Fintech PR
TIGER INFRASTRUCTURE PARTNERS EXITING ZENOBĒ, WHICH IT HELPED SCALE TO LEADERSHIP IN BATTERY STORAGE AND ELECTRIC VEHICLE FLEETS, VIA KKR-LED CAPITAL RAISE
NEW YORK and LONDON, Sept. 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Tiger Infrastructure Partners today announced the sale of its interest in London-based portfolio company Zenobē to KKR, a leading global investment firm, and Infracapital, the infrastructure equity investment arm of M&G Plc and a current investor in Zenobē. The transaction marks Tiger’s successful exit from an investment that exemplified its innovative, transformational growth capital strategies for middle-market infrastructure. Tiger supported Zenobē’s dynamic rise from early concept to global leadership in grid-scale battery storage and fleet electrification.
KKR and Infracapital have formed a strategic partnership to support the growth of the company and will invest approximately GBP 600 million and GBP 270 million, respectively, in this transaction.
Founded in 2017 by Nicholas Beatty, James Basden and Steven Meersman, Zenobē is a global player in electrification solutions for fleets and battery storage solutions for grid network infrastructure, with market leading positions in the UK, Australia and New Zealand, and a growing presence in continental Europe as well as North America. From Zenobē’s inception in 2017, Tiger became its first institutional investor, building on initial capital from private sources and providing hands-on expertise to position the company’s platform to become “core infrastructure of tomorrow”. Tiger worked closely with Zenobē’s founders to expand its UK-based grid-scale battery storage business and to use its battery management expertise to help bus and increasingly HGV operating companies in the UK and globally with a range of turnkey solutions to decarbonize their fleets and meet emission-reduction objectives.
Tiger later brought in additional sophisticated institutional investors including Infracapital and JERA Co. Inc., a leading Japanese utility. By supporting the development of a blue-chip investor base and the creation of an infrastructure business model supported by Zenobē’s assets and long-term contracts, Tiger helped position the company to also attract over £1bn of debt financing from banks and other institutional lenders since its foundation.
Tiger CEO Emil W. Henry, Jr. stated: “This major investment in the next stage of Zenobē’s growth, by one of the leading names in infrastructure private equity, culminates a journey of first-mover leadership by the company’s founders and Tiger. Zenobē’s visionary management catapulted the company to the forefront of the energy transition worldwide by creating the first global, grid-scale battery energy storage company, and first to provide a full EV fleet solution.”
Continued Henry, “Tiger’s thesis-driven strategy gave us early-look insights into tailwinds driving the need for then-nascent battery storage as a critical element of decarbonization. We were privileged to help this superior management catalyze Zenobē’s growth by applying timely expansion capital and hands-on strategic and operating expertise while leveraging our unique transatlantic footprint to facilitate Zenobē’s entry into the US market as energy storage and fleet electrification takes off.”
Nicholas Beatty, Co-Founder and Director, Zenobē said, “With the committed support of our initial investors, Zenobē has evolved from a start-up idea of its founders to a highly valued innovator in the new core energy infrastructure. Tiger’s early belief in the Zenobē founders’ vision provided the critical first institutional capital and expertise to help grow those ideas into the Company’s global leadership in grid-scale battery storage and fleet electrification. That has enabled the business to accelerate the electrification of bus and now commercial vehicle fleets in partnership with leading operators and support the connection of further battery storage assets to deploy more renewable energy in the UK and globally.
Added Beatty, “Now, we will partner with, and benefit from, an extensive new round of investments from KKR and Infracapital to capitalize on the ever-increasing demand for our services. In this next phase of development for Zenobē and the industry, we’ll seize on the competitive advantage of the technology we have developed internally and with our suppliers as well as the synergies between our battery storage and fleet electrification businesses and our presence in multiple fast-growth markets as we expand beyond the UK, Australia, New Zealand into Continental Europe and the US.”
Since Tiger’s initial investment, Zenobē’s battery storage capacity has grown from 14MW to 430MW in operation or under construction today with another 1.2GW of projects in advanced development in the UK, and its fleet of electric buses, coaches and trucks supported globally has grown from zero to more than 1,000 vehicles deployed in over 75 depots. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2023 and is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
About Zenobē
Zenobē is an EV fleet and grid-scale battery storage specialist, headquartered in the UK. The company began operations in 2017 with three founders and has over the past 6 years increased its staff to >230 FTEs with a wide range of leading skills including electrical engineering, software development, computer sciences and financing. It now operates in Europe and Australasia and is expanding into North America. Zenobē has 430MW of battery storage in operation or under construction with another 1.2GW of projects in advanced development in the UK which equates to circa 20% market share forecast by 2026. It has around 25% market share of the UK EV bus sector and c.1000 electric vehicles supported globally. The company is the largest owner and operator of EV buses in the UK, Australia and New Zealand.
