acquisition international the voice of modern business - est. 2010 www.acquisition-international.com • Issue 4 2024 Advanced Enterprise Communication Solutions Since its inception in 2002, CallTower has remained dedicated to delivering the world’s most advanced communications with its industry-leading Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS), Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS) and Collaboration solutions. Combining the power of global voice with its clientcentric approach, the business is passionate about enhanced communication capabilities, helping teams stay connected, productive, and cost-efficient. For its innovative communication solutions, we have honoured CallTower with this year’s award for Most Innovative Enterprise Communications Firm – USA
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Contents 4 News 6 Advanced Enterprise Communication Solutions 7 ONE swiss bank: Switzerland’s Best Private Bank 8 AWAP AM: Pioneering the Field of Wealth Management 9 Legal Capital Solutions as Innovative as they are Straightforward 10 Empowering Recruitment Solutions 11 Transformative Healthcare Experiences 12 Empirical Ventures targeting £10M fund to lead early stage deep science rounds 13 Security concerns, compliance issues, and the power of AI are top priorities for SMBs, according to Espriaes 14 Visiativ UK strengthens software division with Solid Apps acquisition 7 6 8
NEWS 41% of global financial services firms have extensively deployed AI across multiple business functions Within data management improving data accuracy is seen as the main benefit of AI with improving operational efficiency a close second. More than four out of ten (41%) of senior decision-makers working for financial services firms worldwide claim their organisation has extensively deployed AI across multiple business functions, while 97% in total say their firm is using AI to some degree. The figures highlight a split in the AI user base in financial services data management between those businesses who have adopted AI strategically enterprise-wide and the further 56% who are either narrowly deploying it at departmental level or implementing at pilot or proof of concept level. The survey results also show that firms with between 500-5,000 staff are the boldest in implementing AI, with 54% deploying it extensively across different business functions, while just 26% of firms with fewer than 500 staff have done the same. These were among the main findings of new research commissioned by Alveo, polling senior decision-makers working for financial services firms across the UK, the US and the DACH region (Germany, Austria and Switzerland). Commenting on the findings, Mark Hepsworth, CEO, Alveo, said: “The use of AI across financial services organisations today is still in its infancy. While a significant proportion of firms have dived in to deploying AI strategically across their entire operations, others have looked to dip their toes in the water at this stage and are waiting to see how the market evolves in the coming months and years. We would expect to see the proportion of firms deploying AI extensively over time to ramp up as the market matures.” Adoption challenges mentioned differ regionally: in the US the highest scoring response is “Limited availability of skilled AI professionals” whereas in the UK the highest score is for ”Potential for AI bias and discrimination” followed by “Complexities in integrating AI with existing data infrastructure”. Technological limitations far more often cited in DACH. Data quality is seen as more of an issue in UK and US compared to the DACH region. The US market leads the way in generative AI, with 74% of decision-makers from that region saying they are exploring, or using the technology, while the DACH region trails behind, with just 47% of respondents doing so. The survey also revealed that more than a third (34%) of decision-makers expect their firms to increase investment in AI for data management by more than 50% over the next two years, while 95% overall expect to see some increase over that period. Asset managers are most bullish here with 40% expecting to see a more than 50% growth in investment in AI for data management during that timeframe, compared to just 19% of asset owners overall. According to Hepsworth: “It is no surprise that firms are choosing to invest strongly in AI to enhance their data management. Data management is a foundational discipline in financial services, as good and timely data benefits all business functions and is a massive productivity booster.“ More than a third of respondents (34%) see improved data accuracy as the primary benefit of AI in financial services, ahead of operational efficiency (33%). Moreover, 97% of decision-makers anticipate AI will improve data cleansing and operations in their organisation. “Marrying data management with AI has the potential to significantly enhance these benefits,” added Hepsworth, “but to take advantage, firms will need to draw on the assistance of experts in data management who can help them to navigate the barriers and capitalise on the opportunities.”
