Proactive
Proactive Group Holdings Inc. is a Toronto-based international media and technology company providing AI-powered investor engagement solutions—through its proprietary NewsifAI platform, SaaS data tools, and corporate website services—to approximately 1,800 small and mid-cap public companies across the UK, US, Canada, and Australia.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersToronto, Canada
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Proactive does
Proactive Group Holdings Inc., founded in 2007 in the United Kingdom by Ian McLelland and headquartered in Toronto, is a private international media and technology company providing end-to-end investor engagement services to approximately 1,800 small and mid-capitalization public companies across the UK, United States, Canada, and Australia. The company operates through six offices and serves clients in mining, energy, biotechnology, technology, healthcare, real estate, cannabis, and other sectors, addressing a $2.5 billion total addressable market.
The core platform combines an AI-powered editorial system (NewsifAI, launched February 2024, with bespoke GPTs for news writing, sub-editing, audio-to-content transformation, and breaking news) with a suite of ten SaaS data tools (hosting, market data, share price charts, trading volume feeds, widgets), corporate website and microsite development, IR tools, behavioral marketing campaigns, and virtual investor events. Acquired sub-brands include BrighterIR (UK digital agency), AdNet (Vancouver-based corporate websites), and IRM (Australian investor communications). The company monetizes primarily through recurring annual subscriptions with reported FY23 average revenue per client of $26,600 for NewsifAI (76% retention) and $3,340 for SaaS Data Tools (92% retention), supplemented by professional services.
Distribution runs through direct sales (referral-driven enterprise motion), flagship channel partnerships (notably the 2021 Canaccord Genuity preferred-provider agreement spanning Canada, Australia, UK and US), a broadcast studio at OTC Markets' New York headquarters, and investor events in London, New York, and Sydney. Capital structure includes Series A from Mobeus Equity Partners (2018, £3.3 million), Series B led by Yorkville Asset Management (June 2021, $3 million), Series C strategic investment from Canaccord Genuity (October 2021), and a $6 million Scotiabank debt facility (2021). A non-binding reverse-takeover LOI with Evergreen Acquisitions Corp was signed in December 2023 to support public-market listing and AI investment.
Proactive firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Proactive
- Legal name
- Proactive Investors Limited
- Website
- https://www.proactive.inc/
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Proactive Group Holdings Inc. is a Toronto-based international media and technology company providing AI-powered investor engagement solutions—through its proprietary NewsifAI platform, SaaS data tools, and corporate website services—to approximately 1,800 small and mid-cap public companies across the UK, US, Canada, and Australia.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Proactive industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Investor Relations Software
- NAICS
- Public Relations Agencies (54182), Advertising Agencies (541810)
- SIC
- Services-Advertising Agencies (7311)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Investor Relations (IR) & Capital Markets Communications (MPAAADAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- PR, Reputation Management & Earned Media Platforms (BPAMALAO), Social Media & Community Management (PR-led) (BPAFADAM), Event & Experiential PR (Launches, Stunts, Press Events) (MPAAADAM)
Keywords
Where Proactive is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Toronto
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices6 records
Markets served
Proactive business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- NewsifAI Solutions: Annual license with auto-renewal for AI-powered news platform including Core Media Pack (video interviews, original articles, research coverage), Sponsored Research (sell-side equity research), and Premier services. FY23 ARPC of $26,600 with 76% retention rate.
- SaaS Data Tools: 10 SaaS products including hosting, market data, share price charts, trading volume feeds and widgets. ARPC of $3,340 with 92% customer retention rate.
- Corporate Websites and Microsites: Corporate websites, investor relations tools, visual identity, branding and consultancy services along with cloud storage services.
- Behavioral Marketing Campaigns: Step-by-step targeted marketing campaigns including campaign design, microsites, testing, and analytics during execution.
- Virtual Events: Virtual presentations, facilitated Q&A sessions with high net worth investors, fund managers, brokers and analysts.
- Investor Awareness Services: 12-month service agreements for investor awareness and communications including editorial content and video interviews across financial media network.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | NewsifAI Core Media Pack |
| Subscription | Annual | NewsifAI Sponsored Research |
| Subscription | Annual | NewsifAI Premier |
| Subscription | Annual | SaaS Data Tools |
| Subscription | Quarterly | Investor Awareness Services |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Proactive product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Proactive provides AI-powered investor engagement and financial media solutions to over 1,800 publicly listed growth companies worldwide. Its core offering combines the proprietary NewsifAI editorial platform (with bespoke GPTs for automated news writing, sub-editing, and audio-to-content transformation), SaaS data tools (market data, share price charts, trading volume feeds), corporate websites and investor microsites, sponsored sell-side research, video interviews, behavioral marketing campaigns, and virtual investor events. These integrated solutions enable public issuers to communicate directly and effectively with investors across their entire business lifecycle.
