Today we’d like to introduce you to Bertlin Batiancila.
Hi Bertlin, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I began my career in finance, working in trade operations at JPMorgan Chase & Co., where I learned the discipline and responsibility that come with managing capital. Over time, I moved into consulting and asset management, working with investment management firms across global markets. Since December 2016, I have been based in Dubai as a Consultant, and since December 2019, I have served as a Director in asset management. These roles shaped how I think about risk, long term value, and the role of capital in driving growth.
But the most defining chapter of my life did not come from my career. It came when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. During that time, I experienced a different side of life, one where access to financial support can mean the difference between fear and hope. It changed how I saw everything. I realized that while capital is often treated as a tool for growth, it can also be a lifeline. That experience became the foundation of my purpose.
That is what led me to co-found Initiate PH, where I now serve as Chairperson of the Board. I wanted to help build a platform that gives people a fair chance to access funding, especially those with meaningful ideas but limited opportunities. Initiate PH is not just about raising funds. It is about restoring possibility. It is about making sure that more people have the support they need to move forward, even in their most difficult moments.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road. In the early years of my career, I worked in environments where precision and accountability were non-negotiable. Handling financial transactions at scale meant that even small errors carried real consequences. That kind of pressure builds discipline, but it also requires you to develop resilience and a strong sense of responsibility very quickly.
The more personal challenges shaped me even more. Going through cancer was a defining moment in my life. It forced me to confront uncertainty and step away from the pace I was used to. It also gave me a deeper understanding of what people go through when they are facing difficult situations without enough support. Building Initiate PH has its own challenges as well. Earning trust in a financial platform, navigating regulatory expectations, and building something meaningful from the ground up requires patience and persistence. Each of these experiences helped me lead with more clarity and purpose.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Initiate PH was built to solve one urgent problem, access. Across the Philippines, there are entrepreneurs, farmers, and communities with strong ideas but very limited pathways to funding. Traditional systems often serve only a small group, while informal options can be risky and unreliable. We created Initiate PH as the country’s first all-in-one crowdfunding platform to bring everything into one trusted ecosystem. Through a single platform, people can raise funds, invest, donate, and support causes that matter to them.
What makes us different is that we do not operate as a single-purpose platform. We bring together four crowdfunding models in one place. This includes debt crowdfunding for structured financing, equity crowdfunding for growing businesses, donation-based crowdfunding for causes, and rewards-based crowdfunding for creative and community-driven projects. This approach reflects how real people engage with funding. Their needs are not one-dimensional, so the platform should not be either.
At the same time, we maintain a strong foundation in transparency, compliance, and security. My background in finance plays a key role here. We are building a system that people can trust, while still making it accessible and easy to understand. What I am most proud of is what the platform stands for. It is not just about transactions. It is about giving people a fair chance to start, grow, or rebuild. Whether someone is launching a business, supporting their family through a difficult time, or backing an idea they believe in, Initiate PH creates a space where that support becomes possible.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I rely on tools that help me stay organized and focused, especially when managing work across different regions. Platforms like Notion and Google Workspace help keep communication clear and workflows aligned. I also stay informed by following financial publications such as the Financial Times and Bloomberg, which provide valuable insight into global markets and economic trends.
Beyond tools, I value learning through reading and reflection. Some books that have stayed with me are Principles by Ray Dalio, which shaped how I think about decision making and risk, Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl, which offers a powerful perspective on resilience and purpose, and The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz, which gives a very honest view of leadership during difficult moments. I also find inspiration in real stories of people who have faced challenges and found a way forward. Those stories remind me that leadership is not just about strategy. It is also about perspective, empathy, and the ability to keep moving forward with purpose.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://initiate.ph
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/initiateph/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1nitiate.ph
- LinkedIn: https://ph.linkedin.com/company/initiateph
- Twitter: https://x.com/initiateph
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@InitiatePH
- Other: https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/initiate-ph