Zenobē’s services are supported by market leading financing capability. This has included completing and drawing down against the Fleet private placement in February 2022 which raised over £240 million long term debt for the financing of Fleet customers, principally bus operators in the UK, over up to 16 years. This also included the financing of grid-scale batteries completed in February 2023 which raised £635m of debt including an accordion for the development of Zenobe’s grid-scale battery storage assets in Scotland. For more information, please visit www.zenobe.com/ or follow on LinkedIn.
About Tiger Infrastructure Partners
Tiger Infrastructure Partners is an innovative private equity firm focused on providing transformational growth capital to middle market infrastructure companies. Tiger’s value-add approach targets growth investments across the Digital Infrastructure, Energy Transition and Transportation sectors in North America and Europe, where Tiger believes strong tailwinds are driving demand for new infrastructure. Tiger maintains offices in New York and London. For more information, visit www.tigerinfrastructure.com.
About KKR
KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR’s insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management of Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com and on X (formerly Twitter) @KKR_Co.
About Infracapital
Infracapital invests in, builds and manages a diverse range of essential infrastructure to meet the changing needs of society and support long-term economic growth. We take an active role in all of our investments, whether nascent or large, to fulfil their potential and ensure they are adaptable and resilient. Our approach creates value for our investors, as we target investments with the scope for stable and sustainable growth. Our portfolio companies work closely with the communities where they are based, to the benefit of all stakeholders. Infracapital is well positioned to deliver the significant investment required to help build the future. The founder-led team of experienced specialists has worked with more than 60 companies around Europe and has raised and managed over €7.8 billion of client capital across six funds. Infracapital is part of M&G Plc, an international savings and investments business, managing money for around 5 million retail customers and more than 800 institutional clients in 28 markets. Total assets under management are £342 billion (as of 31 December 2022). https://www.infracapital.co.uk/
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Fintech PR
President Emmerson Mnangagwa met this week with Zambia’s former Vice President and Special Envoy Enoch Kavindele to discuss SADC’s candidate for the AfDB
President Mnangagwa, who is SADC Chairperson, reaffirmed his own country’s and SADC’s enthusiastic support for Zambian candidate Sam Maimbo
LUSAKA, Zambia, Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Special Envoy Kavindele released the following statement following the meeting:
“I am elated to witness the growing success and momentum of Sam Maimbo’s candidacy to become the next President of the African Development Bank. I am filled with gratitude to our friends across both SADC and COMESA for their continued support and good wishes.
Sam has garnered such wide consensus due to his being uniquely qualified to deliver the transformative change and empowerment our continent needs. Sam’s 30 years in development work is defined by driving outcomes, improving processes, and investing in people. The AfDB needs a hands-on leader who is laser focused on delivering results and who is unafraid of making tough decisions in order to best serve our continent. Sam is that leader. Sam has the track record and experience to drastically enhance the pace, scale, and impact of the Bank’s work in service of the people and governments of Africa.
Our region has a proud history of supporting fellow Southern Africans. For example, we all recall Lusaka’s role in hosting the African National Congress’ headquarters during the dark days of Apartheid oppression.
It therefore gives me no pleasure to observe my South African brothers, who have themselves leant on Zambia’s steadfast friendship over many decades, fail to rally behind both SADC and COMESA’s chosen candidate for the AfDB. Africa’s urgent economic development challenges demand transformational leadership at the AfDB, it is all of our responsibility to put forward the best candidate for the job. This is not the time or place for a government to act with narrow self-interest, we all must act in the continent’s and AfDB’s best interest.
I thank Sam Maimbo for his lifelong service to our entire continent, and I am eager to witness his enormous impact as President of the AfDB.”
LONDON, Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Heimdal Security shares a practical holiday cybersecurity checklist, offering expert insights to help businesses safeguard against cyber threats this festive season.
With reduced staffing, remote work setups, and a surge in online shopping creating heightened vulnerabilities, this guide offers actionable tips to enhance business security.
Going beyond basic advice, the checklist also highlights the most common holiday scams and features videos showcasing real-life examples of Christmas-themed cyber scams and effective prevention strategies.
Key Tips to Protect Businesses This Holiday Season:
- Strengthen endpoints: Ensure devices are updated with antivirus and endpoint protection software; consider Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) and application whitelisting.
- Prepare for phishing spikes: Train staff to identify suspicious emails, enforce robust email filters, and establish protocols for reporting unusual activity.
