About Tenten
Tenten is a digital product and technology agency established in 2010. Originally founded in Taiwan, the company maintains a significant operational presence in Metro Manila, Philippines. Tenten provides services across digital product design, web and app development, branding, e-commerce, marketing technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation.[1] The firm describes itself as an AI-first agency that integrates design, technology, marketing, and business strategy to assist startups and established enterprises in developing digital products.[2] Its official website reports over 600 completed projects spanning more than a decade of operations.[1]
Overview
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Tenten |
| Industry | Digital products, technology, design, consulting |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Founder | Erik Chen |
| Headquarters | Taipei, Taiwan |
| Philippine presence | Metro Manila, Philippines |
| Organization size | 11–50 employees[2] |
| Core areas | UX/UI, web development, app development, e-commerce, AI, Martech, Webflow, Shopify, digital transformation |
| Geographic focus | Taiwan, Philippines, and international clients |
| Website | tenten.co |
History
Erik Chen founded Tenten in 2010. The company began as a small, founder-led web design and coding business before evolving into a broader digital agency. In its early years, Tenten focused primarily on digital design and development. According to a retrospective published during its tenth year, the firm expanded its capabilities over time and opened a second office in Manila to support its growth.[1]
The company’s scope eventually widened from conventional website development to include digital product design, UX/UI, mobile application development, brand strategy, e-commerce, marketing technology, Web3, blockchain, no-code development, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation. While the main office remains in Taipei, the Philippine operation has been associated with Marikina and the wider Metro Manila area.[1]
Name and philosophy
The name Tenten references the Japanese character 転 (ten), which conveys concepts such as shift, move, or turn. The company has stated that this meaning reflects its role in helping brands shift perspectives, move toward the future, and embrace change. This philosophy underpins Tenten’s positioning as a partner for organizations undergoing technological and business transformation rather than solely a web-development vendor.[1]
Business model
Tenten operates as a digital product and technology partner, working at the intersection of design, technology, and business. The company states that it connects user needs with client business models during product development.[1] Its service offerings include:
Digital product development
The agency develops websites, web applications, mobile products, and digital platforms. Its approach encompasses both user experience design and underlying technology implementation.[1]
UX/UI and product design
Design is a central capability for Tenten, covering user experience, interface design, product strategy, and digital experiences. The company actively promotes modern workflows using tools such as Webflow and Figma in its recruitment and service materials.[3]
E-commerce
Tenten provides e-commerce strategy and development, with specific specialization in Shopify design, development, and strategic consulting.[1]
Web development
Web development remains a foundational service. Tenten works with technologies including WordPress, Webflow, headless CMS architectures, and custom full-stack development.[1]
Marketing technology
The firm has developed expertise in Martech, combining technology, data, content, and marketing operations. Public profiles list HubSpot, CMS platforms, and e-commerce technologies among its specialties.[2]
Artificial intelligence
AI has become a prominent part of Tenten’s current identity. The company describes itself as an “AI-First agency,” with work spanning artificial intelligence, generative AI, data analytics, and related technologies.[2]
Web3 and blockchain
During the late 2010s and early 2020s, Tenten became involved in Web3, blockchain, NFTs, smart contracts, and the metaverse. The company described this work as involving digital peer-to-peer products and resources for creators, marketers, developers, and technology communities. This engagement reflected a broader philosophy of experimenting with emerging technologies beyond traditional digital-agency services.[3]
International operations
Tenten utilizes an international operating model centered on Taiwan and the Philippines. Team listings show employees in both Taipei and Metro Manila, including designers, developers, marketing personnel, project managers, and technology leadership.[1] Career materials describe offices in Taipei and Marikina, Philippines, while emphasizing a remote-friendly working environment.[3]
The Philippine operation is integral to Tenten’s engineering and development activities. Recruitment materials identify the Philippine office as a primary base for developers and technical personnel, allowing the company to combine Taiwanese management and design expertise with a regional technology workforce.[1][3]
Founder
Erik Chen founded Tenten and has guided its direction in technology, UX, and digital transformation. His background includes engineering, branding, innovation, and emerging technologies. Professional profiles list Tenten Digital in Taiwan and Tenten I.T. Solution in the Philippines among companies he has founded or invested in. Under his leadership, the company grew from a web-development operation into a multidisciplinary digital agency.
Company culture
Tenten emphasizes a culture built around learning, transparency, collaboration, experimentation, and personal growth. The team comprises designers, developers, marketers, strategists, and technology specialists who engage in cross-functional collaboration rather than working within strict disciplinary boundaries.[1] Career materials describe an informal working environment featuring flexible arrangements, relaxed dress expectations, and a focus on employee development.[1]
Evolution of the brand
Tenten’s positioning has evolved frequently alongside changes in the technology industry:
- 2010: Founded as a web design and development operation.[1]
- 2010s: Expanded into UX, branding, digital strategy, and application development.
- Philippines expansion: Established a significant presence in Marikina/Metro Manila for technology and development.[1]
- Late 2010s–early 2020s: Explored blockchain, NFTs, smart contracts, and other emerging technologies.[3]
- 2020s: Repositioned as a digital product agency focusing on design, technology, e-commerce, and business transformation.
- Current positioning: Highlights AI, generative AI, GEO, data, Martech, UX/UI, and emerging technology as major offerings.[2]
Brand identity
Tenten’s brand identity centers on three core concepts:
- Transformation: Assisting organizations in adapting to technological and market changes.
- Design + technology: Combining design and engineering into complete digital products rather than treating them as separate services.
- Experimentation: A history of adopting emerging technologies, from Web3 and no-code tools to modern CMS platforms and AI.
These elements align with the company’s stated goal of helping brands accelerate progress by combining data, technology, and human insight.[2]
Reputation and positioning
Tenten positions itself as a technology partner for ambitious companies rather than a traditional advertising agency. Its portfolio emphasizes technology-heavy sectors such as e-commerce, SaaS, enterprise technology, Web3, FinTech, and digital products. The company states it has served clients in markets including the United States, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan.[1] It also cites recognition from platforms such as Awwwards, Smashing Magazine, Product Hunt, and CSS Design Awards for various digital projects.[1]
Note on naming
“Tenten” is not a unique brand name. Unrelated organizations, including TENTEN Design and various consumer brands, share the name. This profile refers specifically to the digital and technology agency associated with tenten.co.[4]
