Building upon the program's success in 2025, TikTok Shop expands its commitment to empower Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through its partnership with the ASEAN Foundation — SOAR Together Program (Supporting Our Artisans and Retailers). This year, the programme will scale to support up to 1,000 MSMEs across Southeast Asia, delivering comprehensive support including financial literacy training, mentorship, targeted skills development, and business acceleration. Participants will gain practical capabilities spanning digital marketing, e-commerce operations, and sustainable business practices.With live commerce projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 25–30% through 2030, more than double the 12–15% growth rate of overall e-commerce, the programme has introduced dedicated modules to help businesses capture this opportunity. Sessions will focus on optimising livestream selling and leveraging TikTok Shop through proven, results-driven strategies. In its inaugural 2025 run, the programme supported 50 MSMEs across ASEAN, 80% of which were women-led, reflecting strong progress toward gender inclusion goals. Additionally, 94% of participating businesses embedded social or environmental impact into their core operations, directly advancing key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)."Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises are central to ASEAN’s economic resilience, yet the challenges and opportunities they face are evolving rapidly. At TikTok Shop, we continuously seek to unlock new avenues for inclusive digital growth, empowering MSMEs to thrive and contribute to a stronger, more sustainable economy across ASEAN. Therefore, this year, we are pleased to expand our partnership with the ASEAN Foundation to build a more comprehensive support ecosystem for MSMEs. In addition to practical training in e-commerce, this year’s program introduces mentorship and financial literacy training — responding directly to MSMEs' feedback that guidance on business decision-making helps them build confidence to navigate and succeed in their entrepreneurial journey." - Ms. Chanida Klyphun, Director of Southeast Asia Public Policy, TikTok."Across ASEAN, MSMEs play a vital role not only in driving economic growth, but also in shaping stronger and more resilient communities. Through ASEAN SOAR Together, we aim to support entrepreneurs in building the confidence and capabilities needed to grow in an increasingly digital world. More importantly, we see MSMEs as agents of change. Beyond business growth, they have the potential to create meaningful impact within their communities through small, intentional actions with lasting ripple effects. This is how we move towards a more inclusive, people centred, and future-ready ASEAN." - Dr. Piti Srisangnam, Executive Director of the ASEAN Foundation."Continuing our support for MSMEs from underserved communities, including those led by women, youth and minority groupsAcross ASEAN, there are approximately 70 million MSMEs, accounting for between 97.2% and 99.9% of total establishments, who form the backbone of ASEAN's economy. Despite their significance, many MSMEs continue to face continuous challenges in digital adoption, market access, and achieving sustainable growth, which will be addressed with this year's SOAR Together Program. For small businesses, limited access to working capital and cash flow challenges often hinder expansion (2). To tackle this, the programme prioritises financial capability building: guiding participants to effectively track and manage finances, while equipping them with resources to strengthen cash flow and safeguard their business operations.We welcome all interested MSMEs operating in ASEAN countries to apply for the program and seize opportunities such as tailored digital business skill capacity training with in-depth insights from TikTok Shop experts, hands-on learning experiences, with a strong focus on live selling through TikTok Shop, and networking engagements with aspiring ASEAN MSMEs, policymakers, and stakeholders. This year, the SOAR Together program consists of two pathways:SOAR Acceleration Program: 6-month program from June-DecemberAn in-depth program that equips 120 selected businesses with practical insights and expert group mentorship to help them grow strategically across ASEAN.Unlocking Discovery Commerce in SEA Masterclass: 28 April or 7 MayA session to learn about discovery commerce, and to have a glimpse of the full ASEAN SOAR Acceleration program.More details of the ASEAN SOAR Together program can be found <<HERE>>.Interested business owners can apply <<HERE>>.Empowering MSMEs from all walks of lifePowered by discovery, TikTok Shop brings together engaging content, community, and trusted shopping features to create an easy, enjoyable experience where people can explore products and make purchases directly in the app. Whether someone is casually browsing or actively searching, TikTok Shop meets them where they are and helps sellers of all sizes reach engaged audiences through content-driven discovery that feels authentic and personal. We’re dedicated to empowering small businesses and creators by providing tailored support and resources and fostering a community of growth and inclusivity through this program. The ASEAN SOAR Together program is another major step in TikTok Shop's ongoing efforts to address the unique needs of small businesses and creators across Southeast Asia.Sources:(1): Source: Google, Temasek, Bain & Co, e-Conomy SEA 2025; Statista, Southeast Asia E-Commerce Forecast 2025(2): Source: Factors Affecting Micro, Small, and Medium-sized enterprise development in Southeast Asia; Asian Development Bank 2024
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