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Minuteman Press Franchise in Huntersville, NC Has Grand Opening for Brand New Location

Minuteman Press International Inc

Neha Katrodia is the owner of the brand new Minuteman Press design, marketing, and printing franchise located at 9606 Sherrill Estates Rd., Suite A, Huntersville, NC 28078. After opening their doors in March of 2023, Minuteman Press in Huntersville held their official grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, June 2, 2023. The event was hosted by the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce and was attended by Huntersville Commissioner Dan Boone. Neha shares, “The Huntersville community has been very welcoming and interested in learning more about our business. I'm so thankful to everyone who came to support us during the grand opening and showed interest in growing together.” She continues, “Owning my own business means taking on my father's path to becoming an entrepreneur. Most importantly, I feel a sense of personal fulfillment and I look forward to seeing this new venture grow and succeed while helping other local businesses with all of their printing and promotional needs.” Joining Neha in the business are two key staff members: Denis Vargas, graphic designer/production; as well as Neha’s husband Mehul Katrodia, marketing agent. While Denis provides clients with custom creative designs and a sharp eye for details, Mehul manages the marketing side including Google and social media accounts. Neha, meanwhile, has already jumped into several networking groups to become active in the community, including the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce as well as the Huntersville BNI group. She says, “I feel it’s important to get out there and engage with clients in person and also market our business online. Once clients come to us, we enjoy working with them to bring their visions to life and delivery high quality products and service. Our staff is ready and willing to welcome clients to Minuteman Press in Huntersville with open arms.” Prior to buying the business, Neha always had wanted to follow in her father’s footsteps and become her own boss. She explains, “I have a healthcare and medical billing background; however, I grew up in the business environment. My father has been a businessman from my early childhood years and has owned various businesses from then to now. I also helped him run some of them due to the language barrier he had at times.” Neha further shares why she chose to own a Minuteman Press franchise, stating: “The continuous local support that Minuteman Press offers is amazing; The B2B hours of operation allow me to balance my business and personal lives; Minuteman Press allows me to follow my passion for creating something so unique with every project or job.” She adds, “The training program was extremely informative and allowed me to feel confident in front of clients. Now, the local support to lean on here in my region has been so helpful with advice and guidance on unique projects. We also use the Minuteman Press FLEX software made available to us as a key marketing tool for growth.” Following the successful grand opening, Neha is excited for the future of her new business. She concludes, “At Minuteman Press, we love working with other local businesses and organizations. I look forward to supporting them with our personalized products and services as we are all in this together.” Minuteman Press in Huntersville is located at 9606 Sherrill Estates Rd., Suite A, Huntersville, NC 28078. For more information, call 704-594-8699 or visit their website: https://minuteman.com/us/locations/nc/huntersville/ Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and read Minuteman Press franchise reviews at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

June 20, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Fine Hygienic Holding Sets World Record Speed on Tissue Machine at Abu Dhabi Mill

