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Quarter4 Closes $1.6M Seed Funding Round

Quarter4

Quarter4, an easy-to-use, AI-driven predictive sports data and analytics provider for sports, media and betting companies, today announced the closure of its seed funding round, raising $1.6 million (USD). The round will be used to acquire strategic talent to expand Quarter4’s technical and sales teams. The company plans to double its headcount by the end of 2021. Quarter4 is currently using deep learning neural networks to grow their proprietary AI technology. In addition to acquiring talent, the funding from this round will aid in the technological expansion of Quarter4’s business-to-business services, including doubling its industry-leading predictions to two million predictions-per-day by September 2021, which will incorporate NFL forecasts. Quarter4’s technology team is also expanding its data reporting capabilities to include predictive probabilities for live in-play betting and odds and market analysis. The round was led by Shore Capital Sports & Entertainment, an advisory and investment firm with offices in Toronto and New York. As part of its strategic investment, Shore Capital Sports & Entertainment will also take an active role assisting Quarter4 with business development, strategic partnerships as well as financial advisory services. Scott Secord, Managing Partner, will also join the Board of Directors for Quarter4. Mr. Secord is the former President/CEO of Gaming Nation Inc., a publicly traded company on the TSXV, which was acquired in 2018 by a private equity firm. Prior to Gaming Nation, Mr. Secord held the position of President/CEO of Pointstreak Sports Technologies Inc. from 2009 until 2015. “Quarter4’s technology is exciting because it spans across the sports landscape providing incredible data and rich insights for sports betting, sports media and sports broadcasting companies,” said Scott Secord. “The opportunities in the sports and gaming industry seem limitless, but we understand that the strength of this market lies in the quality of the data powering the industry. Our investment in Quarter4 shows our commitment to continually improving how data is delivered to sports companies across the globe.” Terry McInally, Chief Compliance Officer of Gateway Casinos and Entertainment, will join Secord on the Quarter4 Board of Directors. He previously served as Partner and National Gaming Practice Leader at Richter Advisory Group, the National Gaming Practice Leader for PwC and an executive at the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). “We’ve seen exceptional demand for our market-leading analytics in the past year. Sportsbooks and gaming companies, sports leagues, technology and data providers as well as broadcast and media partners need valuable data to make smarter decisions and create richer content for their respective audiences,” said Kelly Brooks, co-founder and CEO of Quarter4. “This investment allows us to scale our capabilities and work directly with leading partners like Scott and Terry to create cutting edge technology solutions to continue to shape the global gaming industry.” For more information please visit Quarter4.io. ABOUT QUARTER4 Quarter4 is a revolutionary artificial intelligence platform that generates thousands of daily predictions called 4Qasts. The easy-to-use sports technology delivers proprietary insights, related to team and player performance, in just seconds. Quarter4 provides sportsbooks, data providers, media agencies and sports bettors with predictive data that is unique, personalized and non-biased. Contact Details Michael Adorno +1 212-931-6143 madorno@hotpaperlantern.com Company Website https://quarter4.io/

June 22, 2021 09:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time

UPDATED: InclusionHub founding partner Be My Eyes was honored with a 2021 Apple Design Award for developing a best-in-class iOS mobile app.

