www.acquisition-international.com • Issue 7 2024 ARQUITECTURA
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Welcome to the July edition of Acquisition International magazine, bringing you the latest news, features, and success stories from businesses all over the world. In the present day, having a digital-first mindset is no longer a luxury, but a necessity for businesses who want to deliver maximum impact. Traditional methods still dominate the business landscape, and this can be a hurdle – but once organisations recognise how leveraging digital transformation can take their efficiency to the next level, they will soon discover how they can enhance their appeal to customers, drive their overall success. Learn more about how to embrace a digital approach and how it can benefit your business here. Meanwhile, in this issue, we are, as always, pleased to be featuring our award-winning, innovative businesses, who are at the leading edge of their respective industries, whether they specialise in cybersecurity, electrical installations, sports and entertainment media, medtech, cloud solutions, and more. As you read through these pages, you’ll discover exactly what it is that makes each business the very best of the best. The team at Acquisition International hopes you find each of these stories to be insightful and inspiring. We wish you a brilliant month ahead and look forward to welcoming you back again soon for our August issue. Rebecca Scotland, Editor No information contained on or in this website constitutes investment advice or an offer to invest or to provide management services and is subject to correction, completion and amendment without notice. Neither AI nor any of its associated entities are authorised to give financial advice of any nature nor are they regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Prior to making any investment, AI recommends that any prospective investor should consult with its own investment, accounting, legal and tax advisers to evaluate independently the risks, consequences and suitability of that investment. AI Global Media, Ltd. (AI) takes reasonable measures to ensure the quality of the information on this web site. However, AI will not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, correctness or completeness of any information that is available through this web site. If errors are brought to our attention, we will try to correct them. The information available through the website and our partner publications is for your general information and use and is not intended to address any particular finance or investment requirements. In particular, the information does not constitute any form of advice or recommendation by us or any of our partner publications and is not intended to be relied upon by users in making or refraining from making any investment or financial decisions. Appropriate independent advice should be obtained before making any such decision. Any arrangement made between you and any third party named in the site is at your sole risk and responsibility. Editor’s Letter
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10 8 23 6 News 8 Resecurity: Securing Digital Identities Across the Globe 10 Botánika Osa Peninsula, Curio Collection by Hilton: Most Tranquil Luxury Hotel 2024 - Costa Rica & Best Immersive Rainforest Experience 2024 - Costa Rica 12 Lastminute Care & Nursing: Most Trusted Health & Social Care Staffing Agency 2024 - UK 13 GRAU.ZERO Arquitectura: Most Innovative Architectural Studio 2024 - Portugal 14 Alter Equity: The Finest French Impact Investment Managers 15 Stage2Data Inc: Leading Cloud Solutions 16 BI4ALL: Revolutionising Data Transformation 17 Kumasi Compost and Recycling Plant Limited: Best Waste Processing & Recycling Company 2024 – Ghana 18 NXT:FWD: Stay Connected Your Way 20 Echelon Health: Transforming Health Outcomes for All 21 Occams Advisory: Transformation Advisory Services 22 Meridian Concepts Group Pty Ltd: Best Electrical Installation Contractor 2024 - Melbourne 23 Green Motion International: The Future World Leaders of Eco Car Rental 24 Black Book Market Research LLC: Rewriting the Market Research Narrative 25 Boutique Whitening: Superior Teeth Whitening at an Affordable Price 26 Trust Premier: Property Professionals You Can Trust Contents
NEWS NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FIRM, MNP, EXPANDS PRESENCE IN ATLANTIC CANADA WITH FIRST PEI MERGER MNP Joins Forces with Bradley Handrahan Chartered Professional Accountants, building on Commitment to Support the Atlantic Canada Marketplace MNP, one of Canada’s largest national professional services firms, is pleased to announce that it will join forces with Prince Edward Island-based firm Bradley Handrahan Chartered Professional Accountants, effective July 15, 2024. With offices in Stratford and Tignish, Bradley Handrahan Chartered Professional Accountants is led by Partners Troy K. Bradley, CPA, CA, and Neil L. Handrahan, CPA, CA. Both will join MNP as Partners, supported by a team of 20 additional professionals. The Firm provides a wide range of accounting and tax services to private enterprise companies throughout Prince Edward Island. This merger will be MNP’s entry into the PEI market. The Firm established itself in the Atlantic provinces in 2017, when it merged with WBLI, in Dartmouth and Truro. Most recently, MNP acquired PwC’s practice in St. John’s. Today, MNP has 31 partners and over 300 team members across Atlantic Canada, with locations in Dartmouth, Moncton, Saint John, St. John’s, Sydney and Truro. Rob Dean, CPA, CA, CFP, TEP, MNP’s Regional Managing Partner for the Atlantic Canada Region, said that the move reflects MNP’s continued commitment to investing in the region: “We are very excited to be adding Prince Edward Island, with its vibrant and growing economy, to our presence in Atlantic Canada. This merger represents a fantastic opportunity for both our firms to build on the work we are doing across the region to support clients with their growth journeys. We are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead and look forward to bringing even greater value to our clients and communities.” Bradley Handrahan Chartered Professional Accountants Partner, Neil L. Handrahan, says the merger strengthens his team’s ability to support their clients: “MNP complements and enhances our current service offerings and brings greater support that will help us service our clients as they grow and their needs change. This merger also provides new opportunities for our people to learn and develop their careers by working with MNP’s diverse teams and client base.” Founded in 1958, MNP has grown to more than 125 locations across Canada