Fine Hygienic Holding

Fine Hygienic Holding, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high-quality hygiene products and the MENA region’s largest paper producer, has made history after setting a new record-breaking pace of productivity at its Al Nakheel Paper Mill in Abu Dhabi. The mill set a world record related to production speed on its tissue machine manufacturing 13.2 grams per square-meter (gsm) at 2,222 meter per minute for 24 hours – running with an efficiency rate of 96.5 per cent. The achievement was made possible due a combination of factors, including the exceptional capabilities of the team, a steadfast ‘run-to-target’ culture, and the Valmet Advantage DCT Tissue Technology. FHH has always been committed to delivering consistent and superior quality and quantity, and the new world speed record showcases the company’s dedication to pushing boundaries to the limit in combination with achieving excellence. The Advantage DCT technology seamlessly integrates the specific needs of tissue makers with extensive technical expertise and application know-how, culminating in a state-of-the-art tissue-making process. The advanced technology ensures efficient production of high-quality tissue products, using virgin pulp with exceptional efficiency. Wolfgang Lied, Chief of Operations, Product Development, and Engineering at Fine Hygienic Holding, expressed immense pride in the achievement: “I am very proud of this extraordinary performance – simply fabulous. To achieve a world record demands two major things: A world class team and world class equipment. The team showed that a dream can come true when you are focused, engaged, passionate, and skilled.” Samir Masoud, UAE Supply Chain Director at Fine Hygienic Holding, highlighted the instrumental role played by the machine: “The Advantage DCT machine has performed in a very stable and reliable manner during the journey to gear up the machine speed from normal 2,000 meter per minute to where we are today. The fact this great achievement was reached with 96.5 per cent efficiency is just amazing.” The record-breaking achievement was made possible due to the leadership of Khalil Shorbaji, Al Nakheel’s Operation Manager, and Abdelhadi Alhader, Al Nakheel’s Technical Manager. It took place on an Advantage DCT 200 machine, a tissue production line with a design speed of 2,200 m/min. The machine measures 5.6m in width and incorporates stock preparation systems and auxiliary equipment. The Al Nakheel mill in Abu Dhabi has now established a new benchmark for high-speed production and efficiency. Known for its ability to produce conventional tissues in cost- and energy-efficient ways, the Advantage DCT concept has become a world standard to produce conventional tissue paper. It offers sustainable production of high tissue quality with low energy and water consumption, as well as high efficiency and reliability at low operational costs. The concept is available in various models and sizes to meet specific production demands. The world record follows FHH’s recent achievement of receiving the Excellence in Sustainability Environmental Certificate from CHEP, a global provider of supply chain solutions. This recognition is testament to the company’s significant efforts towards sustainable practices and minimising its environmental impact. Fine Hygienic Holding (FHH), one of the world’s leading wellness groups and MENA’s leading manufacturer of hygienic products, serves consumers in more than 80 countries around the world. Originally established as a paper manufacturer, FHH has transformed into a wellness company dedicated to enhancing global health and wellbeing. Fine Hygienic Holding offers a diverse array of award-winning products, including sterilized facial tissues, napkins, kitchen towels, toilet paper, baby diapers, adult briefs, and jumbo rolls. It also offers away-from-home products to accommodate all types of private and public institutions in addition to its long-lasting germ protection solutions. FHH also brings innovative nutritional supplements and longevity drinks including eon and Motiva to the market. Contact Details FINE HYGIENIC HOLDING Pragati Malik +971 54 531 5575 pragati.m@actionprgroup.com Company Website https://www.finehh.com/

June 20, 2023 08:59 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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From Concern to Action: New Research Reveals Consumers Prioritize Forests in Sustainable Shopping

