Latest news with #Rover
Geek Wire
17 hours ago
- Business
- Geek Wire
Rover to acquire Australia-based pet sitting marketplace Mad Paws
(Rover Image) Seattle-based Rover is set to acquire Mad Paws, a pet-sitting company that describes itself as Australia's leading online pet ecosystem. The deal is valued at about $40 million, according to a press release. Mad Paws facilitated more than 400,000 transactions in 2024 and has more than 300,00 active pet parents on its platform. The Sydney-based company, which went public in 2021 and will continue to operate as a standalone brand, has more than 300 employees. Rover intends to acquire Mad Paws' online marketplace business but not its e-commerce division. Rover bills itself as the world's largest network of pet sitters and dog walkers. The company was acquired by Blackstone last year in a $2.3 billion private equity deal. 'This transaction marks a pivotal moment for Rover's international growth and underscores our global leadership in the pet care space,' Rover CEO Brent Turner said in a statement. Rover has previously focused on expansion throughout North America and Europe, including the acquisitions of European companies Cat In A Flat (2024) and Gudog (2025). Turner was recently appointed CEO, replacing co-founder Aaron Easterly.
Business Upturn
18 hours ago
- Business
- Business Upturn
Rover Group Announces Binding Scheme Implementation Deed with Mad Paws, Australia's Leading Online Pet Care Marketplace
SEATTLE, July 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rover , the world's largest online marketplace for loving pet care, today announced it has entered into a Scheme Implementation Deed (SID) with Mad Paws, under which it is proposed that Rover will acquire 100% of the shares on issue in Mad Paws, by way of scheme of arrangement. Implementation of the scheme would further Rover's international expansion, enabling Rover Group to offer services in the Australian market for the first time. Founded in 2015, Mad Paws operates Australia's leading online pet ecosystem, connecting pet owners with a network of high-quality services and products, including pet sitting, walking, day care, training and grooming services. The Mad Paws platform supports over 300,000 active pet parents and 70,000 registered pet care providers throughout Australia, facilitating over 400,000 transactions in 2024. 'We are delighted by this announcement and look forward to welcoming Mad Paws to the Rover family. The Mad Paws team has done an impressive job scaling to become the leading pet care marketplace in Australia and we're excited to join forces and help them accelerate the next phase of their journey,' said Brent Turner, CEO of Rover. 'This transaction marks a pivotal moment for Rover's international growth and underscores our global leadership in the pet care space. With a pet market worth approximately A$30 billion, Australia represents a significant market opportunity beyond North America and Europe. As we expand globally, we remain focused on seeing and serving the unique needs of every pet and ensuring they're all met with trusted care.' 'Rover and its team have led the way in the pet care space since 2011 and we couldn't be more thrilled to partner with them,' said Justus Hammer, Group CEO, Executive Director and Co-founder of Mad Paws. 'Like Rover, Mad Paws has been working to break down the barriers to pet parenthood so that everyone in Australia can experience the joy of having a pet in their lives. We're proud of the network of pet lovers we've built over the last decade, and we're excited to tap into Rover's experience as we continue striving towards our collective goal.' Following implementation of the scheme, it is intended that Mad Paws will continue to operate as its own brand based in Sydney, Australia, led by Justus Hammer, Group CEO, Executive Director and Co-founder of Mad Paws. Under the SID, it is proposed that Rover will acquire 100% of the shares on issue in Mad Paws (Mad Paws Shares), by way of scheme of arrangement. If the scheme is implemented, Mad Paws shareholders will receive A$0.14 per Mad Paws Share in cash, which implies a total transaction equity value for Mad Paws of approximately A$62 million on a fully-diluted basis¹ and includes approximately A$13M of cash proceeds expected to be received from the proposed sale by Mad Paws of the Pet Chemist business as outlined in Mad Paws' announcement. The board of directors of Mad Paws has unanimously recommended that shareholders vote in favor of the transaction, subject to no superior proposal emerging and an independent expert concluding (and continuing to conclude) that the scheme is in the best interest of Mad Paws shareholders. Implementation of the scheme is subject to completion of the divestment of Mad Paws' Pet Chemist business and closure or deregistration of the residual e-commerce businesses operated under the Sash and Waggly brands, as well as Australian Foreign Investment Review Board approval and other customary conditions, including Mad Paws shareholder and Australian court approvals. Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is acting as legal counsel to Rover. Talbot Sayer is acting as legal counsel to Mad Paws and Highbury Partnership is acting as financial advisor to Mad Paws. About Rover Founded in 2011 and based in Seattle, Washington, Rover is the 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. Rover's existing global footprint spans 16 countries, including North America (US and CA), Europe (UK, IE, FR, ES, DE, IT, CH, NL, SE, NO, DK, BE, AT and FI) and soon, subject to implementation of the scheme, Australia. To learn more visit . About Mad Paws Mad Paws operates Australia's leading online pet ecosystem, connecting pet owners with an ecosystem of high-quality services and products. The Mad Paws marketplace is the leading online platform for pet owners to book their pet sitting, walking, day care and grooming services, with 70,000 registered pet carers Australia wide. With over two million pet care services since inception the Mad Paws pet services marketplace is the leading marketplace of its kind in Australia. Press Contact: Kristin Sandberg [email protected] 360-510-6365
