Fintech PR
Starwood Capital Enters into Partnership with ESR Group Co-Founders to Acquire 10.7% Ownership Stake

MIAMI, March 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Starwood Capital Group (“Starwood Capital” or “the Firm”), a leading global private investment firm focused on real estate, today announced that a controlled affiliate has agreed to acquire a 10.7% equity stake in ESR Group (“ESR” or “the Company”) in a structured transaction alongside ESR Co-Founders, Stuart Gibson and Charles de Portes (“the co-Founders”). Mr. Gibson will remain Co-Chief Executive Officer and an Executive Director of the Company and Mr. Portes will remain a Non-Executive Director of the Company. Pursuant to the acquisition, all of the outstanding sums under the existing margin loan facility of the holding vehicle of the co-Founders will be fully extinguished.
ESR Group is APAC’s largest real asset manager. With approximately $156 billion in total assets under management focused on the new economy sectors of logistics, data centres and alternatives, the Company has a fully integrated development and investment management platform extending across key APAC markets, including Australia, Japan, South Korea, China, Southeast Asia and India.
Barry Sternlicht, Chairman and CEO of Starwood Capital, commented: “ESR is the leading real estate platform in Asia Pacific with important market positions in logistics and data centres, which are key growth areas for Starwood Capital. I have known Stuart for many years and have always been impressed by the business he, Charles and co-CEO Jeffrey Shen have built. Having recently partnered with ESR in Australia, we are very pleased to expand and strengthen our relationship through this transaction. We have full faith and confidence in the management team and look forward to working with all stakeholders over the longer-term.”
Stuart Gibson, Executive Director, Group Co-Founder & Co-CEO, ESR Group, added: “I have known Barry for nearly 20 years and I look forward to partnering with Starwood Capital as an investor. We believe Starwood Capital’s support will allow ESR to continue to focus on delivering for our customers, shareholders and capital partners.”
Jeffrey Perlman, Non-Executive Chairman, ESR Group, commented: “We are very pleased to welcome Starwood Capital as a key shareholder and partner of ESR Group. Starwood Capital’s scale, global track record in public and private real estate and access to capital is highly complementary to the Company’s strategy. We believe this is a strong vote of confidence in ESR and its prospects going forward.”
About Starwood Capital Group
Starwood Capital Group is a private investment firm with a core focus on global real estate. The Firm and its affiliates maintain 16 offices in seven countries around the world, and currently have 5,000+ employees. Since its inception in 1991, Starwood Capital Group has raised over $75 billion of capital, and currently has ~$115 billion of assets under management. Through a series of comingled opportunity funds and Starwood Real Estate Income Trust, Inc. (SREIT), a non-listed REIT, the Firm has invested in virtually every category of real estate on a global basis, opportunistically shifting asset classes, geographies and positions in the capital stack as it perceives risk/reward dynamics to be evolving. Starwood Capital also manages Starwood Property Trust (NYSE: STWD), the largest commercial mortgage real estate investment trust in the United States, which has successfully deployed over $95 billion of capital since inception and manages a portfolio of over $27 billion across debt and equity investments. Over the past 32 years, Starwood Capital Group and its affiliates have successfully executed an investment strategy that involves building enterprises in both the private and public markets. Additional information can be found at www.starwoodcapital.com.
About ESR Group
ESR is APAC’s largest real asset manager powered by the New Economy and the third largest listed real estate investment manager globally. With approximately US$150 billion in total assets under management (AUM)1, our fully integrated development and investment management platform extends across key APAC markets, including China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, India, New Zealand and Southeast Asia, representing over 95% of GDP in APAC, and also includes an expanding presence in Europe and the U.S. We provide a diverse range of real asset investment solutions and New Economy real estate development opportunities across our private funds business, which allow capital partners and customers to capitalise on the most significant secular trends in APAC. ESR is the largest sponsor and manager of REITs in APAC with a total AUM of approximately US$45 billion. Our purpose – Space and Investment Solutions for a Sustainable Future – drives us to manage sustainably and impactfully and we consider the environment and the communities in which we operate as key stakeholders of our business. Listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, ESR is a constituent of the FTSE Global Equity Index Series (Large Cap), Hang Seng Composite Index and MSCI Hong Kong Index. For more information on ESR, please visit www.esr.com
Media Contacts
For Starwood Capital Group
Tom Johnson, Dan Scorpio or Emma Prenn-Vasilakis, H/Advisors Abernathy
[email protected], [email protected] or [email protected]
For ESR Group
Media Relations: Kathleen Goh, Senior Director, Group Corporate Affairs ([email protected])
Investor Relations: Marilyn Tan, Group Head, Investor Relations ([email protected])
________________________
1 As at 31 December 2023.
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Fintech PR
Omada Announces Investment from GRO and Kirk Kapital to Drive Next Phase of Growth and Innovation in Identity Governance

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, April 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Omada A/S (“Omada”), a global leader of Identity Governance and Administration (IGA) software, announced a new phase in its partnership with existing investor GRO, which, together with Kirk Kapital, will take a majority ownership position to support Omada’s continued expansion and innovation.
