New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has agreed terms with US-based company True North Sports Ventures (TNS) to launch a new Major League Cricket (MLC) franchise, set to debut in the 2027 season.
MLC co-founders Sameer Mehta and Vijay Srinivasan are the majority owners of entities which hold exclusive rights to own and operate two MLC expansion franchises, the first of which will be launched by TNS in 2027.
TNS is exploring several key markets across North America, including Toronto and Atlanta, to base the new franchise.
NZC also has the opportunity to partner with Mehta and Srinivasan on other strategic opportunities, such as the second franchise planned for 2031.
The first-of-its-kind agreement between a full member of the ICC and a franchise in a leading professional cricket league will see NZC provide high-performance and operational support, including coaching, management, and support staff, as well as integrating the franchise into NZC’s domestic high-performance ecosystem.
In the second phase of development, NZC will offer expertise in cricket infrastructure and turf management.
Additionally, NZC has become a foundation investor in TNS, with the ability to make a more substantial equity investment before the end of 2025.
NZC chief executive Scott Weenink said the partnership would position his organisation at the forefront of cricket’s global transformation, as well as strengthening its presence in the world’s most lucrative sporting market.
“This agreement marks a unique and exciting milestone for NZC,” he said.
“As franchise cricket grows globally, NZC needs to adapt to seize strategic opportunities that ensure the sustainability of our cricket network.
“This helps diversify our revenue streams, expands our global brand and fan base, and creates new talent development and retention pathways for both our players and coaches.”
Weenink noted MLC was a world-class T20 tournament, and said he was proud to align with Messrs. Mehta and Srinivasan and the TNS investor group, to drive cricket’s growth in North America.
He said NZC would be joining an array of world-class, global sports, high net worth, and private equity investors in TNS, including 49ers Enterprises (the investment arm of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers) which boasts an enviable portfolio of global sports assets, including recently promoted English Premier League side, Leeds United.
Mehta and Srinivasan are serial entrepreneurs who co-founded Willow TV, North America’s premier cricket broadcaster, after which they co-founded the MLC and led its successful launch in 2023.
“TNS is delighted to partner with NZC, an organisation admired for its sustained success despite limited financial and playing resources compared to other international cricketing bodies,” said Mehta.
“As founders of start-ups that have rapidly grown to established businesses, we see NZC as a perfect fit for our new franchise.
“With NZC’s expertise, our expansion franchise will elevate MLC’s world-class T20 product and support cricket’s rapid growth in our region.
“The potential for cricket in North America is immense, and we look forward to working with NZC to deliver on both our ambitions and theirs, including broader strategic and corporate opportunities globally.”
MLC, which achieved “List A” status ahead of its 2024 season, is a leading global T20 tournament played in North America over three to four weeks during June and July, broadcast in the US via Willow TV, and in major global markets, including New Zealand.
Currently comprising six foundation franchises featuring players such as top BLACKCAPS Matt Henry, Rachin Ravindra, Finn Allen and Trent Boult, and overseas stars like Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Steve Smith, and David Miller, MLC plans to expand to eight teams by 2027 and ten by 2031.
The league also supports a robust youth cricket system and a semi-professional minor league in the US.
The yet un-named NZC-backed franchise, set to be formally announced later this year, will tap into a 25 million strong cricket fan base that is driving the sport’s rapid growth in North America, evidenced by the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup and cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 LA Olympics.
About True North Sports
TNS is set to launch an expansion Major League Cricket franchise in a major North American market in 2027. Majority-owned by MLC co-founders Sameer Mehta and Vijay Srinivasan, TNS is backed by global investors.
About Major League Cricket
Major League Cricket is the USA’s premier T20 competition, featuring world-class players and coaches. Launched in 2023, MLC has achieved “List A” status and is broadcast globally, with plans to expand to ten franchises by 2031.
