Cebu ICT 2005 to Address IT & ITES Venture Financing for Asian Startups

Cebu ICT 2005, an international conference focused on IT and ITES industry development in Asia, will feature a high-powered panel discussion on venture financing for Asian startups. The panel is componsed of key industry personalities, including Francisco Sandejas, managing partner of Narra Venture Capital.

Manila, Philippines (PRWEB) June 9, 2005 -- Narra Venture Capital managing partner Francisco Sandejas will keynote a panel on venture capital financing during the Cebu ICT 2005 international conference and exhibition.

Cebu ICT 2005: Asias Emerging Role as a Global Center for IT & IT-Enabled Services will take place June 22-24, 2005 at the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug, Cebu City, Philippines. The conference is being organized by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Board of Investments. The venture capital panel will take place on the second day of the international meeting and will address a fundamental requisite of technology hub development.

Wherever there are serious efforts to foster the development of IT and IT-enabled services (ITES) venture capital financing is a principle concern. This is because startups do not have access to traditional sources of funding," said Bonifacio Belen, Cebu ICT 2005 chairman. The availability of venture capital can therefore dramatically accelerate the development of technology hubs. Cebu ICT 2005 will provide an excellent opportunity to increase awareness of the role of venture capital funding for local startups, and to disseminate information on leveraging these resources."

Sandejas was a member of the IT E-Commerce Council (ITECC), the precursor of the Commission on Information Communication & Technology, and he continues to work with the Philippine government as a consultant with the goal of fostering entrepreneurship in technology sectors. In addition to his management responsibilities at Narra, Sandejas is managing director of BGN Ventures, a management and consulting company that specializes in technology ventures.

The panel will be chaired by Epixtar Corporation chairman and CEO Ilene Kaminsky. Previously Ms. Kaminsky was managing director in Cisco Systems Internet Business Solutions Group. She is a sought-after speaker for major telecommunication and Internet industry events. Epixtar is one of the largest providers of call center services in the Philippines.

Other members of the panel include International Finance Corporation country manager for the Philippines Vipul Bhagat. Bhagat has extensive experience in investment baking, consulting and finance and wide knowledge of global and regional capital markets.

The panel also includes WEBWORKS OS founder and chief executive Joey Gurango, a well-known industry executive and serial technology entrepreneur, and Walden International Philippine country manager Eduardo Martin Lichauco, who advises clients on offshoring opportunities and provides venture financing to firms in the ICT and ITES industries.

For more information on Cebu ICT 2005, please visit www.cebuict2005.com.

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