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) commissioned IPSOS to carry out one of the world’s biggest consumer studies of its kind, surveying 26,800 consumers across 33 countries. It provides new insights into what consumers are concerned about, who they trust to address these concerns, and how they are acting individually through their purchases to affect change. The study reveals that biodiversity loss, climate change, and deforestation are persistent top concerns for forests among people. While ongoing global economic instability and conflict appear to have shifted consumer priorities, issues relating to the environment have not fallen off the radar. When it comes to forests in particular, consumers’ connection to biodiversity is strong, with biodiversity loss being a top forest concern in most countries sampled in Europe and the Americas. In countries where local forestry issues are prevalent, concerns about them are reflected in the results. This indicates that the impacts of climate change are increasingly felt on the ground in events like floodings in Indonesia or wildfires in Spain and the USA. One of the ways in which consumers are addressing their forest concerns is through their purchasing decisions. Nearly three quarters (71%) claim they would rather choose products that do not damage plants and animals while nearly two thirds (63%) try to buy products packaged with renewable materials. Almost as many (59%) prefer to choose products that do not contribute to the climate crisis. Consumers place more trust in independent certification than businesses and governments When it comes to protecting forests, consumers currently put the highest trust in independent and credible certification systems and environmental NGOs, where most have high or moderate confidence in certification labels to ensure that forests are protected. On the other hand, half (49%) of the consumers surveyed have little to no confidence in government bodies to protect forests. FSC is the most recognized and trusted forest certification worldwide Across 33 countries globally, nearly half (46%) of consumers surveyed recognize the FSC logo; higher than any other forest certification system tested. Recognition is highest among 18 to 24 year-olds. FSC is especially well recognized in China, UK, Germany, Brazil, Italy, and Denmark. Similarly, over three quarters of consumers (77%) show moderate to high levels of confidence in FSC to protect forests, which is considerably higher than in governments or businesses[1]. And even though economic hardship is the top global concern, half of consumers who recognize FSC claim to be willing to pay more for a product if it is FSC-certified. This trust extends to brands that choose FSC, with most consumers (80%) saying they are more likely to trust a brand if it offers FSC-certified products. Being part of FSC means striving for better. Companies and products that carry the label have a shared commitment across all operations to protect forests for future generations. FSC provides organizations and consumers worldwide with the confirmation that the forest products they buy and sell come from responsibly managed forests that meet strict environmental, social and economic standards. ### Key takeaways 71% of consumers claim they prefer to choose products that do not damage plants and animals. 66% expect companies to ensure that the wood/paper products and packaging they sell are not contributing to deforestation. 64% expect information about sustainability on products should be certified by an independent organization. 63% claim they try to buy products packaged with renewable materials such as paper instead of plastic. 62% believe that they can help protect forests by purchasing products that have been certified by an independent organization. About the Forest Stewardship Council™ (FSC®) FSC is a non-profit organization that provides a proven responsible forest management solution. It is widely regarded as the most rigorous forest certification system among NGOs, consumers, and businesses alike to tackle today’s deforestation, climate, and biodiversity challenges. The FSC forest management standard is based on ten core principles designed to address a broad range of environmental, social and economic factors. FSC’s “check tree” label is found on millions of forest-based products and verifies that they are sustainably sourced, from forest to consumer. www.fsc.org. Abou IPSOS IPSOS is the third largest market research company in the world, present in 90 markets and employing more than 18,000 people. “Game Changers” – our tagline – summarizes our ambition to help our 5,000 clients to navigate more easily our deeply changing world. www.ipsos.com [1] Businesses only includes companies that make/sell wood/paper products and packaging. Contact Details Forest Stewardship Council Dania Musa media@fsc.org Company Website http://www.fsc.org/

June 20, 2023 02:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Claravine Acquires AI-Powered Content Classification Company Netra

