Fintech PR
Rover Group Acquires Cat-Centric Sitting Marketplace, Cat In A Flat
Together Rover and Cat In A Flat Will Make it Easier for European Cat Parents to Address Their Underserved Care Needs
LONDON, Oct. 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Rover, a leading online marketplace for pet care, today announced it has acquired Cat In A Flat, a trusted cat-sitting community created by cat lovers for cat lovers. The acquisition expands Rover’s European footprint into Switzerland, Belgium, Austria and Ireland, in addition to the ten countries currently served by the Rover marketplace.
Since 2014, Cat In A Flat has grown its cat sitting community to over 50,000 care providers, who’ve provided two million visits across nine countries. The mission alignment of Cat In A Flat and Rover—making it easier for people to experience the unconditional love of pets–will allow Rover to accelerate Cat In A Flat’s ability to meet the unique needs of cat parents searching for cat care across Europe. This development builds on the momentum of Rover’s current European operations which account for its fastest growing segment of new customer acquisition globally. It also highlights Rover’s efforts in continuing to expand into new markets abroad.
“Today’s announcement marks another exciting milestone in Rover’s European expansion,” said Brent Turner, COO and president of Rover. “We’re thrilled to have Cat In A Flat join the Rover Group family, which allows us to offer a dedicated product for cats and their people. We believe there is a significant opportunity ahead for us to better serve the needs of cat parents globally and look forward to supporting Cat In A Flat in its journey.”
“We are excited to join Rover in the common goal to offer bespoke pet-loving care across Europe and believe our additional expertise in cat care supported by our cat-loving community will make this journey a great success and will bring cat- and dog-lovers together through our partnership,” said Kathrin Burckhardt, co-founder of Cat In A Flat.
Cat In A Flat will continue to operate as its own brand and entity, led by founders Julie Barnes and Kathrin Burckhardt, backed by the support of Rover, its leadership and 13+ years of experience scaling its marketplace globally.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Herbert Smith Freehills LLP acted as legal counsel to Rover. Joelson LLP acted as legal counsel to Cat In A Flat and Torch Partners acted as financial advisor to Cat In A Flat.
About Rover
Founded in 2011 and based in Seattle, Rover is a leading online marketplace for loving pet care. Rover connects pet parents with pet care providers who offer overnight services, including boarding and in-home pet sitting, as well as daytime services, including doggy daycare, dog walking, and drop-in visits. To learn more about Rover, please visit www.rover.com.
About Cat In A Flat
Cat In A Flat’s paw print started in London when it was founded in 2014. The company’s mission is to help cats stay in the comfort of their own homes by connecting cat parents with trusted, local, cat-loving sitters. Through an easy-to-use app and website, cat parents can browse nearby sitters, arrange a meet-and-greet, and book care that includes feeding, playtime, and regular updates. With a focus on safety and well-being, Cat In A Flat ensures cats receive personalized, reliable care, providing peace of mind for pet parents while they are away. To learn more about Cat In A Flat visit catinaflat.com.
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/rover-group-acquires-cat-centric-sitting-marketplace-cat-in-a-flat-302292128.html
Fintech PR
WFM Asia Announces Brand Evolution, Bolstering its Commitment to Delivering Investment Excellence in Asia Pacific
Continues to be a trusted partner for both global institutional investors as well as publicly listed and private companies in Asian markets
HONG KONG, Nov. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Hong Kong founded independent investment firm WFM Asia announced today that it has completed a brand evolution from Ward Ferry Management. The firm’s long-term commitment to investing in Asian markets, disciplined and focused investment strategy, and well-established team remain unchanged.
The refreshed branding reflects WFM Asia’s continued focus on investing in small and mid-cap companies across Asia Pacific and points to the regional expertise of its current generation of leadership, Vineet Mitera and Daphne Chester, who have been leading the company for the past seven years. Vineet has been with the firm since 2005, and Daphne joined in 2013.
WFM Asia manages long-only equity funds with over US$3 billion in assets under management as of end September 2024. Vineet has been solely responsible for managing these funds since mid-2014. For nearly 25 years, the firm has helped institutional clients from all over the world secure exposure to Asian markets through some of the leading publicly listed and private companies in Asia Pacific.
As a trusted partner for global investors seeking exposure to Asia’s dynamic markets, WFM Asia’s unique position in the investment landscape is reinforced by its extensive local networks in underpenetrated markets, primary research activities on the ground, and commitment to long-term value creation through a focused investment strategy. The firm has been a strong, long-term partner to the management teams of public and private companies it invests in. WFM Asia’s future-focused growth will be enabled through ongoing expansion of its team based in Hong Kong and Singapore, continued focus on executing its long-standing investment process, and strengthening its established relationships with companies across Asia.
