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CSG Unleashes Future-Proof Automation for VicTrack

CSG

CSG ® (NASDAQ: CSGS) is transforming the way companies engage with their customers by arming today’s leading brands with future-ready, innovative solutions that drive extraordinary customer experiences. Recently VicTrack, the state-owned enterprise that manages public transport infrastructure in Victoria, Australia, deployed CSG’s configure, price and quote (CPQ) and order management solution to support the digital transformation and automation of its telecommunications network. With CSG’s industry-leading platform, VicTrack’s existing network and processes now deliver more efficient and cost-effective solutions to their end transport, government and wholesale customers. “VicTrack’s focus is on broad transformation and CSG’s ability to automate our systems and create faster more efficient solutions for our customers is a game-changer for our business,” said Bruce Moore, Executive General Manager, Telecommunications at VicTrack. “We wanted a technology provider that had both local market experience and the proven expertise to handle the complexities of our project. CSG’s flexibility and transparency created a highly collaborative environment that ultimately set our business up for immediate and long-term success.” CSG technologies enable VicTrack to support the delivery of improved telecommunications solutions both now and into the future, across both public and enterprise applications. Since implementing CSG’s CPQ solution, VicTrack has: Supported the development of a future-proof network: Anticipating the future needs of VicTrack’s business, the high-capacity network is now ready for turnkey upgrades and increasing stakeholder demands. Improved process speeds by 30%: Process and deployment times cut by nearly a third, allowing VicTrack to have better visibility across its offerings and make strategic decisions on future services. Sparked new revenue opportunities: VicTrack can wholesale excess capacity across its network to other carriers to support them in providing services to the broader state of Victoria. “By supporting critical rail operations, including ticketing, communications, signalling and video surveillance, the state of Victoria is providing services that keep the heart of the city, its people and businesses, moving,” said Ian Watterson, head of CSG’s Asia-Pacific business. “VicTrack’s progressive approach to digitally transform its network and ensure it is highly efficient and modern is no easy feat. It’s been a privilege to work alongside VicTrack on this journey as CSG continues to deliver disruptive innovation that meets the growing demands of the market to create a more future-ready world.” Delivered as part of CSG Encompass, a SaaS, open, integrated and modular solution that reduces the complexity of multi-sided, B2B2X ecosystems, CSG’s CPQ solution accelerates time to market with an end-to-end, open and interoperable design that is completely catalog-driven. For more information visit, www.csgi.com/capabilities/revenue-and-customer-management/configure-price-quote-and-order/. # # # About CSG CSG is a leader in innovative customer engagement, revenue management and payments solutions that make ordinary customer experiences extraordinary. Our cloud-first architecture and customer-obsessed mindset help companies around the world launch new digital services, expand into new markets, and create dynamic experiences that capture new customers and build brand loyalty. For 40 years, CSG’s technologies and people have helped some of the world’s most recognizable brands solve their toughest business challenges and evolve to meet the demands of today’s digital economy with future-ready solutions that drive exceptional customer experiences. With 5,000 employees in over 20 countries, CSG is the trusted technology provider for leading global brands in telecommunications, retail, financial services, and healthcare. Our solutions deliver real world outcomes to more than 900 customers in over 120 countries. To learn more, visit us at csgi.com and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Copyright © 2022 CSG Systems International, Inc. and/or its affiliates (“CSG”). All rights reserved. CSG® is a registered trademark of CSG Systems International, Inc. All third-party trademarks, service marks, and/or product names which are referenced in this document are the property of their respective owners, and all rights therein are reserved. Contacts: Jordy Spitale Payments / Asia-Pacific Public Relations +1 (504) 615-8820 jordy.spitale@csgi.com John Rea Investor Relations +1 (210) 687-4409 john.rea@csgi.com Contact Details Tammy Hovey +1 917-520-2751 tammy.hovey@csgi.com Company Website https://www.csgi.com

March 14, 2022 03:00 PM Mountain Daylight Time

NEW DIGITAL COMMUNITY LEARNING SPACE COMING THIS SPRING FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES OF COLOR IN SNOHOMISH COUNTY

