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ISC Reports Strong First Quarter Growth in 2024, Launches Five-Year Growth Strategy

Information Services Corp

ISC CEO Shawn Peters joined Steve Darling from Proactive to discuss the company's impressive financial performance in the first quarter of 2024, coinciding with the launch of its ambitious five-year growth plan. The company recorded a revenue of $56.4 million, marking a 15 percent increase compared to the first quarter of 2023. This growth is attributed to fee adjustments within the Saskatchewan Registries division implemented in the third quarter of 2023, as well as consistent customer and transaction growth in the Services’ Regulatory Solutions division and the advancement of project work on both existing and new solutions in the Technology Solutions division. Peters also highlighted that the Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter rose to $19.4 million, up from $14.5 million in the same period last year. This increase was primarily driven by the aforementioned fee adjustments in the Registry Operations’ Saskatchewan Registries division, in line with the Extension Agreement and annual CPI adjustments. Additionally, the Technology Solutions division saw an increase in its Adjusted EBITDA, which grew due to increased revenue from ongoing and new solution definition and implementation contracts. The Adjusted EBITDA margin significantly improved to 34.5 percent, up from 29.5 percent in the first quarter of 2023, reflecting the positive impact of the pricing strategies implemented. Contact Details Proactive North America +1 604-688-8158 na-editorial@proactiveinvestors.com

May 16, 2024 12:11 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Recall.ai raises $10M to give any developer the ability to build AI meeting bots in days

Recall AI

Conversations are now the world’s largest dataset. Millions of hours of meetings happen everyday over video conferencing platforms, and hundreds of companies try to make sense of these meetings using AI-powered meeting bots that take months to build. Today, the universal API for meeting bots Recall.ai has announced a $10 million funding round to allow engineers to integrate with any meeting platform, including Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Slack Huddles, and even platforms with no API. This funding round comes hot on the heels of 10x growth over the past 12 months. The Series A funding round was led by Ridge Ventures with participation from Industry Ventures, Y Combinator, IrregEx, Bungalow Capital, Hack VC, and other existing investors. which will be used to scale Recall.ai’s product and team. This fresh investment brings the company’s total amount raised to over $12M, following a $2.7 million seed round in December 2022. It can take over one year for a team of specialist engineers to build the infrastructure and integrations required for even the most basic AI-powered meeting bots. After they’re built, companies face the bigger and more labor-intensive challenge of hosting and maintaining the infrastructure on hundreds of thousands of servers. In comparison, Recall.ai lets a single engineer get up and running with a meeting bot in a few days, even if they don’t have expertise in real-time video processing. This lets companies focus on building their core product while Recall.ai runs, monitors, and scales complex, real-time video infrastructure. "Recall has been a critical partner to us in rolling out Fellow.app's new AI copilot functionality which has been a huge hit with customers,” explained Aydin Mirzaee, CEO of Fellow.app. “We love working with Recall because they are focused on the infrastructure so that we can focus on what we're good at - solving meeting productivity for companies everywhere." Co-founders David Gu and Amanda Zhu launched Recall.ai as two important trends emerged: a worldwide shift to remote work, and advances in AI technology that simplified the processing of unstructured voice and video data. Gu and Zhu previously worked on a real-time transcription tool for video conferences, where the bulk of their engineering team’s effort was spent building and maintaining integrations with conferencing platforms. The duo realized companies building LLM tools to process data from virtual meetings today were running into the same integration and infrastructure hurdles they had already solved, and decided to start Recall.ai to enable the next generation of LLM-powered apps. Over the last 12 months, Recall.ai has grown 10x and today ingests millions of hours of video meeting data for more than 300 companies. Customers are currently using the platform to build powerful tools that leverage conversation intelligence for sales enablement discussions, productivity, customer success, financial advising, telehealth applications, and virtual depositions, among other use cases. Recently, Recall also partnered with Zoom to release an official Meeting Bot Starter Kit that generates a transcript, requests a meeting summary, and provides it to participants in near real-time. “Conversations are the world’s largest dataset,” said David Gu, co-founder at Recall.ai. “Large language models continue to unlock conversations in exciting ways, and the demand for developers to capture this data has never been higher. Every SaaS company in the world should be using conversations as a data source. Recall’s unified API makes it as easy as possible.” “Recall is on its way to becoming the de facto infrastructural layer for all enterprise-level conversational data,” added Akriti Dokania, Partner at Ridge Ventures. “Video and voice data will only become more central to software companies moving forward. Providing infrastructure API access is a hard problem to solve and enterprises don’t want to solve it in-house—Recall’s tremendous growth proves it ten times over. Most importantly, David and Amanda are an ideal founding duo: technically gifted, tenacious, wise beyond their years, and always willing to learn and grow.” With this new funding, the company is primed for the next phase of growth. The same way that AWS provided common infrastructure that every company building a web application would need as they scale, Recall.ai is setting out to provide the common infrastructure for every company who needs to access and apply AI to conversations. About Recall.ai Recall.ai provides a single API for accessing real-time meeting data from platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and more. Real-time meeting integrations require a lot of moving parts, so Recall.ai provides a unified framework that simplifies this process. Recall.ai makes it easy to trigger actions based on who is speaking, when people join or leave a meeting, and more, all with a single API for every platform which helps lower development time and upkeep costs. The API can be used with both audio and video streams, even for meeting platforms that do not have a publicly accessible API. About Ridge Ventures Founded in 2007, Ridge Ventures is a seed and early-stage venture capital firm investing in founders who are redefining how the world interacts with data and code. Ridge takes a fast, flexible, and founder-focused approach, and backs companies delivering advanced technologies, new distribution models, and incredible user experiences. Find out more at www.ridge.vc Contact Details Recall.ai Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://www.recall.ai/

