B Corp global investment firm Arowana launches impact-driven venture studio Vivarium

Arowana, the leading B Corporation-accredited global investment firm, today announced the launch of its impact-focussed venture studio, Vivarium, as it expands its mission to grow companies that address some of the world’s most pressing challenges, as articulated by the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

Vivarium partners with talented and resilient founders at an early stage who are ready to scale up solutions that advance societal and environmental welfare globally but require further strategic and operational support.

Led by a team of experienced venture builders, Vivarium focusses on building solutions to global challenges – from bridging the digital divide with universal access to technology and the internet; to addressing environmental crises such as plastic pollution with a waste-to-X approach; to building a more socially inclusive world with better opportunities in education and employment.

Vivarium looks to work alongside entrepreneurs in building ventures that tackle the UN SDGs where technology and innovation can make lasting changes for humanity. Initial SDGs highlighted as focus areas include SDG 9 (Industries, innovation, and infrastructure), SDG 10 (Reduced inequalities), SDG 11 (Sustainable cities and communities), and SDG 13 (Climate action).

At the beginning of the programme and throughout the early stages of venture development, Vivarium also provides seed funding and assists in securing investment from value-add co-investors in follow-on rounds.

Vivarium also offers resources and structured support by bringing together a talented and curious group of individuals with various specialisations, including operations, design, engineering, marketing & brand strategy, law, finance, and enterprise sales. These experts function as extensions of the founding team, providing expertise to navigate the growth journey of scaling global businesses. Teams will also have access to Arowana’s world-class advisory board and experienced team of entrepreneurs who have started, scaled, bought, fixed, operated, and exited businesses or gone public with an IPO, as well as access to a global network of potential customers, partners, and talent.

Santiago Tenorio, Executive Director, Vivarium, said: “We are thrilled to launch Vivarium, our impact-focussed venture-building platform. With an unparalleled pool of talent and an increased focus on sustainability, the potential for impact-driven ventures is greater than ever before. We believe this convergence of talent and focus creates the perfect environment for building innovative global businesses that tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Our platform is dedicated to nurturing and empowering these ventures, helping them to scale their impact and build a better future for all. We are excited to work with entrepreneurs who share our vision and are ready to make a positive difference in the world.”

Kevin Chin, CEO and Founder, Arowana, said: “Vivarium is on a mission to help start-up founders turn their impact-focussed ventures into successful global companies. These founders are driving change in the world, and we are delighted to work closely with them on their journey. We are here to provide the resources, support, and experience needed to overcome the inevitable challenges of scaling up successfully and delivering on their mission of creating lasting impact. This aligns with Arowana’s core purpose of growing people, companies, and value.”

The launch of Vivarium follows the announcement today of the spin-off of Arowana’s growth-stage venture capital secondaries unit, Alicorn Venture Partners, where Arowana will maintain an economic interest going forward. This affords Arowana, through Vivarium, the opportunity to focus on impact-focussed primary investment opportunities that align with its B Corp triple bottom-line mantra of People, Planet, and Profit.

About Arowana

Arowana is a leading B Corp-certified global investment firm with several operating companies and investments in electric vehicles, renewable energy, vocational and professional education, technology and software, venture capital, and impact asset management. Arowana’s purpose is to grow people, companies, and value.

About Vivarium

Backed by Arowana, Vivarium is a venture studio and holding company established to solve the most fundamental problems that affect our society and our planet. We partner at an early stage with start-up founders who are mission-aligned to build scalable businesses that not only disrupt industries and are profitable, but also create meaningful impact in the world.

Arowana announces spin-off of Alicorn Venture Partners

Arowana, the leading B Corporation-accredited global investment firm, today announced the successful spin-off of its UK based venture capital unit, Alicorn Venture Partners, into an independent entity, after scaling up the business in the secondaries investing space.

Alicorn was established in 2018, initially with internal capital of Arowana’s leadership. The firm focussed on investing into growth-stage frontier technology companies backed by leading VC firms through a combination of secondaries and bespoke primary transactions. Under the Arowana umbrella, Alicorn scaled to more than US$65 million of invested capital through co-investment opportunities, Fund I, and more recently towards the first close of Fund II.

Alexander Assim, Managing Partner, Alicorn, said: “Very few people had heard of secondary VC opportunities in 2018, far less a fund devoted to that activity. Arowana noticed and executed this strategy and supported the growth of the business as Alicorn took its initial steps in that marketplace. Without that early support, in what has now become a non-core area for Arowana, we would not be in the situation where we are today. We are more convinced than ever of the opportunities in the secondary venture space, which is now worth over US$150 billion. Alicorn now has an enormous and timely market opportunity to exploit and the entire Alicorn team is looking forward to executing on this.”

