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Business Council for Peace (Bpeace) Announces Sabrina Prince Elected to Its Board of Directors

Bpeace

The Business Council for Peace (Bpeace) announced today the election of Sabrina Prince, to the Board of Directors. Prince is an Executive Vice President at FCB Health Europe, a global healthcare marketing agency. She has served as a traveling volunteer Skillanthropist and member of Bpeace's Executive Council for four years. Toni Maloney, Bpeace’s CEO, noted, “Sabrina is a shrewd strategist and empathetic leader with 20+ years in healthcare marketing, including research, public relations and advertising. At Bpeace, we know her as a trusted volunteer marketing advisor to the small businesses in our portfolio, helping them recognize their brand essence and cultivate strategies to expand customer loyalty. To the Board level, she now brings perspective as a champion of diversity and inclusion, actively advocating for employee engagement and mentorship. She will be a great asset to the Board.” Prince commented, "Over the past four years with Bpeace, I have advised hospitality, healthcare and consumer goods brands at pivotal growth stages–building on their established talents and providing tools or foundational concepts they are able to customize and apply to their needs. My first Skillanthropist project was remote consultation with an Afghan business, Pakiza Dairy, a milk-processing company. And I am still holding to my promise of trying their yogurt in person someday! I look forward to working with the Board and Toni to further the impact of Bpeace." The Business Council for Peace (Bpeace) is an award-winning nonprofit working in crisis-affected communities to grow small businesses, create significant employment for all, and expand the economic power of women. More jobs mean less violence.® FCB Health Network is one of the world’s most awarded communications networks, focused on creating game-changing marketing solutions for consumers, patients and healthcare professionals. Contact Details Business Council for Peace Joan Harper +44 7572 885584 joanharper5364@gmail.com Business Council for Peace Caroline Basso +1 607.222.5791 cbasso@bpeace.org

March 29, 2021 09:15 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Hong Kong Baptist University-led research unlocks the genomic secrets of organisms that thrive in extreme deep-sea environments

Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 29 March 2021 - A study led by scientists at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) has decoded the genomes of the deep-sea clam ( Archivesica marissinica ) and the chemoautotrophic bacteria ( Candidatus Vesicomyosocius marissinica) that live in its gill epithelium cells. Through analysis of their genomic structures and profiling of their gene expression patterns, the research team revealed that symbiosis between the two partners enables the clams to thrive in extreme deep-sea environments. The research findings have been published in the academic journal Molecular Biology and Evolution. Due to the general lack of photosynthesis-derived organic matter, the deep-sea was once considered a vast "desert" with very little biomass. Yet, clams often form large populations in the high-temperature hydrothermal vents and freezing cold seeps in the deep oceans around the globe where sunlight cannot penetrate but toxic molecules, such as hydrogen sulfide, are available below the seabed. The clams are known to have a reduced gut and digestive system, and they rely on endosymbiotic bacteria to generate energy in a process called chemosynthesis. However, when this symbiotic relationship developed, and how the clams and chemoautotrophic bacteria interact, remain largely unclear. Horizontal gene transfer between bacteria and clams discovered for the first time A research team led by Professor Qiu Jianwen, Associate Head and Professor of the Department of Biology at HKBU, collected the clam specimens at 1,360 metres below sea level from a cold seep in the South China Sea. The genomes of the clam and its symbiotic bacteria were then sequenced to shed light on the genomic signatures of their successful symbiotic relationship. The team found that the ancestor of the clam split with its shallow-water relatives 128 million years ago when dinosaurs roamed the earth. The study revealed that 28 genes have been transferred from the ancestral chemoautotrophic bacteria to the clam, the first discovery of horizontal gene transfer—a process that transmits genetic material between distantly-related organisms —from bacteria to a bivalve mollusc. The following genomic features of the clam were discovered, and combined, they have enabled it to adapt to the extreme deep-sea environment: (1) Adaptions for chemosynthesis The clam relies on its symbiotic chemoautotrophic bacteria to produce the biological materials essential for its survival. In their symbiotic relationship, the clam absorbs hydrogen sulfide from the sediment, and oxygen and carbon dioxide from seawater, and it transfers them to the bacteria living in its gill epithelium cells to produce the energy and nutrients in a process called chemosynthesis. The process is illustrated in Figure 1. The research team also discovered that the clam's genome exhibits gene family expansion in cellular processes such as respiration and diffusion that likely facilitate chemoautotrophy, including gas delivery to support energy and carbon production, the transfer of small molecules and proteins within the symbiont, and the regulation of the endosymbiont population. It helps the host to obtain sufficient nutrients from the symbiotic bacteria. (2) Shift from phytoplankton-based food Cellulase is an enzyme that facilitates the decomposition of the cellulose found in phytoplankton, a major primary food source in the marine food chain. It was discovered that the clam's cellulase genes have undergone significant contraction, which is likely an adaptation to the shift from phytoplankton-derived to bacteria-based food. (3) Adaptation to sulfur metabolic pathways The genome of the symbiont also holds the secrets of this mutually beneficial relationship. The team discovered that the clam has a reduced genome, as it is only about 40% of the size of its free-living relatives. Nevertheless, the symbiont genome encodes complete and flexible sulfur metabolic pathways, and it retains the ability to synthesise 20 common amino acids and other essential nutrients, highlighting the importance of the symbiont in generating energy and providing nutrients to support the symbiotic relationship. (4) Improvement in oxygen-binding capacity Unlike in vertebrates, haemoglobin, a metalloprotein found in the blood and tissues of many organisms, is not commonly used as an oxygen carrier in molluscs. However, the team discovered several kinds of highly expressed haemoglobin genes in the clam, suggesting an improvement in its oxygen-binding capacity, which can enhance the ability of the clam to survive in deep-sea low-oxygen habitats. Professor Qiu said: "Most of the previous studies on deep-sea symbiosis have focused only on the bacteria. This first coupled clam–symbiont genome assembly will facilitate comparative studies that aim to elucidate the diversity and evolutionary mechanisms of symbiosis, which allows many invertebrates to thrive in 'extreme' deep-sea ecosystems." The research was jointly conducted by scientists from HKBU and the HKBU Institute for Research and Continuing Education, the Hong Kong Branch of the Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, City University of Hong Kong, the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, the Sanya Institute of Deep-Sea Science and Engineering, and the Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey. Contact Details Communication and Public Relations Office Wong Suk-ling +852 3411 2119 hkbunews@hkbu.edu.hk Company Website https://www.hkbu.edu.hk/

