Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Salesforce has extended its startup programme to Malaysia and the Philippines, widening its presence across Southeast Asia and South Asia, reinforcing its focus on early-stage technology ecosystems in the region.
The initiative is intended to support emerging companies by connecting them to Salesforce’s broader platform, including access to AI-enabled products, advisory support, collaborative market opportunities, and a regional founder network designed to assist with long-term scaling. With the addition of these two markets, the programme is now active in India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Sri Lanka.
The move reflects growing attention on Malaysia as a developing hub for high-growth startups. The country has positioned itself as an emerging centre for innovation, supported by public sector strategies aimed at strengthening entrepreneurship by the end of the decade. Its location within ASEAN, combined with a broad talent base, places it as a potential entry point to regional markets across Southeast Asia as well as neighbouring economies.
“With a thriving innovation ecosystem and a young, digitally-savvy talent pool, Malaysia and the Philippines are ideal launchpads for startups seeking to scale local ideas into global impact,” Arundhati Bhattacharya, president and CEO, South and Southeast Asia at Salesforce, stated.
“The expansion of our Startup Program into these markets equips promising startups with the necessary support to solidify their business foundation, accelerate growth, and ultimately, find success at scale.”
The Philippines has also recorded sustained momentum within its startup sector, driven by a digitally engaged population, expanding mobile infrastructure and policy frameworks that encourage innovation. Following this, Salesforce expanded its operations with the opening of new offices in Manila in late 2025 to support the nation’s emerging AI digital transformation initiatives, as explained by Abraham Cuevas, regional VP and country GM at Salesforce Philippines.
Launched in 2021, the Salesforce Startup Programme has expanded steadily and now supports more than 435 startups globally, including a significant number focused on AI. Participating companies span a range of enterprise and digital solutions, reflecting the programme’s emphasis on scalable, technology-led business models.
Malaysia and the Philippines remain priority growth markets for Salesforce, with organisations across education, healthcare and telecommunications adopting its CRM and AI platforms as part of broader digital transformation efforts.
