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Rapidly growing Global Sneaker Platform The Edit LDN enters the Metaverse with Bloktopia

The Edit LDN

The high-end global marketplace for sneakers, The Edit LDN is progressing into the metaverse by creating a premium store within Bloktopia’s crypto paradise. London-based founder Moses Rashid entered the brand into Harrods in October of 2021, but is now taking the sneaker community to the next stage in their purchasing journey for luxury products by setting up shop virtually. “We clearly see a trend that luxury brands need a Web3 strategy, and for us, this feels like a natural fit. We're finding our audience is more digitally focussed, has an interest in Crypto and NFTs, and an increasing desire to attain product in different ways. Our partnership with Bloktopia is our first big step to executing our vision of being the most innovative player in the market ” said Moses Rashid, founder of The Edit LDN. Moses launched the business in January 2020, and has scaled the company to new heights with a 525% growth from Y1 to Y2 & on track to deliver another 500% growth in Y3, making The Edit LDN the UK’s no1 sneaker destination for servicing a global audience. Streetwear retailers have in recent years increasingly launched limited editions of some of their products—sneakers, but also other clothing. A number of designer labels have followed suit. That has spawned big business in the resale market, with buyers snapping up in-demand products and selling them on at a profit. Despite the higher price tag - consumers are falling over themselves to be the first to own the hottest drops. The Edit LDN have deep rooted relationships across this market to provide the most limited and exclusive items for their customers at lightning speed, plus with commercial partnerships with Harrods & Threads Styling, it’s like buying from any other store except the higher quality in customer service. For those who have been sleeping on web3, the Metaverse is the bridge between physical and virtual worlds within the decentralised and open source virtual world. Cryptographic protocols will emerge for managing digital value, for example, digital art, real estate & advertising space. The facilitators that make this happen will be NFT’s on the Blockchain allowing for affordable and rapid transactions. Bloktopia, is a VR Skyscraper made up of 21 levels to pay recognition to 21 million Bitcoin. It contains everything that anyone will ever need to know about the benefits and pitfalls of Cryptocurrency, Blockchains and NFTs. Built in the Unity gaming engine on Web3 technology, the Bloktopia metaverse is the next iteration of the internet, allowing users to achieve anything that can be done in the real world. It is focused on social connection, but without the boundaries of geographical location. Its visitors will learn about crypto from trusted sources like University College London’s Centre for Blockchain Technologies. They will be able to earn cryptocurrency, play games, socialise with friends, be creative and buy things they desire. Bloktopia launched its token $BLOK in late 2021, and took the crypto sector by storm, claiming the most successful launch of the year - returning over 1000x for early investors. And with an organic following into the millions, when the metaverse goes live, expected later this year, it will become an entertainment destination of choice for many. Ross Tavakoli, CEO of Blocktopia, said: “As a big sneakerhead myself, we’re really pleased to be able to partner with the UK’s number 1 sneaker destination, Edit LDN. Fortnite makes $2m a day from in-app purchases like skins (digital clothing) for avatars. Bloktopia will offer a different, interoperable option. Allowing the purchase of digital wearables, in this case sneakers, through an NFT function which means they won’t be restricted to just our metaverse, and can be worn across hundreds of games and other metaverses. That makes the fashion industry and the metaverse such a good fit, as it creates a whole new income stream for our partners like Edit LDN. The customer can also be sent the sneakers physically too.” The meshing of these two worlds go hand in hand - consumers are just as likely to purchase the hottest garms for their avatar as they are themselves. It’s also about two companies, passionate about what they do - Rashid being a sneaker collector himself and Tavakoli adopting this space as early as 2015, both entities are disruptors in their own space and early adopters of web3 and NFT’s will be quick to jump on this. The possibilities for this partnership are endless, as the metaverse changes and evolves so does the sneaker world. Bloktopians will be able to purchase an ‘Edit LDN’ sneaker NFT for their avatar and then receive an in hand sneaker for themselves. This is yet another step in Moses Rashid’s plan for The Edit to become ‘the Amazon of the sneaker world’, after just launching The Edit’s same day service which is a resale first. Moses Rashid added: “We live in the Amazon age of Now, so we’ve focussed our business on ensuring the supply chain works quickly and scale on a global level. This is a real game-changer for a market that traditionally took 2-4 weeks for product to arrive. Looking forward, we see customers interacting with the shopping experience in different & interesting ways. With this in mind, The Edit LDN will be the bridge for both the physical and virtual worlds, through Sneakers ” About THE EDIT LDN Founded in 2020, The EDIT LDN has quickly become a global authority in the Sneaker and High End streetwear market, launching their Global Marketplace digitally connecting investors and owners of sneakers with actively engaged buyers - a gender neutral and international audience. With partnerships including Harrods, Galleries Lafayette and Threads Styling - The Edit LDN has a wide client base including International celebrities including Music stars, Footballers through to the NFL. Brands include: Jordan, Yeezy, Louis Vuitton, Fear of God, Dior, amongst others. The platform is fast becoming synonymous with speed of service, authenticity, diverse selection of secure payment methods, and first class customer service. THE EDIT LDN is a British business, scaling incredibly quickly with a huge focus on the USA. Further information visit: www.theeditldn.com Contact Details Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://www.theeditldn.com/

