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Enerflo Partners with IGS Energy to Introduce First In-Platform Lease Option for Solar Installers and EPCs

Enerflo

Enerflo, the only lead to PTO, open API Solar Platform, announces an integration partnership with IGS Energy to offer a fully managed lease option for residential solar through Enerflo’s best-in-class solar sales platform, Sales Core. Enerflo has powered $7.5 billion in loans to date through its platform. And now, Enerflo is able to offer a simple lease option with IGS Energy. Residential solar installers (EPCs) are faced with changing market dynamics, including higher interest rates and increased pressure to deliver savings quickly. Leases are becoming more financially attractive to consumers, but until now, an integrated lease partner was not available within Enerflo. With the launch of the integration between IGS Energy and Enerflo, existing and new Enerflo partners can explore the potential of adding a lease option through IGS Energy into their mix of product offerings. Founded in 1989, IGS Energy is the third-largest energy retailer in the U.S. and offers sustainable technologies and services, including 100% renewable electricity, carbon-neutral natural gas, solar energy systems and other energy-efficiency products. IGS serves as a trusted advisor to more than 1 million customers offering solar in CT, FL, MA, MD, NJ, NY, PA, RI and VA. IGS Energy provides solar services for residential homes, businesses and communities and has deployed over $1B in the solar market, and today is managing over 28,000 systems for homeowners who choose to lease their array. With an IGS Energy solar lease, consumers enjoy an average of up to 20% first-year savings on their solar panel installation while paying a predictable, fixed monthly price. Solar panel lease options offer consumers the ability to go solar without upfront panel and installation costs. IGS Energy also covers operations and maintenance costs for homeowners for the duration of the lease. Enerflo was founded in 2019 with the vision to make solar affordable for, and available to, every person on the planet by helping to lower the cost of solar through platform and tech efficiencies. With over $7.5 billion in residential solar PV systems sold through the Enerflo Platform to date, Enerflo is helping installers to get more glass on roof in less time, resulting in lower soft costs that can translate into lower costs for consumers. The Enerflo Platform underpins the solar sales and fulfillment process for residential and light commercial solar sales dealers, installers/EPCs and hybrid organizations. Together, Enerflo and IGS Energy share a common goal of making solar accessible for installers/EPCs and homeowners alike and this integration is a significant first step in achieving that. “We’re thrilled to finally be able to offer the IGS Energy residential solar lease option to our partners (customers) on our platform through such a seamless integration,” said Pat Bennett, Enerflo Co-Founder & CEO. He continued “This will empower solar companies to meet the increased demand for lease options from their customers.” “Giving Residential Solar Installers, EPCs and Sales Dealers access to lease through the Enerflo platform is an exciting step for our organization as our companies together have successfully created a first of its kind lease integration that is simple to understand and straightforward to utilize ”, said Brandon Childers, IGS Energy Chief Operations Officer. About Enerflo Enerflo is the only Lead to PTO open API Solar Platform: Cutting soft costs and project duration through tech consolidation, data centralization and process efficiencies. Purpose-built for Residential Solar Installers / EPCs and Sales Dealers, Enerflo helps these organizations deploy more solar and related services through sales and business process automation. Installers rely on multiple tools from lead to install; Enerflo connects them with native platform features into one, cohesive sales and install platform. Enerflo is the backbone of some of the top solar providers, powering billions of dollars in residential solar sales, and can be relied on to deliver one connected flow from lead to PTO. Learn more at enerflo.com. About IGS Energy IGS Energy is redefining what it means to be an energy retailer. We are leading a transition to a more sustainable energy future for a healthier planet by empowering home and business customers to source the energy that’s right for them, manage their costs and carbon footprint, and protect the systems that keep their homes running efficiently. As a proudly private company that follows the principles of Conscious Capitalism, we prioritize the needs of our customers, our employees and the communities where we live and work. IGS Energy offers sustainable technologies and services, including 100% renewable electricity, carbon-neutral natural gas, solar energy systems and other energy-efficiency products. We serve as a trusted advisor to more than 1 million customers nationwide, making an ever-changing and complex industry simpler. Contact Details Enerflo Rebecca Taylor +1 760-214-5549 rebecca.taylor@enerflo.io Company Website https://enerflo.com/

August 16, 2023 06:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time

Wishpond Announces SalesCloser AI: An AI Sales Rep Capable of Conducting Zoom Presentations

Wishpond Technologies Ltd.

