Southeast Asian private fund investing P20 billion in Phillippines

MANILA, Philippines — Private equity firm Creador is scouting for fresh investment opportunities in the Philippines as it plans to pour up to P20 billion into the country over the next five years.

Its notable investments here include fast-growing grocery chain Dali Everyday Grocery, ride-hailing service Angkas, digital bank UNO and credit bureau CIBI.

“With a large team on the ground in the country, Creador is actively seeking new investment opportunities, focusing on ticket sizes that approximately range from P2 billion to P4 billion,” Creador Philippines managing director and country head Omar Mahmoud said.

Founded in 2011, Creador is focused on partnering with entrepreneurs to grow world-class businesses in South and Southeast Asia.

The private equity firm has established a strong presence in the region by backing high-growth companies and has built a team of 10 investment professionals based in the Philippines.

“We aim to identify promising companies that can benefit from our expertise in helping companies accelerate their growth; that wish to leverage our in-house value creation team to enhance their business operations, or wish to prepare for a pivotal event such as an IPO or strategic sale, all with the overriding objective of Creador establishing itself as one of the leading players within the Philippine investment landscape,” Mahmoud said.

Creador has so far made several investments in the Philippines.

A recent one is a P4-billion investment in Asialink Finance Corp., a leading financial institution providing loans to the small and medium enterprise sector.

Creador has also helped Malaysian companies like Mr. DIY and Tealive to establish a physical presence in the Philippines.

Creador said these investments underscore its commitment in supporting the growth of dynamic businesses in the Philippine market.

Based on its website, Creador has invested in 54 companies to date, with $3 billion of assets under management.

It has also introduced six funds that have attracted a diverse array of investors and partners, including international fund managers, private pension funds, fellow private equity firms, government-linked entities as well as private wealth managers and individuals.

“We are committed to fostering growth and unlocking potential in our portfolio companies. Our medium to long-term approach centers on strategic initiatives that empower companies to innovate, expand and lead in their markets,” it said.