Black Pearl Investments

Black Pearl Investments

Black Pearl Investments was established in 2009 by John Richard (JR) Chantengco as a single-family office. The firm manages family capital with a focus on alternative investments. The office deploys across private credit, private equity, real estate, and infrastructure. It executes direct co-investments and SPVs rather than broad fund commitments. Geographic reach includes North America, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. Confirmed activity includes a January 2025 advisory role on Urban Icon Global’s $150M sports and entertainment project in Zanzibar alongside SIDIL and Dantata & Sawoe. Team size and total deployment remain undisclosed. Chantengco holds prior board roles at BluPeak Credit Union and California Housing Partnership Corporation. The firm also serves as capital advisor to SPARBAR Ltd. for U.S. expansion. A structural distinction lies in its dual posture as both family office and certified CDFI/CDE under the U.S. Treasury New Markets Tax Credit program, enabling direct participation in community development transactions alongside private-market activity.