August 05, 2022 11:20 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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A Million Dollars Will ‘Level Up’ Thousands of Houston Area Residents Out of Digital Divide

Comcast Houston

If you’ve ever played a popular 80’s video game, then you know about the disadvantages your character has right out of the gate. You can’t jump as high or as far, and it’s easier to lose the level and have to start all over again. But in the first few seconds, there’s usually always a chance to ‘level up’ your character. Instantly, you can jump higher and farther, run faster and if you encounter an enemy, you still have another chance at winning the level. There are thousands of Houston area residents who — from a digital perspective — aren’t ‘leveled up” and therefore struggle to participate in the digital economy. Some Houstonians still don’t know how to surf the web, write emails or create a resume. Others don’t even have a reliable and fast internet connection in their homes. The digital divide is still big. According to the 2020 U.S. Census Bureau’s American Communities Survey, one in ten households, or 687,086 households, in the greater Houston area do not have an internet subscription or do not have a computer. They want to ‘level up’, and they are about to get it. Comcast, the Houston area’s largest internet service provider, is giving more than one million dollars this year to local organizations that help students, adults and people with disabilities ‘level up’ their computer, career development and tech education skills. The million-dollar investment will also support ongoing efforts to build awareness about low-cost or no-cost connectivity programs like Internet Essentials and the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). “These investments are a part of Comcast’s ongoing efforts to make a real difference in southeast Texas by giving families an opportunity to thrive in this digital age,” Ralph Martinez, Comcast Houston’s Regional Senior Vice President, said. “The Internet is where life happens. It allows students to expand their educational aspirations and it empowers parents to explore better job openings so they can ultimately deliver a better quality of life for their families.” So far, Comcast has given grants to eight Houston area organizations. More announcements will be made later this year. United Way | Funding will be used to provide tech experts (Digital Navigators) to help people in need of digital skills training. BakerRipley | Funding will support computer skills, software, email and internet safety training for low-income adults in the Houston area. Comp-U-Dopt | Funding will support students participating in Early Adopters, STEAM Team and Learn2Earn, which brings technology education to area youth. Comp-U-Dopt will also use the funding to provide tech experts (Digital Navigators) to help people in need of digital skills training. Easter Seals of Greater Houston | Funding will support the development of a curriculum for people with disabilities to help them successfully learn to use digital technology to gain and maintain employment. The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Houston | Funding will help high school students gain technical and leadership skills through the Workforce Readiness Program. AAMA | Funding will be used to purchase technology and equipment to support students through the training program at the Work and Learn Center, with an emphasis on digital literacy and design. Dress for Success | Funding will be used to provide Houston-area women with the resources needed to obtain long-term employment through access to job readiness training, digital skills workshops, computers and mobile labs. AVANCE-Houston | Funding will support adult literacy program and continue to build pathways to economic mobility for families in the community. “We are passionate about doing our part to help close the digital divide and committed to helping establish a more equitable foundation for learning, working and succeeding,” Martinez said. Comcast remains steadfast in its efforts to connect people to moments that matter, to connect families to opportunities in Southeast Texas. For more than a decade, the company has offered Internet Essentials to help low-income Americans access reliable, high-speed internet. Comcast is now a proud champion of the federal government’s new Affordable Connectivity Program. ACP gives qualifying households up to $30 towards their monthly internet bill. With ACP, Comcast’s Internet Essentials internet service is free. As more Houston area residents get the ‘level up’ they need, just like in their gameplay, they will have more chances to keep advancing—better jobs, better education, innovation, opportunities and yes, more fun and better gaming. Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on connectivity, 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 Comcast Houston Steve Campion +1 832-920-2001 Steve_Campion@comcast.com Company Website https://houston.comcast.com/