NEWS backed loans reveals a disparity in the level of financing women are securing compared to men. Todd Davison, MD Purbeck Personal Guarantee Insurance, the provider of personal guarantee insurance to small business owners and directors said: “The number of new businesses incorporated by female founders reached a record high in 2023[iii], nevertheless, women’s success at attracting finance is not keeping pace with this growth. Although there has been a small rise in the percentage of policies taken by women for personal guarantee backed loans, it’s clear that no matter who’s in charge after the general election, more needs to be done to support female founders. Purbeck plans to play its part in helping female entrepreneurs by boosting awareness of access to funding and raising awareness of personal guarantee insurance as an effective means to mitigate the risks of personal guarantee backed loans.” Purbeck looks to bridge the gender gap in access to funding and support for female founders • Companies founded solely by women garnered just 1.8%[i] of the total capital invested in venture-backed startups in Europe • The total value of loans supported by Personal Guarantee Insurance (PGI) was over £379m in 2023, but just 5% of that value was for female founders • 11% of people taking PGI for a business loan have been women, a small rise on 2022 which saw just 9% of policies taken by women for personal guarantee backed loans • The total value of loans supported by PGI amounted to over £379m in 2023, but just 5% of that value was for female founders, equating to £20m. As Labour sets out targets for funding female-led businesses through the state-owned British Business Bank and launches a review of the financial exclusion of women[ii], new analysis of personal guarantee Analysis suggests just 11% of small business loans go to female founders
6 | Acquisition International, Issue 4 2024 Advanced Enterprise Communication Solutions Since its inception in 2002, CallTower has remained dedicated to delivering the world’s most advanced communications with its industry-leading Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS), Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS) and Collaboration solutions. Combining the power of global voice with its client-centric approach, the business is passionate about enhanced communication capabilities, helping teams stay connected, productive, and cost-efficient. For its innovative communication solutions, we have honoured CallTower with this year’s award for Most Innovative Enterprise Communications Firm – USA. Contact: Tonya Wheatfall Company: CallTower Web Address: https://calltower.com By leveraging cloud technology, CallTower offers an extensive range of enterprise communications solutions, including voice, messaging, and collaboration tools, integrated into a single platform. It is the business’s mission to help clients effortlessly connect and collaborate anytime on a global scale through any device. Its comprehensive approach allows clients to access a wide array of tools to meet their individual communication needs. CallTower prides itself on its ability to seamlessly integrate its agile solutions with clients’ existing applications and systems. This flexibility allows businesses to elevate their communications without causing disruptions to their current operations. CallTower’s cloud-connected calling enablement allows customers to leverage the power of innovative technology to enhance their communication capabilities worldwide. Businesses can expand their operations across multiple countries without the need for physical infrastructure. With this global reach, clients can easily connect with customers, partners, and employees across the globe easily and cost-effectively. Another benefit of cloud-based technology is simple scalability, which enables businesses to adjust their capability based on their evolving needs. Cloud-connected calling also helps to reduce communication costs by saving on longdistance calls, infrastructure investment, and telephone system maintenance. CallTower Connect is a revolutionary platform which provides users with admin capabilities to personalise and control their CallTower services. The innovative tool serves as an interface for managed service providers and channel partners who wish to resell CallTower’s services. Through its customer management portals and mobile app, customers can integrate telephony systems seamlessly into their existing systems. CallTower Connect includes support for Cisco Webex Calling, native Microsoft Operator Connect, Teams Direct Routing, Zoom Phone, and a range of SIP-enabled UC and contact center platforms, providing a complete solution to all businesses’ telephony needs. William Rubio, CRO at CallTower says, “CallTower has experienced significant growth in its telephony user base, largely by capitalising on the skyrocketing demand for Microsoft Teams Phone enablement. A key element of CallTower’s success is its Connect platform, which enables enterprise customers and partners to scale calling services with speed and agility, regardless of the UC platform they use. For services such as Microsoft Teams, Webex Calling, and Zoom Phone, CallTower offers a variety of pricing plans to meet different needs. These include both per-user/per-month unlimited or metered calling plans, as well as more traditional SIP trunking pricing based on call paths and metered rates. This mix of rate plans allows customers to choose a pricing structure that best fits their requirements.” The CallTower team is dedicated to fully understanding and meeting customers’ requirements with outstanding service and pioneering solutions. Renowned for its excellent customer support, CallTower strives to establish long-lasting relationships in order to provide clients with customised solutions to suit their business needs. Supported by a team of experts, the company delivers consistent reliability and 24-hour support to assist with any questions or concerns. In the rapidly evolving realm of unified communications and collaboration, the integration of AI has significantly transformed communication strategies, improved efficiency, and elevated user experiences. By incorporating AI technologies, CallTower can offer advanced analytics capabilities, helping customers to gain a deeper understanding of their communication data. Through these findings, businesses can optimise their communication strategies and streamline operations. CallTower has also leveraged AI to enhance its customer support with virtual assistants that can provide fast support. This innovative measure aligns with the business’s goal of complete customer satisfaction. CallTower is dedicated to paving the way with AI integration and continuous innovation in order to provide clients with cuttingedge, bespoke, and efficient enterprise communications solutions. Looking to the future, CallTower foresees an industry evolution to meet the growing demands for interconnected communication solutions. The business has anticipated a merging of Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) and Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS) which will focus on both user (UX) and customer (CX) experiences. With its holistic approach, CallTower has become a leader in its industry, utilising state-ofthe-art technologies to provide superior communications experiences. CallTower’s global cloud-connected calling enablement empowers businesses to expand globally, enhance their efficiency, and achieve greater operational flexibility. Recognised in AI’s Global Excellence Awards, CallTower is passionate about enabling customers to navigate the evolving landscape of technology with communications solutions that create a seamless user experience.
