“If it’s too early for others to invest in the Philippines, then let us be the ones to do it. We’re here to seed the ecosystem and show the potential of this market.”
— Franco Verona, Managing Partner of Foxmont Capital Partners
“The Philippines is unique—our middle class is growing rapidly, and people are investing in themselves. This creates huge opportunities for startups to meet evolving needs.”
— Franco Verona, Managing Partner of Foxmont Capital Partners
“Filipino solutions to Filipino problems—that’s been our mantra. The opportunity lies in understanding the local market and building products that resonate here.”
— Franco Verona, Managing Partner of Foxmont Capital Partners
Franco Verona, Managing Partner of Foxmont Capital Partners and Jeremy Au discussed:
1. Foxmont Capital VC & BCG Report: Franco recounted Foxmont Capital Partners’ journey since its founding in 2018, highlighting 40 investments across fintech, deep tech, and consumer goods. Their Philippine Venture Capital Report in collaboration with BCG has been instrumental in attracting global attention to the Philippines’ potential as an emerging market. Analysis includes the rise of the middle class, which grew from 12% to 48% of the population within a decade, alongside consistent 6% GDP growth. This economic momentum has driven demand for local consumer brands like Pickup Coffee and Colourette.
2. Philippines Startup Opportunities: They explored how startups can address gaps between generational low-cost products and premium U.S. imports by targeting the young, experimental population with an average age of 25. Franco emphasized prioritizing profitability and creating Filipino solutions for Filipino problems. Examples included TPG’s investment in BillEase, IFC’s funding of Salmon, and the rise of B2B solutions like Sprout Solutions addressing HR and payroll inefficiencies.
3. 10 Year Predictions: Franco forecasted that the Philippines would mirror Indonesia’s growth trajectory from a decade ago, with fintech, e-commerce, and logistics driving the next wave of investments. While trends like AI and crypto dominate globally, foundational sectors where the Philippines lags 5–10 years behind peers present the most immediate opportunity. Key investments such as General Atlantic’s involvement in Kumu and MUFG’s funding of GCash signal ecosystem maturity. They also discussed how geopolitical tensions with the U.S. and China could shape future growth and relations. The influx of Chinese goods and EVs was also noted as shaping competition and local demand.
Additionally, they touched on the Philippines’ dual colonial history and its cultural impact on business, the economic implications of the recent POGO ban, and the rise of tech-driven business models replacing BPO-led operations.