Comcast Washington

Comcast Washington and YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish today unveiled plans to build a new Lift Zone Lab: Digital Community Learning Space, which offers free WiFi access, at YWCA’s Somerset Village Apartments in Lynnwood, Washington. In honor of Women’s History Month, Comcast is contributing free internet connectivity, a $76,000 investment, and a state-of-the-art technology makeover, to help build the new lab. YWCA's Somerset Village Apartments is a 64-unit complex of affordable, permanent housing for families earning 60% and below the area's median income. Residents also have access to case management, support services, community services, and referrals to health care, job training, and employment resources. The Digital Community Learning Space will enhance these supports by making technology available to help residents attain life and job skills through training, education, computer classes, internships, job placement, and more. "Digital inequity means that those who already face systemic challenges are being blocked from opportunities for economic mobility. Without the appropriate digital education, support, and skills application, many more will be left behind," said Mary Anne Dillon, YWCA’s Executive Director of Snohomish County. Cena Conteh, YWCA’s Community Center Coordinator for the Somerset Village Apartments adds, "Thanks to this partnership with Comcast, the youth and parents we serve will have better access to up-to-date technology and STEAM tools that will equip them with the needed skills to compete in our ever-advancing job market." "Women's History Month is the perfect time to recognize the important role that YWCA plays in bringing equitable resources to women and people of color," said Rodrigo Lopez, Region Senior Vice President, Comcast Washington. "We are partnering and building labs with organizations like YWCA because they help historically marginalized people understand how to use technology to better their lives. This lab will help them embrace technology to find jobs, housing, and a stable footing in life." Comcast is providing the lab with free WiFi as part of the company's effort to roll out its "Lift Zones" program in local community centers throughout Washington and across the nation. In collaboration with cities, community organizations, and local nonprofit partners, Comcast has now installed free WiFi in more than 90 community centers statewide. This effort is part of Project UP, Comcast's $1 billion commitment to reach tens of millions of people over the next 10 years with the tools, resources, and skills needed to succeed in a digital world. Project UP is Comcast's company-wide initiative to advance digital equity, which includes Internet Essentials, the nation's largest and most comprehensive broadband adoption program. Since 2011, Internet Essentials has connected a cumulative total of more than 56,000 low-income residents in Snohomish County to broadband internet at home, the overwhelming majority of whom were not signed up before. Internet Essentials’ comprehensive design addresses three significant barriers to broadband adoption. This includes access to free digital literacy training in print, online, and in-person; the option to purchase a heavily subsidized, low-cost Internet-ready computer; and low-cost, high-speed Internet service for $9.95 a month, plus tax. For more information about Internet Essentials and Comcast’s commitment to education and digital equity, please visit https://corporate.comcast.com/education. To apply, visit www.internetessentials.com or call 1-855-846-8376 for English or 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish. For more information about Comcast’s comprehensive connectivity program for low-income Americans visit https://corporate.comcast.com/values/internet-essentials About YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish YWCA is the region’s oldest and largest organization focused on the needs of women and provides services and advocacy to support stable homes and economic advancement, reduce violence and improve health, and promote racial equity and social justice. With programs that serve more than 7,000 people each year, YWCA is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, stand up for social justice, help families, and strengthen communities. To learn more, please visit our website: ywcaworks.org. About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on broadband, aggregation, and streaming with 57 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Andrew Colley andy_colley@comcast.com Company Website https://washington.comcast.com/