May 16, 2024 09:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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HackaTRON Season 6 Submission Period Concludes with Notable Achievements

TRON DAO

Geneva, Switzerland, May 16, 2024 – TRON DAO proudly announces the completion of HackaTRON Season 6, a monumental season with a record 962 participants, co-hosted with HTX DAO, BitTorrent Chain, and JustLend DAO. This event not only showcased innovative blockchain projects but also highlighted the profound capabilities of the TRON network. Diverse Sponsorship and Expert Judgement This season's success was bolstered by a distinguished array of sponsors and expert judges, each bringing unique value and insight: Diamond Sponsors: Ankr - Specializing in decentralized infrastructure services for DApp development, Ankr supports the seamless integration and deployment of blockchain applications. Representing Ankr on the judging panel is: Ryan Fang, Co-Founder and COO: With a background in top-tier investment banking, Ryan is the co-founder and COO of Ankr. He brings extensive financial and operational expertise to the blockchain space, focusing on innovations in Web3 and NFT sectors. ChainGPT - Merges AI with blockchain to enhance Web3's accessibility. Judges from ChainGPT including: Ilan Rakhmanov, Founder & CEO: Known for his innovative approach to blending technology and business. Sharon Sciammas, CMO: Brings extensive tech marketing expertise. Max Martinez, Advisor: Provides invaluable insights into AI, FinTech, Blockchain, and Web3 innovations. AI-Tech Solidius - Champions eco-friendly computing and links AI with blockchain, promoting sustainable tech development. Judges from AI-Tech Solidius include: Paul Farhi, Founder & CEO: Leads with a vision for integrating AI within blockchain, driving the future of decentralized technologies. Niraj Poduval, Chief of Staff, brings over 11 years of AI and data consulting experience from sectors including Public Finance Banking. Adrian Stoica, Founder and Head of Technology and Development: Provides a deep tech perspective to evaluate the technical robustness of projects. Platinum Sponsor: Kima Network - A decentralized protocol for blockchain-based money transfers, enabling interchain transactions and accessibility for any user across any blockchain. Representing Kima Network on the judging panel are: Tomer Warschauer Nuni, CMO: Brings over 20 years of digital marketing expertise, with a deep focus on blockchain and Web3 innovations. Tomer is a serial entrepreneur with notable successes and a regular contributor to Forbes and Cointelegraph. Eitan Katz, CEO: With over 25 years of executive experience at tech giants like HP and BMC, Eitan is an early adopter of cryptocurrencies and was a founding member of Aegis, the first MPC-based bitcoin wallet. Gold Sponsor: GT-Protocol - Spearheading innovation in decentralized finance (DeFi), GT-Protocol offers a comprehensive suite of tools designed to enhance efficiency and transparency within the sector. GT-Protocol contributes their expertise to the competition through: Balaban Vladyslav, Co-founder: An avid blockchain advocate, investor, and entrepreneur with a futuristic vision. Balaban's leadership at GT-Protocol underscores his dedication to revolutionizing the DeFi landscape. Silver Sponsor: Router Protocol - Focused on cross-chain interoperability, Router Protocol empowers blockchain interactions and development through its innovative products. Joining the judges from Router Protocol is: Priyeshu Garg, Head of Marketing and Developer Relations: With a background in engineering and journalism, Priyeshu has been at the forefront of developing top-tier Web3 products since 2018, bringing a unique blend of technical expertise and market insights to the competition. Celebrating