Our Story

PhilDev envisions a prosperous Philippines. With its mission of eradicating poverty through the benefits of science and technology, it builds and strengthens links for knowledge, capacities, and opportunity exchange. PhilDev’s mission planning began in the United States, and established our main office in the Philippines.

In the Philippines, we respond to the vision by bringing together multisectoral partners to exchange ideas and share initiatives on the role of science and technology in national development; connect people and organizations in creating scalable and sustainable solutions to domestic needs; and advocate for innovative ideas and usher them to a global platform.

In the United States, PhilDev mobilizes the Filipino diaspora to give back and support technology-driven innovations and entrepreneurship in the Philippines. We develop links with private industry and universities to share resources, expertise and collaborate with counterparts in the Philippines, as well as granting scholarship opportunities.

PhilDev was founded by Diosdado “Dado” Banatao, one of Silicon Valley’s most significant men, and together with like-minded Filipinos, committed to make a difference and give back to the Philippines in the way that they knew how. Through their combined efforts and influence, they have been able to initiate programs in education, start-ups and mentorship.

Founded in 2011, PhilDev is a registered nonstock, nonprofit organization.

"This scholarship is a second chance. I had to leave school for a year because I couldn’t afford it. This scholarship came and gave me hope to continue my dream."

— Ronald Reveche, PhilDev-Shell Chemical Engineering Scholar at UST

"My father was a farmer. I am an engineer. There are countless kids who just need a chance like I did. I am not so special. But I am determined."

— Dado Banatao, founder of PhilDev

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Our Team

Diosdado “Dado” Banatao, Chairman

Dado is the son of a farmer from a small barrio in Iguig in Cagayan Valley. He grew up with no access to electricity, and walked the dirt road to his school every day barefoot.

After earning a degree at Mapua Institute of Technology, Dado worked in the United States and enrolled in a graduate study program at the University of Washington. A licensed pilot, he was among the design engineers for the Boeing 747. He left the company to pursue a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering and Computing Science at Stanford University.

Upon graduating, Dado spent time at the Homebrew Computer Club alongside engineers and professors, including Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak.

Dado invented two of the foundation technologies in every PC today: the PC chip set, and the graphics acceleration architecture. He has founded three technology startups: Mostron; the S3 which became the third most profitable company in the world in 1993; and Chips & Technologies, which he sold to Intel in 1996.

Today, he is the managing partner of Tallwood Venture Capital, a venture firm focused on semiconductor technology solutions for computing, communication, and consumer platforms.