InclusionHub

(Updated with 2021 Apple Design Award logo) The two winners were recognized for apps that improve “lives in a meaningful way and shine a light on crucial issues.” In announcing the winners, Apple said the awards recognize those who have brought “bold, creative, and distinctive ideas to life,” adding, “the people who design and build these award-winning apps and games inspire not only their peers in the Apple developer community, but everyone else at Apple, too.” Utilizing volunteers and representatives from corporate partners to assist visually impaired and low-vision individuals, the Be My Eyes mobile app helps facilitate easy identification of objects, common customer service challenges, and other uses. The app currently supports more than 300,000 visually-impaired and low-vision users, and more than 4.5 million volunteers, across 150-plus countries and 180 languages. “We did it! Be My Eyes is a 2021 Apple Design Award Winner!” Be My Eyes VP of Community Will Butler wrote on LinkedIn following Apple’s announcement. “Holy cow. You might know we've been around for six years and have changed the lives of about 5 million people; but you might not know we did it with a team of only about 15 people, you have all been a crucial part of making Be My Eyes work. Additional thanks to all the board members, investors and team members past and future who believed in us along the way: This is just the beginning!” “During the pandemic, Be My Eyes has proved just how big of a difference it can make for people who are blind or have low vision to have access to the best remote visual assistance,” Be My Eyes added on its Facebook page. “And that’s what we work to achieve everyday together with our partners and volunteers.” Be My Eyes was first launched in Denmark in 2012 by Hans Jørgen Wiberg, a visually-impaired furniture craftsman. Realizing how individuals such as himself required assistance with daily tasks, Wiberg conceptualized video calls staffed by volunteers who could help this community in solving these challenges. The company is supported by its corporate partnerships, members of which include accessibility leaders such as Microsoft, Google, P&G, Verizon and more organizations of all sizes around the globe. The company’s iOS app followed in 2015, gaining more than 10,000 users in just 24 hours. This was the second time in as many months that Be My Eyes was honored for its work supporting blind and low-vision people. In May, it earned its first Webby Award for its work in public service and activism. Last December, Be My Eyes joined InclusionHub, a crowd-sourced database for digital accessibility resources, as a founding partner, further solidifying its position as a leader in digital accessibility. Written by Todd Kuipers Todd Kuipers is VP of Sales at Be My Eyes, an app that connects blind and low-vision individuals with sighted volunteers and companies from all over the world through a live video call. Contact Details Be My Eyes Todd Kiupers +1 267-977-5548 todd@bemyeyes.com Company Website https://bemyeyes.com

June 21, 2021 01:15 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Minuteman Press Franchise in Bellingham Helps Buzzing Local Economy Recover from Pandemic