and delivers a wide range of services and specialized expertise in every sector and area of business. While becoming the largest of the mid-market focused firms in Canada, MNP has continued to maintain its Canadian roots, helping Canadian businesses both at home and abroad. “We have grown quickly but, first and foremost, we are absolutely committed to maintaining our culture and so have always been very strategic about who we invite to join our team,” said Diana Render, MNP’s Executive Vice President for the Prairies and Atlantic Canada. “We are known across the communities we work with as being one of Canada’s most-trusted accounting, tax and business consulting firms, so we are excited to welcome a very wellrespected practice in Bradley Handrahan Chartered Professional Accountants into the MNP family. Our cultures and values are well-aligned, and we share the same entrepreneurial, trusted approach to doing business.” Bradley Handrahan Chartered Professional Accountants Partner, Troy K. Bradley, emphasized that one of the deciding factors in their decision to join MNP was the culture: “Although MNP is a large national firm, it’s best known across Canada for being local in focus and having a small-firm culture and commitment to supporting the communities that its teams live and work in. When you’re making a move as significant as this, the ‘fit’ has to be right for everyone – your people, clients and community. We couldn’t be more excited about joining forces with MNP.” The Bradley Handrahan Chartered Professional Accountants team will remain at their current locations, which will become new MNP offices.
NEWS Healthcare products. It is the largest pharmaceutical company in India and is a leading generic company in the US as well as Global Emerging Markets. Sun’s high growth Global Specialty portfolio spans innovative products in dermatology, ophthalmology, and onco-dermatology and accounts for over 18% of company sales. The company’s vertically integrated operations deliver high-quality medicines, trusted by physicians and consumers in over 100 countries. Its manufacturing facilities are spread across six continents. Sun Pharma is proud of its multi-cultural workforce drawn from over 50 nations. For further information, please visit www. sunpharma.com and follow us on “X” @SunPharma_Live About Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE: TARO) Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. is a multinational, sciencebased pharmaceutical company dedicated to meeting the needs of its customers through the discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing of the highest quality healthcare products. For further information on Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., please visit the Company’s website at www.taro.com Forward-Looking Statements This announcement contains forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the anticipated timing of closing the transaction. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “confident” and similar statements. Statements that are not historical or current facts, including statements about beliefs and expectations, are forwardlooking statements. Forward-looking statements involve factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forwardlooking statements. Such factors, risks and uncertainties include the possibility that the merger will not occur on the timeline anticipated, or at all, if events arise that result in the termination of the Agreement, or if one or more of the various closing conditions to the merger are not satisfied or waived, or if the regulatory review process takes longer than anticipated and other risks and uncertainties discussed in documents filed with the SEC by the Company as well as the Schedule 13E-3 and the proxy statement filed by the Company. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of the press release, and the Company undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law. Further information on these and other factors is included in filings the Company makes with the SEC from time to time, including the section titled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent Form 20-F, as well as the Form 6-K and Schedule 13E-3, including the amendments thereto (which include the proxy statement) filed by the Company. These documents are available (or will be available when filed) on the SEC Filings section of the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at: https://taro.gcs-web.com/. Taro Shareholders Approve Merger with Sun Pharma Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited and Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. announced that the merger agreement between Taro and Sun Pharma was approved by the affirmative vote of Taro shareholders (including a vote of the majority of shares held by Taro shareholders unaffiliated with Sun Pharma) at an Extraordinary General Meeting and an Ordinary Class Meeting on May 22, 2024. The details of the merger agreement were announced on January 17, 2024. Dilip Shanghvi, Managing Director of Sun Pharma, said, “We are pleased with the approval by Taro’s shareholders, which, subject to the remaining closing conditions, will enable Taro to merge with Sun. The combined entity will enable us to better serve the needs of patients, healthcare professionals and our customers around the world.” Uday Baldota, Chief Executive Officer of Taro, said, “Throughout our fifteen-year relationship with Sun Pharma, Taro has benefited from their global scale and resources. This merger will further enable us to compete effectively in our products and markets.” Upon completion of the merger, currently expected to close in approximately 35 days (subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain closing conditions), Taro will become a privately held company wholly owned by Sun Pharma and soon after its shares will be de-listed from the NYSE. About Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (CIN - L24230GJ1993PLC019050) Sun Pharma is a leading global specialty generics company with presence in Innovative products, Generics and Consumer