- Secure remote access: Mandate VPN usage, monitor unusual logins, and deactivate inactive accounts temporarily.
- Segment and shield networks: Isolate sensitive areas, deploy DNS security and advanced firewalls, and maintain full visibility over network traffic.
- Apply timely patches: Regularly update all systems and test patches in a controlled environment to minimize disruptions.
- Mitigate supply chain risks: Assess vendors thoroughly and limit their access to essential systems.
- Have a response plan ready: Tailor incident protocols for the holidays, create an on-call rotation for the IT team, and enable rapid action against suspicious activity.
“ Cybercriminals thrive on holiday distractions, but with proactive measures like phishing training, secure endpoints, and network segmentation, businesses can stay ahead of potential threats,” said Alex Panait, System Administrator at Heimdal Security.
Common Holiday Scams That Businesses Should Watch For:
Cybercriminals often tailor their tactics to exploit the festive season. The most common scams include:
- Spear phishing: Emails disguised as holiday bonuses or event invitations that steal credentials or spread malware.
- Malicious holiday E-Cards: Festive greetings that contain links deploying ransomware or spyware.
- Fake E-Commerce sites: Fraudulent websites offering discounts to steal payment information.
- Insider threats: Distracted or disgruntled employees mishandling or exploiting sensitive data.
- Corporate travel scams: Fake booking platforms targeting business travelers.
- Business email compromise (BEC): Fraudulent requests for urgent wire transfers during year-end financial rushes.
For more, read the full article here or watch the video on YouTube to see how these threats unfold and learn actionable prevention strategies.
About Heimdal:
Established in Copenhagen in 2014, Heimdal® empowers CISOs, security teams, and IT administrators to improve their security operations, reduce alert fatigue, and implement proactive measures through a unified command and control platform.
Heimdal’s award-winning cybersecurity solutions span the entire IT estate, addressing challenges from endpoint to network levels, including vulnerability management, privileged access, Zero Trust implementation, and ransomware prevention.
For further press information:
Madalina Popovici
Media Relations Manager
[email protected]
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Fintech PR
According to Tickmill survey, 3 in 10 Britons in economic difficulty: Purchasing power down 41% since 2004
The people who have the most problems are women (30%) and are between 35 and 49 years old (39%)
ROME, Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The purchasing power in the UK has dropped by 41% over the last 20 years. Today, £100,000 left in a bank account since 2004 without being invested would now be worth £59,021.
This figure is one of the findings from a study conducted by Tickmill, an international online trading broker that compared the economic situation in the UK and the European Union through the infographic “Purchasing Power and Cost of Living: UK vs EU”.
The analysis reveals a slight decline of 0.4% in the UK’s purchasing power, which currently stands at £41,573. In contrast, the European Union has seen a modest rise of 0.1%, reaching £40,874.
Why is purchasing power declining in the UK? One key factor is the cost of living. If the UK were still part of the European Union, it would rank as the fifth most expensive country, behind Ireland, Luxembourg, Denmark, and the Netherlands.
Unsurprisingly, 3 in 10 Britons are struggling with the cost of living. Women (3 in 10, compared to 25% of men), those aged between 35 and 49 (4 in 10), households earning less than £15,000 (6 in 10), and single parents (1 in 2) are among the most affected groups.
Among UK nations, Northern Ireland is the hardest hit, with 34% of its population facing financial difficulties, followed by Wales (31%), England (28%), and Scotland (22%). In England, the North East has the highest percentage of people struggling, with 4 in 10 residents affected. Even in London, the high costs impact 1 in 4 adults.
In response to these challenges, Britons are making significant adjustments:
- 53% have cut back or delayed spending on smaller items like eating out, entertainment, subscriptions, clothing, toys, books, etc.;
- 52% have reduced household energy consumption;
- 48% have decreased their grocery spending;
- 41% have scaled back or postponed major expenditures, such as holidays, cars, and weddings;
- 26% are working longer hours, taking on overtime, or pursuing additional jobs to earn extra income.
The British also made changes on the financial side. One in four adults has been forced to dip into their savings or investments to cover daily expenses. Moreover, 44% have stopped saving or investing entirely or have reduced their savings and investments—a 4% increase compared to 2023.
The lack of investment is another critical factor contributing to the decline in purchasing power. It is estimated that 13 million UK residents hold £430 billion in cash deposits but do not invest. The reasons? Seventy-four percent say they cannot compare investment products effectively, and 43% are afraid of losing their money.
A lack of knowledge and fear are preventing many savers from taking advantage of an important opportunity: preserving or increasing their purchasing power in the long term.
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