Narra Venture Capital
Narra Venture Capital is a Philippines-based venture management and advisory firm founded in 2002 that manages two funds investing in Silicon Valley semiconductor and Asian software-services startups, generating revenue via management fees and portfolio exits.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersManila, Philippines
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Narra Venture Capital does
Narra Venture Capital is a venture management and advisory firm headquartered in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, Philippines, that invests in private high-technology companies with potential for accelerated growth. Established in January 2002, the firm operates a dual-geography investment thesis: in Silicon Valley it backs companies developing semiconductors, converged communication systems, computing platforms, and software services that have defensible barriers based on cutting-edge technology; in the Philippines and across Asia it targets software services, electronic manufacturing services, design services, and information systems tailored to developing-region markets. Deal flow is sourced through several channels, including the Brain Gain Network (a Filipino-diaspora platform co-founded by Managing Partner Paco Sandejas), a co-investment relationship with Tallwood Venture Capital, the Ayala Technology Business Incubator and the Philippine Emerging Startups Open (PESO) business-plan competition, and government advisory relationships including the IT E-Commerce Council chaired by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The firm generates revenue through two streams: recurring management fees on its two managed venture capital funds—Narra Fund I (established January 2002) and Narra Fund II (formed March 2007)—and transaction-based carried interest from portfolio exits. Documented realizations include Tropic Networks (acquired by Alcatel-Lucent in April 2007), Inphi Corporation (NYSE IPO in 2010), and a co-acquisition of PSi Technologies with Integrated Micro-Electronics for $30 million in February 2016. The Limited Partner base across both funds is concentrated among four core entities: Dado Banatao / Tallwood Venture Capital, Ayala Corporation, First Philippine Holdings, and the P.J. Lhuillier Group. As a private firm with 11–50 employees, Narra does not publicly disclose fund sizes, fee structures, or revenue figures.
Narra is a capital allocator rather than a technology producer and does not build proprietary products. Its disclosed portfolio companies include Alphion (integrated photonic components), Calypto Design Systems (EDA power optimization and functional verification), Ikanos Communications (broadband DSL semiconductors), Inphi Corporation (high-speed precision analog semiconductors), Phunware (Multiscreen-as-a-Service mobile platform), PSi Technologies (power semiconductor assembly and test services), Quintic Corporation (low-power wireless connectivity ICs), Tropic Networks (ROADM optical networking, exited to Alcatel-Lucent), and Stratpoint Technologies (web and mobile development with machine-to-machine capabilities, wholly owned). Beyond portfolio construction, the firm performs an advisory role linking Silicon Valley technology innovation with Asian manufacturing ecosystems, capital, and corporate partnerships.
Narra Venture Capital firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Narra Venture Capital
- Legal name
- Narra Venture Capital
- Website
- https://narravc.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Narra Venture Capital is a Philippines-based venture management and advisory firm founded in 2002 that manages two funds investing in Silicon Valley semiconductor and Asian software-services startups, generating revenue via management fees and portfolio exits.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Narra Venture Capital industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Venture Capital and Private Equity
- NAICS
- Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940), All Other Financial Investment Activities (52399)
- SIC
- Investment Advice (6282)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Corporate Strategic Partnership & Ecosystem Investment Arms (FSANAHAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Corporate Venture Studios & Incubators (Build/launch ventures) (FSANAHAC)
Keywords
Where Narra Venture Capital is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Manila
- HQ country
- Philippines
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
Narra Venture Capital business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Investment Returns (Carry/Exits): Generates returns through capital appreciation and exit proceeds from portfolio companies via IPOs and acquisitions. The firm has participated in exits including Tropic Networks (acquired by Alcatel-Lucent), investments in companies that went public (Inphi IPO 2010), and ongoing portfolio management.
- Management Fees: VC fund management fees from managing two venture capital funds - Narra Fund I (established January 2002) and Narra Fund II (formed March 2007). Limited Partners include institutional investors and strategic corporate partners.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Narra Venture Capital product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Narra Venture Capital is a venture management and advisory group that invests private capital in high-technology companies with defensible barriers to competition. The firm manages two venture capital funds (Narra Fund I, January 2002, and Narra Fund II, March 2007), backed by Limited Partners including Dado Banatao (TallwoodVC), Ayala Corporation, First Philippine Holdings, and the Lhuillier Group, and targets semiconductor, communication, computing, and software companies in Silicon Valley and Asia.