Issue 4 2024, Acquisition International | 7 ONE swiss bank: Switzerland’s Best Private Bank ith roots that date back to 1964, ONE swiss bank is the result of a series of successful mergers of separate entities that have been united by a strong desire to bring added value to the wealth management industry and develop a modern private banking model. The bank’s name, ONE, symbolises the union of the entities that have come together. Today, it has 84 employees across offices in Geneva, Lugano, and Zurich in Switzerland as well as a subsidiary in Dubai. Serving a broad range of clients, ONE swiss bank understands that every customer has their own needs and expectations. For this reason, it works hard to design bespoke, sustainable solutions, leveraging its long history in wealth and asset management as well as its strong entrepreneurial spirit. Proud of its Swiss roots, ONE swiss bank values excellence and reliability, which guide its business activities and interactions with clients. It does not take clients’ trust for granted, managing their assets with the utmost care and respect. When it comes to asset management, ONE swiss bank has consistently demonstrated its ability to provide efficient and appropriate solutions. It has managed assets for prestigious clients like state pension funds, international organisations, and worldwide corporate leaders. By providing systematic and quantitative management services, the company drives clients’ long-term growth while mitigating the downside risks linked to market volatility. Since 2016, ONE swiss bank has completed a series of external growth operations, increasing its assets under management (AuM) by a factor of almost 13. Now, they are worth over five billion Swiss francs, spread over three business lines: Wealth Management, Asset Management, and Asset Services. The bank’s team have achieved this without setting a specific target, instead maintaining an opportunistic attitude and relying on their strong expertise in mergers and acquisitions. Operating in a competitive field, ONE swiss bank stands out for many reasons. Firstly, it boasts a dedicated team of investment experts with a solid asset management track record, a passion for mathematics and science, and a wealth of expertise and experience in quantitative risk management. Secondly, being a boutique-size firm, the company’s clients benefit from short decision-making paths, personalised services, and a small, resilient team who are prepared to overcome challenges. Finally, ONE swiss bank is unique for its unparalleled agility, devising solutions to grow clients’ wealth and embrace new technologies. In everything it does, ONE swiss bank aims to embody its philosophy, which is ‘sincerely committed’. Firstly, the company is sincerely committed to its clients, fostering mutual trust and respect with them in all interactions and delivering financial solutions that meet their varied needs. Secondly, ONE swiss bank is sincerely committed to its employees, aiming to offer them a fulfilling and empowering professional environment with a good work-life balance. To this end, it empowers them with the flexibility and trust to organise their own working time in a responsible and entrepreneurial way. Moreover, ONE swiss bank is sincerely committed to its suppliers, doing business with them in a respectful way. Finally, the bank is sincerely committed to society, which it demonstrates by operating sustainably, caring for all stakeholders, and working to have a minimal impact on the planet. For its impressive growth and innovation, ONE swiss bank has been named Best Private Bank, Switzerland, in the Global Excellence Awards 2024. Considering its success over the last six decades, there is no doubt that the organisation looks towards a bright future. We are pleased to congratulate the ONE swiss bank team on their success in this awards programme and wish them the best of luck in the years to come. Contact: Julien Delécraz, Head of Marketing & Communication Company: ONE swiss bank Web Address: www.oneswissbank.com Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, ONE swiss bank is a private bank offering asset and wealth management services to private, professional, and institutional clients. Here, we explore its work in the wake of its success in winning Best Private Bank, Switzerland, in the Global Excellence Awards 2024. W
Aug22499 8 | Acquisition International, Issue 4 2024 Jan24045 AWAP AM: Pioneering the Field of Wealth Management n 2008, experienced Private Banker Anne-Sophie Tourrette established AdvisorOne SA, an independent wealth management structure. Over 15 years later, in July 2023, the company achieved approval from the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority and was renamed AWAP ASSET MANAGEMENT. Today, it continues to specialise in international wealth management and planning, as well as dedicated financial advice. Standing at the helm of AWAP AM’s growing team, Anne-Sophie boasts an impressive 34 years of experience in her field. Having worked at some of the largest Swiss international banking groups, she is equipped with the skills she needs to effectively preserve and grow clients’ wealth. AWAP AM is driven by a simple mission: to deliver superior results and experiences to its clients by leveraging the latest developments in wealth management technology along with a client-centric approach. Guided by the principles of integrity, expertise, and ethical conduct, the company is committed to serving as a trusted partner to clients in their financial journeys. By supporting them to navigate the complexities of the investment landscape, it aims to empower people to achieve their long-term financial goals. Operating in a competitive field, AWAP AM stands out for a number of reasons. Firstly, the company is unique for its unparalleled transparency in pricing, which applies both to its relations with banks and its management of investments. Unlike its less transparent competitors, AWAP AM empowers clients to make informed decisions by providing them with clear and detailed information about the fees and costs associated with its services. It also explains every action taken during the investment management process, providing them with confidence that their finances are in safe hands. Upon its initial inception in 2008, AWAP AM implemented a transparent no-retrocession model, marking the start of its long-standing commitment to pricing transparency. When the company later joined the Swiss Association of Independent Asset Managers, it stood