Industry Experts Our partners' diverse expertise significantly enhanced the integrity and innovation of HackaTRON Season 6: Huawei Cloud: Represented by Bian Wenchao, who is spearheading the charge towards a vibrant Web3 ecosystem. Blockchain.com: Matt Arney leads business development, bringing a dynamic approach to fostering startup growth within the blockchain space. ChainSecurity: Pietro Carta, a Blockchain Security Engineer, known for identifying and mitigating critical vulnerabilities. ChainAnalysis: Pablo Navarro, combines his Web3 experience with offensive security to enhance blockchain safety. Nansen: Edward Wilson, Social Media Manager, offers insights into on-chain data and DeFi from a user experience perspective. Into The Block: Nicolas Contasti, Head of Sales & Business Development, shares his experience from transforming the financial services industry. CryptoQuant: Ben Sizelove, Senior Data Consultant, provides top-notch on-chain and market data analytics. CryptoRank: Sergei Zubakov, a chief analyst with expertise in the DeFi sector, adds analytical prowess to the event. Arkham: Alexander Lerangis focuses on leading Arkham's partnerships, branding, and growth initiatives. A Successful Wrap-Up and Future Outlook The HackaTRON provided a platform for extensive networking and strategic collaborations, setting the stage for future innovations. With the judging phase set to commence, the contributions of the esteemed judges will be crucial in selecting the winners, who will be announced on May 30. These winners will receive 30% of the prize pool immediately, with the remaining awarded upon successful deployment on the TRON mainnet, reflecting TRON DAO’s commitment to supporting practical blockchain applications. About TRON DAO TRON DAO is a community-governed DAO dedicated to accelerating the decentralization of the internet via blockchain technology and dApps. Founded in September 2017 by H.E. Justin Sun, the TRON network has continued to deliver impressive achievements since MainNet launch in May 2018. July 2018 also marked the ecosystem integration of BitTorrent, a pioneer in decentralized Web3 services boasting over 100 million monthly active users. The TRON network has gained incredible traction in recent years. As of January 2023, it has over 205.11 million total user accounts on the blockchain, more than 6.96 billion total transactions, and over $20.43 billion in total value locked (TVL), as reported on TRONSCAN. In addition, TRON hosts the largest circulating supply of USD Tether (USDT) stablecoin across the globe, overtaking USDT on Ethereum since April 2021. The TRON network completed full decentralization in December 2021 and is now a community-governed DAO. Most recently in October 2022, TRON was designated as the national blockchain for the Commonwealth of Dominica, which marks the first time a major public blockchain partnered with a sovereign nation to develop its national blockchain infrastructure. On top of the government’s endorsement to issue Dominica Coin (“DMC”), a blockchain-based fan token to help promote Dominica’s global fanfare, seven existing TRON-based tokens - TRX, BTT, NFT, JST, USDD, USDT, TUSD, have been granted statutory status as authorized digital currency and medium of exchange in the country. TRONNetwork | TRONDAO | Twitter | YouTube | Telegram | Discord | Reddit | GitHub | Medium | Forum Media Contact Hayward Wong press@tron.network Contact Details Hayward Wong press@tron.network Company Website https://trondao.org/

May 16, 2024 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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SIGMA Announces 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II | Art Lens, an Upgraded Follow-Up to its Popular Standard Zoom for Full-Frame Mirrorless Cameras