8 | Acquisition International, Issue 7 2024 Securing Digital Identities Across the Globe n today’s digital world, individuals and companies face constant security risks from cyber attackers. These threat actors can operate from anywhere worldwide and often evade detection. This poses a significant threat to businesses, especially those that store sensitive customer information. A cyberattack can have far-reaching and devastating consequences for businesses of all sizes, making CTI essential for comprehensive security. We are introducing Resecurity, a leading provider of CTI solutions based in Los Angeles, California. The company is dedicated to empowering its clients by providing insights into cyberthreats, understanding the intentions of potential threat actors, and assisting in mitigating these risks. COO Shawn Loveland emphasizes, “We help our clients gain more visibility into the threat actors’ supply chain, allowing them to enhance their understanding from short-term ‘how’ and ‘when’ signals to more persistent ‘who’ and ‘why’ signals.” Every day, companies of all sizes, sectors, and countries are breached, putting the company, its employees, customers, and stakeholders in jeopardy. So, why do these attacks happen so frequently? They occur mainly because many companies need to update security products and procedures that are easily defeated by threat actors – individuals or groups with malicious intent who aim to harm a person, company, industry, or country. With AI and related tools easily accessible to both organizations and threat actors, Shawn claims that we are in an “AI arms race”, which he believes the threat actors are currently winning. Artificial Intelligence is becoming increasingly useful for businesses and threat actors. However, Shawn warns that it is a tool that will significantly accelerate and personalize threat actors’ attacks, making it even more difficult for legacy security products and procedures to be effective. For example, Shawn explains that tens of thousands of employees and vendors from various companies access GPT services, Gits, and other public and private services using their corporate credentials on PCs that are infected with malware. This makes it easy for threat actors to access a company’s AI and LLM systems for fraud, IP theft, extortion, data and AI manipulation, breach of the company’s network, and other malicious activities. Resecurity offers CTI as a monitoring service to help its clients improve their defenses and respond to these threats proactively. “We work closely with our customers, unlike many CTI vendors, to understand their needs and limitations. We help our customers choose the best services to meet their specific requirements, considering their budget, timeline, level of confidence, rules of engagement, and the depth of insights needed.” Resecurity is aware that each of its customers has unique needs and limitations regarding understanding the dark web, which is accessible only through specialized software and is often used to carry out secretive and untraceable acts, such as cyberattacks. The company’s primary weapon against this is its standard solutions, including Risk. Risk is an affordable and powerful tool that maps out a business’s digital footprint and alerts users to suspicious activity. If this technology sounds incredibly impressive, it’s because it is. Shawn mentions, “Risk is powered by the same data that large companies, government institutions, and militaries worldwide use to protect themselves and national critical infrastructure.” But that’s not all. Resecurity also offers another outstanding product called HUNTERs, known for providing accurate and highly confident intelligence on issues that cannot be found on the dark web. This makes it a favorite among customers who need this depth of knowledge and confidence. When it comes to Risk, several statistics about the solution underscore the unparalleled visibility it offers to customers. It continuously monitors over 31,000 different sources, tracking approximately 38 million threat actors worldwide. Additionally, the platform gathers billions of compromised credentials and botnet records for devices infected with malware. Shawn reveals the alarming truth that over 80% of infected PCs have up-to-date antivirus at the time of infection that the malware bypassed. Risk monitors a large amount of CTI data and alerts a company if this information becomes available on the dark web. The data includes project names, a company’s software source code, individual email addresses, identifying when the company’s infrastructure communicates with threat actor infrastructure, and much more. This information is accessible on the dark web, so it’s essential to ensure that a company is aware of the issue to identify the source of the leak or threat and to protect it from these threats. Resecurity is a trusted and reliable partner in the ongoing battle against cybercrime. The company has earned a well-deserved reputation for excelling in meeting the needs of its clients and giving back to the wider community. Resecurity provides pioneering products and services to non-governmental organizations (NGOs), aiding the global fight against fraud and human trafficking. Shawn states, “By providing NGOs with valuable CTI data, we enable them to bring the perpetrators to justice and help the victims receive restitution.” Resecurity’s efforts with organizations of this sort continue further as they can access these services and tools to protect themselves from any potential threats they may face. This arrangement is highly beneficial for all involved, except for the threat actors. We met with Shawn to discuss the latest developments in the industry and gain insight into the future of Resecurity. In addition to the previously mentioned automation and machine learning, we also discussed Threat Intelligence Platforms (TIPs) that are gaining Resecurity specializes in providing its worldwide client base with exceptional Cyber Intelligence Services (CTI) that safeguard its businesses, employees, and customers. In today’s business landscape, where cyber threats are increasingly complex and common, partnering with the ‘Best Intelligence-Driven Cybersecurity Company 2024 – California’, Resecurity provides access to scalable and cost-effective solutions. These solutions have prevented billions of account takeovers and millions of company breaches. We caught up with COO Shawn Loveland for more. I