out as the only one to have done so. “We pioneered a transparent fee structure from our inception, setting a standard of openness and honesty in an industry where opacity can be common,” comments Anne-Sophie. “This commitment to transparency extends to all aspects of our operations, fostering trust and confidence with our clients.” Another factor that makes AWAP AM unique is its commitment to innovation. Using cutting-edge technology and in-depth data analysis, the company offers tailor-made investment solutions that cater to the specific needs of each client, ultimately maximising returns and minimising the risk involved. Furthermore, it proactively manages portfolios, making informed decisions backed by both the human expertise of its team and the power of sophisticated algorithms. When it comes to innovation, AWAP AM is continuously exploring new areas for development. For example, the company keeps a keen eye on the landscape to identify any emerging technologies that could be used to enhance its service offerings. Anne-Sophie shares, “We have started to explore the possibilities offered by blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies. This can include integrating these assets into client portfolios or using blockchain technology to enhance the security and transparency of financial transactions.” Furthermore, AWAP AM has noticed that Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) has become a major trend in the wealth management field. Many investors are seeking investment options that integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria, aiming to support causes they care about while achieving financial returns. Whilst this can be complicated when it comes to implementation, AWAP AM always takes clients’ preferences into consideration and works with them to identify the opportunities that best align with their values. Overall, it is clear that, even after almost two decades of operation, AWAP AM is determined not to stagnate. The company does not hesitate to take action in order to stay ahead of the curve. For this reason, it is leading the field of asset management, standing at the forefront of market trends by offering innovative investment solutions that meet the evolving needs of its clients. As a result, it is no surprise that AWAP ASSET MANAGEMENT has recently been named Most Innovative Independent Asset Manager, Switzerland, in the Global Excellence Awards 2024. We are thrilled to congratulate Anne-Sophie Tourrette and her team on their success in this awards programme and wish them the best of luck in the years to come. Contact: Anne-Sophie Tourrette Company: AWAP ASSET MANAGEMENT Web Address: www.awap-am.ch Email: info@awap-am.ch Based in Geneva, Switzerland, AWAP ASSET MANAGEMENT (AWAP AM) is an independent wealth management company providing bespoke, transparent, and innovative investment solutions designed to meet unique financial objectives. Here, we speak to Founder and CEO Anne-Sophie Tourrette, who tells us more about the company’s recent innovations following its success in winning Most Innovative Independent Asset Manager, Switzerland, in the Global Excellence Awards 2024. I
Issue 4 2024, Acquisition International | 9 when it comes to risk, this team are renowned for their providing of expert financing structures that serve to provide access to those hidden assets while simultaneously measurably improving a client’s bottom line. All of this hard work and success is clearly being noticed throughout industry circles, with Bench Walk Advisors, serving in the top band for Chambers & Partners UK for the year ending 2023, being ranked in tier one for its UK base and tier three for its US base by the Legal 500 for 2024, and having been awarded the title of ‘Excellent’ by the UK Leaders League in 2023. This in addition to specific members of the team also being celebrated with individual awards for their terrific litigation support, with Co-Founders/Managing Directors Stuart Grant and Adrian Chopin being singled out in this area. Since its global launch back in 2017, Bench Walk Advisors has gone from strength to strength in this sector, and on the back of such sustained excellence, we are proud to name the firm as the UK’s Leading Provider in Legal Capital Solutions 2024. Contact: Ellen White Company: Bench Walk Advisors Web Address: https://benchwalk.com/ Legal Capital Solutions as Innovative as they are Straightforward Boasting offices in London, New York, and Delaware, Bench Walk Advisors utilises these strategically placed hubs to conduct investments across not only the UK, but also the United States, Canada, Australia, and throughout Western Europe. To date, this team have funded more than 250 cases and committed more than $1 billion to them, with this financing able to be provided at any stage of the litigation or arbitration process. The innovative financing solutions on offer from the firm consist primarily of four key areas, namely, single case funding, law firm portfolios, classic action funding, and defence funding. Single case funding is at simple as it sounds, with financial aid provided for a single case, whether this to be fund litigation costs or release capital for plaintiffs and claimants. This type of funding could involve the legal costs of litigation or arbitration, the buying of a single award to unlock a claimant’s cash flow, or the purchasing of insolvency claims. Defence funding, on the other hand, is financing that makes good economic sense for a defendant, and as one of few global funders to offer such a well-structured service, Bench Walk Advisors has made this available on both a single case and a portfolio basis, if claims are included. Regarding such portfolios, corporate portfolio financing from Bench Walk Advisors helps to both relieve the financial risk and reduce time and cost, enabling a law firm to pick the cases that it believes have the strongest chances of success for a swift settlement and the right result. To aid with this, a Bench Walk off-balance sheet and non-recourse portfolio facility is made available, provided directly to a corporate client so as to cover, or heavily reduce, the costs associated with pursuing disputes or monetising claims. In turn, cash flow is freed, and disputes become assets, with an increased capacity to yield laudable claims garnered. Finally, law firm financing is the business’ way of supporting law firms in the wake of clients expecting increasingly flexible fees, where the firm itself takes the brunt of much of the financial risk