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Vacation® Inc. Announces $6M Series A Funding Round

Vacation®, Inc.

Vacation®, an award-winning sunscreen company that’s on a mission to make sunscreen fun, has announced the completion of a $6 million Series A funding round. Led by Silas Capital, an emerging growth equity and venture capital firm that invests behind exceptional next-generation consumer brands, the oversubscribed round includes investments from True Beauty Ventures, BFG Partners, Sonoma Brands, Marla Beck (Co-Founder and former CEO of Blue Mercury), David Grutman (Founder of Groot Hospitality), Heela Yang Tsuzuki (Co-Founder and CEO of Sol de Janeiro), and others. Vacation®’s rapid growth can be attributed to its ability to bring a fun, unexpected new approach to the sunscreen category. Pairing best-in-class skincare and suncare science with novel and innovative formats (such as a whipped cream-inspired SPF ), its “leisure-enhancing” products regularly go viral on social media platforms, organically racking up views in the millions and leading to inventory selling out across retailers. In addition to novel formats and best-in-class formulas, their cult-favorite products also focus heavily on the sensorial experience. They are carefully designed to make you look, feel, and smell like you’ve been to paradise and back, and are coupled with an immersive brand world that helps transport users to a place of bliss. Vacation® plans to use this infusion of capital to: Expand its distribution nationwide, entering all doors of Ulta Beauty, Nordstrom, and Anthropologie, as well as inking new partnerships with BlueMercury, CIBO, and Aerie. In addition to national retail partnerships, Vacation® will deepen its commitment to local “leisure destinations” such as The Standard, Kith, Ace Hotel, Palisociety, Mondrian, Fellow Barber, C.O. Bigelow and more. Invest in talent. Recent hires include London Nielsen-Krupski as Senior Vice President, Sales & Commercial Strategy (previously at Bondi Sands, L’Oreal, and PepsiCo), Ryan Bukstein as Vice President of Marketing (previously at Ace Hotels), Katrina Virani as Vice President of Product Development (previously at Pacifica, The Honest Company, MAC Cosmetics and KORRES), and Hannah Kollock as Director of Growth Marketing (previously at COOLA and Milk Makeup). Develop even more “leisure-enhancing” sunscreen products with the help of industry leaders such as Carlos Huber of ARQUISTE Parfumeur, Rodrigo Flores-Roux of Givaudan, and Dr. Elizabeth Hale, Dermatologist and SVP of the Skin Cancer Foundation. “Dakota, Lach, and Marty have built an incredible brand that is bringing fun back to the sun care category, while demonstrating the ability to break through the inefficiency of digital marketing today with innovative products and creative marketing – that’s their unfair advantage,” said Brian Thorne, Partner at Silas Capital and Head Chair of the Jimmy Buffett Excellence Committee at Vacation®. “While the company is laser-focused on building a sizable business within sun care, we do believe that Vacation® has the permission to extend into a wide array of adjacent categories and the opportunity to ultimately become this generation’s Margaritaville.” About Vacation®, Inc Vacation®, Inc is an award-winning sunscreen company from Miami USA on a mission to make sunscreen fun. Founded by Marty Bell, Lach Hall, and Dakota Green, the trio worked alongside Dr. Elizabeth Hale, Board Certified Dermatologist and an SVP of The Skin Cancer Foundation, as well as world-renowned perfumers Carlos Huber and Rodrigo Flores-Roux to create “Leisure-Enhancing” SPF products that are both unique in the category - take their whipped cream-inspired “Classic Whip Sunscreen Mousse” - and which make the wearer look, feel, and smell like they’ve been to paradise and back. Vacation® Inc launched in June 2021 and quickly became a viral sensation, beloved for its lust-worthy products and nostalgic 360-degree brand world inspired by the sun-soaked days of 1980s beach culture. Vacation® Inc has been praised by tastemakers including Kourtney Kardashian and Jasmine Sanders, has been featured in dozens of publications, from Fast Company to Vogue, and has received sought-after awards from GQ, Esquire, Allure, Refinery29, and many more. Contact Details Ray Smith vacation@vacation.inc Company Website https://www.vacation.inc/

