Forbes Asia has named Philippine startups Clouted and OneLot Technologies, Inc. to its sixth annual 100 to Watch list, placing two local companies among the emerging businesses highlighted across the Asia-Pacific region and underscoring the growing presence of Philippine startups in a field where AI-driven services featured prominently.

Clouted, an enterprise technology company founded in 2024 and led by Chief Executive Officer Justin Banusing, maintains headquarters in both Manila and Los Angeles. The startup operates a marketing platform that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to automate short-form video creation and distribution, pairing the technology with a network of more than 100,000 freelance video editors to help brands produce and promote content on social media. Its video distribution campaigns have served 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 with participation from AppWorks, a16z Speedrun and Peak XV's Surge.

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 relies on AI alongside 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, with Crestone Venture Capital and Everywhere Ventures also participating.

Forbes Asia said AI-driven innovation was a major theme of 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 featured companies collectively raised $1 billion in 2026, according to Forbes Asia.

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

Forbes Asia assembled the list through online submissions and nominations from accelerators, incubators, universities, venture capitalists and other groups. To be eligible, companies must be privately owned, for-profit ventures headquartered in the Asia-Pacific region with annual revenue of no more than $100 million as of Aug. 15. Forbes Asia editors evaluated the companies based on industry and regional impact, market fit, business model, innovation, revenue growth and ability to attract funding. — Kaizzer Angela Marie V. Manuba