Vineet Mitera, Chief Investment Officer of WFM Asia, commented, “We remain positive about the growth of emerging companies in the region, and we continue to build on our trusted partnerships with our investors and management teams. Our entrepreneurial mindset, market and sector expertise, and regional resources remain aligned to our clear investment philosophy, and we look forward to taking the firm’s growth to the next level for the benefit of our investors and employees.”
Daphne Chester, President of WFM Asia, said, “Our brand evolution builds on our long-standing strong Asia heritage and recognition of our management tenure and investment track record in the region. For nearly 25 years, our firm has taken a private equity approach to public markets investing, finding Asian small and mid-cap companies that have multiplied in value over the long term. As we continue to evolve, we remain committed to our investment approach and to cultivating substantial growth in our chosen investments in Asia Pacific.”
WFM Asia will continue to serve its clients through a global team of 33 people, including 13 experienced investment professionals, located across its offices in Hong Kong, Singapore, and London.
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About WFM Asia
Founded in 2000 as Ward Ferry Management, WFM Asia is a leading independent investment firm based in Hong Kong and Singapore, specializing in long-only public and private equity investments in small and mid-cap companies across Asia. For nearly 25 years, WFM Asia has been a trusted partner to the management teams of the companies it invests in and to institutional investors alike by applying its bottom-up approach to fundamental research and investing its capital for attractive returns over the long term. As of end September 2024, the firm oversees over US$3 billion in assets under management (“AUM”) for global institutional investors.
WFM Asia has offices in Hong Kong, Singapore, and London. WFM Asia’s various group entities are regulated by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission, the Singapore Monetary Authority, the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, and the British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission. Additional information is available on www.wfmasia.com.
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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/wfm-asia-announces-brand-evolution-bolstering-its-commitment-to-delivering-investment-excellence-in-asia-pacific-302293028.html
Fintech PR
ALUMINIUM CHINA 2025: Celebrating 20 Years of Collective Achievements and Embracing a New Chapter
SHANGHAI, Nov. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The 20th ALUMINIUM CHINA will take place from July 9-11, 2025, at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC). Organized by RX China, the event will feature over 600 diverse exhibitors showcasing the entire aluminium industry chain. With the theme “Aspirational•Limitless•Unique: 20 Years of Excellence,” the exhibition will span over 60,000㎡ and expects more than 30,000 global professionals. Exciting activities throughout the year will foster international exchange, business cooperation, and celebrate innovation and development in the aluminium sector.
A Year Full of Engagements and Innovations
To mark its twentieth anniversary, ALUMINIUM CHINA will launch various activities aimed at fostering industry connections and showcasing achievements.
- Exclusive Visits to Top Enterprises
Leading up to next year’s exhibition, the “Visits to Leading Aluminium Enterprises” initiative will offer site visits to prominent companies in the aluminium processing sector. Through tailored one-on-one discussions, this initiative will spotlight the noteworthy accomplishments of these leading enterprises in advancing the aluminium industry. Their invaluable experiences and inspiring growth stories will be shared alongside the exhibition.
- Dazzling Array of Events
Building on the success of multiple “Exploring Application Industries” events over the past year, which garnered widespread acclaim, the focus remains sharp in 2025, as 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the exhibition. Efforts will intensify in exploring key application markets such as automotive, packaging, home appliances, 3C electronics, solar photovoltaics, and energy storage. Notable representatives and experts will participate, creating a diverse platform for industry exchange and learning, featuring thematic reports, supply-demand matching, product displays, roundtable discussions, and closed-door meetings.
- Recognizing Industry Achievements
In the flourishing landscape of the aluminium processing industry over the last two decades, numerous innovative technologies and superior products have emerged, fostering high-quality sectoral growth. To set industry standards and promote healthy development, ALUMINIUM CHINA is proud to introduce the “ALU FUTURE Awards.” This prestigious accolade aims to honor exceptional contributions from enterprises and individuals in the aluminium sector, spanning categories such as the Application Innovation Award, Craftsmanship Award, and Honorary Award for Quality Partners.
- Enhancing Global Connection Initiatives
Capitalizing on years of amassed international resources, ALUMINIUM CHINA is poised to strengthen initiatives aimed at connecting with overseas markets. By empowering enterprises to reach global markets, a series of activities including overseas market research, trade matchmaking and high-level meetings will be orchestrated in foreign countries and regions. Furthermore, collaborations with international industry associations will be strengthened, spotlighting guest country of honor activities and other international features at the grand 20th-anniversary exhibition.
- Bridging Industry, Academia, and Research
ALUMINIUM CHINA have meticulously outlined a series of industry-academia-research activities. The specially curated “Innovation Achievements Showcase” will illuminate aluminium material research outcomes from universities and research institutions, showcasing high-performance aluminium alloys and environmentally friendly aluminium-based composites. Attendees will have a unique opportunity to interact closely with cutting-edge technology and witness the allure of innovation. Furthermore, the grand “Empowering Industries of the Future: Aluminium Innovation and Development Symposium” is scheduled, inviting distinguished scholars and industry experts from globally renowned universities to engage in profound dialogues on breakthroughs in aluminium materials research and emerging trends.
