Globalive

Globalive Communications Corporation
Industry Telecommunications
Founded 1998
Headquarters Toronto, Ontario
Area served
 Canada
Divisions Yak Communications
OneConnect
Website globalive.com

Globalive Communications Corporation is a privately held Canadian communications and investment company founded in 1997. Globalive is best known for its WIND Mobile, Yak Communications, and OneConnect brands. The company’s investment arm, Globalive Capital, was founded in 2013 with a mandate to foster innovation in Canada by founding and making investments in a diverse portfolio of businesses, primarily in technology, media and telecommunications companies operating in Canada and the United States. It holds investments in over 25 private companies, 15 micro-cap public companies and 10 venture funds.[1]

History/Group of Companies

1998: Canopco, Interclear, Assemble, and Globalive Communications

Globalive founder and Chief Executive Officer Anthony Lacavera started Canopco, which became a leader in both competitive telecom-technology and operator-services for the hospitality industry. Canopco was ranked 5th in Profit Magazine's list of "Canada's Hottest Start-ups" in 2001. In January 2000, Lacavera also launched InterClear, a billing and collection service. In January 2002, Lacavera launched his third product, Assemble Conferencing. These businesses were consolidated in January 2003 as Globalive Communications.

2000: Enunciate Conferencing

Globalive co-founded Enunciate Conferencing, a fast-growing event conferencing service provider, which was divested to Premiere Global Services.[2]

OneConnect

2003: OneConnect

Globalive founded OneConnect in 2003 and quickly built it into one of Canada’s largest independent business telecommunications providers, selling to small and medium-sized businesses in the hospitality, retail, franchise, security, real estate and medical industries.[3]

Yak Communications

2006: Yak Communications

Globalive acquired Yak Communications Inc. in an all-cash offer of US$67.7 million, and has since grown the company to a leadership position in residential communications services, adding Digital Home Phone and Internet service to its established long distance calling services[4]

2007: Pragmatic

Globalive co-founded Pragmatic Solutions, a conferencing and collaborations company specializing in audio, web, and video conferencing. Pragmatic has grown into one of North America’s largest conferencing providers with $7.5 million in annual revenue.[5]

WIND Mobile

WIND Mobile

Globalive founded WIND Mobile in 2008. WIND Mobile made a bid of $442M (CAD) to secure the wireless spectrum required for the launch of the WIND Mobile network in Canada, with the backing of Egypt’s Orascom Telecom.[6] Globalive subsequently made its first purchase in Industry Canada's radio spectrum auction, setting the stage for a new national cell phone network in Canada.[7]

Tony Lacavera speaks at WIND's Toronto launch event

WIND Mobile successfully launched wireless phone services in December 2009 in Toronto and Calgary.[8] It launched service in Edmonton and Ottawa soon after, followed by Vancouver in June 2010[9]

In September 2014, Globalive agreed to acquire Vimplecom’s majority stake in WIND Mobile for $300 million (CAD).[10][11][12]

Wind Mobile was sold to Shaw Communications in March 2016.[13]

Globalive/Globalive Capital

2013: In January 2013, Globalive launched Globalive Capital, a VC company focused on accelerating early stage technology and telecommunications companies.[14] Globalive Capital also holds interest in real estate and co-investments. Since 2000, the Globalive group has founded, seeded, financed, operated, and divested a number of companies in the Internet, Communications, and Technology sectors.

2015: Anthony Lacavera stepped down as Chief Executive Officer of Globalive Capital, staying on as the company’s Chairman. Brice Scheschuk, previously Chief Financial Officer, was appointed the new Chief Executive Officer of Globalive Communications.

Globalive Capital’s Investments

In addition to Globalive’s investments in the telecommunications, media and technology sector, Globalive has built a significant portfolio of real estate holdings, primarily in two asset classes: student housing (Brock View Rentals) and residential Toronto condominiums (primarily investments in Plazacorp Developments). Globalive has also invested in over 25 private companies, 10 venture funds and 15 micro-cap public companies including Blue Ant Media, Mill Street Brewery and TouchBistro Inc.[15]

Charitable Causes

In 2007, Globalive founded their philanthropic division, the SHAMBA foundation. The SHAMBA foundation increases the capacity of charities through low-overhead fundraising, consultancy and education. Since inception, SHAMBA has worked with a multitude of local grass roots organizations, raising over a million dollars for partner charities. SHAMBA continues to grow organically, expanding its programs as a direct response to the growing needs of charities.

Awards

Globalive has received numerous best in business awards, including ranking #1 on Profit Magazine’s 2004 list of Canada’s 100 fastest growing companies,[16] being awarded one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for eleven consecutive years by Deloitte,[17][18] and being listed four times as a member of Canada’s 50 Best Workplaces.[19][20]

References

  1. ↑ About Globalive. Globalive. Retrieved August 8, 2015
  2. ↑ Premiere Global Continues Investment Strategy with Acquisition of Enunciate Conferencing and Repurchase of 5% of Its Shares Outstanding Year-to-Date. Business Wire. September 8, 2006
  3. ↑ About us. OneConnect. Retrieved July 21, 2015
  4. ↑ Yak Communications agrees to 67.7M US friendly takeover. Globe and Mail. September 21, 2006
  5. ↑ About Pragmatic. Pragmatic. Retrieved July 21, 2015
  6. ↑ Flash: Decision Reached in Rare Public Hearing Proceeding into the Ownership and Control of a Canadian Telecommunications Carrier. Davies, October 30, 2009
  7. ↑ Government of Canada Varies CRTC Decision on Globalive. Government of Canada, December 11, 2009
  8. ↑ WIND launches with cheaper phone rates. The Star, December 16, 2009
  9. ↑ Globalive's WIND Mobile keeps it simple. the Globe and Mail, August 23, 2012
  10. ↑ Vimpelcom to sell WIND Mobile stake for about $275-million to Globalive, sources say. Financial Post, September 15, 2014.
  11. ↑ Feds approve Wind Mobile buyout deal, with conditions. CTV News, November 4, 2014
  12. ↑ "Vimpelcom to sell WIND Mobile stake to Canadian minority owner" (Press release). Reuters. 15 September 2014.
  13. ↑ "Shaw enters wireless market with closing of Wind Mobile deal". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  14. ↑ Wind Mobile CEO resigns to lead new venture capital firm. IT Business, January 18, 2013
  15. ↑ About Globalive Capital. Globalive, Retrieved July 21, 2015
  16. ↑ Profit 500. Profit Guide, Retrieved July 21, 2015
  17. ↑ Canada's Best Managed Companies. Deloitte, Retrieved July 21, 2015
  18. ↑ Platinum Club Members. Deloitte, Retrieved July 21, 2015
  19. ↑ Best Workplaces. Great Place to Work. Retrieved July 21, 2015
  20. ↑ Canada's Best Workplaces. the Globe and Mail, Retrieved July 21, 2015

External links

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