Two Philippine startups are getting a bigger regional spotlight after Clouted and OneLot landed on Forbes Asia’s 2026 “100 to Watch” list, putting the country’s young tech ventures among Asia-Pacific’s emerging companies to watch.
Clouted, an enterprise technology startup founded in 2024, is turning the short-video frenzy into a business proposition. Its platform automates video creation and distribution, combining artificial intelligence with a network of more than 100,000 freelance video editors.
With headquarters in Manila and Los Angeles, the startup helps brands churn out and distribute short-form content across social media.
Led by CEO Justin Banusing, Clouted has worked on campaigns for movie studio Lionsgate and Grammy-winning producer Zedd.
Investors have also taken notice. Clouted raised USD 7 million in seed funding in May in a round led by Slow Ventures, with backing from AppWorks, a16z Speedrun, and Peak XV’s Surge.
OneLot, meanwhile, is tackling a less glamorous but very real business problem, helping used-car dealers get the cash they need to keep inventory moving.
Founded in 2023 and led by CEO Harm-Julian Schumacher, the fintech uses artificial intelligence and physical vehicle inspections to assess cars before extending working-capital credit lines secured by the vehicles.
OneLot has raised USD 3.3 million in seed funding and represents the Philippines in Forbes Asia’s finance category.
The two startups offer a glimpse of where Philippine entrepreneurship is heading, with technology being applied not only to flashy consumer products, but also to the nuts and bolts of marketing and business finance.
Forbes Asia said the 100 companies on this year’s list have collectively raised more than USD 2.4 billion, including nearly USD 1 billion in 2026.
Sixteen Asia-Pacific markets are represented, led by India with 19 companies and Singapore with 15.
Nearly a quarter of the companies are enterprise technology firms offering AI-related services, showing that artificial intelligence is no longer merely a buzzword in the region’s startup scene. It is increasingly becoming part of the business model.
For Clouted and OneLot, the Forbes recognition offers something equally useful: a wider audience for two Philippine startups betting that homegrown ideas can travel well beyond home turf.