Kevin Chin, Founder & CEO, Arowana, said: “Arowana has been proud to support Alicorn’s development over the years. Our decision to spin off Alicorn is in sync with Arowana’s strategy to sharpen our focus on impact as well as to stay true to our core purpose of growing people, companies, and value. We believe that, as an independent entity, Alicorn will have the flexibility and focus to further grow and expand its operations. We are excited to see them continue to pursue their vision as an independent VC firm, leveraging their expertise in secondaries to invest in and support innovative companies. Arowana will remain a close ally and strategic stakeholder, encouraging them to further success.”

At the same time, Arowana announced the launch of its impact-focussed venture studio, Vivarium.

About Arowana

Arowana is a leading B Corp-certified global investment firm with operating companies and investments in electric vehicles, renewable energy, vocational and professional education, technology and software, venture capital, and impact asset management. Arowana’s purpose is to grow people, companies, and value.

About Alicorn

Alicorn Venture Partners (AVP) is a secondary-dominant venture capital firm focussed on investing across the capital structure in growth-stage companies across a range of technology thematics. It is a European-orientated VC with a strong focus in Israel and the UK, working with leadership teams, existing investors, and other stakeholders since 2018 to solve capital problems in high-growth areas.

Arowana celebrates 15 years

Arowana celebrated its 15^th year Anniversary on 15 June with members of the Arowana team in Brisbane, Manila, and London enjoying a meal together and capping off the celebrations with cake.

The Circular Economy Must Be Inclusive to Succeed

Reducing plastic waste and driving inclusive growth

Chin Inclusive Circular Economy FEATURED

Our resource-intensive world centers on the linear economic model of ‘take, make, use and waste’ and the plastic industry epitomizes this convention, extracting resources from the earth to make plastic packaging that is most likely used once, then thrown away. Indeed, over the last decade plastic has increasingly become a pariah, and a tangible and ever-present reminder of our over-consumption and wastefulness. Images of plastic waste strangling ocean marine life and evidence of it entering the food chain and our bodies has rightfully caused alarm and created a sense of urgency to deal with it.

According to a 2016 study by McKinsey, the World Economic Forum, and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, of the annual 78 million tonnes of plastic packaging produced, 40% ended up in landfill, 32% leaked into the environment (including an estimated 8 million tonnes into oceans) and 14% was incinerated. A meager 14% was collected for recycling.

So, clearly, the linear economic model has borne a torrent of plastic waste that is contributing to environmental degradation globally. However, the solution is not ending the use of plastics, given the multitude of beneficial use cases of plastics. The solution is the reconfiguration of the plastic industry from a linear economy to a circular economy.

Material recovery, or the process of obtaining solid waste from one industry for its potential to be recycled and repurposed in another, is fundamental to resource efficiency in the circular economy. According to the Ellen McArthur Foundation, a circular economy model can be created through 3 key actions: (i) elimination of unnecessary plastics; (ii) innovation to ensure plastics are re-usable, recyclable or compostable; and (iii) circulation of plastic items to keep them in the economy and out of the environment.

"The solution is the reconfiguration of the plastic industry from a linear economy to a circular economy."

But crucially, there is much more to the circular economy than the obvious environmental benefits. Where the linear economic model contributes to societal inequality through supply chain practices designed to suppress costs, a circular economy can foster inclusive growth in developing countries, enabling positive social and environmental outcomes.

Indeed, social and environmental benefit can and should go hand-in-hand. Building inclusivity, such as access to jobs and fair pay, into any circular initiative, is the only way to ensure it is truly sustainable and will be a long-term success. Without local buy-in and providing livelihood opportunities, the whole system will fail to achieve its key aim of creating a vibrant green economy.

One organization, Green Antz, demonstrates how plastic waste can be addressed through a circular system, while supporting inclusive growth. It collects, recycles, and reuses plastic waste from commercial establishments and communities in the Philippines and converts it into value-added construction materials such as bricks and pavers. And through a proprietary process, these bricks and pavers turn out stronger than their conventional versions.

The plastic waste problem is particularly pronounced across the ASEAN region, where the Philippines is the region’s worst polluter, accounting for 36% of the 8 mega tonnes of global plastic waste that ended up in oceans in 2021. It is one of the world’s worst plastic polluters and innovative solutions, like that offered by Green Antz, are much needed.

