Sen. Mark Villar delivers his remarks on the broader impact of LSE Generate's new Southeast Asia cluster.
LSE Generate, the London School of Economics' globally renowned entrepreneurship center, successfully launched its first international cluster in Southeast Asia—spotlighting the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia—while also recognizing the Philippines as its 23rd international chapter.
A Successful Kickoff in Manila
The cluster's debut took place at a high-profile reception, panel discussion, and dinner recently held at the Brittany Hotel in Taguig, bringing together innovators, corporate leaders, government officials, and startup founders from across the region. This gathering set the tone for LSE Generate's ambitious goals in ASEAN and emphasized the Philippines' growing role as a hub for social innovation. Hosted by VistaLand, the event showcased the country's evolving startup landscape, where entrepreneurs address pressing issues such as climate change, financial inclusion, sustainable development, and community health. UK Deputy Ambassador Alistair White delivered opening remarks, underscoring the international importance of this new chapter.
There was also a panel entitled "Innovating for the Betterment of Society" featuring Maria Gaitanidou (Co-founder and CEO of Hati Health), Yohan Iddawela (Data Scientist at the Asian Development Bank), LJ Silverman (Head of LSE Generate, as moderator), and Anna Mae Lamentillo (Founder of NightOwlGPT).
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From left: Former University of the Philippines President Danilo Concepcion, Atty. Gaby Concepcion, Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay-Villar, Senator Mark Villar, LSE Generate Head LJ Silvermann, LSE Generate Country Ambassador Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo, and LSE Generate Communications and Events Manager Sian Kincaide.
Continuing the Momentum
Following the reception, LSE Generate is rolling out a series of initiatives to expand the cluster's impact. Educational outreach visits to local international schools—led by LJ Silverman, Head of LSE Generate, and alumni mentors—will be held in partnership with fintech unicorn OakNorth. These sessions build on LSE Generate's Schools Programme, which has already reached nearly 10,000 students in over 60 schools worldwide, and will now encourage young learners in Southeast Asia to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset. A networking and peer-mentorship weekend on Boracay Island will also bring founders, innovators, and their families together to foster collaboration, share expertise, and further strengthen the region's entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Leaders' Insights
LJ Silverman, Head of LSE Generate, reflected on the Manila event and the path ahead:
"This marks a new chapter for LSE Generate and for Southeast Asia's entrepreneurial ecosystems. The vibrancy, talent, and ingenuity we see in the region are a perfect match for LSE Generate's mission to champion innovation and meaningful impact. We're not just engaging a local network; but in true LSE style we're empowering a movement that connects ideas, people, and resources to drive lasting change. We are grateful for the support of VistaLand in making this vision a reality."
Anna Mae Lamentillo, Founder of the award-winning app NightOwl and one of the cluster's new ambassadors, spoke to the potential of Southeast Asia:
"I'm honoured to join LSE Generate's new Southeast Asia cluster at such a pivotal moment, as we unite changemakers across ASEAN and beyond. By harnessing our region's collective strengths in innovation, resourcefulness, and collaboration, we can accelerate transformative solutions that uplift entire communities. My hope is that our shared efforts will inspire an entrepreneurial future, not only for Southeast Asia, but for the world."
Panelists discuss groundbreaking approaches to social impact during the "Innovating for the Betterment of Society" panel. From left: LJ Silverman (Head of LSE Generate, as moderator), Anna Mae Lamentillo (Founder of NightOwlGPT), Maria Gaitanidou (Co-founder and CEO of Hati Health), and Yohan Iddawela (Data Scientist at the Asian Development Bank).
Project sponsor Sen. Mark Villar underscored the broader impact on the region:
"I am proud to support LSE Generate's new Southeast Asia cluster and its bold vision of empowering local entrepreneurs to drive sustainable growth across our region. By focusing on the ASEAN region, we can harness the extraordinary talent, creativity, and resilience that define Southeast Asia and help forge a more inclusive, innovation-led future. This collaboration with the London School of Economics underscores our collective commitment to transforming challenges into opportunities, cultivating global partnerships, and elevating the lives of our people through meaningful impact."
A Long-Term Vision for Southeast Asia
This series of events in Manila marks the beginning of an ambitious roadmap for LSE Generate's Southeast Asia cluster. As the 23rd international chapter, the Philippines now takes a leading role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the region, strengthening ties between the London School of Economics and Southeast Asia. With continued support from regional partners and influencers, the cluster will catalyze growth, encourage cross-border collaborations, and ultimately contribute to a more inclusive and dynamic future for all.
Currently, LSE Generate has 23 chapters worldwide, including Lisbon, Miami, Paris, Los Angeles, New York, Singapore, Thailand, Nigeria, Delhi, Mumbai, San Francisco, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, among others.