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Hong Kong Baptist University-led research unveils cell entry mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 and therapeutic target for COVID-19

Hong Kong Baptist University

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 20 March 2023 - A study led by scientists from Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) has identified a protease called MT1-MMP that is a major host factor behind the infectivity of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the human body, which leads to the infection of COVID-19 and multi-organ failure. By applying a humanised antibody called 3A2 that can inhibit the activity of MT1-MMP, the viral load of infected mice was reduced by almost 90%. The research team also demonstrated that the protease is a potential therapeutic target for COVID-19. Dr Xavier Wong Hoi-leong, Assistant Professor, and Dr Guo Xuanming, researcher of the Teaching and Research Division of the School of Chinese Medicine, introduce the research findings on the cell entry mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 and therapeutic target for COVID-19. The research findings have been published in the internationally renowned scientific journal Nature Communications. ACE2 as a receptor for SARS-CoV-2 cell entry Vaccination can protect people against COVID-19 and its potential complications, but it is not always effective in individuals with weak immune systems, or against some COVID-19 variants of concern. Thus, the development of a more effective treatment for COVID-19 remains a huge challenge in the post-vaccine era. Understanding the cell entry mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 is vital to curb the spread of the virus, and it will also aid the search for new COVID-19 treatments. SARS-CoV-2 requires angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a protein found on the membrane of human cells, as its receptor for cellular entry. Despite the lungs being the major organ affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection, only a small proportion of lung cells express ACE2. Previous studies found that the infection of organs with low levels of ACE2 expression by SARS-CoV-2 is made possible by a soluble form of ACE2. The soluble ACE2 binds with SARS-CoV-2, carries the virus to cells with low levels of ACE2 expression, and facilitates its entry into the cells. MT1-MMP mediates cell entry of SARS-CoV-2 A research team led by Dr Xavier Wong Hoi-leong, Assistant Professor of the Teaching and Research Division of the School of Chinese Medicine at HKBU, in collaboration with Dr Yuan Shuofeng, Assistant Professor of the Department of Microbiology at The University of Hong Kong, further studied how the physiological regulation of soluble ACE2 shedding contributes to the aetiology of COVID-19. The team found that SARS-CoV-2 infection leads to the increased activation of MT1-MMP, a protease crucial for many physiological processes. MT1-MMP mediates the release of soluble ACE2 from ACE2-expressing cells. This soluble ACE2 in turn binds to the spike proteins of SARS-CoV-2 and carries it to the uninfected cells with low levels of ACE2 expression. Notably, the team demonstrated that the introduction of human-soluble ACE2 enables SARS-CoV-2 to infect the lungs of a laboratory mouse strain (C57BL/6 mice) that is naturally insusceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection due to the incompatibility of its mouse ACE2 and the viral spike proteins. The findings unveil the mechanism by which the virus hijacks host enzymes to enhance its infectivity, triggering multi-organ infections. Antibody 3A2 blocks MT1-MMP activity To study MT1-MMP's functions and how it affects viral infection, the researchers used human cells to create organoids, a 3D tissue structure grown in vitro to resemble and model different organs in the laboratory. They discovered that blocking MT1-MMP activity with the monoclonal antibody 3A2 effectively depleted soluble ACE2 levels and reduced the degree of infection of SARS-CoV-2 in human lung, heart and liver organoids by 60-80%. Consistent results were obtained using the original strain of SARS-CoV-2, as well as variants of concern, such as Delta and Omicron. The results demonstrate that MT1-MMP is a major host factor that mediates the cell entry of SARS-CoV-2, and that it is also a potential therapeutic target for COVID-19 drugs. The researchers further tested the effects of applying 3A2 in a mouse COVID-19 model. A group of 11 mice were treated with either 3A2 or vehicle controls. Older mice were used in the experiment as old age is a major risk factor for severe symptoms and mortality for COVID-19. The results show that 3A2 reduced the viral load of SARS-CoV-2 by almost 90% and dramatically alleviated lung tissue damage resulting from infection. MT1-MMP as a therapeutic target Dr Wong said: "Two major challenges when it comes to developing COVID-19 drugs are how to enhance treatment results for patients with weakened immune systems, and how to maintain the drugs' effectiveness across different viral strains. 3A2 has good potential to become an effective drug for curing COVID-19 because it antagonises the activity of MT1-MMP, instead of boosting the immunity of patients or acting directly on the virus. "Our previous studies have demonstrated that 3A2 also offers protection against obesity and diabetes, two major risk factors for severe symptoms and mortality for COVID-19. Therefore, 3A2 could be particularly suitable for high-risk groups, including older adults and people with metabolic disorders. It could also be effective against emerging coronaviruses in the future, because ACE2 is a doorway for many such viruses with similar cell entry mechanisms. Further research and experiments on 3A2 are required before it can be applied in humans." Contact Details Communication and Public Relations Office Christina Wu christinawu@hkbu.edu.hk