Minuteman Press International Inc

For Michael Tilley and his team at Minuteman Press in Bellingham, the COVID-19 pandemic brought forth unprecedented challenges but also new opportunities for growth as an essential printing business. Michael says, “Early on, a lot of our clients asked us if we were open. They were happy to know we were still operating and able to help them communicate to their customers that they were open as well. We put renewed emphasis on fast turnaround and timely delivery, which really set us apart since they knew they could rely on us.” By remaining open and operating, Minuteman Press in Bellingham supported a wide range of businesses and groups that relied on print and marketing to keep the community informed. Michael says, “The way we kept growing during the pandemic was that we offered products and services for other essential businesses. We worked with local restaurants, fire departments, police departments, hospitals, schools, and other vital organizations. They all needed signage and direct mail campaigns to promote updated guidelines for employees, customers, patients, and students. We were glad to be able to help spread the word.” Today, as more businesses reopen, Minuteman Press is ready to help them ramp up their advertising and marketing efforts. Michael explains, “As businesses come back, we are helping them by providing fresh banners, window graphics, flags, and full-color photos on windows. We’ve also been printing packaging materials such as labels, tags, boxes, and information sheets. Another popular service we provide is dye sublimation, which enables us to produce custom mugs and branded apparel.” Another way that local businesses can engage and connect with customers right now is by utilizing direct mail campaigns. Michael says, “Direct mail was and is getting more popular because it allows businesses and groups to reach out to their target audiences and reinforce operational updates. We’ve produced a combination of newsletters, postcards, and letters for local governments, local tribes, non-profit groups, and for-profit businesses.” “It’s been really great to see more businesses reopen and recover, especially those that were impacted. The local economy is buzzing again and we are getting even busier.” -Michael Tilley, owner, Minuteman Press franchise, Bellingham, Washington As a local small business owner himself, Michael can empathize with his clients and share his own insights from the past year. He says, “The most important thing to do is reach out to your current and former customers. Let them know you are there and engage with them. We have developed a multi-faceted marketing plan that includes phone calls, emails, direct mail, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Because we’ve done it ourselves and have found success, we know it can work for our clients and other local businesses.” Print is a vital marketing channel that can be used in conjunction with digital to deliver tangible results. Michael explains, “I think one aspect of this is that the pandemic jogged us back into a physical reality. We are physical beings and we are not cyber creatures. It made people pay more attention to print and how it’s all around us. Our ability to produce tangible printed items that people can see, feel, and connect with is a real benefit to my business. The printing industry in general makes sure business customers get what they need. It’s great to be able to rely on something when the world’s a little bit sideways.” Michael has owned Minuteman Press in Bellingham since September 2014. He shares, “Previously, I was a biology professor and I have a PhD in molecular genetics. I lived in Missouri and I moved to Bellingham to be closer to my children, which was the driving force behind switching careers. I was new to owning a business so I wanted to go into something with a framework in place. I bought an established Minuteman Press franchise and liked the potential to build on the existing customer base.” By providing ongoing local support, Minuteman Press International helped Michael transition from his prior career to becoming a business owner in a totally new industry. He says, “The support has been really solid all the way around. My Regional Vice President Chris Jutt and Area Manager Jayson Kraus have been great. I can call them anytime and they have been a great resource. I also enjoy the fact that we are provided with marketing strategies, content, and product ideas that we are free to use but that we also have enough freedom to run our franchise the way we see fit. Minuteman Press offers a solid system with a lot of knowledge behind it.” Michael reflects on his time as a business owner, saying, “I enjoy the fact that the work I do has a direct impact on how the company performs. I feel it’s important to have the right staff in place and to also manage the team properly. I have a staff of seven and I know that happy employees do a great job. The satisfaction I get from running my business the right way and growing a successful company is the ultimate reward.” As for what advice he would give to other local business right now, Michael shares, “Things are opening up, and business is going to start getting much busier for everyone. Act now so you don’t fall behind the curve. Have you worked out what your marketing plan is going to be when things do ramp up? Be prepared organizationally and develop a coherent marketing strategy across all different touchpoints. From web to print, be consistent with your branding and your messaging.” Minuteman Press in Bellingham is located at 4025 Iron Gate Rd., Bellingham, WA 98226. For more information, call 360-738-3539 or visit https://www.bellingham.minutemanpress.com. Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

June 21, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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FREELANCER.COM PARTNERS WITH THE BUREAU OF RECLAMATION AND NASA TO IMPROVE HYDROPOWER SYSTEM RELIABILITY