August 02, 2022 08:40 AM Central Daylight Time

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Rahama Wright, Chief Executive Officer of Yeleen Enterprises, has been appointed to the Presidential Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa for her fourth term

Yeleen Enterprises

Rahama Wright, CEO Yeleen Enterprises has been appointed to serve a fourth term on the President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa (PAC-DBIA). U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo, appointed 24 members to serve a two-year term. Council members are selected from small, medium, and large U.S. companies across the United States representing a diverse range of industries and economic sectors. “I have had the pleasure and honor of serving on the Advisory Council for the three previous terms and in both the Obama and the Trump Administrations,” says Wright. “I look forward to demonstrating the same level of high commitment as in previous terms and plan to proudly advance the efforts of the Advisory Council as it transitions with new members and the Biden Administration.” The PAC-DBIA was established in 2014 to provide recommendations and analysis through the Secretary of Commerce to the President, on strengthening commercial engagement between the United States and Africa. During her service on the Advisory Council, Wright drafted Advisory Council recommendations on doing business in Africa, participated in the fact-finding mission to Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana, contributed to the development of the “Keys to Success” report, and reviewed and provided feedback on the Prosper Africa Roadmap. In her most recent term, Wright supported core programming for the PAC-DBIA such as the “Keys to Success” webinar series where PAC-DBIA members shared practical advice on entering African markets. She also spearheaded the PAC DBIA’s high-level event for Women’s History Month titled “Enabling Women Entrepreneurs in US-Africa Trade & Investment.” The PAC DBIA is a policy tool for advancing US trade engagement with Africa by leveraging the experience of private sector leaders to inform the Secretary of Commerce and the President. Wright will continue to contribute perspectives from running a social impact business that strengthens supply chains on behalf of African and women-led cooperatives. About Rahama Wright After serving in the Peace Corps, Rahama Wright began her entrepreneurial journey by launching Shea Yeleen, a shea butter brand with the mission to create living wage jobs for women in Northern Ghana. The products secured features in Oprah Magazine, MSNBC, CNBC, and retail distribution in select Whole Foods Markets and MGM Resorts. A leading voice on African women’s economic and business development, in 2014, Rahama was first appointed to the Presidential Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa. She received her BA in International Relations from the State University of New York at Geneseo. An avid traveler, Rahama has visited and worked in 36 countries. About Yeleen Enterprises Yeleen Enterprises is a social impact company comprised of the Shea Yeleen product line, and the Yeleen Beauty Makerspace. Shea Yeleen is dedicated to empowering women in West Africa and the United States through the production, sale, and use of shea butter products. A unique blend of grassroots organizing and business development, Shea Yeleen is a company that specializes in manufacturing high-quality, pure plant-based shea butter products with a commitment to ethical sourcing. The Yeleen Beauty Makerspace is a Washington DC-based co-manufacturing space for early-stage, independent beauty entrepreneurs to launch in 2023. Contact Details Media Inquiries robin@charmedpr.com Company Website https://sheayeleen.com

August 01, 2022 01:10 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Minuteman Press Million-Dollar Owners Thomas and Denise Batliner Share Keys to Business Growth in Louisville, KY