Wishpond Technologies Ltd. (TSXV: WISH, OTCQX: WPNDF) (the “ Company ” or “ Wishpond ”), a provider of marketing-focused online business solutions, is pleased to announce the upcoming launch of “ SalesCloser AI”, its AI-powered sales platform. SalesCloser AI is Wishpond’s proprietary solution that is reshaping the sales landscape by delivering personalized, round-the-clock sales calls and product demos without the need for human intervention. Management of Wishpond anticipates that its new SalesCloser AI will be a game-changer for businesses of all sizes and industries. Wishpond has designed this cutting-edge technology to streamline demo bookings and sales calls to provide its customers with the ability to build and scale their sales teams effortlessly while enjoying uninterrupted service regardless of language, time zones or geographical boundaries. Ali Tajskandar, Founder and CEO of Wishpond commented, “Our AI-powered Sales Closer platform represents a paradigm shift in the way businesses approach sales and product demonstrations. With SalesCloser AI, your sales team is always available and scalable. We’ve harnessed the power of AI to create an unmatched solution that brings together personalization, accessibility, and efficiency. Businesses can now focus on scaling their operations.” Wishpond expects that unlike traditional sales teams, the AI-powered platform will not be confined by traditional limitations. It aims to operate 24/7, empowering businesses to conduct a higher volume of sales calls and target international markets with ease. SalesCloser AI is primed to take over the entire sales process, from discovery calls to slide presentations and intricate product demonstrations. Key features of SalesCloser AI include: Real-time Conversation: The AI technology adapts in real-time during conversations with prospects, creating a truly personalized experience that resonates with potential customers. Multi-media Demo Presentations: Designed with both audio and video capabilities, SalesCloser AI can seamlessly guide prospects through presentations and product demos. Multilingual Support: SalesCloser AI aims to conduct sales calls and demos in various languages on demand, opening opportunities for businesses to expand their reach and cater to a global audience. Cost-Effective: SalesCloser AI is intended to be an efficient alternative to scaling the sales team, providing substantial cost savings without compromising on quality. Wishpond believes that SalesCloser AI is poised to transform industries across the board, particularly benefiting virtual sales professionals, SaaS companies, consultants, and various B2B enterprises that rely on online sales interactions. Scheduled for release by the end of the year, SalesCloser AI is a testament to Wishpond’s commitment to driving innovation and shaping the future of sales. For more information, or to sign-up for an early release version, please visit: www.salescloser.ai Wishpond Technologies Ltd. “Ali Tajskandar” Chairman and Chief Executive Officer About Wishpond Technologies Ltd. Based out of Vancouver, British Columbia, Wishpond is a provider of marketing-focused online business solutions. Wishpond is a leading provider of digital marketing solutions that empower entrepreneurs to achieve success online. The Company’s Propel IQ platform offers an “all-in-one” marketing suite that provides companies with marketing, promotion, lead generation, ad management, referral marketing, sales conversion and outbound sales automation capabilities on one integrated platform. Wishpond replaces disparate marketing solutions with an easy-to-use product, for a fraction of the cost. Wishpond serves over 4,000 customers who are primarily small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in a wide variety of industries. The Company has developed cutting-edge marketing technology solutions including an artificial intelligence (AI) powered website builder and continues to add new features and applications. The Company employs a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) business model where most of the Company’s revenue is subscription-based recurring revenue which provides excellent revenue predictability and cash flow visibility. Wishpond is listed on the Exchange under the ticker “WISH”, and on the OTCQX Best Market under the ticker “WPNDF”. For further information, visit: www.wishpond.com. Cautionary & Forward-Looking Statements Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This press release may contain certain forward-looking information and statements (“ forward-looking information ”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation, that are not based on historical fact, including without limitation statements relating to the potential operations and business results from the Company’s Sales Closer platform, containing the words “believes”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “intends”, “will”, “should”, “expects”, “continue”, “estimate”, “forecasts”, “schedule” and other similar expressions. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to comment analyses, expectations or statements made by third-parties in respect of the Company, its securities, or financial or operating results (as applicable). Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking information in this press release are reasonable, such forward-looking information has been based on expectations, factors and assumptions concerning future events which may prove to be inaccurate and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the Company’s control, including, but not limited to, the risk factors discussed in the public disclosure documents of the Company which such risk factors are incorporated herein by reference and are available through SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking information contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and are made as of the date hereof. The Company disclaims any intention and has no obligation or responsibility, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Contact Details Pardeep S. Sangha Investor Relations, Wishpond Technologies Ltd. +1 604-572-6392 investor@wishpond.com