March 14, 2022 08:55 AM Pacific Daylight Time

QSR Automations Breaks into the Senior Living Sector

QSR Automations

QSR Automations, the global leader in restaurant technology, will now bring its innovative solutions to senior living operators around the country after entering a partnership with one of the nation’s leading providers of exceptional senior care. Leveraging its ConnectSmart platform, QSR Automations is poised to help senior living communities maximize efficiency in both front-of-house and back-of-house operations. Features including delayed timing and recipe integration ensure that dishes are made consistently and delivered to the table at exactly the right time, while servers and hosts can view the progress and status of each order without ever leaving the front desk. Hosts can check seating capacity in a dining room against reservations and parties waiting in a lobby to alert kitchen staff to the next rush and adjust labor accordingly. All of these efficiencies result in a calmer, quieter kitchen, and a more pleasant dining experience for guests. “Residents moving into senior living communities today are active, cultured, and unique, and they expect their dining experience in their new home to be the same,” said Connor Joffe, Senior Living Business Consultant at QSR Automations, citing a study by Mather Lifeways Institute on Aging that found that 80 percent of residents had a strong interest in the culinary experience of their communities—more than any other service line. “Operators that layer in efficient technology that replicates that of a traditional, world-class restaurant experience will come out on top.” Restaurant technology can also aid in off-premise ordering and contactless delivery, which may be crucial for residents who struggle with mobility, or are more vulnerable to COVID and other illnesses. QSR’s ConnectSmart platform can aid in timing to-go and delivery orders so they arrive at their destination the proper temperature, and automated packing checklists ensure dishes arrive with all utensils and condiments while eliminating waste. According to a senior living industry staffing survey conducted by Sodexo in August 2021, a third of senior living facilities have already invested in online and off-premise ordering capabilities, and technologies to improve labor and resource productivity, and an additional third plan to make similar investments in the future. “Our fully customizable solutions integrate seamlessly with existing systems, so communities aren’t required to start from scratch with all new technologies,” said Joffe. “We can meet each customer where they are and address their unique pain points to enhance staffing and operational efficiencies, and ultimately the resident experience.” To schedule an interview with Connor Joffe, business consultant, senior living at QSR Automations to support your outlet’s coverage of restaurant technology in use in senior living facilities, please contact Beth Clayton at bethc@thebsmnt.com. About QSR Automations QSR Automations, headquartered in Louisville, KY with offices in the United Kingdom, is a global industry leader in kitchen automation and guest management services. Since 1996, restaurant operators have turned to the brand’s signature platform, ConnectSmart, for customized solutions to improve the guest experience and drive operational excellence. Used in 21 of the nation’s top 25 casual dining chains, ConnectSmart leverages data to create customized solutions that make calmer kitchens, simpler workflows, and happier guests. We didn’t just pioneer restaurant technology. We perfected it. Contact Details Beth Clayton Director of Strategic Communications +1 317-407-2921 bethc@thebsmnt.com Company Website https://www.qsrautomations.com/

March 14, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Ethereum Rollups Need to Improve in These Four Areas: Huobi Research Institute Report