Minuteman Press International Inc

Thomas and Denise Batliner have owned their Minuteman Press franchise located at 3905 Bardstown Road since November of 2005. With over 16 years in business, Thomas shares the following insights that helped he and Denise grow their business in Louisville and become members of the Minuteman Press International President’s Million-Dollar Circle. On this accomplishment, Thomas says, “Denise and I believe marketing efforts, customer service, networking, and a little luck have been vital to our success and longevity. We would like to place special emphasis on customer service. At Minuteman Press in Louisville, we focus on treating the customer as we would like to be treated. We believe anyone who walks through the door can be our next biggest customer, and hospitality may make or break the possible relationship.” He continues, “Over the past 16+ years in business, Denise and I have grown the business by developing relationships with new customer bases. More specifically, we gained these relationships through acquisitions. For example, in August of 2012, we purchased an independent printer. This acquisition almost doubled our 2011 sales in addition to our everyday marketing and networking. Then, in December of 2020, we purchased an independent promotional products company. Like our 2012 acquisition, we almost doubled the past year’s sales. Our new customers are the key to our success, and we appreciate their continued business and loyalty.” From the US Navy to Owning a Printing Business Prior to franchising with Minuteman Press, Thomas Batliner served in the US Navy. He shares, “We didn't start Minuteman Press until 2005 when I was 38 years old. Before reaching this point, I served in the United States Navy for three years where I specialized in aviation hydraulics (AMH3). This military experience reinforced the work ethic instilled in me at a young age while farming with my family and has played a vital role in driving my determination to stay in the printing industry.” Thomas continues, “Furthermore, after being honorably discharged, I was a tool and die specialist by trade before being promoted to an estimator at a plastics manufacturer, Beach, Mold, and Tool, now known as NYX. While in this role, I earned an associate degree in Business. But most importantly, I decided I wanted to drive my career and become an entrepreneur. Minuteman Press matched this goal because of the low initial investment, and the business presented the new challenge I was seeking.” “Minuteman Press International supported me from the beginning before I had any professional knowledge about the printing industry. For instance, at the initial home office training, I learned basic facts about paper stocks and more information regarding machine availability and capabilities. Lastly, our office utilizes FLEX, the workflow software developed by Minuteman Press that constantly evolves to add effective apps that drive marketing value.” – Thomas Batliner, owner, Minuteman Press, Louisville, KY Leveraging Local Business Relationships & Benefits of Printing Today When asked what it has been like to own a business in Louisville for over 16 years, Thomas shares, “We are in an urban area and serve a diverse community. There are people from many varying backgrounds, and we have learned about different cultures from around the world. Additionally, we are part of a community where nearby business owners help and look out for one another. For instance, a nearby competitor has helped us continue production during machine downtime and meet customer demand. To return this favor, we have been known to share our resources if this competitor is short-staffed. Because of this dynamic, we believe it is important to develop healthy relationships with everyone in the community, even those with competing business goals.” Thomas explains why printing remains so vital today, sharing, “We believe printing remains vital today because it secures a company’s mission. In terms of management, it also provides different avenues for documentation. To illustrate, when a business provides a digital or physical copy of an employee handbook to its staff, it can better document and communicate expectations and other important information.” He adds, “The main benefit of print is that it can be found everywhere, from the menu you use at your favorite restaurant menu to the branded t-shirt you buy at the store. Because of print's presence, companies always need it. Even during uncertain times like the pandemic, manufacturing facilities, hospitals, and a variety of other companies needed printed materials promoting safety warnings and best practices.” “Our highest demand products and services include envelopes, every door direct mail (EDDM), and wide format printing, a powerful visual medium used for larger files such as blueprints and banners. Our customers value these products and services because they can reach a larger audience. In addition to our highest demand products, key growth areas for our business are promotional products and branded apparel. For example, the customers from our acquisition of the promotional products company have driven sales and we have added a new product line that existing customers can access.” –Thomas Batliner Rewards of Owning a Business & Advice to Others As Thomas and Denise reflect on their accomplishments, there are a couple of items that really stick out. Thomas says, “The biggest personal reward for Denise and me was the ability to put both of our children through college as traditional four-year students. Lauren, our oldest, is now a critical care nurse and Erica, our youngest, is a sourcing and supply chain professional.” He adds, “Aside from this personal reward, our biggest professional reward was receiving our plaque for the Minuteman Press International President's Million Dollar circle. After 16+ years of business, it was an honor to achieve such a high sales goal and to meet others who have accomplished the same or more.” Thomas shares the following advice to today’s aspiring business owners, saying, “The advice I would give to someone looking to own a business is ‘do your homework.’ You need to choose something you can be passionate about and enjoy daily. Despite the hard work ahead of you, because there are some long days and weeks, it can be very rewarding.” For more information on Minuteman Press in Louisville, Kentucky, visit https://minuteman.com/us/locations/ky/louisville20/ Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

August 01, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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LiveArt and Huang Yuxing Announce Exclusive NFT Collection Available this Fall