Securing Digital Identities Across the Globe traction. This technology makes it easier to analyze and aggregate data related to threats. However, it requires a substantial investment and careful management. Furthermore, in the wake of several well-known attacks that have affected organizations like X (formerly known as Twitter), there is a new emphasis on the vulnerabilities within a company’s supply chain. The risks associated with third-party involvement are receiving more scrutiny. Shawn says, “The regulatory environment for data protection and cybersecurity is changing, creating ongoing compliance challenges. This requires businesses to continually adapt and expand their security monitoring to include its supply chain.” Resecurity is fully dedicated to assisting its customers as they navigate the ever-evolving developments in the cybercrime industry. The company ensures that its customers have the necessary security measures, reducing the complexity and cost of their chosen solutions. According to Shawn, the company’s data represents the sector’s future. For example, for one customer, what used to take a team months to collect and correlate insights now takes just one analyst ten minutes. With facts like this, it’s no surprise that the future looks incredibly bright for Resecurity. The company has developed a detailed roadmap outlining the critical areas it intends to focus on over the next five years. This plan includes further advancing its machine learning algorithms and integrating artificial intelligence into more elements of its service. The main goal is to enhance threat detection and improve response automation, increasing precision and overall efficiency. In conclusion, Shawn states, “By using these technologies, Resecurity aids our customers in effectively predicting and preventing future threats. Our machine learning solution has been deployed and consistently improved over the years, and our LLM solution is currently in beta and will also be continuously improved.” The opportunity to learn from Shawn about this industry has been fascinating. With over 35 years of experience in cybersecurity and technology, Shawn is the ideal person to oversee the operations of Resecurity. This company stands out as a leader in the global intelligence-driven cybersecurity sector. Contact: Shawn Loveland Company: Resecurity Web address: www.resecurity.com
10 | Acquisition International, Issue 7 2024 Most Tranquil Luxury Hotel 2024 - Costa Rica & Best Immersive Rainforest Experience 2024 - Costa Rica Botánika Osa Peninsula, part of the Curio Collection by the worldrenowned Hilton Hotels brand, is a five-star eco-luxury resort situated in the heart of southwestern Costa Rica’s spellbinding Osa Peninsula. With a primary focus centered on providing patrons with an unparalleled experience that offers the best of nature and a luxury vacation rolled into one, this tranquil hotel is built on the foundations of sustainability, conservation, and engagement with its remarkable local community. Contact: Diego Oviedo Company: Botánika Osa Peninsula, Curio Collection by Hilton Web Address: https://botanikaresort.com/ Seeking to attract environmentally conscious guests and sustain lasting relationships with the vibrant community and panoramas that encompass it, Botánika Osa Peninsula caters to adventure seekers and luxury travelers alike. From deep sea sports fishing on a boat in the largest private fleet in Central and South America, to ocean safaris operated by on-site tour operator Crocodile Bay, there are a number of distinguishing points that draw visitors from all around the world to this stunning Osa Peninsula hotel. Offering a variety of lavish rooms and suites brimming with world-class amenities, a natural lagoon-style pool, and extravagant restaurants that offer authentic dining experiences, this five-star Costa Rica Hilton sees the rainforest experience elevated to lofty new heights. A 2,600 sq. ft. state-of-theart fitness center and a relaxing wellness spa are also available to guests, perfect for those desiring to manage their health and wellbeing amongst all the indulging that is a must in this fantastic location. With every member of staff dedicated to going that extra mile to deliver a guest experience like no other, the team here is defined by a shared passion for hospitality, sustainability, and giving back. This contributes to an internal culture characterized by teamwork, respect, and a shared commitment to upholding the hotel’s values at every opportunity. Moreover, since employees feel a sense of belonging and are provided with a platform to innovate and be creative, they each contribute immeasurably to the hotel’s wider success. Across the luxury travel sector, there has been a significant increase in people seeking an authentic nature experience, without having to compromise on luxury. To cater to this niche, staff at Botánika Osa Peninsula have developed partnerships with like-minded providers that go that extra mile to add a unique sense of adventure to a stay. Such partnerships include GORUCK, a company renowned for its military-grade fitness gear, rucksacks, and adrenaline-fueled activities, as well as with Rogue Ridge, makers of highperformance offroad e-bikes. Its local support does not end there, with Botánika Osa Peninsula also supporting local conservation organizations and carrying out its own wildlife preservation efforts. Determined to protect the unique biodiversity spread across Osa Peninsula, the hotel partakes in a range of sustainability conferences to stay updated on the best practices and trends. A $250,000 grant from Hilton to the neighboring BioSur Foundation for it to expand its nature reserve and open a 6000-species insect museum, Insectopia, in the nearby Crocodile Bay village, stands as further proof of this commitment. Beyond the luxury hotel and thrill-seeking experiences on offer, guests who visit and fall in love with this slice of paradise can own their own piece of Costa Rican real estate right at the center of it thanks to Botánika Osa Peninsula. These limited and highly desirable Curio Collection by Hilton branded rainforest residences provide luxurious living spaces that are seamlessly blended with its tropical surroundings for maximum enjoyment. Owners are also afforded access to all the hotel’s amenities and have the option to rent out their new property through a professionally managed program. The ideal formula for those who wish to own foreign real estate but can only enjoy their vacation home from time to time. As for some of its recent crowning achievements, one of the things that Botánika Osa Peninsula is most proud of has been the completion of its third development phase, which saw an additional 88 residences and 138 rooms added to this Costa Rican Curio Collection by Hilton property. The rest of 2024 is set to be equally as exciting, with the transformation of the nearby Crocodile Bay Marina into an international hub for boats of up to 300ft set only to further increase the position of this location as a global destination for adventure and exploration. Nestled in between Corcovado National Park and the Pacific Ocean, with unparalleled views of the rainforest from the balconies of its rooms, Botánika Osa Peninsula offers a luxury resort experience complete with unique opportunities for adventure that effortlessly capture the spirit of Costa Rica. For its perfect striking of this balance, we celebrate this incredible Osa Peninsula hotel with these two well-deserved awards.
