The acquisition will further the company’s momentum in delivering the industry’s most AI-forward and innovative solution, leveraging ListAssist’s natural language search functionality to improve experiences for both the agent and consumer.
MURRAY, Utah, March 13, 2025 --- Inside Real Estate, one of the fastest-growing independent real estate software companies and trusted technology partner to more than 400,000 agents, teams, brokerages and top franchise brands, announced the acquisition of ListAssist, an innovative AI-powered technology that elevates the real estate experience with intelligent tools for both property searches and marketing efforts.
“We are thrilled to welcome ListAssist to the Inside Real Estate family, and begin delivering this first-of-its-kind capabilities to our clients. This tech leads the way on AI-Search, and this next chapter will revolutionize the entire search experience,” says Joe Skousen, Chief Executive Officer at Inside Real Estate. “Leveraging natural language search, image recognition, and other AI technology, in combination with the extensive experience we have in search across hundreds of thousands of websites, hundreds of millions of consumer experiences and trillions of data points, unlocks a new world of data and insights. The solutions will empower our customers to unlock the most powerful and engaging search experiences for their clients, with unparalleled speed, accuracy and engagement. It’s a huge win for us all.”
ListAssist allows homebuyers to use natural, everyday language to find properties that match their specific needs, providing a tailored search experience without having to input any of the traditional search information, check boxes, or adhere to search parameters, and delivering accurate, hyper-customized results. Search information will be automatically processed in the back end of the system, directly in the BoldTrail CRM, so agents can generate smarter search alerts to boost engagement, foster trust, and deliver a better overall experience. Additionally, the technology automates the creation of property listing descriptions, analyzing property images and MLS details to generate polished, SEO-friendly content that enhances online visibility and draws in potential buyers.
“We are incredibly excited to be joining Inside Real Estate, and we’re proud to have delivered AI solutions to tens of thousands of agents and some of the biggest, most trusted brands in the industry,” said Chris McGoldrick, Founder of ListAssist. “Our New Zealand team is inspired by the big things to come, and we can’t wait to continue providing a market-leading experience for both consumers and agents alike.”
Inside Real Estate will host an Innovation Webinar on March 19th, where clients and prospects can learn more about this and other exciting innovations. Register here.
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About Inside Real Estate:
Inside Real Estate is a fast-growing, independently-owned real estate software firm that serves as a trusted technology partner to nearly 500,000 top brokerages, agents, and teams. Their branded portfolio, BoldTrail, includes BoldTrail front office, BoldTrail BackOffice and BoldTrail Recruit, solutions that create a complete tech ecosystem for clients, and deliver seamless end-to-end operations, to scale success at any level. BoldTrail delivers a unique technology ecosystem through custom branding, robust integrations, and high-quality add-on solutions, and delivers the next generation of the company’s legacy brands, including kvCORE, BoomTown, btPRO, Brokermint, and AmpStats solutions. With an accomplished leadership team and its talented staff, Inside Real Estate brings the resources, scale, and vision to deliver ongoing innovation and success to their growing customer base. To learn more visit insiderealestate.com.
About ListAssist:
ListAssist is an innovative AI-powered technology that elevates the real estate experience by offering smart tools for both property searches and marketing. Instead of the traditional, often tedious search methods, ListAssist allows homebuyers to use natural, everyday language to find properties that match their specific needs. Founded in 2022 by Chris McGoldrick in Auckland, New Zealand, the company has rapidly expanded its influence, particularly in the North American market. ListAssist's innovative approach has garnered significant recognition within the real estate technology sector. In August 2023, the company won the "Crowd Favourite" award at the National Association of Realtors' Innovation, Opportunity & Investment. Summit in Miami. Subsequently, in October 2024, Inman named ListAssist the "Top Real Estate AI Startup" in its inaugural AI Awards.
Source: https://resources.insiderealestate.com/
The Government is proposing changes to tax rules which will contribute to encouraging investment in New Zealand, Revenue Minister Simon Watts says.
“We want New Zealand to be a country that attracts and welcomes the sort of talented people who will help grow our economy.
“When we attract Kiwis home or bring in new, smart talent we grow the economy and that means jobs, more opportunities and higher wages for everyone,” Mr Watts says.
“The current foreign investment fund (FIF) rules are a key deterrent for migrants and returning Kiwis, especially in the tech or start-up sector from coming to and staying in New Zealand.”