Green Antz Eco Bricks 897x900 1 — Green Antz Eco Bricks

To ensure it is having a positive social impact as well, Green Antz actively engages with marginalised communities that are incentivized to collect and repurpose plastic waste, earning a sustainable living from doing so. Through a “Shared Value” approach, they engage with community partners, conglomerates, and multinational companies for the collection of plastic waste whilst centralizing the production of construction materials within plastic collection centers called EcoHubs.

To date, Green Antz has established a total of 36 EcoHubs and over 100 community and corporate partnerships in the Philippines. As a result, the company has diverted 284 tonnes of plastics from landfills, created more than 150 jobs, and improved the livelihood of local communities.

It is proof that the circular economy has the scope to achieve so much more than environmental impact. With its multi-dimensional business model, Green Antz contributed towards a number of UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water).

Green Antz Building 1200x800 1 — Green Antz Building

It is also very well-positioned to scale up its impact across the ASEAN region and beyond. Through its real-world knowledge of utilizing the circular economic model, Green Antz provides a blueprint for businesses that aim to generate multi-dimensional value, aligning profit with empowering people and protecting the planet. Not only does it play a part in helping communities in Southeast Asia become more resource-efficient and address the issue of plastic pollution, it also generates livelihood opportunities and encourages and mobilizes local partners in underdeveloped communities to have a stake in a greener economy.

This is just one example of how impactful the circular economy model can be. While the obvious environmental crises and growing population pressures on the world’s natural resources mean a move towards a circular system is a necessity, we should grasp the immense opportunities it offers to improve equality and distribution of wealth, only then will we achieve a truly sustainable economy.

VivoPower International PLC Announces Largest Solar Contract to Date for the 204MWdc Edenvale Solar Farm

Contract represents the largest ever solar contract for electrical works won by VivoPower

The 240MWdc solar contract for electrical works is worth A$11.7m

The Edenvale Solar Farm in Queensland, Australia will generate 425,000MWh of clean energy per year and avoid the emission of 300,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide

LONDON, June 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VivoPower International PLC (NASDAQ: VVPR, the “Company”) is pleased to announce that its wholly-owned subsidiary in Australia, J.A. Martin Electrical Pty Limited (“J.A. Martin”), has been awarded an A$11.7m contract to complete all electrical works for the 204MWdc Edenvale Solar Farm in Queensland, Australia.

Construction has already commenced with the project to be the fifth utility scale Australian solar farm completed by VivoPower’s Aevitas business unit in Australia, bringing the completed and contracted solar farms to over 650MWdc. Once energised, the Edenvale Solar Farm will generate approximately 425,000MWh of clean energy per year and avoid the emission of 300,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, equivalent to the amount generated by approximately 83,000 internal combustion engine vehicles.

Kevin Chin, VivoPower’s Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said: “Since establishing our solar solutions business in Australia, we have seen revenue grow at a 62% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) since FY2019 (based on actual and forecast contracted revenue through to June 30, 2022). In addition, over the past quarter, we have seen a step change increase in the pipeline of additional solar project opportunities across the Australian market and we are very well positioned to win and deliver on further contracts.”

About VivoPower

VivoPower is a sustainable energy solutions company focused on battery storage, electric solutions for customised and ruggedised fleet applications, solar and critical power technology, and services. The Company's core purpose is to provide its customers with turnkey decarbonisation solutions that enable them to move toward net zero carbon status. VivoPower is a certified B Corporation with operations in Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates.

Forward-Looking Statements

This communication includes certain statements that may constitute “forward-looking statements” for purposes of the U.S. federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements may include, for example, statements about the achievement of performance hurdles, or the benefits of the events or transactions described in this communication and the expected returns therefrom. These statements are based on VivoPower’s management’s current expectations or beliefs and are subject to risk, uncertainty, and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements herein due to changes in economic, business, competitive and/or regulatory factors, and other risks and uncertainties affecting the operation of VivoPower’s business. These risks, uncertainties and contingencies include changes in business conditions, fluctuations in customer demand, changes in accounting interpretations, management of rapid growth, intensity of competition from other providers of products and services, changes in general economic conditions, geopolitical events and regulatory changes, and other factors set forth in VivoPower’s filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The information set forth herein should be read in light of such risks. VivoPower is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise.

VivoPower International Announces Initiation of Research Coverage by A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners

VivoPower International announced today that A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners has initiated research coverage on the Company with an initial “Buy” recommendation and price target of $5.00 per share.

