Reinforcing support for innovation-driven enterprises, Landbank has partnered with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to expand access to financing and technical assistance for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and startups nationwide.
Under the partnership, DOST-assisted enterprises will gain enhanced access to the bank’s Innovative Financing Thrust Towards Inclusive National Growth (LIFTING) MSMEs Lending Program, enabling them to scale up operations, adopt new technologies, and generate employment in their communities.
The collaboration was formalized through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed May 4, led by DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. and Landbank president and CEO Lynette Ortiz. They were joined by DOST undersecretary for Regional Operations Sancho Mabborang and the bank’s executive vice president Charlotte Conde.
“Through this collaboration, we see an even brighter future for our fellow Filipinos,” Solidum said in a statement May 7. “This initiative will provide our kababayans with the confidence to see science, technology, and innovation as a profitable industry…and shall foster the rise of new startups that would eventually create more job opportunities.”
Under the agreement, DOST will identify and endorse eligible MSMEs and startups and provide technical assistance to help improve their readiness for financing. Landbank, in turn, will evaluate loan applications, extend financing support, and manage loan accounts to ensure the timely and efficient delivery of financial services.
“Our country is rich in innovators — young, capable, and driven by purpose. By aligning DOST’s innovation ecosystem with the bank’s development financing, we are accelerating commercialization, lowering barriers, and strengthening MSMEs as drivers of inclusive growth — giving Filipino innovators a clear path to scale and impact,” Ortiz stressed.
Launched in September 2025, the LIFTING MSMEs Lending Program aims to expand access to credit for MSMEs by offering tailored financing solutions that support innovation, growth, and countryside development. Since its rollout, the program has been implemented across key regions nationwide, bringing accessible financing closer to enterprises in both urban centers and underserved areas.
The MOU also builds on the bank’s ongoing collaboration with DOST, including the Innovation and Technology Lending Program implemented with the Technology Application and Promotion Institute, which supports the commercial production of patented Filipino inventions.
Together, these initiatives reinforce the national government’s efforts to promote innovation, strengthen financial inclusion, and accelerate enterprise growth in support of inclusive and sustainable development. ||
