The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has forged partnerships with domestic and foreign financial institutions and venture capital firms to expand funding sources for startups and support their expansion locally and abroad.

In a statement, the DTI said it signed a memorandum of understanding with Security Bank Corp., Bank of Ayudhya Public Co. Ltd. (Krungsri), Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) Bank Ltd., as well as MUFG Innovation Partners Co. Ltd. (MUIP), and Krungsri Finnovate Co. Ltd. (KFIN) to help local startups grow.

The DTI said the agreement would provide stronger support and better opportunities for startups, including micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), to secure funding and corporate partners.

Trade Assistant Secretary Nylah Rizza Bautista said the collaboration is in line with the government’s commitment to building innovation-driven ecosystems that enhance the competitiveness of emerging businesses.

“We collectively aim to support market access, startup exchanges, accelerator programs, and business matching,” said Bautista.

Under the MOU, local startups will gain access to cross-border business matching, exchange programs, trade missions, and government-led innovation events.

According to the DTI, its collaboration with the banks and investment arms brings complementary strengths for startups and MSMEs. For instance, businesses may tap Security Bank to connect with the country’s major corporations.

For those seeking growth in Thailand, startups may engage Krungsri to harness its business-matching capabilities. Meanwhile, startups eyeing expansion across the Asia-Pacific region may tap MUFG Bank.

These efforts would be supported by MUIP and KFIN’s international startup ecosystems, alongside the DTI’s mandate to promote Philippine startup growth and international participation.

John Cary Ong, executive vice president at Security Bank, said the multilateral partnership aims to deliver tangible outcomes for startups by linking them to funding sources that could, in turn, fuel growth across the region.

“The MOU provides a practical framework for cross‑border exposure, trade missions, and structured business matching, while upholding good governance and institutional independence,” said Ong.

For his part, MUFG Bank Managing Director and Country Head Masami Yoshitake said the Japanese bank’s participation in the initiative further affirms its commitment to further cement the Philippines’ role in the regional startup ecosystem.

“We remain optimistic about the long-term potential of the Philippines…as we both continue connecting to global capital, talent, and technology,” he said.

Meanwhile, MUIP Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Atsushi Ishihara said the country’s digital-native population, proficiency in English, and global connections make it well-positioned to contribute significantly to an increasingly digital future.

“We believe these strengths will enable startups here to scale internationally and create impactful solutions for the future,” he said.

The DTI said the MOU forms part of the Marcos administration’s push to accelerate the growth of startups and innovation-driven enterprises as key drivers of economic development and job creation.