A startup nation emerging, if we can bridge the divide

THE PHILIPPINES is no longer just “emerging.” With rich talent, expanding capital flows, and more than a decade of community and momentum, the foundations of a startup nation are finally visible. The real test is whether we can now connect resources, policy, and people into a cohesive, resilient ecosystem.

- Alea Ladaga Community Manager, Sinigang Valley Association

Not too long ago, the entire community could fit inside a vacuum of smaller events. Monthly gatherings can be counted on one hand, and introductions to “startups” require examples from Silicon Valley giants like Grab, Uber, or Airbnb.

Now, with careful curation and trial and error, that world has changed. Today, we measure progress not by the novelty of the term, but by the depth of our talent and the maturity of the solutions coming out of the Philippine ecosystem.

It’s a wide known factor that the Philippines has been steadily carving out its space in Southeast Asia’s technology landscape. What began as a scrappy set of early adopters has grown into a network of founders who no longer need to justify their career choice. Instead, they are building with greater nuance, focusing on local challenges and tailoring solutions to the realities of a diverse archipelago. Fintech continues to be the most lucrative industry to come out of the Philippine landscape, followed closely by sectors in logistics, e-commerce, green technology, and HR tech.

This shift is supported by the expansion of the ecosystem itself. Investors, entrepreneur support organizations, and service providers are no longer concentrated in Metro Manila. Hidden gems are emerging in rural spaces, often thanks to the intervention of local governments that recognize entrepreneurship as a growth engine.

The results are showing up in global reports. According to the Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2025, published by Startup Genome Report, Manila jumped 20 places in the Emerging Startup Ecosystem rankings, moving from 91-100 in 2023 to 61-70 this year. Emerging ecosystems are startup communities at earlier stages of growth, ranked by its ecosystem performance and its high potential to become top global performers in the coming years.