Fintech PR
EQT Private Equity to invest in software companies HVD Group and Next
- HVD Group and Next provide cloud-based software to tradespeople and construction firms in the Nordics, targeting a range of professions including electricians, plumbers and contractors
- The tradespeople and construction industry is one of the largest globally while being one of the least digitized. The modern software solutions offered by HVD Group and Next enable customers to embark on a digitalization journey that improves their efficiency and sustainability
- EQT Private Equity will invest in HVD Group and Next together with the existing HVD Group shareholder Adelis, which will increase its investment
STOCKHOLM, Dec. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — EQT is pleased to announce that the EQT X fund (or “EQT Private Equity”) has agreed to invest in the Nordic software companies HVD Group (Hantverksdata) and Next (Next One Technology). Both companies serve the tradespeople and construction industry, with HVD Group focused on installation and service professions – such as electricians, plumbers, heating and ventilation firms – while Next is focused on contractors. HVD Group’s platform complements that of Next, and the investment therefore paves the way for a further strengthened product offering, which builds on both companies’ strong customer satisfaction scores.
The tradespeople and construction industry is one of the largest globally and yet is still early on its digital transformation journey, which has resulted in low productivity growth over recent decades. HVD Group and Next support the tradespeople and construction workforce to transition from using analogue or complex solutions to instead using their end-to-end software platforms.
HVD Group was founded in Sweden and has over 10,000 customers across the Nordics and Germany. The Company offers cloud-based end-to-end field service management and enterprise resource planning software with key functionalities such as order, project and asset management, scheduling, time reporting, procurement and documentation handling. This enables users to spend less time on administration, while reducing waste and minimizing risk of errors both in the field and the back office.
Next, also founded in Sweden, offers a cloud-based software solution to construction firms and has a strong complementary fit with HVD Group. With approximately 2,500 customers primarily in the Nordics, Next supports contractors, builders and service firms with project management software. Key functionalities include order and resource management, project financials, document handling, checklists and quality control, all of which enable efficient planning, execution and collaboration.
Ali Farahani, Partner within EQT Private Equity’s Advisory Team, said: “Investing in HVD Group and Next creates a strong Northern European platform with leading tech and product capabilities. We have followed the space for several years and are excited to back what is in our mind the most attractive platforms in one of the largest verticals globally. We are extremely impressed by the respective teams led by Mikael and Johan, and we look forward to bringing EQT Private Equity’s software experience to support the organizations through the next phase of continued high growth.”
HVD Group Chairperson Anders Böös and Adelis Partner Joel Russ added: “As long-term investors in HVD Group, we’ve seen the company go from strength-to-strength and it’s clear they have no intention of slowing down. We also know that the tradespeople software sector is robust and attractive given the size and growth, supported by many companies yet having to embrace the benefits from digitalization. That’s why we’re delighted to be moving forward on the journey together with EQT, HVD Group and Next.”
HVD Group CEO Mikael Viotti said: “We’ve made significant investments in our modern product and technology over the recent years, which has been well-received by our customers, and the opportunity to join forces with Next will only strengthen what we can offer to our customers. We look forward to partnering with EQT Private Equity and Next, while continuing to work with Adelis.”
Johan Jarskog, CEO of Next, also commented: “Next and HVD Group have an exciting and complementary fit. Not only from a product perspective, but also in terms of the culture and people, having followed Mikael and his team over the recent years. We are also confident that a combined offering will continue to drive our already high customer satisfaction, as we together with HVD Group will be able to offer an even more comprehensive product to our end users.”
Both transactions are expected to close in February 2024. EQT was advised by Vinge and Adelis was advised by White & Case. Next previous owner Monterro was advised by Houlihan Lokey.
With these transactions, EQT X is expected to be 30 – 35 percent invested (including closed and/or signed investments, announced public offers, if applicable, and less any expected syndication) based on target fund size.
The information contained herein does not constitute an offer to sell, nor a solicitation of an offer to buy, any security, and may not be used or relied upon in connection with any offer or solicitation. Any offer or solicitation in respect of EQT X will be made only through a confidential private placement memorandum and related documents which will be furnished to qualified investors on a confidential basis in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The information contained herein is not for publication or distribution to persons in the United States of America. Any securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and may not be offered or sold without registration thereunder or pursuant to an available exemption therefrom. Any offering of securities to be made in the United States would have to be made by means of an offering document that would be obtainable from the issuer or its agents and would contain detailed information about the issuer of the securities and its management, as well as financial information. The securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration.
Contact
EQT Press Office, press@eqtpartners.com , +46 8 506 55 334
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LONDON, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — AI to Replace Civil Servants and Save £45 Billion: What Does This Mean for Insurance?
The UK government is betting big on AI. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to replace civil servants with artificial intelligence, calling the state “overcautious and flabby” and promising sweeping reforms. The goal? To cut inefficiencies and save taxpayers £45 billion through automation.
With thousands of government jobs under review and AI well-suited for routine tasks, the civil service could unlock unprecedented efficiency – saving an estimated £45 billion while empowering its workforce
Will the Government’s use of AI legitimise its use in wider industry? Are their parallels within insurance?