May 16, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Perfitly Partners with TaylorMade-Japan to Enable True ‘Try Before You Buy’ in a Unique Solution

Perfitly

Perfitly is an AI-based AR/VR fitting room solution that is integrated into the e-commerce platforms of nation’s leading retailers, today announced its partnership with TaylorMade Japan, a subsidiary of TaylorMade USA, the world’s foremost manufacturer of high-performance golf equipment. The Perfitly virtual fitting room enables TaylorMade’s apparel collection to be tried-on before buying in an interactive visual experience. Through the Perfitly widget shoppers can see and select the size & style of garments that will fit and look best on their body. They can try on multiple garments concurrently to build outfits. This immersive and personalized process has solved the online challenges of low conversions, high returns and personalization. “We’re thrilled to be working with TaylorMade Japan,” said Kash Vyas, Chief Technology Officer and Co-founder at Perfitly. “Perfitly offers a stunning visual dressing room experience for shoppers. It allows shoppers to mix & match clothing to instantly create unique outfits providing an effective and fuller experience, as well as benefits for retailers from higher sales and lower returns.” Reduced return rates and increased conversion creates a large impact on profitability and sustainability simultaneously. “Partnering with Perfitly provides shoppers a fun, interactive and immersive experience,” said Jason Maitland, Director of Consumer Direct at TaylorMade. “The solution allows our customers to visualize clothes, sizes and styles on their personal body shape and buy with confidence.” About Perfitly Perfitly is an AI powered augmented reality & virtual reality (AR/VR) virtual fitting room solution that is being integrated into the e-commerce platforms of the world’s leading retailers. Perfitly’s cutting-edge size recommendation & visualization platform and end to end functions help fashion retailers to increase sales & conversion and reduce returns, while enhancing sustainability. Perfitly enables shoppers to try on clothes, find their perfect fit and look, and purchase with confidence - all from the comfort of their homes. The Perfitly functions generate vast amounts of apparel and consumer AI, data and analytics. To learn more, please visit: Perfitly.com. About TaylorMade-Japan TaylorMade Golf has led the golf industry's technological revolution since the company was founded in 1979. TaylorMade metalwoods, irons and putters have been used to win hundreds of professional golf tournaments around the world. To shop the collection, please visit: Taylormadegolf.jp. Contact Details North 6th Agency for Perfitly +1 215-460-6327 perfitly@n6a.com Company Website https://www.perfitly.com/

May 16, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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H&T thriving and expanding in first quarter

H&T Group PLC

Chris Gillespie, CEO of H&T Group PLC (AIM:HAT), discussed the thriving pawnbroking business in an interview with Chris Rhodes on Proactive London. Despite the ups and downs, H&T Group has experienced record borrowing demand and an increase in customers paying off loans to retrieve their jewellery for celebrations. The need for small-sum credit remains strong, and the company expects continued growth in its core pawnbroking product. Gillespie also emphasised expanding its geographic coverage by opening 15-20 new stores nationwide this year. Contact Details Proactive UK Ltd +44 20 7989 0813 uk@proactiveinvestors.com

May 16, 2023 03:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Cedrus Group Signs Investment And Advisory Collaboration Agreement With Xiuzheng Pharmaceutical Group