Proposed changes to the FIF rules involve the addition of a new method to calculate a person’s taxable FIF income, the ‘revenue account method’.
“This will allow new migrants to be taxed on a realisation basis for their FIF interests that are not easily disposable and acquired before they came to New Zealand. For migrants who risk being double taxed due to their continuing citizenship tax obligations, this method can apply to all their FIF interests.
Mr Watts says the change has been positively received by people in the tech and start up sector.
“I have heard from Graeme Muller, the Chief Executive of industry peak body, NZTech that the fast-growing tech sector continues to cry out for experienced high-skilled talent to support global expansion. He says these improvements in tax rules are exactly what we need to make New Zealand more attractive for both investors and global talents.
“I have also heard from Robbie Paul, the CEO of Icehouse Ventures, that this is a stand-up example of Government engaging on a genuine issue so we can all create a brighter future for New Zealand. He suggests foreign investment fund rules have been a deterrent for many of the world’s leading entrepreneurs and investors, including offshore Kiwis. These individuals play an important role in maximising the technology sector’s creation of export revenue and high paying jobs,” Mr Watts says.
The changes would apply to migrants who became New Zealand tax residents on or after 1 April 2024.
“We want to act swiftly to remove barriers for highly-skilled migrants to stay in New Zealand and invest in the growth of our economy, so the proposals will be included in the next taxation Bill, likely to be introduced around August.
“This is an important step and one which the private sector has been calling for, but we need to consider whether more can be done. We are looking more closely at the FIF rules and related international tax settings not only to encourage migration to New Zealand, but also to encourage our own residents to stay and invest in New Zealand.
“The Government will also be looking at how the rules impact New Zealand residents and will have more to say later in 2025,” Mr Watts says.
Source: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/
Rocket Lab recently executed a non-binding term sheet to acquire a controlling ownership stake in Mynaric subject to completing a previously announced restructuring plan and regulatory review process
LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or the “Company”), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today announced it has entered into a non-binding term sheet with certain lenders (together, the “Lenders”) to acquire, subject to receipt of certain governmental approvals including those described herein, a controlling equity position in Mynaric AG (“Mynaric”). Mynaric is a leading provider of laser optical communications terminals for air, space, and mobile applications. The transaction is expected to close following the completion of Mynaric’s previously announced and pending StaRUG restructuring proceedings under German law, the completion of which would result in certain outstanding debt held by the Lenders converting into 100% of the equity of Mynaric (the “StaRUG Restructuring”) – subject to receipt of applicable regulatory approvals.
The acquisition, if accomplished, is expected to further strengthen Rocket Lab’s proven capabilities as a leading launch provider, spacecraft manufacturer, and supplier of satellite components at scale. Rocket Lab may fund this and other future acquisition opportunities with proceeds from equity offerings.
Strategic Importance of the Deal:
A key driver for this proposed acquisition is that Mynaric is already a subcontractor to Rocket Lab, providing CONDOR Mk3 optical communication terminals for the Company’s $515 million prime contract with the Space Development Agency (SDA) to produce 18 satellites for the Tranche 2 Transport Layer-Beta. Mynaric is also a supplier into other SDA contracts, and Mynaric and Rocket Lab share many customers spanning commercial constellation operators, prime contractors, and defense and civil government agencies. Rocket Lab intends to scale production and introduce efficiencies to Mynaric’s existing manufacturing capability to further support SDA and other opportunities, providing these customers with improved confidence and assurance their terminals will be delivered on schedule and on budget.
Rocket Lab founder and CEO Sir Peter Beck said: “We have been very clear about this strategic direction for several years now – Rocket Lab is pursuing every part of the space value chain. We launch our own rockets, we build satellites in constellation volumes, and now we’re closing in on the final step and most valuable part of the space economy – operating our own constellations to provide data and services from space using our newly announced Flatellite spacecraft. Mynaric has paved the way in developing laser technology. Their team and technologies will make a compelling addition to our satellite component portfolio and we look forward to making the technology available at scale for our own constellations and those of our customers.”