Huobi Research Institute

Huobi Research Institute, the leading blockchain research organization, today published a 23-page report on Ethereum rollup solutions, titled “ How Far is Rollup from Maturity: A Dive into Rollup’s Development Path.” In the report, Huobi Research Institute analyst Barry Jiang points out some of the drawbacks of Ethereum rollup solutions, and what’s needed for them to reach mass adoption. Layer 2 rollups build virtual “super highways” on top of Ethereum that process transactions off-chain and post the corresponding data back on the blockchain. This enables the on-chain reconstruction of the off-chain transactions, and enables them to have the same security as those conducted on the Ethereum chain. These rollups are designed to help solve scaling problems on the Ethereum blockchain, which has recently seen a rise in traffic bottlenecks and lost market share to emerging competitors such as Solana and Terra. Yet rollups have not been growing as fast as predicted – their total value locked (TVL) only occupies around 5% of the Ethereum market. Less than 20% of Ethereum projects have been migrated using rollups, and active addresses using them account for less than 1%. In short, adoption of layer 2 rollup solutions has yet to take off. Four Reasons Why Rollups Aren’t Taking Off In the report, analyst Barry Jiang breaks down four main reasons that are preventing rollups from taking off in the market: Poor user experience. Optimistic rollups such as Optimism and Arbitrum, in which off-chain transactions are validated with fraud proofs, can only complete cash-outs when the dispute resolution period closes, which can take days. Its transaction fees are also not low enough to entice users. Additionally, interoperability among various rollup types is low, making the inflow of funds inconvenient. Low capital efficiency. This is related to the above, in that users’ funds are locked up during the dispute resolution period. Security issues. Users are concerned with potential security incidents that may arise with rollup transactions. More centralized project operations aggravate the risk of single point of failure, and the use of fast cross-chain bridges increases security risks. Compatibility issues with EVM. ZK Rollups, which are supposed to solve some of the abovementioned problems with optimistic rollups, are incompatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), the software platform that developers use to create decentralized applications (DApps). This means that applications cannot migrate. What Needs to Happen for Rollups to Go Mainstream The author raises four possible solutions for rollups, and how they could be improved: To improve user experience, efforts need to be focused on bridging and enabling more convenient deposits via exchanges. Fees could be reduced due to smaller data uploads, increasing off-chain processing efficiency. Capital efficiency could be enhanced by concentrating liquidity. To elevate the level of security, a focus should be placed on decentralized operations and the insertion of forced cash-out rules. Application migration difficulties could be mitigated by more R&D on zkEVM, the first EVM-compatible ZK Rollup on the Ethereum network, which just announced its test network release at the end of February. The development of zkEVM is promising in that it can cover a wider range of applications, would have a lower fee structure, and is capable of more complex calculations and transactions. Its testnet now supports cash-out and transfers, and will add more functions in the future. However, research and development on zkEVM will take time, and a fully functional version would require compatibility with other EVM-friendly tools. To download the full report, click here. About Huobi Research Institute Huobi Blockchain Application Research Institute (referred to as "Huobi Research Institute") was established in April 2016. It is committed to researching and exploring new developments in the global blockchain industry. Its goal is to accelerate the research and development of blockchain technology, promote its applications, and improve the global blockchain industry ecosystem. Huobi Research Institute covers industry trends, emerging technologies, innovative applications, new business models, and more. Huobi Research Institute partners with governments, enterprises, universities and other institutions to build a research platform that covers the entire blockchain industry. Its professionals provide a solid theoretical basis and analyze new trends to promote the development of the industry. Contact Details Huobi Group Ker Zheng media@global-hgroup.com Company Website https://huobiresearch.medium.com/

March 14, 2022 05:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Investis Digital Announces Strategic Hires

Investis Digital

Investis Digital, a leading global digital communications company, announced that it has expanded its European leadership team with the addition of Ian Gardiner, UK Head of Client Services; Khaleelah Jones, Director of Digital Marketing, and Al Loehnis, an Investis Digital co-founder who is returning to the company in the position of Director of Strategic Business Development, Europe. All appointments will be based in London. Ian Gardiner joins from Homeflow, a leading provider of managed digital services to the real estate sector. At Investis Digital, Ian will serve as Head of UK Client Services and will be responsible for the delivery and development of the company’s 24/7 client service model. Khaleelah Jones is the founder and former CEO of Careful Feet Digital, a boutique London-based digital agency that was acquired by Cohesis in 2021. Khaleelah has a track record of Digital leadership and she joins Investis Digital to build out and lead the European performance marketing capabilities. Al Loehnis will focus on Investis Digital’s IR and Corporate Communications solutions as Director of Strategic Business Development. In this new role, Al will oversee the UK arm of the company’s business development team and he will support key strategic growth initiatives across the region. “We are delighted to welcome Ian, Khaleelah, and Al to the team” said Adrian Goodliffe, Senior Managing Director, Europe. “These appointments come at a time of continued growth and expansion for the company, and they reflect our commitment to increased client service, keeping our solutions ahead of the market, and delivering measurable business value. We are looking forward to a great 2022!” Commenting on his return to the business he helped start, Al Loehnis said “The experience of the last two years has forced companies to think fresh about a digital-first communications approach and we can play a pivotal role in helping our clients realise that opportunity. It’s been great to reconnect with some old colleagues and to meet so many new, talented people. It’s an exciting time to be re-joining the business and I’m really looking forward to the next leg of the Investis Digital journey.” Investis Digital has been at the forefront of digital communications for two decades. Over time we have gained deep sector knowledge, invested in leading technologies, and built lasting and trusted relationships with more than1600 global companies, including Ascential, Anglo American, Rolls-Royce, Fruit of the Loom and Vodafone. Through a proprietary approach we call Connected Content™, we unite compelling communications, intelligent digital experiences, and performance marketing to help companies build deeper connections with audiences and drive business performance. We tell brand stories through strategic and engaging content that meets your audiences at the right time, in the right place, with the right message. We build and run intelligent websites and digital experiences that are rapidly deployed and strategically measured, underpinned by our secure, world-leading Connect.ID technology and 24/7 service. We find the audiences that matter most through powerful performance marketing solutions that optimize and amplify your brand across all touchpoints. This unique blend of expertise, technology and “always on” service allow clients to trust that their digital footprint and brand reputation is secure and protected 24/7 by our dedicated team of 500 digital experts across 9 global offices. To learn more on how Investis Digital has been powering digital communications since 2000, please visit: www.InvestisDigital.com Contact Details Investis Digital MaryAlina Mathew +1 646-766-9040 maryalina@investisdigital.com Company Website https://www.investisdigital.com

