TechShake and Brunei Innovation Lab have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Manila to strengthen startup and innovation cooperation between the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam.
The ceremonial signing was held on May 29, 2026 in Pasig City.
The event gathered representatives from Brunei Innovation Lab, TechShake, and Philippine government and startup ecosystem stakeholders, including the Department of Trade and Industry, DICT-IIDB, DOST-TAPI, and Startup QC.
The partnership formalizes a cross-border collaboration aimed at supporting startup ecosystem linkages, market entry, knowledge sharing, and structured exchange programs between the two countries.
Building a bilateral innovation corridor
Under the MOU, TechShake and Brunei Innovation Lab will collaborate on joint promotion, ecosystem exchange, local market and investment insights, and project-based initiatives such as curated innovation tours and market-entry programs.
For TechShake, the agreement supports its broader “Bridge to ASEAN” mission of connecting startups, corporates, and innovation stakeholders across Southeast Asia.
“The Philippines has always been more than a market — it is a gateway into ASEAN. By formalizing our partnership with Brunei Innovation Lab, we are giving Bruneian founders structured access to that gateway, and giving Philippine startups a new corridor into Brunei and the BIMP-EAGA region. This MOU turns months of dialogue into committed, two-way infrastructure for cross-border innovation,” said Kotaro Adachi, CEO and Co-Founder of TechShake.
Brunei Innovation Lab also positioned Brunei as a potential pilot-size launchpad for foreign startups, with the country’s smaller population and more nimble public and corporate sectors seen as possible advantages for testing and integrating new solutions.
During the event, Brunei Innovation Lab outlined its work across talent development, industry development, and startup development. These include workshops on artificial intelligence, data analytics, local game development, community-building initiatives, hackathons, innovation challenges, and mentorship programs.
Programs planned for 2026
The partnership is expected to move forward through two inaugural programs in 2026.
The first is the Philippine Innovation Immersion, an in-person, multi-day program for Bruneian startups in the Philippines. It will include market overview sessions, curated innovation tours, business matching, and demo day opportunities.
The second is the Brunei × Philippines Market Entry Webinar Series, a bilateral online program that will give startups, SMEs, and ecosystem stakeholders from both countries access to market insights, opportunities, and partner networks.
Further details on program structure, timelines, and participation criteria will be announced separately by TechShake and Brunei Innovation Lab.
Philippine agencies signal support
Philippine government and local ecosystem representatives also shared their respective startup support efforts during the program.
The Department of Trade and Industry discussed its work in supporting startups through programs focused on market access, incentives, and scaling opportunities.
DICT-IIDB said it supports the development of ICT industries in the Philippines, including startups, and works with early-stage companies from ideation to proof of concept and minimum viable product development.
DOST-TAPI emphasized its role in promoting and commercializing technologies, while Startup QC highlighted Quezon City’s LGU-led startup program, including its work on startup incentives and its planned innovation hub.
The participation of these agencies underscored the broader policy and ecosystem support surrounding the PH-Brunei innovation corridor.
Strengthening ASEAN startup links
The MOU comes as Southeast Asian innovation players continue to explore more structured cross-border pathways for startups looking to expand beyond their home markets.
For Bruneian startups, the Philippines offers access to a larger consumer base, startup community, and regional business networks. For Philippine startups, the partnership could open new entry points into Brunei and the wider BIMP-EAGA region.
TechShake and Brunei Innovation Lab said the agreement is intended to serve as the start of a sustained collaboration, rather than a one-off signing ceremony.
Through planned exchanges, immersion programs, and market-entry initiatives, both organizations aim to create a working bilateral corridor that can help startups from both countries access new partners, markets, and growth opportunities across ASEAN.
