We adopt a dynamic investment approach, through a robust top-down and bottom up deal origination and selection process, as well as active post-investment value-creation and portfolio management strategies & execution.

Myanmar has immense potential, and will continue to provide high growth for many years. At the same time, many sectors are fragmented, most companies have yet to adopt international best practices and strong corporate management human resources are scarce.

We believe that business owners and companies that are most willing and effective at applying international best corporate practices, and continuously build strong management capabilities can achieve a sustainable competitive advantage. This will in turn empower the companies to achieve compelling growth, become local and regional champions and create superior risk-adjusted financial and ESG returns.

We believe that our extensive local network in Myanmar, skill in successfully evaluating the capacity of the local management teams, as well as discipline in negotiating deal terms are key success factors at the deal origination and selection phase.

The following are our key evaluation criteria when selecting an opportunity:
Impactful investment

We carefully select companies who are committed to adopt robust ESG standards with support from Ascent, and whose products or services drive positive impact in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Sectors benefiting from Myanmar’s growth investment thesis

We are sector-agnostic, but choose to focus on Consumer, Education, Financial Services, Healthcare, Logistics, TMT (Technology, Media and Telecommunications) related sectors, which we believe will fully leverage on the growth potential of Myanmar, and are sectors which we can contribute management and sector expertise.

Strong management team and track record

We carefully select ownership and management teams who are deeply committed to a big vision for the future of their companies, and who are continuously developing management capacity to achieve this vision.

Market leadership with scalability

We are keen to invest in companies who are either market leaders, within the top tier of its industry, or otherwise have a clear plan to reach market leadership position. We also focus on businesses that are highly scalable, especially those operating in fragmented sectors in which there are opportunities to gain significant market share or tap unaddressed market segments through applying stronger management capabilities.

At Ascent, we believe that active post-investment value-creation and portfolio management strategies & execution is key to generating superior risk-adjusted financial returns from our investments, alongside measurable positive social, economic or environmental impact.

We adopt the following ASCENTT Value-Creation Framework to support our investee companies to drive value-creation for all stakeholders.
3C Focus Provide Strategic Growth Capital Build Strategic International Connections Enhance Management and Sectoral Capabilities
ASCENTT Value Creation Framework A : Analytical Approach
Adopt business intelligence, data-based, analytical approach to decision-making.

S : Strategic Planning
Embrace structured, organisational-wide business planning, goal setting and execution.

C : Strategic Capital
Structure capital-mix (equity-debt) to enhance return on equity; introduce international financing partners across capital spectrum.

E : Operational Enhancement
Propel operational improvements in key functions and primary value-drivers; introduce primary value-drivers.

N : Network
Introduce international network for value-creation (human resources, business development, strategic partners); bridge local-international cultural gaps.

T : Transformation
Drive transformational, including corporatisation, governance, digital, etc.

T : Team
Build HR capability and management (organisational structure, long-term incentive scheme, culture, etc).
Value Creation Pillars 1
Drive Value-Enhancing Growth
2
Adopt International Corporate Best Practices
3
Build Strong Management Capabilities
4
Improve Financial Management
Value Creation Outcomes 1
Positive Impact


2
Revenue Growth


3
Margin Expansion (GP% and EBITDA%)
4
Enhanced Capital Management (ROA%)
5
Optimised Capital Structure (ROE%)

3C Focus

Provide
Strategic Growth
Capital

Build
Strategic International
Connections

Enhance
Management and Sectoral
Capabilities

ASCENTT
Value Creation Framework

A : Analytical Approach
Adopt business intelligence, data-based, analytical approach to decision-making.

S : Strategic Planning
Embrace structured, organisational-wide business planning, goal setting and execution.

C : Strategic Capital
Structure capital-mix (equity-debt) to enhance return on equity; introduce international financing partners across capital spectrum.

E : Operational Enhancement
Propel operational improvements in key functions and primary value-drivers; introduce primary value-drivers.

N : Network
Introduce international network for value-creation (human resources, business development, strategic partners); bridge local-international cultural gaps.

T : Transformation
Drive transformational, including corporatisation, governance, digital, etc.

T : Team
Build HR capability and management (organisational structure, long-term incentive scheme, culture, etc).

Value Creation Pillars

1

Drive Value-Enhancing Growth

2

Adopt International Corporate Best Practices

3

Build Strong Management Capabilities

4

Improve Financial Management

Value Creation Outcomes

1

Positive Impact

2

Revenue Growth

3

Margin Expansion (GP% and EBITDA%)

4

Enhanced Capital Management (ROA%)

5

Optimised Capital Structure (ROE%)