March 14, 2022 04:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

ibble Announces General Availability and Super Event Feature

ibble

Learn more at www.getibble.com or sxsw.getibble.com ibble, the social media app focused on authentic conversations and engagement, is coming out stealth in style as the unofficial app of SXSW. Making the partnership even more powerful and expanding on ibble's ability to facilitate conversations, the social media app also announces the Super Events feature. "When you ask a marketer what the best way is to market, they almost always say 'word of mouth' marketing. But when you ask where they spend their money it is rarely on word-of-mouth marketing," said Raymond Kaminski, CEO, and co-founder of ibble. "The way we built ibble, companies can now see and hear the power of word-of-mouth marketing. Our Super Events feature only adds to this by showing what was most talked about at SXSW, removing the hype and getting into the conversations that matter most – yours," "We're big believers in ibble because it allows creators and brands to connect with their audience in a more authentic way compared to the social media platforms of the last decade," said Mitch Morales, Founding Partner, Managing Director at Unknown Ventures. "The new Super Event feature is a great example of how the app generates new valuable touchpoints for users by blending digital and IRL experience." ibble is built with distinct features that positively impact how, when, and why people communicate on the social media app. With ibble, you do more than simply follow, explore and share. ibble makes conversations better by allowing users to learn and gain new perspectives through friends "sparking" conversations sharing news to the ibble community or a private group of friends. Because ibble bases conversations and questions on audio or video, it is easier to see others' true perspectives, connect at a deeper level, ask questions. Experts and influencers have the freedom to choose how and when to talk with their community without losing the conversation. "Our Super Event feature allows people to dive deeper into events, connecting with brands and participants at a deeper level," said Irving Lee, Co-founder, and Head of Partnerships. "We have built an innovative platform that bridges social media, engagement, and events with Super Events that captures experiences and conversations in one single place, and that is something that has never been available before." The Super Event feature was built to connect event participants deeper with brands, the event itself, and other participants. Super Event also removes FOMO (fear of missing out) by allowing people to be everywhere at once by showcasing everything happening at the event and giving the end-user the ability to move between experiences fluidly and virtually. Through ibble, users are given the unique experience to ask event experts questions before getting on stage. With the spark feature, ibble users can spin-off conversations to share their perspectives with video or audio. More importantly, these sparked conversations continue to grow and gain depth long after the event or presentation has ended. "The Super Event feature will improve the participant experience, speaker experience, and overall event. With ibble event badge holders, creators and partners will be able to take full advantage of the event without feeling the pain of being pulled in too many directions," added Mr. Kaminski. About Ibble.io Ibble.io is the social media app that enables experts and their communities to directly engage through audio and video conversations. Ibble makes events more accessible and adds depth through back-and-forth video and audio posts. Learn more at https://www.getibble.com/ Contact Details Jason Jepson +1 949-394-7033 press@ibble.io Company Website https://www.getibble.com/

March 11, 2022 10:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

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100ms secures $20M funding round to enable the next generation of live video apps