Two Decades of Continuous Growth
Since its inception in 2005, ALUMINIUM CHINA quickly emerged as a cornerstone for industry professionals worldwide. During its early years (2005-2009), the exhibition expanded across various segments of the aluminium processing chain, steadily increasing exhibitors and attendees, surpassing 10,000 visitors. Strategic collaborations with domestic and international associations bolstered its reputation as a premier platform for communication.
From 2010-2014, ALUMINIUM CHINA solidified its role in connecting China’s aluminium sector with the global market. Attendance continued to grow as the exhibition welcomed professionals from over 60 countries, facilitating crucial discussions on market trends and technological innovations.
The subsequent five years saw continued growth, with approximately 400 exhibitors attracting over 24,000 visitors by 2019. ALUMINIUM CHINA emphasized “Technological Innovation for the Future,” showcasing cutting-edge applications of aluminium in sectors such as automotive lightweighting, packaging and consumer electronics through specialized exhibits. Notable collaborations, including featuring “India as the Guest Country of Honor” and “Thailand as the Guest Country of Honor,” opened new avenues for international exchange, enabling domestic companies to engage on a global scale.
Despite unprecedented global challenges during 2020-2024, ALUMINIUM CHINA introduced innovative solutions like online livestreaming and year-round business matchmaking. These adaptations ensured that over 600 exhibitors could connect with 29,000+ professionals from over 100 countries by 2024. The commitment to promoting sustainability was evident through initiatives supporting green practices within the industry.
The celebration of its 20th anniversary marks a momentous milestone for both the event and the enduring growth of the industry. For further insights into ALUMINIUM CHINA, please visit their official website at https://www.aluminiumchina.com/en-gb.html or Facebook page @Aluminium China.
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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/aluminium-china-2025-celebrating-20-years-of-collective-achievements-and-embracing-a-new-chapter-302292841.html
Fintech PR
ARRAY Innovation Celebrates Landmark Success at Gateway Gulf with Three Major Partnership Deals
MANAMA, Bahrain, Nov. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — ARRAY Innovation, the Bahrain-based leader in AI, enterprise software, and cloud solutions, proudly celebrated a milestone at Gateway Gulf 2024. During the event, organized by the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) in the Kingdom of Bahrain, ARRAY signed strategic agreements with Bahraini organizations: Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), National Bank of Bahrain (NBB), and the Labour Fund (Tamkeen), highlighting ARRAY’s commitment to digital transformation.
ARRAY Chairman, Mr. Khalid Taqi, commented, “Our collaborations with Alba, NBB, and Tamkeen underscore ARRAY’s dedication to Bahrain’s digital transformation journey. We are committed to delivering technology solutions that support local enterprises in sustainable growth and operational excellence.”
“ARRAY’s mission is to develop advanced enterprise software and AI solutions that create high-value jobs for Bahrainis. Our latest agreements with leading Bahraini organizations reflect our vision to positively impact the Bahraini enterprises and communities,” said Alaa Saeed, ARRAY Founder & CEO.
ARRAY’s partnership with Alba focused on AI, data analytics, and automation solutions, driving operational excellence and cost reduction. “Our strategic collaboration with ARRAY marks a significant step towards positioning Alba as a technology-driven industry leader. This partnership will not only advance our Industry 4.0 journey, driving operational excellence, but also aligns with Bahrain Economic Vision 2030 by investing in local talent,” said Alba’s Chairman of the Board, Mr. Khalid Al Rumaihi.
ARRAY’s partnership with the National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) aims to enhance NBB’s technology infrastructure with advanced Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Generative AI. The collaboration will deliver actionable insights, optimize operations, and improve customer experience. “By integrating the latest in artificial intelligence, we are positioned to drive our digital transformation forward, delivering solutions that enrich our customers’ banking experience. Our partnership with ARRAY Innovation underscores our focus on modern technology to reinforce Bahrain’s leadership in financial ingenuity,” said NBB Group CEO Mr. Usman Ahmed.
In its agreement with Tamkeen, ARRAY will develop an AI-powered job-matching solution boosting Bahrain’s economic growth through strategic private sector alignment. Her Excellency Ms. Maha Abdulhameed Mofeez, Chief Executive of Tamkeen, highlighted, “By enhancing both internal and external operations through this partnership, we aim to maximize the impact of our initiatives and increase opportunities for Bahraini talent within the private sector.”
These landmark agreements underscore ARRAY’s role as a trusted partner in Bahrain’s digital transformation, empowering organizations to drive efficiency and growth aligned with Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030.
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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/array-innovation-celebrates-landmark-success-at-gateway-gulf-with-three-major-partnership-deals-302294831.html
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