August 16, 2023 07:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Video

SURVIVING THE BACK-TO-SCHOOL SCRAMBLE

YourUpdateTV

Emmy Award-Winning Television Host and Lifestyle Expert, Marisa Brahney partners with Afterpay, Famous Footwear and The Vitamine Shoppe. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/e_oyhHkTPXo It is the time of year parents break a sweat thinking about the back-to-school scramble, which includes scheduling, extracurricular activities, and shopping. In fact, according to the National Retail Federation, consumers are expected to spend record amounts for both back-to-school and back-to-college shopping this year. Spending is likely to reach an unparalleled $41.5 billion, which is up from last year’s $36.9 billion. Families with children in elementary through high school are projected to spend an average of close to $900 on back-to-school items this year. Emmy Award-Winning Television Host and Lifestyle Expert, Marisa Brahney shares a few of her favorite ways to get ready for another school year. FOOTWEAR One of the most popular back-to-school items continues to be footwear. Brahney says she’s not surprised, because all three of her kids and their friends love getting new shoes for the new school year. Additionally, as a parent, she mentions how kids’ and teenagers’ feet grow fast, and for that very reason, she keeps an eye on all the latest styles. Famous Footwear is the back-to-school destination for the whole family and home to brands consumers all know and love, including Nike, Crocs, Converse, New Balance, HeyDUDE and Doc Martens, just to name a few, all at a great value. Famous is the premier one-stop destination for back-to-school shopping, which makes the entire experience convenient. Whether online or in-store, families can find a wide selection of styles and trends. The lifestyle expert points out one of the things that stands out to her as a mom, and that’s Famous for the Perfect Fit. “Kids feet grow FAST! If you’re shopping in-store, seek out a helpful Famous Footwear Sizing Expert to ensure your kids’ shoes fit just right,” says Brahney, adding, “There are so many great styles to choose from for your kids to step into the new school year in style.” For more information visit any of the 900 Famous Footwear stores nationwide or online at famousfootwear.com. Social media handles: Facebook: famousfootwear Instagram: @famousfootwear HEALTH & WELLNESS Back-to-school season isn’t just about looking good, it is also about feeling good. Brahney says this is a high-energy time of year and parents and caregivers need to make sure everyone in the family has all the nutrients they need to make it through a busy day. “I keep an eye out for all the latest and greatest ways to do it,” says Brahney, adding “One brand, MaryRuth’s offers high-quality supplements for the whole family, with delicious tasting formulas that make maintaining healthy routines easy for kids and parents.” The best place to shop for these supplements is The Vitamin Shoppe and vitaminshoppe.com, the leading destination for lifelong wellness solutions. Liquid Morning Multivitamin is MaryRuth’s number one product. It is an easy-to-take liquid with minerals, amino acids, and multiple essential vitamins formulated for anyone from ages 1 to adult—pretty much an entire family. Brahney points out that it’s also vegan and sugar-free. “I’m a big fan of their Kids’ Organic Multivitamin & Postbiotics gummies in mixed berry and cherry flavor, as well as the Liquid Nighttime Multimineral coconut flavor to help support better sleep and healthy bones,” says Brahney. For more information or to find these supplements, visit The Vitamin Shoppe and vitaminshoppe.com. Social media handles: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maryruthorganics Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryruthorganics TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maryruthorganics Twitter: https://twitter.com/maryruths YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@maryruthorganics Hashtags: #MARYRUTHS FINANCIAL FITNESS The majority of back-to-school shoppers are searching out deals and they are also prioritizing budgets. Brahney highlights how back-to-school shopping can quickly add up and be a financial stress. “No matter the type of budget, whether robust or conservative, it really comes down to how shoppers plan on paying for their back-to-school items,” says Brahney, adding, “That’s why I really like the Afterpay app. As one of the leading buy now, pay later platforms, it’s a budgeting tool—so I can ease back into back-to-school shopping.” Afterpay partners with thousands of brands to offer interest-free, pay-in-four installment payments, which allows shoppers to buy all their back-to-school necessities now and pay over time, without the worry of interest and revolving debt posed by credit. Brahney says, “It's a one-stop-shop! So, whether you’re shopping in-store or online for computers, footwear, clothing… you name it… Afterpay empowers shoppers to pay how they want so they can get what they need for the new school year to be a success.” Find out more by downloading Afterpay app. Facebook: Afterpay USA Instagram: @afterpayusa Twitter: @AfterpayUSA Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

