Growth remains the top priority for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Philippines, but limited access to financing continues to be one of the biggest hurdles to expansion.

At the 18th Philippine SME Business Expo held at the SMX Convention Center Manila, fintech lending company Skyro highlighted the importance of financial partnerships in helping entrepreneurs scale their businesses and reach more customers.

As a Platinum Sponsor of the event, Skyro underscored its commitment to supporting Filipino business owners through accessible financing solutions and merchant partnerships.

Financing Still a Key Challenge

During his presentation at the expo, Michael Tabaday, Head of SME at Skyro, emphasized that while growth remains the primary goal of most businesses, achieving it often requires support beyond personal resources.

“The top priority of businesses is growth. But often, it is not enough for MSMEs to rely solely on their own efforts and ambitions. They must also tap outside resources available to them,” Tabaday said.

Skyro cited findings from a 2025 Boston Consulting Group study, which revealed that 33% of MSMEs identified access to capital as one of their biggest challenges, while 83% continue to rely on personal savings to keep their businesses running.

According to Tabaday, business survival and expansion remain pressing concerns, with 67% of SMEs identifying these as their primary challenges.

Opportunities Through Digital Financing

Despite these obstacles, Skyro believes Filipino entrepreneurs have strong opportunities for sustainable growth through:

  • Flexible installment and credit solutions
  • Strategic fintech and merchant partnerships
  • Wider adoption of digital payments
  • Expansion through social commerce platforms

The company showcased how partnering with Skyro can help businesses improve their operations and customer reach.

Among the benefits highlighted were:

  • Up to 30% increase in sales
  • Access to more than 5 million customers
  • Merchant onboarding in as fast as two days
  • Marketing support for partner businesses

Businesses that have been operating for at least six months may apply, regardless of size, with the online application process taking as little as 10 minutes.

“We hope this serves as a gateway for many entrepreneurs to realize that financial lending companies like Skyro can be allies in achieving their hopes and dreams for their businesses and families,” Tabaday added.

Engaging Entrepreneurs at the SME Expo

Throughout the event, Skyro’s booth attracted hundreds of attendees interested in learning more about its financing programs and merchant onboarding process.

Visitors were introduced to products such as SkyroCredit, along with financing solutions designed to help merchants expand their customer base and boost sales performance. The company also offered complimentary coffee, cookies, and promotional merchandise to expo participants.

Joining Tabaday at the event were key members of Skyro’s leadership team, including:

  • John Joseph Pelegrino, Head of POS Online
  • Fitz Gerald Cruz, Business Development Manager
  • Mar Gregg Azanza, National Sales Manager – Agent Model
  • Rhandy Zuela, National Sales Manager – Alternative Distribution Model

Expanding Access to Financial Solutions

Since launching in the Philippines in 2022, Skyro has rapidly expanded its presence nationwide. The company now works with more than 9,000 partner stores, over 3,000 merchant partners, and has issued more than 900,000 loans.

Its product portfolio includes:

  • Product Loans
  • Cash Loans
  • SkyroCredit

These offerings are designed to provide both consumers and businesses with more accessible financing options.

Skyro said its participation in the Philippine SME Business Expo reflects its broader mission of helping Filipinos access the financial tools they need to start, sustain, and grow their businesses.

For more information, visit Skyro Philippines.