Claravine

Claravine, The Data Standards Company, has acquired Netra, Inc, a content classification company powered by artificial intelligence. With the addition of Netra, Claravine’s platform, The Data Standards Cloud, is able to analyze, extract and search metadata from videos and images, adding to Claravine’s core strengths of standardizing data at the source and producing high quality and actionable data that is ready for use and analysis upon creation. This latest acquisition supports Claravine’s goal of taking the drama out of marketing data by putting AI in the hands of marketing teams for data classification across text, creative, audio, and video assets - which are growing dramatically with the rise of generative AI platforms. Founded by MIT alumni and born out of MIT Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence Laboratory research, Netra is a Boston-based automated content comprehension platform that provides context and brand safety for video and image-based content using computer vision and artificial intelligence. Netra offers a series of APIs – including Content, Search & Similarity, Livestream and Creative – to data scientists, developers and product teams to unlock the intelligence within video, image, and text content and systematically provision a consistent data taxonomy across a business's multiple use cases. Netra's customers include online video platforms, SSPs, media owners, CTV vendors, Data and AI platforms. “The rapid adoption of AI solutions like OpenAI or Adobe Firefly is accelerating the creation of digital experiences. This explosion of digital assets and creative is creating significant challenges for operations teams – meaning the metadata is often not being categorized in a standardized way which limits the time to leverage data for decisions,” said Verl Allen, CEO of Claravine. "We are excited to accelerate the automation of data standards for marketing, operations and creative teams with Netra’s AI content engine. Our common goal of helping create a shared understanding of data is only possible by being able to control your data standards across the teams and various technology systems. We are also thrilled to welcome Netra’s team to the Claravine family and apply their ingenuity and expertise to advance our platform, The Data Standards Cloud, via AI and automation.” Claravine empowers a proactive approach to marketing measurement by activating data standards across people and technology – bridging the silos to accelerate business decisions across experiences. Used by Fortune 1000 companies such as Carhartt and Under Armour, Claravine’s collaborative user interface and strategic integrations with top marketing and advertising platforms enables global organizations to define, apply and connect standards across their ecosystem for faster decisions, greater agility and increased return-on-investment for their digital advertising dollars. “We’re excited for the opportunity to work alongside Claravine’s expert team of data integrity pioneers and advance their mission of taking the drama out of data and applying data standards at the source of creation. Our ability to integrate the Netra capabilities into The Data Standards Cloud enables teams to more easily solve key data quality challenges. AI and automation have a big role to play, and the Netra team is eager to assist in growing Claravine’s product offering and further expanding Netra’s products and capabilities,” said Amit Phansalkar, CEO at Netra. About Claravine Claravine is The Data Standards Company aiming to give people, teams and technology a shared understanding of their data. Claravine helps brands and agencies deliver on the promise of modern marketing by standardizing taxonomies, naming conventions, and metadata across all digital experiences at the source of data creation. The Data Standards Cloud empowers a proactive approach to marketing metadata naming conventions and taxonomy for fast, accurate and rich business insights that help deliver the experiences customers want. Claravine partners with a quarter of the Fortune 100 to define, apply and connect standards across their ecosystem for faster decisions, greater agility, and increased ROI. Recently, Claravine has been named for the second consecutive time to AdExchanger’s Programmatic Power Players list, as well as awarded the 2022 AdExchanger Award for Best Data Technology. Claravine was also named a cool vendor in the 2022 Gartner Cool Vendors in Marketing Data and Analytics report. For more information, visit www.claravine.com. Contact Details Kite Hill PR Michael Kocher +1 704-960-2295 michael@kitehillpr.com Company Website https://www.claravine.com/

June 16, 2023 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

TalkMarkets Announces Company Spotlight Featuring Adamas One

TalkMarkets on JEWL

TalkMarkets.com announces a company spotlight series featuring Adamas One (NASDAQ: JEWL ), a leading producer of lab-grown diamonds. The article is titled “ Investing in Luxury: Adamas One Unlocks the Potential for Lab-Grown Diamonds ”. Key Highlights include: 1. Rapidly Growing Market: Lab-grown diamonds currently represent over 42% of diamond sales in the US market and growing. 2. Scalable Production: Adamas One's production capacity is set to reach a $12 million sales run rate this year, with plans for further expansion. 3. Favorable Economics: The expansion is expected to yield gross margins of 70%+ and EBITDA margins of 50%+ when completed. 4. Overcoming Hurdles: Adamas One acknowledges the challenges it must overcome, including improving the turnaround time for cutting and polishing, arranging financing for capacity expansion, expanding marketing efforts, and facing competition in the grown-diamond market. 5. Technology: Adamas One's lab-grown diamonds are indistinguishable from mined diamonds in terms of optical, physical, and chemical properties. The company's CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) process produces high-quality diamonds with low levels of impurities, making them suitable for both industrial and jewelry applications. 6. Market Trends: Lab-grown diamonds are experiencing substantial growth in the jewelry market, with unit sales up 57.6% and value sales up 37.2% year-over-year. While lab-grown diamonds have yet to catch up with natural diamonds in terms of value, their lower retail prices and environmental benefits contribute to their increasing popularity. 7. Competitive Advantage: Adamas One competes favorably against HPHT (high pressure, high temperature) produced diamonds, offering advantages in batch size cost, color quality, and clarity. The company's focus on large single-crystal diamonds sets it apart from competitors. 8. Scalability and Finances: The company's proprietary production technology is highly scalable, and plans for expansion have been strategically laid out. Adamas One aims to finance future growth primarily through cash flow generated by its existing facility. Read the first article in the series here. Originallay published at TalkMakets.com. TalkMarkets is a financial site that customizes, optimizes, and socializes content to ensure a personalized experience. For more information, please visit www.TalkMarkets.com Contact Details TalkMarkets www.TalkMarketss.com ir@talkmarkets.com