Source: https://www.nzc.nz/
Scales Corporation Limited (NZX:SCL) today announced it has acquired a further 7.5% holding in subsidiary Shelby JV LLC (Shelby) for USD 24.4 million. Scales Corporation’s Managing Director, Andy Borland says “We are delighted to lift our investment in Shelby. Since the time of our initial investment in the business in 2018 we have been looking for an opportunity to increase our holding.” “Shelby’s performance has been fundamental to Scales’ success in recent years, with earnings growth since our initial investment materially exceeding expectations. We are excited by the platform that exists for further expansion through the various initiatives that have been put in place.” “We are also pleased to be able to recognise our joint venture partner, Brett Frankel, for his contribution to this success, and we are aligned in our commitment and motivation to take this business into its next phase. That phase includes refreshed commitments to the business by Shelby’s founder, including to long-term succession planning within the management team” The valuation and corresponding purchase price reflects: • The strong historical and forecast earnings growth • The improved structure of the business, which includes longer term contracts across its supply network and processing arrangements • A more diversified and robust customer base, which we are leveraging across our global business • The strategic importance of this business in realising our global single brand strategy • The positive underlying macro trends for natural protein petfood ingredients businesses, as evidenced by recent M&A transactions.
Scales Corporation Chair, Mike Petersen commented “This investment is very positive for Scales and aligns with our stated aspiration of increasing our share in the Global Proteins division’s joint ventures over time. It is very pleasing to be able to increase our presence in the US petfood ingredient market, particularly at this time. Shelby’s sales are almost exclusively to US customers and raw material supply is domestically sourced.” The transaction will be funded via USD term debt raised from Scales’ current bank partners, with post settlement gearing remaining at low levels. Settlement is on 16 April, with the earnings impact of the transaction applied to the full FY2025 year. As a result of the investment, directors advise an increase in FY2025 earnings guidance for Underlying Net Profit after Tax Attributable to Shareholders, to between $37 million and $42 million. Guidance for FY2025 Underlying Net Profit after Tax reduces to between $51.5 million and $58.5 million, whilst Underlying EBITDA guidance remains unchanged. About Scales Corporation Scales Corporation is a diversified agribusiness group. It comprises three operating divisions: Global Proteins, Horticulture and Logistics. The company’s diverse spread of activities gives Scales broad exposure to the agribusiness sector. Scales Corporation was founded in 1897 as a shipping business by George Scales. Today it has operations across New Zealand, Australia, United States and Europe. Find out more at http://www.scalescorporation.co.nz
More than 250,000 people are expected to attend the California music festival over two weekends, with a stacked line-up of acts such as Lady Gaga, Charli XCX, Travis Scott and Post Malone.
Festival-goers will now be able to sip on the brand's range of alcohol-free cocktails at The New Bar, Coachella's exclusively non-alcoholic bars.
Free AF founder Lisa King said the brand was "thrilled" to bring a taste of New Zealand's "vibrant alcohol-free culture" to one of the world's most iconic festivals.
"It's an incredible opportunity to showcase our non-alcohol cocktails to a global audience."
Interest in non-alcoholic beverages has surged in recent years, with one survey saying sales were growing by around 30% each year.
Free AF has already broken into the US market, with products stocked in major retailers such as Walmart and Target.
The brand also gained visibility earlier this year when Khloé Kardashian and Kris Jenner promoted the drinks during Dry January.
King said the non-alcoholic landscape was "evolving massively".
"More people around the world are choosing to drink less or abstain from alcohol altogether."
And it's not just the punters choosing not to drink at the festival either, she said.
"More than a dozen artists performing at Coachella this year have publicly stated they don’t drink.
"Being at Coachella marks our biggest activation of the year, aligning perfectly with our mission – to make not drinking cool AF."
Source: https://www.1news.co.nz/
A large cast and crew who filmed on location in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland for Netflix have been praised by locals for their creativity and communication.