Issue 7 2024, Acquisition International | 11 WebAccountPlus is a fully digitalized, AI-driven corporate advisory platform. We offer advanced data analytics and multi-location accounting solutions, all seamlessly integrated on the cloud. Awarded Best AI-Driven Corporate Advisory Platform 2024 - Global By Acquisition International
12 | Acquisition International, Issue 7 2024 May24055 Most Trusted Health & Social Care Staffing Agency 2024 - UK isionary Leadership Joseph Willis founded Lastminute Care & Nursing with zero funding from a small serviced office space. Through sheer determination and a steadfast commitment to quality and customer service, Mr Willis has grown the company into a multi-million-pound business. His leadership has enabled the agency to stand out and thrive, even amid significant challenges such as increased competition from lowerquality competitors, reduced social care funding, and the complexities brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Joseph Willis emphasises, “Ultimately, quality got us through!” A Commitment to Excellence Founded on the principles of compassion, integrity, and professionalism, Lastminute Care & Nursing has always prioritised the wellbeing of its clients and staff. The agency provides a wide array of services, including temporary and permanent staffing solutions for hospitals, nursing homes, and private clients as well as delivering complex care and support services to individuals with learning disabilities, mental health challenges, and a variety of other physical and emotional needs. Its ability to deliver highly qualified healthcare professionals on short notice has made it a vital resource in the health and social care sectors. Outstanding Client Satisfaction A recent survey of 318 clients highlights the exceptional satisfaction levels that Lastminute Care & Nursing has achieved. An impressive 98.4% of clients confirmed they are happy with the care they receive, while 96.2% confirmed they are satisfied that their overall service is of good quality. These statistics underscore the agency’s success in meeting and exceeding client expectations consistently. Global Recognition and Expanding Reach In addition to its national acclaim, Lastminute Care & Nursing received a global recognition award in 2023 for its commitment to quality in the sector. With nearly 20 locations across the UK and over 1.5 million hours of care provided to date, the company’s reach and influence continue to expand, driving quality further afield every year. Innovative Services and Community Support In addition to its core services, Lastminute Care & Nursing has launched innovative initiatives to support the community. Joseph Willis operates a free service called “Ask Joseph”, providing daily tips and advice for family members caring for loved ones with dementia. This service also includes a free email advice service for anyone needing specific guidance or assistance which can be reached by sending questions to [email protected]. This commitment to giving back is further exemplified by Aaron Duijkers, Lastminute Care & Nursing’s number-one performing and longeststanding franchise owner in Lancashire. Mr Duijkers is developing his own AskAaron service off the back of the company’s nationwide success, focusing on home care challenges and providing specialised advice in this field. This can be accessed by sending a message though to [email protected]. Looking Ahead As Lastminute Care & Nursing celebrates its second consecutive win of this prestigious award, the agency remains committed to upholding the highest standards of care and trust. Its vision for the future includes expanding its services, embracing new technologies, and continuing to set the benchmark for excellence in health and social care staffing. The recognition as the Most Trusted Health and Social Care Staffing Agency 2024 – UK is a well-deserved honour that underscores the team’s dedication to making a positive impact in the lives of those they serve. In an industry where trust and dependability are vital, Lastminute Care & Nursing stands out as a leader, consistently delivering exceptional care and staffing solutions. Its success story is a powerful reminder of the difference that dedication, innovation, and a commitment to excellence can make in the world of health and social care. Company: Lastminute Care & Nursing Contact: Joseph Willis Email: [email protected] Website: www.lastminutenursing.com In an industry where trust and reliability are paramount, Lastminute Care & Nursing has distinguished itself as a beacon of excellence. For the second consecutive year, the company has been honoured within the Business Excellence Awards 2024. This accolade is not merely a reflection of the agency’s operational success but a testament to its unwavering commitment to quality, trustworthiness, and client satisfaction. V Lastminute Care & Nursing: Setting the Standard in Health and Social Care Staffing
Issue 7 2024, Acquisition International | 13 being partly energy-self-sufficient. Then there is its new family housing complex, a project underpinned by its accessible community spirit and integrated, sustainable design solutions. Having recently undergone a considerable expansion, GRAU.ZERO is now better prepared than ever to tackle comprehensive and large-scale projects. The last 12 months or so have seen it secure a number of new international clients, which has resulted in it fortifying its presence in the market and further diversifying what was already a varied project portfolio. This momentum is expected to continue for the rest of 2024, a period which will see the company increase its international authority by taking on residential projects in Brazil. From offices and hotels through to houses and tourist centres, GRAU. ZERO Arquitectura brings its unique blend of innovative and sustainable solutions to projects on both a national and international scale, making it a fitting winner of the award for the Most Innovative Architectural Studio 2024 – Portugal. Contact: Sérgio Nobre Company: GRAU.ZERO Arquitectura Web Address: https://grauzero.com/ Most Innovative Architectural Studio 2024 - Portugal Built atop the fundamental values of social responsibility, sustainability, creativity, and quality, GRAU.ZERO is driven to pioneer new solutions and technologies that aid it in its mission of crafting unique and efficient projects. These pillars have guided the company since day one, and they underpin every task that this team take on. It is a rigorous adherence to these values that has