March 29, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Consumer lender Fintern appoints Chief Risk Officer

Stockwood Strategy

Prior to joining Fintern, Mark was a Partner at EY, where he specialised in Credit Analytics and led EY's Quantitative Advisory Services team of 200 quantitative analysts. Since joining EY in 2005, Mark has served virtually every major UK bank on the topic of credit modelling and the use of advanced analytics. At Fintern, Mark will leverage his market-leading experience to develop Fintern's next-generation credit technology and improve access to affordable credit. Mark holds a PhD in mathematics and has been a leading advocate for the use of alternative data in fairer credit decisioning. Gerald Chappell, Fintern CEO, said "I am excited about Mark's vision for Fintern, as well as his passion for using data and analytics to fix the failings of the credit score system and improve access to affordable credit. Given his career track record, he will bring world-class analytics, artificial intelligence and strategic expertise to build on the strengths of the existing management team." On his appointment, Mark London commented: "I am delighted to be joining Fintern at this important time. Fintern's mission to transform consumer credit markets, bypassing a broken credit scoring system that unfairly excludes millions of people from affordable loans, is more relevant now than ever with the economic disruption caused by Covid-19. Using Open Banking and other alternative data we can improve financial lives by bringing affordable and responsible loans to many more people." Mark added "I am excited about Fintern's commitment to interactive lending. As CRO, I will ensure we share our insights with customers, that we will help them to make decisions that are in their best interest, and that we will provide full transparency on all our lending decisions." Michelle He, Fintern COO and CFO, said "Mark will find an amazing home here at Fintern, and a deep commitment from the entire Fintern team to challenging the traditional lending approach and helping consumers recover as we emerge from Covid-19." About Fintern Fintern is a digital consumer lender on a mission to expand access to low-cost personal finance and transform financial well-being. Fintern's next-generation credit technology takes a holistic look at each applicant’s financial situation rather than making a decision solely based on a credit score. Fintern builds relationships with customers helping them to understand their repayment capacity and credit appetite. Fintern integrates its AI platform with Open Banking to smartly connect the dots in consumers' banking data enabling Fintern to obtain the most accurate view of borrowers' affordability and spending behaviour using up to the minute transaction information. Fintern was founded in 2020 with a team from McKinsey, EY, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, HSBC and XiaoMi. Fintern is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, firm reference number 929244, a member of Cifas (the UK's leading anti-fraud association) and registered with the UK Information Commissioner's Office in compliance with the Data Protection Regulations 2018. Contact Details Fintern Sam Power +44 7400 122813 press@fintern.ai Company Website https://fintern.ai/

March 29, 2021 04:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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NextFerm Technologies Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020 Audited Financial Results

NextFerm Technologies Ltd.

