Payoneer is Helping Filipino Creatives Go Global–Here’s How

As the creative economy flourishes in the Philippines, Payoneer helps firms like Leveret Group power the global opportunity.

According to the Philippine Information Agency, the Philippines’ creative economy is one of the country’s fastest-growing sectors, having contributed 7.3% to Gross Domestic Product GDP and created 7.51 million jobs in 2024. 

Secure and fast payment options have become essential with the growing global demand for Filipino creators and digital service providers. Payoneer supports this expansion by providing tools that simplify international payments and help creative businesses access opportunities worldwide.

Among the firms gaining traction is Leveret Group, a Filipino-founded studio that creates custom games and interactive digital experiences for brands and organizations. Leveret Group uses gamification; it applies game elements to non-game settings, so learning, training, or customer interaction becomes more engaging and easier to understand.

“People like to play, and there’s no rule that says work has to be boring,” said Ria Lu, President and CEO of Leveret Group. “We design systems that motivate people through play, so routine tasks or training become more enjoyable.”

Founded in 2021, Leveret began as a small remote team in the Philippines and now works with clients in the United States, Australia, and Singapore. The company is focusing on the Asia-Pacific region, which is currently the largest and fastest-growing market for gaming and gamification.

“The growth is driven by Southeast Asia as a major force, Japan, Korea and China as creative powerhouses, and Australia and New Zealand as very active markets,” Lu added.

Managing Cross-Border Payments

Managing payments and contracts across different countries is a key part of expansion across different markets. Seamless payment channels help Filipino entrepreneurs strengthen their global presence. 

“Creators thrive when they can focus on their craft instead of the logistics of getting paid,” said Monique Avila, Senior Director of Customer Success for APAC at Payoneer. “With Payoneer, teams like Leveret can manage global transactions with ease and continue expanding their work across borders.”

Since its founding, Leveret has relied on Payoneer to send and receive payments globally with ease. With multi-currency accounts, the team has eliminated the complexities of international transfers, enabling them to manage transactions quickly and efficiently. 

Purpose-Driven Gamification

Leveret’s projects go beyond entertainment. The team develops games for change, most commonly known as serious games, which are interactive experiences that address education, health, and social issues.  

For one non-government organization (NGO), Leveret created a live-action interactive film where the story changes based on user choices to help strengthen learners’ critical thinking.

Looking ahead, Leveret aims to balance its business prospects between client projects and original game development in the coming years. “We want to release our own titles,” Lu said. “When it’s your own product, it continues to create value over time. That’s how we sustain creativity in the long term.”

Lu sees going global as both a challenge and a necessity. “If you really want to make it as a creative entrepreneur, you have to expand,” she said. “Technology and financial platforms like Payoneer makes it possible.”

As the Philippines continues to build its reputation as a globally competitive creative hub, companies like Leveret demonstrate how Filipino talent can compete, create, and lead across borders. And in the process, tools like Payoneer help such companies by simplifying international payments–allowing creative firms to focus on what they do best.