Freelancer.com

Freelancer Limited (ASX: FLN), the world’s largest freelancing and crowdsourcing marketplace, in partnership with Arrow Electronics, one of the world’s largest electronic components distributors, has secured the US$250,000 Automated Maintenance of Protection Systems Challenge, for the Bureau of Reclamation. The aim of the challenge is to improve the reliability of hydropower plant generation by automating safety equipment testing and reducing plant downtime. Using the Freelancer.com and ArrowPlus platforms are expected to attract a large number of candidates offering a variety of viable solutions. “We’re excited to deliver the Automated Maintenance of Protection Systems Challenge ( AMPS Challenge ) for the Bureau of Reclamation using the world’s largest online talent pool of electronic & electrical engineers in what will be the largest challenge yet by an order of magnitude - a quarter of a million US dollars in prize money. If you have the skills, sign up now to Freelancer.com to participate”, said Freelancer Chief Executive, Matt Barrie. Freelancer has broad expertise in engineering with over 2.5 million freelance engineers on its platform, ~260,000 who specialize in electrical engineering. There are also millions of tangentially skilled experts including software, hardware, and firmware developers. Freelancer.com has sourced over 13,000 product designs from more than 6,000 designers in contests run on behalf of NASA. Freelancer built and operates ArrowPlus the world’s largest electrical and electronic engineering crowdsourcing platform which 175,000 leading technology manufacturers and service providers access to guide innovation. The Bureau of Reclamation’s AMPS Challenge will be a two-phase challenge seeking improvements and/or fresh concepts to automate protection system testing at Reclamation hydropower facilities: a White Paper Challenge and a Prototype Challenge. The White Paper Challenge offers a total prize of $100,000, expecting to award up to 10 prizes of $10,000 each. In the Prototype Challenge, commencing immediately after the White Paper Challenge ends, the best prototype will be awarded up to $100,000 prize. In addition, $10,000 awards will be presented for teams that excel in individual benchmarks for a total prototype purse of $150,000. See https://www.freelancer.com/reclamation for more details. This is the first task order won by Freelancer under the US$25 million NOIS2 joint tender and is valued at US$365,000. About the Bureau of Reclamation Established in 1902, the Bureau of Reclamation is best known for the dams, powerplants, and canals it constructed in the 17 western states. These water projects led to homesteading and promoted the economic development of the West. Reclamation has constructed more than 600 dams and reservoirs including Hoover Dam on the Colorado River and Grand Coulee on the Columbia River. The Bureau of Reclamation is the largest wholesaler of water in the USA. It brings water to more than 31 million people and provides one out of five Western farmers (140,000) with irrigation water for 10 million acres of farmland. Reclamation is also the second-largest producer of hydroelectric power in the United States. Its 53 power plants annually provide more than 40 billion kilowatt-hours generating nearly a billion dollars in power revenues and produce enough electricity to serve 3.5 million homes. About Freelancer ® Twelve-time Webby award-winning Freelancer.com is the world’s largest freelancing and crowdsourcing marketplace by total number of users and jobs posted. More than 53 million registered users have posted over 20 million jobs and contests to date in over 1,800 areas as diverse as website development, logo design, marketing, copywriting, astrophysics, aerospace engineering and manufacturing. Freelancer owns StartCon, Australia's largest startup conference, expo and entrepreneur community established in 2009, WarriorForum.com, the world’s largest Internet marketing community & marketplace, Escrow.com, the world’s largest provider of secure online escrow and online transaction management for consumers and businesses on the Internet, and Freightlancer, a global marketplace for freight, shipping and transportation. Freelancer Limited is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange under the ticker ASX:FLN, and on the OTCQX, under the ticker OTCQX:FLNCF. Contact Details Freelancer.com Sebastian Siseles +1 415-801-2271 sebastian@freelancer.com Freelancer.com Helma Kusuma +19179202356 helma@freelancer.com Company Website https://www.freelancer.com

June 21, 2021 07:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Osmo Announces Amazon Prime Day Sale: Up to 40% Off Select Kits, Games, Bundles and More

