Restart Micro-Enterprise Inc. (RestartME) is a non-stock, non-profit microfinance institution focused on disaster recovery financing. We work through microfinance institutions (MFIs) to deliver responsive capital and long-term support to microentrepreneurs affected by typhoons, pandemics, and other disruptive events.
We provide MFIs with liquidity, capacity-building, and product co-design so they can support borrowers when it's needed most – fast, affordably, and sustainably.
Micro-entrepreneurs in the Philippines are particularly vulnerable to both natural and man-made disasters that threaten their ability to earn, save, and repay loans. These shocks ripple out—affecting families, communities, and the microfinance institutions that serve them.
In the wake of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), a post-disaster assessment by PBSP and four major MFIs revealed:
500,000 micro-entrepreneurs were affected
Php 5 billion in loan portfolios were at risk
With support from USAID’s $4 million grant, PBSP and the MFIs created the Micro-enterprise Disaster Assistance Fund for Resiliency (MIDAS Fund), a special facility to provide recovery loans with softer terms to disaster-hit entrepreneurs.
Established: August 25, 2016
Recognizing the need for long-term, institutionalized recovery financing, RestartME was founded as a stand-alone nonprofit microfinance institution. Today, we continue that mission of working with MFIs to expand their reach, deploy flexible loan capital, and equip borrowers to recover stronger after a crisis.
Vision
"We envision more resilient households that are able to recover from disruptions that directly impact their sources of income and their ability to consume products and services that can lift them out of / or prevent the from sliding down to extreme poverty.”
mission
"An NGO committed to provide and facilitate the delivery of financial and non-financial support that will enable low income households to be more financially stable to meet their basic needs and pursue their aspirations.”
core values
👐 Pakikipagkapwa (Humanity)
🛠 Pagiging Matatag (Resilience)
✨ Pag-asa (Hope)