LiveArt

LiveArt announced today an upcoming partnership with Huang Yuxing (b. 1975, Beijing) to co-create “Meta-morphic: the Genesis of Huang Yuxing,” an exclusive NFT drop by the contemporary artist. Already renowned for his dexterous paintings, Huang will expand on his physical work and enter the digital realm through this genesis collection of generative NFTs. Each NFT will evolve and unlock alongside a collector’s participation. This NFT drop is produced and published by LiveArt, which launched in early 2021 by a team of former Sotheby’s and Christie’s leaders to bridge the physical and digital art worlds. The collaboration between two leading forces in the art world will bring their collective creativity to the rapidly maturing world of digital art. "Meta-morphic is my first generative NFT project. This new medium allows a new kind of exploration of recurring motifs in my work - minerals, bubbles and rivers - and the themes of nature and of time that are hallmarks of my artistic journey," said Huang Yuxing about the collaboration. Huang Yuxing is widely recognized for paintings that reflect and preserve the process of their creation. His work’s exceptional synthesis of styles has broad appeal, with imagery that calls back to traditional Chinese landscape painting rendered in an ultra-contemporary neon palette that verges on abstraction. Huang’s works have already passed the $8-million mark at auction, most recently via the sale of his epic riverscape Seven Treasure Pines (2016–19) which sold for HK$64.8 million ($8.3 million), more than 13 times its high estimate, a record sum for a Chinese artist born after 1970. “We are thrilled to be working with Huang Yuxing on his ‘Genesis’ NFT collection,” said Marisa Kayyem, head of LiveArt NFT division. “ Yuxing’s arresting work brings together tradition and innovation, not limited by constraints or boundaries. He is an ideal partner in LiveArt’s mission to support creators in exploring blockchain as an artistic medium, bring traditional collectors into the digital space, and expose crypto collectors to breakthrough contemporary artists.” “Meta-morphic: the Genesis of Huang Yuxing” will be available this fall exclusively at LiveArt. Visit https://liveart.io/meta-morphic to receive updates about the collaboration. About LiveArt LiveArt is a premium platform that connects the art world with Web3. With unique technology built by art industry leaders, LiveArt brings creators, collaborators, and collectors into the metaverse. Artists can mint their works in the Creator Hub with powerful rights management and unbreakable resale royalties. The LiveArt White Label Suite enables galleries, museums, and brands to launch and manage their own Web3 projects and work with the LiveArt NFT Studio and our partners to curate and market drops. And the LiveArt Developer Lab empowers the most advanced coders to work with our innovative Web3 technology. LiveArt provides the ultimate bridge between the physical and digital art worlds – blending technology, innovation and deep knowledge of the art market. Our $ART token facilitates the community and governance around the LiveArt marketplace while providing insider access to the art world. Holders of the $ART token are eligible for exclusive rewards and access to digital and physical art, advance notice of drops, and membership in the LiveArt DAO. About Huang Yuxing Huang Yuxing (b. 1975, Beijing) is widely recognized among his generation for his ability to create paintings that reflect and preserve the process of their creation. Colors, brushstrokes, and traces of the artist’s hand endure on his canvases after being continuously overlaid and blended. The meticulous brushstrokes and intense colors that pervade his works are grounded in the traditional Chinese realist technique, ‘Gongbi Zhongcai’, while building upon these principles through a signature contemporary style that continues to evolve. Huang’s artistic practice is marked by exceptional depth: while his works may at first recall an Expressionist style, they are deeply rooted in a detailed construction of landscape and human form that effuses vibrant color and reflects the experience of creation. Huang’s works are marked by a sharp and clear contrast between the vitality of color and the harsh realities of life. Rivers, bubbles, treasures, sunrises, and sunsets are recurring motifs in his works that are presented with dazzling visual effect, yet embody the artist’s extensive study of individuals, nature, life, politics, and beyond. Contact Details LiveArt PR press@liveart.io Company Website https://liveart.io

July 29, 2022 01:09 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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DealCart enables affordable ecommerce for 220m Pakistanis as it secures $4.5m funding round