August 15, 2023 02:47 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Video

News Release

Bridgeline Digital CEO says HawkSearch led 3Q growth as focus on core products grows

Bridgeline Digital Inc

BridgeLine Digital CEO Ari Kahn takes Proactive's Stephen Gunnion through the company's third-quarter results, which reveal a strong compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15% in the company's core products, led by HawkSearch which signed over $1 million in new customer contracts during the quarter. Collaborations with the likes of SalesForce, Optimizely, BigCommerce, and Duda have proven fruitful, driving efficient sales cycles and expanding their market. Kahn anticipated significant growth, driven by upcoming initiatives, including the Bronco release that shortens sales cycles by 20%, and the introduction of advanced analytics and a franchise search solution. Despite projected declines in legacy products, Bridgeline foresees robust 15%+ growth in their core offerings, with the catalyst being the upcoming releases and partnerships, ensuring strong progress into fiscal 24. Contact Details Proactive Investors +1 604-688-8158 na-editorial@proactiveinvestors.com

August 15, 2023 01:54 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Video

Announcing NowSecure Platform 5 — the Industry’s First All-in-One Mobile App Security & Privacy Testing Solution

NowSecure

NowSecure, the recognized experts in mobile security and privacy, announced it has unified its portfolio of mobile app security products and services into the award-winning flagship NowSecure Platform 5. Now mobile development and security teams can optimize their mobile appdev lifecycle and mobile AppSec program performance, fine tune testing frequency, depth and coverage across their mobile app portfolios and drive efficiencies while consolidating investments. The “IDC DevSecOps Adoption, Techniques and Tools Survey, 2023” identifies the top drivers for DevSecOps as catching security vulnerabilities earlier in the software lifecycle, improving security posture of apps and minimizing human error via security automation. However, IDC found the top three organizational challenges associated with DevSecOps adoption are lack of developer security knowledge, lack of collaboration across security and development teams, and budget constraints. In addition, the IDC survey reported that significantly more organizations experienced a security breach in 2022. Recent notable breaches listed in the NowSecure Mobile Breach Tracker include Chick-fil-A, Hyundai, Kurbo, TikTok and Twitter (X). To help developers, security and privacy teams address these challenges and improve performance, NowSecure Platform 5 provides a consolidated, collaborative, all-in-one platform for mobile app security and privacy. “For most organizations, secure app development, security training, app security testing and pen testing have long been fragmented, frustrating and expensive,” said NowSecure CEO Alan Snyder. “Working with our customers and mobile community, we have joined together all the critical components of a successful mobile app security and privacy program into a single all-in-one solution. Now all organizations can get the unified visibility and efficiencies they need at scale.” NowSecure Platform provides continuous and on-demand automated mobile app security and privacy testing for iOS and Android mobile applications for mobile DevSecOps and Agile teams. Purpose built for mobile teams, NowSecure runs a battery of 600 tests using static, dynamic, interactive and API Security testing for the deepest and broadest risk coverage in the industry, identifying security, privacy, supply chain and app store blocker issues with high accuracy. NowSecure Platform integrates with all major software development tools including CI/CD, ticketing