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Rover Group Announces Binding Scheme Implementation Deed with Mad Paws, Australia's Leading Online Pet Care Marketplace
The transaction would mark Rover's expansion into Australia, adding Mad Paws' network of over 300,000 pet parents and 70,000 pet care providers to the Rover Group family SEATTLE, July 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rover, the world's largest online marketplace for loving pet care, today announced it has entered into a Scheme Implementation Deed (SID) with Mad Paws, under which it is proposed that Rover will acquire 100% of the shares on issue in Mad Paws, by way of scheme of arrangement. Implementation of the scheme would further Rover's international expansion, enabling Rover Group to offer services in the Australian market for the first time. Founded in 2015, Mad Paws operates Australia's leading online pet ecosystem, connecting pet owners with a network of high-quality services and products, including pet sitting, walking, day care, training and grooming services. The Mad Paws platform supports over 300,000 active pet parents and 70,000 registered pet care providers throughout Australia, facilitating over 400,000 transactions in 2024. 'We are delighted by this announcement and look forward to welcoming Mad Paws to the Rover family. The Mad Paws team has done an impressive job scaling to become the leading pet care marketplace in Australia and we're excited to join forces and help them accelerate the next phase of their journey,' said Brent Turner, CEO of Rover. 'This transaction marks a pivotal moment for Rover's international growth and underscores our global leadership in the pet care space. With a pet market worth approximately A$30 billion, Australia represents a significant market opportunity beyond North America and Europe. As we expand globally, we remain focused on seeing and serving the unique needs of every pet and ensuring they're all met with trusted care.' 'Rover and its team have led the way in the pet care space since 2011 and we couldn't be more thrilled to partner with them,' said Justus Hammer, Group CEO, Executive Director and Co-founder of Mad Paws. 'Like Rover, Mad Paws has been working to break down the barriers to pet parenthood so that everyone in Australia can experience the joy of having a pet in their lives. We're proud of the network of pet lovers we've built over the last decade, and we're excited to tap into Rover's experience as we continue striving towards our collective goal.' Following implementation of the scheme, it is intended that Mad Paws will continue to operate as its own brand based in Sydney, Australia, led by Justus Hammer, Group CEO, Executive Director and Co-founder of Mad Paws. Under the SID, it is proposed that Rover will acquire 100% of the shares on issue in Mad Paws (Mad Paws Shares), by way of scheme of arrangement. If the scheme is implemented, Mad Paws shareholders will receive A$0.14 per Mad Paws Share in cash, which implies a total transaction equity value for Mad Paws of approximately A$62 million on a fully-diluted basis¹ and includes approximately A$13M of cash proceeds expected to be received from the proposed sale by Mad Paws of the Pet Chemist business as outlined in Mad Paws' announcement. The board of directors of Mad Paws has unanimously recommended that shareholders vote in favor of the transaction, subject to no superior proposal emerging and an independent expert concluding (and continuing to conclude) that the scheme is in the best interest of Mad Paws shareholders. Implementation of the scheme is subject to completion of the divestment of Mad Paws' Pet Chemist business and closure or deregistration of the residual e-commerce businesses operated under the Sash and Waggly brands, as well as Australian Foreign Investment Review Board approval and other customary conditions, including Mad Paws shareholder and Australian court approvals. Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is acting as legal counsel to Rover. Talbot Sayer is acting as legal counsel to Mad Paws and Highbury Partnership is acting as financial advisor to Mad Paws. About RoverFounded in 2011 and based in Seattle, Washington, Rover is the 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. Rover's existing global footprint spans 16 countries, including North America (US and CA), Europe (UK, IE, FR, ES, DE, IT, CH, NL, SE, NO, DK, BE, AT and FI) and soon, subject to implementation of the scheme, Australia. To learn more visit About Mad PawsMad Paws operates Australia's leading online pet ecosystem, connecting pet owners with an ecosystem of high-quality services and products. The Mad Paws marketplace is the leading online platform for pet owners to book their pet sitting, walking, day care and grooming services, with 70,000 registered pet carers Australia wide. With over two million pet care services since inception the Mad Paws pet services marketplace is the leading marketplace of its kind in Australia. Press Contact: Kristin Sandberg pr@ 1Based on 442,961,915 fully diluted shares, comprising (1) 406,242,258 issued ordinary shares at the date of this announcement, (2) 8,813,480 ordinary shares expected to be issued prior to the record date for the Scheme under Mad Paws' Employee Share Plan to (i) satisfy remaining Mad Paws' obligations to issue shares to senior management and Directors of Mad Paws as approved at the 2024 AGM; and (ii) in lieu of payment of sacrificed directors' fees and executive remuneration for the period October 2024 to April 2025 (subject to shareholder approval) and (3) 27,906,177 shares expected to be issued on exercise of outstanding in the money options prior to implementation of the in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Telegraph