DealCart

With record levels of inflation around the world and households looking for savings on purchases. Social commerce platform DealCart has launched to provide them with access to affordable products in a gamified and interactive manner. In doing so, the startup is today announcing a $4.5 million pre-seed funding. DealCart unlocks value by enabling communities to 'buy together and save together' with a focus on providing national visibility to locally manufactured brands. It’s one the largest investments in the MENAP region for early-stage startups and comes just three months into their operational set up. The round was led by Shorooq Partners with participation from Fatima Gobi Ventures, Vibe Capital, 500 Global, i2i Ventures, Julian Shapiro, Rally Cap Ventures, Alex Lazarow and several strategic angel investors. DealCart founders Haider Raza and Ammar Naveed are addressing the unmet needs of the ecommerce marketplace in Pakistan by bringing value to underserved customers. Despite the burgeoning growth of smartphone and internet penetration, e-commerce usage remains low among the middle and lower middle-income segments that constitute the majority of the country's 220 million people (and primarily serving higher income segments). As such, the current e-commerce landscape in the country is skewed towards large ticket electronics, fashion and the convenience value proposition provided by quick commerce. With DealCart, the idea is to unlock value for the majority of the country that values affordability above all else. By allowing users to buy in groups and sharing deals on WhatsApp and other social media platforms, DealCart will empower customers and give them the ability to place larger orders versus buying alone. This will unlock lower prices and provide an engaging new way to shop. Founders Ammar Naveed and Haider Raza understood the need for their product through their previous experience in the tech startup ecosystem in Pakistan where they scaled and focussed on profitability. Ammar was a senior director at ride hailing app Careem overseeing the operations across the Middle East & Pakistan while Haider launched and scaled mobility startup Swvl in Pakistan in addition to building a tourism startup previously as a co-founder. They have a shared passion for social commerce and a drive to make an impact in the region at scale. Haider Raza, co-founder of DealCart, commented: “Pakistan has recently seen a surge in social media users, a phenomenon that generally precedes these users transacting online for their daily needs. DealCart seeks to use this opportunity to introduce their group buying platform with the aim to enable more people to get access to their favorite brands at extremely affordable prices. With our target market spending upwards of 50% of their household income on groceries and essentials, DealCart provides the already inflation burdened Pakistani consumer much needed relief”. Ammar Naveed, co-founder of DealCart, commented “Our focus from day one has been the long-term commercial sustainability of the venture; we want to create a business which has solid foundations and is aligned with the new reality of the global financial markets. We plan to do this by having a super lean cost structure, while expanding and growing the business primarily through our technology”. Omer Zabit, Principal at Shorooq Partners commented: “We are humbled to be partnering with DealCart and to be taking part in the take-off of this incredible journey. The founders' customer-centric approach and strong commitment to growth, make us certain they are the right partner to back in Pakistan's first group buying app. Given our deep expertise in consumer tech, we have no doubt that this will be a unique success story and are very excited to see what the future holds for DealCart”. DealCart is going after a $60 billion total addressable market and wants to build an institution that the regional start-up ecosystem can be proud of. It will deploy the funding to invest in further developing its engineering and technology capabilities that will build an intuitive product. The clear priority is to inspire the best talent to join this journey. Fatima Gobi Venture’s General Partner Ali Mukhtar commented, “Given the broader macro environment and the rising cost of living seen across the world, there is greater demand for solutions like DealCart that are enabling access to affordable daily necessities. We have high conviction in the team and model as it fits perfectly within FGV’s investment strategy which is to fund high-growth tech companies that have the ability to generate scalable impact. We look forward to supporting Haider, Ammar and their team and we’re excited to be part of their journey.” About DealCart DealCart is reinventing e-commerce in Pakistan. They are on a mission to provide first-time internet users with access to affordable products in a gamified and interactive manner. They unlock value by enabling communities to 'buy together and save together' with a focus on providing national visibility to locally manufactured brands. For more information please visit https://dealcart.io or follow via LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or YouTube Contact Details DealCart Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://dealcart.io

July 28, 2022 11:12 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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Cloudrise announces $10M in total funding