and vulnerability management systems. To speed issue resolution, NowSecure includes developer-friendly issue details, business impact, evidence, embedded remediation instructions, code samples, links to Apple and Android developer documentation and more. NowSecure Platform 5 delivers critical capabilities to drive performance and efficiency: Unifies and consolidates NowSecure Platform automated testing, NowSecure Workstation manual testing, NowSecure Services expert manual pen testing and NowSecure Services compliance validation services to enable all activities and results in one place Delivers actionable analytics through new mobile app Portfolio Health Dashboard with trending, drill-downs and recommendations Supercharges remediation by expanding findings and remediation content while embedding just-in-time training from NowSecure Academy Adds a new “Secure Mobile Development Foundations” course in NowSecure Academy for developers to learn secure coding basics Enables seamless collaboration across dev, security and NowSecure experts through policy-driven workflow integrations Adds an optimized Command Line Interface (CLI) to enable custom interactions and integrations into development workflows Today more than 80% of all digital time online is spent in mobile apps vs web, generating over $260bn in mobile revenue in 2022. As the Mobile App Security Testing [MAST] marketplace grows, “Gartner Hype Cycle for Application Security, 2023” (24 July 2023 • ID G00791986) notes that Mobile App Security Testing has moved into the Slope of Enlightenment where “commercial off-the-shelf methodologies and tools ease the development process” and is approaching the Plateau of Productivity where “real-world benefits of an innovation are demonstrated and accepted and tools and methodologies are increasingly stable.” With years of delivering high-value customer results through millions of mobile app assessments, the latest NowSecure Platform 5 innovations ensure that it is well positioned to help the mobile app community mature efficiently and effectively. NowSecure Platform 5 is the cornerstone of the industry’s only full suite of mobile app security and privacy solutions from NowSecure. In addition to NowSecure Platform for automated security and privacy testing, offerings include NowSecure Workstation kit for pen tester productivity, NowSecure Supply Chain Risk Management, NowSecure expert Mobile Pen Testing as a Service (PTaaS), and NowSecure Academy training courseware for dev and security teams. NowSecure customers report high value returns of releasing safe mobile software 30% faster, reducing testing and delivery costs by 30% and reducing risk by 40%. NowSecure Platform 5 is available directly from NowSecure and via Synopsys SIG, Microsoft Azure Marketplace and AWS Marketplace. Request a demo of NowSecure Platform 5 to learn more and see it in action. As the recognized experts in mobile security and privacy, NowSecure protects the global mobile app economy and safeguards the data of millions of mobile app users. Built on a foundation of standards, NowSecure empowers the world's most demanding organizations with security automation to release and monetize 30% faster, reduce testing and delivery costs by 30% and reduce risk by 40%. Only NowSecure offers an award winning full solution suite of continuous security testing for DevSecOps, mobile app supply chain monitoring, expert mobile pen testing as a service (PTaaS) and training courseware. NowSecure actively contributes and supports the mobile security open-source community, standards and certification including OWASP MASVS, ADA MASA, NIAP and is recognized by IDC, Gartner, Deloitte Fast 500, Cyber Defense Magazine and TAG Cyber. Contact Details NowSecure Brian Reed +1 202-240-7611 press@nowsecure.com Company Website https://www.nowsecure.com/