The non-binding term sheet entered into with the Lenders provides for a proposed acquisition of Mynaric by Rocket Lab following the completion of the StaRUG Restructuring on terms acceptable to Rocket Lab. After the completion of the StaRUG Restructuring and subject to execution of a definitive agreement, Rocket Lab would acquire 100% of the outstanding equity interests of Mynaric. The initial purchase price is expected to be $75 million payable in either cash or shares of common stock of Rocket Lab, at Rocket Lab’s option, with the potential for additional earn-out consideration based on future revenue targets of the Mynaric business of up to an additional $75 million in shares of Rocket Lab common stock or cash, at Rocket Lab’s option. The initial closing purchase price will also be increased (and the potential earnout consideration correspondingly decreased) to the extent of any additional cash investment by the Lenders or their affiliates in Mynaric after completion of the StaRUG Restructuring and before the closing of the potential acquisition.
The non-binding term sheet provides for an exclusive negotiating period between Rocket Lab and the Lenders and is subject to completion of customary due diligence by Rocket Lab and the negotiation and entry into a definitive purchase agreement between the parties. The definitive agreement will also include customary covenants and closing conditions, including required regulatory approvals and termination rights. There can be no assurances that Rocket Lab will enter into a definitive agreement or complete the acquisition. Mynaric is not a party to the non-binding term sheet and Rocket Lab is not offering to acquire and will not acquire any of the currently outstanding equity interests of Mynaric AG. Among other conditions, the proposed acquisition will be conditioned on the completion of the StaRUG Restructuring and prior elimination of all such outstanding equity interests without any consideration, as contemplated by Mynaric’s previously announced StaRUG Restructuring plan.
About Rocket Lab
Founded in 2006, Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company with an established track record of mission success. We deliver reliable launch services, satellite manufacture, spacecraft components, and on-orbit management solutions that make it faster, easier, and more affordable to access space. Headquartered in Long Beach, California, Rocket Lab designs and manufactures the Electron small orbital launch vehicle, the HASTE suborbital launch vehicle for hypersonic tests, a family of flight proven spacecraft, and the larger Neutron launch vehicle for constellation deployment. Since its first orbital launch in January 2018, Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually. Rocket Lab has deployed 200+ payloads from its launch sites in the United States and New Zealand for private and public sector organizations, enabling operations in national security, scientific research, space debris mitigation, Earth observation, climate monitoring, and communications. Rocket Lab’s family of spacecraft have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars, as well as the first private commercial mission to Venus. Rocket Lab has three launch pads at two launch sites, including two launch pads at a private orbital launch site located in New Zealand and a third launch pad in Virginia. To learn more, visit www.rocketlabusa.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding the potential acquisition of Mynaric AG from its existing lenders, the terms and conditions of any such potential acquisition, whether such acquisition will occur on the terms set forth in the non-binding term sheet, if at all, and the impact of the acquisition on Rocket Lab’s current and future product offerings and business are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “potential,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “strategy,” “future,” “could,” “would,” “project,” “plan,” “target,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, though not all forward-looking statements use these words or expressions. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the risks that Rocket Lab and the Lenders will not be able to negotiate and enter into a definitive purchase agreement for the Mynaric business on terms set forth in the non-binding term sheet or at all, the risk that Mynaric’s StaRUG Restructuring is not approved by the German courts or material modified from current expectations, regulatory and other risks associated with Rocket Lab’s ability to complete such an acquisition even if a definitive purchase agreement is executed, litigation and other risks associated with Mynaric’s StaRUG Restructuring, and other factors, risks and uncertainties included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and the Investor Relations section of our website at www.rocketlabusa.com, which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management’s estimates and expectations as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change.
www.rocketlabusa.com
Teradyne to acquire Quantifi Photonics to deliver photonic IC testing to the high-performance Compute market.
NORTH READING, Mass., March 10, 2025 – Teradyne, Inc. (Nasdaq: TER) today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire privately held Quantifi Photonics, a leader in photonic IC testing. The acquisition is expected to close in the second quarter of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approval.
This acquisition will enable Teradyne to deliver scalable photonic integrated circuit (PIC) test solutions. PIC technology is leveraging wafer-based manufacturing, multi-die integration, and advanced packaging with high-speed I/O interfaces to enable the rapidly evolving high-performance Compute market to support AI workloads.
“The extraordinary growth and complexity driven by Cloud AI will require optical interconnect solutions to support the bandwidth and reduce the power required for next-generation networks,” said Teradyne CEO, Greg Smith. “We are thrilled to welcome the Quantifi Photonics team to Teradyne to accelerate the development of cost-effective, high-throughput test solutions for wafer-level, die/multi-die and co-packaged optical module testing.”
