Philippine startups and mid-sized firms seeking growth beyond the domestic market have gained a new pathway into ASEAN and Japan.
Security Bank Corp. has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Thailand’s Bank of Ayudhya (Krungsri), Japan’s MUFG Bank Ltd., MUFG Innovation Partners Co. Ltd., Krungsri Finnovate Co. Ltd., and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to promote cross-border startup collaboration.
The partnership is aimed at helping firms scale faster, offering access to regional partners that could speed up digital services, increase competition in payments and lending, and provide more efficient solutions for businesses.
Hirofumi Umeno, director and executive vice president of Security Bank, said the bank wants the collaboration to lead to “real outcomes” that strengthen industries and support long-term growth in Asia and beyond.
“At Security Bank, this commitment reflects our BetterBanking promise—to create value, deliver meaningful experiences, and open doors for businesses to thrive,” he said.
The agreement brings together complementary strengths. Security Bank offers connections to Philippine corporates. MUFG provides a regional network across Japan and Southeast Asia. Krungsri contributes experience in business-matching platforms, while MUFG Innovation Partners and Krungsri Finnovate link startups to the broader venture ecosystem.
The DTI provides policy guidance, aligning the deal with the Startup Pilipinas program, the Innovative Startup Act, and the Tatak Pinoy strategy.
DTI Assistant Secretary Nylah Rizza Bautista said the government will provide market access, startup exchanges, accelerator programs, and business matching, while strengthening its AI and Startup Center as a regional hub.
She said the focus is on making local startups, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), more competitive globally.
One near-term activity is the Japan-ASEAN Startup Business Matching Fair in Bangkok this June. Now in its fourth year, the event brings together startups and corporates from over 10 countries, giving Philippine firms a chance to pitch directly to buyers and partners rather than investors alone.
Krungsri executive Bunsei Okubo said the bank’s ASEAN LINK advisory service helps clients expand across Southeast Asia, offering Filipino startups exposure to corporates actively seeking technology partners.
MUFG Bank country head Masami Yoshitake pointed to the bank’s broader ASEAN network and its $20 billion investment commitment, saying the partnership strengthens the Philippines’ position in the regional startup ecosystem and improves access to capital, talent, and technology.
Krungsri Finnovate acting managing director Palida Artispong said the agreement aims to improve investment readiness, support two-way market expansion, and deepen knowledge exchange to help startups scale faster.
MUFG Innovation Partners deputy CEO Atsushi Ishihara said the Philippines’ young, digital-native population and English proficiency give local startups an advantage in developing solutions that can cross borders.
John Cary Ong, executive vice president of Security Bank, said the value of the MOU lies in connecting startups and corporates for pilots, partnerships, and investments, not just networking. He added that the framework supports structured trade missions and business matching while maintaining governance standards.
