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Clear Vision Impact Fund Announces Latest Round of Investments

Siebert Williams Shank

Since its final closing in March 2022, the Clear Vision Impact Fund (Clear Vision or CVIF) has provided loans to minority-owned businesses across the U.S. It has originated loans to seven portfolio companies, including two new investments that closed last month. "The Clear Vision team embraces the opportunity to provide liquidity and growth capital to small and mid-sized businesses that serve communities in a manner that is consistent with our impact mission," said Christopher J. Williams, principal of Clear Vision’s general partner and Chairman of Siebert Williams Shank & Co., LLC. "We are energized that our portfolio companies, which span a range of industries, strive to save jobs and increase job training among underserved communities." "The CVIF loan played a critical role in P&THE Manufacturing Acquisition’s first acquisition of Ross Aluminum. We had to work expeditiously in closing the deal, condensing a timeline that would normally take four to five months down to six to eight weeks at the behest of the previous owner,” said Pancho Hall, CEO and Chairman of P&THE Manufacturing. “Thanks to the professionalism, accuracy, and pure determination of all responsible parties, we were able to finalize the loan and close on this amazing opportunity, which positions us to capitalize on our strategy to gain a collection of world-class enterprises that serve global communities as their minority-business enterprise of choice." “The asset management business needs a big funnel to find innovative solutions that impact the broader society,” said Dabo Horsfall, Founder and CEO of Tensile Investments. “CVIF has been a true growth partner; their approach to investing is fair, their feedback is constructive, and their approach to partnership is genuine. CVIF has supported Tensile’s mission to provide clean mobility solutions that improve the lives of ALL people while developing electric vehicle charging infrastructure in a profitable manner.” “Valeo Networks teamed with the Clear Vision Impact Fund in October 2021 for the purpose of growth through acquisition. As our financing partner, Clear Vision has fueled our acquisition growth, allowing us to double in size by funding three acquisitions in our first year of partnership, making Valeo Networks one of the 50 largest Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) in the United States,” said Travis Mack, CEO and Chairman of Valeo Networks. “Clear Vision has been very flexible and worked closely with Valeo to gain a detailed understanding of our business model and acquisition strategy, which helps us to be nimble and efficient during acquisition. We look forward to continuing to work with Clear Vision and continuing our growth to more than $50 million annual revenue over the next 2-4 years to become one of the 10 largest MSSPs nationwide.” “The Clear Vision Impact Fund partnered with Medi-Fare in the immediate aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether it is collaborating on enhancing our business through new client targets, crafting impact strategies to increase local hiring, or producing marketing materials, the Clear Vision team has never viewed a task as too small. We look forward to its continued support in 2023 as Medi-Fare scales its production capacity,” said Artis Terrell Jr., CEO of Medi-Fare Drug Pharmaceutical Compounding. “At CVIF, we have been fortunate in continuing to source unique opportunities to support diverse entrepreneurs and investors that not only share our passion for positively impacting underserved communities, but also demonstrate that impact and financial performance are not mutually exclusive,” said Kyle C. Sligar, Chief Credit Officer and Portfolio Manager of the Clear Vision Impact Fund. We look forward to deploying more customized debt solutions for both existing portfolio companies and new prospects as they execute on their growth initiatives.” In addition to providing financing, Clear Vision aims to support portfolio companies by working with them to define and execute on their impact goals, evaluating proposed operational improvements and strategic initiatives, and introducing them to prospective customers and partners, among other things. To date, Clear Vision has provided loans to seven African American-owned businesses, several of which are detailed below. P&THE Manufacturing, headquartered in metro Detroit, is a minority-owned holding company comprised of businesses that provide