“By combining Quantifi Photonics’ deep expertise in photonic testing and Teradyne’s leadership in semiconductor ATE, we are uniquely positioned to revolutionize photonics high-volume manufacturing,” said Quantifi Photonics co-founder and CEO Iannick Monfils. “The silicon photonics market is at an inflection point that requires innovative, state-of-the-art solutions to unlock its full potential. By combining our strengths, Teradyne and Quantifi Photonics will provide customers with complete turn-key photonic test solutions that allow them to scale. Quantifi Photonics is excited to join the Teradyne family.”
About Quantifi Photonics
Quantifi Photonics provides test solutions to help customers unlock scalable and cost-effective high-volume manufacturing of photonic integrated circuits (PICs), co-packaged optics and pluggable optics. The company’s portfolio includes a wide range of photonic test instruments, and digital sampling oscilloscopes, available as benchtop or the industry-standard PXI format to support cost-effective, high-throughput design verification testing and high-volume manufacturing.
About Teradyne
Teradyne (NASDAQ:TER) designs, develops, and manufactures automated test equipment and advanced robotics systems. Its test solutions for semiconductors and electronics products enable Teradyne’s customers to consistently deliver on their quality standards. Its advanced robotics business includes collaborative robots and mobile robots that support manufacturing and warehouse operations for companies of all sizes. For more information, visit teradyne.com. Teradyne® is a registered trademark of Teradyne, Inc., in the U.S. and other countries. Source: https://www.quantifiphotonics.com/
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to New York and Washington DC later this week for discussions on world affairs and to continue to build New Zealand's ties with the United States.
Mr Peters will hold meetings with members of the Trump Administration including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, other US political contacts, and senior representatives of the United Nations.
"The United States is one of New Zealand's closest and most important partners," Mr Peters says.
"This visit provides a chance for the New Zealand Government to engage directly with the Trump Administration in Washington on our mutually beneficial bilateral relationship.
"New Zealand and the United States have a long history of close and broad cooperation in pursuit of shared interests, and we look forward to discussing in Washington how to continue building on that in the months and years ahead."
A wide range of international issues will also be discussed during Mr Peters’ visit.
"Whether Ukraine, Gaza, the Indo-Pacific or security cooperation, there's a lot to discuss - and we look forward to doing so both in New York and in Washington DC."
Mr Peters departs New Zealand on Thursday 13 March and arrives back on Friday 21 March.
Marcel Portmann – Global Development Duck Donuts, Martin van der Velden, Melissa Sweeney – U.S. Consul General, Jonathan Watt – Commercial Specialist, Nathan Bonney – Iridium Partners
Duck Donuts, the beloved U.S.-based donut franchise, is making its way to New Zealand, thanks to the leadership of Martin van der Velden. A successful franchisee himself, Martin has taken the next step in his franchising journey by becoming the Master Franchisee for Duck Donuts in New Zealand. Along with his wife Anita, Martin is set to introduce Kiwi communities to the brand’s famous warm, made-to-order donuts.
With an extensive background in food and beverage franchising, Martin is no stranger to running a successful business. Having previously owned and operated two Bakers Delight stores in the Bay of Plenty, he understands what it takes to build a thriving franchise. Now, he’s channelling that expertise into launching and growing Duck Donuts across New Zealand.
“We’re delighted to welcome Martin and Anita to the Duck Donuts family,” said Devon Mailey, Chief Executive Officer at Duck Donuts. “We look forward to seeing them bring our brand to life across New Zealand and deliver the unique Duck Donuts experience to local customers.”
Martin’s journey exemplifies what comes after franchisee success—a path outlined in the article What Comes After Franchisee Success? by Iridium Partners. Taking on the role of Master Franchisee represents a significant step forward, allowing him not only to operate his own locations but also to support and grow a network of franchisees across the country.
The search for a Master Franchisee was led by Nathan Bonney of Iridium Partners, with support from the U.S. Commercial Service, spearheaded by Jonathan Watt, Commercial Specialist. The recent signing was celebrated under the watchful eye of Melissa Sweeney, U.S. Consul General, marking an exciting milestone in Duck Donuts’ international expansion.