Product overview
Narra Venture Capital is a venture capital and advisory firm, not a product company. It does not offer commercial products or services. The company manages venture capital funds and provides advisory services for high-technology investments in semiconductors, communication systems, computing platforms, and software services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Narra Fund I Narra Venture Capital's first venture capital fund, established in January 2002, that invests in private high-technology companies with defensible barriers to competition in Silicon Valley and similar technology centers. Targeted investments include semiconductors, semiconductor-related products, converged communication systems, computing platforms, and software and related services.
- Narra Fund II Narra Venture Capital's second venture capital fund, formed in March 2007, expanding the investor group (beyond the founding LPs Dado Banatao/TallwoodVC and Ayala Corporation) to include First Philippine Holdings, Inc. and the Lhuillier Group. The fund invests in private high-technology companies in the Philippines and around the Asian continent, focused on software services, electronic manufacturing services, design services, and information systems customized for developing regions, as well as Silicon Valley startups.
- Venture Capital Advisory Services Strategic advisory services provided by Narra Venture Capital to its portfolio companies and limited partners, including introductions to markets or partners in Silicon Valley and Asia, strategic growth support, and operational guidance to help high-technology companies leverage synergy with advanced technology providers and access Asian cost structures and market opportunities.
Quantifiable outcome
- Successful exits including Tropic Networks acquired by Alcatel-Lucent (April 2007) and Inphi IPO on NYSE (2010)
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Narra Venture Capital
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Narra Venture Capital technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Narra Venture Capital partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Integrated Micro-Electronics (IMI) / Ayala GroupcoreJoint acquisition of PSi Technologies for $30 million. IMI (of Ayala Group) holds 56% stake, Narra VC holds 11% of the 67% total stake being sold. Acquisition combines IMI's advanced manufacturing technologies with PSi's integrated hybrid power solution capabilities in multichip modules.
- Morgan Stanley, Deutsche Bank, Jefferies (Inphi IPO)minorInvestment banks serving as book-running managers for Inphi Corporation's IPO (NYSE: IPHI) which raised up to $115M. Narra VC was an investor in Inphi prior to the 2010 IPO. Inphi is a fabless provider of high-speed analog semiconductor products for communications and computing markets.
- Alcatel-LucentminorAcquired Tropic Networks (Narra portfolio company) in April 2007. Tropic Networks developed the TRX-24000 ROADM platform with patented Wavelength Tracker for metro WDM networking. The acquisition built upon the collaboration established in July 2004 with Alcatel-Lucent's investment and global supply agreement.
- Brain Gain Network LimitedcoreAffiliate organization co-founded by Managing Partner Paco Sandejas. Web platform connecting global Filipino diaspora for technology entrepreneurship. Provides deal sourcing, talent network, and marketing platform for Narra VC portfolio companies. Narra VC participates in BGN Innovation Forums and startup ecosystem development.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Narra Venture Capital competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Narra Venture Capital social profiles
Digital presenceNarra Venture Capital financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Narra Venture Capital leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Narra Venture Capital subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Narra Venture Capital funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Narra Venture Capital M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments8 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Narra Venture Capital
What does Narra Venture Capital do?
Narra Venture Capital is a venture management and advisory group that invests private capital in high-technology companies with defensible barriers to competition. The firm manages two venture capital funds (Narra Fund I, January 2002, and Narra Fund II, March 2007), backed by Limited Partners including Dado Banatao (TallwoodVC), Ayala Corporation, First Philippine Holdings, and the Lhuillier Group, and targets semiconductor, communication, computing, and software companies in Silicon Valley and Asia.
Is Narra Venture Capital a public or private company?
Narra Venture Capital is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped.
When was Narra Venture Capital founded?
Narra Venture Capital was founded in 2002. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Narra Venture Capital based?
Narra Venture Capital is headquartered in Manila, Philippines, in the Asia region.
How does Narra Venture Capital make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Investment Returns (Carry/Exits) is the primary driver. The others are management Fees.
Does Narra Venture Capital have an API?
No public API is recorded for Narra Venture Capital.
What industry is Narra Venture Capital in?
Narra Venture Capital's product category is Venture Capital and Private Equity. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAHAF, Corporate Strategic Partnership & Ecosystem Investment Arms, with a secondary code of FSANAHAC, Corporate Venture Studios & Incubators (Build/launch ventures). Its NAICS code is 523940 and its SIC code is 6282.