associated with a dispute. Using its single-case and portfolio facilities, law firms are afforded the unique opportunity to broaden their horizons and thus compete for more cases. Thanks to Bench Walk Advisors’ providing of capital, not only can firms further solidify their relationships with clients, but it can help them pursue more prosperous results, all the while ensuring a smooth cash flow and freeing up capital to help with expansion. Whatever service a customer of Bench Walk Advisors chooses, they will be afforded access to its highly decorated team, whose proven track record in the financing of successful cases and portfolios is underpinned by a keen understanding of the necessity of clarity and transparency regarding their clients and operation. Leveraging a pragmatic approach The mutli-award-winning Bench Walk Advisors possesses an enviable track record when it comes to both litigation finance and law firm lending, and as such, is being celebrated here with the title of the Leading Provider in Legal Capital Solutions 2024 – UK. Well aware of the urgency of making quick decisions and providing candid solutions in the field of funding applications, the incredibly diverse nature of this team, both in terms of their knowledge and cultural heritage, combined with substantial capital reserves, has enabled impactful and pioneering early-stage assessments to be delivered across numerous claim types and jurisdictions. Bench Walk Advisors
10 | Acquisition International, Issue 4 2024 Empowering Recruitment Leaders Recruitment Entrepreneur is a global private equity investor passionate about empowering recruiters to launch, build, and exit their business. As one of the most successful private equity investors in the industry, the company has fostered a vibrant community of businesses that benefit from the team’s extensive expertise. Recognised in this year’s Global Excellence Awards, Recruitment Entrepreneur help businesses founders thrive and create wealth in the recruitment sector. Contact: Sam Proctor Company: Recruitment Entrepreneur Web Address: http://www.recruitmententrepreneur.com/ Offering entrepreneurs strategic advice and the wisdom of its extensive experience, Recruitment Entrepreneur provides businesses with the funding and infrastructure to achieve their goals. It is the company’s mission to help founders launch, grow, and eventually exit their recruitment businesses to create wealth. Recruitment Entrepreneur invests in numerous sectors within the recruitment industry, each one a specialist in their own niche. Its expert team provide funding, strategy, financial expertise, operational infrastructure, legal advice, marketing, and talent attraction to help their joint venture businesses prosper. Founded in 2014 by James Caan, former Dragons’ Den star and serial entrepreneur, Recruitment Entrepreneur plays a crucial role in shaping the businesses within its portfolio. With over 40 years’ experience in recruitment, James has invested in recruitment companies of varying sizes across many locations and sectors. Alexander Mann, his first recruitment business, sold in 2013 for £260 million while Humana International, his second endeavour, expanded to 140 offices across 30 countries. Since then, James has continued to achieve success by building and selling businesses on a global scale. With over 3 million followers, he was named LinkedIn’s second most influential voice. Through Recruitment Entrepreneur, James, and the Recruitment Entrepreneur team, led by Greg Hollis the CEO, supports entrepreneurs on their path to success. Through their extensive global network, they assist their portfolio of businesses in attracting exceptional talent to join their team and supporting new clients and candidates. Mark Baker, Founding Partner at Darwin Hawkins, says, “Darwin Hawkins is now 5 years in business, and we have grown our team significantly! The advisory and infrastructural support from Recruitment Entrepreneur has been integral to our success and allows us to do what we do best, which is helping finance professionals evolve and progress in their careers.” At Recruitment Entrepreneur, the team seeks to partner with leaders. Working in collaboration with businesses, the investor shares in its companies’ successes and helps them to overcome challenges to build sustainable value. Whether launching a new business or scaling an existing organisation, Recruitment Entrepreneur provides its partners with a strong platform to compete with the best recruitment businesses in their sector. Its professional team understands that growing a recruitment business is not just about finance, but involves talent acquisition and retention, internationalism, diversification, legal support, and much more. By leveraging its substantial experience and expertise, Recruitment Entrepreneur allows its partners to focus on their growth to achieve their business vision. Walter James and EliteCyber, are some of its many success stories. The senior management team were able to provide the necessary support to help these businesses scale and eventually sell. James Absalom, CEO of Walter James, said following the sale of his business to ZRG Partners, “When you are looking at your business strategy for growth, and the option of external investment presents itself, taking the next step and parting ways with a percentage of your company isn’t an easy decision. However, after my first meeting with James Caan, Chairman, and Greg Hollis, CEO of Recruitment Entrepreneur, partnering with them was a natural decision to ensure the evolution and growth I wanted from Walter James. This has led to where we are today, and this planned exit event. I’m delighted for Recruitment Entrepreneur, and ourselves, after an amazing collaboration over the years that we have managed to achieve such a great success story.” The Founder and CEO of EliteCyber, Laurent Halimi said, “Being welcomed into the RE portfolio fast-tracked our growth and the partnership enabled the business to navigate and overcome significant challenges and milestones. Their invaluable support helped deliver an incredible six years of continuous growth, collaboration, and innovation, where we positioned ourselves as a leading presence in the cybersecurity industry. We’re thankful Recruitment Entrepreneur helped facilitate our success and now stand fully equipped to continue the growth of EliteCyber”. For its empowering and unique offering, we have bestowed on Recruitment Entrepreneur our award for Best Recruitment Investment Company 2024 – UK.