The four-day Auckland shoot took place in Cheltenham in late February to film part of the streaming giant’s adaptation of John Steinbeck’s classic novel, East of Eden, following filming in Ōamaru and Central Otago.
The production, which has a working title of Timshel and stars Florence Pugh and Mike Faist, saw up to 200 cast and crew on set in Cheltenham, with local streets transformed to resemble California’s Salinas Valley in the early 20th century.
Ahead of filming, the production’s Auckland-based location managers arranged to paint selected houses in era-appropriate colours, including a notable villa on Cheltenham Road, built in 1906. Its owner, John O’Toole, said in a 31 January Devonport Flagstaff article that the location team and production company had been “great to work with”.
As reported in the Flagstaff, the production company arranged and paid for landscaping and for the house to be painted yellow for filming and then back to its original colour. “I can’t complain – we’re getting our house repainted for nothing,” O’Toole said in the article.
Devonport Flagstaff shared in a follow-up story that filming saw part of Cheltenham Road and nearby streets covered with gravel, with vintage cars, horses and extras in early 20th-century costumes attracting groups of spectators. Location workers on set told the Flagstaff that locals seemed happy and excited about the production.
This was confirmed by feedback from residents that location managers shared with Screen Auckland, the region’s film office delivered by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited on behalf of Auckland Council.
Screen Auckland worked closely with the Timshel team to ensure the production process was smooth, and disruption was kept to a minimum for local residents and businesses.
Here is a selection of the feedback:
“Thanks for being creative in our community of Cheltenham. Enjoyed the cars and horses and having you around.”
“It’s been a pleasure having you all in the neighbourhood. Crew have all been great and we will miss you.”
“I and some neighbours I spoke to were impressed (and pleasantly surprised) with the activity and organisation related to filming in and around Cheltenham Road. It was clearly a massive project yet there was little disruption…and there was minimal or no noise. Everybody we spoke to or met, from the location managers to those who were on security duties, were friendly, ready to answer questions, and accommodating of onlookers. The atmosphere was friendly, very respectful and disruption minimal and communication keeping us up to date could not have been better.”
As a thank you for their help, the production company hosted residents at a wrap-event at local beachside venue, McHugh’s of Cheltenham.
Netflix is due to release its East of Eden adaptation, a seven-part limited series, in 2026. Matt Horrocks, Screen Auckland Manager, says the series will showcase Cheltenham and its historic charm to an international audience, and brings significant benefits to Tāmaki Makaurau.
https://screenauckland.com/
Tainui Group Holdings (TGH) and global alternative asset manager Brookfield Asset Management (Brookfield) have entered into a long-term joint venture (JV) to supercharge the development of Ruakura Superhub in Hamilton, New Zealand.
The JV will initially purchase four existing industrial/logistics buildings on long-term ground leases at Ruakura Superhub, which are tenanted by Kmart, Big Chill, Refrigafreighters and PBT Express.
The JV intends to develop out a further 70ha of logistics development assets at the intermodal logistics precinct with a forecast completion value of more than NZ$1 billion, and will consider further investment opportunities that present strong risk-adjusted returns.
Ruakura Superhub is in New Zealand’s major supply chain corridor, servicing around 45 per cent of New Zealand’s population, 42 per cent of the nation’s freight and 55 per cent of the country’s GDP. The site provides optimal connectivity and cost efficiencies, with a 30 hectare (ha) inland port connected via rail to New Zealand’s two largest commercial ports – Auckland Port and Port of Tauranga – and direct access to State Highway 1.
Tenants can also leverage sustainability benefits, which include the inland port facilitating cargoes off road and on to rail, a social procurement programme to create work and training opportunities for iwi members, and TGH’s track record in gaining high Green Star ratings for its buildings.
Under the terms of the JV, all whenua (land) will remain in Waikato-Tainui ownership across the full 610ha Superhub precinct. TGH will provide investment, property management and development services to the JV.