Osmo

Award-winning STEAM brand Osmo announces it will offer up to 40% off select kits, games, bundles and more for Amazon Prime Day, June 21 and 22. All Prime Day deals can be viewed at Osmo’s Amazon store. Save 30% on these Osmo kits, games, and bundles at Amazon.com: Little Genius Starter Kit for iPad (base included) Little Genius Starter Kit for Fire Tablet (base included) Little Genius Starter Kit for iPad + Grab & Go Small Storage Case Bundle (for iPad Starter Kits) (base included) Little Genius Starter Kit for iPad + Grab & Go Large Storage Case for iPad Bundle (base included) Little Genius Starter Kit + Early Math Adventure for iPad (base included) Genius Starter Kit for Fire Tablet (base included) Genius Starter Kit + Family Game Night for iPad (base included) Creative Starter Kit for iPad (base included) Creative Starter Kit for iPad + Super Studio Disney Princess Bundle (base included) Creative Starter Kit for iPad + Little Genius Starter Kit for iPad (base included) Creative Starter Kit for iPad + Detective Agency Bundle (base included) Creative Starter Kit for iPad + Pizza Co. Bundle (base included) Math Wizard and the Secrets of the Dragons for iPad & Fire Tablet (base required) Math Wizard and the Magical Workshop for iPad & Fire Tablet (base required) Math Wizard and The Secrets of The Dragons & Magical Workshop for iPad & Fire Tablet Bundle (base required) Math Wizard and The Secrets of The Dragons & Magical Workshop for iPad Bundle (base included) Coding Family Bundle for iPad & Fire Tablet + Base for iPad (base included) Coding Family Bundle for iPad & Fire Tablet + Base for Fire Tablet (base included) Coding Family Bundle for iPad & Fire Tablet (base required) Super Studio Disney Mickey Mouse & Friends for iPad & Fire Tablet (base required) Super Studio Disney Princess + iPad Base Bundle (base included) Super Studio Disney Princess + Fire Tablet Base Bundle (base included) Super Studio Disney Frozen 2 + iPad Base Bundle (base included) Super Studio Disney Frozen 2 + Fire Tablet Base Bundle (base included) Super Studio Disney Princess Game + iPad Base Bundle (base included) Super Studio Disney Princess Game + Fire Tablet Base Bundle (base included) Osmo offers up to 30% off all kits and games at Target.com during Target Deal Days, which continues through June 22. The full list of Target deals can be viewed here. About Osmo Osmo is an award-winning STEAM brand whose products are used in over 50,000 classrooms and 2.5 million homes. It is building a universe of hands-on play experiences that nourish the minds of children by unleashing the power of imagination. The company brings physical tools into the digital world through augmented reality and its proprietary reflective artificial intelligence. Founded in 2013 by ex-Google engineers Pramod Sharma and Jerome Scholler, the Osmo Play System fuses digital gameplay and physical interaction to create fun and nutritious play experiences designed for all kids. Osmo is headquartered in Palo Alto, California. Learn more at playosmo.com. For information about its educational division, Osmo for Schools, visit schools.playosmo.com. Contact Details Carolyn Kamii PR Carolyn Kamii +1 310-251-0550 carolynkpr@gmail.com Osmo Karen O'Dell karen@playosmo.com Company Website http://www.playosmo.com

June 21, 2021 12:01 AM Pacific Daylight Time

Mike Bako’s Father’s Day Gifts That Will Become Year-Round Favorites

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/nP0A1xC4D6k After the year that we have all collectively had, parents around the globe deserve a round of applause. Endless Zoom meetings? Check. Kids screaming during endless Zoom meetings. Check. So, this year, skip out on generic, run-of-the-mills presents and give the dad figure in your life a gift that keeps on giving Thinking about what to get dad for Father’s Day? Wondering what to get for the guy who has everything? Looking to avoid cliched gifts like ties and coffee mugs? You’re not alone. With Father’s Day around the corner, many of us are scrambling to figure out the perfect gift for dad, without resorting to old standbys. This year, it’s time to get creative, and find something Dad will actually use and enjoy. Be Smart with Your Spending: If industry predictions are correct there will be record spending, so expect a banner year for all the dads out there. In its annual survey, the National Retail Federation said US consumers are expected to spend more than $20 billion dollars on gifts and other items for Father's Day this year, that is a record high. With that said, spending wisely is definitely something dad would want you to do. So, if you are getting dad a gift, make sure it is something he will love and use financial sense by splitting up your payments with Afterpay. Afterpay partners with thousands of brands and retailers to offer interest-free installment payments to shoppers. With Afterpay, you can get the perfect gift for dad right away but pay for it over time by breaking up the cost into four equal installments, due every two weeks. Shoppers can refer to Afterpay's Shop Directory at Afterpay.com or through its app to browse all of their brand partners across both e-commerce and in-store. Afterpay is available in-store with brands like Dick’s Sporting Goods, Finish Line, JD Sports, Carhartt, Chubbies ….so many more. Great options for Father’s Day gifts. www.Afterpay.com @afterpayusa GROOMING: Dad’s might not admit it but taking care of their skin and smelling good is something they care about and as we head into the steamy summer months its even more important to have products that will work and keep us fresh. Old Spice has two products that can help upgrade any dad’s skincare routine. Old Spice’s Daily Hydration Hand & Body Lotion features a lightweight formula infused with shea butter to deeply condition dry, irritating skin. This lotion provides all-day hydration. Put it on in the morning after a shower to start the day and you are all set. If you are looking for a great gift to supplement something larger or if buying on a budget there’s Old Spice’s Clinical Sweat Defense Anti-perspirant/Deodorant. It was recently selected as an “Expert Pick” in the 2021 Men’s Health Grooming Awards and features 5 in 1 protection power, with 73 hours of proven sweat protection, making it the best defense against sweat and odor for the dad in your life Even during these hot summer days, it provides even the most active guys with superior wetness protection. You can impress dad and show that you’ve done your research because this is tested and backed by dermatologists with skin moisturizers and formulated to be gentle on skin. Daily Hydration Hand & Body Lotion - LINKED HERE Clinical Sweat Defense – LINKED HERE Instagram: @oldspice Twitter: @oldspice https://www.facebook.com/OldSpice/ About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