Issue 4 2024, Acquisition International | 11 Transformative Healthcare Experiences rom its Singapore headquarters, Beyond Medical Group provides comprehensive support to all its clinics, including financial backing, in-house marketing, human resources, and accounting services. Every successful clinic requires a network of support and robust infrastructure to ensure its Doctors can completely focus on their clinical work and deliver consistently excellent patient care. The Beyond Medical Group team conducts extensive market research, working hard to connect clinics with stakeholders who can add fundamental value to their organisations. With strong corporate backing, Doctors have the support necessary to shape their own career paths and treatment protocols on their mission to provide the best possible patient-centric care. Since its inception, the group has experienced RAPID expansion through strategic mergers and ACQUISITIONS of clinics. Expansion has allowed Beyond Medical Group to increase economies of scale, market share, diversify, and create synergy across its clinics. Beyond Medical Group provides a wide range of general and specialist screening services, allowing patients to take control of their health and make informed decisions about their treatment. With thorough screening, Doctors can identify symptoms early and diagnose health conditions that might otherwise go unnoticed. Beyond Medical Group strives to provide patients with peace of mind and a better understanding of their bodily processes. Every screening includes risk assessments and a pre- and post-screening clinical evaluation with one of the centres’ experienced Doctors. At Beyond Medical Group, its Corporate Partnership Development Unit possesses decades of combined healthcare experience. The pioneering company is well-equipped to match international patients with the right Doctor for them and strives to remain updated on the latest industry advances. Beyond Medical Group’s in-house marketing team creates clinic’s branding and digital outreach to ensure its centres can easily navigate the digital age. Its teams seek out new trends and medical breakthroughs to maintain the company’s leading position in the healthcare industry. Most recently, Beyond Medical Group was named one of Singapore’s Top 100 Fastest Growing Companies in 2024 by the Straits Times and Statista. Through its Human Resources department, Beyond Medical Group has implemented a thorough vetting process to discover talented individuals who share the group’s goal of providing high-quality healthcare services. Its Human Resources team takes its responsibility seriously, ensuring that all its clinic staff feel safe, appreciated, and emboldened. Additionally, Beyond Medical Group provides clinics with finance and accounting services to support their businesses’ vital activities. The Accounting team manages clinic’s assets, streamlining finances to ensure wellness centres can offer more accessible, costeffective healthcare services for all. To stay ahead in the competitive healthcare landscape, Beyond Medical Group is dedicated to continuous innovation. Its diligent teams work hard behind the scenes, providing wellness centres with a network of support so that Doctors can experience autonomy and deliver a seamless healthcare journey. Going beyond medical services, it is the group’s mission to build environmentally-, socially-, and economically- sustainable medical wellness centres. Through its strategic partnerships with skilled professionals and the support of its experienced teams, Beyond Medical Group will continue to provide high-quality medical care to patients for years to come. For its transformative healthcare management, we have honoured Beyond Medical Group with this year’s award for Best Healthcare Investment Company – Singapore. Contact: Jamie Chow Company: Beyond Medical Group Web Address: https://beyondmedical.com.sg/ Established in 2013, Beyond Medical Group is a leading investment holding group comprised of a collective of medical specialists and management professionals, who strive to provide patient-centric medical care and exceptional healthcare experiences. From the initial appointment to post-procedure care, Beyond Medical Group is dedicated to delivering an end-to-end service with its extensive portfolio of 17 Doctors and 24 centres across Singapore and Indonesia. Recognised in this year’s Global Excellence Awards, Beyond Medical Group prides itself on building prominent healthcare brands with a focus on holistic clinic management and support. F
Aug22499 12 | Acquisition International, Issue 4 2024 Aug22499 Empirical Ventures targeting £10M fund to lead early stage deep science rounds mpirical Ventures is targeting a £10M fund to lead pre-seed and seed investments for deep science startups in the UK. Founded by two scientists turned entrepreneurs, Empirical Ventures will invest in startups that are redefining what is possible and solving some of the most pressing challenges facing humanity. Empirical Ventures has already received a £5 million commitment from British Business Investments, through its Regional Angels Programme, to invest alongside Empirical Ventures’ new S/EIS Fund and its angel syndicate. Another £3.25M has been committed as a first close into the S/EIS fund by other investors. Empirical Ventures are active investors across the UK, with most of its investments taking place outside of London. Dr. Benjamin Miles (PhD, Physics) and Dr. Johnathan Matlock (PhD, Chemistry), met