Philippine PE firm Navegar invests in digital transformation enabler MDI Novare

The private equity firm is the leading IT systems integrator and software powerhouse’s first local investor, joining Japanese firm Advantage Partners. 

• Leading Philippine private equity firm Navegar has taken a stake in MDI Novare Technologies. 
• The investment was conducted after MDI Novare’s recently announced multi-billion peso transaction with Japanese firm, Advantage Partners. 
• The investment will enable MDI Novare to further its capabilities to deliver cutting-edge digital transformation projects for the country’s top corporations and expand regionally in an effort to build a globally-recognized, Filipino tech champion. 

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine firm Navegar has taken a stake in leading digital transformation company Micro-D International Inc. (MDI), together with its fully-owned subsidiary Novare Technologies, in a sign of the private equity firm’s commitment to empowering tech-enabled and tech-focused companies in the country. The investment, occurring after the recently announced transaction with Japanese PE firm Advantage Partners (AP), comes at an opportune time when companies have prioritized digital transformation to support their operations in order to meet the evolving needs of their customers. 

The exact amount of the transaction remains undisclosed but it is estimated to be another multi-billion peso investment. The investment from the two private equity firms will enable MDI Novare to further its capabilities to deliver cutting-edge digital transformation projects for the country’s top corporations and to expand regionally to tap other growing markets. 

Nori Poblador, Partner at Navegar, said, “MDI Novare slots right into our strategy of backing top Philippine companies with immense growth potential. We’re thrilled to partner with both the local management team and Advantage Partners to turbo-charge the company’s growth.” 

Myla Villanueva, Founder and Chairwoman of MDI Novare and one of the Philippines’ technology pioneers, added, “As we continue to innovate our services and solutions, partnerships like these reaffirm our vision of building a globally-recognized, Filipino champion in technology.” 

“This involvement from the premier private equity firm in the country, which shares an understanding of how digitalization will transform entire industries, is a testament to its confidence in MDI Novare and its mission. We look forward to working with Navegar in the next chapter of our growth story,” said Villanueva. 

Emmett Thomas, AP’s Head of Asia commented, “We are delighted to welcome Navegar as a co-investor in MDI Novare. With its expertise in the local market and a proven track record of shepherding companies, including the Nasdaq-listed digital outsourcer TaskUs, through stages of hyper-growth, we see many synergistic opportunities ahead.” 

About Navegar

Based in Manila, Navegar is a private equity firm that provides growth capital to Philippine companies. Established in 2012, the firm has over $300 million in assets under management and has taken notable stakes in companies, such as Intellicare, The Bistro Group, Great Deals E-commerce Corp., and TaskUs, which recently listed on the Nasdaq with a market cap of over $3 billion. The firm’s limited partners include the Asian Development Bank, the International Finance Corporation, and other leading DFIs and family offices. 

About Micro-D International Inc. (MDI)           

MDI Novare Technologies is a leading Philippine systems integrator and software powerhouse. It caters to blue-chip companies and helps its clients drive digital transformation through application development, infrastructure, data analytics, and IT security. It also has industry expertise with a proven track record in serving its blue-chip clients across telecommunications, financial services, public industries and domestic conglomerates. 

About Advantage Partners  

Advantage Partners is a private alternative investment firm that provides services to private equity and other funds. Since its establishment in Japan in 1992, Advantage Partners has built one of the strongest alternative asset platforms in Asia and remains dedicated to nurturing portfolio companies into firms that remain resolutely competitive even after they have left its funds with a unique consulting-based approach. Advantage Partners maintains offices in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore and Shanghai.