Sampaguita Bayanihan

November was an incredible month — full of events, new connections, and exciting opportunities that reminded us why we love what we do. From panels and meetups to new partnerships, every moment pushed us to grow, learn, and level up 🚀

Now, we’re charging into December like it’s the final sprint of the year! Every day counts, every move matters, and we’re here to finish strong 💪

And looking ahead… 2026 is shaping up to be our year. Big goals, bold moves, and the kind of growth that changes everything. Can’t wait to see what’s next! 🌟

Let’s go! ⚡

Honestly, we left the Presidential Filipinovation Awards feeling something we haven’t felt in a long time — hope. 🕊🇵🇭

To actually see innovation happening in real time, right here in the Philippines, felt different. This wasn’t just talk. It was proof that we’re moving toward something real. A future of matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay para sa lahat.

Congratulations to all the winners, participants, and everyone in our growing startup and innovation ecosystem proving that the Filipino spirit of creativity and resilience can truly change the world. 🌏

Huge thanks to for championing Filipino innovation, H.E. the Ambassador of Japan for the continued partnership and support, and to the incredible leaders: the Executive Secretary, the Secretaries of , , .philippines , .philippines and especially Diane Gail L. Maharjan, Executive Director of the National Innovation Council whose passion and leadership make this vision come alive. 🙌

If this is what the next chapter of our country looks like, we all in. 💡🇵🇭
See you next year;
maybe not in the audience this time. 😉

Sampaguita Joins the Peter D. Garrucho Innovation Institute to Accelerate Financial Inclusion

Sampaguita is proud to announce its participation in the Peter D. Garrucho Innovation Institute, marking a significant milestone in advancing its mission to drive financial inclusion across the Philippines.

This collaboration, made possible through the support of Benilde HIFI , represents a shared commitment to building a more inclusive, resilient, and future-ready nation. By working alongside innovators, institutions, and communities, Sampaguita aims to develop solutions that strengthen economic opportunities and empower more Filipinos to participate meaningfully in the financial system.

Sampaguita looks forward to this new chapter of collaboration and the collective impact it will bring toward shaping a more inclusive and resilient nation.

We’ve come a long way, but there’s still so much more to do.

Sampaguita started with a simple idea: turn play into growth. Now it’s about giving MSMEs the tools to level up, and making sure no one is left out of the game.

The wins we’ve had so far are just momentum — and momentum only matters if we keep pushing forward. So let’s keep building better solutions, keep backing MSMEs, and keep turning small steps into big change.

The work doesn’t stop here. We grow as they grow. And together, we move further.

Q4 is here. 2026 is around the corner. Let’s make it count. Let’s make it memorable. 🚀

🌸 Sampaguita x TechShake 🌸

Excited to share our feature story on TechShake , where our CEO talk about what we’re building and why it matters.

Sampaguita Lab: Where Street Smarts Meet Smart Tech Sampaguita Lab is an InclusionTech startup based in Manila that’s reimagining how small businesses access and interact with the financial system. Rather than relying on conventional training programs, it integrates financial learning and decision-making support directly into the daily workflows of...

Another exciting week at the intersection of AI, MSMEs, and inclusive innovation. 🚀

From breakthroughs in technology to new initiatives empowering small businesses, the momentum is real and it's only growing. AI is no longer just a buzzword; it's becoming a tool that can radically transform how micro, small, and medium enterprises grow, compete, and thrive.

At Sampaguita, we’re proud to be at the crossroads of it all, where technology meets grassroots impact. We believe the future belongs to those who make it not only accessible but actionable, and we’re here to build it.

Let’s keep pushing forward. 🇵🇭💡✨

NTRODUCING OUR FOUNDER & CEO

Thomas is a systems thinker who loves turning bold ideas into real-world impact. With a background in Business and Law, he dropped out from his master’s program early to focus on building rather than theorizing; and he hasn’t looked back since.

Since 2016, he’s been a solo founder, leading small, scrappy teams that delivered high-stakes projects for clients like the French Presidency, CAC40 firms, and global fashion houses. He bootstrapped a premium tourism brand from zero to top-rated, proving he’s not afraid to start small, stay focused, and move fast.

At Sampaguita, Thomas is channeling that same energy into one big mission: building simple, human tools that unlock growth for small businesses across emerging markets.

Outside of work, he’s a foodie as well as an experienced horse rider with a deep love for animals and nature. He lives by Gandhi’s words: “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” That belief shapes how he leads: with heart, humility, and a soft spot for the quiet wisdom of the natural world.

🌸 This week has been nothing short of transformative.

A huge thank you to and for the powerful and eye-opening training on Intellectual Property. Thank you as well to all the participants we shared this week with, and to the staff who kept our tables clean and prepared our delicious meals. As founders building something from the ground up, we often focus so much on the "what". This training reminded us of the importance of protecting the how, the why, and the heart behind it all.

At Sampaguita, we’re working hard to build something that can uplift lives, and now, thanks to everything we’ve learned this week, we feel even more prepared to do that the right way.

This isn’t just about patents or trademarks, it’s about protecting our people, our purpose, and our potential.

Maraming salamat. ❤️
We can’t wait to apply all this to make Sampaguita even stronger, for the ones we serve.

🌿 Pilot Training in Tondo with LP4Y

This Saturday, we teamed up with LP4Y and brgy 20 isla puting bato, to run a pilot training designed to empower the community from the ground up.

While most fintechs and banks stay on the sidelines, we’re here on the ground, because real inclusion doesn’t happen from the towers of Makati, it happens here, in the streets.

Our goal: prove that an NGO-led distribution model can scale sustainably, rooted in trust, not just technology.

Big thanks to everyone who showed up with curiosity and courage. 💪

Heads up to Rinalyn & Erica for hosting and sharing your energy as well as all LP4Y and Care4Change team!

Never underestimate the quiet power of dreams. What starts as an idea, uncertain, impossible, even laughed at, can shape the future when you refuse to give up.

Thank you to Boston Consulting Group and for believing in the crazy ones, the dreamers, and the builders.

🔥 We’re in. Sampaguita just joined the Impact Pioneers Network — the same powerhouse that helped Growsari raise over ₱6 BILLION to shake up the MSME space.

Now it's our turn. Our first fundraising round is coming and we’re building something designed to change the game for merchants across the world. 🌏

If you missed Growsari, don’t blink twice this time. You can join the cap table now or act surprised on TechCrunch later 😈

Sampaguita is now ranked among the Top 5 AI startups in Manila 🚀

💡 We’re just getting started. The goal? Universal finance for every merchant, everywhere.

🙏 Thanks to everyone who’s supported, challenged, and believed in this journey so far. Let’s keep building.