manufacturing solutions. It differentiates itself in the marketplace as a true owner operator who has experience working in and managing businesses at the senior level ranging from the lower middle market to Fortune 100 companies. Learn more at www.rossal.com. Tensile Investments is an impact driven holding company that provides clean mobility options in transit deserts. It develops smart mobility hubs and funds clean first-last mile transportation. Tensile Investments partners with municipalities and private property owners to create smart mobility hubs by modernizing parking lots and garages to provide electric vehicle (“EV”) fleet parking and charging, electric micro-transit services, clean distributed energy services, public EV charging, and electric micro-mobility services. Learn more at www.tensileinvestments.com. Medi-Fare Drug Pharmaceutical Compounding is a minority-owned 503B pharmaceutical compounding facility registered with the Federal Drug Administration as an Outsourcing Facility. Medi-Fare serves as a partner to hospitals and other healthcare providers to supply much needed medications to help improve positive outcomes for their patients and fulfill the need for the ever-growing number of medicines in shortage or backorder situations. Headquartered in Blacksburg, South Carolina, it serves a range of medical facilities and acts as a health care partner for hospital systems, surgery centers, clinics, and doctor’s offices. Learn more at www.medifaredrug.com. Valeo Networks is a full-service, award-winning Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) that serves state, county, and municipal markets; small-to-medium businesses; and non-profit organizations. Firmly seated in the top 5% of revenue generating MSSPs nationwide—making it one of the largest MSSPs nationally—Valeo Networks provides solutions in the areas of cybersecurity, compliance, cloud, network infrastructure, and managed IT services. With over 20 years of industry experience, Valeo Networks is headquartered in Rockledge, FL, with additional locations nationwide. Learn more at www.valeonetworks.com. A-1 is an established and fast-growing disaster-response company which provides on-demand resources, services, and logistics during catastrophes. Services include large-loss restoration services, commercial construction, staffing, restoration equipment rental & monitoring, as well as time and material documenting and preparation during natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and freezing and flooding events that cause property damage. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, A-1’s extensive experience and seasoned personnel have allowed it to create a first-of-its-kind national network and partnership program that brings together service providers, supplies, equipment, and labor. Learn more at www.a1disasterresources.com. About the Fund SponsorClear Vision’s sponsor is an affiliate of Siebert Williams Shank, a leading non-bank financial services firm serving clients across industries and asset classes. It is both a minority-owned and women-owned enterprise. SWS Capital Management, an investment adviser affiliated with Siebert Williams Shank, serves as Clear Vision’s investment manager.To learn more about Clear Vision’s closings or investment portfolio, please visit www.clearvisionimpact.com. This press release (“Press Release”) is being published for informational purposes only regarding Clear Vision Impact Fund (“Clear Vision” or “CVIF”). One should not assume an investment in any of the described companies was or will be profitable. The companies listed in this Press Release do not represent all CVIF’s investments. All opinions, estimates and forecasts are based on information as of the date of this Press Release and are subject to change. Certain information contained in this Press Release constitutes “forward-looking statements,” which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “project,” “estimate,” “intend,” “continue” or “believe,” or the negatives thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. Due to various risks and uncertainties, actual events or results may differ materially from those reflected or contemplated in such forward-looking statements. CVIF has not vetted the companies’ websites and CVIF’s provision of the companies’ website links should not be considered an endorsement of the information presented there. Contact Details Tom Butler +1 646-213-1802 TButler@ButlerPR.com Christian Agredo +1 646-213-0286 CAgredo@ButlerPR.com Company Website https://www.clearvisionimpact.com/