For the first time, Company recorded initial net revenues of $95 thousand in H2 2020, and expects significant net revenue growth in the upcoming quarters, with consistent improvement in gross profit starting H2 2021 Expects to begin mass production phase of ProteVin™, its proprietary vegan protein while generating initial demand from leading food and dietary supplement producers by the end of 2021 In January 2021 the Company consummated its IPO on TASE and raised ~ ILS 35.2 million NextFerm Technologies Ltd. (TASE:NXFR), a Food-tech company that develops, produces and markets nutritional ingredients and yeast-based, vegan, non-GMO protein alternatives for a wide range of uses for the growing protein substitute market, food market and food supplement market, reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2020. 2020 Highlights and 2021 Targets: Astaferm™- In Q3 2020 the Company recorded first revenues after launching Astaferm™, a potent, yeast-based and non-GMO antioxidant, in the US dietary supplement market by Purity Products, an established US dietary supplement brand, on its website, on Amazon and in physical stores. In February 2021, Carlson Labs, a US veteran dietary supplement producer, has launched Astaferm™-based dietary supplement on its website and in stores. The Company expects additional launches of Astaferm™ throughout 2021 with leading US dietary supplement companies. ProteVin™ - A vegan protein developed by the Company, with nutritional value similar to animal protein and a neutral flavor, suitable for use as a quality source of protein in various markets: The sports nutrition market, the meat-replacements market, the milk market, infant and adult nutrition markets and more. The Company expects commercialization of the product in the US during 2022. Its main targets for 2021 include: (1) Completing industrial scale-up phase, including engagement with sub-contractors for mass production infrastructure; (2) Creating initial market demand with first purchase order or agreement by the end of 2021. “We ended an exciting year in which we became a public company, recorded first sales of our Astaferm™ antioxidant in the US and completed the development of ProteVin™, our flagship product, a first-of-a-kind, yeast-based vegan protein with similar nutritional value to animal proteins with a neutral flavor." said Boaz Noy, Chief Executive Officer of NextFerm. "The fact that we achieved sales of almost USD 100,000 within a short period of time proves the need, interest and trust in Astaferm™ from leading dietary supplement players and consumers in the US. Astaferm’s uniqueness has been recognized thanks to its concentration of active ingredients, flavor and friendly gummy form. Astaferm™ enjoys respectable demand and in 2021 we expect to launch it with additional customers, which will reflect in the Company’s performance, consistent quarterly growth and improved gross profit." "As for ProteVin™, during 2021 we expect to commence commercial manufacturing scale-up, engagement with a manufacturing subcontractor and turning the growing interest of the alternative protein market into first ProteVin™ customer purchase order or contract by the end of 2021.” Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020 Financial Highlights Net Revenues increased 150% to $68 thousand, compared to the third quarter of 2020. These revenues derive from the first sales of Astaferm™ starting September 2020. 2020 Annual net revenues amounted $95 thousand. Under its strategic plan, during 2021, beside Purity Products and Carlson, the Company intends to have additional launches in cooperation with other US dietary supplement players. The Company expects consistent quarterly growth in 2021, and an improvement in Astaferm’s profitability by improving and streamlining production processes. Gross profit increased 116% to $13 thousand compared to the third quarter of 2020. While gross margin decreased 300 basis points to 19% from 22% in the fourth quarter of 2020. 2020 Annual Gross profit amounted $19 thousand (gross margin of 20%). The Company expects improvement of gross profitability, based on technological improvements, during H2 2021. Research and development expenses increased 42% to $653 thousand compared to the third quarter of 2020. Research and development annual expenses for 2020 decreased 27% to $2.2 million compared to the twelve months period ended December 31, 2019. The decrease is mainly due to a decrease in salaries and related expenses implemented in response to the COVID-19 crisis during 2020. Sales and marketing expenses increased 68% to $101 thousand compared to the third quarter of 2020. Sales and marketing annual expenses for 2020 increased 3.6% to $313 thousand compared to the twelve months period ended December 31, 2019. General and administrative expenses increased 43.5% to $178 thousand compared to the third quarter of 2020. General and administrative annual expenses for 2020 decreased 8.6% to $581 thousand compared to the twelve months period ended December 31, 2019. The decrease is mainly due to decrease in salaries and related expenses implemented in response to the COVID-19 crisis during 2020. Operating loss increased 44% to $919 thousand compared to the third quarter of 2020. 2020 Annual Operating loss decreased 20.5% to $3.1 million compared to the twelve months period ended December 31, 2019. Net loss increased 46% to $1.3 million compared to the third quarter of 2020. 2020 Annual Net loss decreased 26% to $3.4 million compared to the twelve months period ended December 31, 2019. Net cash used in operating activities for 2020 increased 275% to $3 million compared to the twelve months period ended December 31, 2019. The increase is mainly due cash inflow of $2.75 million received under the agreement with Lallemand, a giant multi-national corporation operating in the yeast industry, and recognized in the cash flow from operating activities in 2019. Cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2020 amounted $716 thousand, compared to $2.0 million as of December 31, 2019. In January 2021 the Company consummated an IPO of shares and warrants on the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange with gross proceeds of ILS 30.5 million. In parallel, the Company raised additional gross proceeds of ILS 4.7 million from existing shareholders under identical terms and conditions to the IPO. In total, the Company raised gross proceeds of $11 million. About NextFerm Technologies NextFerm Technologies (TASE:NXFR) is a food-tech company engaged in the research, development, production and marketing of yeast-based innovative, functional, vegan and non-GMO nutritional technologies and ingredients for a wide-range of uses for the food market, the dietary supplement market and the growing market for non-animal protein alternatives. NextFerm is developing and marketing Astaferm™, an innovative antioxidant, and ProteVin™, a vegan protein with nutritional value similar to that of animal protein with a neutral flavor. For more information on the Company’s website: www.nextferm.com Forward-looking statement This announcement also includes forecasts, projections, assessments, estimates and other information which refer to future events and matters, the realization of which is uncertain and not exclusively under the Company’s control (forward-looking information). The main facts and data used to support this information are facts and data regarding the current position of the Company and its businesses (including the scope of sales and levels of profitability, manpower, commercial engagements and more), facts and data regarding the current global position of the Company’s operating segments (including industry-specific financial developments, environmental regulatory developments, the competitive environment, technological developments, the reinsurance market and more), and macro-economic facts and data (including the economic situation both in Israel and around the world, yields in the capital markets, social and state developments and more), all as known by the Company when publishing this announcement. The forward-looking information included above in this announcement is significantly based upon, in addition to the existing information held by the Company, on the Company’s current assessments and expectations of future developments vis-a-vis each one of the aforementioned parameters, and the interconnectedness of each one of these developments. The Company has no certainty that its forecasts and assessments will indeed eventuate, and the Company’s operating results may be materially different than the results assessed or implicit based on that set forth above, inter alia, as a result of a change in any of the aforementioned factors. Contact Details NextFerm Technologies Ltd. Meirav Bauer +972 54-476-4979 meirav@bauerg.com Company Website https://www.nextferm.com/

