Latest news with #BPG
Scoop
6 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Relentless Ambition: Blackpearl Acquire B2B Rocket And Announces It Will Dual List On The ASX
Black Pearl Group Limited (NZX: BPG) has signed a conditional agreement to acquire 100% of B2B Rocket Inc - a fast-scaling US-based AI sales automation company with a laser focus on helping small and mid-sized businesses grow. In parallel with this transaction, Blackpearl has confirmed it is preparing to file an application to dual list on the ASX. B2B Rocket specialises in intelligent outbound sales agents that can generate, qualify and engage leads without human input. The platform has already achieved over US$2.1 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) and is rapidly expanding across the US. 'Relentless ambition is the common thread. B2B Rocket is cut from the same cloth as us - founder-led, customer-obsessed and unapologetically focused on delivering results. Their AI-powered outbound engine is the perfect complement to what we offer with Pearl Diver,' says Blackpearl CEO Nick Lissette. The two products are already integrated in select customer environments, unlocking a new level of automation and cross-sell opportunity for sales teams who want more pipeline with less pain. 'This is far more than just a bolt-on,' says Lissette. 'It's an investment in category leadership where humans and AI work together to power customer acquisition at scale. This acquisition and our ASX ambitions reinforce our trajectory. Our platform, our people and our playbook are all geared toward sustained, scalable growth,' adds Nick. About the deal Under the terms of the agreement, the consideration includes an upfront cash payment and an equity component in Black Pearl Group. An additional performance-based earn-out is structured over a five-year period, combining cash and equity, and is tied to B2B Rocket achieving agreed revenue milestones. The structure is designed to reward sustained growth and customer acquisition momentum, with the maximum payout aligned to significant ARR expansion. 'With B2B Rocket on board and ASX listing in motion, we aren't just expanding; we're accelerating. Relentless ambition isn't just a tagline…it's the model,' concludes Lissette. About Blackpearl Group Blackpearl Group (BPG) is a market leading data technology company that pioneers AI-driven sales and marketing solutions for the US market. Specifically engineered for small-medium sized businesses (SMEs), BPG consistently delivers exceptional value to its customers. Our mantra is simple: 'Better Growth Together'. When our customers win, we win. Founded in 2012, BPG is based in Wellington, New Zealand, and Phoenix, Arizona.
Cision Canada
04-07-2025
- Health
- Cision Canada
RNAO's BPSO Indigenous-focused Symposium brings together nurses and Indigenous leaders
THUNDER BAY, ON, July 4, 2025 /CNW/ - To continue improving health outcomes in Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in northern Ontario, the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario, health providers from Best Practice Spotlight Organizations ® (BPSO ®) and Indigenous leaders will gather in Thunder Bay for this year's BPSO Indigenous-focused Symposium. Developed by the symposium's BPSO planning committee, the event, happening between July 8-10, 2025, will celebrate the theme: Bridging Indigenous and Western Perspectives in Health Care. "This event is an opportunity to learn how Indigenous perspectives can be integrated into health-care systems in meaningful ways and listen to Indigenous voices and perspectives to improve health-care outcomes," says Maxine Lesage, a member of the symposium's BPSO planning committee and former member of RNAO's board of directors. "Attendees will also better understand how weaving together Indigenous and western perspectives through the Two-Eyed Seeing approach helps Indigenous-focused BPSOs use best practice guidelines to make a profound impact on quality outcomes for persons, providers, organizations, communities and health systems." Best practice guidelines (BPG) equip nurses and other health providers with up-to-date evidence-based recommendations to improve quality of health care. As part of the BPSO program, organizations work with RNAO to implement BPGs and measure their impact on outcomes. The three-day in-person event will include a panel on a day in the life of northern remote and urban Indigenous communities; traditional teachings on Indigenous cultures, grief and loss; and a panel on strength-based and cultural approaches to care. Health providers from different Indigenous-focused BPSOs will also share their stories on the impact the program has had and ways to evaluate outcomes from a Two-Eyed Seeing perspective. "The symposium comes during a challenging and uncertain time for Indigenous communities as they fight against the Red Lake 12 wildfire, Ontario's Bill 5 and federal Bill C-5, threatening the rights, lands and future generations of Indigenous Peoples," says RNAO CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun, founder of the BPG and BPSO programs. "We are committed to standing with Indigenous Peoples as their voices must be heard, ensuring mitigation measures to protect the environment and accommodation measures to respect their rights. At the event next week, I plan to once again recognize the incredible leadership, strength and resilience Indigenous Peoples have in the face of these Bills and emergencies such as the recent wildfires." For more information, please see our Action Alert to withdraw Bill 5 and our Indigenous Health and RNAO In Focus page. What: The Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario hosts the Best Practice Spotlight Organization (BPSO) Indigenous-focused Symposium in Thunder Bay. When: Tuesday, July 8 – Thursday, July 10, 2025 Who: Elder Theresa Redsky Fiddler Elder Margie Bannon, Fort William First Nation Elder Aaron Therriault, Traditional Drum Keeper and Knowledge