February 22, 2023 09:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

Robotics Has Transformed Many Industries – Is The Food Industry Next?

Blendid

By Faith Ashmore, Benzinga Interested in investing in Blendid’s campaign? Click here to get started. It’s almost impossible to miss how food prices have been rising in the past year due to inflation. Fuel prices have soared, and the cost of common goods like eggs has risen by up to 60%. In addition, geopolitical conflicts like the war in Ukraine are increasing global instability and affecting food supply chains – impacting markets globally. One solution that industry leaders and analysts have identified lies in the expansion of the global food service robotics industry. Looking to technology during times of crisis is not a new trend. The automotive industry has been aided significantly by robotics teams to help automate assembly lines and cut down costs, especially amid recessions. Robots are found in almost every part of a car plant, and it’s estimated that by 2025 as much as 75% of vehicles will ride on robot production lines. Manufacturing in general has been absolutely transformed by robotics, helping manufacturers achieve peak efficiency and productivity. The food industry is no different, but it requires innovative approaches to fully leverage the advantages of robotics. Technology and innovation are crucial to the modern food service industry. Not only does technology help companies lower operating costs but it also expands access to fresh food in more locations. While robotics in food service is still in its relative infancy, the increasing ingredient and labor cost challenges are accelerating their growth to help transform the food service industry as it did manufacturing – and companies like Blendid are leading the charge. Blendid, a robotic and AI-enabled food automation solution company, has seen firsthand the success of a fully autonomous robotic kiosk for smoothies. Their kiosks operate in universities, travel centers, retail stores, and hospitals across the country. The kiosks can operate 24/7, which gives consumers access to healthy and affordable food around the clock while the company is able to maintain low operational costs. The company has seen a 267% revenue increase year-over-year which is unsurprising given the consumer demand for healthy and sustainable food. Not only is the kiosk model contactless, but being open 24/7 increases the accessibility of healthy food. For college students or late-night workers, who typically have limited access to healthier foods, Blendid is changing the landscape of food justice. If projections are to be believed, the food robotics industry is only going to continue to grow. The global market for food robotics was estimated at $2.1 billion in 2022, and the market is projected to reach $4B by 2026. Companies like Blendid will be instrumental in the industry by providing unique experiences and options for consumers on the go. Blendid is currently hosting a raise to further expand its ingenious concept. The company is currently working on expanding to 10 additional geographies in the near future and has 500+ kiosks in contract. Previously, they raised more than $26 million which translated into significant revenue growth. It is clear that the consumer demand is there for the smoothie kiosk model and it’ll be interesting to see how Blendid will continue to be an industry leader. Interested in investing and being a part of their growth story? Click here to read more about Blendid’s raise and how to invest! This article was originally published on Benzinga here. Sunnyvale-based Blendid is revolutionizing the future of food service with its proprietary food automation platform (foodOS™), which efficiently and safely prepares and serves a range of healthy, fresh, and delicious food. A pioneer of the future of food service, Blendid's first concept in the market is an autonomous, contactless kiosk that uses robotics, machine vision, artificial intelligence, and healthy ingredients to create delicious smoothies that are customized to meet the unique health and dietary preferences of each consumer. Founded in 2015 by seasoned Silicon Valley entrepreneurs Vipin Jain, Venki Avalur, and Vijay Dodd, Blendid is improving the consumer experience by offering safe, cost-effective, and personalized food on-demand, while also reducing complexities and costs for the operators. Blendid has raised more $20M to date from a mix of venture and crowdfunding investors and is currently raising its Series B investment round. Visit www.startengine.com/blendid for more information and to invest in the future of food service automation. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. The preceding post was written and/or published as a collaboration between Benzinga’s in-house sponsored content team and a financial partner of Benzinga. Although the piece is not and should not be construed as editorial content, the sponsored content team works to ensure that any and all information contained within is true and accurate to the best of their knowledge and research. Benzinga may receive monetary compensation from the issuer, or its agency, for publicizing the offering of the issuer’s securities. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. This is a paid ad. Please see 17b disclosure linked in the campaign page for more information. Contact Details Erica Camilo 344130@email4pr.com Company Website http://www.blendid.com

February 22, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

News Release

Predictive Oncology appoints Pamela Bush as new chief business officer

Predictive Oncology Inc.

Predictive Oncology's new chief business officer Pamela Bush joined Proactive's Natalie Stoberman to share her plans for her new role with the company. Bush will lead all business development, partnering and growth strategies for Predictive Oncology and spearhead the company’s strategic, operational and financial planning initiatives for both existing customers and emerging new markets. The new CBO previously served as senior vice president of strategic sales and business development at the company. In that role, she was instrumental in guiding Predictive Oncology's strategic direction, expanding its product offerings and launching commercialization efforts for its flagship technology platform. Contact Details Proactive US +1 347-449-0879 na-editorial@proactiveinvestors.com

February 21, 2023 02:04 PM Eastern Standard Time

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News Release

ChitogenX partners with Polytechnique Montréal on federal grant for ORTHO-R regenerative treatment

