REA Group to Acquire Leading 3D Tour and Interactive Floor Plan Technology iGUIDE

WATERLOO, Ontario & MELBOURNE, Australia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 2, 2025--

REA Group (“REA”) today announced that it has agreed to acquire 61.5% of Planitar Inc., the maker of iGUIDE (“iGUIDE”). Based in Ontario, Canada, iGUIDE is a proprietary camera and software platform that uses advanced AI capabilities to identify property features and produce immersive 3D virtual tours, precise floor plans and reliable property measurement data.

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iGUIDE’s proprietary PLANIX camera systems combine advanced LiDAR and 360° imagery to efficiently and accurately map property interiors and exteriors, converting physical spaces into digital ones. It is the market leader in Canada with 25% of all homes sold in the country in 2025 featuring an iGUIDE 1. The affordable PLANIX R1 camera enables rapid capture and fast data processing while the iGUIDE platform offers the unique functionality to edit 3D tours after they are captured. iGUIDE is used by real estate photographers and agents in over 50 countries globally.

By combining floor plans with high-quality visual data, iGUIDE offers consumers an intuitive and immersive way to digitally explore built environments. Once a digital twin of a property is created, users gain access to interactive floor plans and detailed imagery, enabling them to take custom measurements and virtually walk through the space. This enhances their understanding of the property’s layout and dimensions, supporting more informed decision making.

The proposed acquisition complements REA’s consumer strategy, which is focused on delivering highly personalised, immersive and engaging property experiences for the more than 12 million Australians who use realestate.com.au every month 2. Last year, REA launched its AI-driven next generation listing initiative to transform listings from a static advertisement to a dynamic real-time representation of a property. Consumers are now spending more time on listings and engaging more deeply 3.

REA Group Chief Executive Officer, Owen Wilson, said the company continues to invest in new technology to accelerate its strategy and evolve its market leading consumer products.

“I’m delighted to welcome the iGUIDE team into REA and look forward to introducing iGUIDE’s leading 3D tour and floor plan technology to the Australian market,” he said.

“This type of spatial mapping technology instils confidence and helps property seekers make more informed decisions while also providing agents and vendors a way to differentiate their property to secure the best outcome. While approximately less than five percent of listings currently feature a 3D tour 4, we expect this to grow as advances in technology support higher quality and more accessible solutions, like iGUIDE.

“Interactive content and video will become the standard for property marketing in the coming years and already we’re seeing the positive impacts more immersive experiences are delivering for property seekers and real estate professionals. iGUIDE’s interactive floor plans and 3D tours are a natural extension for realestate.com.au and this proposed acquisition allows us to build on the video capabilities we have today, driving increased consumer engagement and delivering highly qualified leads to customers,” Mr Wilson added.

iGUIDE currently operates throughout North America and partners closely with resellers globally. As part of the transaction, iGUIDE will establish on-the-ground sales and operations in Australia later this year, providing greater support to existing and new customers in the Australian market.

iGUIDE co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Alexander Likholyot, who will transition to a Strategic Advisor and Director role following completion, commented: “It was clear after we started discussions last year, REA was the right fit for our business and we’re delighted to be joining the Group. REA is a company with a shared vision for accurate property data and information excellence, helping property seekers and industry professionals make the most informed property decisions.”

The iGUIDE management team will be led by incoming Chief Executive Officer, Jarrad Morden, and will continue to operate under its current structure and brand.

“This is an exciting milestone for iGUIDE and an opportunity to expand our reach with the support of a global leader in digital property experiences. I’m looking forward to working with REA’s world-class team to unlock new capabilities and establish a strong presence in the Australian market,” Mr Morden said.

The proposed transaction is subject to certain conditions and is expected to complete shortly. Planitar’s financial advisor for the transaction was TD Securities Inc. and its legal advisor was Pulse Law, LLC.

To learn more about iGUIDE visit www.goiguide.com.

About REA Group Ltd ( www.rea-group.com ): REA Group Ltd ACN 068 349 066 (ASX:REA) (“REA Group”) is a multinational digital advertising business specialising in property. REA Group operates Australia’s leading residential and commercial property websites – realestate.com.au and realcommercial.com.au – as well as the leading website dedicated to share property, Flatmates.com.au and property research website, property.com.au. REA Group owns Mortgage Choice Pty Ltd, an Australian mortgage broking franchise group, PropTrack Pty Ltd, a leading provider of property data services, Campaign Agent Pty Ltd, Australia’s leading provider in vendor paid advertising finance solutions for the Australian real estate market and Realtair Pty Limited, a digital platform providing end-to-end technology solutions for the real estate transaction process. In Australia, REA Group holds strategic investments in Simpology Pty Ltd, a leading provider of mortgage application and e-lodgement solutions for the broking and lending industries, Arealytics, a provider of commercial real estate information and technology in Australia and Athena Home Loans, a leading digital non-bank lender and one of Australia’s fastest growing fintechs. Internationally, REA Group holds a controlling interest in REA India Pte. Ltd. operator of Housing.com. REA Group also holds a 20% shareholding in Move, Inc., operator of realtor.com in the US and a minority investment in Easiloan, a technology platform for end-to-end digital processing of home loans in India.