March 20, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Thailand’s SEAC Eyes Bold Expansion in the ASEAN SMART Learning Market

SEAsia Leadavation Center

BANGKOK, THAILAND - Media OutReach - 20 March 2023 - SEAC, a leading corporate and lifelong education innovator, is shaking up the Thai and ASEAN education market with significant investment to expand its SMART learning solutions across the ASEAN region. The world is rapidly moving forward, and current learning methods fail to keep pace; SEAC is poised to capitalize on the growing demand for more effective technology-supported education design and delivery. SEAC has been developing and testing a range of seamless and cost-effective SMART learning experiences that will bridge learning gaps in the region. James Engel, SEAC Chief Learning Architect, said: "These 'smarter' ways of learning to move the experience from an instructor, topic, and event focus to a leaner, technology-supported design and delivery that emphasizes the learner, their needs & context. Our finish line is applied learning that positively impacts their lives and the world around them." "Our investment in the Thai and ASEAN SMART learning market is a game-changer for the corporate and lifelong education sectors," said Ms. Arinya Talerngsri, SEAC's CEO. "We are committed to offering a comprehensive and engaging SMART learning experiences to a broad range of learners and professionals." SEAC has previously launched a new range of innovative products and solutions for the Thai market, including two comprehensive Learning Experience Platforms(LXP) that offer flexibility for learners and their individual needs. They feature personalized learning paths, interactive content, and collaborative learning experiences. The company has also leveraged decades of deep learning design experience and insights to make learning more flexible, social, and convenient. SEAC is also investing in its workforce. The company has been recruiting top talents in the industry and investing to enhance employees' capabilities for the future of their industry and to exceed learner's requirements. This has enabled the company to stay ahead of the curve and deliver cutting-edge solutions to clients. The Thai and ASEAN SMART learning will grow significantly in the coming years, and SEAC is poised to be a major player in this market. A recent report estimates that the ASEAN Smart Education and Learning market will grow annually by 19.2% and its value will reach US$24.19 billion by 2025. SEAC's long history of success in the corporate training segment provides a great platform to introduce a new range of solutions into this expansive market. SEAC will continue expanding its regional service with a particular focus on Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia in Q2/Q3 this year. SEAC has also been making inroads into the rapidly evolving K-12 education and University segments, which account for over 50% of the total market value. Government initiatives, such as the Thailand 4.0 national strategy, are expected to drive the growth of the ASEAN e-learning market. SEAC is a company that potential investors will want to keep a close eye on. The ASEAN region's large, young, and tech-savvy population has shown their willingness to opt for cost-effective SMART learning solutions that help them grow their skills and empower their lives. For more information about SEAC and its innovative SMART learning solutions, please visit www.seasiacenter.com. About SEAC Established in Thailand with more than 30 years of experience in people development, SEAC has provided innovative and practical approaches to over 2 million learners from more than 1,000 companies in Thailand and across SE Asia. Their goal is to empower lives and organizations through tailored transformative learning experiences. The Company's 456 Smart Learning Experience design and delivery has redefined how well and effectively people upskill and reskill themselves. They serve various learners & leaders across generations, levels, and cultures. Contact Details SEAC James Powell +66 81 350 9928 james_p@seasiacenter.com

March 20, 2023 04:19 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Capital for Children Announces New Executive Director