allowed the studio to stand out for 20 years, and when paired with its talented and multicultural team, a winning combination is created. Working both in its home country of Portugal and abroad, GRAU.ZERO serves a diverse range of clients across both the private and public sector. Regardless of the area or the sphere in which it is operating, the company is further distinguished through its commitment to building strong and lasting relationships with clients. Collaboration is key to achieving this, as too is the personalised and customer-centric service that is prescribed by every member of this team across the entirety of a project, from the initial design through to the execution. Meeting the needs of its clients in a way that the breaks the mould and is kind to both the environment and the community, the strict quality control processes in place throughout GRAU.ZERO’s operation ensure that projects are executed as seamlessly as possible. This includes them being completed on time, within budget, and to the high standards that clients have come to expect from such a seasoned and renowned architecture firm. Of course, none of this would be possible without its people, which make up the backbone of GRAU.ZERO. The studio is well aware that its people will forever be its best asset, with these dedicated individuals being the one’s responsible for driving these remarkable projects to completion. Across its staff, GRAU. ZERO has assembled teams with an unbridled passion for the field of architecture and design, consisting of individuals that are dedicated to creating excellence and inspiring others. Since this uniform excellence is on display throughout, the company’s internal culture is defined by a pledge to the dynamic, collaboration, and constant innovation. Another vital element is teamwork, as only by working together can this team adapt and thrive in an environment that is subject to constant change. At present, some of the primary challenges that the business is tackling include managing the worsening impacts of climate change, stricter regulations from governments, rising costs, and technological advancements. Undeterred by these prospects, GRAU.ZERO continues to march on, updating its tools, software, policies, and services to remain one step ahead of the curve at all times. On the back of such a commitment, the company has enjoyed a great deal of success over the past couple of years, having earned the right to further flex its creative muscles by completing some incredibly impressive projects. One such example has been its recent collaborative residential building for domestic violence victims, with this building Innovative architecture studio GRAU.ZERO Arquitectura is based Portugal’s second largest city of Porto, as well as being represented in the capital, Lisbon. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of its founding this year, GRAU. ZERO is today comprised of a highly experienced and creative workforce of architects and designers that create groundbreaking, sustainable, and socially responsible spaces for their clients. Boasting a vast project portfolio spanning the likes of residential buildings and offices, as well as interiors such as restaurants and bars, GRAU. ZERO’s innovation knows no limits. GRAU.ZERO Arquitectura ARQUITECTURA
14 | Acquisition International, Issue 7 2024 The Finest French Impact Investment Managers General partner Alter Equity is a French investment fund manager with an equal dedication to people and the planet. Using investment as a way to serve public interest through this unique social and environmental perspective, this company is built on core values such as respect, responsibility, and loyalty, and possesses action values including ambition, courage, and professionalism. For this innovative, socially-, and environmentally-driven approach to asset management, Alter Equity has been recognised as Best GP – Impact Investing, France, for both 2023 and 2024. Contact: Fanny Picard Company: Alter Equity Web Address: https://www.alter-equity.com/home-en Ever since its founding back in 2007, Alter Equity has been changing the way that investments are carried out, as demonstrated by making it mandatory for all of its portfolio companies to carry out a full carbon footprint assessment, this setting them off in the first steps towards a decarbonisation process. It was the first French investor to impose this requirement as far as it knows. The same can also be said for it asking its holdings to offering equity shares to all of its employees, something that allows everyone to thrive from this value creation process. Alter Equity also enjoys the distinction of being the first French asset management firm to introduce a disruptive and innovative investment model that works towards nurturing an economy that is more sustainable, inclusive, and responsible. This model, comprised of the three core elements people, planet, and profit, sees the asset management company support initiatives that will support both citizens and the environment in the long term, all whilst offering its clients an attractive return on their investment. Commenting further on this pioneering investment model, a spokesperson for the company tells us, “at the time, it was absolutely disruptive. We invented both the concept and the term ‘impact investing’, which has now gained widespread attention and is drawing increasing financial flows.” Since introducing its first fund, the Alter equity team has selected investments with a “double positive impact”, meaning contributing to solving environmental and social challenges that we face as a society. “I recommend Alter Equity without hesitation. They’re excellent”; it’s one of the best choices we’ve made in the history of our company. ” – Excerpt from an external fairness opinion. The dedicated team that comprises Alter Equity is led by its female founder, and with the team consisting of approximately 75% female employees, it should come as no surprise that they are firm believers in diversity and treating everyone with equal respect. This extends to all portfolio companies as well, with more than half of these businesses having at least one person from a diverse background on their executive teams. Innovation thus serves as the undercurrent for Alter Equity, which is constantly refining its investment process to offer nothing short of the best for its investors. This can be seen further in its introducing of a series of optional shares for current investors keen on supporting philanthropic initiatives, a process structured in collaboration with the Endowment Fund of the Louvre Museum. As one can see, Alter Equity clearly seeks out like-minded companies to work together for a brighter and happier future for all. Investors themselves are drawn in these investment opportunities, with Alter Equity receiving a high volume of quality deals that contribute to a constant flow. For example, in 2023 alone, it received a staggering 1,185 investment opportunities, with these largely driven by its best-in-class reputation and its community of enthusiastic entrepreneurs, which Alter Equity considers as being amongst its best ambassadors. 