Amid the Goliaths in the outsourcing world, one David is carving a niche in an industry where most players start their roots in Metro Manila’s business districts.
Maggie Po, fresh off her first M&A for a Silicon Valley startup in 2014, founded FullSuite in Baguio City as a company that would provide startups with a simpler and more stable alternative for their back-office operations, particularly in finance.
Po’s choice of Baguio City as site was driven not only by operational considerations but also by personal ones. Her daughter was already living in Baguio, and upon closer inspection, she identified a treasure trove of untapped talent.
Po found that the scarcity of global-centric companies in the area meant the local talent pool remained largely undiscovered.
Recognizing that many startups face operational challenges during periods of rapid growth, FullSuite steps in as a strategic partner, allowing startups to focus on product development, tech innovation, and revenue generation.
According to Po, FullSuite is committed to nurturing startups and helping them scale seamlessly. Offering a diverse array of 27 services, FullSuite focuses on three core areas: operations, finance, and administrative support. Its clients are mostly international companies in a wide range of sectors.
While startup entrepreneurs and leaders are hyperfocused on the big thinking plans of their companies, FullSuite takes care of the backend work that needs to be done. Operations, finance, and administrative support are all necessary cornerstones that ensure businesses can run on a daily basis. But these support work often takes too much time and manpower that may divert from more important strategic plans and decisions for entrepreneurs.
“We are not in the EOR (employer on record) business nor are we on the management advisory side; we like being involved and our partner clients see a clear value on being able to have a partner six thousand or so miles away that really cares about what they do and where they are going. We offer these growth startups a simple, headache-free alternative to growing and scaling their operations team so they can retain laser focus attention to their product and tech development and revenue generation,” Po said.
The path to establishing a startup stronghold in Baguio wasn’t without its challenges.
Logistical constraints, cultural differences, and the evolving remote work landscape posed hurdles.
FullSuite addressed these by finding innovative solutions and maintaining a dedicated office-based setup. The company’s unique culture thrives on physical presence, fostering camaraderie, collaboration, and professional growth.
FullSuite focuses on nurturing its talent, fostering a culture where employees thrive.
Po envisions FullSuite as the top operational concierge for growth startups while serving as a springboard for professional careers. FullSuite aims to establish Baguio as a hub for career growth, enabling young talents to start and evolve their professional journeys.
“Here at Fullsuite, we train talents to become anti-fragile, to benefit from disorder. This way, when it is time for them to leave the corners of FullSuite, they bring with them the learnings and training they have been exposed to in all their years of being with us.”
Fulluite has 500 employees including those who have spun off to their own companies).
The company is opening an office in Surigao this year and in Cebu next year. Irma Isip