Omada offers a scalable, AI-driven identity governance solution that enables enterprises to manage who has access to which systems and applications with confidence. Omada’s cloud-native, multi-tenant platform simplifies identity management, enhances security, and facilitates compliance – empowering organizations to manage complex identity workflows with greater efficiency and precision.
Enhanced cybersecurity through scalable identity governance
As digital ecosystems grow in complexity and regulatory requirements increase, identity governance plays a critical role in protecting sensitive data and achieve compliance. Omada’s AI-powered solution helps organizations reduce their attack surfaces and maintain real-time visibility into user access, strengthening both enterprise security and operational resilience.
Today, Omada supports enterprise customers across Europe and North America, providing the foundation for identity lifecycle management, enabling organizations to advance their cybersecurity, compliance, automation and business transformation goals. Focused on simplifying IGA, Omada delivers a streamlined, cost-effective approach built on code-free configuration, future-ready cloud architecture, and intuitive workflows. As a result, customers typically realize value in just 90 days, reduce provisioning time by 80%, and cut help desk tickets by 60%.
The investment, led by GRO Fund III as lead investor together with Kirk Kapital and other co-investors, including the Private Equity Group of J.P. Morgan Asset Management and P+, provides a full exit to CVC Growth Funds and GRO Fund II, and will accelerate Omada’s global growth strategy. The company will continue to scale through AI-driven product innovation and go-to-market expansion, building on its momentum as a globally recognized category leader, as acknowledged by leading industry analysts.
Michael Garrett, CEO of Omada, said: “This marks an exciting new chapter for Omada. With the continued backing of GRO and the addition of Kirk Kapital, we’re positioned to accelerate our global growth, double down on innovation in AI, machine identity and other focus areas, and explore strategic M&A opportunities. We’re thrilled to strengthen our partnership with GRO as we scale our vision for the future of identity governance.”
Lars Dybkjær, Managing Partner at GRO, said: “Omada is a true category leader in identity governance and a standout asset within our core thematic focus on cybersecurity software, exemplifying the kind of innovation and ambition we’re proud to back. With AI becoming critical to enterprise security, Omada is poised to take a leading role in shaping the industry’s future. We’re excited to deepen our partnership and support the company’s continued growth, innovation, and strategic expansion.”
Kim Gulstad, CEO of Kirk Kapital, said: “We’re delighted to join Omada and support its continued growth alongside GRO. Omada’s leadership in identity governance, strong European roots, and global ambitions align well with our long- term investment approach. We see tremendous potential in the company’s continued innovation in AI and are excited to be part of this next chapter.”
Sebastian Kuenne, Partner at CVC, said: “Omada has grown into a category leader in IGA, with a robust cloud – native platform and a differentiated approach to managing identity at scale for the most complex of enterprises. We are grateful to have been part of this journey and look forward to Omada’s continued success.”
The transaction remains subject to customary regulatory approvals.
About Omada
Omada, a global market leader in Identity Governance and Administration (IGA), offers a full-featured, cloud-native IGA solution that enables organizations to achieve compliance, reduce risk, and maximize operational efficiency. Founded in 2000, Omada specializes in simplifying IGA, delivering innovative identity management solutions for complex hybrid environments, based on a proven best practice process framework and a streamlined deployment approach.
For more information about Omada, please visit omadaidentity.com and www.linkedin.com/company/omada-as/.
About GRO
GRO is a leading Northern European private equity firm with an exclusive focus on B2B software companies with strong growth prospects. GRO serves as an active owner developing portfolio companies with a view to creating long-term value. The partners behind GRO have been investors in more than 25 technology and software related companies and GRO has approximately EUR 1.2bn in AUM.
For more information about GRO, please visit www.grocapital.dk and www.linkedin.com/company/gro-capital.