March 26, 2021 06:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

GoGetVax Launches “VaxYes” To Help Convert Vaccine Cards into Digital Vaccine Certificate

GoGetVax

GoGetVax, the first end-to-end COVID-19 vaccine technology platform in the U.S., today announces the launch of “ VaxYes,” a digital platform that helps vaccinated individuals convert their vaccine cards into a secure digital vaccination certificate that can be used for traveling, attending live events, or returning to work. In a few easy steps, people who have received the vaccine can safely upload their vaccination card to their smartphone, eliminating worries over misplacing a paper record during a time when public health and safety remains a concern worldwide. As the COVID-19 vaccine roll out continues across the country, providing a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-approved vaccination card is likely to impact the ability to return to face-to-face work, gathering in crowds, planning vacations and more. Carrying a paper record is tedious – and the card is difficult to replace if lost. The VaxYes service provides users the ability to access to someone’s verified vaccination record by digitizing the vaccine card and removing the stress of carrying and not losing the card. “Having continuous access to your vaccination record during the pandemic is essential,” said GoGet, Inc. CEO Mohammad Gaber. GoGet, Inc. is the parent company of GoGetVax. “Providing this service to digitize an important document like your vaccine record is an important new part of our GoGetVax platform.” Converting a paper vaccine card into a digital vaccine certificate is easy. All a user has to do is visit the VaxYes page of the GoGetVax website, input their phone number, upload a photo of their vaccination card, and receive their digital vaccine certificate. The VaxYes service is free. “Proof of vaccination could be the key to returning to normalcy,” Gaber said. “Because of that, vaccination cards should be safeguarded and protected at all times. You never know when you might need to show it, and having it in your phone is the best way to ensure it’s at your fingertips whenever you need it.” GoGetVax, is helping thousands of people across the country seamlessly manage the vaccination process from start to finish, allowing them to review their eligibility, pre-register, receive real-time updates on availability and schedule a vaccination appointment. For more information on GoGetVax and VaxYes, including testing locations and scheduling a vaccination, visit https://www.gogetvax.com/. About GoGetVax GoGetVax is the easiest way to vaccinate your communities through a complete end-to-end technology platform designed for vaccine administration. The GoGetVax COVID-19 vaccination experience will help keep the nation’s communities and economies open and safe. GoGetVax’s COVID-19 response units ensure geographical reach to rural areas and fast activation in virus hotspots. For more information, visit http://gogetvax.com. Contact Details April White +1 323-216-8589 gogettested@trustrelations.agency Company Website https://www.gogetvax.com/