June 14, 2023 05:38 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Claravine Launches in AWS Marketplace

Claravine

Claravine, The Data Standards Company, today announced that its data standards platform, The Data Standards Cloud, is now available in AWS Marketplace, a digital catalog that makes it easy for enterprises to find, buy, deploy, and manage third-party software, data, and services that run on Amazon Web Services (AWS). This latest offering gives AWS customers an opportunity to leverage their existing AWS commitments while unifying their billing processes, eliminating the need for separate procurement processes. Claravine’s The Data Standards Cloud lets customers take a proactive approach, addressing the root of data problems by activating unique standards across people and technology. Its collaborative user interface moves customers beyond engineered spreadsheets and slow, costly data cleanup. Used by Fortune 1000 companies such as Carhartt and Under Armour, Claravine’s strategic integrations with top marketing and advertising platforms allows global organizations to define, apply and connect standards across their ecosystem for faster decisions, greater agility and increased return-on-investment (ROI) for their digital advertising dollars. “By offering The Data Standards Cloud in AWS Marketplace, we can now provide data management processes to even more customers,” said Verl Allen, CEO of Claravine. “Our intuitive interface and varied list of top platform integrations make implementing increasingly needed data standards a seamless process.” Some of The Data Standards Cloud’s offerings include: Define standards in one shared platform: Put data standards in one accessible place, bringing taxonomy to life and helping customers quickly adapt to changing data needs. Standardize taxonomies, naming conventions, and metadata across all digital experiences. Improve measurement of digital campaigns and ROI. Deliver on the promise of modern marketing by consistently creating and applying data standards. Recently, Claravine was named for the second consecutive time to AdExchanger’s Programmatic Power Players list, as well as awarded the 2022 AdExchanger Award for Best Data Technology. Claravine was also named a cool vendor in the 2022 Gartner Cool Vendors in Marketing Data and Analytics report. About Claravine Claravine is The Data Standards Company aiming to give people, teams and technology a shared understanding of their data. Claravine helps brands and agencies deliver on the promise of modern marketing by standardizing taxonomies, naming conventions, and metadata across all digital experiences at the source of data creation. The Data Standards Cloud empowers a proactive approach to marketing metadata naming conventions and taxonomy for fast, accurate and rich business insights that help deliver the experiences customers want. Claravine partners with a quarter of the Fortune 100 to define, apply and connect standards across their ecosystem for faster decisions, greater agility, and increased ROI. For more information, visit www.claravine.com. Contact Details Kite Hill PR Michael Kocher michael@kitehillpr.com Company Website https://www.claravine.com/

June 14, 2023 12:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Former DHS Chief Procurement Officer, Soraya Correa, Joins as Executive Director of NCMA Contract Management Institute