Keeper Chief Michele Solomon, Fort William First Nation Melissa Deleary, program manager, Indigenous Engagement, Provincial and Regional, Indigenous Health Unit, Ontario Health Dr. Doris Grinspun, RNAO CEO and founder of the BPG and BPSO programs Maxine Lesage, representative of the symposium's BPSO planning committee Grace Suva, senior manager, Indigenous Health, RNAO's IABPG Centre Nurses and other staff from 20 BPSO teams representing several health sectors across Northern Ontario Where: Best Western Plus Nor' Wester Hotel & Conference Centre (2080 Highway #61, Thunder Bay, Ontario) RNAO's Best Practice Guidelines (BPG) Program is funded by Ontario's Ministry of Health. It was envisioned by CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun in 1998 and launched in 1999 to provide the best available evidence for patient care across all health sectors and settings, with more than 50 guidelines developed to date. The Best Practice Spotlight Organization® (BPSO®) program supports service and academic institutions that have formally agreed to implement multiple RNAO BPGs over a three-year period, and evaluate their impact on patients, organizations and health systems. Launched in 2003, the BPSO program now has more than 1,500 BPSOs in Ontario, Canada and internationally. The Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) is the professional association representing registered nurses, nurse practitioners and nursing students in Ontario. Since 1925, RNAO has advocated for healthy public policy, promoted excellence in nursing practice, increased nurses' contribution to shaping the health system, and influenced decisions that affect nurses and the public we serve. For more information about RNAO, visit or follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Scoop
01-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
$1.2m In ARR In 45 Days - Silicon Valley Sales Giants Under Threat As Bebop Takes Aim
Wellington, New Zealand – Black Pearl Group Limited (NZX:BPG) has announced that Bebop, its latest AI-driven sales enablement product, has reached $1.2 million in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) in just 45 days - making it the fastest-growing product in the company's history. Bebop achieved this milestone at twice the speed of Pearl Diver, itself a standout performer with $10 million of ARR within 24 months. Most SMEs have been locked out of high-quality sales intelligence - legacy platforms like ZoomInfo, Clearbit, and Apollo are built for enterprise and priced accordingly. Bebop changes that. In just seconds, this AI sales agent scans millions of US-based companies to deliver a hyper-targeted list of verified decision-makers, complete with personalised strategic dossiers. 'Bebop is like ChatGPT, but specifically built for sales and revenue growth. This is one of the fastest go-to-market trajectories we've seen across the SaaS and AI landscape, and customers have rapidly validated our value proposition. We hit it out of the park with Pearl Diver, so it's extremely exciting to see Bebop overtake its impressive early adoption. Bebop's traction validates our core thesis: that speed, usability, and value drive adoption. And our platform was built to scale these advantages, fast' comments Nick Lissette, Chief Executive Officer Faster and more intelligent for a fraction of the cost Bebop delivers enterprise-grade sales intelligence at a fraction of the cost of other platforms - finally making AI-powered sales intelligence accessible to the SME market. 'There's rising demand for AI-native, cost-effective sales tools that solve real SME challenges. With Bebop, we imagined unlocking unlimited revenue opportunities and cutting-edge business intelligence. Early customer feedback highlights Bebop's ability to 'save hours in research,' 'generate customers effortlessly,' and 'bring the power of AI to the everyday business owner'. That's real results; and a real threat to Silicon Valley sales giants,' believes Lissette. He adds that this previous generation of B2B tools relies on SQL queries over large databases, with apps designed to make that experience as seamless as possible. 'Bebop has intelligence at its core - genuinely understanding what a business provides and exactly who needs it. Our product delivers a fundamentally different experience that unlocks deep insights that fuel measurable revenue growth.' Doubling down on AI's potential Bebop was developed and taken to market in just 90 days. This was only possible because of years of investment into Blackpearl Group's proprietary software and data platform - formally known as Pearl Engine - a testament to the company's rapid innovation and robust technology infrastructure. 'That conviction has been validated. The results show Bebop is not just viable – it's a force multiplier for BPG's revenue growth. It now stands alongside Pearl Diver as a key driver in our product portfolio, reinforcing our strategy of building scalable, high-impact tools for customer acquisition,' reiterates Lissette. 'Bebop's rapid market-fit means our line of sight on $20M ARR is even clearer. And this also will greatly contribute to our medium target of $50M ARR.' 'We have deliberately invested since our capital raise intovplatform development and talent acquisition. The vision and engine is working. Our investment and market timing have aligned. With two products both demonstrating scale and demand, we're well positioned for sustained growth,' concludes Karen Cargill, Interim Chief Financial Officer About Blackpearl Group Blackpearl Group (BPG) is a market leading data technology company that pioneers AI-driven sales and marketing solutions for the US market. Specifically engineered for small-medium sized businesses (SMEs), BPG consistently delivers exceptional value to its customers. Our mantra is simple: 'Better Growth Together'. When our customers win, we win. Founded in 2012, BPG is based in Wellington, New Zealand, and Phoenix, Arizona.