June 18, 2021 12:20 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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How AI is Helping the Fight Against Breast Cancer

YourUpdateTV

Breast cancer recently surpassed lung cancer as the number 1 diagnosed cancer in the U.S., excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer. Additionally, the National Cancer Institute recently predicted an almost 10,000 excess deaths from breast and colorectal cancers over the next 10 years as a direct result of the pandemic, making it now more important than ever for women to take control over their breast health. Recently, Randy Hicks, MD, MBA, Co-Owner and CEO of Regional Medical Imaging (RMI) in Michigan, participated in a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss how new technology is helping the fight against breast cancer. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/7nWf973J1ww The COVID-19 pandemic brought routine health screenings, such as mammograms, to a screeching halt, declining up to 92% in some areas last year, according to a study in the Journal of the American College of Radiology. Now, with Americans getting vaccinated and infection rates decreasing around the country, many women are playing catch-up on these vital health screenings, which leads to another issue — a drastic increase in workload for doctors, who must face a surge of patients who need to be screened. Fortunately, an innovative new tool is available to help clinicians cope with this sudden demand, which at the same time provides them a higher degree of accuracy than ever before. ProFound AI ® uses the latest in deep-learning artificial intelligence (AI) and is clinically proven to help radiologists read mammograms more than 50% faster - and with more accuracy - while also reducing false positives and unnecessary callbacks, which can be stressful for women. ProFound AI was the first 3D tomosynthesis software using AI to be cleared by the FDA. For more information, visit icadmed.com About Randy Hicks, MD, MBA, Co-Owner and CEO of Regional Medical Imaging (RMI) in Michigan: Dr. Hicks is a distinguished practitioner, thought leader, and published researcher in women’s imaging for breast cancer, with additional interests and expertise in parathyroid and thyroid imaging, and in developing interventional breast biopsy procedures and products. A committed advocate for women’s healthcare, Dr. Hicks has worked closely with colleagues in the medical community to encourage multidisciplinary, best-practice approaches, having collaborated to establish local tumor boards that pool expertise from leading healthcare organizations in the region. He has also served as a catalyst for expanding the role of information technology and the use of artificial intelligence in enhancing the quality and efficiency of healthcare. About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

June 18, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Correcting and Replacing: Travel Expert Dayvee Sutton Provides Tips to Plan Summer Vacations on a Budget