August 15, 2023 11:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time

SPARK Microsystems se joint au Conseil canadien des semi-conducteurs

SPARK Microsystems

SPARK Microsystems, une entreprise canadienne de semi-conducteurs spécialisée dans les communications sans fil à courte portée de nouvelle génération, a annoncé aujourd'hui qu'elle s'est jointe au Conseil canadien des semi-conducteurs (CCS) afin de façonner la stratégie des semi-conducteurs au Canada. Frédéric Nabki, cofondateur et directeur de la technologie de SPARK, siégera au conseil consultatif et aidera le CCS dans sa mission d'accélérer la croissance et le développement du secteur canadien des semi-conducteurs. « Le CCS s'est engagé à faire du Canada un centre vital d'innovation dans la chaîne de valeur des semi-conducteurs. En tant que nouveau membre du conseil consultatif du CCS, je me réjouis de travailler avec le Conseil et ses membres à l'élaboration d'un modèle durable de croissance du secteur des semi-conducteurs qui propulse la croissance économique du Canada et sert de catalyseur à d'autres secteurs industriels », a déclaré Frédéric Nabki, cofondateur et directeur de la technologie de SPARK Microsystems. Le CCS est une association nationale de l'industrie des semi-conducteurs qui représente un large écosystème d'entreprises canadiennes de microélectronique, de fabricants de micropuces, d'organismes de R&D, de laboratoires gouvernementaux et d'universités. L'objectif du Conseil est de renforcer la compétitivité du Canada dans l'espace mondial des semi-conducteurs. « Le CCS a pour mission de diriger la stratégie nationale en matière de semi-conducteurs et de mettre en œuvre un plan d'action qui permettra au Canada d'être l'un des principaux développeurs, fabricants et fournisseurs mondiaux de produits semi-conducteurs intégrés », a déclaré M. C. Paul Slaby, directeur général du CCS « SPARK sera un atout inestimable dans notre plateforme nationale pour collaborer et discuter des défis de l'industrie, des meilleures pratiques, et pour partager des ressources et des idées afin de gagner en visibilité dans l'industrie technologique mondiale, en donnant la priorité aux intérêts de l'industrie canadienne des semi-conducteurs. » SPARK Microsystems a mis au point une solution sans fil innovante à courte portée basée sur la technologie UWB qui réduit considérablement la consommation d'énergie des appareils connectés tout en offrant des débits de données élevés et un faible temps de latence comparables à ceux des connexions filaires - sans les fils. Ses caractéristiques de performance sont essentielles pour permettre la mise en place de la prochaine génération d'appareils mobiles connectés sans fil et de capteurs optimisés pour une efficacité énergétique élevée, entraînant une réduction significative de l'utilisation et du remplacement des batteries. À propos de SPARK Microsystems SPARK Microsystems construit la prochaine génération de dispositifs de communication sans fil à courte portée. SPARK UWB fournit des liens de communication sans fil à haut débit et à très faible latence avec un profil de puissance ultra-faible, ce qui le rend idéal pour les réseaux personnels (PAN) utilisés dans les produits mobiles, grand public et connectés à l'IoT. S'appuyant sur des technologies brevetées, SPARK Microsystems s'efforce de minimiser et, à terme, d'éliminer les fils et les batteries d'un large éventail d'applications. Pour plus d'informations, veuillez consulter sparkmicro.com. Contact Details Rainier Communications Jenna Beaucage +1 508-340-6851 jbeaucage@rainierco.com Company Website https://www.sparkmicro.com

August 15, 2023 09:09 AM Eastern Daylight Time

SPARK Microsystems Joins Canada’s Semiconductor Council

SPARK Microsystems

SPARK Microsystems, a Canadian fabless semiconductor company specializing in next-generation short-range wireless communications, today announced it has joined Canada’s Semiconductor Council (CSC) to shape the semiconductor strategy in Canada. SPARK Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, Frederic Nabki, will serve as an advisory board member and help CSC with its mission to accelerate the growth and development of Canada's semiconductor sector. “CSC is dedicated to establishing Canada as a vital hub of innovation in the semiconductor value chain. As a new member of CSC’s advisory board, I look forward to working with the Council and its members to develop a sustainable model for semiconductor growth that propels Canada’s economic growth and serves as a key enabler of other industry sections,” said Frederic Nabki, Co-founder and CTO, SPARK Microsystems. The CSC is a national semiconductor industry association representing a broad ecosystem of Canadian microelectronics companies, microchip manufacturers, R&D organizations, and relevant government labs, agencies, and universities. The purpose of the Council is to further boost Canada's competitiveness in the global semiconductor space. “CSC is on a mission to lead the national semiconductor strategy and implement an action plan that positions Canada to be a leading global developer, manufacturer, and supplier of embedded semiconductor products,” said Dr. C. Paul Slaby, Managing Director, CSC. “SPARK will be an invaluable asset in our national platform to collaborate and discuss industry challenges, best practices, and share resources and ideas to gain visibility across the global tech industry, prioritizing the interests of the Canadian semiconductor industry.” SPARK Microsystems has developed an innovative short-range wireless solution based on UWB technology which dramatically reduces energy consumption for connected devices while delivering high-data rates and low latency on par with wired connections – without the wires. Its performance attributes are essential for enabling the next generation of wireless connected mobile devices and sensors optimized for high energy efficiency, driving a significant reduction in battery usage and replacement. About SPARK Microsystems SPARK Microsystems is building next generation short-range wireless communication devices. SPARK UWB provides high data rate and very low latency wireless communication links at an ultra-low power profile, making it ideal for personal area networks (PANs) used in mobile, consumer and IoT-connected products. Leveraging patented technologies, SPARK Microsystems strives to minimize and ultimately eliminate wires and batteries from a wide range of applications. For more information, please visit www.sparkmicro.com. Contact Details Rainier Communications Jenna Beaucage +1 508-340-6851 jbeaucage@rainierco.com Company Website https://www.sparkmicro.com

