Kickstart Ventures head waves PH flag in Forbes 2023 ‘50 Over 50’ APAC list of exceptional women

The head of the Globe Group’s Kickstart Ventures has been named to the Forbes 2023 “50 Over 50” Asia-Pacific list, bringing Filipino representation in the list that recognizes women over 50 who are breaking barriers by shattering age and gender norms.

Minette Navarrete, Co-founder and President of Kickstart Ventures, was selected from nominations from around the world, narrowed down to the final 50 women entrepreneurs, investors, creators and entertainers. These women were honored for their outstanding achievements and contributions in their respective fields and industries.

“I am honored and humbled to be part of this list of leaders and changemakers who are doing amazing work. We’ve seen the world go through a massive change and it will take all our collective efforts to rebuild the social, environmental, economic, and moral structures that make life safe, productive, fair, and enjoyable for everyone. At Kickstart Ventures, Globe, and Ayala, I am happy to be part of a group with a passion to transform the world through innovation, starting from where we stand here in Southeast Asia,” Navarrete said.

Navarrete’s nomination is a testament to her exceptional leadership and dedication to bridging the gap between established conglomerates and startups, enabling innovation via venture capital investments in early-stage technology companies all over the world.

She leverages resources and networks of her corporate parent company Globe, and key shareholders Ayala Corporation and Singtel, to provide crucial capital and commercial support to promising startups and address key issues in the Philippines and beyond, with portfolio companies originating in eight countries and operating in more than 60 countries worldwide.

This support has been particularly crucial during the pandemic, as Navarrete has focused on promoting sustainable technology to help startups and the communities where they belong to navigate the challenging economic environment.

Navarrete’s efforts are further amplified by her concurrent roles within Globe and Ayala Corporation, including her position as Senior Vice President of Globe’s New Business division and Co-Chair of Ayala Corporation’s Innovation Advisory Council.

“We are very proud of Minette for achieving this well-deserved global recognition for her tireless efforts in supporting tech startups and venturing into change-making investments around the world. Her brand of leadership in shepherding young companies to success and her investment acumen are truly world-class, aspirational and worth emulating,” said Globe Group President and CEO Ernest Cu.

The Forbes list, produced in partnership with Mika Brzezinski and Know Your Value, features 50 women from the Asia-Pacific who are reaching new heights in their industries and inspiring the region’s next generation.

The list was gathered through a combination of nominations solicited by Brzezinski, Forbes.com, social media, and staff journalists.

To select the final 50, Forbes used specific criteria, including accomplishments over the age of 50, stepping into new or more powerful roles later in life, making a big pivot, and achieving at scale.

The criteria varied depending on the nominee’s sector but generally included a minimum of $10 million in revenues for founders of private companies, a $300 million market cap for public firms, or $100 million in assets under management for finance types.

This second annual Forbes “50 Over 50” list serves as an inspiration to women everywhere, proving that success can be achieved at any age.