On March 19, 2026, a significant leap forward occurred in the fintech landscape with the announcement from Talino, an award-winning fintech foundry based in Manila and Los Angeles, regarding the successful closure of its $7.5 million Series A funding round. This funding round was led by Chemonics International, a firm renowned for its commitment to building financial inclusion throughout the Philippines. The funding also saw participation from notable investors such as Mt Sinai Capital and Gulf Blvd.
Initially established as a venture studio, Talino now aims to evolve into a comprehensive fintech foundry. This strategic shift signifies a commitment to not just build startups but to cultivate an entire ecosystem that fosters startup growth. According to Winston Damarillo, Talino’s President and CEO, “This evolution aims to dismantle fintech barriers between the U.S. and emerging markets through an API-first connectivity layer.” This modern infrastructure seeks to replace outdated financial systems, ensuring a more streamlined and integrated approach to financial services.
Chemonics’ Chair and CEO Jamey Butcher expressed pride in leading this funding round. He highlighted the transformative potential of Talino in the realm of cross-border payments, emphasizing the importance of expanding financial inclusion at scale. “Talino’s vision aligns with our mission to drive sustainable, locally grounded innovation that improves lives and broadens economic opportunity,” Butcher stated, reinforcing the collaborative effort required to enhance financial infrastructure in the Philippines and other emerging markets.
Eliminating Barriers in the Fintech Space
For many institutional investors and venture capitalists, the complexity of cross-border payments presents both an attractive opportunity and significant challenges. Startups within this niche grapple with various hurdles, including regulatory friction stemming from multi-jurisdiction licensing, the technical burden imposed by outdated systems, and liquidity gaps that can impede swift transaction settlements. Talino’s unified API layer seeks to address these intricate issues, empowering technology platforms and enterprises to deploy compliant financial products more rapidly than the traditional timelines would allow.
“As a fintech foundry, we are replacing months of development work, allowing for a faster path to market in the world’s most underserved corridors,” noted Damarillo, illustrating Talino’s commitment to accelerating innovation in the fintech space.
Through its robust platform, Talino is already supporting multiple fast-growing fintech brands. For instance, BayaniPay has emerged as a leader in zero-fee embedded remittances, while Higala serves as an inclusive open banking solution for microfinance institutions and rural banks. Additionally, Bahai Deals is facilitating cross-border loan origination for global investors aiming to tap into the Philippine real estate market.
Talino’s offerings also extend to enterprise clients, including Seafood City, the largest Filipino American grocery chain, and SM Development Corporation, which stands as the Philippines’ leading real estate developer.
Strategic Advantages
One of Talino’s competitive advantages lies in its sophisticated technical and regulatory architecture. By integrating Mojaloop—an open-source platform funded by the Gates Foundation—Talino is positioned to support ISO 20022 standards, which are crucial for real-time, interoperable payments. Furthermore, its existing Money Service Business licenses in the U.S. and Canada allow it to offer a “regulatory-as-a-service” model for its partners, streamlining their entry into the fintech arena.
A noteworthy alliance with PDAX and Bridge, a Stripe company, enables Talino to facilitate seamless global payments, bolstered by substantial local liquidity and efficient settlement mechanisms in the Philippines, its initial flagship market.
According to Nichel Gaba, PDAX’s CEO and founder, “Cross-border remittances are a lifeline for millions of Filipinos.” The expansion of access to stablecoin-driven transfers offers a modern and efficient avenue for funds to move between the U.S. and the Philippines, highlighting a substantial commitment to making digital financial services more accessible and pragmatic for everyday users.
About Talino
Talino Fintech Foundry aims to bridge the gap in financial inclusion for emerging markets and diaspora communities. It enables fintechs and enterprises to leverage a hybrid financial infrastructure that integrates both conventional finance and next-generation stablecoin solutions, all designed to better serve underserved populations.
About Chemonics International
Chemonics International is a globally recognized sustainable solutions firm, operating in over 100 countries. Their mission focuses on driving meaningful changes that enhance the lives of individuals, promoting health, productivity, and independence. For more details, visit www.chemonics.com.
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