In this episode of Hustleshare, we talk with Joseph De Leon—partner at Gravitas Prime, founding member of MAIN (Manila Angel Investors Network), and a cornerstone of the Philippine startup ecosystem. JDL shares his fascinating path from global ad strategist to M&A advisor, and how his eclectic background helped him shape a uniquely sharp lens for evaluating startups. He breaks down the realities of angel investing, why most founders miss the mark on valuation and ambition, and what it really takes to build a world-class business from the Philippines. Packed with wit, frameworks, and brutally honest insights, this is a must-listen for anyone serious about turning hustle into lasting value.

Are you looking to learn more about your transactional superpowers?

https://quiz.influentialu.biz/

JDL negotiated a special rate for the Philippines for their self-guided training program (PHP 125/month instead of $125) https://influentialu.store/collections/courses

Are you a founder wanted to turn your idea into an investible startup?

Apply for the next Founder Institute Philippines cohort https://fi.co/philippines (early application deadline July 27, 2025)

Would you like to be part of making the Philippine startup ecosystem world-class?

- Join the Philippines largest and most active angel investor network as an investor https://www.main.ph/memberships

- If your startup has a Philippine nexus, paying customers and is ready for expansion, apply for our next pitch night https://www.main.ph/contact

Schedule a Discovery Call with JDL to help prepare your business for scale or sale https://www.bulletday.com/about.html

This episode is brought to you by OneCFO

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In this episode of Hustleshare, we welcome Shumate Royo, a passionate educator-turned-ecosystem-builder whose journey redefines what it means to lead with purpose. From her humble beginnings as a history teacher with a heart for youth empowerment, Shumate takes us through her incredible transition into entrepreneurship—co-founding one of the Philippines’ first community-driven coworking spaces, The Office Project. Now a central figure in building the Philippine startup ecosystem, Shumate reflects on her time leading DevCon, contributing to national innovation policy, and mentoring future founders. Her story is a powerful testament to resilience, community, and the unshakeable value of staying true to your mission. Whether you're a founder, educator, or advocate for innovation, this episode is packed with hard-earned insights and heartfelt lessons you won’t want to miss.

This episode is brought to you by OneCFO

For show notes, go to Hustleshare.com

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In this episode of Hustleshare, we welcome Nichel Gaba, the founder and CEO of PDAX, a groundbreaking cryptocurrency exchange in the Philippines. Nichel takes us on his remarkable journey from a risk-averse banking professional at HSBC to a trailblazer in the crypto space. He shares his insights on the evolution of the Philippine startup ecosystem, the importance of timing in entrepreneurship, and the unique regulatory landscape that supports innovation. With a passion for making crypto accessible to Filipinos, Nichel discusses the challenges of fundraising, building a resilient team, and navigating the complexities of the fintech industry. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur, a crypto enthusiast, or someone curious about the future of finance, this episode is filled with valuable lessons and inspiring stories that you won't want to miss!

This episode is brought to you by OneCFO

For show notes, go to Hustleshare.com

Hustleshare is powered by Podmachine

Test https://plus.acast.com/s/hustleshare.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.