From Start-Up to Scale-Up: Building and Scaling for the Philippine Market
The Echelon Philippines 2024 fireside chat titled ‘From Start-Up to Scale-Up: Building and Scaling for the Philippine Market’ explored key strategies and challenges for growing businesses in one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic markets. Moderated by Joan Yao, Vice President of Investments at Kickstart Ventures, the discussion featured insights from Martin Cu, Partner at 500 Global.
The session highlighted the significance of understanding local consumer behaviour and leveraging market-specific opportunities. The Philippine market, characterised by its consumer-driven nature, demands a deep focus on addressing local needs while navigating regulatory requirements and competitive dynamics.
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Scaling challenges, such as managing operations, resources, and market expansion, were central to the conversation. Martin Cu emphasised the importance of operational discipline and strategic capital allocation, sharing examples like Ninja Van and Pickup to illustrate how businesses can scale sustainably without overextending resources.
The role of strategic partnerships with local suppliers, distributors, and other stakeholders was also underscored as a critical growth enabler. Cu further addressed the pitfalls of high early-stage valuations, cautioning against the pressure to meet aggressive growth expectations.
A key takeaway was the necessity for startups to solve localised problems and maintain clear value propositions, both to drive market impact and prepare for eventual exits. By aligning with local market dynamics, startups can successfully transition from early-stage ventures to scalable enterprises. This session offered valuable insights for startups looking to thrive in the Philippines and beyond.
Watch the session video above to learn more about these insights and the strategies shaping the future of entrepreneurship.
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Missed Echelon Philippines this year? You can now catch the recorded sessions on demand, showcasing insights from leading startup experts, visionary entrepreneurs, and forward-thinking investors from the Philippines and Southeast Asia, all geared toward driving the next phase of growth. And stay tuned—more videos are coming soon!
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