Capital for Children

The Board of Directors of Capital for Children is pleased to announce the selection of Deborah P. Lindenberg as its next Executive Director. “Debbi’s impressive credentials and background are an excellent fit for us,” said John Fruehwirth, Capital for Children Board Chair. “She comes to CFC following an extensive career in both law and philanthropy and brings substantial experience in grantmaking and building relationships in the local nonprofit community.” Most recently, Debbi was a Program Officer at The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, the largest private foundation serving the DC region. She has also worked as a grantmaker for the Community Foundation for Montgomery County, an affiliate of the Greater Washington Community Foundation. “I care deeply about Capital for Children’s mission of investing in nonprofits serving children, youth, and young adults, and I’m excited to lead CFC as it moves into its next chapter,” Debbi said. “I believe nonprofits are essential in creating thriving, equitable communities and am proud to join an organization that provides financial support and leverages its members’ expertise to help strengthen the capacity and impact of its nonprofit partners.” About Capital for Children Capital for Children is a membership organization of leaders in private equity and related industries that invests in nonprofits serving children, youth, and young adults in the DC region. Through a combination of financial support and members’ participation on boards, CFC forms relationships with its nonprofit partners and helps strengthen their capacity and impact. CFC leverages the expertise of its members and provides guidance to nonprofits in areas such as organizational infrastructure, finance, audit, governance, and strategic planning. For more information, visit www.capitalforchildren.org. Contact Details Capital for Children Debbi Lindenberg +1 301-717-4766 debbi@capitalforchildren.org

March 14, 2023 11:54 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Screencastify, a leader in $2B video creation space, positioned to thrive in 2023 with new Leadership team and CEO

Screencastify

Screencastify, the leading end-to-end video creation platform, today announced major milestones and company momentum as it continues to deliver the simplest screen capture and video editing capabilities to users around the globe. Boasting significant leadership changes, including newly appointed CEO Vishal Shah, Screencastify has established itself as a front-runner for creators’ video needs. Screencastify, an original video creation tool via internet browser, has become an end-to-end platform that makes recording, editing, sharing, assessing, and viewing video simple and accessible, so anyone can become a more effective communicator. More than 12.4 million users worldwide have used Screencastify to make nearly 450 million videos since 2016. New CEO Vishal Shah has been closely involved with Screencastify since its early days when LearnCore, the sales enablement start up he co-founded as CEO in 2010, was seeking to expand its video creation capability. As part of that collaboration Shah took a board seat with Screencastify. After exiting LearnCore, he took on the position of interim President at Screencastify before being appointed CEO today. Joining the CEO, Screencastify is also announcing the appointment of veteran Paul Ray as CTO while Alex Stepien is promoted from CRO to President & CRO. Ray has almost two decades software development experience with senior roles at Chicago Booth, former CTO at LearnCore and until recently a leader at Amazon. Stepien has led revenue operations and held senior leadership roles including as the former CEO at Cappex. He joined Screencastify in 2021 as CRO. Together the team is positioned to innovate and grow in this booming market. “In March 2020, the demand for online video communication creation went through the roof,” said Vishal Shah, CEO of Screencastify. “The sudden switch to remote learning saw educators — particularly in K-12 schools and higher education — turn to Screencastify’s accessible, intuitive, and low-cost video creation solution to enhance synchronous learning as well as deliver asynchronous — self-paced — learning options. Screencastify is only scratching the surface on how we can help the people who are educating the world now and in the future.” The company met the demand spurred by the pandemic, growing the number of videos made daily by 500%, increasing daily usage by 340% and elevating the number of videos created each month from 2 million before March of 2020 to 20 million videos created monthly less than two months later. Today, Screencastify is being used by educators in more than 70% of U.S. school districts. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Shah notes “The acceptance and widespread adoption of hybrid learning as well as the growing usage of video in the classroom and for a variety of training and instructional uses in the workplace means the future is very exciting for Screencastify, which gave the world its first easy-to-use browser-based screen capture and video creation tool, and I’m delighted the business has asked me to continue the momentum.” According to HubSpot, online video communication adoption has increased 96% over the past three years, with educators, their students, mid-size businesses employees, and individual influencers and creators being the primary drivers of the trend. Screencastify stepped up as the leader in on-demand video creation by building the simplest and most intuitive end-to-end video creation platform for any user. As workplaces embrace hybrid and remote environments, the need for asynchronous video continues to grow. Screencastify has proven it can meet the high demand for a simple, on-demand video platform and will continue to embrace the challenge of meeting the needs for any school or workplace. “We have an opportunity to make video communication simpler and improve human-to-human interaction in a new era of remote working and living — but also one where video plays a greater part in communication at school, at work, and in the social lives of young people especially,” added Vishal Shah. Screencastify has been laser-focused on improving the customer experience with capabilities such as Submit that engages students and allows them to securely create screen and webcam recordings without the extension. The video is then automatically sent to the teacher. Shah notes that, “It's by far the easiest way for students to record and submit videos, as we see teachers encourage students to create more videos.” He adds that Screencastify has, “An exciting lineup of product enhancements and features in 2023 and 2024. One of our big priorities is to keep things simple while building out our capabilities. Screencastify has an enormous base of content creators and we will continue to make life easier for them. Corporate educators are also a key focus for us, with the increasing adoption of digital learning tools and video being accepted as a compelling tool in marketing and sales collateral.” K-12 and post-secondary school has been a key market for Screencastify, but other industries, businesses, and social content creators are also using the tool to create on-demand videos for purposes as diverse as onboarding, engaging customers, board presentations, or simply sharing messages and information between friends and online communities. “The edtech market will only grow,” Vishal Shah says, noting projections from GlobalData show compound annual growth rate (CAGR) growth of 16% between 2021 and 2026, and crossing $400 billion in 2026. “We believe we have a special product and I look forward to continuing to pioneer video services for our customers and grow our customer base. We are ambitious for the future.” About Screencastify Established in 2016, Screencastify is the leading end-to-end video creation platform that makes recording, editing, sharing, assessing, and viewing video more simple for everyone. Tens of millions of people in more than 190 countries use Screencastify to record and edit on-demand video. Used in education, business, and for personal creation, Screencastify provides an accessible way for anyone to create video that saves time, expands their reach, and brings a new level of clarity to their communication. For more information please visit https://www.screencastify.com/ Contact Details Screencastify Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://www.screencastify.com/