AboutiGUIDE ( www.goiguide.com ): Founded in 2013 in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, Planitar Inc. is the maker of iGUIDE, a proprietary camera and software platform for capturing and delivering immersive 3D virtual tours and extensive property data. iGUIDE is the most efficient system to map interior spaces and features accurate floor plans, measurements and reliable property square footage. By integrating floor plans and visual data, iGUIDE provides an intuitive and practical way to navigate and explore built environments digitally.

 

REA Group today announced that it has agreed to acquire 61.5% of Planitar Inc., the maker of iGUIDE.

KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — Voting began Thursday in Uganda’s presidential election despite a days-long internet shutdown that has been criticized as an anti-democratic tactic in a country where the president has held office since 1986.

Crowds gathered and long lines formed in some areas as polling station openings were delayed and voting materials were seen being delivered after the scheduled 7 a.m. opening time.

President Yoweri Museveni, 81, faces seven other candidates, including Robert Kyagulanyi, a musician-turned-politician best known as Bobi Wine, who is calling for political change.

The East African country of roughly 45 million people has 21.6 million registered voters. Polls are expected to close at 4 p.m. Thursday, according to the electoral commission. Results are constitutionally required to be announced in 48 hours.

Impatient crowds gathered outside polling stations expressing concerns over the delays Thursday morning. Umaru Mutyaba, a polling agent for a parliamentary candidate, said it was “frustrating” to be waiting outside a station in the capital Kampala.

“We can’t be standing here waiting to vote as if we have nothing else to do," he said.

Ssemujju Nganda, a prominent opposition figure and lawmaker seeking reelection in Kira municipality, told The Associated Press he had been waiting in line to vote for three hours.

In addition to delayed voting materials, biometric voter identification machines were not working properly, Nganda said, adding that delays likely will lead to apathy and low turnout in urban areas where the opposition has substantial support.

“It’s going to be chaos,” he said.

Uganda has not witnessed a peaceful transfer of presidential power since independence from British colonial rule six decades ago.

Museveni has served the third-longest term of any African leader and is seeking to extend his rule into a fifth decade. Some critics say removing him through elections remains difficult, but the aging president’s authority has become increasingly dependent on the military led by his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

Museveni and Wine are reprising their rivalry from the previous election in 2021, when Wine appealed to mostly young people in urban areas. With voter turnout of 59%, Wine secured 35% of the ballots against Museveni’s 58%, the president’s smallest vote share since his first electoral campaign three decades ago.

The lead-up to Thursday's election produced concerns about transparency, the possibility of hereditary rule, military interference and opposition strategies to prevent vote tampering at polling stations.

Uganda's internet was shut down Tuesday by the government communications agency, which cited misinformation, electoral fraud and incitement of violence. The shutdown has affected the public and disrupted critical sectors such as banking.

There has been heavy security leading up to voting, including military units deployed on the streets this week.

Amnesty International said security forces are engaging in a “brutal campaign of repression,” citing a Nov. 28 opposition rally in eastern Uganda where the military blocked exits and opened fire on supporters, killing one person.

Museveni urged voters to come out in large numbers during his final rally Tuesday.

“You go and vote, anybody who tries to interfere with your freedom will be crushed. I am telling you this. We are ready to put an end to this indiscipline,” he said.

The national electoral commission chairperson, Simon Byabakama, urged tolerance among Ugandans as they vote.

“Let us keep the peace that we have,” Byabakama said late Wednesday. “Let us be civil. Let us be courteous. Let’s be tolerant. Even if you know that this person does not support (your) candidate, please give him or her room or opportunity to go and exercise his or her constitutional right."

Authorities also suspended the activities of several civic groups during the campaign season. That Group, a prominent media watchdog, closed its office Wednesday after the interior ministry alleged in a letter that the group was involved in activities “prejudicial to the security and laws of Uganda.”

Veteran opposition figure Kizza Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate, remains in prison after he was charged with treason in February 2025.

Uganda opposition presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, known as Bobi Wine, right, greets election observers, including former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, at his home in Magere village on the outskirts of Kampala, Uganda, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda)

Billboards of Uganda President and National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential candidate Yoweri Museveni are seen in Kampala, Uganda, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Samson Otieno)

Electoral workers deliver ballot boxes to a polling station during presidential election in Kampala, Uganda, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)

Voters are reflected in a police officer's sunglasses as they wait in line after voting failed to start on time due to system failures during presidential election in Kampala, Uganda, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)

Voters wait to cast their ballots during the presidential election in Kampala, Uganda, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)