MiFinGrew from one person to 45 in 11 months
The Challenge
MiFin wanted to build momentum in the Philippines early, but the traditional path would have meant months of waiting.
- Time to first hire.Incorporation, permits and office fit-out all had to be complete before a conventional setup could start hiring, delaying the business case.
- Operational complexity.Payroll, HR, IT and compliance processes all needed to be designed and proven for a new country, while the team was already doing real work.
- Scaling uncertainty.Committing to a long-term lease and fit-out sized for an unknown future headcount is costly and risky.
- Local knowledge gap.Navigating Philippine incorporation, permits and the Clark Freeport Zone requires on-the-ground experience.
The Solution
Through Clark Launchpad, ToolTwist let MiFin start immediately and grow at its own pace, while its permanent operation was prepared in the background.
- Day-one workspace.MiFin’s first team member started in ToolTwist’s fully furnished, high-speed-connected office in Clark, with seats added as the team grew.
- Room to grow.Over 11 months, ToolTwist scaled MiFin’s workspace from one seat to 45, with no long-term lease commitment.
- Operations sorted before going solo.A ToolTwist co-founder worked directly with MiFin as a consultant to set up its systems and people processes, so the team was fully operational before it moved.
- Incorporation and transition.MiFin then incorporated and moved into its own office in Clark, with the same hands-on support guiding a smooth handover.
ToolTwist’s Role
ToolTwist gave MiFin a ready-made home in Clark from its very first hire, then supported it all the way to full independence.
- Seat leasing and workspace.Fully furnished workstations, high-speed internet and meeting and training rooms, scaling from one seat to 45 over 11 months.
- Hands-on consulting.A direct consulting engagement with a ToolTwist co-founder to set up MiFin’s systems and people, from the first hire through to a 45-person operation.
- Local guidance.On-the-ground knowledge of doing business in the Philippines and the Clark Freeport Zone as MiFin prepared to incorporate.
- Transition to own premises.Support as MiFin incorporated and moved its 45-person team into its own office in Clark.
- Ongoing projects.An ongoing consulting role and continued collaboration on other projects after the incubation ended.
Impact
- Immediate start.MiFin began building its team straight away instead of waiting for its own office to be built.
- 45x growth.The team grew from one person to 45 inside ToolTwist’s office, with workspace scaling alongside it.
- Low-risk expansion.Flexible seat leasing meant MiFin only committed to its own premises once the operation was proven and its size was known.
- An ongoing partnership.After moving into its own office, MiFin has kept its consulting relationship with a ToolTwist co-founder and continues to work with ToolTwist on other projects.