August 15, 2023 09:07 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Hacks Have Taken Billions From Both Centralized And Decentralized Crypto Exchanges — Is Swopblock The Answer?

Benzinga

By James Wells, Benzinga Learn more about and invest in Swopblock via Wefunder The crypto community has faced a series of unfortunate incidents over the past two years, punctuated by the collapse of FTX, a large centralized exchange (CEX). These situations have led many investors – who are still awaiting compensation – to question the reliability of CEXs. Decentralized exchanges (DEXs) propose a solution by removing third parties and allowing users to handle their own assets. Nevertheless, many DEXs still rely on centralized components such as bridges and pipes, limiting their reach to full decentralization. Swopblock, a pioneering decentralized crypto exchange, stands out by enabling cross-chain trading with 100% liquidity distribution across user wallets. This could surpass the limitations of existing DEXs and CEXs, potentially positioning Swopblock as a leader in the decentralized finance (DeFi) field. Centralized Exchanges: A Double-Edged Sword Centralized Exchanges (CEXs) such as Binance, Coinbase and Kraken are popular cryptocurrency platforms known for their reliability and a range of benefits, including liquidity, fast transactions and user-friendly interfaces. However, these advantages come with a downside: CEXs have a custodial nature, which means they hold users' assets on their behalf. This setup increases the risk associated with relying on the exchange as an intermediary. The increased counterparty risk in CEXs can lead to potential problems. For example, some exchanges like Celsius have faced insolvency issues, while others like FTX experienced irretrievable losses of funds due to unethical practices. While CEXs offer convenience by simplifying asset management through exchange-managed wallets, it requires users to place significant trust in the exchange, making them vulnerable to these risks. Transition To Decentralization: Not The Ultimate Solution Yet Cross-chain Decentralized Exchanges (DEXs) attempt to mitigate CEXs' counterparty risk by compartmentalizing custodial control into pipes and bridges, but this does not completely eliminate the risk of custodial control failure. This can lead to single points of failure, causing significant losses if compromised (hacks, bugs, etc.). DEXs like Uniswap mitigate CEXs' counterparty risk by prohibiting cross-blockchain trading altogether, this requires using these CEXs to gain access between DEXs on other blockchains. According to Binance Research, DEXs were the most used type of decentralized application (dApp) among institutions in Q2 2023. While CEXs are an established technology, DEXs retain most centralized exchange capabilities and often provide access to more niche and experimental projects. The Swopblock Solution: Distributed Liquidity for Complete Decentralization Swopblock is a trailblazer in the DEX industry as the first fully decentralized exchange. Unlike its competitors, such as Thorchain or PancakeSwap, Swopblock ensures an impressive 100% liquidity distribution across all user wallets, significantly reducing vulnerability to liquidity pool and bridge hacks. Despite liquidity pools being decentralized, these remain susceptible targets for attacks due to the accumulation of assets. The alarming $2.1 billion lost to hacks and exploits in 2022 alone emphasizes the urgent need for more decentralized liquidity distribution. The true innovation of Swopblock lies in its decentralized liquidity distribution, setting it apart from other platforms. Powered exclusively by SWOBL, users contribute liquidity individually for their trades while retaining full control within their wallets. This approach not only addresses self-custody issues typically associated with Centralized Finance (CeFi) but also eliminates the 'honeypot' risks inherent in traditional DEXs like Trader Joe, Uniswap, and PancakeSwap. Swopblock: Ushering in a New Era of Genuine Decentralization in Crypto Exchanges As the DEX sector continues to thrive in the aftermath of the FTX fallout, and with the increasing focus on self-custody, it's crucial that both investors and developers maintain their focus on the overarching goal of crypto: decentralization. Many decentralized projects, despite their emphasis on improving capital efficiency, user-friendliness, and other metrics, have overlooked the enormous flaw of integrating any kind of single-point custodial-control failure into a decentralized exchange system. Swopblock, with its innovative technology emphasizing distributed liquidity powered by its protocol driven medium of exchange, stands as a truly disruptive force that prioritizes decentralization. As the demand for a genuinely decentralized exchange method grows, Swopblock stands ready to meet it, raising the bar across the industry. Learn more about and invest in Swopblock via Wefunder. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