Founded in 2006, Duck Donuts has earned a reputation for its customizable donut experience, where customers can create their perfect donut with a variety of flavours and toppings. With Martin and Anita at the helm, New Zealanders will soon have the opportunity to indulge in this delicious, made-to-order treat.
Stay tuned for updates as Duck Donuts begins its journey in New Zealand—bringing warmth, sweetness, and a taste of something special to our local communities!
Source: https://www.iridium.net.nz/
Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced the Government’s plan to reform the Overseas Investment Act and make it easier for New Zealand businesses to receive new investment, grow and pay higher wages.
“New Zealand is one of the hardest countries in the developed world for overseas people to invest in businesses, and our productivity growth is woeful. Those two facts are closely linked.
“We are introducing reforms to improve New Zealand’s overseas investment laws. The package will speed up decisions and provide more confidence to investors, while protecting our national interests.
“Overseas investment can support economic growth because when workers work with better tools and technologies, they are more productive and get paid more.
“I’ve seen the difference that overseas investment can make. I once visited two businesses in the same industry on the same afternoon. Both had skilled and passionate people with good ideas. One had overseas investment, though, and benefited in two ways. They had more money for machinery, and they had more know-how for manufacturing and marketing their product by receiving knowledge from their partners offshore.
“New Zealand’s productivity growth has closely tracked the amount of capital workers have had to work with. Our capital-to-labour ratio has seen very little growth in the last 10 years, averaging approximately 0.7 per cent annually. That’s compared to growth of around 2 percent a year in the previous 10 to 15 years. Unsurprisingly, productivity growth averaged 1.4 percent a year between 1993 and 2013, but only 0.2 percent between 2013 and 2023.
“The Government has agreed on a reform package which includes:
“High-value investments, such as significant business assets, existing forestry and non-farmland, account for around $14 billion of gross investment each year. Cabinet has agreed to remove the barriers for these investments, while retaining existing protections for residential land, farmland and fishing quota.
“Nearly every other developed country has less obstructive laws than New Zealand. They benefit from the flow of money and the ideas that come with overseas investment. If we are going to raise wages, we can’t afford to ignore the simple fact that our competitors gain money and know-how from outside their borders.” Overseas investment changes paper Source: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/
Auckland, 20 February 2025 —Banyan Software, a global software investor with a growing footprint in Australia and New Zealand, has acquired Medtech Global, a leading provider of health technology to the Australian and New Zealand markets.
Banyan has acquired 100% of the shares in Medtech Global. The company was previously owned by Advent Partners, an Australian private equity firm, and Geoffrey Sayer, the CEO/Managing Director of Medtech Global.
The acquisition includes Medtech Evolution and Medtech Artia Practice Management Systems, Medeor® payment solutions, and Medtech ALEX®. Medtech ALEX®, an ecosystem of third-party digital healthcare applications. Sayer will remain as CEO under Banyan’s ownership, and Medtech’s senior leadership team will remain in place.
Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand, Medtech collaborated with medical centres and healthcare practitioners to develop the country’s first Practice Management System.
In 2020, Sayer and Advent Partners acquired Medtech Global from its previous owners. As CEO/Managing Director, Sayer led Medtech’s innovation programs with the development of ALEX® and Medeor® with further expansions into Australia underfoot.
With Banyan, Medtech will continue to lead in health tech innovation across Australia and New Zealand. Together, they will strengthen support for medical practices, delivering solutions that allow healthcare professionals to focus on what matters most: the health of their patients and the success of their practices, which sit at the heart of healthcare systems.
“Geoff and the leadership team at Medtech have done a tremendous job over the past 5 years and we are thrilled to support such a strong team in helping the company reach even greater heights,” says David Berkal, CEO of Banyan Software. We are committed to providing the best permanent home and partner for successful these software companies, their employees and customers. Once we invest in a business, we continue to grow the business for life, never selling it again. Every company that joins the Banyan family, including MedTech, is an industry leader with a strong foundation of innovation. Medtech will have support from a global community of software businesses, ensuring it has the resources needed to fuel its continued success.”
Rob Hooke, Partner at Advent Partners, said: “Advent purchased Medtech in 2020 because we recognised it as an innovative and market leading New Zealand software company with potential to expand its service offerings in both New Zealand and Australia. We supported Medtech’s enhancements to its PMS and new product introductions, including innovative cloud-based services with enhanced data privacy protection, security and back up services.”