March 25, 2021 09:03 AM Eastern Daylight Time

CMMC Center of Excellence Announces Engagement Agreement with TechnoGen & TechnoGen Cybersecurity

Interoperability Clearinghouse

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Center of Excellence ( CMMC COE ), hosted by the Information Technology Acquisition Advisory Council (IT-AAC), a public-private partnership serving the public and private sectors for more than 15 years, is excited to announce a partnership with TechnoGen, Inc., an ISO 9001:2015, ISO 20000-1:2011, ISO 27001:2013 and CMMI Level 3 Global IT Services and Consulting Company headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia and Offshore Development Center in Hyderabad, India. This unique partnership will extend efforts to identify and include proven capabilities within the CMMC COE Marketplace to improve cybersecurity protection and resilience for the global defense industrial base network of contractors, vendors, and suppliers. In addition, the partnership with TechnoGen and TechnoGen Cybersecurity establishes a presence for the CMMC COE in India with a future plan for a Center of Excellence- India in collaboration with the CMMC COE APAC. With over 16 years of experience providing end to end IT Services and Solutions to the Public and Private sectors, TGI provides highly skilled and certiﬁed professionals committed to helping clients solve complex problems and achieve their goals, on time and under budget. “This is exciting opportunity for us”, said Mr. John Weiler, Chairman of the Board at CMMC Center of Excellence, “This new partnership will further help advance the goals and objectives for improving the supply chain security and resilience of the US Department of Defense (DoD)”. Mr. Lax Chepuri, CEO of TechnoGen, Inc. expressed confidence and delight in the newly formed relationship with the CMMC COE saying, “Both TechnoGen, Inc. and TechnoGen Cybersecurity and will bring enthusiastic support for the goals and standards of the CMMC COE in both the U.S. and India Defense sectors.” The executed Engagement Agreement establishes a collaborative engagement between TechnoGen and the CMMC COE to partner in the furthering of their respective and complementary missions and objectives regarding the adoption, use, and expansion of CMMC based cybersecurity practices, risk management, and compliance for the DIB contractor, vendor, and supplier community of providers creating a broader CMMC ecosystem globally to improve security and resilience. Specific actions will include: The co-development of CMMC advisory services, cyber training and education programs to accelerate CMMC certification, increase cyber adoption and improve cyber protection & resilience. Co-sponsor symposiums, training programs and podcasts leveraging their combined cyber and IT expertise. Host regular working groups, with other partners, to enable collaboration and communications. Establish an independent Industry Cyber Security Advisory Council with peer organizations to advise and educate leaders across government and industry on the continued evolution and effectiveness of CMMC. The CMMC-COE ( http://cmmc-coe.org ) and TechnoGen partnership will focus on bringing together the many disparate cyber and national security communities of interest to reduce complexity, improve awareness, and accelerate industry effort to become more cyber resilient against the growing threats from nation states and criminal enterprises. The CMMC-COE establishes both a Market Place and Knowledge Clearinghouse that will include resources that support the overall effort, including white papers; tutorials; recorded webcasts; presentations; and more that will help reduce the cost and burden on small and medium size contractors already struggling from the impact of COVID. For more information on the CMMC COE, please visit http://cmmc-coe.org, email info@cmmc-coe.org or call 703-863-3766 For more information on TechnoGen, please visit https://www.technogeninc.com/ About Us ---------- CMMC-COE.ORG is a unique non-profit public-private partnership, with a vision to accelerate Cybersecurity Maturity Model (CMM) adoption, and reduce time & cost for security compliance for our partners by leveraging commercial best practices, CMMC standards, and innovative solutions for a measurable success. Our mission, focused on DOD mission objectives, cost containment and expeditious CMMC compliance, is to help the DIB improve cyber posture and resilience, and simplify its acquisition. The CMMC-COE is hosted by the Information Technology Acquisition Advisory Council (IT-AAC), a public/private partnership (P3) chartered in 2007 as an honest broker to reach outside the confines of the Federal IT advisories that lack dynamic reach into the Global IT Market, and dedicated to the adoption of commercial IT management standards of practice and innovations emanating from the Global IT market. Team IT-AAC has already demonstrated the value of its decade long investment, and provides a unique value to agencies seeking to achieve accelerate the transformation of legacy processes and systems. Our Just-in-Time SMEs apply an innovative suite of Technology Business Management and Agile Acquisition Processes needed to assure the business value of commercial IT. The Interoperability Clearinghouse (ICH), is the managing partner that make up the 24 NGO/SDO organizations that make up the IT-AAC. ICH provides the contract vehicles, clearances, and critical resources proven to guide sustainable, measurable and repeatable processes needed to drive better investment decisions as the speed of mission need, while aligning existing processes, methods and workforce with IT reform mandates contained in Clinger Cohen Act, FITARA, IT MGT Act, EO13838. Contact Details Bob Dix +1 703-975-6633 bob.dix@it-aac.org Company Website https://cmmc-coe.org

