Investree Philippines marks its third anniversary with a new high after recording a 2,500 percent increase in the number of SMEs served since its launch in 2020. In celebration of this milestone, the first crowdfunding intermediary and funding platform in the Philippines has launched its SME: The Heart of Investree campaign, which bolsters the group’s mission to improve the accessibility and affordability of working capital for small and medium businesses in the country.
A joint venture of F(DEV) Digital Innovations and Ventures, Inc. and Investree Singapore Pte Ltd., Investree Philippines is focused on empowering SMEs and investors by giving them equal access to opportunities for them to thrive and succeed. Since its 2020 launch, the company has served 129 SMEs and funded more than 500 notes as of April 2023.
SMEs, while recognized as the backbone of the Philippine economy, still find survival and growth a major challenge, according to a report by the World Economic Forum in collaboration with the National University of Singapore. Amid warnings of a global recession, 67 percent of executives from SMEs cited survival and expansion as their top challenges, while 25 percent pointed to technology and innovation, and 24 percent cited funding and access to capital.
A 2021 survey conducted by the World Bank with the Department of Finance (DoF) and the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) found that 54 percent of local firms consider lack of financial means to be their top concern in adopting technology.² A nationwide roadshow by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) started earlier this year highlighted crowdfunding as an easy and convenient way for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and start-ups to raise capital for their businesses.³
Acknowledging the important role SMEs play in the Philippine economy, Investree Philippines reaffirms its commitment to support this sector as it marks its third anniversary in the country. “We understand the needs of our SMEs, and we will continue to serve these needs to help them grow their businesses. We recognize SMEs and investors as a big part of Investree Philippines’ milestones,” said Alexander Capulong, country manager of Investree Philippines.
Growing the SME network
Investree Philippines seeks to reach more SMEs across the country and empower them through more accessible financial resources. Its SME: The Heart of Investree campaign hopes to work much more closely with SMEs to promote financial inclusion and literacy, making a long-lasting impact on SMEs and contributing to growing the Philippine economy.
To reach more SMEs in need of financial aid, Investree Philippines continues to broaden its network through collaborations with key industry players. It has established partnerships with Oceans & Ripples Consulting Pte. Ltd., a Singapore-based financial advisory and management consulting firm, and Abagtha Marketing Services, a marketing firm based in Metro Manila.
The company has also expanded its operations in Visayas and Mindanao, accepting more SMEs from different sectors in these regions. These initiatives have helped Investree Philippines boost brand awareness and lead generation initiatives.
In addition, Investree Philippines is making its services more accessible to SMEs and its partners by continuously improving its website, issuer dashboard, and investor dashboard. It has recently inked a partnership with Provenir, an AI-powered credit risk decisioning platform, to provide a faster and more reliable platform experience to its partners. The company also conducts continuous employee development through face-to-face gatherings and training.
The company recently brought on board its first qualified individual investor and is looking to partner with more collaborators to carry out its 2023 vision. This is along with its efforts to optimize onboarding processes and closely nurture working relationships with stakeholders.
Milestones
After securing its SEC-granted permanent license in 2022, Investree Philippines has since recorded a number of key milestones.
Investree Philippines has been recognized as one of the Top 5 Finalists for Pandemic Growth Warriors for Startup Leaders of the Year Category in 2022 by the Origin Innovation Awards 2022. Last year, the company participated in Philippine Startup Week 2022, where it hosted a community event called FinTech & Supply Chain Disruptions and Countermeasures. It also joined theInternational Food Exhibition (IFEX), the PhilSME Business Expo, and the Philippine Subcon and Manufacturers Exhibition (PSMEX). Currently, Investree Philippines is part of the ongoing SEC Roadshow, sharing the common goal of touching base and helping more underserved markets.
Investree Philippines CEO Kok Chuan Lim emphasizes the vision of Investree Philippines: “For the past three years, Investree Philippines has been committed to serving our SMEs and providing accessible and affordable alternative financing solutions to them. All of these wouldn’t have been possible without the continuous support of our investors and partners.”