YourUpdateTV

(Correcting to include video)- After a year of being stuck at home, Americans are more eager than ever to get back to traveling this summer. A new survey from the payment network Affirm found 75% of respondents plan to go on at least one vacation this summer, and consumers will spend more money on travel than any other category. With the travel boom causing an increase in booking rates, it’s more important than ever to not overextend your budget in all the excitement of being able to travel again. A video accompanying this release can be found here: https://youtu.be/8S26C8ILWMo More Findings from Affirm’s Summer Survey: Vacations are the #1 activity consumers are most looking forward to this summer Respondents plan to spend the most money this summer on travel (41%), followed by going out to eat (38%) and a new summer wardrobe (35%) Nearly half (45%) of Americans plan to spend more money this summer than the past two combined 41% are interested in using a buy now, pay later solution this summer to help them spend responsibly, and 1 in 4 are interested in using a buy now, pay later solution to book travel Emmy Award-winning journalist, Dayvee Sutton, whose travel advice is featured regularly on national programs such as NBC News, Today, CNN and The Weather Channel has partnered with Affirm to give budget-friendly summer travel advice. Here are some of her tips: Take advantage of modern, flexible payment options. Overall, rates for flights and hotels are up because consumers are so eager to travel. But, there are new payment tools you can use to not overextend your budget. Dayvee recommends Affirm, and has partnered with them because it can help you stay in control of your finances by letting you spread out the cost of flights, hotels, homestays and travel experiences into biweekly or monthly payments with interest options as low as 0% APR for eligible consumers. Affirm can give you the flexibility to book vacations now and pay at your own pace on Expedia, Vrbo, Priceline, Delta Vacations and more. With Affirm, you know exactly what you’ll pay upfront, and that number never changes – there are no late or hidden fees. Know when to book and track your airfare to get the best deals. The most expensive part of your trip will likely be the flight. Book as early as you can and opt for mid-week flights. A study from CheapOAir found the best time to book a flight is between 21 and 95 days before the trip. And traveling on a Tuesday or Wednesday, rather than the weekend, will not only be cheaper, but less crowded. Be prepared but remain flexible. Research social distancing protocols for theme parks, museums, and other attractions before you arrive, since many venues require you to reserve tickets early. Try to find low-cost activities in advance, such as walking tours and natural parks. Remember to leave room for unexpected costs in your budget – if you’re traveling internationally, set aside money for COVID tests before re-entering U.S., which can cost anywhere from $50 - $150 per person. Embrace summer road trips. With airfare on the rise, taking a road trip to smaller destinations is a great budget-friendly option for families. To save even more on the road, pack your own food and snacks ahead of time. You can also use Affirm to pay at your own pace for road trip essentials at Walmart, Target and other retailers. About Dayvee Sutton: Dayvee Sutton is a highly sought-after and award-winning media personality and journalist covering travel, culture and the environment. Dayvee has contributed her expertise to outlets such as the U.S. News and World Report, AOL, Yahoo, ESPN, The Root, NBA.com, Black Enterprise, NBC News and USA TODAY Network. She is the go-to on-air travel expert for several national programs, including NBC News and TODAY, CNN and HLN, The Weather Channel and Dr. Oz. About Affirm: Affirm is a transparent alternative to credit cards that can give travelers the flexibility to book vacations now and pay over time, without any late or hidden fees. Affirm lets eligible consumers spread out the cost of flights, accommodations, experiences and more into biweekly or monthly payments at Expedia, Vrbo, Priceline, Delta Vacations, and more. If approved, Affirm can help you stay in budget by letting you pay on a schedule that works best for you, and never charges you more than you agree to upfront. More Background: Affirm’s mission is to deliver honest financial products that improve lives. By building a new kind of payment network — one based on trust, transparency and putting people first — we empower millions of consumers to spend and save responsibly, and give thousands of businesses the tools to fuel growth. Unlike credit cards and other pay-over-time options, we show consumers exactly what they will pay up front, never increase that amount, and never charge any late or hidden fees. Follow Affirm on social media: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter. Payment options through Affirm are subject to an eligibility check, may not be available in all states, and are provided by these lending partners: affirm.com/lenders. CA residents: Loans by Affirm Loan Services, LLC are made or arranged pursuant to a California Finance Lender license. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

June 17, 2021 03:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Cyvatar Raises an Additional $9 Million in Series A Round

