Philippine startups Clouted, OneLot make Forbes Asia 100 to Watch list

PHILIPPINE startups Clouted and OneLot Technologies, Inc. were included in Forbes Asia’s sixth annual 100 to Watch list, putting two local companies among emerging businesses from across the Asia-Pacific region.

Clouted, an enterprise technology company founded in 2024, is led by Chief Executive Officer Justin Banusing and has headquarters in Manila and Los Angeles.

The startup operates a marketing platform that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to automate short-form video creation and distribution. It combines AI with a network of more than 100,000 freelance video editors to help brands produce and promote content on social media.

Clouted has run video distribution campaigns for brands including music label Liquid State and insurance technology startup Corgi Insurance.

The company raised $7 million in seed funding in May in a round led by Slow Ventures. AppWorks, a16z Speedrun and Peak XV’s Surge also participated.

OneLot, founded in 2023 and led by Chief Executive Officer Harm-Julian Schumacher, provides working capital loans to used-car dealers in the Philippines.

The finance startup uses AI and in-person vehicle inspections to assess dealers’ inventories before extending credit lines secured by the vehicles.

OneLot is targeting the Philippine used-car market, which Mordor Intelligence estimates at $6.3 billion.

The company has raised $3.3 million in seed funding from investors co-led by Accion Ventures and 468 Capital. Crestone Venture Capital and Everywhere Ventures also participated.

Forbes Asia said AI-driven innovation was a major theme in this year’s list, with nearly a quarter of the 100 companies operating in enterprise technology and offering AI-related services.

Robotics and green technology each accounted for 10 companies on the list.

The companies collectively raised $1 billion in 2026, Forbes Asia said.

The list features companies from 16 countries and territories. India had the most entries with 19, followed by Singapore with 15 and China with 10. Japan and South Korea each had nine, while Indonesia and Australia each had eight.

Forbes Asia selected the companies through online submissions and nominations from accelerators, incubators, universities, venture capitalists and other groups.

Eligible companies must be privately owned, for-profit ventures headquartered in the Asia-Pacific region and have annual revenue of no more than $100 million as of Aug. 15.

Forbes Asia editors evaluated companies based on industry and regional impact, market fit, business model, innovation, revenue growth and ability to attract funding. — Kaizzer Angela Marie V. Manuba