“We are proud to have been part of Medtech’s growth and delighted to be handing it on to a company that can further assist it in achieving its potential in providing services to medical practices in global markets. We look forward to seeing Medtech’s next phase of growth,” says Hooke.
“Partnering with Banyan represents a dramatic advance for both Medtech and medical practice management in New Zealand and Australia,” says Sayer. “Our mission has always been to strengthen the delivery of primary care and general practice through innovative health technology. With Banyan we now have the relationships, resources and long-term commitment that ensure we can continue to invest in developing Medtech software. That’s good news for practices, their patients and the overall healthcare system.”
“Banyan has a proven track record of long-term partnerships with the software companies it invests in. By retaining their culture and autonomy, these businesses continue to grow and serve their customers effectively. This philosophy aligns with Medtech’s mission to support medical practices in operating at their best today while preparing for the future.”
Banyan has completed over 70 acquisitions globally since its founding in 2016, including many across Australia and New Zealand. With a dedicated team in Australia, Banyan is committed to growing its portfolio of software companies in the region.
Medtech was advised by Allier Capital, HSF, PwC and LEK. Banyan Software was advised by KPMG, Cornwalls, Anthony Harper, Genesis Advisory and EY Port Jackson
About Medtech Global
Medtech is a health technology provider. Founded in 1989 as Healthcare Technology Limited, a specialist IT organisation serving the healthcare community, it designed New Zealand’s first Patient Management System in collaboration with medical centres and healthcare practitioners. It serves healthcare providers in New Zealand, Australia, Ireland and the Cook Islands, providing healthcare technologies including the Medtech PMS, interoperability solutions, clinical business intelligence, cloud hosting, and healthcare payment solutions. For more information, see https://medtechglobal.com/
About Banyan Software
Banyan Software provides the best permanent home for successful enterprise software companies, their employees, and customers. Banyan’s mission is to acquire, build, and grow great software businesses all over the world with dominant positions in niche verticals. Founded in 2016, the company follows a buy-and-hold-for-life strategy, and is set up with a permanent capital base to preserve the legacy of founders. As a purpose-driven company, Banyan is committed to making an enduring, positive impact on the world. For more information, see https://banyansoftware.com/apac
About Advent Partners
Advent Partners is one of Australasia’s leading private equity firms with approximately ~$1b of funds under management. Since 1984, Advent has focused on partnering with innovative companies to support their growth ambitions. Advent does this by working with leading founders and helping them build their businesses with capital, network access, and strategic guidance. For more information, see http://www.advent.com.au
Auckland, New Zealand – 20 February 2025: Spark and Microsoft have announced the country’s largest-ever Microsoft public cloud partnership, reinforcing their commitment to accelerate cloud adoption across the country and fuel AI innovation. The agreement will also enable Spark to further modernise its own hybrid cloud environment, while accelerating its AI strategy with a large-scale deployment of Microsoft 365 Copilot across its organisation.
In the era of AI, the telecom industry is embracing technology to elevate customer experiences, optimise business operations, modernise the network, and unlock new revenue streams. This partnership is a testament to how Spark is driving innovation and growth through the Microsoft Cloud and its AI capabilities. The partnership builds on the recent launch of Microsoft’s NZ North cloud region, providing Spark and its customers with expanded access to world-class cloud infrastructure and services.
Key commitments include:
“We are thrilled to establish this strategic partnership with Microsoft,” says Jolie Hodson, Spark CEO. “We are like-minded companies, with a focus on enabling New Zealand businesses, investing in the digital infrastructure that underpins a modern economy, and creating the next generation of technology leaders.
“We have a long-term strategic focus on hybrid cloud at Spark. This partnership enables us to improve our overall cloud economics by modernising our own hybrid cloud environment while continuing to collaborate with Microsoft on the best hybrid cloud solutions for our customers.
“We also have a significant focus on embedding AI into our business, and extending our use of Microsoft 365 Copilot will support more of our people to leverage the benefits generative AI can deliver, both within our business and for our customers.”
In a recent Accenture report on unlocking the potential of generative AI in New Zealand, helping more businesses adopt public cloud was one of the key recommendations that would see Aotearoa add $76 billion to its economy every year, demonstrating the need for regions such as NZ North.
