The Visionary

As a game changer in the Philippines’ venture capital and private equity arena, the MFT Group of Companies has created an unstoppable engine of growth. Named after its CEO Maria Francesca “Mica” Tan, MFT Group is private equity firm that has yielded a highly successful hand in reinforcing both global family legacy type businesses and startups alike, leading them to sustainable financial footing. It has helped not only in positively impacting our domestic economy but the global market as well.

What is remarkable is that the now 27-years-old was already doing big things at the age of 13 – at least nothing most normal teenagers were doing. Mica was already trading stocks at the Philippine Stock Exchange and by the time she was 15, she had delved into the cut- throat world of trading foreign exchange.

While she dabbled in various industries in college, ultimately, she went her astute businesswoman’s gut feel and pursued starting her own company. Mica hasn’t looked back and has since been involved in all phases and sectors of the group’s development since its founding. She continues to press on to fulfill her vision – establishing strong presence in 100 business areas worldwide.

While her portfolio of locally-based MFT-bolstered companies proliferates and its success rate high, Mica’s core mission has been to elevate and bring local and Asian brands to the global stage. Albeit challenging, she has now managed to start operations in nine countries and 18 cities, with offices in Hong Kong, Singapore, and New York while her brands have presence in Spain, the United States, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

To date, MFT has accumulated an impressive Php 3 Billion in total asset portfolio value. Its investments have grown to include a number of asset categories such as financial services and technology, credit, healthcare, real estate, petroleum, food, lifestyle and entertainment, in both established and growth-oriented businesses.

“I am a believer in the minimalist lifestyle. The less space you have to fill, the less the clutter. It allows me to focus on what is essential.”

To manage these, Mica has since expanded her original team of eight to a now near 300 people across its offices worldwide. Considering all that she has on her plate, time management is key so Mica has got a good system in place. It doesn’t hurt that being based in Rockwell for the last five years has centralized most aspects of her busy millennial lifestyle. “As early as 7:00am am, I am up and about. By 8:00 am, I’m already in the office starting meetings. My days end late, usually with dinner meet ups, which I like to do in Rockwell area to maximize my time,” says Mica, who currently resides in Edades Tower.

This streamlined régime that goes hand-in-hand with apartment living evidently works for the rising trailblazer. Another welcome addition to her property portfolio and her future residence will be her beautiful units at the Proscenium. For both spaces, she looks forward to the fantastic views she can wake up to before heading to another triumphant day at the office. And she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Impossible for her to envision residing anywhere else, Rockwell is part and parcel of Mica’s long-term plan. “I love that Rockwell is both bustling and relaxing at the same time, and I have everything I need within reach. It’s the place that I have chosen to call home, not only because I am closer to my place of work, but I also have easy access to many conveniences—the mall, the cinemas and a great selection of restaurants.”