Cloudrise

Cloudrise, a tech-enabled services firm focused on securing data wherever it resides, is pleased to announce it has completed financing to raise the company’s total to-date funding to $10 million. Since launching the company in October of 2019, Cloudrise has worked with 100s of global customers, including numerous Fortune 500 enterprises, on their data protection and cloud security projects. During this time, Cloudrise has continued to exceed all stated financial targets and is investing significantly to expand service delivery and research and development teams, while raising the bar for data protection. To help further growth and innovation, Cloudrise secured additional funding in July from Three Kings Capital, with add-on capital from existing investors Stormbreaker Ventures and the Greater Colorado Venture Fund. With success comes the need to add more talent to Cloudrise’s Board of Directors, and Bill Ryckman, Managing Principal at Three Kings Capital, will join the Cloudrise board. "We are very pleased to be partnering with Cloudrise and its proven management team led by Rob Eggebrecht," Ryckman said. "Cloudrise is a well-known leader in the data protection market, with particular expertise in the cloud, and a reputation for delivering exceptional service. As more and more businesses embrace the cloud, Cloudrise has become an integral partner to a diverse set of clients across the country and around the world, helping to keep their data safe from cyber criminals. With its high-quality team and technology-enabled platform, Cloudrise is well-positioned to serve our collective mission on a much wider scale.” Cloudrise co-founder and CEO Rob Eggebrecht is excited about the future ahead for the company. “Our latest funding venture is a major milestone, allowing Cloudrise to fast-track industry-changing initiatives for how professional services are delivered in the cyber industry via our tech-enablement approach,” Eggebrecht said. “The current status quo for delivering professional services in the cyber industry is outdated, inefficient, and does not scale to the world of cloud computing in global enterprises today. While organizations are contending with the exponential growth of data and an excessive amount of cyber security application/platforms, traditional service providers are stuck in a mindset of a help-desk, ticket-driven world, attempting to throw more people at the problem.” Instead of throwing more time and resources at complex data security challenges, Cloudrise leverages a proprietary service delivery platform to increase efficiencies, enable better collaboration, and reduce time needed to deliver high-value outcomes. By bundling software and humans, Cloudrise delivers tech-enabled services that allow customers to realize an immediate impact for their business. Cloudrise continues to build on what has been a groundbreaking 2022, in which the company announced: The acquisition of CyberOrchard, an information security managed service organization located in the United Kingdom Jason Bird, CyberOrchard’s founder and CEO, as CTO at Cloudrise Cloudrise named as Netskope’s Global Services Partner of the Year Placement on the Managed Security 100 on CRN’s Managed Service Provider 500 list for 2022 ‘Best Solution in Data Security’ at Global InfoSec Awards by Cyber Defense Magazine Hiring Rob Zillioux as CFO The opening of a new global headquarters facility in Grand Junction, Colorado About Three Kings Capital Three Kings Capital is a mission-driven, family office-backed private equity platform that invests exclusively in cyber security companies. Its mission is to protect the world's assets, critical infrastructure, and personally identifiable information from cyber threats. Aided by an Advisory Board of government and private sector cyber security experts, Three Kings seeks to enable and partner with mission-driven companies at any stage of development. Its permanent, flexible capital base allows Three Kings to invest in any type of security within the capital structure. Three Kings is headquartered in New York City but seeks investment opportunities from around the country and certain other parts of the world. For more information, please visit www.ThreeKingsCapital.com. About Cloudrise Cloudrise is a technology-enabled services firm, specializing in delivering data security services customized to meet organizations’ business needs. Drawing from 20+ years of experience in the field, we have tailored our services to be laser-focused on securing organizations’ data wherever it resides. Cloudrise helps organizations elevate their data protection and privacy programs through assessments, technology enablement, and managed services. Cloudrise can be found at www.cloudrise.com or on LinkedIn. Contact Details Cloudrise Robert McLean +1 800-917-7619 sales@cloudrise.com Company Website https://cloudrise.com/

July 28, 2022 05:00 AM Mountain Daylight Time

VOESH New York Wins Coveted 2022 Cosmoprof Beauty Award in the Natural and Organic Category