Product overview
Proactive operates as a unified platform-plus-modules architecture providing end-to-end investor engagement solutions. The core platform consists of the AI-powered NewsifAI editorial system (with sub-products Emelio, Yellow Marine, Pugsley, and BreakingBadBot for content automation) and SaaS Data Tools (including corporate websites, investor relations tools, and market data products). Additional modules include Core Media Pack (video interviews and articles), Sponsored Research (equity research), Premier (enhanced media for fund managers), Behavioural Targeting (marketing campaigns), and Virtual Events (investor forums). The company also maintains acquired brands BrighterIR (digital agency), AdNet (corporate websites), and IRM (investor communications) which operate as sub-brands within the platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- BrighterIR: Digital agency specializing in market data and website solutions for investor relations
- AdNet
- NewsifAI
- IRM
Products and services
- NewsifAI AI-powered editorial platform with bespoke GPTs for automated news writing, editing, and content production. Delivers 60-80% time savings while maintaining editorial oversight. Sold to public companies and financial media clients.
- SaaS Data Tools Suite of 10 SaaS products including hosting, market data, share price charts, and trading volume tools for UK, Australia, and Canada markets. ARPC of $3,340 with 92% customer retention rate. Sold to public companies.
- Core Media Pack Annual subscription combining in-studio video or virtual CEO interviews with original articles and in-house research coverage for investor engagement. FY23 ARPC of $26,600 with 76% retention rate. Targets public companies.
- Sponsored Research Sell-side equity research produced by Proactive's in-house analysts, published on its research platform. Annual subscription. Targets public companies seeking additional research coverage.
- Premier Premium media service repackaging Core Media Pack capabilities specifically for fund managers, featuring enhanced positioning for institutional investors. Annual subscription.
- Corporate Websites and Microsites Professional corporate website and investor microsite development with design, hosting, and maintenance services for public and private companies.
- Behavioural Targeting Campaigns Step-by-step targeted marketing campaigns including campaign microsite creation, design, testing, and detailed analytics during execution. Sold to public companies for stakeholder engagement.
- Virtual Events Virtual investor presentations hosted by Proactive correspondents with facilitated Q&A sessions including high net worth investors, fund managers, brokers, and analysts.
- Investor Awareness Services 12-month service agreements for investor awareness and communications including editorial content and video interviews distributed across financial media network. Priced at C$26,000 payable quarterly with auto-renewal option.
- BrighterIR Digital agency specializing in market data and website solutions for investor relations, operating as a sub-brand of Proactive. Provides hosting, market data, share price charts, and website design for listed companies.
- AdNet Communications Corporate website developer and designer for public and private companies. Provides website solutions, maintenance, SEO, graphic design, and cloud storage services. Acquired brand now operating under Proactive.
- IRM (Investor Relations Management) Australian provider of online investor engagement services including investor websites, IRM Newsroom, IRM Events, graphic design, and annual reports. Acquired brand operating under Proactive.
Quantifiable outcome
- 60-80% time savings for various content types through AI tools
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Proactive
Customer profileNamed customers19 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Proactive technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability2 records
Feature4 records
Proactive partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, flagship and core.
- Sevva AIstrategicUK government-backed AI sustainability initiative pilot consortium. Proactive selected as project member following Sevva AI's £500,000 Innovate UK grant. Focus on developing Generative AI tools for sustainability assessment and ESG investing mandates.
- Evergreen Acquisitions Corp.strategicNon-binding Letter of Intent for reverse-takeover transaction to provide Proactive with better access to capital to accelerate AI product investment and potential acquisition opportunities. Subject to approval to list on senior stock exchange in Canada.
- Canaccord Genuity GroupflagshipStrategic alliance agreement with direct investment from Canaccord Genuity. Proactive becomes preferred provider of digital investor relations services, websites, data feeds, corporate videos and media to Canaccord's corporate finance clients across Canada, Australia, UK and US. Canaccord also made a direct investment in Proactive.