Cyvatar

Cyvatar today announced that it has raised $9 million as part of its Series A financing to help scale and serve its rapidly growing customer base and continue to drive the adoption of its innovative cybersecurity-as-a-service (CSaaS) model. Escalating cybersecurity breaches and the need to address vulnerabilities across systems, networks, and apps fuel the security services market, expected to reach $193 billion by 2028. Additionally, the growth in hybrid and remote workers coupled with unsecured and unpatched BYOD devices further underscores the need for on-demand cybersecurity resources that include human talent, proven processes, and best-of-breed technology delivered from a single intuitive platform. Cyvatar has grown more than 200% since its debut in October. ATX Venture Partners led the round with additional participation from existing customer CORTEC and longtime Cyvatar investor Bill Wood Ventures. Cyvatar closed a $3 million seed round late last year, bringing the total amount raised over the last eight months to $12 million. “We’ve seen fundraising explode in the security space, in part as a result of the raft of ransomware, email compromise, and phishing attacks that have made people more aware of the problem and increased the need to fix it quickly and effectively,” said Chris Shonk, partner at ATX Venture Partners. “Cyvatar is an exciting addition to our dynamic portfolio and a natural fit alongside our other rapidly growing organizations. No other company we evaluated solves the problems of cybersecurity like Cyvatar. With Cyvatar CSaaS, security becomes as effortless as turning on the lights. There’s no better value for customers.” Cyvatar CSaaS offers security in a box for organizations of any size and any level of cybersecurity expertise--already more than 150 platform members have started the security journey with Cyvatar. Its mature sales and marketing engine makes it easy for new members to join and offers ongoing education and support for existing customers to continuously remediate evolving threats, safeguard critical systems, and boost compliance scores. "I can tell you that after implementing just three Cyvatar solutions, our security confidence is a lot stronger than it was before and our company as a whole is far more secure,” said Brent Fanguy, vice president of technology at CORTEC. “We applaud Cyvatar for pricing by employee count because it’s so easy to calculate and fit into our budget -- no counting servers or workstations, which is a nightmare. Cyvatar has delivered consistent value from our security spend, and we look forward to continuing to grow our partnership with them.” Whether customers need to speed their sales cycles, remediate after a breach, prevent future incursions, or respond to a third-party risk assessment, Cyvatar helps them achieve superior business outcomes every day. Click HERE to get started free and learn more about how Cyvatar is making cybersecurity effortless for every business. About Cyvatar Cyvatar is committed to effortless cybersecurity for everyone. As the industry’s first subscription-based, cybersecurity-as-a-service (CSaaS) company, it’s our mission to transform the way the security industry builds, sells, and supports cyber solutions. We empower our members to achieve successful outcomes by providing expert advisors, proven technologies, and a strategic process roadmap to guarantee results that map to their business drivers. Our approach is rooted in proprietary ICARM (installation, configuration, assessment, remediation, maintenance) methodology that delivers smarter, measurable security solutions for superior compliance and cyber-attack protection faster and more efficiently, all at a fixed monthly price. And because we’re a subscription, members can cancel anytime. Cyvatar is a global organization with operations around the world. Begin your journey to security confidence at cyvatar.ai and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube. About ATX Venture Partners ATX Venture Partners is an early-stage venture capital firm specializing in the South-Central US. The firm’s seed and Series A investments focus on software-as-a-service, IoT, e-commerce, AI, frontier commercial technologies and mobile applications. ATX Venture Partners brings institutional-grade funding, process and rigor to early-stage venture capital investments, and is the partner to propel portfolio companies forward to larger growth capital. The firm was founded in 2014 and is based in Austin, Texas. Visit www.atxventurepartners.com, and follow them on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Contact Details Cyvatar KC Higgins +1 303-434-8163 kc@cyvatar.ai ATX Ventures Meg Brigman +15127666462 meg@atxventurepartners.com Company Website https://cyvatar.ai/

June 17, 2021 07:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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