As we close out 2024, we take a moment to reflect on another year of growth, innovation, and meaningful partnerships. CORA has continued to execute on its strategy of acquiring and nurturing market-leading businesses, expanding our portfolio, and fostering a culture of collaboration.
"In 2025, we are poised to capitalize and build upon our strategic objectives and accomplishments achieved in 2024. Last year, we made significant strides in formalizing and enhancing programs that support our overall team learning and development opportunities. The driving forces behind this strategic initiative are multifaceted:
1. Career Advancement: The acronym CORA stands for Collective Organization Redefining Advancement. The Advancement starts with our team. Providing opportunities for them to learn and grow their careers. A cornerstone of any career advancement program is a focused learning and development program that equips employees with the skills necessary to excel in their current roles and prepare them for future responsibilities. CORA facilitated the participation of over 150+ employees in multi-day offsite learning events, including CORA University, Jonas Software Academy, CSI Women in Leadership, and CSI M&A Conference. Additionally, we successfully graduated 39 employees through our OEDP program. These developments resulted in a remarkable 22% (1 in every 5 team members at CORA) of our team members assuming new roles within the organization.
2. Organizational Growth: It is natural to anticipate growth as a direct consequence of substantial learning and development investments. This growth manifests in various forms, such as the career advancement I mentioned above, expansion of our services and products to clients, expansion of our customer base, and enhanced capabilities in onboarding new companies through acquisitions or internal initiatives.
Last year, we successfully acquired four additional businesses into the CORA Group. This year, we anticipate more than doubling that number, and I am confident that our team, processes, and culture now possess the capacity to welcome employees and customers with exceptional hospitality, thereby further elevating their experiences and opportunities.
In conclusion, I extend my sincere gratitude to the CORA team. We have achieved remarkable achievements over the past four years, and with their unwavering dedication, leadership, and commitment to surpassing expectations, we will undoubtedly achieve amazing things.
I extend my best wishes for a prosperous and fulfilling 2025."
This year, we hosted our third annual CORA University, bringing together leaders from across our portfolio to share insights, best practices, and build stronger connections. For 2024, we decided to skip the cold and headed to Orlando in November, hosting our event at the beautiful Caribe Royale Resort. The event was a testament to the collaborative spirit at CORA, featuring engaging discussions, hands-on workshops, valuable networking opportunities, and even some live performances:
The event gathered over 150 of our team members and served as a place where leaders from different parts of the CORA ecosystem could come together and build meaningful connections. CORA University centered around practical seminars, aiming to provide executives with valuable insights and expertise. This year, our keynote speaker and seminars focused around career development.
From hands-on workshops to networking sessions, CORA University is one of our foundational building blocks to “redefine advancement” for our employees.
- All four of our acquisitions are based in North America, while one has offices in the UAE and APAC regions.
- These acquisitions span across financial services, loyalty solutions, and foodservice/healthcare verticals.
- With these additions, CORA now has a presence in over 15 industries, further diversifying our portfolio and strengthening our global reach.
Acquisition Date: March, 2024
Industry: Loyalty
Description: A leading provider of IT services and solutions, Vanson Technologies brings deep expertise in cloud computing, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. This acquisition enhances our ability to support clients with cutting-edge technology solutions. (Read more: Vanson Technologies Acquisition)
Headquartered: Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Website: https://www.vansontech.com/
Acquisition Date: July, 2024
Industry: Loyalty
Description: Acquiring Carlson Marketing from Kognitiv allowed us to further invest in world-class loyalty and engagement solutions. With a legacy of excellence in customer retention and incentive programs, Carlson Marketing Solutions now operates as a core part of our marketing services portfolio. (Read more: Carlson Marketing Acquisition)
Headquartered: Toronto, Canada
Website: https://www.carlsonmarketingsolutions.com/
Acquisition Date: September, 2024
Industry: Financial Services/Wellness
Description: A pioneer in financial wellness solutions, SpringFour provides innovative tools that help consumers access financial resources. With this acquisition, we are reinforcing our commitment to driving positive financial outcomes for individuals and businesses. (Read more: SpringFour Acquisition)
Headquartered: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Website: https://springfour.com/
Acquisition Date: November, 2024
Industry: Healthcare/Foodservice
Description: A premier provider of SaaS-based enterprise solutions for the food service industry, Volante Systems enhances our portfolio of technology-driven businesses. This acquisition aligns with our strategy to support businesses in optimizing operations through digital transformation. (Read more: Volante Systems Acquisition)
Headquartered: Toronto, Canada
Website: https://www.volantesystems.com/