ChitogenX Inc

ChitogenX CEO Phil Deschamps joined Proactive's Natalie Stoberman with news of the company's latest federal grant and partnership deal with Polytechnique Montréal to expand the ORTHO- R platform in regenerative medicine. Deschamps said the company has obtained a $3,472,000 grant from The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and Prima Québec and will collaborate with Polytechnique Montréal throughout the four-year grant period to advance the scientific development, expand the scope of indications, develop new biomaterials for regenerative medicine and accelerate the commercial readiness of its flagship ORTHO-R technology platform. Contact Details Proactive Canada +1 604-688-8158 na-editorial@proactiveinvestors.com

February 21, 2023 01:53 PM Eastern Standard Time

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ZeaKal Elects Jay Brumfield as Chairman, Hank Plain as Board Member

ZeaKal

ZeaKal, today announced the appointment of Jay Brumfield as its Board of Directors Chairman and Hank Plain as Board Member. The appointments further validate the market potential of ZeaKal's novel PhotoSeed® trait technology and the broad impact of its ‘NewType’ business model to transform agriculture. “As one of ZeaKal’s initial investors, I have witnessed the remarkable evolution of the company’s vision to improve the photosynthetic capacity of plants”, said Brumfield. “As Chairman, I am honored for the opportunity to further advance the company’s mission to convert carbon dioxide into improved productivity and nutritional quality across the world’s most important crops.” As an accomplished entrepreneur and investor in healthcare and agriculture, Brumfield’s expertise will help ZeaKal expand its strategic partnerships and commercial opportunities globally. Brumfield’s background includes being president and CEO of two healthcare start-ups that were sold to publicly held strategics and then co-founder and managing director of Finistere Ventures. While at Finistere, he led its investment in ZeaKal as well as six others that were successfully exited, including ag tech start-up Athenix. Board of Directors Bolster Governance Profile Ahead of 2024 Commercialization As a new board member, Plain brings additional expertise having been involved in some of the largest venture-backed life science exits over the last decade. Currently, he is a special partner of Lightstone Ventures and a general partner at Morgenthaler Ventures. “Having grown up in central Illinois, I clearly see how ZeaKal’s technology and vision will restore profitability and resilience to U.S. agriculture, starting with delivering more value to the grower,” said Plain. “As a science innovation company, ZeaKal’s proprietary technology, innovative business model and impact on the future of agriculture aligns with my commitment to tackle global challenges like climate change and access to affordable nutrition.” In addition to ZeaKal, Plain serves on the boards of Imperative Care, Nuvaira, Moximed and Setpoint. “ZeaKal’s PhotoSeed technology and NewType model will deliver more equitable value to our supply chain partners as we improve profitability for all participants,” said Han Chen, co-founder and CEO of ZeaKal. “Together with our management team and partners, I’m excited to fully engage Jay and Hank as we accelerate our growth across several crop areas and usher in a new dawn of plant trait technologies.” Over the past two years, ZeaKal built a fully integrated supply chain, with Gro Alliance and Perdue AgriBusiness as its first partners, to deliver better, more sustainable food starting with seed genetics that is more equitable for farmers. In 2022, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) deregulated ZeaKal’s seed technology for soybeans paving the way for broad adoption across the U.S. market. About ZeaKal: At ZeaKal, we are building a value driven “NewType” of agriculture to harmonize the needs of farmers, consumers, and our planet. Our flagship plant trait technology, PhotoSeed™, helps crops capture more carbon and sunlight, leading to healthier, nutrient-rich food and feed grown on a smaller environmental footprint. We go beyond science to make affordable nutrition more sustainable, with marketable differentiation for growers. Discover how we are transforming carbon to nutrition: zeakal.com or @zeakal on Twitter. Contact Details AgTech PR for ZeaKal Jennifer Goldston +1 816-260-0040 jennifer@agtechpr.com Company Website https://www.zeakal.com

February 21, 2023 08:00 AM Central Standard Time

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AliMed, Inc. Welcomes Fortune 100 Healthcare Leader And Former AORN Foundation Board Member to Its Sales Leadership Team

AliMed, Inc.

