Four Filipino startup companies have landed on Forbes Asia’s inaugural “100 to Watch” list, which comprises notable small companies and startups in the Asia-Pacific.
The prestigious list, released on August 10, 2021, features a diverse range of companies on the rise across the region, spanning industries from biotechnology and healthcare to education and recruitment for the August issue of Forbes Asia.
“Companies on the 100 to Watch list are making remarkable progress and impact in spite of the challenging climate brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. Their inclusion on the list comes in part from addressing significant problems with innovative solutions,” says Justin Doebele, Editor of Forbes Asia.
The Filipino companies in 2021’s top 100 were selected from over 900 submissions.
To qualify for consideration, companies had to be headquartered in the Asia-Pacific, be at least one year old, privately owned, for-profit, and have no more than $20 million in its latest annual revenue or total funding through August 1.
Here is the list of Philippine startups listed under Forbes Asia’s 100 to Watch list:
ChatGenie
Filipino-owned e-commerce business ChatGenie, founded in 2020, combines online platforms and Grab’s delivery into Facebook Messenger to allow customers to shop by direct message.
CloudEats
Philippines-based cloud kitchen, CloudEats, launched in June 2019 and is building the largest online food group in Southeast Asia. Its secret sauce is its cost efficiency, operating 60 restaurant brands out of versatile “cloud kitchens.”
CloudEats says it has raised $1.8 million in funding off its lightning-fast scaling, with another round scheduled to close this year.
Kalibrr
AI-powered recruitment company Kalibrr, founded in 2013, serves 5 million job seekers in Indonesia and the Philippines.
Kalibrr is looking to make the hiring process simpler, faster, and better for companies and applicants. According to the company, it has raised $7.5 million from Omidyar Network, Wavemaker, and Kickstart Ventures. It was the first Filipino company to be accepted by Y Combinator.
PayMongo Philippines
PayMongo is a financial technology company established in 2019 that allows businesses in the Philippines to accept payments of all types in a matter of minutes.
PayMongo Philippines serves around 7,000 mostly micro, small and midsized companies moving beyond brick-and-mortar stores to e-commerce. It is backed by Y Combinator and says it has raised $14.7 million in funding.
Forbes Asia named three Filipino business innovators in the 2019 edition of the Forbes Asia 30 under 30 list.
SEND CHEERS in the comments below to the four Philippine startups that have made it to Forbes Asia’s inaugural “100 to Watch” list, which comprises notable small companies and startups in the Asia-Pacific.
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