VOESH New York

Spa and body care leader, VOESH New York, has won the coveted Cosmoprof North America 2022 Beauty Award for their Shower & Empower Vitamin C Shower Filter in the Natural and Organic category. This prestigious win took place during Cosmoprof North America, July 12-14 th in Las Vegas, Nevada. The VOESH New York Shower & Empower Vitamin C Shower Filter removes residual chlorine and other impurities from hard water to rejuvenate skin and condition hair. Vegan probiotics strengthen and regenerate the skin barrier, while oatmeal powder softens and soothes for healthy, glowing skin. This innovative filter will turn your shower into your own spa-oasis and retails for $29. “Being recognized by Cosmoprof for our first-of-its kind product is beyond our dreams”, said Vera Oh, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of VOESH New York. “We are so honored and humbled, not only to be able to stand next to other amazing brands and products, but to have won”. The Cosmoprof Award is the most prestigious and recognized in the world of beauty and selects the best products in each category including skincare, hair care, nail care, and make-up, based on the criteria of innovation, and marketability, marketing impact, brand-building potential, and outstanding online presence. About VOESH New York: VOESH is the leading brand for head-to-toe vegan skincare for salons, retailers and direct-to-consumers. Their innovative products include Pedi in a Box, Shower & Empower Vitamin C Shower Filter, Collagen Gloves and Socks, and Mani in a Box. VOESH’s products are available on voesh.com, Amazon.com and various professional beauty stores and retailers such as Rite Aid, CVS, Costco, Urban Outfitters, and many more. In addition, they distribute their products in 40+ countries, including European Union countries. All of VOESH products are vegan, sustainable, cruelty-free, and proven to be effective. VOESH has been in business since 2013. About Cosmoprof North America: Cosmoprof North America (CPNA) is the leading business-to-business (B2B) beauty exhibition in the Americas. Recognized for its dynamic growth and unique programs, the event offers the entire beauty industry an opportunity to come together to make new relationships and foster collaborations. CPNA serves as the premier launching pad for new beauty brands by introducing revolutionary technologies, product innovations, and new channels of manufacturing, packaging, and distribution. Contact Details Absolute R Relations Colleen Mathis Colleen@absoluterrelations.com Deborah Kerner Deb@absoluterrelations.com

July 26, 2022 08:10 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Minuteman Press Million-Dollar Circle Member Michael Levy Grows Sales for Levittown and Farmingdale Franchises

Minuteman Press International Inc

Michael Levy owns Minuteman Press in Levittown, NY located at 3000 Hempstead Turnpike. In June 2021, he also purchased the original Minuteman Press franchise in Farmingdale, NY located at 324 Main St. Already a member of the Minuteman Press International President’s Million-Dollar Circle, Michael has continued his strong sales growth in the first two quarters of 2022, including record monthly gross sales in March 2022. Key Drivers of Growth When asked about the key drivers of his growth in 2022, Michael shares, “Some would say luck, I would say persistence, perseverance and simply being known to be someone who gets things done. While there have been many challenges due to supply chain issues for the past year or so, I was able to use that to my advantage.” Michael further explains how he has been able to manage and overcome supply chain issues, saying, “For example, I had a customer contact me for a job I had never done before but I had done other jobs for this customer. It was a huge job, for 150,000 each of two envelopes. Someone else, who normally does this job for them, was not able to get the stock. So, the customer called me and told me what happened and asked if I can help.” He continues, “I spent two days researching and I was able to get both items for them and deliver them when they needed. One of the suppliers was through one of the field reps at Minuteman Press International, so it was great I could leverage that connection with my franchisor. I ended up producing $25,000 worth of envelopes I had never done before, and they just recently asked me to quote their next order of 200,000 of each one.” Michael sees the wide variety of products offered by his two Minuteman Press franchises as another competitive advantage. He says, “It’s examples like that envelope order plus the other items we offer that most other printers do not, such as in-house screen printing, embroidery, dye sublimation, and stamp production, that allows us to stay busy and grow. Another key is to have enough customers ordering products that when one is slow, others are not. This is a key ingredient, especially with my larger clients.” Promoting the Return of Live Events on Long Island As more live events, concerts, ball games, and trade shows return to Long Island, Minuteman Press is well-positioned to pitch in and help promote them. Michael shares, “It is very nice to be getting orders for tickets, programs, journals, and most importantly, items for trade shows and community events. Promotional items and apparel have really picked up over the past 6 months and that is because these events are happening again. That certainly gets me excited to be able to offer such a wide range of products that cater to all of my customers.” As for what advice he would give to other Long Island business owners right now, Michael shares, “Of course, every business is different, but one thing all businesses must do is to market themselves. Marketing is a very wide-ranging word and can be done in many different forms. Simply wearing a logo polo shirt is marketing. In addition, advertising, mailings, flyers, business cards, promotional items, apparel, and anything you can put your company logo on are all forms of marketing.” He adds, “That is exactly where I, as the owner of two Minuteman Press franchises, come in and help. We can put your logo on just about anything that allows you to market your business. I always tell my customers when they ask, ‘What type of marketing should my business do?’, to try a little bit of everything and see what works best for your specific business.” To find your local Minuteman Press on Long Island, visit their brand new consumer website, https://minuteman.com. For Minuteman Press franchise opportunities on Long Island, visit https://minutemanpressfranchise.com. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

July 25, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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