Aurora Capital and Investment Ltd [Aurora Capital] (previously Burlow Capital Ltd) was founded by Lyndon Burt in the UK in 2011. The original purpose of the business was to consolidate and rationalise the ownership structure of family business assets.

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The initial asset of Aurora Capital was Tripos Tourism Group Ltd [Tripos] which had been started by Lyndon Burt in 1995 to invest directly in tourism-related businesses in South Africa and the southern African region. Tripos was reversed into Aurora Capital in 2012 and the Company later changed its name to Aurora Tourism Investments Ltd [Aurora Tourism] following the relinquishing of control of its main operating subsidiaries.

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1995 was interesting times for the South African economy and there was strong growth in domestic demand for both business and leisure travel were . In the early years, Aurora concentrated on a series of small private company acquisitions and start-ups. Over the years, Aurora Tourism added some listed investments to its portfolio which started with the listing of the South African airline, Comair, in July 1998. This placement of shares was offered on a preferential basis to existing players in the South African travel industry.

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In 2007, Aurora Tourism acquired shares in JSE-listed AEEI Ltd (previously Sekunjalo Investments Ltd), as consideration for the purchase of a controlling interest in its main operating subsidiary in Cape Town. Later, in 2010, Aurora Tourism acquired shares in Botswanan Safari Operator, Wilderness Holdings Ltd, following its listing in Gaborone. The listed portfolio currently includes shares in airlines, hotel operators, safari operators, and other leisure businesses. These investments operate around the world but still predominantly in the southern African region. Aurora Tourism is now focusing on growing its listed portfolio and is in the process of finalising the liquidation of the remains of its private investments.

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As Aurora Tourism shifted the balance of its investment portfolio to the listed sector, its parent, Aurora Capital was diversifying into other sectors such as Information Technology, Real Estate, Health & Wellness, Insurance Underwriting and Food & Drink. This process began in 2014 with the acquisition of Finesse Technologies (Pty) Ltd.

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Aurora Capital focuses on growth industries in which our team has knowledge and experience, and is particularly keen on businesses where technology can and is being used as a driver of its competitive advantage. Whilst we continue to have a balance of listed and private unlisted investments, our real expertise is in the process of taking a business on the journey from an idea to the realisation of wealth - a journey we have traveled ourselves numerous times. To this end we have launched an advisery and consulting arm to our business.

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