March 14, 2023 10:00 AM Central Daylight Time

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This Architecture And Design School Is A Talent Engine In The Capital Of Design, San Diego

Ambow Education Holding

By David Willey, Benzinga If Los Angeles is the city of actors, then San Diego could be said to be the city of architects and designers. NewSchool of Architecture and Design (NewSchool), located in downtown San Diego, is one school leading the field of design and architecture, and it serves as an engine of talent-producing students who bring their creative vision across the globe. The architecture and urban planning global market is currently worth $281 billion. Though the profession in the US took a slight hit due to COVID-19, the number of US architects has been steadily increasing in the five years up to 2021, with over 121,000 architects currently licensed in America. Architects and urban designers can find work in industries ranging from construction and project management to engineering, interior design, and urban planning. San Diego is something of a hub within this bustling world of urban architecture and design. The city was recently nominated as the World Design Capital (WDC) 2024, along with Tijuana, Mexico. San Diego was chosen as an example of how cities are innovating with their urban spaces post-pandemic. The city has a history of celebrating a rich architectural culture, boasting its own “ 7 Modern Wonders,” as well as multiple historic cultural districts such as its famous Balboa Park and a new district slated to celebrate Black arts and culture. NewSchool’s Place in San Diego NewSchool's faculty is actively preparing talent by involving its students in designing future scenarios of both the city and the wider area, including Tijuana, to contribute to the vision of the World Design Capital. The school’s campus is in the city’s East Village, which is part of the education corridor that includes City College, the Urban Discovery Academy and many other educational institutions promoting design thinking in K-12. This design district of San Diego has also seen the launch of the I.D.E.A. project to build an innovative urban mixed-use district for education and arts, the development of Tailgate Park, and the University of California San Diego (UCSD)’s new state-of-the-art building on the corner of Park & Market. Globally recognized and awarded, NewSchool offers multiple programs accredited by the National Architecture Accrediting Board (NAAB). NewSchool’s undergraduate and master's degree programs are housed within two schools, the School of Architecture and Construction Management, and the School of Design. The school is also home to the Center for Healthy Environments, which produces leaders in the design world committed to a healthy and sustainable approach to urbanism and architecture. Part of NewSchool’s mission is to provide its students with key connections in the industry, as well as opportunities for students to engage the community and collaborate on real-world projects. Some of these projects include design planning for a new Downtown Master Plan in National City, CA, as well as the development of a research center in Mission Bay, San Diego. For the National City project, 70+ students spent 20 weeks creating plans for urban renewal of the downtown area. These students developed a creative vision encompassing 40 city blocks to help the communities. In this endeavor, the students followed official National City Downtown Specific Plan guidelines set out by the local council. In 2020, the NewSchool’s Undergraduate Integrated Design Studio collaborated with the University of California San Diego, the National Audubon Society, and the City of San Diego Planning Department, to design a new Wetlands Education and Research Center. The project’s aim was to help decision-makers re-imagine the range of possibilities for increasing public access to Mission Bay and learning more about the preservation and role of this amazing ecosystem in the heart of San Diego. This project highlighted how contemporary urban design can respond to the environment in a sustainable manner. These projects highlight NewSchool’s commitment that students learn to innovate with their designs while also being trained rigorously in the technical and logistical aspects of architecture and urban planning. NewSchool has contributed to the urban fabric of San Diego for many decades, and NewSchool alumni and faculty continue to help design and build the city. Want to learn more about the exciting world of architecture and design? Visit NewSchool’s website. This article was originally published on Benzinga here. Ambow Education Holding Ltd. is a leading cross-border career educational and technology service provider, offering high-quality, individualized services and products. With its extensive network of regional service hubs complemented by a dynamic proprietary learning platform and distributors, Ambow provides its services and products to students in China and United States of America. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Kevin Derrivan kderrivan@amboweducation.com Company Website https://www.ambow.com/