March 22, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Clearbanc and Pencil partner to help ecommerce businesses grow using creative AI

Stockwood Strategy

Creative AI company Pencil has partnered with the world’s largest e-commerce investor Clearbanc to provide their customers with the latest innovation in online video advertising, Machine Generated Creative (MGC). These ads can be created in minutes and consistently double return on ad spend for brands. It is anticipated that companies using the Pencil platform will be able to unlock new audiences on Facebook and Instagram and grow revenue faster. MGC online video ads are generated by artificial intelligence (AI), while learning what resonates with audiences, in order to systematically deliver better results for brands. Using historic ad performance data, Pencil is able to understand what in the ad is resonating with customers. It can then generate new batches of ad ideas which are new and distinct, but which share winning characteristics with past winners. In this way Pencil learns what works while continuously exploring new ideas that could resonate with audiences. Pencil analysed over 100 campaigns that used MGC video ads and found the best MGC ads delivered an average return on ad spend (ROAS) 2x that of other ads the brands were running. One brand’s MGC campaign delivered 7x higher ROAS. Will Hanschell, CEO and co-founder of Pencil commented: “This partnership with Clearbanc underlines the success we’ve had with our Machine Generated Creative ads for brands around the world. These ads are helping ecommerce brands and agencies grow, and I am confident we can help them scale further.” This partnership announcement comes hot o n the heels of Pencil joining as a creative partner in Facebook Marketing Partners, a program that connects businesses to an ecosystem of specialists. More than 200 million businesses worldwide use Facebook’s apps to connect with customers and grow, and over 10 million of them run advertising campaigns each month. Pencil customer James Harding, Head of Growth at Lyka Pet Food commented: "Pencil gives us the ability to generate ads quickly and more importantly, come up with ideas we might not have otherwise. It's been a massive win for us essentially." Pencil leverages proprietary technology to generate ad video, derive insights and make predictions, as well as integrating the OpenAI API to generate ad copy. The OpenAI API provides access to GPT-3, one of the world’s most powerful language models. Pencil is among the first companies approved to use it commercially. This approval requires strict criteria in AI safety and ethics. Daniel Rodic, Head of Market Development commented: “Clearbanc was created to help Founders grow their businesses by using our non-dilutive capital to invest in predictable and repeatable expenses like marketing spend. Pencil’s technology offers a simple solution for brands in our portfolio to improve their return on ad spend and ultimately maximize the effectiveness of the capital they deploy.” Clearbanc has deployed over US$1.6b to more than 4,000 ecommerce and SaaS businesses. EndS Notes to the editor About Pencil Pencil is a Creative AI company on a mission to generate unexpected ideas that get results. Pencil generates ads that learn to perform, delivering the return on ad spend that helps brands scale their businesses. Pencil invented Machine Generated Creative (MGC), a new way of making ads that algorithmically optimises for creative novelty, brand relevance and return on advertising spend. It always starts from a human brief and it always involves total human editorial control. Pencil’s MGC platform generates ads in minutes and has been shown to generate ads that double returns for brands. Pencil was founded in 2018 with a team from Google, Facebook and Uber and is backed by Sequoia Capital India, Wavemaker Partners, Singapore Innovate and Entrepreneur First. About Clearbanc Founded in 2015 by Michele Romanow (Canada’s Shark Tank), Andrew D’Souza, Ivan Gritsiniak, Charlie Feng, and Tanay Delima, Clearbanc is changing the way companies raise money by providing fast, affordable capital to online brands and B2B SaaS companies. Clearbanc’s data-driven algorithm has invested in 4,000+ companies across 50 states and backed 8x more female-founders than traditional VC. Clearbanc customers span small businesses across the United States, Canada, and the UK to some of the fastest-growing consumer brands today, like Le Tote, Leesa Sleep, Farmgirl Flowers, and Public Goods. For more information visit Clearbanc.com Contact Details Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 press@trypencil.com Company Website https://www.trypencil.com/

