Cover Foxmont Capital Partners’ Franco Varona is optimistic about the Philippines’ expanding startup business landscape, which continues to be the most exciting in the Southeast Asian region (Photo: Artu Nepomuceno)
Foxmont Capital Partners’ Franco Varona is optimistic about the Philippines’ expanding startup business landscape, which continues to be the most exciting in the Southeast Asian region (Photo: Artu Nepomuceno)
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Foxmont Capital Partners’ Franco Varona spearheads the transformation of the Philippines' burgeoning startup landscape, alongside business leaders in digital banking and venture capital, to shape the country's economic path for years to come.
In the ever-evolving Philippine economy, these dynamic leaders epitomise the spirit of resilience, innovation, and forward-thinking that define the Filipino entrepreneurial landscape. From venture capital to digital innovation in banking, their journeys offer a glimpse into the evolution of business and technology in the country.
Meet some of the Filipino business leaders in Tatler Asia's Most Influential list, who have shown their relentless pursuit of excellence, strategic investments, and devotion to shaping the future of entrepreneurship in the region.
Franco Varona, managing partner, Foxmont Capital Partners
Above Franco Varona, managing partner, Foxmont Capital Partners
Franco Varona, managing partner, Foxmont Capital Partners
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Franco Varona, the managing partner of Foxmont Capital Partners, has been a critical player in the growing startup ecosystem in the Philippines since its inception in 2018. Along with co-founders Jesse Maxwell and Jelmer David Ikink and a team of skilled investors, Foxmont has invested in 40 promising Filipino-focused or Filipino-led tech companies. According to Varona, they are proud to be the first institutional investor for many entrepreneurs in the country and to help seed the Filipino startup ecosystem. As the country’s digital economy continues to grow due to flourishing entrepreneurship, he believes that Foxmont will remain a significant player.
Varona is among the country’s pioneering venture capitalists. He is a seasoned operator who has co-founded, led and consulted businesses across various industries in the Philippines, including media, retail, logistics and transportation.
Asked what fuels his creativity, Varona answered that it is meeting equally passionate entrepreneurs daily, hearing their bold plans and ambitions for their new businesses. Some of the most recent investments Foxmont has made that Varona is deeply proud of are those tied to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations. Among these are Plastics Credits Exchange, SolX, Ruralnet and Nibertex.
Varona advised those who dare to follow in his footsteps to keep trying and pushing through with sheer force of will. “Be the big fish in the small pond. Bring new ideas to the table. People will listen,” he says. “What keeps me going is knowing that the best parts of the Philippines are yet to come and that Foxmont will be there every step of the way,” Varona concluded.
Minette Navarette, co-founder and president, Kickstart Ventures
Above Minette Navarette, co-founder and president, Kickstart Ventures
Minette Navarette, co-founder and president, Kickstart Ventures
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The woman behind the corporate venture arm of significant telecommunication service provider Globe Telecom started her career working for several multinational companies. Now, Minette Navarrete reaps the valuable lessons from her decades of experience and continuously seeks ways to push the telco’s boundaries through Kickstart Ventures. Since the pandemic, the venture capital firm has supported notable Philippine startup businesses such as the social entertainment app Kumu, agri e-commerce platform SariSuki, fast-growing coffee brand Pickup Coffee, parenting platform Edamama and more.
In 2023, Navarrete shared her expertise at the Queen Elizabeth Centre II in London during the globally celebrated London Tech Week. At the event, the UK’s Trade Commissioner for Asia-Pacific, Natalie Black, announced Kickstart Ventures’ first UK investment in biotech startup Roslin Technologies via the Ayala Corporation’s ACTIVE Fund.
Ana Aboitiz Delgado, executive vice president/chief customer experience, and digital channel officer, UnionBank of the Philippines
Above Ana Aboitiz Delgado, executive vice president/chief customer experience, and digital channel officer, UnionBank of the Philippines
Ana Aboitiz Delgado, executive vice president/chief customer experience, and digital channel officer, UnionBank of the Philippines
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Daughter of the late ambassador Roberto Eduardo “Bobby” Aboitiz and his wife Marian, Ana Aboitiz-Delgado helms UnionBank’s stride toward digitalisation. Under her leadership, the esteemed bank’s digital customer base has grown through its online mobile app. She was also instrumental in the bank’s acquisition of the Citibank NA Philippine branch.
Aboitiz-Delgado earned her master’s degree in business administration from the Stern School of Business at New York University. At UnionBank, her contributions were focused on digitalisation, which helped the company survive the pandemic, as migration to online was needed. Now, she serves as chief customer experience officer, digital channels officer and chairperson of CitySavings.
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Credits
Photography: Artu Nepomuceno (Franco Varona)
About
Before assuming the Art and Culture Editor position, Franz has always had a penchant for visual and performing arts. He is passionate about exploring and writing about the local cultural scene and rediscovering the country’s storied past and rich heritage. Besides working on this luxury lifestyle magazine, Franz is an avid book reader, local traveller, museum-goer, chorister, and community theatre playwright.
Work
Franz earned a degree in Journalism from the University of Santo Tomas. He writes about local visual and performing artists and their craft; drinks wines, liquors, and spirits and talks about the creativity of their respective winemakers and master blenders; tries to learn more about business and investments; respects the tradition and artistry that go behind the making of watches and jewellery; and appreciates the genius of architecture and creative design.
As head of Tatler Philippines’ pool of writers, he helps them bring impactful and socially relevant stories to light.
For any leads, you may reach him through @franzsorillaiv on Instagram or franz@tatlerphilippines.com via email.