The insurance industry faces the same challenges as a market that’s burdened with time-consuming, manual data entry and administrative tasks. AI is poised to change that by automating these processes, allowing underwriters to focus on higher-value decisions, resulting in faster, more accurate quotes, better risk management and a more competitive insurance market.
Much like in government, AI can reduce operational costs in insurance by eliminating repetitive tasks such as keying (and re-keying) submissions, document analysis, and manual risk evaluations. By leveraging AI, insurers can significantly speed up the quote process, improve efficiency and lower premiums.
Rewriting the Underwriter job description
However, AI isn’t replacing underwriters; it’s redefining their roles. As Starmer put it, “No person’s time should be spent on a task where AI can do it better, quicker, and to the same high quality.”
For underwriters, this signals a shift from administrative work to strategic decision-making, portfolio expansion, and coverage innovation. Instead of spending time on data entry or outsourcing submissions for manual processing, underwriters will be free to focus on evaluating complex risks and maximising capacity deployment.
AI won’t make you obsolete; but your competitors using it might
As the government leads the charge in AI-driven reform, the insurance sector must follow. AI is not just a tool for cost-cutting, it’s a powerful driver of efficiency, customer experience, and competitive advantage.
The question is no longer if AI will reshape underwriting but how quickly insurers will adopt it. Those who embrace AI may well outpace their competitors. Those who don’t? They risk being left behind, because AI won’t replace underwriters – but underwriters who use AI will replace those who don’t.
About Concirrus
Concirrus revolutionizes underwriting in specialty and commercial insurance with AI-driven solutions that turn hours-long processes into decisions made in seconds. Founded in 2012, it serves sectors like aviation, transportation, marine, surety, construction, political violence, and terrorism. Trusted by leading insurers, its AI analytics streamline operations, optimize risk assessment, and empower smarter, faster decisions in a rapidly evolving industry. To learn more, visit: https://concirrus.ai
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Fintech PR
The 137th Canton Fair: Strengthening Middle East Trade Ties with Successful Promotion Events
GUANGZHOU, China, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The 137th Canton Fair is coming this April. Recognized as the largest trade fair in China, the fair successfully conducted a Middle East roadshow in February, with trade promotion events in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.
“The Canton Fair provides a one-stop service platform for the global business community to trade commodities, exchange ideas and align rules and policies. The 137th Canton Fair will open on April 15, and we cordially invite Middle East enterprises to join the exhibition to strengthen cooperation and achieve win-win with global business partners,” said Ma Fengmin, Deputy Director General of China Foreign Trade Centre.
On February 13, the 137th Canton Fair Promotion Workshop was successfully held in Doha. Ali Saeed Bu Sharbak Al Mansori, the Acting General Manager of the Qatar Chamber (QC), praised the strong Qatar–China relations, noting China’s importance as one of Qatar’s most important trade partners and the noticeable developments in various fields, especially in economic and trade sectors. He emphasized the significance of the Canton Fair and Qatar Chamber’s commitment in fostering business ties and partnerships between Qatar and China. GAC (Guangzhou Automobile Group) highlighted the Canton Fair as a bond of friendship and a bridge for trade, encouraging the Qatari business community to attend the Canton Fair.
The Canton Fair working group also visited manufacturing group QIMC, home furniture chain Nabina Group, premium department store Blue Salon and Doha Exhibition and Convention Center.
On February 16 and 17, the Canton Fair working group hosted two promotion conferences in Riyadh and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and over 130 local representatives attended the conferences to exchange ideas and promote trade cooperation. He Song, Minister-Counsellor for Economic and Commercial Affairs at the Chinese Embassy in Saudi Arabia, stated that bilateral trade between China and Saudi Arabia has significantly expanded in recent years. Saudi Arabia’s exports to China are extending from traditional energy to diversification, while China’s exports to Saudi Arabia, including mechanical and electrical equipment, automobiles, new energy products, and IT equipment, are also becoming increasingly abundant. Saudi buyer representative highlighted the Canton Fair’s importance for sourcing goods, expanding business, and giving Saudi factories a global platform. Midea expressed that the Canton Fair serves as a global opportunity engine, accelerating the building of mutual trust and promoting shared growth. ToGo power said that the Canton Fair is an excellent platform for finding new suppliers, developing exclusive product lines, and establishing strategic partnerships.
Subsequently, the working group continued to visit the local home furniture retailer Saco and retail enterprise Bin Dawood, and attended the Big 5 exhibition, where they engaged with some of the exhibitors.
In Dubai, the 137th Canton Fair Promotion Conference held on February 19 was attended by about 100 partners and guests. Wang Xiaojia, Counsellor of the Chinese Consulate-General in Dubai, highlighted the strengthening economic ties between China and the UAE. The Canton Fair has become a premium platform for deepening cooperation between two countries. UAE enterprises are welcomed to join the 137th session and further expand business cooperation. Danube Group Vice Chairman and Milano Founder Anis Sajan reflected on his long-standing attendance at the Fair since the early 2000s, commending China’s robust supply capabilities and the event’s role in gathering global business opportunities. Haricharan DTP, Haier Gulf Electronics LLC sales Director, noted that the Canton Fair provides a window for communication, a stage to showcase the strength and image of the enterprise, and promotes technological innovation and industrial upgrading.
