Philippine Startups Clouted and OneLot Technologies, Inc. Recognized in Forbes Asia’s 100 to Watch List

Two Philippine startups, Clouted and OneLot Technologies, Inc., have been featured in Forbes Asia’s sixth annual 100 to Watch list for 2026, signifying a notable achievement for local ventures in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and financial technology. This recognition highlights the increasing visibility of Philippine startups on the international stage, particularly in the fast-evolving technology sector.

Clouted, established in 2024 and led by CEO Justin Banusing, operates a marketing technology platform that automates the creation and distribution of short-form videos. With headquarters in both Manila and Los Angeles, Clouted leverages AI alongside a network of over 100,000 freelance video editors to optimize video distribution across social media platforms. The company has successfully executed campaigns for prominent brands, including Lionsgate and Grammy-winning producer Zedd. In May 2026, Clouted raised $7 million in seed funding, with investors including Slow Ventures, AppWorks, a16z Speedrun, and Peak XV’s Surge, according to Forbes Asia.

“Clouted combines artificial intelligence with a network of more than 100,000 freelance video editors to optimize the distribution of videos across social media platforms.”Forbes Asia

In the finance sector, OneLot Technologies, Inc., founded in 2023 and led by CEO Harm-Julian Schumacher, has emerged as a significant player by providing working capital loans to used-car dealers in the Philippines. The fintech firm employs AI and conducts in-person vehicle inspections to evaluate dealers’ inventories before extending credit lines secured by the vehicles. This approach is particularly relevant given that the Philippine used-car market is estimated at $6.3 billion by research firm Mordor Intelligence. OneLot has also garnered attention, raising $3.3 million in seed funding from a consortium of investors, including Accion Ventures and 468 Capital.

“OneLot uses artificial intelligence and in-person vehicle inspections to assess dealers’ inventories before extending credit lines secured by the vehicles.”Forbes Asia

The Forbes Asia list featured companies from 16 countries and territories, with India leading with 19 entries, followed by Singapore with 15, and China with 10. Notably, nearly a quarter of the companies on the list are categorized as enterprise technology firms offering AI-related services, reflecting a strong trend towards AI-driven innovation across the region. The companies raised nearly $1 billion in 2026, underscoring the robust investment climate for startups in the Asia-Pacific region.

Forbes Asia selected the companies through a rigorous evaluation process that included submissions and nominations from accelerators, incubators, universities, and venture capital firms. To qualify for the list, companies must be privately owned, for-profit ventures headquartered in the Asia-Pacific region, with annual revenues not exceeding $50 million and total funding capped at $100 million as of August 15, 2026. The evaluation criteria focused on factors such as industry impact, market fit, business model, innovation, revenue growth, and the ability to attract funding.