March 17, 2021 12:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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“Medical Taiwan 2021” Virtual Exhibition Opens for Application

Media Outreach

TAIPEI, TAIWAN - Media OutReach - 16 March 2021 - The "Medical Taiwan 2021" will be held from July 1st to 3rd of 2021 at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Hall 2. There are 3 main themes this year: 'health', 'medical devices' and 'care'. The event showcases a comprehensive medical ecosystem from the upstream to the downstream of medical industrial chain, as well as smart technology and innovative medical solutions. This year, the whole new "Medical Taiwan Hybrid" will come across as both physical and virtual forms, breaking through limits in time and space, and reaching out to more audiences in the hope to bring in business opportunities to the medical industry from all over the world. "Medical Taiwan Hybrid" provides a wide range of networking services for all the exhibitors and buyers to experience borderless exchanges in the medical industry. We've got three packages for exhibitors to choose - basic, premium, or exclusive. Each goes with different value-added promotion services, so that exhibitors can go for the one that suits their needs the most. The 'basic' program provides products catalog demonstration, messaging, live chat and video conferencing. The buyers and exhibitors can also schedule meetings online. Medical Taiwan 2021 virtual edition will include online forum and networking opportunities for insiders in healthcare sector. It will be the most cost-effective program exhibiting around the world. The 'premium' program includes an immersive digital catalog and a 3D virtual pavilion that has a tailor-made display mode and atmosphere according to what the specific product is or how you want it to be presented, while the 'exclusive' program sets the stage for virtual cocktail parties where venture capitalists in the healthcare field, investors, employees, senior executives and distributors in the medical industry are gathered. This is an opportunity to increase your connections in a very short time. On top of its strength in information and communication technologies (ICTs) and great potential in innovation, Taiwan has managed to ward off the pandemic thanks to its strict and comprehensive pandemic responses, anti-COVID-19 technologies and products, and the collective efforts of healthcare professionals and the medical industry. It even took it one step further to export the PPE and products to different places in the world, not only contributing to this global fight against the pandemic, but also showing the efficiency and capacity of its medical services. TAITRA, the organizer of "Medical Taiwan", will continue to invite members in the industry to join in through its 63 overseas offices. It is hoped that more industrial insiders will take part in this grand event to create more drives for the global market to keep moving forward. Visit the official website for more information https://www.medicaltaiwan.com.tw/en/index.html Live Show: July 1 - 3 Virtual Show: June 24 – July 8 About TAITRA Founded in 1970 to help promote foreign trade, the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) is the foremost non-profit trade promotion organization in Taiwan. Jointly sponsored by the government, industry associations, and several commercial organizations, TAITRA assists Taiwan businesses and manufacturers with reinforcing their international competitiveness and in coping with the challenges they face in foreign markets. Contact Details Media Contact Kevin Chou +886 2 2725 5200 medicaltaiwan@taitra.org.tw

