Online Collectibles Platform Toki Eyes Launching Physical Stores

From a hobby to a business—this is the origin story of rising social commerce platform Toki. Built for collectors, its founders Frederic Levy, Zoe Ocampo, and Jules Jurado are proud to be part of the community themselves. The masterminds behind the startup, once executives of financial platform GCash, have come together to cater to the needs of the Filipino collectibles market.        

Toki was launched in November 2023, with support from key investors Kaya Founders and Foxmont Capital Partners, among others. The startup has since onboarded around 70,000 users in the Philippines. Featuring more than 100,000 items, Toki sells items such as Pokémon and sports cards, sneakers, Lego, and Funko Pop through its live auctions.

But it doesn’t end there. Toki says it is now working to expand its range of products to include K-Pop merchandise, as well as fashion and luxury items. The platform cites the increasing demand for collectibles in the Philippines, specifically among millennials and Gen Zs. Around 37 percent of the population are deemed collectors.

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“What we saw is it’s a big business,” said Levy. “The Philippine collectibles market ranges from $5 billion to $6 billion. When we checked the demographics, we found everybody collects. The [only] difference is what [they] collect.”

Right now, Toki’s products are only available via its website, but the startup says it is already targeting to roll out a mobile app in the last quarter of the year. What particularly makes it different from other social media stores is that it offers end-to-end services, so consumers need not worry about handling the delivery and logistics, or risk being scammed with fake items. Toki points out how its sellers and products undergo rigorous vetting and verification processes.

“We know the community. A big [part] of why we started Toki is [we are all] collectors,” Ocampo said. “At the end of the day, the most important thing to build in every business is trust.”

Going beyond the online marketplace, Toki is set to put up physical stores soon, too, with the hopes of strengthening its position as a legitimate and trusted platform.

“We envision this kind of physical extension as a destination, a concept store. When you arrive, you can buy collectibles, see art pieces, and [trade and enjoy with the community],” said Levy.

“Our ambition is unwavering: to ignite the passion of all Filipino collectors by proposing them the most exciting and secured experience," he previously told Esquire Philippines.