Philippines
Archipelago completes investment in Philippines bank
Southeast Asia-focused GP Archipelago Capital Partners has completed its investment in One Network Bank (ONB), the rural subsidiary of Philippines-listed financial services provider BDO Unibank.
Proventeus targets $150m for Southeast Asia fund
Proventeus Capital, a private equity firm established by a team that spun out from the Malaysia branch of Kuwait Finance House, is looking to raise $150 million for a Southeast Asia mid-market buyout fund.
Philippines conglomerate Ayala to launch $150m VC fund
Philippines conglomerate Ayala Corporation has confirmed plans for a $150 million venture capital fund that will invest globally in new technologies. It will be managed by local VC firm Kickstart Ventures.
ADB, Kaizen back Philippines education business
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and education-focused Kaizen Private Equity have invested PHP1.6 billion ($31.5 million) in Phinma Education Holdings, the tertiary education arm of Philippines-based conglomerate Phinma.
Proventeus exits Philippines franchise of Kenny Rogers Roasters
Proventeus Capital, a Southeast Asia-focused middle-market buyout firm, has exited the Philippines franchise of casual dining chain Kenny Rogers Roasters to the company’s founders, receiving PHP1.79 billion ($34 million).
AIGF backs Philippines co-working player
ASEAN Industrial Growth Fund (AIGF), a vehicle jointly managed by Malaysia’s CIMB Group and Japan’s Mitsubishi Corporation, has made an investment of undisclosed size in Philippines co-working space provider KMC.
Navegar seeks $150m for second Philippines PE fund
Philippines private equity firm Navegar has launched its second growth fund focused exclusively on its home market with a target of $150 million.
China's Gobi makes its first two Philippines investments
China’s Gobi Partners has made its first investments in the Philippines with early-stage commitments of undisclosed size for online healthcare services provider Maria Health and student portal operator Edukasyon.
ADB backs Creador’s Southeast Asia fund
Creador has raised $50 million for its fourth Southeast Asia and India-focused private equity fund from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
IFC invests $40m in Filipino fintech player
International Finance Corporation (IFC) and IFC Emerging Asia Fund have agreed to invest $40 million in Voyager Innovations, a financial technology unit of Filipino telecom giant PLDT.
Philippines start-ups: Cultural baggage
The Philippines is said to be at a tipping point where growing investor interest is set to culminate in the country’s first global start-up success story. A subtle malaise, however, is offsetting expectations
Philippines investors defy systemic risks – AVCJ Forum
Industry participants at the AVCJ Philippines Forum praised the country’s macro fundamentals but attributed slow maturation of the local investment environment to a range of complex underlying factors.
Gobi, Core Capital launch $10m Philippines VC fund
Gobi Partners, a VC firm focused on early-stage Chinese and Southeast Asia companies, has made its first foray to the Philippines through the launch of a $10 million fund. It is partnering with Core Capital, a recently-established VC player based in Manila.
KKR, Tencent lead $175m investment in PLDT fintech unit
KKR and Tencent Holdings have led a $175 million investment in a financial technology unit of Philippines telecom giant PLDT. It is said to be the largest ever investment in a local technology company.
Venturra leads $26m round for Philippines' First Circle
Venturra Capital has led a $26 million Series A round for First Circle, a Philippines-based lending platform operator focused on small to medium-sized enterprises (SME).
Singapore’s C88 gets $28m Series C round
Data and financial services company Experian has led a group of investors, including Monk’s Hill Ventures and Telstra Ventures, in a $28 million Series C round for Singapore’s C88 Financial Technologies.
Trans Pacific Partnership: A rising tide
When the US withdrew from the Trans Pacific Partnership, the remaining participants decided to go it alone. Hopes are high that the deal will result in improved business environments across Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia GPs: Judgment day
With nearly every Southeast Asia-focused GP set to spend some part of 2018 on the fundraising trail, LPs must once again deliberate on the optimal fund size, strategy, and geographic coverage for the region
IFC plans $273m Southeast Asia distress JV
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, has proposed a partnership with Philippines-based Altus Capital to invest up to $272.5 million in distressed assets in Southeast Asia.
Asia risk: Bullish on the brink
Investors appear to be discounting Asia risk in the face of rising political concerns, ranging from North Korea to Myanmar
VCs invest $27m in Asian expansion for US-based Yogome
US-based Exceed Capital Partners has led a group of international VCs in a $26.9 million investment aimed at supporting an Asian expansion by domestic educational technology company Yogome.
Cerberus buys Bluestone’s Australasia operations
Cerberus Capital Management has agreed to acquire the Australasian division of international financial services company Bluestone Group in an all-cash transaction. It will facilitate an exit for a PE unit of Lloyds Bank.
US-Philippines blockchain player gets $16m Series B
A group of Asian and North American venture investors have backed a $16 million Series B round for Abra, a US financial technology company test marketing blockchain-based services in the Philippines.
Philippines fintech growth to include blockchain – AVCJ Forum
The Philippines is likely to follow the lead of other Asian markets by more closely regulating blockchain-based financial transactions as the technology becomes more integral to the country’s economy.