SOUTHEAST Asia is buzzing with energy in consumer tech innovation. As the landscape ripens for expansion, First Move steps in, partnering with spirited entrepreneurs aspiring to shape the next wave of consumer-tech marvels. Spearheaded by Joel Neoh and Audra Pakalnyte, First Move is not just a fund; it's a vision centered around consumers and the upliftment of budding tech entrepreneurs. They offer pre-seed investments of up to $100,000 to those in their nascent stages. But First Move's offerings go beyond mere capital. Their evolution from founders to investors has equipped them with the expertise to mentor startups at every twist and turn.

I recently spoke with Pakalnyte over Zoom to learn more about First Move and the Philippine startup scene. She shared how their journey began in 2009, when they built and saw multiple startups evolve, flourish and even get acquired by giants like Groupon. From these experiences, Neoh and Pakalnyte recognized the fundraising challenges many founders face in the early stages. Although the ecosystem had changed since their early days, there was still a need for early-stage funding and guidance. This idea inspired them to launch First Move, a company that helps new consumer startups with money and hands-on help.