These three Filipino startups didn’t just catch investors’ eyes—they secured their checkbooks too!
The Asia-Pacific is buzzing with small companies on the rise, and it looks like there’s no stopping them. In its fourth annual edition, Forbes Asia ‘100 to Watch’ list showcases these rising stars, which have collectively attracted over $2 billion in investments—with 83 of them just starting to raise funds in 2023.
Highlighting stories of steady growth and proving that success isn’t an overnight feat, three Filipino startups—Lista, Mober, and Zed—earned their spots on this prestigious list. The majority of the companies featured are from industries like space tech, biotech, robotics, manufacturing, energy, and finance.
Get to Know the 3 PH Startups on Forbes Asia’s ‘100 to Watch’ List
Despite their diverse niches, Forbes quoted that these startups share a common trait: a strong streak of innovation. Their offerings range from AI navigation systems for space exploration to cutting-edge cell therapies and advanced healthcare diagnostics. The list spans 16 countries and territories, representing 10 industries.
Leading the pack is India, dubbed a ‘hotbed of startups,‘ with 20 companies on the list. Close behind are Singapore with 15, mainland China with 10, Japan with 9, and Indonesia with 8.
Representing the Philippines, we have:
Lista
Founded in 2021 by Aaron Villegas, Lista is an app for Filipinos. It helps users manage their finances, whether for personal savings or small businesses. The app offers analytics tools to track spending habits. It also monitors cash flow and alerts users about upcoming bills. This makes it perfect for payday planning!
Within the given timeframe, Lista has raised over $5 million in funding and boasts more than 2.5 million downloads. It earns 75% of its revenue from selling credit scores and the rest from referral fees from financial institutions.
Mober
Mober addresses the long wait for appliance deliveries. It is a cargo-sharing mobile platform for consumers. Users can book the nearest available cargo vans and trucks. The Mober app provides real-time tracking for convenience.
Founded by Dennis Ng, Mober has contracts with major appliance centers like SM, Ansons, and Abenson. It also partners with IKEA and Monde Nissin. Currently, Mober operates 60 electric trucks. The company plans to expand its fleet to 238 units by next year.
Zed
As the first neobank in the Philippines offering a credit card, Zed sets itself apart by not charging interest, annual fees, or foreign transaction fees, instead taking a portion of the network fees paid by merchants. As of August 27, over 86,000 individuals have joined Zed’s waitlist. The fintech has raised $6 million in seed funding, led by Peter Thiel’s Valar Ventures.
Forbes Asia’s list is curated through nominations from online submissions, accelerators, venture capitalists, and incubators.
To qualify, startups must be based in the Asia-Pacific region, privately owned, and profit-driven, with no more than $50 million in annual revenue and $100 million in total funding by August 7. Forbes considers factors such as industry impact, market fit, business model, innovation, and consistent revenue growth when making its selections.
Got a business idea you’ve been mulling over? This might be your sign to take the plunge. Who knows—your startup could be on next year’s ‘100 to Watch’ list!