at the University of Bristol spinout company, Ziylo Ltd, in 2016 where they were part of the core scientific team. Ziylo was later acquired by Novo Nordisk in a deal potentially worth over $800 million - one of the largest acquisitions of a UK spinout company. Miles and Matlock have been very active in the UK’s deep science ecosystem, founding Science Angel Syndicate, which along with personal investments, has made over 65 investments totalling over £6 million in deep science companies. Miles also founded Spin Up Science in 2018, which has supported over 4,500 scientists in entrepreneurship and catalysed over 200 deeptech companies across the UK. Dr. Johnathan Matlock, VC investor and cofounder at Empirical Ventures, said, “We want to back the most innovative and advanced startups that address not only the necessities we’re facing for the future - climate change, dwindling resources, accessible healthcare - but also startups that create new markets and possibilities based on technology no one has seen before. We’re looking forward to bringing our experience and contacts together to support these startups to achieve their maximum positive impact.” Dr. Ben Miles, VC investor and co-founder at Empirical Ventures, said, “We are looking at entirely new technologies driven by fundamental research. These startups have incredible potential, but are also very hard to diligence and value at the early stages, and that is hurting the ecosystem as a whole in the UK. We’re addressing that gap in the market by validating and funding the most exciting and novel technologies from the beginning, and helping the founders through their journeys based on our own experiences to make them into successful and significant companies.” Adam Kelly, Managing Director, British Business Investments, said, “We are excited to back Johnathan and Ben, who are addressing a large gap of undertaking significant due diligence in early-stage deep science investing which in turn increases angel involvement into this vital sector. This commitment highlights the Regional Angels Programme’s objectives of developing the early-stage funding ecosystem across the UK Nations and Regions, bringing together finance, business experience and skills to support the development of high-growth smaller businesses.” Empirical Ventures has already invested in 18 companies across advanced materials, life sciences, robotics, and energy transition technologies, including startups like BaseImmune, Anaphite, CheMastery, Wase, Ensilicated Technologies, and QV Bioelectronics. Augmenting the team as venture partners are Hon. Alexander Fink and Dr Keith Lipman (PhD, Physics). • Emerging investors Dr. Johnathan Matlock and Dr. Ben Miles are a rare combination of scientist, entrepreneur, and investor, with track records in deep science scaling and investing in the UK • Empirical Ventures has received a £5 million commitment from British Business Investments Regional Angels Programme, to invest alongside the S/EIS Fund • Empirical Ventures will invest in early stage science-led startups that are redefining what is possible and solving some of the most pressing challenges facing humanity E
Issue 4 2024, Acquisition International | 13 experts advise people to ensure they have backups and not pay the ransom if they fall victim to a ransomware attack. However, nowadays, people are more inclined to pay the ransom and rely on insurance to cover the cost. This attitude has caused the problem to persist rather than diminish. If everyone were to take preventative measures from the beginning, the issue could be avoided altogether. It is possible that ransomware would not be as much of a threat today, but the fact that insurance companies cover ransomware attacks has contributed to its growth. According to research conducted by Mimecast, around two-thirds of the surveyed companies worldwide have fallen victim to ransomware. While cyber insurance is not solely responsible for the increase in ransomware attacks, it has played a part”. Olding then highlighted a crucial issue that businesses will face in 2024: ensuring that AI is aligned with their overall strategy and objectives. “It’s important to remember that AI and other buzzwords can sometimes be just that - buzzwords. It’s crucial to take a step back, assess your business needs and security requirements, and then search for the best solution. While many solutions may claim to have AI in them, it shouldn’t be the focus when choosing a solution. Instead, it would be best to focus on understanding the marketplace and finding the solution that best meets your needs rather than simply choosing one with the latest technology. Ultimately, the goal is to identify the best way to detect threats and whether or not that involves using AI.”