Japanese venture capital firm buys into Atlantis

Media Release
For immediate release
Photos on request from Botica Conroy

Japanese venture capital firm buys
stake in NZ information architects

AUCKLAND, 19 September 2000 – A leading Japanese venture capital firm has taken a 5% stake in New Zealand information architects, The Atlantis Group.

The stake, which values the New Zealand company at $32 million, has been purchased by the Windmark Fund. Individuals backing the Japanese investment include Mike Takeda, Managing Partner E Business Deloitte Consulting Japan. As a group they have a successful background in IT and investment fund management.

The Atlantis Group was formed in 1996 and has grown to become a leading innovator in information and knowledge architecture. It specialises in reengineering information practices to create business intelligence systems.

Mr Takeda said the opportunity to invest in an information company with a total focus on the Asia Pacific region did not become available very often, hence The Atlantis Group was one company he was happy to be involved with.

"In our view the knowledge based systems that The Atlantis Group has developed are unseen in the Asia Pacific Region, making the potential for growth and expansion an exciting opportunity,” he said.

"With Asian business becoming regional, companies such as The Atlantis Group are well positioned to take advantage of such opportunities."

The Atlantis Group is the parent of leading integrated direct marketing services company, Atlantis Marketing, and Visible Results Limited –a new era customer relationship operation serving an ever growing client base across convenience, fast food, fuels and the general retail industry.

The Atlantis Group Managing director Michael Whittaker said the investment from the company’s new Japanese backers came as a result of the increasing work Atlantis was carrying out in the Asia Pacific Region.

“The Atlantis Group has made significant investments in technology and market development and is now harvesting the rewards in terms of new clients and enhanced revenues in the region.”

“We are delighted that investors with such an impressive pedigree have sought us out and decided to take advantage of the growth we are experiencing,” he said.

-Ends-

Notes for Editors’
The Atlantis Group was formed in 1996 and specialises in reengineering its clients’ information practices to create business intelligence systems. In the process it enables companies to develop a deep understanding of their customers. This intelligent understanding, or understanding that is converted into action, gives Atlantis clients a powerful marketing tool.
The Atlantis Group employs 140 people in New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, and Japan.

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