March 09, 2023 09:15 AM Eastern Standard Time

Insider Buying: AI Firm Amesite (NASDAQ: AMST) CEO Ann Marie Sastry Picks Up Company Stock Multiple Times, Has Never Sold Stock To Date

Amesite Inc.

By David Willey, Benzinga Read the latest report on Amesite Inc. here! Ann Marie Sastry, the CEO of Amesite Inc. (NASDAQ: AMST), has made multiple stock purchases in the company. Amesite is an artificial intelligence (AI) software company that offers leading eLearning opportunities. According to the Form 4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Sastry acquired 2,000 shares of common stock at $3 a share, for the purchase price of $6,000. This is the third in a series of recent stock purchases that Sastry has made. In February she purchased 2,000 shares of common stock at $2.42 a share, for a total purchase price of $4,800. Then again in early March she purchased an additional 2,000 shares at $3 a share. Sastry has also never sold any of her common stock shares for Amesite, which trades on the NASDAQ. The three most recent stock purchases brought the number of common stock shares owned by Sastry to over 531,000. Insider buying, where a CEO or other company executive purchases company shares, can be viewed as a sign that those inside the company have confidence in the future growth and prospects of the company as well as being optimistic about the future value and growth in the company’s share price. Amesite delivers its AI-powered platform for eLearning and upskilling programs for businesses, non-profits and institutes of higher education. The platform uses best-in-class technology to host educational programs and to empower learning communities across the country. Other companies in the online learning space include Coursera Inc. (NYSE: COUR), 2U (NASDAQ: TWOU) and Powerschool Holdings Inc. (NYSE: PWSC). Interested in learning more about Amesite? Visit its website. This article was originally published on Benzinga here. Amesite Inc., an artificial intelligence driven platform and course designer, provides online products in the United States. The company uses machine learning to offer a mass customized experience to learners. Its customers include businesses, universities and colleges, K-12 schools, and non-profit organizations. The company was incorporated in 2017 and is headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Amesite, Inc. +1 734-876-8141 info@amesite.com Company Website http://www.amesite.io

March 07, 2023 09:25 AM Eastern Standard Time

Minuteman Press Franchise in Naples, FL Shares Growth Strategies, Overcomes Hurricane Ian