2024 has been equally prosperous, with the company currently in the process of raising its third fund, Alter Equity3P III. This unwavering commitment to driving progress in both the social and environmental dimensions, combined with the excellence of its team and its status as a true industry leader in the field of impact investing, has resulted in Alter Equity having been featured in more than 1,400 press articles, numerous publications, and on the receiving end of a number of highly prestigious industry awards. A beacon of trust in the field of French impact investing, Alter Equity continues to work towards responsible finance, in service of a more sustainable world. May24323
Issue 7 2024, Acquisition International | 15 Leading Cloud Solutions tage2Data solves business problems for its customers by providing them with high-quality cloud solutions and services at an affordable price. Innovation resides at the heart of its operations, and the company continuously seeks the latest cloud innovations to ensure that its customers receive world-class solutions. The Stage2Data team is passionate about delivering exceptional customer service and after-sales support that future-proofs clients for success. Stage2Data offers a wide range of cloud-based solutions to address clients’ various business needs, from security and network recovery to cyber resilience and disaster recovery (DR). Network Recovery-as-aService™ (NRaaS™), its flagship DR product, is a breakthrough solution in the cloud disaster recovery space. The pioneering solution goes beyond traditional backup and disaster recovery, offering a complete site failover and recovery solution for the entire network infrastructure. NRaaS™ minimises downtime for customers even if the site fails completely. Clients can quickly resume operations while also protecting their profits and reputation. Furthermore, during a failover, NRaaS™ lets clients restore their entire network while maintaining both public and private IP addresses. This solution eliminates the need for complex reconfiguration and minimises disruption to both users and customers. By implementing NRaaS™, clients can recover from ransomware attacks and natural disasters. The solution also lets organisations failover to the Stage2Data cloud for seamless business continuity. NRaaS™ eliminates the need for dedicated backup infrastructure, streamlining the recovery process and helping clients reduce their disaster recovery costs. Stage2Data gives clients complete peace of mind and confidence in the knowledge that their entire network is protected and can be quickly restored in the event of a disaster. Mohamed Al-Roubaiai, Corporate IT Manager at CES Energy Solutions, says, “Stage2Data feels more like a close partner than a third party. Their response times are great, all SLAs have been met, and we can all sleep better at night knowing that we can access our data at any time, 24/7. It really takes the pressure off us as we have a whole Stage2Data team on standby.” In recent years, Stage2Data has witnessed a rise in the number of K-12 schools becoming targets of cybercrime. Knowing its solution could help solve this challenge, Stage2Data partnered with Avalien and Cohesity to create a predictable pricing model specific for K-12 schools. Through this strategic collaboration, the partners have created a static monthly billing model designed to eliminate unnecessary expenses. This allows schools to budget effectively, improve their chances of qualifying for cyber insurance, and reduce their insurance premiums by up to 35%. Stage2Data is providing NRaaS™ to schools to ensure seamless failover and recovery of the entire network infrastructure. Its comprehensive solution minimises downtime and allows students and staff to access resources during a disaster. Stephen Pyott, Chief Revenue Officer at Stage2Data, says: “The biggest development we’re seeing is people leaving DR service providers in search of better ones. They want to avoid billing surprises where their DR providers bill them based on predicted numbers and then increase their bill amount every month, blaming unpredictable factors. “This hockey stick pricing model destabilises their budget and often prices them out of the service entirely. This has worked in our favour as we created a cloud DR solution based on a predictable pricing model, with no surprise fees and (within reason) a static monthly bill based on provisioned disk size. This is a very rare offering in the industry.” Moving forward, Stage2Data’s objective is to provide customers with a predictable bill that will only increase their charges if they add a server for protection, take one away, or reprovision a virtual machine. With its unique approach to DR, the company can ensure that customers’ monthly bills remain entirely static. Additionally, Stage2Data is currently working on several major projects, providing backup and disaster recovery services for enterprise organisations in the pharmaceutical, oil and gas, education, and legal sectors. As CEO of Stage2Data, Petrus Human, states: “Over two decades, Stage2Data has become a trusted cloud solutions provider, renowned for its innovative SaaS solutions and superior customer service. With our wide range of cloud-based solutions, we will continue to help clients secure their valuable data and protect their networks against cyber threats and other disasters. This, of course, is only possible because we have an amazing team working tirelessly behind the scenes.” Stage2Data will continue to embrace innovation to develop high-quality products and services that offer real value to customers. For its secure and reliable solutions, we have bestowed on Stage2Data our award for Leading Provider of Cloud Solutions – North America. Contact: Robert Kellerman Company: Stage2Data Inc. Web Address: https://stage2data.com/ Established in 2009, Stage2Data is an award-winning cloud services provider dedicated to delivering value with reliable SaaS solutions. More than just a cloud solutions provider, Stage2Data is a strategic partner for businesses, helping them to store, protect, and recover their valuable data. In the wake of its win at this year’s Global Excellence Awards, we take this opportunity to find out more about this leading cloud solutions provider. S May24296