Cedrus Group

BEIJING, CHINA - Media OutReach - 16 May 2023 - Cedrus Group ("Cedrus"), a global Swiss financial group, is pleased to announce that it has signed a collaboration agreement with Xiuzheng Pharmaceutical Group ("Xiuzheng") in March 2023. Xiuzheng is a renowned Chinese pharmaceutical major; namely, it engages in R&D, production and marketing of patent medicine, chemical and biological medicine, franchise operation of pharmacies, and standardized cultivation of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Xiuzheng owns 130 subsidiaries, employs a workforce of over 100,000 and has more than 2,000 references of medicines and health foods. Central to the collaboration, which jointly aims to assess and conduct direct investments in the life sciences industry, is the eagerness to invest in the world's leading innovators in the sector and become their trusted partner in their expansion into the Greater China Region. Bringing these innovative companies to the region will yield a plethora of benefits for the already highly sophisticated Chinese life sciences sector. Cedrus will leverage its connectivity across the life sciences industry globally, along with its deploying its distinguished investment banking services and capitalizing on its European headquarters in Zurich, to act as a holistic enabler and connector between Xiuzheng and overseas technologies and products in the course successfully executing cross-border transactions. Additionally, Cedrus will advise Xiuzheng in order to establish itself on a global-scale and write further chapters in its success story. In addition to investment, Xiuzheng will provide valuable support to the opportunities brought to China, namely in the form of clinical trials advisory, access to manufacturing partners and utilizing its experienced work force to market and distribute products. For over a decade, Cedrus has been actively engaged in bringing foreign innovative technologies, products and treatments from across the life sciences space, in particular from Switzerland and other European countries to the Greater China region. Cedrus, in its capacity as an investor and advisor, identifies visionary companies looking to gain early access to one of the largest pharmaceutical markets in the world and partners with them, offering investment and ongoing advisory in their market entry and growth in China. Mr. Rani Jarkas, Chairman of the Cedrus Group, said that "We are proud to be working closely with Xiuzheng to invest and bring innovative life sciences companies to China. An investment committee has been formed and regular meetings are held to assess to robust pipeline of opportunities. Combining the unique domain expertise of Cedrus and Xiuzheng, we are creating an unparalleled and momentous win-win situation where we bring unique technologies to China and build on the esteemed reputation of our partner Xiuzheng in China and support its transition into a world-class Chinese global pharmaceutical group." About Cedrus Group Cedrus Group is a private Swiss financial group with integrated investment banking and investment capabilities. In addition to offering Private Wealth Management, Investment Management and Financial Advisory Services, Cedrus, through its group companies, invests directly and globally in businesses and projects by leveraging its specific expertise in life sciences, natural resources, nanotech and innovative technologies. Cedrus' Greater China Region headquarters are in Beijing, with European headquarters in Zurich and further offices strategically positioned across the globe. Contact Details Cedrus Group Amy Sin +852 3519 2828 information@cedrusinvestments.com

May 15, 2023 10:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Kite Hill PR Reaches 10-Year Milestone

Kite Hill PR

Kite Hill PR, the award-winning agile tech PR and B2B communications agency, celebrates 10 years of business and has been named a Top B2B PR Agency by PR Daily. The award honors agencies that deliver on their promises to clients and raise the bar on effective communications strategies and tactics. The agency credits its success to its award-winning culture of collaboration, which has prioritized and operationalized mentorship. To celebrate this notable business milestone, the agency is launching a “Modern Mentorship” campaign highlighting advice from top female leaders on innovation, agility and collaboration. Helmed by an all-female leadership team, the agency has worked with over 180 clients in the last decade, organized and managed 30+ industry events and won 18 awards for its culture, leadership and the results it drives for clients. The company’s notable organic growth was bolstered by the acquisition of Cutler PR in 2018. With a history of working with tech innovators, the agency’s practice areas currently include adtech, media, B2B tech, healthtech, fintech, climate tech, cybersecurity and mobility. Kite Hill PR’s founding team launched Communications Week® in 2014, a preeminent event created to inspire, inform and connect those in PR and communications, which was acquired by Ragan Communications in 2021. The company’s innovative approach to agile PR, the PR Sprint ® Workflow, was launched in 2018 and the company was awarded a US trademark for this unique approach to managing PR campaigns in 2021. “I attribute our continued success to our culture of innovation, collaboration and learning. Over the last decade, we have focused on supporting our team through robust learning and development resources to fuel growth and encourage innovative thinking,” said Tiffany Guarnaccia, CEO and Founder of Kite Hill PR. “Mentorship plays a huge role in my life and in our agency. In the spirit of collaboration, we’re marking our anniversary by celebrating modern mentorship.” The anniversary video series “Modern Mentorship” highlights perspectives from industry luminaries on mentorship and features reflections from the last decade along with actionable tips for professionals seeking career advice. Interviewees include Janet Balis, Partner, CMO Practice Leader - Business Transformation, EY; Shannan Herbert, EVP, Inclusive Credit; Tameka Kee, Deputy Managing Director, Coalition for Innovative Media Measurement; Bonnie Kintzer, President and CEO, TMB; Linda Ong, CEO and founder, CULTIQUE; Tiffany Ricks, CEO, HacWare; Diane Schwartz, CEO, Ragan Communications; Patrice Tanaka, founder, Joyful Planet; Tonia Wellons, President and CEO, Greater Washington Community Foundation and Lisa Marrocchino, CEO of Proteus Ocean Group. Videos will be released on the Kite Hill PR website, LinkedIn and YouTube today through July 2023. “As we continue to shape a best-in-class work from anywhere culture, we have operationalized our L&D program to make mentorship a part of our DNA. We cultivate peer-to-peer relationships based on various parameters, encourage reverse mentoring, and create opportunities for department levels to problem solve and learn from one another,” said Guarnaccia. “The campaign is a natural extension of Kite Hill PR’s ethos as we seek to strengthen the PR industry at large and empower the next generation of leaders.” To learn more about Kite Hill PR’s unique approach to mentorship and its Modern Mentorship campaign, visit https://www.kitehillpr.com/modern-mentorship Headquartered in New York City with team members in the UK and across North America, Kite Hill PR is a leading B2B communications and agile tech PR agency with practice areas in adtech, martech and creative agencies; B2B and enterprise tech; climate tech; cybersecurity; fintech; healthtech; media and entertainment and mobility. The company's winning approach combines thought leadership, strategy and media relations to drive clients' businesses forward. Kite Hill PR has been recognized as one of the "Top Tech Specialist PR Agencies in NYC,” “Most Powerful PR Firms,” and a “Top 50 PR Firm in America” by the Observer, a “Best Place to Work” by PR News and one of "America's Best PR Agencies" by Forbes Contact Details Kite Hill PR Kerriann Becker kerriann@kitehillpr.com