The Sun
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Sarawak's electricity capacity higher than current demand
KUCHING: Sarawak now has sufficient electricity generation capacity to meet domestic needs, including supply to rural areas, with a current total capacity of 5,898 Megawatts (MW), compared to the current demand of 4,887 MW. Sarawak Utilities and Telecommunications Minister Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi said this capacity enables Sarawak to plan energy generation strategically for the future, including targeting an electricity supply capacity of 10,000 MW by 2030 to meet a projected demand increase of 7,074 MW. 'By 2035, Sarawak has set a target of achieving a generation capacity of 15,000 MW through various energy sources, including renewable energy such as solar, cascading power sources and pumped hydro energy storage systems. 'As part of the efforts towards establishing the Borneo Power Grid (BPG) and the ASEAN Power Grid (APG), Sarawak is also intensifying cross-border energy exports to realise its vision as the Battery of ASEAN,' he said during the winding-up session for his ministry at the State Assembly (DUN) sitting here, today. Julaihi said that among the additional renewable energy potentials being considered are the development of large-scale solar farms and pumped hydro energy storage systems 'Several private companies have also submitted proposals for renewable energy generation projects, which are currently in the feasibility study stage at locations such as the Bengoh, Batang Ai, Bakun and Murum dams. 'For cascading energy sources, the ministry and Sarawak Energy have held 24 engagement sessions with the communities involved in the Sungai Gaat and Sungai Tutoh areas, including the implementation of the Muja Menua Ceremony in Sungai Gaat last April 4 as part of an inclusive approach with the local community,' he said. Julaihi said that date, Sarawak has exported around 100 MW of energy to West Kalimantan since 2016, while exports to Sabah are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025 with a total of between 30 and 50 MW. 'At the same time, plans are being made to export no less than 1,000 MW of energy to Peninsular Malaysia, up to 1,000 MW to Singapore and Brunei,' he said. The move, he said, is expected to strengthen Sarawak's position as a leader in sustainable energy in the region and support ASEAN's aspirations for a green and clean energy transition.
Campaign ME
05-03-2025
- Business
- Campaign ME
BPG Group appoints Norah Saud Alsaja as GM for BPG Arabia
BPG Bates PanGulf, part of WPP, has appointed Norah Saud Alsaja as General Manager for BPG Arabia, as it continues to strengthen its presence and capabilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Alsaja, a Saudi National, brings almost two decades of experience delivering innovative strategies for brands across the US, Middle East and Africa. As the General Manager of BPG Arabia, she will lead branding, strategic communication, customer experience (CX), PR, social and creative campaigns tailored to the evolving Saudi market, helping government entities and private organisations achieve their goals. Alsaja has vast experience launching successful campaigns for large-scale initiatives in Saudi Arabia, including the FIFA Club World Cup and Noor Riyadh. She has worked with global organisations such as P&G, General Mills, and Henkel, in addition to spearheading transformative projects under Vision 2030, such as the Riyadh Art initiatives during her tenure with the Royal Commission for Riyadh City. Commenting on the appointment, Avi Bhojani, Group CEO, BPG, said, 'We are delighted to welcome Norah to the team. Her track record of working with leading Saudi and international brands coupled with her deep cultural understanding of the evolving Saudi landscape, stood out for us – and we are excited for her to be a significant part of business expansion plans in the Kingdom.' Bhojani added, 'BPG's CX first and integrated by intent positioning aligns with Saudi Arabia's rapid digital transformation – and we are confident that Norah will be able to take our creative capabilities to the right partners in this dynamic market.' Alsaja holds a degree in Systems Management from Georgetown University and an MPH in Communications from George Washington University. She is a graduate of the prestigious Misk 2030 Leaders Programme and a member of the Saudi Leadership Society, having been recognised for her leading role in shaping the Kingdom's communications landscape. Reacting to the appointment, Alsaja said: 'I am excited to lead BPG's integrated communications and 'digital first' approach in KSA. Saudi brands are increasingly looking to work with agencies that bring innovative thinking and integrated strategies to the table – and I believe BPG's legacy of working on trailblazing campaigns in the region coupled with their expertise in multi-disciplinary practices, puts them at the forefront of the business. I look forward to working with the team to drive profitability and growth in the Kingdom.' She is supported in Saudi Arabia with a quality team of 14 across Riyadh and Jeddah with supplementing of resources from BPG's flagship Dubai Office, Kuwait's largest BPG office as well as BPG's Global Cloud resources.