16 | Acquisition International, Issue 7 2024 Aug22499 BI4ALL: Revolutionising Data Transformation ocusing on data analytics and artificial intelligence, BI4ALL uses its extensive knowledge and expertise to help organisations in the process of digital transformation and data strategy to achieve sustainable success. The consultancy works every day to help companies become more agile, able to anticipate market changes and outperform the competition. With its vast knowledge of business sectors and functions, BI4ALL is uniquely positioned to help clients improve business operations and achieve further growth. In today’s context, making decisions based on consolidated data is essential. This is the only way to predict scenarios and achieve good results, so the company’s data analytics and AI solutions add real value to its clients, benefiting their businesses. In 2006, BI4ALL expanded internationally, and this market now accounts for 60% of the company’s turnover with 24% from Switzerland and the USA respectively. The banking and financial services and pharma and healthcare sectors have contributed the most to the consultancy’s business in the last few years. José Oliveira, CEO of BI4ALL, says, “It is gratifying to see the growth and development of the organisation and its employees, as well as the fantastic group spirit and sharing that takes place here daily. In its 20th anniversary, BI4ALL is renewing its commitment to being a global benchmark in Data Analytics and AI.” He continues, “The reorganisation of the company’s areas of expertise was one of the priorities of this renewal (data strategy and governance; data visualisation; artificial intelligence; low code and automation; modern BI and big data; and R&D software engineering), as well as the creation of a specific area dedicated to attracting talent, which continues to be one of BI4ALL’s priorities, currently employing nearly 350 people.” There is a vast amount of data circulating today and it is essential for companies to process this data and transform it into knowledge. Every day, the team works hard to provide clients with knowledge and create analytics and AI solutions to turn data into relevant insights. By utilising disruptive technologies, BI4ALL transforms business models and data usage into effective and competitive business strategies. With data analytics and artificial intelligence technological solutions, businesses can become data-driven, more precise in their processes, and able to better respond to business challenges. BI4ALL works with organisations across all industries to help them with digital transformation and data strategy. With a clear focus on goals, innovation, delivery, and value creation, the consultancy helps businesses achieve better outcomes, optimise their organisational structures, and overcome competition. As an example of the real benefits that its solutions bring to organisations, we share a case in which you can see the difference that analytics and AI solutions make in the day-to-day running of organisations. BI4ALL continues to make a meaningful difference to organisations, providing technological solutions to help clients achieve transformative benefits. The consultancy previously worked for a logistics services company who were commercially and technologically divided into three areas: pharma, medical, and consumer. Due to this division and the company’s large size, there was little visibility and no way to measure the performance of their shared logistics services. In response, BI4ALL developed a centralised repository of end-to-end logistics and customer service operations to enhance process visibility across the company’s key areas. The solution created was fully scalable and provided the company with a robust model for credibility. The data analytics and AI market continues to grow, driven by technological advancements and the evolution of generative AI. BI4ALL predicts that generative AI will be increasingly integrated into data analytics solutions, playing a vital role in enhancing efficiency, accessibility, and strategic impact for organisations. BI4ALL leads the way with its disruptive solutions, empowering clients to invest in digital transformation to drive growth and innovation. The consultancy is currently working on several exciting projects which will enhance clients’ decision-making processes and provide them with immediate, actionable knowledge. Additionally, BI4ALL continues to focus on expanding its international presence to create more success stories in strategic markets. “Our growth strategy remains focused on international markets, namely Switzerland. With a solid knowledge base in data analytics and AI solutions, we are ready to take our expertise in analytics and AI across borders, enabling organisations to make smarter decisions, drive innovation and achieve sustainable success in an increasingly competitive global landscape,” says José Oliveira. Since 2004, BI4ALL has leveraged the power of data to add unparalleled value to businesses across all industries, transforming them into more agile and prosperous organisations. BI4ALL has vast experience in responding to the specific set of challenges and business requirements of different sectors. That’s why it works with high-performance teams with excellent technical and business knowledge and a passion for results. In this year’s Global Excellence Awards, BI4ALL has received our award for Data Consultants of the Year – Portugal. We cannot wait to see what comes next for BI4ALL on its mission to revolutionise data transformation for an uncertain future. Contact: José Oliveira – CEO Company: BI4ALL Web Address: https://bi4allconsulting.com/en/ For over two decades, BI4ALL has provided consulting services to help clients transform data into actionable insights and drive the progress of their businesses. In the ever-evolving data landscape, the consultancy develops and implements disruptive technology solutions to improve clients’ productivity and efficiency. We speak to José Oliveira, CEO of BI4ALL, about how the company leverages the power of data to unlock business potential. F
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