SIGMA CORPORATION OF AMERICA

SIGMA Corporation of America, the US subsidiary of SIGMA Corporation (CEO: Kazuto Yamaki. Headquarters: Asao-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, Japan) is pleased to announce the SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II | Art lens. This is the second generation of the highly successful SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Art. The new lens has undergone a significant evolution, including enhanced optical performance, AF speed and operability, while also achieving a more compact size than the original. The advancement of optical design has shortened the total optical length, and the lens barrel has been made slimmer by thoroughly downsizing the zoom mechanism. In addition, the lens barrel has been downsized by placing buttons and switches directly on the lens barrel. The weight has been reduced by approximately 10% compared to the SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Art. By driving the lightweight focus group with the high-thrust HLA, autofocus is significantly swifter than the original version. 6 FLD glass elements, 2 SLD glass elements, and 5 double-sided aspheric lenses are used. Aberrations are highly corrected through advanced optical design made possible by advanced basic technologies in both design and manufacturing, including the use of new glass materials and aspherical lenses with thin walls and high degrees of asphericity. In particular, sagittal coma flare is heavily corrected to achieve MTF characteristics surpassing those of the highly-acclaimed 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Art. The high level of flare resistance also results in point images, such as stars, at the periphery of the image being closer to ideal points. A close-focusing distance of 6.7 inches (17cm) at the wide end at 1:2.7 magnification * adds to the versatility of this lens, and the addition of a click/de-click and lockable aperture ring, along with an additional AF-L button for vertical orientation still or video capture, are additional enhancements of this second-generation lens. The zoom lock switch, which disengages when zooming, is inherited from the SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Art. Manual focus can be switched between Linear and Non-linear response (L-Mount only.) A splash- and dust-resistant structure, plus water and oil-repellent coating on the front element, add to durability. * close-focusing distance of 13.4 inches (34cm) with 1:4 magnification at 70mm The new SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II | Art lens builds on the success and popularity of the original 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Art, and offers an impressive upgrade with added features and performance in a more compact package that is perfect for working pros in both still and video applications. Offered in Sony E-mount and L-Mount, the lens will be available through authorized retailers in late May 2024 and will sell for $1,199. Learn more at the SIGMA America website: https://www.sigmaphoto.com/24-70mm-f2-8-dg-dn-ii-a Exclusively for mirrorless cameras | Compatible with full-frame cameras A | Art SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II A classic, evolved. Rendering performance worthy of the flagship name Improved portability and expanded feature set A wealth of professional functions including high-speed autofocus Supplied accessories: CASE, LENS HOOD LH878-05, FRONT CAP LCF-82 III, REAR CAP LCR II Available mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount Launch date: May 30, 2024 * The appearance and specifications of the products are subject to change. * Sony E-mount lenses are developed, manufactured and sold in accordance with the E-mount specifications licensed under a license agreement with Sony Corporation. * L-Mount is a registered trademark of Leica Camera AG. #SIGMA #SIGMA2470mmF28IIArt #SIGMAArt #SIGMAArtZoom #SIGMADGDN The Art 24-70mm F2.8, evolved on all levels: Rendering performance, functionality, and portability. The SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II | Art is SIGMA's flagship lens that has evolved significantly from the previous model by incorporating the most advanced technologies available to SIGMA from design to production. Compared to the previous SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Art, the SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II | Art has improved resolving power throughout the entire zoom range, and also benefits from functional enhancements such as the addition of an aperture ring and high-speed AF with a redesigned AF motor, HLA (High-response Linear Actuator). The lens is also approximately 7% smaller and 10% lighter. This 24-70mm F2.8 Art zoom is a versatile and high-performance tool that will help photographers and filmmakers unlock their creative potential. [Key Features] 1. Rendering performance worthy of the flagship name The SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II | Art is the successor to the SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Art, which is known for its high optical performance, and has further improved resolution throughout the zoom range. The lens has high sharpness throughout the entire image from its maximum aperture, even on high-resolution cameras. Focusing on enhancing its rendering performance, the brightness of F2.8 produces a large, beautiful bokeh effect, and allows users to experience the power of a flagship lens in all types of visual expression. In addition to its advanced close-up capability and resistance to flare and ghosting, the lens is designed to minimize focus breathing. High optical performance across the entire image and zoom range The optical design of the lens includes 6 FLD glass elements, 2 SLD glass elements, and 5 aspherical lens elements to thoroughly suppress various aberrations throughout the entire zoom range. In particular, sagittal coma flare has been well controlled to achieve consistently high resolution all the way to the