100ms

Live Video infrastructure startup, 100ms, today announced their Series A funding round of $20M led by Falcon Edge's Alpha Wave Incubation, with participation from Matrix Partners India and LocalGlobe, along with existing investors Accel and Strive.vc. 100ms is enabling product creators to add live video interactions for online classrooms, virtual events, audio rooms, online communities, telehealth, and more. “Zoom and similar products helped us through the surge in digital adoption. We are missing one very important fact though - real 1:1 experiences cannot always be boxed into Zoom video tiles. Our belief is, going forward all companies will embed video experiences into their apps. 100ms provides the best-in-class infrastructure to power these video experiences.”, shares Abhinav Chaturvedi, Partner at Accel, on the continuation of the partnership from the seed stage. “Online gyms are asking trainees to report their injuries. Online schools are adding libraries, and enabling 1-1 help sessions. Online dating apps are looking to recreate better virtual meeting experiences. 100ms is enabling product makers to imagine and add sophisticated live-engagement, by abstracting the complexities of video streaming.” Anirudh Singh, Managing Director at Falcon Edge's Alpha Wave Incubation, commented on leading the round. With customers like WhiteHat Jr, Circle, Paytm Insider, Frontrow, and Kutumb, 100ms announced that it has witnessed over 20X growth in usage metrics over the last quarter. With this round of funding, the company aims to allow developers to build and deploy enterprise-class video applications in hours. "Mainstream video conferencing solutions are good enough, but not best-in-class for someone building a video-first business. Whether it’s online fitness, e-learning, gaming, or shopping, we’re very early in the journey of video-first experiences and the 100ms team has built a great product with phenomenal early traction. We’re excited to partner with Kshitij and Aniket in building a video-first future." said Pranay Desai, Principal, Matrix India. “Building and managing video infrastructure at scale is a non-trivial problem for most organizations”, said Kshitij Gupta, CEO at 100ms and former VP, Engineering at Disney-Hotstar. “Our goal is to make it easy for businesses of all sizes to deliver deeper-than-physical live video experiences within their products in less than half-dozen lines of code.” About 100ms 100ms aims to bring real-life interactions to the virtual world by providing world-class developer tooling for live video. Founded by engineers that built the video infrastructure at Facebook and Disney, 100ms has the vision to build rich, bespoke, and deeper-than-physical experiences for businesses and people. For more information, visit https://100ms.live or follow @100mslive. About Matrix Partners India Matrix Partners India is an investment firm with approximately $1 billion under management. Founded in 2006, the firm invests in Indian companies targeting the consumer and enterprise market at seed, early, and early growth stages. Matrix India has invested in several market-leading companies such as Ola (mobility), Dailyhunt (mobile local language platform), Razorpay (payments), OfBusiness (B2B Commerce, fintech), Five Star Business Finance (SME lending), Ola Electric (electric vehicles), DealShare (social commerce platform), Stanza Living (tech-enabled student housing platform), OneCard (mobile-first credit card), Country Delight (D2C dairy & fresh foods brand), GoKwik (e-commerce enablement platform), Captain Fresh (seafood marketplace), Bijnis (B2B platform for factories), MoEngage (intelligent marketing cloud platform), Superops (MSP software), Zupee (skill-based gaming app), Rocketlane (Customer onboarding software) and Itilite (corporate travel SaaS platform) among others. Matrix India has advisory offices in Bangalore, Delhi, and Mumbai. Matrix Partners has a global network of funds investing in the US, China, and India, with approximately $5 billion under management. Further information is available at www.matrixpartners.in. To know more about our investment philosophy & ideologies, check out the #MatrixMoments podcast. About Accel Accel is a global venture capital firm that is the first partner to exceptional teams everywhere, from inception through all phases of private company growth. Accel has been operating in India since 2008, and its investments include companies like BookMyShow, Browserstack, Flipkart, Freshworks, FalconX, Chargebee, Clevertap, Cure Fit, Musigma, Moneyview, Myntra, Moglix, Ninjacart, Swiggy, Stanza Living, Urban Company, Zetwerk, and Zenoti, among many others. We help ambitious entrepreneurs build iconic global businesses. For more, visit www.accel.com or https://twitter.com/Accel_India. About Strive.vc STRIVE is a B2B/SaaS-focused fund with over 80 investments across India, Southeast Asia, and Japan, and managing over $200M in AUM. The firm has invested in several dev infra and SaaS companies in India including Hasura, Testsigma, and Classplus. Contact Details Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://www.100ms.live/

