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.