About Kirk Kapital
Kirk Kapital is a family-owned investment company that manages capital with a long-term focus on strategic minority investments in market-leading companies in Scandinavia, along with a diversified portfolio of financial investments. The company has its headquarters in Vejle and was established by the Kirk Johansen family, descendants of LEGO founder Ole Kirk Christiansen. Kirk Kapital has 17 active strategic investments and manages approximately EUR 3.5bn in AUM.
For more information about Kirk Kapital, please visit www.kirkkapital.dk and www.linkedin.com/company/kirkkapital/.
About CVC
CVC is a leading global private markets manager with a network of 30 office locations throughout EMEA, the Americas, and Asia, with approximately EUR 200bn of assets under management. CVC has seven complementary strategies across private equity, secondaries, credit and infrastructure, for which CVC funds have secured commitments of over EUR 260bn from some of the world’s leading pension funds and other institutional investors. Funds managed or advised by CVC’s private equity strategy are invested in approximately 140 companies worldwide, which have combined annual sales of over EUR 168bn and employ over 600,000 people.
For further information about CVC, please visit: https://www.cvc.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/company/cvc-capital-partners/.
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Fintech PR
The future of real estate transactions has arrived: Anyone.com launches in the U.S.

Anyone is not a listing site. It is the first digital transaction facilitator for real estate.
NEW YORK, April 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Real estate remains one of the last multi-trillion-dollar industries still dependent on outdated tools, fragmented workflows, and manual coordination. Today, that changes.
Anyone.com launches in the United States, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and several other international markets — introducing a fully digital, end-to-end transaction platform that empowers buyers, sellers, and agents alike.
With access to over 31 million properties for sale worldwide and a database of 4.6 million realtors, Anyone.com brings together every stakeholder in the real estate process — all within one seamless interface.
From first viewing to final signature all in one platform
While traditional platforms focus only on listings, Anyone.com connects the full transaction journey: buyers, sellers, agents, home inspectors, mortgage advisors, and notaries can now collaborate digitally in a single, integrated space.
“We’ve basically built the Uber of real estate.” says Reza Sardeha, founder of Anyone.com. “The entire transaction — from finding the right home and agent to submitting offers and signing is now handled in one digital workflow.”
What Anyone.com offers:
- Fully digital transactions — From scheduling viewings to making offers and closing deals online.
- AI-powered agent matchmaking — Buyers and sellers are matched with the most relevant agents using 12+ billion data points.
- Centralized communication — All conversations, documents, and updates are managed in one place. No more juggling tools.
- Access to over 300 million property data points — Make data-driven decisions with real-time insights into homes and neighborhoods.
- Truly international platform — With listings from across the globe and local agent expertise, Anyone supports both domestic and cross-border buyers and sellers.
Trusted by real estate agents worldwide
Real estate agents from around the world are already using Anyone.com to streamline their workflows and better serve clients — including professionals from Germany, France, Canada, Australia, India, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates, Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, Spain, Finland, Switzerland, Poland, Portugal, Ireland, and Austria.
Global property access
Buyers can already find homes for sale in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Portugal, Greece, Netherlands, Switzerland, Poland, Belgium, Ireland, and more. Over the coming weeks, Anyone will expand its listings coverage in each of these markets, aiming to grow from 84% to near-complete coverage (99.99%) of all active listings.
A new take on home financing
Anyone is also developing an innovative mortgage product called the Anyone Mortgage for over two years now, launching in 2026. Designed for first-time buyers and underserved segments, the model aims to make homeownership more accessible by lowering the financial barrier to entry by almost 50%.
About Anyone.com
Anyone.com was founded by the team behind Dan.com — a digital asset marketplace acquired by GoDaddy in 2022. Leveraging deep expertise in simplifying complex digital transactions, the Anyone team has now turned its focus to one of the most important and antiquated industries: real estate.
By building the world’s first truly integrated transaction platform for buying and selling homes, Anyone is reshaping the way people access property — making real estate faster, smarter, and more inclusive for everyone.
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Fintech PR
Nucleus Synapse 2025 Ignites the Human-AI Alliance as the Middle East Leads the Charge in AI-Powered Banking

DUBAI, UAE, April 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Middle East isn’t just adopting digital transformation—it’s engineering the future of banking with bold leadership, smart regulation, and rapid AI investment. It is in this spirit of transformation that Nucleus Software convened Synapse 2025 – Middle East, held at the iconic Taj Exotic Resorts, The Palm, Dubai, uniting visionary banking leaders, technologists, and innovators to shape the Human-AI Alliance. More than just a gathering, Synapse 2025 was a catalyst for dialogue, strategy, and co-creation—anchored in the belief that the fusion of human insight and AI is the foundation of next-generation finance.