March 16, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

CMMC Center of Excellence Announces Engagement Agreement with DRAGOS

Interoperability Clearinghouse

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Center of Excellence ( CMMC COE ), hosted by the Information Technology Acquisition Advisory Council (IT-AAC), a public-private partnership serving the public and private sectors for more than 15 years is excited to announce a partnership with Dragos, Inc., the global leader in cybersecurity for industrial controls systems (ICS)/operational technology (OT) environments. This unique partnership will extend efforts to identify and include proven capabilities within the CMMC COE Marketplace to improve cybersecurity protection and resilience for the global defense industrial base network of contractors, vendors, and suppliers. Far too often, the cybersecurity protection and resilience discussion fails to include any true focus on industrial control systems or operational technology. Dragos has a deep bench of expert ICS/OT cybersecurity practitioners committed to helping its customers detect, prevent, investigate and respond to attacks from threat actors. “This is exciting opportunity for us”, said Mr. John Weiler, Chairman of the Board at CMMC Center of Excellence, “This new partnership will further help advance the goals and objectives for improving the supply chain security and resilience of the US Department of Defense (DoD)”. “Dragos believes the adoption of the CMMC model for ICS / OT cybersecurity is a critical step in our mission to safeguard civilization,” said Steve Applegate, Chief Information Security Officer, Dragos, Inc. “We are excited to join the CMMC COE Global Cyber Policy & Governance Working Group and lend our expertise to this vital initiative.” The executed Engagement Agreement establishes a collaborative engagement between Dragos and the CMMC COE to partner in the furthering of their respective and complementary missions and objectives regarding the adoption, use, and expansion of CMMC-based cybersecurity practices, risk management, and compliance for the DIB contractor, vendor, and supplier community of providers creating a broader CMMC ecosystem globally to improve security and resilience. Specific actions will include: Co-sponsor symposiums, training programs and podcasts leveraging their combined cyber and IT expertise. Host regular working groups, with other partners, to enable collaboration and communications. Work across industry, government, and academia to build on CMMC requirements to include and focus on attention to security and resilience of industrial control systems and operational technology. The CMMC-COE and Dragos partnership will focus on bringing together the many disparate cyber and national security communities of interest to reduce complexity, improve awareness, and accelerate industry effort to become more cyber resilient against the growing threats from nation states and criminal enterprises. The CMMC-COE establishes both a Market Place and Knowledge Clearinghouse that will include resources that support the overall effort, including white papers; tutorials; recorded webcasts; presentations; and more that will help reduce the cost and burden on small and medium size contractors already struggling from the impact of COVID. For more information on the CMMC COE, please visit http://cmmc-coe.org email info@cmmc-coe.org or call 703-863-3766 About Dragos, Inc Dragos has a global mission: to safeguard civilization from those trying to disrupt the industrial infrastructure we depend on every day. The practitioners who founded Dragos were drawn to this mission through decades of government and private sector experience. Dragos codifies the knowledge of our cybersecurity experts into an integrated software platform that provides customers critical visibility into ICS and OT networks so that threats are identified and can be addressed before they become significant events. Our solutions protect organizations across a range of industries, including electric and water utilities, energy, and manufacturing, and are optimized for emerging applications like the Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT). Dragos is privately held and headquartered in the Washington, DC area with regional presence around the world, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and the Middle East. For more information on Dragos, please visit https://www.dragos.com/ About Us ---------- CMMC-COE.ORG is a unique non-profit public-private partnership, with a vision to accelerate Cybersecurity Maturity Model (CMM) adoption, and reduce time & cost for security compliance for our partners by leveraging commercial best practices, CMMC standards, and innovative solutions for a measurable success. Our mission, focused on DOD mission objectives, cost containment and expeditious CMMC compliance, is to help the DIB improve cyber posture and resilience, and simplify its acquisition. The CMMC-COE is hosted by the Information Technology Acquisition Advisory Council (IT-AAC), a public/private partnership (P3) chartered in 2007 as an honest broker to reach outside the confines of the Federal IT advisories that lack dynamic reach into the Global IT Market, and dedicated to the adoption of commercial IT management standards of practice and innovations emanating from the Global IT market. Team IT-AAC has already demonstrated the value of its decade long investment, and provides a unique value to agencies seeking to achieve accelerate the transformation of legacy processes and systems. Our Just-in-Time SMEs apply an innovative suite of Technology Business Management and Agile Acquisition Processes needed to assure the business value of commercial IT. The Interoperability Clearinghouse (ICH), is the managing partner that make up the 24 NGO/SDO organizations that make up the IT-AAC. ICH provides the contract vehicles, clearances, and critical resources proven to guide sustainable, measurable and repeatable processes needed to drive better investment decisions as the speed of mission need, while aligning existing processes, methods and workforce with IT reform mandates contained in Clinger Cohen Act, FITARA, IT MGT Act, EO13838. Contact Details Bob Dix +1 703-975-6633 bob.dix@it-aac.org Company Website https://cmmc-coe.org

March 15, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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