- OTC Markets GroupcorePartnership to film executive interviews from OTC Markets' New York headquarters. Provides access to audience of six million investors via Proactive's video network for OTCQX Best Market companies.
Scale indicators22 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Proactive competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Q4 Inc. Public IR software platform offering investor relations websites, analytics, earnings workflows, and capital markets communications tools to listed issuers. Directly comparable as a SaaS-driven IR communications vendor competing for the same small-to-mid cap public-company budgets as Proactive's SaaS Data Tools and corporate websites.
- Notified (GlobeNewswire): PR and IR software platform owning GlobeNewswire, providing press release distribution, media monitoring, and IR website/communications tools. Closely overlaps Proactive's earned media coverage, IR websites, and investor communications offerings.
- Business Wire (Berkshire Hathaway): Global press release distribution and corporate communications service used by public companies for regulatory and IR announcements. Direct competitor to Proactive's news distribution and editorial coverage of small/mid-cap issuers.
- PR Newswire (Cision): Major press release wire service and IR/PR communications platform owned by Cision, distributing corporate news to media outlets and investors. Comparable distribution mechanism and audience to Proactive's editorial syndication network.
Broad incumbents
- Cision: Global PR, communications, and media intelligence software suite encompassing PR Newswire, Cision Cloud, and analytics. Overlaps Proactive's behavioral targeting campaigns, earned media analytics, and IR/PR communications stack at a much broader scale.
- Meltwater: Publicly listed media intelligence and analytics platform offering social listening, PR analytics, and influencer tracking. Comparable on the behavioral targeting and earned media measurement side of Proactive's offering, though operating at significantly larger scale across many verticals.
- S&P Global Market Intelligence (Ipreo): Capital markets data and IR workflow tools provider that absorbed Ipreo, serving listed issuers with investor targeting, ownership data, and IR workflow software. Comparable on the IR workflow and capital markets communications side at much broader institutional scale.
Emerging players
- Wall Street Horizon: Corporate event data and earnings intelligence provider used by IR teams, hedge funds, and asset managers. Comparable as a data-driven overlay to public-company IR workflows, though narrower in scope than Proactive's full platform.
- Retail Investor Hub / EquityZen IR Suite: Investor engagement and cap-markets communications tools aimed at small and growth-stage issuers. Partial overlap with Proactive's small/mid-cap client base and IR website tools, but with a more private-company orientation.
Others
- AlphaSense: AI-powered market intelligence and research platform serving buy-side and corporate strategy teams. Adjacent to Proactive's sponsored research and AI editorial use cases, sharing AI-native workflow themes but addressing a different buyer.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Proactive social profiles
Digital presenceProactive compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Proactive financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Proactive leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Proactive subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Proactive funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Proactive M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A2 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Proactive
What does Proactive do?
Proactive provides AI-powered investor engagement and financial media solutions to over 1,800 publicly listed growth companies worldwide. Its core offering combines the proprietary NewsifAI editorial platform (with bespoke GPTs for automated news writing, sub-editing, and audio-to-content transformation), SaaS data tools (market data, share price charts, trading volume feeds), corporate websites and investor microsites, sponsored sell-side research, video interviews, behavioral marketing campaigns, and virtual investor events. These integrated solutions enable public issuers to communicate directly and effectively with investors across their entire business lifecycle.
Is Proactive a public or private company?
Proactive is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Proactive founded?
Proactive was founded in 2006. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Proactive based?
Proactive is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Proactive make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. NewsifAI Solutions are the primary driver. The others are saaS Data Tools, corporate Websites and Microsites, behavioral Marketing Campaigns, virtual Events and investor Awareness Services.
Who are Proactive's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Q4 Inc., Notified (GlobeNewswire), Business Wire (Berkshire Hathaway) and PR Newswire (Cision). Broad incumbents are Cision, Meltwater and S&P Global Market Intelligence (Ipreo). Emerging players are Wall Street Horizon and Retail Investor Hub / EquityZen IR Suite. AlphaSense is listed as an others.
Does Proactive have an API?
No public API is recorded for Proactive.
What industry is Proactive in?
Proactive's product category is Investor Relations Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAAADAH, Investor Relations (IR) & Capital Markets Communications, with a secondary code of BPAMALAO, PR, Reputation Management & Earned Media Platforms. Its NAICS code is 54182 and its SIC code is 7311.