Chair of Te Arataura, the executive committee of Waikato Tainui, Tukoroirangi Morgan said:
“The new JV reflects the strength of the Maaori economy and signals that the iwi is open for global business. As an iwi our horizon is intergenerational; we are about building a legacy for future generations. Brookfield, which we selected for its aligned goals, values and fit, understands that. Together we will create real opportunities for economic growth that will reverberate for our people, Brookfield’s investors, and our city, region and country.”
Brookfield Co-Head of Australia and New Zealand Real Estate Ruban Kaneshamoorthy said:
“We are honoured to partner with TGH to further activate the major logistics and industrial precinct within Ruakura Superhub, bringing global capital at scale and unparalleled expertise as one of the world’s most active real estate investors.”
He continued: “A core pillar of our investments is to create meaningful benefit to the communities in which we operate. It is energising to invest alongside an organisation whose values are aligned with our own and where we share a drive to deliver long-term economic and social benefits such as job creation. Brookfield is a long-term investor in Aotearoa and we look forward to committing further capital to the country while working alongside local partners such as TGH. We’re encouraged by the New Zealand government’s approach to planning and infrastructure, which supports global investment in New Zealand.”
TGH Chair Hinerangi Raumati Tu’ua said:
“Our decision to partner with Brookfield is built on our experience over many years of partnering to bring in external capital, skills and networks to help us accelerate growth. Partnership is a proven strategy for TGH that has achieved success across a broad range of investments over the long term.”
She continued: “Our shared vision to invest at Ruakura Superhub will bring a suite of benefits to the Waikato and Aotearoa and in particular economic growth. TGH looks forward to a successful partnership with Brookfield and unlocking the full potential of the Superhub to deliver for our iwi over many generations.”
The Superhub has experienced strong growth over the past 30 months since its official opening in September 2022, including opening the first 12ha of the inland port and meeting high demand from national and global tenants for large, new-generation distribution centres.
The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2025.
https://www.ruakura.co.nz/
New Zealand and the State of Colorado have agreed to deepen relationships and offer opportunities in aerospace, quantum and geothermal technologies and beyond, Space Minister Judith Collins says.
Ms Collins signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with Colorado State Governor Jared Polis while attending the 40th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs.
“Today marks a significant moment in the strengthening of ties between New Zealand and Colorado,” she says.
“When Mr Polis and I first met a year ago we agreed to work to strengthen our partnership to further cooperation in science and technology, including in aerospace, quantum and geothermal technologies.
“This Memorandum of Cooperation formalises that we’re on the same page when it comes to the things that will drive economic growth, including research and development, company exchanges, regional technology hubs and innovation ecosystems that advance strategic industries,” Ms Collins says.
The Memorandum of Cooperation encourages increased collaboration between New Zealand and the State of Colorado across multiple areas including:
Ms Collins says the agreement encourages engagement, and will deepen New Zealand’s commercial relationships as well as establishing links to develop new ones.
“Increasing collaboration will be a win-win for those looking to invest in New Zealand companies or start-ups, and the same applies for those looking to invest in opportunities in Colorado,” Ms Collins says.
The Memorandum of Cooperation can be found on the MBIE website.
Notes to editors:
New Zealand–Colorado Collaboration
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/
The Coalition Government today released a multi-billion dollar plan for a modern, combat-capable New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) that pulls its weight internationally and domestically.
“Global tensions are increasing rapidly, and New Zealand has stepped up on the world stage, but our current Defence spending is simply too low,” Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says.
“This new Defence Capability Plan contains $12 billion of funding over the next four years, which includes $9 billion of new spending. This will raise New Zealand’s defence spending from just over one per cent of GDP to more than two per cent in the next eight years.
“This blueprint has been designed with a 15-year horizon but deliberately focuses on critical investments needed in the next four years to ensure our Defence Force can adapt as the world around us changes.
“The Government has committed to reviewing the plan every two years. Put simply, this is the floor, not the ceiling, of funding for our Defence Force.