. Smith added, “There are two ways in which we can approach artificial intelligence. The first one is to use the information we have to make informed decisions. The second one is to use technology to automate our daily tasks. These are the two main aspects of AI. In terms of business goals, most businesses have similar objectives. The first is to increase productivity, which could mean generating more revenue, producing more goods, or delivering more packages. The second is to find ways to perform more efficiently as an organisation. Given our current workforce, how can we remain secure and compliant with regulations? Additionally, how can we meet our sustainability and CSR objectives? This is where data analysis becomes crucial. By identifying gaps and opportunities, we can leverage technology to automate these processes.” Brian Sibley, Solutions Architect at Espria, concluded, “With Espria’s support, you can rest assured that your enterprise is in good hands. Our advice and system configurations ensure that you receive the best service possible. Not only do they address compliance issues and security concerns, but we also harness the power of AI to provide innovative and environmentally friendly solutions. With Espria on your side, you can focus on what matters, knowing that your business is in safe hands.” Security concerns, compliance issues, and the power of AI are top priorities for SMBs, according to Espria Espria, a leading provider of digital workspace solutions, hosted the second webinar in their Optimise 2024 series, covering peace of mind with IT and featured discussions with some of their key solutions partners, Xerox and Mimecast. During an open forum centred around technology’s benefits for achieving peace of mind, several industry leaders identified the key challenges that keep business owners awake at night. They discussed how technology can help address these challenges, focusing on compliance issues, security concerns, and the potential of artificial intelligence to assist in these areas. Richard Merrin, CEO at Spreckley Partners Limited and panel Chair, believes that businesses’ most prominent cyber risks come from employees working remotely or downloading potentially harmful content. He stressed the importance of employee training to mitigate this risk. Often referred to as the weakest link in security, a well-trained workforce can make all the difference in compliance and security. “It’s imperative to regularly update and monitor security protocols to safeguard against potential threats. It is invaluable to have a clear policy to educate employees about their responsibilities in protecting company data. Businesses should invest in high-quality cybersecurity software to enhance their security measures.” Mark Olding, Sales Engineer at Mimecast, added, “Organisations are vulnerable to security breaches caused by their employees. Hence, it is crucial to identify such ‘at risk’ individuals and provide them with better training to improve their security awareness. Although email is the most common area of attack, how we access and use data can also lead to vulnerability and thus the risk of fines, especially from a compliance standpoint. Our data shows that 90% of security breaches are caused by human error, mainly related to printed materials. While some breaches are intentional, most are accidental and occur when employees follow standard procedures”. According to Rob Smith, Digital Services Business Development Manager at Xerox, hackers now view Google and OneDrive as potential on-ramps into organisations. “It’s important for organisations to invest in security education and training for their staff. This helps make them aware of the risks associated with digital file sharing. To ensure safety, companies should implement automated security measures to detect and block any suspicious activity. It’s essential to be extra vigilant while sharing sensitive documents across platforms like Google Docs”. Olding highlighted a growing concern among businesses worldwide, namely hackers breaching companies’ security infrastructure and demanding payment for the stolen data. “The news and industry
14 | Acquisition International, Issue 4 2024 Visiativ UK strengthens software division with Solid Apps acquisition Visiativ UK, one of the UK’s leading professional services and consulting businesses, has announced the acquisition of Solid Apps. A 3D CAD and data management solutions specialist, Solid Apps exclusively focuses on the SOLIDWORKS range of products. The company was founded by its Managing Director Chris Hill in Oldbury, near Birmingham, in 1998. Solid Apps supplies and implements on-going support to customers across the UK with a particularly strong client base in Birmingham, Manchester, Oxford, and London. Along with its innovation funding consultancy service, Visiativ also provides digital engineering and manufacturing solutions to its global client base. The Solid Apps acquisition will further develop that side of its business and extend Visiativ’s reach into the UK CAD market. Scott Henderson, CEO of Visiativ UK said: “We’ve grown significantly over the past three years through our relentless focus on customer service, but our ambition has always been to extend further into the CAD market. Solid Apps is the ideal partner to do just that with; they are a customer-centric, values-driven business with a highly qualified, expert team. “Our acquisition strategy is to look for businesses which share our values and have customer service at the heart of what they do. Our acquisitions over the past few years have been based on these same principles.” Chris Hill, Managing Director of Solid Apps said: “While looking towards my own retirement, I also wanted to secure the future of the business, our team, and the service we provide to our clients. In Visiativ we’ve found a partner with experience, expertise and a strong focus on customer service. Our clients can now access a wide range of additional products and services from a business with an international reach. “I’m delighted that Neale Hall, my fellow director for the past 15 years, will be staying with the business alongside our existing team.”
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