AliMed, Inc., a Massachusetts-based medical supply manufacturer and distributor, announced today the naming of Gregg Brewster as Vice President of Global Commercial Partnerships, joining the company’s growing sales leadership team. In this newly created role, Brewster will lead AliMed’s channel growth strategies with distributor partners and group purchasing organizations (GPOs), focusing on key accounts and regional GPOs to foster and strengthen relationships aimed at expanding AliMed’s footprint in the post-acute care space. A 39-year healthcare industry veteran with sales leadership roles at Owens & Minor and Cardinal Health, Brewster has spent much of his career driving all aspects of sales, marketing, and financial performance while building strategic partnerships with top-tier integrated delivery networks (IDNs) and national GPOs. Most recently, Brewster worked as an independent consultant, supporting hospitals and large regional purchasing coalitions to improve supply chain efficiencies, allowing them to focus on reducing costs, expanding diversity business initiatives, and improving patient care. “Gregg brings an incredible amount of expertise and depth to this role,” said Adam Epstein, CEO of AliMed. “He’s built a tremendous reputation in the distribution sector, and his leadership mentoring style is legendary. No one is more uniquely qualified to not only navigate the complexities of these critical growth areas but bolster our position within them. We’re thrilled to welcome him to AliMed.” A “student of the industry,” Brewster has been recognized for his mentorship and training efforts with young professionals and has served as a representative on corporate and industry boards, championing community involvement, diversity, and women’s initiatives. He just completed a six-year membership on the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) Foundation Board of Directors and was recently appointed by the governor of Arizona as a regent on his home state of Arizona’s Board of Regents. “Healthcare is a fast-paced industry, and it’s easy to get left behind in today’s landscape,” said Brewster. “I’m passionate about my mission to help arm our internal teams with the knowledge and tools required to fortify our sales approach while nurturing and inspiring performances to ensure AliMed is always at the front of the line.” Brewster holds a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University and resides in Phoenix. About AliMed AliMed, Inc. manufactures and distributes acute and post-acute medical products and devices. For over 50 years, AliMed has innovated to deliver flexible supply chain solutions with superior service and products focused on safety and productivity for the continuum of care. AliMed’s broad portfolio of products for domestic and international care providers, dealers, and distributors are designed to improve patient outcomes and experiences from “hospital to home.” Contact Details Amy Fontaine, Marketing Communications +1 857-205-8264 afontaine@alimed.com Company Website https://www.alimed.com/

February 21, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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People Hub Puts the Employee Experience at the Heart of NAVEX One