“I want to acknowledge our coalition partners, New Zealand First and ACT, for their unwavering support in advancing this plan – and note New Zealand First previously drove the procurement of our new P-8A and Hercules aircraft.”
Defence Minister Judith Collins says the world is inherently more dangerous and our personnel are at the frontline of New Zealand’s security.
“They cannot do their jobs without the right equipment and conditions.
“This plan outlines what resources, equipment and support we need to modernise the NZDF to operate now and in the future,” Ms Collins says.
The 2025 Defence Capability Plan outlines indicative investments to ensure the NZDF is:
Combat capable with enhanced lethality and deterrent effect: This includes increased strike capabilities which will increase our ability to deter actions counter to New Zealand’s interests.
A force multiplier with Australia and interoperable with partners: New Zealand and Australia have committed to modernise our alliance and further strengthen our bilateral defence relationship, including the development of a more greatly integrated “Anzac” force.
Innovative and has improved situational awareness: Innovation in this plan covers new ways of doing things, as well as exploring new technologies for the NZDF such as uncrewed vehicles, new space technologies, and increased funding for Defence Science & Technology.
Ms Collins says the men and women of the NZDF have endured 35 years of cuts and underfunding.
“They join up to serve the people of New Zealand, however that is needed, and we feel immense pride and gratitude when we see them stepping up and into situations that the rest of us are running from,” Ms Collins says.
“But the way they were used for a prolonged period of time to patrol Managed Isolation Facilities during Covid led to many experienced personnel – those with 10-15 years’ experience – leaving for other career options.
“That has left us with a hollowed-out middle in our personnel, and this plan allows us to address that. Already our attrition has fallen from 15.8 percent in December 2022 to 7.5 percent in February 2025 – but we know we need to rebuild the core of the NZDF so we can fully utilise the ships, aircraft, vehicles and weapons we already have, while looking to what is needed in the future.
“Our personnel are expected to be called upon more often, in more places, and for longer. For this, they must be equipped and trained for a range of operations, to be more combat capable and able to deter actions adverse to our interests while also being ready to provide essential humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
“This plan does that. It gets our NZDF out of the intensive care unit and not just growing but growing where we need it to.”
Note to editors:
Defence Capability Plan 2025 is the Government’s plan to rebuild the NZDF and prepare for an increasingly volatile world.
Major investments 2025-2028:
Enhanced strike capabilities
Frigate sustainment programme
Persistent surveillance (uncrewed autonomous vessels)
Replacing the maritime helicopters
Javelin anti-tank missile upgrade
Network Enabled Army
Special Operations sustainment
Vehicles for the NZDF
Counter uncrewed aerial systems (UAS)
Long-range remotely piloted aircraft
Replacing the Boeing 757 fleet
Space capabilities
Enhancing cyber security capabilities
Enterprise resource planning
Improved intelligence functions
Updating classified digital services
Accommodation, messing, and dining modernisation
Defence estate regeneration
Defence housing programme
Future Devonport naval base design
Ohakea infrastructure programme
Defence, Science & Technology uplift
Technology Accelerator
Information management
Digital modernisation
Logistics resilience
Consolidated Logistics Project infrastructure
Implementing a workforce strategy
For the full list of indicative investments over the next 15 years, refer to the 2025 Defence Capability Plan.
GDP measure: To allow for international comparison we have aligned our forecast calculation to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reporting, as recommended by The Treasury.
The attached graph shows New Zealand’s historic spend profile on Defence, as a percentage of GDP, and the forecast spend as a result of this Defence Capability Plan. The uplift in spending shown in the graph between 2018 and 2021 reflect the investment made in the P-8A Poseidon and C-130J-30 Hercules aircraft.
