In today’s connected economy, scaling a business beyond borders is more accessible than ever. With the right tools and partners, Filipino entrepreneurs are seizing the opportunity to serve international clients and compete globally.
But one thing remains essential: getting paid reliably, efficiently, and across currencies. Seamless payment infrastructure is critical to global growth, enabling entrepreneurs to manage cash flow, strengthen client relationships, and focus on scaling their businesses.
That ambition was on display at the Payoneer’s Ambition Hackathon in New York City, where 20 high-impact businesses from around the world were spotlighted for their innovation and potential. Among them were three ventures from the Philippines: Carlo Angelo Orbe, Sherwin Alegre, and Maricar Hernandez, who joined over 200 global executives and capped the event with a NASDAQ closing bell ceremony.
The Philippines is an important market for Payoneer, where it is empowering the country’s vibrant ecosystem of service export founders, e-commerce sellers, content creators, gig workers, and more through business-grade features and a secure platform. “Payoneer’s 20th year anniversary celebration event was about more than networking—it was about creating real connections that drive business growth,” said Monique Avila, Payoneer’s head of customer success for Asia Pacific. “We brought together business leaders to share insights, explore new markets, and discover practical solutions that can accelerate their global expansion.”
Their participation comes at a pivotal moment: Philippine service exports grew 7.2% in Q1 2025, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority, driven by telecommunications, IT-enabled services, and BPOs. It is clear that a new generation of Filipino founders is not just ready for global growth, they are leading it.
Elevating Filipino Virtual Assistants on a Global Stage
When Carlo Angelo Orbe launched TaskMeQuick, he envisioned more than just a virtual assistant agency. He set out to prove that Filipino talent could power global businesses with both heart and skill.
Today, TaskMeQuick operates as a borderless, people-first company, with remote contractors across the Philippines, India, Nicaragua, and the Middle East. Clients range from fast-growing startups to healthcare providers. Over the past few years, the company has seen its monthly volume rise from USD20,000 to more than USD130,000, with revenue now between USD1,500 and USD1,900 per month. The company’s expansion continues as TaskMeQuick has also earned recognition, ranking among the Top 9 Best Customer Service Agencies on Upwork worldwide.
Throughout challenges like scaling teams, maintaining service quality, and managing cross-border payments, Orbe’s mission remains unwavering: “We remain committed to elevating the Philippine freelancing industry and making Filipino-built solutions globally competitive.”
Building Tech That Works the Way Business Really Works
Sherwin Alegre’s philosophy is simple. Technology should adapt to business, not the other way around. As founder of Microsource Inc., Alegre leads a company generating over USD650,000 in annual revenue by delivering cost-effective, custom-built software solutions across finance, logistics, and AI. With expansion plans into Singapore, Vietnam, and Hong Kong, Microsource is becoming a key digital infrastructure partner in Southeast Asia.
At the Hackathon, Alegre saw firsthand how global founders use innovation not just for growth but for real impact. “The most impactful leaders today are those who don’t just chase growth. They build with purpose, and open doors for others across borders,” he says.
In the Philippines, Microsource helps businesses replace manual workflows with custom systems that reflect how they truly operate. Their solutions improve processes like client management, cash flow, and time tracking. With most customers coming through word-of-mouth, Microsource is not only enabling digital transformation but also helping Filipino businesses compete on a global stage.
Scaling a Global Business That Prioritizes People Over Profits
For Maricar Hernandez, growth and community impact go hand in hand. As co-founder of Beyond Limits Outsourcing Solution, she helped scale the business across the US, Canada, and Japan. What began with back-office support has expanded into finance, education, and healthcare, with plans for further expansion into Vietnam, Mexico, and Latin America by 2025. Yet, from the start, Beyond Limits prioritized impact alongside profit.
The company’s philanthropic efforts are integral to its mission, including donations to orphanages, a one-to-one scholarship sponsorship program, and a focus on long-term roles for Filipino professionals. “When I founded the company five years ago, I shared a message that still guides us today: ‘Never start a business to make money. Start a business to make a difference,’” Hernandez says.
As the company grows and targets 1,000 employees by 2025, Beyond Limits retains long-term clients and is deeply committed to building relationships. Reflecting on her time in New York, Hernandez says, “Remember, run a business with the intention of making a positive impact. That’s where real success starts.”
Powering Global Ambitions
Behind the success of these three businesses is a shared enabler: a digital payment solution that helps them navigate cross-border growth.
Payoneer has empowered these entrepreneurs to scale with confidence, from faster payments and competitive currency conversion for transactions to easier onboarding of international clients and more streamlined financial management. These capabilities free up time and resources, allowing them to focus on what matters most: growing their businesses, expanding into new markets, and staying true to their long-term vision and purpose.
In their hands, digital payments are more than just a tool. They are a bridge to opportunity. These Filipino entrepreneurs are not only exporting services, they are sharing solutions, innovation, and impact with the world.