The UK-Southeast Asia Tech Week 2025, held in Manila from March 24 to 25, was a groundbreaking event that brought together British innovators and Philippine partners to foster collaboration and drive growth in the region’s tech landscape.
Under the theme “Bridging Boundaries, Building a Resilient, Innovative, and Inclusive Tech Ecosystem,” the event showcased cutting-edge British technology and expertise, highlighting the UK’s position as a global leader in science and technology. His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific, Martin Kent, led a delegation of 12 pioneering British artificial intelligence (AI) and data companies, including NCC Group, iProov, and Revolut.
These companies took center stage during the UK Tech Showcase, demonstrating their latest innovations in cybersecurity, biometric authentication, and digital banking. The event also featured panel discussions on AI and cybersecurity, providing valuable insights on the latest trends, emerging threats, and best practices.
A key outcome of the event was the signing of a Strategic Partnership between the UK and Fintech Alliance Philippines, aimed at enhancing cooperation in the fintech sector and driving financial inclusion and technological advancement across the industry.
The UK Tech Growth Programme was also launched, a collaboration between the British Embassy Manila and Kickstart Ventures, the Philippines’ largest corporate venture capital firm. This program aims to match UK startups with potential investment from Kickstart Ventures through The Ayala Corporation Technology Innovation Venture Fund (ACTIVE Fund).
The event reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to driving innovation, strengthening partnerships, and shaping a resilient and inclusive tech ecosystem across the region. As Ambassador Laure Beaufils noted, “Technology is not just about infrastructure—it’s about partnerships, trust, and shared progress.” The UK is working hand-in-hand with the Philippines to expand its tech ecosystem, and this event marked a significant step forward in this collaboration.