May 15, 2023 10:31 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Small Business Drives the US Economy

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/v0QdeVWGsMg Small business owners are the backbone of the U.S. economy and the true powerhouses behind the nation’s economic success. Entrepreneurship is booming in the United States. In fact, 5.1 million U.S. business applications were filed in 2022. These small businesses fuel the nation’s economy and drive growth. Our economy is an ecosystem where big businesses and small businesses are vendors, employees, partners, and customers to each other. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce helps to strengthen and support America’s small businesses especially during challenging and uncertain times. The Chamber’s new Prompt Pay Pledge asks companies to pay their small business suppliers and vendors quicker to ensure the nation’s economic success. Companies who sign the Prompt Pay Pledge commit to quicker payment for invoices or enabling private financing solutions, and clearly communicating payment policies and terms to their small business suppliers or vendors. Several major U.S. companies including JP Morgan Chase, Intuit, Alpha Technologies, Accion Opportunity Fund, and Vistage partnered with the U.S. Chamber to launch the Pledge. In recognition of small businesses nationwide, the U.S. Chamber recently announced it is looking for “America’s Top Small Business” of 2023. The awards program celebrates America’s small business owners who are making a meaningful contribution to the economy and job creation and embody the spirit of innovation, entrepreneurship, and initiative. Eligible small business owners can apply for the awards online at uschamber.com/co by July 7, 2023. How the U.S. Chamber Supports Small Business The Prompt Pay Pledge and “America’s Top Small Business” is part of the U.S. Chamber’s longstanding commitment to supporting and advocating for small businesses. We work every day to give small businesses a big voice in Washington, connecting entrepreneurs and federal officials and advocating for policies that help them grow rather than holding them back. Our Small Business Council is made up of 100 small business owners from across the country that steer our work in fighting for policies that keep Main Street businesses thriving and regularly visit Capitol Hill. Since 2017, we have partnered with MetLife to survey small businesses on a quarterly basis for the Small Business Index, which provides valuable insights on current challenges and opportunities for small business that inform our advocacy in Congress. Through our small business platform CO—, which helps almost 20,000 businesses every day and had more than six million site visits last year alone, we are equipping small businesses with the tools and insights they need to ensure their own resilience in the face of any challenge. For more information visit: uschamber.com Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

May 12, 2023 03:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Nextech3D.AI expands 3D modeling service with Vornado Air with granting of Amazon 'early access'