The working group visited Dubai World Trade Centre, port and logistics enterprise Gulftainer, Expo Centre Sharjah, retailer LULU, overseas warehouses of cross-border e-commerce companies as well as Gulfood tradeshow.
As an important milestone in building the online platform of the fair, the Canton Fair App now brings integrated online and offline experience for exhibitors and buyers, and serves as a 365-day, uninterrupted business matchmaking platform.
The 137th Canton Fair will be held from April 15 to May 5, 2025 in Guangzhou. To download the Canton Fair App, please visit https://cief.cantonfair.org.cn/en/app/appintro.html.
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Fintech PR
MEXC Lists AO (AO), Expanding Support for Decentralized Computing and AI Innovation with a 140,000 USDT Prize Pool
VICTORIA, Seychelles, March 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — MEXC, a leading global cryptocurrency trading platform, announces the listing of AO (AO) on both spot and futures markets, scheduled for March 14, 2025, at 06:00 (UTC). To mark the occasion, MEXC is launching an Airdrop+ rewards event with a 140,000 USDT prize pool, providing users with multiple opportunities to engage with AO and explore its potential within the decentralized computing space.
Unleashing AO: MEXC Supports the Future of Decentralized Computing and AI Agents
AO is a decentralized ultra-parallel computing network that expands on-chain computation while ensuring all operations remain verifiable and permanently recorded. Built on Arweave’s permanent storage, AO features an actor-oriented architecture, where modular programs (actors) operate independently, select their own virtual machines (VMs), consensus mechanisms, and payment models, and communicate through a standardized messaging layer. With self-triggering execution and autonomous agent capabilities, AO enables efficient DeFi strategies, automated DEX trading, and AI-driven applications, unlocking a new era of decentralized computing.
By listing AO, MEXC reinforces its commitment to supporting cutting-edge innovations at the intersection of AI, blockchain infrastructure, and decentralized computing. As demand for on-chain processing and AI-powered applications grows, MEXC provides AO with critical market access, deep liquidity, and an engaged global user base to accelerate its adoption and utility. Beyond just a listing, MEXC plays a crucial role in fostering the adoption and development of innovative blockchain projects across AI and DePIN. With a strong trading community, strategic marketing initiatives, and a track record of launching high-potential assets, MEXC provides projects like AO with the tools to gain visibility and traction within the crypto ecosystem. Through this listing, MEXC continues to connect users with the latest blockchain advancements, ensuring accessibility to next-generation decentralized infrastructure.
Celebrate AO’s Listing with a 140,000 USDT Prize Pool
MEXC, known for quickly listing trending tokens, expands its offerings with AO (AO). The AO/USDT trading market officially launched in the Innovation Zone on March 14, 2025, at 06:00 (UTC), followed by the introduction of the AO USDT perpetual futures at 06:10 (UTC), offering adjustable leverage from 1x to 50x with both cross and isolated margin modes.
To celebrate the listing of AO (AO) on MEXC Spot and Futures, MEXC is launching a series of exclusive events from March 13, 2025, at 12:00 (UTC) – March 23, 2025, at 10:00 (UTC), giving both new and existing users the opportunity to earn USDT bonuses and other rewards while engaging with the AO ecosystem.
- Event 1: Deposit to Share 72,000 USDT (New User Exclusive)
New users who trade AO spot (≥ $100) or futures (≥ $500) can earn a 30 USDT bonus, with a total of 72,000 USDT up for grabs.
- Event 2: Futures Challenge — Trade to Share 50,000 USDT in Futures Bonuses (Open to All Users)
Each user can receive up to 5,000 USDT in Futures bonuses.
- Event 3: Invite New Users & Share 18,000 USDT (Open to All Users)
- Event 4: Spread the Word and Win Rewards
Your Easiest Way to Trending Tokens
MEXC aims to become the go-to platform offering the widest range of valuable crypto assets. The platform has grown its user base to 34 million by offering a diverse selection of tokens, high-frequency airdrops, competitive fees, and comprehensive liquidity. In 2024, MEXC launched a total of 2,376 new tokens, including 1,716 initial listings and 605 memecoins, with total airdrop rewards exceeding $136 million.
About MEXC
Founded in 2018, MEXC is committed to being “Your Easiest Way to Crypto”. Serving over 34 million users across 170+ countries, MEXC is known for its broad selection of trending tokens, frequent airdrop opportunities, and low trading fees. Our user-friendly platform is designed to support both new traders and experienced investors, offering secure and efficient access to digital assets. MEXC prioritizes simplicity and innovation, making crypto trading more accessible and rewarding.
MEXC Official Website｜ X ｜ Telegram ｜How to Sign Up on MEXC
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