About Us

The Science & Technology Advisory Council, Inc. Silicon Valley (STAC SV) was formed by Filipino American entrepreneurs/intrapreneurs, professionals and technopreneurs in the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley in the 1990s during the internet revolution fueling the New Economy. Its main purpose is to advance science and technology innovation and entrepreneurial initiatives in the Philippines that will drive economic growth and positivley impact the country. It provides strategy advisory services to accelerate ideas and growth opportunities. Through its network, STAC SV serves as a Bridge between the Philippines, Silicon Valley and global ecosystems.

STAC Silicon Valley Timeline

1993-1995

STAC Silicon Valley Founded

  • Dado Banatao, Chairman (Founder of Chips & Technologies, S3, and SiRF; and later founder of Tallwood Venture Capital) serves as founder of STAC Silicon Valley and Chair.
  • Dennis Fernandez, (IP Attorney, UNDP/TOKTEN Consultant, Author of ~100 patents, AIM Adjunct, opened Walden VC Manila office in the 1990s), serves as President
1996-1998

STAC Appointed to STCC and Presented the Presidential Award

  • STAC appointed to STCC (Science & Technology Coordinating Council) which provides the strategies and directions for Science & Technology development by President Fidel Ramos' Administrative Order 273 (5/19/96)
  • STAC presented the Presidential Award - LINKAPIL (Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino) conferred on Filipino Associations or individuals for their contribution to Philippine national development efforts.
1999-2003

New President and Chair

  • Christina Laskowski elected as President and Dennis Fernandez serves as chairman. Board members are entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs, and investors. Diverse expertise contributes to diverse thought and strong execution capabilities
  • Continue to advise Philippine government on ad hoc basis
2004

Support and Advise MIT PESO

  • Support and advise MIT PESO (Philippine Emerging Startup Open) Program winners on startup competition in the Philippines
2005-2007

S&T Education Programs

  • Support various S&T education programs (STIR) in the Philippines

Startup Ecosystem Development in collaboration with Public and Private Partners

2008

Introduction to and establish cooperation with new SF Consul General

  • Introduction to and establish cooperation with new SF Consul General Marciano Paynor, Jr. who facilitates introduction to DTI and DOST
  • Advise DTI Silicon Valley office on ad hoc basis
2009

Partnered with Plug and Play

  • Invited by the Philippine government to develop a monetization pathway for R&D investments. Entered into a Memo of Agreement with DOST, DTI and DFA executed in Palo Alto, California.
  • Partnered with Plug and Play Tech Center.
2010

Jojo Flores, Co-Founder of Plug and Play joins the Board of Directors

  • Jojo Flores of Plug and Play Tech Center joins the Board of Directors
  • Conducted successful prototype pitch competition during eServices conference, the first of its kind
  • Presented 5-year Strategic Plan to the Philippine President
  • Conducted Due Diligence and Stakeholder Assessments to factor into implementation plan
  • Christina Laskowski, President and Denny Roja, General Council each awarded Balik Scientist grant to prototype a new Balik Technopreneur program (jointly developed between DOST and DTI)
2011

Launched branded programs ON3 Pitch Competition, ExcelR8 Immersion Program and the Latitude Longitude (L2) Conference

  • Launched Its branded programs -- ON3 pitch competition, ExcelR8 immersion program and Latitude Longitude (L2) conference. STAC SVs work was instrumental to the private sector activating corporate funding and programs. And the infusion of approximately $200 million in venture capital by 2014.
  • Philippine ICT Congressional Committee Roadshow. Provide Silicon Valley exposure to key ICT decision makers
  • ON3 partners Kickstart, Smart Communications and Novare launch corporate seed funds and ecosystem program
  • ON3 2011 Grand Prize Winners secure acceptance into Plug and Play Tech Center's 3-month acceleration program
2012

ON3 2012 Grand Prize Winners Secure acceptance into Plug and Play Tech Center's 3-month acceleration program

  • Invited to integrate Silicon Valley exposure and learning into Eisenhower Fellowship program with Eisenhower Fellow Attorney Jocelle Batapa-Sigue
  • STAC SV accepts invitation to be a partner of the Global Entrepreneurship Program (under the US Department of State)
  • ON3 2012 Grand Prize Winners secure acceptance into Plug and Play Tech Center's 3-month acceleration program
2013

Host and Mentor to Angel Hack Winner

  • Inaugural Geeks on A Beach (GOAB) Conference Partner and Sponsor.
  • Host & Mentor Angel Hack Winner and Ideaspace Company PageSnapp.
2014

GOAB Partner and Sponsor

  • GOAB Partner and Sponsor
  • Hosted Smart Communications SWEEPs winner Coinsaver. Members of the SMART SWEEPs delegation would integrate learnings into decision making and curriculum to help foster innovation and entrepreneurship.
  • Venture capital investments reach more than $200 million in the Philippines
2015

Co-founded the ASEAN Alliance in partnership with SF Asia

  • Co-founded the ASEAN Alliance in partnership with SF Asia (under the San Francisco Mayor's Office) and begin to co-host ASEAN startup events with MDEC Americas and Block71 SF
  • Hosted Excelr8 Silicon Valley Immersion Programs
  • Hosted ExcelR8 Immersion Program for Smart Communications Be the Boss Winners in partnership with US-Philippines Society
  • Hosted Balanga, Bataan ExcelR8 immersion
  • Entered in MOA with Balanga, Bataan
  • Entered MOA with US-Philippines Society to create a linkage to support technology entrepreneurship
2018

Represented Silicon Valley in Grenoble, France

  • Represented Silicon Valley as a Delegate to High Level Forum in Grenoble, France at the invitation of Stanford University’s US-Asia Technology Management program
2019

Represent Silicon Valley at Lund University and The Future of the U.S.

  • Represent as Silicon Valley Delegate to High Level Forum at Lund University, Sweden at the invitation of Stanford University’s US-Asia Technology Management program
  • Represent at The Future of the U.S. Philippines Bilateral Relationship organized by The Asia Foundation and Ateneo School of Government
2020-2023

Advise and Mentor Startups

  • Advise and mentor various Filipino and Filipino American startup founders
  • Board member launches venture capital fund
  • Board member launches 2nd biotech startup
  • Board member joins Fortune 500 company to lead change on priority digital and SaaS transformation initiatives
2024

New President and Chair

  • Kendrick Kho, elected as new STAC SV President
  • Christina Laskowski serves as Chair
  • Board member joins startup as President
  • Dream Bigger Ventures Partner
  • Geeks on a Beach Partner and Women in Tech Breakfast Sponsor

For any more questions email: info@stacsv.org