The initiation report, written by Jeffrey Campbell, Managing Director, Equity Research, Alternative Energy, Energy, and Sustainability Research, A.G.P., was published on March 31, 2022, and can be obtained by contacting Jonathan Kurtin, Head of Equity Sales, A.G.P., at [email protected].

The Company was not involved in the preparation of the research report and therefore expressly does not adopt or endorse any such advice or report. Please note that any opinions, estimates, or forecasts regarding the performance of the Company and its management made by A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners are theirs alone and do not represent the opinions, estimates, or forecasts of the Company or its management.

To read our full press release, and to keep up with all of VivoPower’s releases, visit our Press Releases page.

About VivoPower

VivoPower is a sustainable energy solutions company focused on battery storage, electric solutions for customized and VivoPower is a sustainable energy solutions company focussed on battery storage, electric solutions for customised and ruggedised fleet applications, solar and critical power technology, and services. The Company’s core purpose is to provide its customers with turnkey decarbonisation solutions that enable them to move toward net zero carbon status. VivoPower is a certified B Corporation with operations in Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, the UK, the US, and the UAE.

About A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners

Headquartered in New York City, A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners is an institutional investment banking firm with a strong sales/trading presence, in addition to its research and investment banking arms.

VivoPower International PLC to Present at Alliance Global Partners Virtual Energy Conference

VivoPower International PLC announced today that the company has been invited to present at the Alliance Global Partners Virtual Energy Conference to be held on Wednesday, April 6, 2022.

The company’s Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Chin, and Managing Director and Head of Corporate Development, Matt Davis, will be available for one-on-one investor meetings during the conference.

To learn more or request an invitation to the event, please reach out to [email protected]. For any inquiries, please email [email protected].

About VivoPower

VivoPower is a sustainable energy solutions company focussed on battery storage, electric solutions for customised and ruggedised fleet applications, solar and critical power technology and services. The company's core purpose is to provide its customers with turnkey decarbonisation solutions that enable them to move toward net zero carbon status. VivoPower is a certified B Corporation with operations in Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, the UK, the US, and the UAE.

About Alliance Global Partners

Alliance Global Partners (A.G.P.) is a regional investment and advisory firm that has been a member of FINRA and registered with the SEC since 1980. A.G.P. specializes in wealth management and the middle market institutional arena. A.G.P has full-service capabilities with a global ability to handle domestic as well as international customers. A.G.P. prides itself in providing its clients with boutique-level services along with the confidence of knowing their assets are held at Fidelity Clearing and Custody. Whether a client is looking for wealth management advice, institutional services, or investment banking, A.G.P. has a track record and a proven team to assist. A.G.P. prides itself on long-lasting relationships with its clients, ranging from some of the largest institutions and crossing over to the individual investor.

Arowana Impact Capital leads investment in game changing circular economy innovator, Green Antz

• Investment set to accelerate growth across the Philippines and ASEAN region
• Green Antz converts plastic waste to sustainable construction materials
• Green Antz to grow recycling to approx. 25 kilo-tonnes of plastic waste a year
• Green Antz workforce of 150 to expand with the investment

SINGAPORE, 28 March 2022 – Arowana Impact Capital (AIC), the impact investing arm of award-winning global B Corp investment group, Arowana, is pleased to announce the completion of a cornerstone investment in Green Antz, producer of eco-friendly construction materials operating in Southeast Asia.

Green Antz converts plastic waste from commercial establishments and communities into value-added construction materials, such as bricks and pavers. Green Antz does this through its network of EcoHubs across the Philippines, which serve as collection sites, production facilities, and recycling education centres.

This strategy enables Green Antz to tackle Asia’s burgeoning plastic waste problem, whilst offering cost-effective and environmentally responsible alternatives to traditional building materials.

Addressing the plastic waste problem in Southeast Asia

Asia generates the highest volume of plastic waste leaking into the world’s oceans. Because of poor waste management, the Philippines is the region’s worst polluter, having produced 36% of the eight mega-tonnes of global plastic waste that ended up in oceans in 2021.

In addition, seven of the ten rivers that expel the most plastic pollutants into these waters are in the Philippines.

With the Arowana Impact Capital investment, Green Antz aims to further reduce plastic waste by 1% by 2025 through a strategy of recycling approximately 25 kilo-tonnes of plastic waste a year. It also intends to embark on a regional expansion strategy to service other markets across ASEAN.

Champion of the circular economy business model

As one of the pioneering practitioners of sustainable business in the Philippines, Green Antz champions the circular economy business model. By using a “Shared Value” approach, they engage with community partners, conglomerates, and multinational companies for the collection of plastic waste whilst centralising the production of construction materials within the EcoHubs.