“For us, this partnership is not just about helping Spark evolve its own cloud environments and sharing innovation for the benefit of both our companies – it’s about helping our country move forward and grow as a truly digital nation,” added Sorenson.
As part of the partnership, Microsoft and Spark will collaborate on an internal skilling programme to support the uptake of AI across the business. In December, Microsoft committed to training 100,000 New Zealanders in AI and digital skills over the next two years, creating long-term benefits for the economy as digital technologies transform the way we live and work.
Microsoft New Zealand Managing Director Vanessa Sorenson said the partnership recognised how much the needs of New Zealand businesses and people were changing.
“Great companies think alike, and we both know the future of business relies on a trusted cloud partner with the innovative AI capabilities to meet the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s customer. You can’t scale up generative AI innovation without hyperscale public cloud,” Sorenson said.
“Azure is the most trusted and comprehensive cloud platform, with industry-leading cloud and AI services; more than 95% of the Fortune 500 choose Azure as their cloud provider.”
Wellington, New Zealand – Black Pearl Group Limited (NZX:BPG) has announced the beta launch of Bebop, an AI-powered sales intelligence platform designed to put an end to cold calls, costly Meta ad spends and the dominance of Silicon Valley data providers.
“Imagine unlocking unlimited revenue opportunities and cutting-edge business intelligence - for just $49/month!” says Nick Lissette, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Blackpearl Group. “Bebop changes the game. It’s like ChatGPT, but built for sales and revenue growth.”
“The average SME has been locked out of high quality sales intelligence because platforms like ZoomInfo, Clearbit and Apollo charge insane amounts” says Lissette “Bebop doesn’t just even the playfield - it’s a major competitive advantage."
In just four seconds, Bebop scans millions of US-based companies to generate a hyper-targeted list of thousands of decision-makers. Users can ask Bebop to identify potential customers that have a need for their goods and services and specifically how they would benefit. It can even craft a hyper-personalised email or LinkedIn InMail - eliminating hours of manual research.
Disrupting an industry – at a fraction of the cost
Bebop starts at just US$49 per month for a list of 3,000 qualified targets, making enterprise-grade sales intelligence accessible to SMEs for the first time. Lissette compares Bebop’s impact to ChatGPT’s disruption of search - redefining how users access and apply information.
The previous generation of B2B tools, like Apollo and ZoomInfo, relied on SQL queries over large databases, with apps designed to make that experience as seamless as possible. The new generation, however, has intelligence at its core - genuinely understanding what a business provides and exactly who needs it. This shift moves from a one-way, user-driven push to a two-way connection between supply and demand. Bebop delivers a fundamentally different experience, transforming interactions and unlocking deep insights that fuel growth.
Ambitious growth
Bebop was developed in just a single quarter, only made possible by Blackpearl Group’s proprietary software and data platform - formerly known as Pearl Engine - a testament to the company’s rapid innovation and robust technology infrastructure.
In the Quarter Three report for the period ending 31 December 2024, Lissette highlighted the need for companies to move fast to stay ahead. “Winners and losers in this new world will be defined by those who innovate at hyper-speed,” believes Lissette.
The launch of Bebop follows the success of Pearl Diver, Black Pearl Group’s flagship prospect identification platform. Pearl Diver transforms website visitors into prospects by using AI-driven identity resolution technology, unlocking new revenue streams and reducing dependence on costly digital advertising.
“With Bebop, Black Pearl Group is redefining how businesses take control of their sales and growth. By eliminating unnecessary reliance on costly data providers and inefficient ad spend, Bebop empowers companies to take charge of their own success. In a world where adaptability defines success, Bebop gives businesses the power to scale smarter, faster and on their own terms,” concludes Lissette.
About Blackpearl Group (NZX: BPG)
Blackpearl Group is a market-leading data technology company that pioneers AI-driven, sales and marketing solutions for the US market.
Specifically engineered for small-medium-sized businesses (SMEs), Blackpearl Group consistently delivers exceptional value to its customers. Our mantra is simple: ‘Creating Motivating Opportunities.’
Blackpearl creates the opportunities that motivate action. We create high-impact products that pivot at speed to serve what businesses really need, kick-starting action – turning data into dollars.
Founded in 2012, Blackpearl Group is based in Wellington, New Zealand, and Phoenix, Arizona. blackpearl.com
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