UK's rarest cars: 2003 Kia Magentis V6, one of only six left
When you consider that in 2003 Rover was still making cars at Longbridge, the early years of this century already seem impossibly remote. Meanwhile, turn-of-the-century drivers with an eye for a bargain could buy a new Kia Magentis for far less than the price of a similarly sized Ford or Vauxhall. Today, Ken German's 2.5 SE V6 is one of only six remaining on the road in the UK. Kia (actually Kyungsung Precision Industry) of South Korea built its first car in 1974. The 1.0-litre Brisa was a version of the Mazda Familia made under licence; the company also made small numbers of the Fiat 132 and the Peugeot 604 for senior bureaucrats. Following the 1980 military coup, the new government permitted Kia to build only commercial vehicles. Car production would not resume until 1986. By then, the South Korean motor industry was undergoing a vast expansion. In 1974, the nation produced only 9,069 vehicles. However, Autocar noted that 12 years later, 'more than 450,000 rolled off the production line. By the end of the decade, it will outstrip Britain as a car producer'. In 1982, the Hyundai Pony became the first South Korean car sold in the UK and Kia imports began in June 1991 with the Pride, which was based on the 1987 Mazda 121 supermini. Hyundai took a majority share in Kia in 1998; the Kia K5 of 2000, essentially a re-badged Hyundai Sonata, was the first product of the new regime. UK sales began in 2001 using the Magentis name, which the concessionaire initially imported only in 2.5-litre V6 form. When Sue Baker tested the new Kia for this paper, she found it agreeable company but 'less of a driver's car than some of its asserted rivals'. Her conclusion was that the Magentis offered 'a lot of car (and chrome) for the money'. At £12,995, the Magentis LX was the cheapest V6-powered car in the UK – £6,100 less than a Ford Mondeo 2.5 Zetec S. The top-of-the-range SE Sport H-Matic was £15,995 when a Vectra 2.6i V6 CD cost £19,145. Autocar thought 'Kia's new Magentis showed it can build a car which is both good value and good to drive'. They also described the V6 engine as 'a corker' although the handling was 'more grand-boulevardier than 'gran-turismo'. The Magentis may have possessed a 'non-existent image' compared with some European rivals but was far better equipped, with a 'much nicer engine and gearbox' than the market-leading Mondeo. The second-generation version replaced the original model in 2005. This earlier example's owner German first heard of the Magentis in 2013 when he needed a 'cheap runaround' and acquired a nine-year-old 2.0-litre LX. Six years later, he sought another vehicle to augment his Jaguar Mk2 over the winter months and came by a Magentis 2.5 SE V6.
CBS News
5 days ago
- CBS News
Massachusetts man charged with kidnapping 19-year-old dog sitter
A 19-year-old woman is warning others after showing up to a dog sitting job in Southbridge, Massachusetts, and says she ended up being held by a man for five minutes. Now, police have charged 62-year-old Mark Miller with kidnapping. "In the moment, I thought I wasn't going to come out of that house, and It was the worst feeling I have ever felt in my life," said the woman who didn't want to share her identity but voiced her warning. "I just don't want someone to go through what I did." Police say the 62-year-old man is charged with kidnapping the 19-year-old woman. The alleged victim says a woman reached out to her on the dog walking app Rover about watching her dogs for a few hours. But when she got to the house, investigators say Miller greeted her instead. She went inside the house and said there were no dogs. "I just knew when I got there, something seemed wrong, but I didn't really listen to my gut," said the 19-year-old. "I got in there and the house is black, and he just blocked the door, put his arms up and just stood there and I'm like what do I do." Police say Miller locked the door and blocked it, saying weird statements like, "I don't bite", and "go upstairs," then charging documents say "...the male tried to convince her to go up a set of stairs in the home that was closed off by a padlock door. " She says when Miller motioned her to go upstairs by the padlocked door, she made her move to run. "I've watched too many SVU videos to realize this is not right, so since he was away from the door at that very moment, I took my chances and ran as fast as I could," said the young woman. "I did not look back because I didn't know if he would have been behind me or not." WBZ reached out to Rover. The company sent WBZ a statement saying in part, "When these concerns were raised to our team, we took immediate action to suspend the pet parent's account and are committed to supporting the pet sitter." But Miller's wife says he's innocent. "My husband never touched her or kept her from leaving," said Carol Miller. Miller says the whole family was all upstairs, and she reached out to the young woman, and they really have dogs. "It's supposed to be a night of celebration, and it's turned into a nightmare. I just got a new French bulldog, and I wanted a babysitter for her so we could go out and celebrate as a family and this young girl comes to my house," Miller said. Mark Miller was held on $500 bail. He is now released.