Source: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/
TORONTO, ON, April 1, 2025 – HEALWELL AI Inc. (“HEALWELL” or the “Company”) (TSX: AIDX, OTCQX: HWAIF), a healthcare artificial intelligence company focused on preventative care, is pleased to announce the Company has acquired all of the ordinary shares of Orion Health, a global healthcare intelligence platform serving marque public sector clients, for total consideration of approximately NZD$175 million plus a performance based earn-out of up to a further NZD$25 million (the “Transaction”) in accordance with the share purchase agreement dated December 16, 2024, as amended (the “Agreement”), among the Company, HEALWELL New Zealand Limited, Orion Health, McCrae International Limited (“McCrae International”), and McCrae Limited (the “Vendor”).
Dr. Alexander Dobranowski, CEO of HEALWELL, commented, “We are thrilled to welcome Orion Health to the HEALWELL family and are excited at the potential of creating a powerhouse of innovation that will deliver actionable insights and drive better healthcare outcomes globally. The acquisition of Orion Health represents a transformative milestone for the Company, bringing large enterprise customers, recurring revenues, strong operating margins and free cashflow conversion to HEALWELL while providing a significant new channel for the distribution of our best-in-class AI products. In addition, the acquisition strengthens our position in the public sector, enabling us to deepen our reach with government partners, thanks to Orion Health’s strong, long-standing relationships. With the added synergies from WELL Health, we are poised to transform healthcare through AI and data-driven innovation.” Brad Porter, CEO of Orion Health, commented, “We are delighted to be joining forces with HEALWELL and delivering on our combined mission of revolutionizing healthcare through AI and data driven innovation. AI-driven insights have the potential to revolutionize how healthcare providers interact with data, leading to improved decision-making, better patient outcomes, and more efficient care delivery. By leveraging HEALWELL’s expertise in AI, and Orion Health’s R&D in New Zealand, we will enhance our Virtuoso and Amadeus platforms, ensuring healthcare organizations worldwide have access to the most advanced tools for care coordination and population health management. We are truly excited with the potential of our combined platforms and capabilities and look forward to the bright future ahead.”
The acquisition of Orion Health provides new opportunities for global health systems to access HEALWELL’s best-in-class AI technology delivering actionable insights and driving better healthcare outcomes. It unlocks substantial revenue synergy potential, as well as improved operational efficiencies and cost savings through shared services with WELL Health Technologies Corp. (“WELL Health”) (TSX: WELL). Collectively, these advantages strengthen HEALWELL’s financial profile, creating a larger, scalable business with substantial growth and value creation potential.
The purchase price for the Transaction was approximately NZD$175 million plus a performance based earn-out of up to a further NZD$25 million. Approximately NZD$105 million was paid in cash and an additional NZD$70 million (converted into Canadian dollars) was paid through the issuance of 35,643,478 Class A Subordinate Voting Shares (each, a “Share”) at an agreed upon price of C$1.61 per Share, of which 78.6% of such Shares are subject to certain voluntary resale and trading restrictions.
The earn-out is a three-year performance-based earn-out of up to NZD$25 million, with up to 50% of the amount payable, at the Vendor’s option, in Shares based on the 10-day VWAP of the Shares prior to the applicable payment date. The earn-out is contingent upon Orion Health’s ability to achieve Normalized EBITDA (as calculated in the Agreement) greater than NZ$20 million for each 12-month period. The purchase price was partially funded via a subscription receipt equity offering of approximately C$25.5 million at a price of C$2.00 per subscription receipt (the “Equity Offering”), and a subscription receipt convertible debt offering of approximately C$27.3 million at a price of C$910 per debt subscription receipt (the “Debt Offering”), both of which were co-led by Eight Capital and Scotia Capital Inc., as lead underwriters and joint bookrunners, together with a syndicate of underwriters. On closing of the Transaction: (i) the subscription receipts from the Equity Offering converted into 12,737,500 units of the Company (the “Units”), with each Unit entitling the holder thereof to one Share and one-half of one Share purchase warrant, with each whole warrant exercisable at a price of C$2.50 for a period of 36 months following the closing of the Equity Offering, and (ii) the subscription receipts from the Debt Offering converted into 30,000 convertible debentures in the principal amount of $1,000, each bearing interest at a rate of 10% per year, payable semi-annually in arears and maturing on December 31, 2029, all without any further action required on the part of the subscription receipt holders. The principal amount under the convertible debentures is convertible into Shares at a conversion price of C$2.40 per Share.
