In pursuit of its objective to promote and integrate newer technology and innovations in the Philippines, and to aid in establishing more comprehensive and reliable legal frameworks for its introduction, Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra (Gorriceta) conducted its fourth installment of the Law X Tech & Capital Summit entitled “Metamorphosis: Unlocking Transformation through Investment, Innovation, and Law” last November 10-11, 2022 at the Shangri-La at the Fort, Bonifacio Global City, in cooperation with Dechert, a global law firm.
Present were representatives from various tech companies, venture capitalists and private equity pioneers, amongst some of the industry’s moguls and leaders such as Hon. Senator Sonny Angara, Hon. Senator Mark Villar, Deputy Governor Berna Romulo-Puyat of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, Commissioner Leandro Angelo Aguirre of the National Privacy Commission, Managing Director Bella Santos of the BSP, and Commissioner Kelvin Lee of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Alongside them were brand leaders of Angkas, Binance, Brankas, Coinbase, Coins.ph, Foodpanda, Gcash, Grab, Kumu, Lazada, Unionbank, GoTyme, Xendit, and Zoom, among other leading companies in various verticals.
Metamorphosis is in recognition of the ever-changing and continuous development and transformation of technology. Behind digital transformation is the unlocking and interplaying role of investment, innovation, and law.
Hon. Sen. Sonny Angara opened the Private Equity (PE) and Venture Capital (VC) forum on the first day of the Summit by delivering the VIP address. He was followed by the Venture Capital Panel where Gorriceta and Dechert discussed trends in the VC industry in the Philippines, Southeast Asia and Globally. The event was attended by the most active Venture Capital and Private Equity Funds namely Foxmont, Gentree, Kaya Founders, Sierra Madre, Navegar and Creador. Thereafter, the second panel discussed the fundraising process where both firms shared their expertise and experience in raising funds. The last panel focused on creating a fundraising strategy where various start-ups shared their valuable insights on their success in undergoing the fundraising process. Gorriceta launched its first PE and VC forum as part of the Law x Tech Summit with its desire to strengthen and spread the word on the nascent PE and VC market in the Philippines.
The Law x Tech Summit featured various segment which spans from banking, open finance, blockchain, cryptocurrencies, digital assets, and other innovative businesses. Regulators also joined the discussion by providing the audience with a background on how their respective agencies regulate and support the new and innovative products and services provided by tech companies. Gorriceta partners Atty. Mark S. Gorriceta, Atty. Francis Africa, Atty. Edsel Tupaz, Atty. Kristine T. Torres, Atty. Raffy F. Cedro, and counsel Atty. Froilyn Pagayatan, together with Ms. Ida Tiongson, and Dechert Partner Dean Collins provided the latest legal updates on various fields of law and best practices in corporate governance for Tech and Fintech Companies. Equipped with their top-notch knowledge and expertise, speakers and panelists enlightened the attendees with their practical experience and expounded on different concepts and ideas which are in the forefront of their respective industries.
Gorriceta is hopeful that the summit not only enriched the knowledge of its participants and audience but also provided a platform for different entities, both public and private, to connect and synergize.