NAVEX Global

NAVEX, the leader in integrated risk and compliance management software, today announced the launch of People Hub, a key component of the NAVEX One Governance, Risk, and Compliance Information System. People Hub combines employee-related compliance tasks into a single view for both employees and program administrators. It delivers a streamlined experience that simplifies and elevates the organization’s compliance program. As part of the NAVEX One platform, People Hub is included at no extra cost. NAVEX is the first provider of a GRC Information System that connects enhanced employee experience and automated risk and compliance processes with informed data-driven governance. NAVEX One People Hub is a single destination for all employee compliance tasks -- from onboarding new talent and reviewing the code of conduct to developing and executing more complex compliance workflows. People Hub also recognizes how work gets done today, and therefore is accessible on any device from desktop to tablets and mobile phones. “Organizations are navigating multiple macro trends impacting business risk, including increased employee expectations for greater transparency and being heard by management,” says Amy Cravens, IDC research manager, governance, risk and compliance. “Enhancing how an organization manages its risk and compliance, starting with the front-line employees, is a key element to driving operational and business success.” "Having everyone live into the organization's GRC program demands a unified, familiar user experience. NAVEX One People Hub makes this straightforward and intuitive for employees and administrators alike," said NAVEX Chief Product Officer, A.G. Lambert. "People Hub creates a central location where all compliance tasks are easily accessed and completed, allowing employees to be proactive when it comes to their compliance responsibilities. This in turn contributes to a workplace culture that delivers outcomes that matter most to the organization." Employee experience People Hub makes compliance readily understandable and more approachable by simplifying processes. It ensures team members stay up to date with their compliance-related activities while strengthening workplace culture with a more individualized and engaging experience. See unique tasks: People Hub presents new employees with a personalized onboarding experience with all their compliance tasks in a single, simple list that ensures they take prompt action and stay on track. Make a report or ask a question: Team members can file a report or incident, ask a question and follow up on their case in a safe inviting format. Review a policy or make a disclosure: People Hub makes it easy to access applicable policies and record past actions. This includes links to company policies, code of conduct and conflict-of-interest disclosure forms. Access resources from any device: From onboarding to ongoing compliance tasks, People Hub ensures resources are readily available from any device. Administrative workflows NAVEX continues to enhance its GRC Information System through the centralized management of key risk and compliance information. Distribution of all communication, training, tasks and other important information makes People Hub an intuitive employee compliance management solution. Manage compliance centrally: Create targeted compliance workflows using one centralized risk and compliance information system. Tailor workflows to titles: Quickly create or reuse compliance workflows based on different job types, departments, locations, and more. Get your message out: Easily deliver journeys (or other instructions) for onboarding and ongoing compliance-related tasks. This includes vital work-specific and regulatory attestations and training. Measure impact: See the process and status of employees' progress through assigned training, policy attestations and conflict-of-interest disclosures. Enhanced workplace culture People Hub’s customizable features allow administrators to create a familiar experience for employees that uses the organization’s branding and sets the tone for a healthy workplace culture that inspires trust. Easy access: Offers a simple URL with single sign on. Branded experience: Set the logo, colors and button shapes to match the company brand. Reinforce culture: Add a CEO message or other welcome message to reinforce and match the culture and voice of the organization. Worldwide customization: Offered in 15 standard languages with additional languages available. About NAVEX One GRC Information System NAVEX One enhances the employee experience, mitigates third-party risk, and automates risk and compliance processes for more informed, data-driven governance. As the first comprehensive GRC Information System, NAVEX One delivers shared services through an integrated data model. This provides insights across key areas of business risk generating greater operational efficiencies. NAVEX One creates a real-time view of compliance risk without silos – further bringing all governance, risk and compliance activity together into a single source of truth. To learn more about People Hub, visit https://www.navex.com/en-us/products/navex-ethics-compliance/people-hub/. Or, read our blog, “ Three ways to elevate your employee experience ” on Risk & Compliance Matters. NAVEX is trusted by thousands of customers worldwide to help them achieve the business outcomes that matter most. As the global leader in integrated risk and compliance management software and services, we deliver solutions through the NAVEX One platform, the industry’s most comprehensive governance, risk and compliance (GRC) information system. For more information, visit NAVEX.com and our blog. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Contact Details NAVEX Scott Levesque +1 617-388-5773 scott.levesque@navex.com Company Website https://www.navex.com

February 21, 2023 08:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

Chill Brands welcomes Mad Tasty to US platform

Chill Brands Group PLC

Chill Brands Group PLC (LSE:CHLL, OTCQB:CHBRF) CEO Callum Sommerton speaks to Proactive's Thomas Warner after announcing the first ever third-party listing on Chill.com. Hemp infused sparkling water brand Mad Tasty is now available to Chill.com customers in the US, and Sommerton says that many more brands are likely to become available in the coming months. Contact Details UK Editorial +44 20 7989 0813 uk@proactiveinvestors.com

February 21, 2023 05:13 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Inspiration Healthcare back on track after unprecedented events held back FY2023 growth

Inspiration Healthcare Group PLC

Inspiration Healthcare Group PLC chief executive Neil Campbell tells Proactive the company took steps to mitigate the impact of last year's invasion of Ukraine, which impacted its business in Russia and Belarus, as well as the effect of unprecedented COVID-19 lockdowns in China which saw it lose momentum. He said thanks to the company's resilience, which saw it introducing more products to new markets, revenue for the year to 31 January 2023 came in slightly ahead of the previous year. Inspiration Healthcare now hopes to return to the strong growth it expected a year ago, with the green shoots already showing, Campbell added. Contact Details Proactive UK Ltd Proactive UK Ltd +44 20 7989 0813 uk@proactiveinvestors.com

February 21, 2023 04:59 AM Eastern Standard Time

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