In addition, the purchase price was financed in part by a senior credit facility for an amount of up to C$50,000,000. The facility was provided by a syndicate of banks led by the Bank of Nova Scotia and inclusive of Royal Bank of Canada (collectively, the “Lenders”) and documented by way of a credit agreement dated March 4, 2025 (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement matures on March 4, 2028. Security for the credit facility is comprised of security over all present and after-acquired property of each obligor under the Credit Agreement. The terms of the Credit Agreement are customary for a transaction of this nature.
Following the closing of the Transaction (the “Closing”) and Equity Offering, there were 261,547,371 Shares issued and outstanding on a non-diluted basis (339,778,565 Shares issued and outstanding on a fully-diluted basis). In connection with the Transaction, the Company granted the Vendor a right to nominate a single member of the board of directors of the Company for so long as the Vendor (including any affiliates) holds over 66.7% of the Shares issued to the Vendor on closing of the Agreement (the “Threshold Share Percentage”). WELL Health has also entered into a Voting Support Agreement to vote its shares in favor of the appointment of the Vendor’s nominee so long as the Vendor holds the Threshold Share Percentage.
The Company is excited to announce that it has expanded its board of directors through the appointment of Ian Richard McCrae, and has appointed Tina Raja and Sam Englebardt as directors of the Company following the resignations of Bashar Al-Rehany and Kingsley Ward. The Company thanks Mr. Al-Rehany and Mr. Ward for their services and wishes them success in their future endeavours. Following these changes, the Company’s board is now comprised of six directors.
Ian Richard McCrae Mr. McCrae is the founder of Orion Health and sole Vendor in the Transaction. He previously worked as a Scientist for the NZ Department of Scientific and Industrial Resource before later completing a Masters in Engineering Sciences. Ian went on to work for Imagineering and Ernst & Young before founding Orion Health in 1993. In 2010, Ian received a World Class New Zealander award and in 2014 Orion Health became the first company to win the NZ Supreme Hi-Tech Company of the Year for the second time. In 2023, Ian was inducted as a Flying Kiwi into the New Zealand Hi-Tech Hall of Fame.
Tina Raja Tina Raja most recently served as a Partner, and the Head of Business Development and Capital Formation at 26North Partners – a next generation multi-asset class investment platform. Prior to this, she served as a Managing Director at Blackstone in the Tactical Opportunities group, where she led European Business Development & Investor Relations across – Tactical Opportunities, Growth Equity and Insurance Solutions. Previously, she also served as Head of Co-Investments and Investor Relations at Gemcorp Capital LLP starting in 2015. Ms. Raja began her career in 2008 as an analyst at Goldman Sachs. Raised in London, Ms. Raja earned a BA(Hons) degree in Economics from the University of Nottingham. In 2017, Ms. Raja was recognized in the inaugural Europe Forbes 30 under 30 list for her contributions to the Finance Industry. She also serves as a Young Advisory Director on the board for The Metropolitan Opera and the Global Council of The American Ballet Theatre.
Sam Englebardt Mr. Englebardt is a media and technology investor and content producer who is a Co-Founder and Partner at Galaxy Digital Holdings Ltd. (TSX: GLXY), a publicly traded merchant bank focused on the institutionalization of digital assets. Mr. Englebardt is also the founding General Partner of Galaxy’s Interactive division; now investing from its third venture fund, with over $800mm of AUM, Galaxy Interactive invests in opportunities resulting from the convergence of our digital and physical lives, including healthcare. Prior to Galaxy Digital, Mr. Englebardt was a Partner and Managing Director at Lambert Media Group (LMG) from 2007 – 2016, where he sourced and managed a portfolio of media-sector private equity investments including Rave Cinemas (sold to Cinemark in 2013). In addition to several private Boards, Mr. Englebardt is on the Board of Directors of iHeart Media (NASDAQ: IHRT). Mr. Englebardt earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School and studied philosophy, political science and economics at Oxford University and the University of Colorado at Boulder, from which he graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa.