Nextech3D.AI

Nextech3D.AI CEO Evan Gappelberg tells Proactive's Stephen Gunnion that the company has signed an expansion contract for its 3D modeling service with fan company Vornado Air to bring 3D models onto the Amazon Prime marketplace through the company's 'early access' program. Gappelberg said Nextech is already approved as a preferred 3D model supplier for Amazon and the granting of the early access means it is able to bring its customers outside of Amazon's ecosystem to the platform. He said the company is scaling its AI technology to produce an unlimited number of 3D models to meet the growing demand. Contact Details Proactive Investors Canada +1 604-688-8158 na-editorial@proactiveinvestors.com

May 12, 2023 11:12 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work: Preparing the Workforce for an AI-Driven Economy

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/dF-Ro-2ZuM4 Over the next 10 to 20 years, virtually every business and government agency will use Artificial Intelligence. This will have a profound impact on society, the economy, and national security. ChatGPT and autonomous vehicles are two examples of the various applications of AI that demonstrate the ability these technologies have to fundamentally transform how Americans live and work. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Commission on Artificial Intelligence Competition, Inclusion, and Innovation recently released a report outlining recommendations for how to address key risks associated with AI, while maximizing the technology’s enormous potential benefits. The report recommends that policymakers must address regulations, workforce preparation and education, global competitiveness—especially pertaining to intellectual property—and national security protections. The U.S. should not pause the development of AI, but rather take the necessary action to ensure we have trustworthy AI and maintain a competitive position in the global economy. Jordan Crenshaw, Senior Vice President of the Chamber’s Technology Engagement Center conducted a nationwide media tour discussing the report and the state of Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work. Topics that Jordan discussed included: How widespread will the use of artificial intelligence be in the coming years. How to get the U.S. workforce ready and ways to help businesses hire people. Ways the U.S. can stay competitive. Concerns about regulating artificial intelligence. Should there be a pause on development? For more information visit: www.uschamber.com/aicommission Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

May 12, 2023 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Stay One Step Ahead: Master the Essentials of Cybersecurity Readiness!

YourUpdateTV

From data breaches to phishing scams, cybercrime is on the rise, and it's time to arm yourself with the knowledge and tools to stay safe in the digital world. Recently, Dave Lewis, Global Advisory Chief Information Security Officer at Cisco Security, conducted a satellite media tour to share tips and tricks to outsmart cyber criminals and stay safe online. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/VDTqR8LqwOM After surveying over 6,700 cybersecurity leaders worldwide, Cisco found that less than 15% of companies were ‘Mature’ enough (or considered to have advanced enough security) to defend against modern cybersecurity risks, even though 82% of respondents said they expect a cybersecurity incident to disrupt their business in the next two years. While this may not seem to directly impact consumers at first, the aftermath can take a large toll on the public, causing emails, credit cards and personal information to be leaked on the internet. Here are some tips that Lewis shared: · Be a safe shopper: o Never use a debit card, use a credit card, I like one specifically for online purchases. o Don’t save your personal or credit card information on any company site – If they company doesn’t have it, the company can’t lose it, and the criminals can’t steal it. o Closely watch your online accounts. · Build cyber street smarts - Criminals will use information from a breach against you: o Evaluate the company before sharing personal information. o Only share essential information with any company or third-party. o Know the signs of a scam - If it seems too good to be true, if there’s too much pressure. · Personal resilience - Expect breaches: o Use multi-factor on all accounts. o Use separate email addresses and credit cards – our phones may make this easier. o Talk about it when it happens – empathy and compassion, kinder than necessary. According to Cisco, 60% of respondents said they had a cybersecurity incident in the last year, which cost 41% of organizations affected at least $500,000. While forward-looking businesses are investing in resilience and focused on improving their ability to defend against and minimize the impact of an attack, consumers also must take an active role in protecting their own information, especially as breaches become more and more inevitable. To learn more about this and Cisco’s Cybersecurity Readiness Index, visit: cisco.com/go/readinessindex BIO: Dave Lewis is a Global Advisory CISO at Cisco Security. He has 25 years of experience in IT security operations and management including a decade dealing with critical infrastructure security. He is the founder of the security site Liquidmatrix Security Digest and writes columns for Daily Swig, Forbes and several other publications. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

May 11, 2023 02:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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