Mr. Vishnu R. Dusad, Managing Director & Co-founder of Nucleus Software, opened the event with an inspiring address that beautifully captured the spirit of the gathering—a celebration of enduring partnerships, innovation, and shared aspirations. With heartfelt reflections on Nucleus Software’s journey and a forward-looking vision rooted in technological purpose and human-centric progress, his words set a thoughtful and energizing tone for the day, reminding everyone of the power of collaboration in shaping the future of banking. “At Nucleus, we are committed to building solutions that are not just future-ready but future-defining,” he shared. “The Middle East is leading this transformation—bold, visionary, and driven by clear ambition. We are honoured to contribute to this journey.”
A compelling keynote was delivered by Mr. Jamal Saleh, Director General of the UAE Banks Federation (UBF), whose address illuminated the UAE’s transformative journey in digital finance. Highlighting the expansion of UBF from 46 to 62 member banks—now representing nearly the entire balance sheet of the UAE banking sector—Mr. Saleh reaffirmed the Federation’s leadership in driving regulatory innovation and AI adoption. Citing over 40 nationwide banking transformation initiatives inspired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s mobile-first government vision, Mr. Saleh underscored that “AI is no longer a buzzword—it is becoming the bloodstream of modern banking.” He emphasized the essential role of cybersecurity, trusted regulations, and human oversight in this evolution, and projected with confidence that the UAE would exceed its goal of doubling the digital economy’s GDP contribution by 2030—with partners like Nucleus Software playing a crucial role.
The day’s dialogue was further enriched by two dynamic panel discussions. In the business-focused session, thought leaders Shoaib Rizvi (SVP, Group Head of Digital Products, Emirates NBD), Sudarshan Seshadri (Head of Retail Banking, National Bank of Umm Al Qaiwain), Ahmed Mourad (COO, Astratech), and Suvo Sarkar (Banking Industry Leader & Host of Money Majlis) explored how human insight, powered by AI, is transforming the very fabric of banking. “Customer centricity is no longer optional—it’s programmable,” said Rizvi, while Seshadri noted that “AI is our co-pilot, not our competitor.” Moderated by Anshul Khare, Director, Products & Business Solutions at Nucleus Software, the panel emphasized that trust, agility, and hyper-personalization are central to next-generation growth.
In the technology dialogue, leaders Nitin Bhargava (COO, Al Masraf Bank), Fozi Sultan (Head of IT & Projects, Deem Finance), and Shino Thomas (Head of Technology Operations, mBank), offered deep insights into how AI-native infrastructure is being engineered today to enable scale and speed. From real-time intelligence to modular, cloud-first platforms, the panel, steered by Mohamed Roshdy (CIO, Reem Finance), affirmed that the early-mover advantage in AI development lies in bold execution and a clear architectural vision.
One of the most anticipated moments of the event was the fireside chat with Chris Taylor, CEO of Deem Finance. In a rare and personal conversation, Taylor revealed how his passion for endurance sports has shaped his leadership philosophy—one rooted in discipline, clarity, and sustained execution. Moderated by Mr. Ashwani Arora, Global Head – Customer Success at Nucleus Software, the discussion highlighted Deem’s transformation journey, including its $400M securitization achievement and the remarkable shift from 80% manual to 60% automated interactions. “The biggest barrier to doing the right thing with AI is resistance born out of fear,” Taylor stated, while applauding Nucleus Software’s seamless platform implementation of FinnOne Neo® Collections as a benchmark ‘green-to-green’ transformation.
As the event drew to a close, Mr. Parag Bhise, CEO & Executive Director of Nucleus Software, delivered a powerful closing note, thanking the distinguished participants and reaffirming the company’s commitment to co-creating the future of finance. “We leave here with stronger bonds, sharper perspectives, and a shared determination to lead this Human-AI era with integrity, intelligence, and impact,” he said.
The Middle East is rapidly emerging as a global epicenter for AI-driven banking innovation. Guided by visionary leadership, progressive regulation, and strategic investments in digital infrastructure, the region is redefining the future of financial services. It is against this dynamic backdrop that Nucleus Software hosted Synapse 2025 – Middle East, bringing together stalwarts from across the banking and fintech ecosystem to shape the future of responsible, AI-powered finance. The event was a powerful declaration of what lies ahead. A bold leap into a future where human potential and artificial intelligence work in harmony, not in competition, as collaborative engines of progress.
To know more, please visit https://www.nucleussoftware.com/
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