Brainsparks, in collaboration with Thailand’s Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) through the Thai Trade Center Manila, successfully mounted the Scaling Beyond Borders: Thailand Startups in the Philippines Market Access Program—bringing 14 Thai startups to Manila for a five-day immersion into the local innovation ecosystem.

Designed to accelerate cross-border collaboration, the program provided startups with direct access to key stakeholders across government, corporate, and investment sectors. Through a mix of curated engagements, the initiative aimed to help delegates explore market opportunities, build partnerships, and gain a deeper understanding of doing business in the Philippines.

The program featured a diverse cohort of Thai startups spanning multiple industries, each bringing unique solutions to the Philippine market. Participating startups included 3DS Interactive, Ample Work, Appointment Anywhere, Awakern, Buzzebees, Daywork, Horganice, Megenius, Prain Fintech, Queue Q, Student, System Stone, Thai Marine Protection, and Via Group.

The delegation engaged with Philippine government agencies, including the National Development Company (NDC) and the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), offering valuable insights into investment priorities and potential areas for collaboration. These discussions highlighted the Philippine government’s continued push to support innovation and foreign partnerships. Aside from this, the startups also had an exclusive dinner at the Ambassador’s Residence

The Innovation Tour, a key component of the program, gave the Thai delegation an in-depth look at the Philippine startup ecosystem on the ground. These visits enabled direct engagement with leading organizations such as Maya, KMC Solutions, QBO Innovation Hub, PayMongo, and 917Ventures. Through these interactions, startups gained valuable market insights, explored potential partnerships, and identified opportunities for cross-border collaboration.

‍

‍

A major highlight of the program was participation in Echelon Philippines 2025, where Thai startups showcased their solutions, engaged in business matching, and met potential partners and investors. There was also a curated networking lunch attended by ecosystem leaders such as e27, Kickstart Ventures, the Department of Trade and Industry, Quest Ventures, First Asia Venture Capital Inc., and 1882 Energy Ventures—fostering meaningful conversations and potential collaborations.

To round out the experience, Paulo Campos of Kaya Founders led a knowledge-sharing session on the Philippine startup landscape, followed by a pitching session where each Thai startup presented to an audience of investors, corporates, and ecosystem enablers.

As Southeast Asia positions itself as a global innovation hub, Brainsparks continues to support programs that play a critical role in bridging ecosystems, unlocking synergies, and driving collective growth. With strengthened ties between Thailand and the Philippines, the future looks promising for startups ready to scale beyond borders.

‍