National Contract Management Association

National Contract Management Association (NCMA) today announced the reinstatement of the Contract Management Institute (CMI) with the appointment of Contract Management veteran, Soraya Correa as the new Executive Director. Ms. Correa, former Chief Procurement Officer and Senior Procurement Executive of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), brings a wealth of experience and expertise to lead the CMI into a new era of excellence and innovation in contract management. The reinstatement of the Contract Management Institute marks a significant milestone for the industry, as professionals and organizations can once again benefit from a dedicated hub of knowledge, resources, and collaboration opportunities. As the field of contract management continues to evolve and become increasingly critical in today's complex business environment, the reinvigorated CMI will serve as a vital platform for professionals to stay at the forefront of profession trends and best practices. Soraya Correa's appointment as the Executive Director of CMI is a testament to her outstanding leadership and remarkable achievements in procurement and contract management. During her tenure at DHS, Ms. Correa spearheaded numerous initiatives – including the Procurement Innovation Lab (PIL), Reverse Industry Days, and the Education, Development, Growth, and Excellence (EDGE) mentoring program – that revolutionized procurement practices and enhanced the efficiency and effectiveness of contract management within the agency. Her strategic vision, combined with her deep understanding of the complexities and challenges of the field, made her the ideal choice to steer the CMI toward new heights. "I am honored to lead the Contract Management Institute as its Executive Director," said Soraya Correa. "Contract management is pivotal to mission delivery and successful business outcomes. I am committed to providing today and tomorrow’s contracting professionals with the knowledge and tools they need to excel in their roles. I look forward to collaborating with federal state and local government, industry leaders, academia, and others to drive innovation, promote excellence, and elevate the contract management profession." Kraig Conrad, CEO of the National Contract Management Association, expressed his support stating, "We are thrilled to see the Contract Management Institute restored. With Soraya Correa at the helm, we are confident that CMI will provide valuable resources for positive impact on our profession." The Contract Management Institute aims to be the premier resource for contract management professionals, offering a wide range of programs and research initiatives. Stay tuned for updates on the official launch of the Contract Management Institute's website and social media pages. About the Contract Management Institute (CMI): The Contract Management Institute (CMI) is a leading professional organization dedicated to advancing the field of contract management. With a mission to drive innovation, promote excellence, and enhance the role of the contracting professional, CMI provides valuable resources including networking opportunities for individuals and organizations involved in contract management across government, industry, and academia. The Institute serves as a catalyst for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and professional development, enabling contract management professionals to navigate the complexities of the profession successfully. The CMI mission and vision are aligned with its Parent, NCMA. CMI is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. For inquiries, paper submissions, and donations, please contact Soraya Correa at soraya.correa@ncmahq.org. The National Contract Management Association (NCMA), which was founded in 1959 and is the world's leading association in the field of contract management. The organization, which has over 18,000 members, is dedicated to the professional growth and educational advancement of procurement and acquisition personnel worldwide. NCMA strives to serve and inform the profession and industry it represents and to offer opportunities for the open exchange of ideas in neutral forums. To find out more, please visit www.ncmahq.org. Contact Details NCMA Holly Dehesa +1 281-865-3296 holly.dehesa@ncmahq.org Company Website https://www.ncmahq.org/

June 14, 2023 09:07 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Kaya Founders raises US$12 million in first close to support Philippine founders from start-up to scale-up