This press release is also being issued pursuant to National Instrument 62-103 – The Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues (“NI 62-103”) in connection with the issuance of the Shares to the Vendor and McCrae International. In connection with the issuance, McCrae International will file, together with the Vendor and Ian McCrae (the sole shareholder of the Vendor and McCrae International (collectively, the “Vendor Parties”), as joint actors, an early warning report pursuant to NI 62-103 with the securities regulators in each of the provinces of Canada with respect to the foregoing matters, a copy of which will be available under the Company’s profile at www.sedarplus.com. A copy of early warning report may also be obtained by contacting Luke Hills at luke.hills@gowlingwlg.com
Immediately prior to the Closing, the Vendor Parties did not beneficially own, directly or indirectly, or exercise control or direction over, any Shares or any securities convertible into or exercisable for Shares. Immediately following the Closing, the Vendor Parties acquired beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, or exercised control or direction, over an aggregate of 35,643,478 Shares (representing approximately 13.6% of the issued and outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis, and 6.6% of the voting rights attached to the Shares and HEALWELL’s Class B Multiple Voting Shares (the “MVS”), based on 261,547,371 Shares and 30,800,000 MVSs outstanding immediately following the Closing), such aggregate shareholdings being comprised of:
Read the Full Article Here
HEALWELL is a healthcare artificial intelligence company focused preventative care. Its mission is to improve healthcare and save lives through early identification and detection of disease. Using its own proprietary technology, the Company is developing and commercializing advanced clinical decision support systems that can help healthcare providers detect rare and chronic diseases, improve efficiency of their practice and ultimately help improve patient health outcomes. HEALWELL is executing a strategy centered around developing and acquiring technology and clinical sciences capabilities that complement the Company’s road map. HEALWELL is publicly traded on the TSX under the symbol “AIDX” and on the OTC Exchange under the symbol “HWAIF”. To learn more about HEALWELL, please visit https://healwell.ai/.
Orion Health is a global healthcare technology company focused on reimagining healthcare for all. Orion Health is leading the change in digital health with health and care organizations to improve the wellbeing of every individual with our world leading Unified Healthcare Platform. Made up of a Virtuoso digital front door, Amadeus digital care record, and Orchestral health intelligence platform – each underpinned by extensive health and social data sets, machine learning, and 30 years of innovation focused purely on improving global well-being. www.orionhealth.com.
Pardeep S. Sangha Investor Relations, HEALWELL AI Inc. Phone: 604-572-6392 ir@healwell.ai
“Today the U.S. has announced a 10 per cent tariff on all imports of good, with many countries facing much higher tariffs on a reciprocal basis. New Zealand exporters will face a 10 per cent tariff rate from this weekend. While this is a significant development, New Zealand remains competitive against other exporters in the U.S. market.
New Zealand’s interests are best served in a world where trade flows freely. Tariffs have consequences for the global economy – impacting inflation, demand, currency stability, and economic growth.
While these tariffs create additional costs that will largely be passed on to consumers, New Zealand is in a stronger position than many other countries, some who are facing higher tariff barriers. This reinforces the importance of our work to create new trade opportunities and reduce barriers for our exporters in the EU, UK, UAE, GCC and most recently India.
New Zealand’s bilateral relationship with the U.S. remains strong. We will be talking with the Administration to get more information, and our exporters to better understand the impact this announcement will have.
We will continue to advocate for a rules-based trading system.”
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/
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