Bilyonaryo - Business

China’s Tencent, KKR seal $175 million investment in Voyager

November 28, 2018

Bilyonaryo.com

Telco giant PLDT Inc. today announced the closing of the $175 million investment by Chinese internet conglomerate Tencent Holdings and global private equity firm KKR in Voyager.

Under the deal, Tencent and KKR will acquire substantial minority stakes in Voyager, which provides digital and financial services to millions of Filipinos.

Organized in 2013, Voyager offers mobile money and payments (under the PayMaya brand), mobile-based remittances (Smart Padala), digital lending (Lendr) and solutions for businesses to receive online and card payments anytime, anywhere (PayMaya Business).

Tencent and KKR’s investment in Voyager kicks the Philippine tech firm’s battle with Mynt, a joint venture between Globe Telecoms and Jack Ma’s Alibaba.

“Voyager can now step up its efforts to make its innovative financial and internet platforms more accessible to more Filipinos in more parts of the country,” said Manuel V. Pangilinan, chairman and CEO of PLDT and Smart Communications.

“We believe with investors like KKR and Tencent leading the way, the Philippines’ profile as a destination for tech investment is on the rise,” said Orlando B. Vea, President and CEO of Voyager Innovations.

PLDT also expects to close International Finance Corp.’s $40 million investment Voyager within a few weeks.

In total, Voyager will raise $215 million, making this the largest private fund raising to-date in a Philippine technology company. PLDT will retain a majority stake in Voyager.

Voyager will leverage the new capital and significant expertise of KKR, Tencent, IFC, and IFC Emerging Asia Fund as it carries out its mission to accelerate digital and financial inclusion in the Philippines.

Related News Tags: chairman and CEO of PLDT and Smart Communications, IFC, IFC Emerging Asia Fund, KKR, Lendr, Manuel V. Pangilinan, PayMaya Business, PLDT Inc., Smart Padala, Tencent, Tencent Holdings, Voyager

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