August 15, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

OLB Group (NASDAQ: OLB) Acquires Controlling Interest In Prepaid Phone Platform, Potentially Expanding Its Services For The Underbanked To An Additional 31,000 Locations

Benzinga

By David Willey, Benzinga OLB Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: OLB) is a diversified payment and omnicommerce technology services provider that provides the benefits of traditional banking to financially underrepresented communities. It is boosting its services to the underbanked through the acquisition of a controlling interest in Cuentas SDI LLC, a company that owns the platform of Black011.com along with a network serving over 31,000 convenience stores. OLB acquired an 80% share in the company and will offer its services, including the prepaid General Purpose Reloadable (GPR) program, to the stores and customers already on SDI’s network. The company has appointed a new Vice President (VP) of Sales, Jeff Jorgge, to lead the expansion. Jorgge has over 15 years of experience leading similar projects with other major companies. His campaign will involve rebranding the SDI platform under the OLB Payment Platform and ECO payment system and offering OLB’s services to the 31,600 convenience stores currently part of SDI’s network. The campaign will highlight the ability of members on the Black011 platform network to use one integrated Point-of-Sale (POS) system so their customers can purchase products and reload their phones from the same system. Jorgge commented, “I have been involved in indirect channel distribution for the past 15 years in the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut area and am very excited about all the additional unique services that OLB will bring to the merchants on the SDI network. The OLB Group applications of in-store and on-mobile online App and will help to bridge the digital divide for the unbanked, underbanked, and underserviced population.” OLB’s Current Focus – The First 1,000 Locations OLB believes this controlling acquisition of SDI will increase its service to convenience stories and their customers. The company is starting its campaign by targeting 1,000 prime locations, including convenience stores and ‘bodegas,’ in the tri-state area. These locations often serve unbanked or underbanked households, which represent almost 18% of America’s more marginalized communities. There are over 150,000 convenience stores in the U.S., and it is estimated that over 90% of Americans live within a short distance of one of these stores. However, these stores can struggle in the changing economic environment, and OLB’s acquisition will allow it to better serve this significant market. OLB Group CEO Ronny Yakov commented on the acquisition, “We are excited to move forward with this exciting next step in our relationship with Cuentas. Our plan is to immediately focus on adding as many as 1,000 new stores to the network in the New York, New Jersey, Connecticut area and then ramp up from that initial base.” Expanding SDI Services Cuentas Inc. (NASDAQ: CUEN), which used to own Cuentas SDI, still owns almost a 20% share of the company. It will continue helping SDI serve financially underrepresented communities and plans to add the network to its new Cuentas Mobile Wireless Service. It will also continue working with the leading global financial services company InComm, to add innovative digital solutions to the SDI network in aid of the underbanked. OLB will be able to offer these locations numerous benefits, including access to OLB’s network of customers, wallets with instant credit and the ability to issue loans and other financial services. The acquisition of the SDI network will also enhance OLB’s GPR program. GPR cards function like debit cards, except they are pre-paid and reloadable, and unlike debit cards, they are not connected to a bank. Integrating the SDI network with OLB’s financial services means owners of merchant locations will be able to reload funds to their accounts as well as use OLB’s electronic portal to offer customers instant access to digital products. Other companies that offer services similar to OLB, including integrated fintech/payment, are large-cap names like Shopify, Inc. (NYSE: SHOP) and BigCommerce Holdings (NASDAQ: BIGC). This initiative to expand into a very large underserved market could be a major contributor to OLB’s revenue and income growth going forward as the company executes on their roll out plan to the new market sector of bodegas and convenience stores. Want to read more about what OLB Group is doing to serve the underbanked? Check out its website. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

August 15, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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