March 11, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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BNPL fintech in3 secures $11.1m Series A from Finch Capital; partners with Worldline of offer free BNPL services

in3

in3, a leading Dutch Buy-Now-Pay-Later (BNPL) fintech business, has today announced a $11.1m funding round from Finch Capital as growth soars. In addition to this, in3 are today launching free BNPL services for consumers, starting in the Netherlands, through an innovative partnership with global digital payments leader Worldline. Working with payment service partners, in3 offers consumers the ability to pay for purchases in three instalments at zero costs: no interest or transaction costs and without credit registration. Current customers include Kwik Fit, EP, La Souris, Matt sleeps, Dekbed-Discounter. Through their partnership with WorldLine, in3 will provide them with a technology stack that will allow both online and offline merchants, who are part of the Worldline network, to offer BNPL payment services to its customers without additional integrations. The BNPL payment in the Netherlands is expected to grow by 74.8% in 2022 reaching $7.6b. This growth has been spurred on businesses moving online and by the growth of ecommerce, more generally. The pandemic certainly helped propel the move to online. Looking ahead, the BNPL payment adoption is expected to grow steadily at a CAGR of 32.8% over the next 6 years. The BNPL Gross Merchandise Value in the country will increase from $4.3b in 2021 to reach $41.7b million in 2028. Hans Langenhuizen, CEO in3: “We will be supporting Worldline’s merchants by enabling them to offer BNPL to consumers at no fee. We look forward to working with their team and customers. This is testament to the robust platform of in3 and our dedicated team to create seamless integrations with all our partners.” in3 was created in 2018 as an antidote to the traditional BNPL market, Hans Langenhuizen reflected on the early days: “Our founding team was part of the early wave of the BNPL movement in the early 2010s. It quickly became a crowded market so we stood back and took a fresh look at the BNPL model and saw several limitations in all of the available products. First, you need to pay the full amount within 14 days and there are very low spending limits. At the same time we noticed a demand to pay larger expenses in instalments. But paying in instalments has even more disadvantages for consumers such as high interest rates and they are documented in their national credit register. These products benefit from people who cannot afford to buy at one time. This was not sustainable from perspective.” “in3 was our honest approach to offer BNPL to consumers without costs which effectively allowed people to pay in 3 instalments within sixty days, with 0% interest. Because of the term of 60 days, a registration in the credit registers is not required. This gives the consumer the possibility to buy what they want instead of compromising on quality products. For example, you can buy that refrigerator at no extra cost and then you have three salaries to pay for it. Our merchants profit from in3 in their checkout as well: it results in a substantial increase in transactions and importantly, a higher average transaction value. We see that the buyer more often goes for the more expensive product.” Erwin Oudshoorn, Manager Direct Sales Netherlands: “BNPL is a tremendous value add for merchants in today’s uncertain times and we are thrilled to work with the team at in3 to expand our service offerings.” To support the company’s rapid growth, In3 has secured a $11.1m funding round from Finch Capital. The capital will be used to further build out the technology platform and continuously invest in improved customer satisfaction through strategic hiring across the entire team. Radboud Vlaar, MD Finch Capital: ‘’in3 has demonstrated a steady and consistent growth trajectory due to its strong technological capabilities and management which has enabled it to provide BNPL to Dutch consumers through integrations with payments providers. The company is enabling a truly omnichannel payments solution.’’ About In3 In3, founded in 2018, provides more than 1,500 online and offline merchants with Buy Now Pay Later payment solutions. Working with payment partners, it offers consumers the ability to pay for purchases in three instalments at zero costs: no interest - or transaction costs and without credit registration. With its seamless technology platform and consumer friendly approach, in3 scores an average customer satisfaction of 9.3/10 according to kiyoh.com. This year’s goals are to enter the German market and roll-out an in-store solution. For more information: http://www.payin3.eu/. About Finch Capital Founded in 2013, Finch Capital is a series A/B investor in high-growth financial technologies companies run by exceptional entrepreneurs. Our mission is to fund and support the best entrepreneurs creating products that will shape the future of finance. We leverage our international network and industry expertise to enable our portfolio companies to grow into leaders in their field. We have a track-record of backing future industry champions including AccountsIQ, Aylien, BUX, Brickblock, Brytlyt, Fixico, Fourthline, Goodlord, Grab, Hiber, Twisto and ZOPA. Finch Capital consists of a team of 12 investment professionals with wide entrepreneurial experience (e.g. Adyen, Deliveroo, Deepmind), prior investment experience (e.g. Accel, Atomico, Egeria) and industry backgrounds (e.g. Facebook, Google and McKinsey), located across offices in Amsterdam, London and Jakarta. Finch Capital is an active producer of original research on the State of European Fintech and the Fintech sector post Covid-19. For more information see www.finchcapital.com. About Worldline Worldline [Euronext: WLN] is the European leader in the payments and transactional services industry and #4 player worldwide. With its global reach and its commitment to innovation, Worldline is the technology partner of choice for merchants, banks and third-party acquirers as well as public transport operators, government agencies and industrial companies in all sectors. Powered by over 20,000 employees in more than 50 countries, Worldline provides its clients with sustainable, trusted and secure solutions across the payment value chain, fostering their business growth wherever they are. Services offered by Worldline in the areas of Merchant Services; Terminals, Solutions & Services; Financial Services and Mobility & e-Transactional Services include domestic and cross-border commercial acquiring, both in-store and online, highly-secure payment transaction processing, a broad portfolio of payment terminals as well as e-ticketing and digital services in the industrial environment. In 2020 Worldline generated a proforma revenue of 4.8 billion euros. worldline.com Contact Details in3 Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://payin3.eu/en/