Minuteman Press International Inc

David Ogden purchased the Minuteman Press franchise in Naples, Florida, in January 2021. In the two years since the purchase, David has successfully grown the business by expanding high-demand products and services as well as the key acquisition of independent printing business Sunbelt Printing in September 2022. David says, “The resulting sales growth in business after bringing Minuteman Press and Sunbelt Printing together is over 400% year-over-year.” Around the same time as the acquisition and planned relocation to a new 4,100 sq. ft. facility, Hurricane Ian hit Florida on September 28, 2022. David shares, “What an experience. I purchased Sunbelt Printing and found a new building to move into. The movers were scheduled to get us moved on September 28, 2022. It turns out it was the same day Hurricane Ian hit the Naples/Ft. Meyers area. Needless to say, the move was postponed, and all of our original planning was out the window. Finding contractors to get the electricity where we needed it and all the other moving parts involved had to be reorganized and rescheduled.” David continues, “We did it, and it took more time and patience than I expected, but we finally succeeded and are now in our 4,100-square-foot facility. We have grown really fast since the move and the acquisition, so it’s a good thing we were able to overcome Hurricane Ian and complete the move.” Today, Minuteman Press in Naples is located at 771 Airport Rd. N., Units 4 & 5, Naples, FL 34104. Journey from Cairo, Egypt to Naples, FL David Ogden first moved to Naples in 2013. He shares, “I owned a printing company in Cairo, Egypt, while my family and I lived there. When we left in 2013 and moved to Naples, I still owned the printing company in Egypt, and my brother-in-law took over day-to-day management. Today, I own Minuteman Press in Naples as well as two other companies not in the printing industry.” As someone with experience in the printing industry and as a business owner, David explains why he chose to join the Minuteman Press franchise family: “I chose Minuteman for several reasons. First, it was an existing franchise and a ‘fixer-upper.’ I also liked the company's history, the clear and present franchise support, and of course, their capped royalty structure. Finally, I knew from the day I started the training program for new owners with Mike Jutt and Pete Taglino that I had made the right decision and Minuteman Press was the right franchise brand for me.” David continues, “I did my homework before buying Minuteman Press in Naples, and I talked to many existing owners. All of them agreed the support received from Minuteman Press International was outstanding. After purchasing the business and when the paper supply chain issues occurred, it shook me at first. But then I had a great conversation with our Regional VP Larry Trimble, who helped put it in perspective and provided guidance. From that day forward, I have taken the ‘failure is not an option’ approach, and it has worked out great. I have fantastic support from our regional rep Mark Geller, and Larry Trimble. They are part of our team, know my business well, and are part of our success.” 3 Keys to Growing the Business David highlights the following three key ways he has grown the business over the past two years: Providing high-demand products and services, including direct mail. “ We have a large direct mail customer that does 6-10K pieces of first-class mail per day with us. We also have many smaller customers that do various-size mailings and Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) postcards. Mailing is about 20% of our business and a fast growth area, and so we are investing in direct mail even further with new equipment.” Listening to clients and meeting their needs. “I make time to meet and talk to customers at our front desk. I always ask new customers, ‘What other kind of printing do you use?’ About 70% of the time, I discover new potential business. For example, our very large direct mail customer came from asking that one simple question, which added $30K per month in new revenue.” Learning from other owners by attending the Minuteman Press World Expo. “I learned a great deal at the Minuteman Press World Expo last year and took those ideas back to my team. As a result, we have increased a lot of central facility work, which has benefited our business's overall mix. One of the best takeaways from the Expo was the President’s Million-Dollar Owners panel, where successful owners from all across Minuteman Press answer questions from other franchisees. I sat and listened to every one of them talking about buying independent printers and merging them into their own businesses. I decided then and there to go home and buy another printer. Six weeks later, I purchased Sunbelt Printing.” Acquisition of Sunbelt Printing The acquisition of Sunbelt Printing certainly proved to be a huge boost for Minuteman Press in Naples. David shares, “Minuteman Press sends out regular mailings to independent printers asking them if they have a plan to retire or have an exit strategy, and they explain the benefits of selling their business with the help of Minuteman Press International. The owner of Sunbelt Printing was looking to sell and was ready to retire. After many meetings with that owner and weeks of negotiating, I bought Sunbelt Printing and merged that business into my existing business. Both were about equal in revenue per month at the time of the merger, and as I said previously, the resulting growth in business after bringing the two together is over 400% year-over-year.” David continues, “Our regional rep Mark Geller helped coordinate and execute the merger of the two businesses. He also helped us with specialty contractors to get equipment like large cutters moved and re-installed. In addition, Mark regularly helps me train new employees.” What’s next for David Ogden and Minuteman Press in Naples? David answers, “We are excited to keep serving our clients with high quality printing, marketing, and mailing services. I love building relationships with our customers and look forward to continuing to grow together. I’m also in talks with another independent printer about buying their business. We will see where that leads us.” Minuteman Press in Naples is located at 771 Airport Rd. N., Units 4 & 5, Naples, FL 34104. For more information, visit their website: https://minuteman.com/us/locations/fl/naples/ 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

March 06, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Volatus Aerospace Secures Annual Recurring Contract to Expand Pipeline Corridor Surveillance in Eastern Canada

Volatus Aerospace Corp.