Green Antz also collaborates with corporate partners to develop and execute waste management solutions, including the implementation of a plastic credit scheme.

AIC chair, Terry Alan Farris, said: “Poor plastic waste management is costing countries like the Philippines north of US$790m a year. Whilst traditional models of reusing plastic offer a good start, communities need to move towards repurposing plastic waste into value-added products, such as the construction materials produced by Green Antz. Not only will communities be able to tackle plastic pollution, but they will also contribute to value creation through game-changing strategies in the circular economy.”

Rommel Benig, CEO, Green Antz, said: “This partnership with Arowana is a significant milestone for the whole Green Antz family as it will propel our organisation to the next level with better capabilities, more innovations, and wider reach.

“We are extremely excited to work with an organisation that is passionate about addressing environmental and social issues. We look forward to working with Arowana as we jointly pursue the circular economy model to create greater and lasting impact.”

Kevin Chin, Founder and Board Member of AIC, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Green Antz on an important mission to help address the plastic pollution problem in the Philippines and across Southeast Asia. Whilst COVID-19 lockdowns have caused some of the world’s most significant disruption over the last two years across ASEAN, we have been greatly impressed with the resilience of the Green Antz leadership team and its business model. Green Antz has continued to deliver profitable growth and significant impact as measured against the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Importantly for us and our co-investors, this is the type of business model that meets our triple bottom-line criteria of People, Planet, and Profit. We very much look forward to supporting Green Antz on their mission.”

About Green Antz

Green Antz is a pioneering practitioner of the circular economy in the Philippines. Established in 2014, the company collects plastic waste and upcycles them into construction materials and other recycled products. Instead of ending up in landfills and clogging our riverways and coastlines, the repurposed plastic waste generates income for many marginalised communities. Taking the lead from its founder, Green Antz aims to be a force for good by redefining resource use to support sustainable urbanisation.

About Arowana Impact Capital

Launched in 2019, Arowana Impact Capital (AIC) focusses on impact investing in Southeast Asia. AIC’s core purpose is to help build people, build companies, and build value through sustainable investment practices across the ASEAN region.

In focussing on the four key areas of livelihood creation, access to education and healthcare, sustainable urbanisation, and financial inclusion, AIC is helping to contribute towards the successful achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

About Arowana

Arowana is a global award-winning B Corp certified group that is focussed on building and scaling up sustainable enterprises. Our investments and operations encompass electric vehicles, renewable energy, vocational and professional education, technology and software, venture capital, and impact asset management. Our long-term mindset and entrepreneurial expertise enable us to provide financial, operational, and technological support to those who aspire to build future-proofed impactful companies.

Media inquiries

Andre Ramirez

[email protected]

A insider look into cryptocurrencies, decentralized finance, and the various facets of blockchain technology in diverse real-world scenarios

Just the word incites a reaction of either eye-rolls or intense enthusiasm. Eye-rolls tend to come from those that believe it is just another form of gambling: “it’s a volatile stock market equivalent, but highly unregulated. Invest at your own peril!” the eye-rollers would say. The enthusiasts are either those that bet big and won during the 2017 or 2021 crypto-craze, convinced that this is the future touting, “high risk, high rewards!”, and then there are those that are excited by the philosophy of decentralized finance and intrigued by the limitless opportunities that are presented by blockchain technology and its many derivatives, from cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and the multitude of these applications in the metaverse.

Click here to download report.

VivoPower Confirms Date for FY22 Half-Year Results and Earnings Conference Call

VivoPower is pleased to confirm that it will announce results for the half-year ended December 31, 2021, on Thursday, February 24, 2022, at 16:30 EST / 21:30 GMT.

The Company also confirmed that Kevin Chin, Executive Chairman, and CEO, will host an earnings conference call on Thursday, February 24, 2022, at 17:00 EST / 22:00 GMT.

The dial-in phone number for the live audio call are:

Conference ID: 7649525

Date of call: February 24, 2022

Leader Toll-Free Dial-In Number: (833) 398-0998

Leader International Dial-In Number: (914) 987-7709

Participant Toll-Free Dial-In Number: (833) 362-0227

Participant International Dial-In Number: (914) 987-7684

A live webcast of the conference call will be available at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/4kcg8j8f and on the investor relations section of the VivoPower website at www.vivopower.com.

A replay of the webcast will also be available two hours after the conclusion of the call and can be accessed from the link above or via the VivoPower website for a period of one year.

To read our full press release, and to keep up with all of VivoPower’s releases, visit our Press Releases page.