachine

Listen to our brand new podcast: Founders Only HERE

Diamond Supporters: Sarisuki, PayMongo, SeekCap, Shoppable Business, Qapita, GoTyme Bank, Sprout Solutions, UNO Digital Bank

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Hustleshare, we talk with Joseph De Leon—partner at Gravitas Prime, founding member of MAIN (Manila Angel Investors Network), and a cornerstone of the Philippine startup ecosystem. JDL shares his fascinating path from global ad strategist to M&A advisor, and how his eclectic background helped him shape a uniquely sharp lens for evaluating startups. He breaks down the realities of angel investing, why most founders miss the mark on valuation and ambition, and what it really takes to build a world-class business from the Philippines. Packed with wit, frameworks, and brutally honest insights, this is a must-listen for anyone serious about turning hustle into lasting value.

Are you looking to learn more about your transactional superpowers?

https://quiz.influentialu.biz/

JDL negotiated a special rate for the Philippines for their self-guided training program (PHP 125/month instead of $125) https://influentialu.store/collections/courses

Are you a founder wanted to turn your idea into an investible startup?

Apply for the next Founder Institute Philippines cohort https://fi.co/philippines (early application deadline July 27, 2025)

Would you like to be part of making the Philippine startup ecosystem world-class?

- Join the Philippines largest and most active angel investor network as an investor https://www.main.ph/memberships

- If your startup has a Philippine nexus, paying customers and is ready for expansion, apply for our next pitch night https://www.main.ph/contact

Schedule a Discovery Call with JDL to help prepare your business for scale or sale https://www.bulletday.com/about.html

This episode is brought to you by OneCFO

For show notes, go to Hustleshare.com

Hustleshare is powered by Podmachine

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Hustleshare, we welcome Shumate Royo, a passionate educator-turned-ecosystem-builder whose journey redefines what it means to lead with purpose. From her humble beginnings as a history teacher with a heart for youth empowerment, Shumate takes us through her incredible transition into entrepreneurship—co-founding one of the Philippines’ first community-driven coworking spaces, The Office Project. Now a central figure in building the Philippine startup ecosystem, Shumate reflects on her time leading DevCon, contributing to national innovation policy, and mentoring future founders. Her story is a powerful testament to resilience, community, and the unshakeable value of staying true to your mission. Whether you're a founder, educator, or advocate for innovation, this episode is packed with hard-earned insights and heartfelt lessons you won’t want to miss.

This episode is brought to you by OneCFO

For show notes, go to Hustleshare.com

Hustleshare is powered by Podmachine

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Hustleshare, we welcome Nichel Gaba, the founder and CEO of PDAX, a groundbreaking cryptocurrency exchange in the Philippines. Nichel takes us on his remarkable journey from a risk-averse banking professional at HSBC to a trailblazer in the crypto space. He shares his insights on the evolution of the Philippine startup ecosystem, the importance of timing in entrepreneurship, and the unique regulatory landscape that supports innovation. With a passion for making crypto accessible to Filipinos, Nichel discusses the challenges of fundraising, building a resilient team, and navigating the complexities of the fintech industry. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur, a crypto enthusiast, or someone curious about the future of finance, this episode is filled with valuable lessons and inspiring stories that you won't want to miss!

This episode is brought to you by OneCFO

For show notes, go to Hustleshare.com

Hustleshare is powered by Podmachine

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Josiah Go, Chairman of Mansmith and Fielders and a pioneer in business model innovation, shares his journey from hustling at a machine shop during college to building multiple successful businesses and training thousands of entrepreneurs. In this season premiere of Hustleshare, Josiah opens up about the lessons from his father that shaped his entrepreneurial mindset, the power of sacrificing weekends for knowledge, and why understanding business models, not just marketing, is crucial for success. He dives deep into value chains, innovation, and avoiding the "law of foolish fellowship." Whether you're building your first startup, scaling a business, or simply curious about how true business mastery is forged, this episode is packed with insights you can’t afford to miss.

This episode is brought to you by OneCFO

For show notes, go to Hustleshare.com

Hustleshare is powered by Podmachine

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alwyn Rosel, the new Executive Director of IdeaSpace and QBO Innovation Hub, shares her inspiring journey from growing up in Navotas to becoming a key builder of the Philippine startup ecosystem. In this episode, she reflects on her early hustle in the BPO industry, her crash course in startups through DOST and AIM, and the passion that fuels her work today. Alwyn opens up about the power of community and the importance of humility and relationships. If you’re curious about ecosystem-building, inclusive innovation, or what it really takes to lead with impact, this episode is filled with insights you won’t want to miss.

This episode is brought to you by OneCFO

For show notes, go to Hustleshare.com

Hustleshare is powered by Podmachine

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.