Phinma Education Holdings Inc., a fast-growing network of schools in the Philippines, plans to expand in Southeast Asia after successfully raising P1.87 billion in fresh capital from a private placement.
PEHI president and chief executive Chito Salazar said in a news briefing the company planned to further expand its presence in Indonesia while looking for opportunities in Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar.
Salazar said it was also looking for acquisition opportunities in Metro Manila, Laguna and Davao while expanding schools.
He said the company was in talks to acquire two schools in Laguna. The deals are expected to be finalized over the next three months.
PEHI earlier raised P1.87 billion from a private placement by investors Kaizen Private Equity II Pte. Ltd., the Netherlands Development Finance Company and the Asian Development Bank.
The new investors while have a 19.14-percent stake in the company while Phinma Corp., the controlling stockholder of Phinma Education, will continue to own 71.83-percent stake in the company.
Kaizenvest is known for its focused investments in education companies that can deliver critical outcomes at scale using innovative business models, new technologies or unique, technology-enabled services.
“We are proud to partner with Phinma as it expands its higher education offering within the Philippines and abroad. As an education focused investor, we see Phinma as a leader in the role private education can play in supporting the national education ecosystem,” said Kaizenvest managing partner Sandeep Aneja. This is the firm’s first investment in the Philippines.
FMO, the Dutch development bank, said the partnership with Phinma Education marked its first direct investment in an educational enterprise. Its previous financing activities in the Philippines were in the banking, microfinance, agriculture and energy sectors.
“Better access to education uplifts the lives of underserved youth and thus reduces inequality. That is why we are pleased to partner with PHINMA to expand its provision of quality education in Southeast Asia,” said Jaap Reinking, director of private equity at FMO.
Phinma Education owns Araullo University, Cagayan de Oro College, University of Pangasinan, University of Iloilo, Southwestern University and St. Jude College. It also manages two schools in Myanmar and Indonesia.
“Our academic and business model is designed primarily to cater to the needs, challenges and aspirations of underserved youth. The company brings in partnerships that will support our mission in the Philippines, and the rest of the region as well,” said Phinma Corp. president and chief executive Ramon del Rosario Jr.