March 10, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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ibble Launches Social Networking App Landing One Of The Largest Series Seed Funding In Texas History

ibble

ibble, a new social media app empowering people to spark conversations and ignite new ideas has received $12.7MM, the largest series seed funding round in Texas history. Leading the seed round was Drive Capital followed by TTV Capital, Unknown Ventures, and Get Engaged Media. The investment in ibble comes amidst societies overwhelming frustrations with current social media platforms as they increasingly cut content; remove conversations and restrict engagement. “ibble is a Social Media App built on the idea of learning through conversations and having the ability to talk directly with the experts without the friction that currently exists on traditional social media apps and platforms,” said Raymond Kaminski, CEO and Co-founder of ibble. “We believe that talking with your community, not at your community, through the power of audio and video can spark more meaningful conversations and create more insightful engagement." ibble’s mission is to help people connect with and learn from experts through the power of video and audio conversations. Users are able to ask experts questions directly as well as spark conversations with their peers, naturally expanding candid conversations without friction. Is an expert always right? No, of course not. We believe what makes someone an "expert" is their relentless pursuit of the truth about a certain subject and their willingness to share it. For people who have been frustrated by structured and ad focused social media platforms that stifle conversations and are not easily suited to video and audio conversations, the solution is ibble – the social media app built by a distinguished team of entrepreneurs who believe that conversations and connections must have a healthy environment to thrive and grow in this digital age. “Brands, celebrities, influencers, the news, sports figures and more are looking for new ways to engage but that is almost impossible when dealing with the limits of current social media apps and platforms,” said Irving Lee, Co-Founder and Head of Partnerships at ibble. “We built ibble knowing that authenticity is not found in a like, comment or status update, and how could it? ibble provides a platform that celebrates real conversations with real people and threads that mirror real life conversations; conversations you can jump in and out of." With ibble anything is possible through the power of conversation. Users can start a video or audio conversation about their favorite show. They can also ask their favorite influencer or celebrity a question and get a response back with a simple click of a button. ibble makes conversation easy because ibble has made conversation through social media possible, with a focus on the natural flow of conversations and questions. For brands, shows, influencers, celebrities and others, ibble has made it easy to talk with their community members directly while not having to worry about being throttled or competing brands advertised to them while they are communicating with them. About ibble ibble is the social media app that enables experts and their communities to directly engage through audio and video conversations. ibble makes events more accessible and adds depth through back-and-forth video and audio posts. Learn more at https://www.getibble.com/ Contact Details ibble Jason Jepson +1 949-394-7033 press@ibble.io Company Website https://www.getibble.com/

March 10, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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