Kaya Founders

Kaya Founders, a Philippines-based venture capital firm, is today announcing the first close at US$12 million in funding across two new funds to back the next generation of tech-enabled, industry-shaping start-ups across Southeast Asia. The funding round was anchored by the Gokongwei family with participation from institutional investors, family offices, high-net-worth individuals, and prominent entrepreneurs. This brings the total committed capital managed by the firm to $16.5 million. Kaya Founders will be particularly focused on nurturing start-ups in its home country, the Philippines, which has been at the centre of attention for startup investing in the wider region. With a growing internet economy, a young and increasingly affluent population, a talented English-speaking population, the Philippines represents a significant opportunity. Amidst the global slowdown in VC investment activity, Southeast Asia has remained a relatively bright spot. The Philippines, in particular, is shaping up to be one of the region’s rising stars, as an emerging middle class, increasing digitization driven by growing internet penetration and smartphone usage, and new consumer and business behaviours spurred by the pandemic sustain opportunities for value creation. Funding closed by Philippine start-ups exceeded a record US$1 billion for two years in a row between 2021 and 2022, in stark contrast to the drop in funding faced by markets such as the US and Europe last year. Furthermore, in terms of dry powder, at least US$4 billion in capital has been closed by local and regional funds over the past two years. This creates an ideal environment for Kaya as an early-stage investor, providing existing and future portfolio companies with ample opportunities to raise follow-on funding. Founded in 2021 by veteran entrepreneurs and angel investors Paulo Campos (former CEO, ZALORA Philippines), Lisa Gokongwei-Cheng (President, Summit Media; Senior Vice President, JG Summit), and Constantin Robertz (CEO, Locad; former CEO, Entrego ), Kaya Founders has established itself as the leading early-stage investor in the Philippines. To date, it has 31 companies in its portfolio, spanning eCommerce, digital health, fintech, B2B SaaS, agritech, proptech, and more. Some of its most notable portfolio companies include eCommerce enabler, Etaily, salary-on-demand start-up, Advance, and MSME point of sale (POS) app, Peddlr. Managing General Partner Paulo Campos commented: “The burgeoning tech scene in the Philippines is reminiscent of previous growth narratives seen in markets such as India in the 2000s and Indonesia over the past decade. The surge in these countries’ technology sectors were propelled by a confluence of factors, including favourable demographics and supportive government policies, but arguably no other factor played a more pivotal role than the critical mass of tech talent. The same is proving to be true for the Philippines, as new breeds of founders begin to emerge. These founder profiles range from homegrown talent such as corporate executives and second generation tech talent from tech giants such as Grab, Lazada and ZALORA looking to strike it out on their own; as well as adopted Filipinos and Filipino returnees educated or trained abroad looking to make the Philippines their stronghold or make a difference in their motherland, respectively.” Over the past two years, Kaya has primarily made its mark operating in the pre-seed stage, which it will continue to do through the upcoming Zero to One Fund. As its name suggests, this pre-seed vehicle will focus on accelerating ventures as early as Day 0, partnering with founders even before they go to market. Grounded in the belief that there remain a multitude of other problems to be solved even as start-ups abound, and the mission to convince more talented individuals to throw their hats into the entrepreneurial ring, the pre-seed fund will follow a two-pronged investment approach: making high conviction bets in existing teams in search of its first institutional backer as well as generating a pipeline of high quality business ideas and scouting strong founder profiles to partner with to bring them to life. The One to Ten Fund, meanwhile, will invest in more mature opportunities ranging from Seed to Series A that show strong signs of product-market fit and a path to profitability. In addition to scouring for the best deals across the region, the larger fund will also back the top-performing companies from the Kaya Zero to One Fund—what is anticipated to be a robust source of dealflow —equipping them with the firepower to scale to new heights. Kaya Founders anticipates their investments to range from $150k to $500k. While both will remain sector-agnostic, new investment themes, in addition to the aforementioned focus sectors, include D2C eCommerce, B2B marketplaces, future of work, climate tech, and generative AI. “The Zero to One and One to Ten funds are the culmination of what each of us have individually been doing for years as some of the most active angel investors in the Philippines, and collectively over the course of the past year through our first joint investment vehicle. The early moment um we have seen with our first fund is what has given us confidence to take our partnership to the next level,” said Paulo Campos. Indeed, Campos, Gokongwei and Robertz are among the most prolific angels in the country, having been some of the earliest backers in now formidable start-ups like the Good Glamm Group, Kumu, Dali, and Edamama. Central to taking the partnership to the next level is further bolstering the leadership team. The first close announcement coincides with the appointment of Ray Alimurung, former CEO of Lazada Philippines and another notable entrepreneur-turned-angel investor, as General Partner of the Zero to One Fund. After a successful local fundraising campaign, the Kaya team will embark on a global roadshow starting this month. The firm seeks to tap foreign pools of LP capital searching for more enticing investment opportunities in emerging markets. About Kaya Founders Kaya Founders is on a mission to invest in the next generation of companies driving digital transformation in commerce and critical services in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. Formed through a partnership between leading entrepreneurs and angel investors Paulo Campos III, Lisa Gokongwei-Cheng, Constantin Robertz, and Ray Alimurung, Kaya Founders is the output of their shared vision for a better Philippines and Southeast Asia—one that harnesses the power of technology to solve the most pressing problems of our time, fosters Filipino ingenuity and talent, and promotes entrepreneurship to spur economic prosperity. Kaya partners with founders from the earliest days, often writing their very first cheque and equipping them with the guidance and support they need to refine their ideas and get them off the ground. It sees its mission as threefold. As investors, Kaya is defining a new category of pre-seed, backing aspiring founders when they have little more than a vision and potential, while supporting them through the scale up phase through follow-on investments. By making the entrepreneurial journey less daunting and boosting the odds for success through the financial and operational support that Kaya offers, it hopes to establish entrepreneurship as a viable career path for the most talented individuals driven to make an impact. Lastly, for later-stage downstream investors, Kaya is an engine for dealflow, supplying them with companies ripe for investment. For further information, please visit: https://kayafounders.com/ Contact Details Kaya Founders Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://www.kayafounders.com/

