Navegar sees ‘spike’ in PH investment opportunities
MANILA -Private equity firm Navegar, which invested in the local operator of TGI Friday’s and discount grocery chain Dali, is hunting for new major investment deals in the Philippines over the next two years.
Established in 2013, Navegar is reputedly the country’s biggest private equity firm with $300 million in assets under management across two funds.
It was looking at opportunities in “fast growing businesses” after investing in The Bistro Group, operator of casual restaurant chains, Dali and logistics company Royale Cold Storage.
“Amid economic volatility and a tighter fundraising backdrop, Navegar has noticed a spike in interest from companies seeking experienced strategic partners that can both fund their growth and provide hard-won advice for navigating today’s complex world,” Navegar said in a statement.
Nori Poblador, Navegar’s cofounder and managing partner, says the Manila-based firm is also optimistic about the Philippines’ recovery prospects in the postpandemic period.
“The underlying factors that have propelled the country’s economic growth over the last 10 years remain intact,” Poblador said.
“In the face of the pandemic, we witnessed many of our portfolio companies weather the storm and emerge even stronger with improved operations, enhanced products and services, and greater profits,” said Javier Infante, another cofounder and managing partner of Navegar.
“Beyond investing capital, our aim is to equip our companies along their unique journeys, providing resources and guidance to overcome challenges of all sizes,” he added.
The group cited its entry into e-commerce services firm Great Deals in resource planning and establishing financial systems. This allowed the company to grow its roster of merchants.
“Ultimately, consumers benefited from a better online shopping experience, characterized by wider product selection, seamless transactions and faster delivery times,” the company said.
“Navegar’s partnership was pivotal in helping us advance our financial capabilities. This enabled us to manage costs and stay profitable while dine in was severely limited,” said Bistro Group president Paul Manuud. INQ