Volatus Aerospace Corp. (TSXV: VOL) (OTCQB: VLTTF) ("Volatus" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that its subsidiary, Canadian Air National Inc., has signed a 3-year master service agreement with a leading pipeline operator to provide pipeline right-of-way asset and environmental monitoring throughout Ontario. The agreement, signed on March 2nd, is estimated to generate revenues of up to $5M over the next three years with margins within historical norms for jobs of this nature. Volatus Aerospace provides data gathering and analysis services to the oil and gas sector through its subsidiaries Canadian Air National and Synergy Aviation. In total, the Company provides pipeline right-of-way surveillance services across Canada from Kitimat, British Columbia to Ottawa, Ontario. Combined with weekly patrols on an annual basis, the Volatus Group patrols over 1,600,000 kilometers of pipeline. “Light aircraft and helicopters remain the most common solution for pipeline monitoring, but drones are the future,” says Glen Lynch CEO of Volatus. “We are enhancing our competitive advantage by introducing drones and eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft in the months and years ahead to supplement and replace conventional aircraft. This will save our clients money, make processes safer, and reduce green-house gas emissions.” “Our oil and gas clients need reliable data,” added Ben Ruszkowski, Vice President of Business Development at Volatus' subsidiary Synergy Aviation. “We provide them with cost effective, environmentally friendly, and high-quality data solutions to protect their right-of-way assets and the environment using our proprietary technology.” According to the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP), 840,000 kilometres of pipelines safely transport liquids, such as natural gas, and crude oil, across Canada. The requirements for maintaining pipelines are heavily regulated by Provincial and Federal authorities. Regular aerial surveillance is a key method of compliance and protection used to anticipate, prevent, and mitigate environmental hazards and potentially dangerous conditions such as pipeline leaks and erosion, encroachment by vegetation, or third-party activities like construction, digging, and plowing. About Volatus Aerospace: Volatus Aerospace Corp. is a leading provider of integrated drone solutions throughout North America and growing into Latin America and globally. Volatus serves civil, public safety, and defense markets with imaging and inspection, security and surveillance, equipment sales and support, training, as well as R&D, design, and manufacturing. Through our subsidiary, Volatus Aviation, we are introducing green and innovative drone solutions to supplement and replace traditional aircraft and helicopters for long-linear inspections such as pipeline, energy, rail, and cargo services. Volatus is committed to carbon neutrality; the fostering of a safe, equitable and inclusive workplace; and responsible governance. Forward-Looking Information This news release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs, and current expectations of the Company with respect to future business activities and operating performance. Often, but not always, forward-looking information and forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, or “believes” or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or statements formed in the future tense or indicating that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” (or other variations of the foregoing) be taken, occur, be achieved, or come to pass. Forward-looking information includes information regarding: (i) the anticipated benefits of, and estimated revenue to be generated by, the master service agreement; (ii) the business plans and expectations of the Company; and (iii) expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Forward-looking information is based on currently available competitive, financial, and economic data and operating plans, strategies, or beliefs of management as of the date of this news release, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors may be based on information currently available to the Company, including information obtained from third-party industry analysts and other third-party sources, and are based on management’s current expectations or beliefs. Any and all forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflects expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Forward-looking information and forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current beliefs and is based on information currently available to it and on assumptions it believes to be not unreasonable in light of all of the circumstances. In some instances, material factors or assumptions are discussed in this news release in connection with statements containing forward-looking information. Such material factors and assumptions include, but are not limited to: the anticipated benefits and revenues of the master service agreement to the Company; the commercialization of drone flights beyond visual line of sight and potential benefits to the Company; meeting the continued listing requirements of the TSXV; and including, but not limited to, those factors set forth in the Company’s Annual Information Form under the section “Risk Factors”. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. The forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this news release and, other than as required by law, the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release Source: Volatus Aerospace Corp. TSXV: VOL Contact Details Rob Walker +1 204-955-2647 rob.walker@volatusaerospace.com Company Website https://volatusaerospace.com

March 06, 2023 07:45 AM Eastern Standard Time

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News Release

Legible turning the page for eReading with LibrarianAI launch

Legible

Legible co-founder and CEO Kaleeg Hainsworth joins Natalie Stoberman from the Proactive studio to discuss how the company continues to grow in the e-book space with the beta launch of its LibrarianAI web plugin. Legible is a book entertainment and media company that provides innovative eReading experiences to anyone anywhere with an internet-enabled device. Legible has developed a browser-based, mobile-first B2C eBook entertainment platform delivering a global online bookstore and reading system through Legible.com; and a global B2B eBook conversion and production service with high revenue potential called Legible Publishing. Contact Details Proactive Canada +1 604-688-8158 na-editorial@proactiveinvestors.com

March 02, 2023 01:12 PM Eastern Standard Time

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