June 14, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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JAMES PAUL CHEUNG LIGHTWEIGHT CASHMERE SCARVES NOW FEATURE WORKS OF ART

James Paul Cheung

Following a successful career, James Paul Cheung made the audacious decision to leave finance for fashion in 2017. For nearly a decade, he has continued the legacy begun by his mother who ran a small cashmere shop in La Jolla, California. A driving force in the industry, Cheung has created a strong following in the Hamptons, where the business is based, as well as throughout the country and the world. He is a creative thinker who is always searching for ways to elevate simple luxuries and take them to the next level. Forever a fan of the arts, Cheung got the idea to collaborate with a capsule of artists and create their work as luxurious wearable art. The idea is to celebrate art in a unique way. "Perhaps a client is an art lover who wishes to share their passion with those they meet, now they can by owning a piece of art as a wearable, inspiring lightweight, luxury cashmere scarf," says Cheung. For the 2023 spring/summer season Cheung has collaborated with two talented female artists, Carolyn Marks Blackwood and Angela Maritz. Marks Blackwood is a photographer who has spent her life looking at paintings. Her work is part of a movement known as Pictorialists, a group of photographers who created a style of photography based on painting rather than on documentation. Inspired by Color Field painters, and artists like Rothko and Newman, Blackwood focuses on images that have strong verticals or horizontals and which tend to fill the whole optical field. For Angela Maritz, her paintings are about the moments when she felt free to unleash her raw emotions through paint. These moments silenced her mind and from this state, a deeper connection to herself and her inner joy was born. Angela's intention is that her art does the same for you. Quietens your thoughts, conjures up your memories, emboldens you, inspiring purpose-filled living. Thus creating positive change in the world through art. James Paul Cheung Cashmere began as a pop-up in the Southampton salon of Kevin Maple. The demand for his light-weight cashmere was overwhelming and in 2018 he opened his own shop in Bridgehampton. Following the pandemic, Cheung joined Curated by Thuyen in East Hampton, where his designs are currently available. The luxury brand stands by ethical, sourcing and partners with suppliers that share those beliefs. Cheung embraces design, and sustainability principles that result in high-quality products that use traceable, renewable, and recycled materials, and are resilient and long-lasting. All of his scarves are 100% pure cashmere – seasonless, lightweight like a summer breeze and easy to wear. James Paul Cheung is available at 94 Newtown Lane in East Hampton and jamespaulcheung.com Contact Details James Paul Cheung Cashmere James Paul Cheung James@jamespaulcheung.com

June 13, 2023 09:37 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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