periphery of the image. By also effectively correcting lateral chromatic aberration, high resolution, beautifully rendered images can be achieved, free from color fringing can be achieved. Incorporating 5 aspherical lenses The use of 5 high-precision aspherical lenses enables both high optical performance with minimal aberration correction and a compact optical design. The SIGMA's only manufacturing base, the Aizu factory’s ultra-high-precision aspherical molding technology makes it possible to produce the thin, highly polarized aspherical lenses that are essential for the construction of this lens. This has brought about a higher degree of freedom in optical design. Excellent close-up capability The lens has excellent close-up capability with a minimum focusing distance of 17cm / 6.7in. at the wide end and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2.7. This is useful when composing close-up shots of a subject, or when shooting in tight spaces where it is difficult to get a good distance from the subject. * Be extremely careful that the front lens element does not hit the subject when photographing. Remove the lens hood when photographing at the minimum focusing distance at the wide-angle end. Designed to minimize flare and ghosting Flare and ghosting, which reduce image quality, have been largely eliminated using advanced simulation technology, ensuring the lens renders rich, high-contrast results in all conditions. In addition, Nano Porous Coating and Super Multi-layer Coating have been applied to help suppress flare and ghosting to the utmost degree. High backlight resistance enables clear and sharp images under any lighting conditions. Minimal focus breathing The lens has been designed to suppress focus breathing. The change in angle-of-view due to focus shift across the entire zoom range is minimized, creating a natural-looking focus pulls when recording video. 2. Improved portability and expanded feature set The body of the SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II | Art is approximately 7% smaller in size and 10% lighter in weight than the previous model, while improving usability by adding an aperture ring and two AFL buttons. Despite the reduction in size and added features, the lens maintains SIGMA’s renowned excellent build quality, with the uncompromisingly precise and robust construction expected of a professional photographic tool. Highly portable lens body While the number of lens elements used in its construction is the same as that of the previous model, the overall length has been shortened owing to an advanced optical design. In addition, the more efficient mechanical design has resulted in a highly portable lens body with a maximum diameter of 87.8mm / 3.5in., length of 120.2mm / 4.7in., and weight of 745g / 26.3oz.* * These figures are for L-Mount. Excellent build quality Simultaneously focusing on reducing the size and weight of the lens body, the use of metal parts for the zoom extension unit and other parts, as well as the robust internal structure ensure rigidity during use, such as when operating the ring, pressing buttons, and carrying the lens. The design emphasizes the lens’ longevity and reliability as a tool, which cannot be achieved by solely pursuing a compact and lightweight body. Equipped with an aperture ring The lens is equipped with an aperture ring as well as an aperture ring click switch and an aperture ring lock switch, allowing for aperture operation suitable for various shooing situations. Equipped with two AFL buttons The lens is equipped with two AFL buttons*, to which a range of functions can be assigned via the menu on selected cameras, one more than the previous model. In addition to the side, the additional button has been positioned on the top to facilitate button operation when the camera is held in vertical orientation. * Functions can be assigned on supported cameras only. Available functions may vary depending on the camera used. 3. A wealth of functions including high-speed autofocus In addition to high-speed AF with HLA (High-response Linear Actuator), the SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II | Art has a full range of features including weather resistance such as a dust and splash resistant structure* and water and oil repellent coating, as well as a zoom lock switch. The lens delivers the best possible results in every shooting situation. * The structure is designed to be dust and splash resistant, but not waterproof. Be careful not to bring the lens in contact with a large amount of water. Water inside the lens may cause major damage and even render the lens unrepairable. Incorporating a linear motor HLA The lens incorporates a linear motor HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) for the AF actuator. The high output HLA makes the maximum drive speed more than three times faster than the previous model*, ensuring responsive AF shooting. * Compared by the maximum drive speed of the SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II | Art with that of the SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Art (It is different from the actual time for AF to focus). Dust and splash resistant structure and water and oil repellent coating In addition to a dust and splash resistant structure, the front element of the lens features a water and oil repellent coating, allowing users to shoot without concerns even in harsh outdoor environments. Equipped with a zoom lock switch at the wide end The lens is equipped with a zoom lock switch that locks the lens at the wide end and prevents the barrel from extending unintentionally under its own weight. The lock can be released not only by the switch but also via zoom operation, allowing for flexible handling of even impromptu shooting. Includes petal-type hood with lock A dedicated petal-shaped hood is supplied. A locking mechanism is provided for secure attachment. [ Additional Features ] Lens construction: 19 elements in 15 groups (6 FLD, 2 SLD, 5 aspherical elements) Inner focus system Compatible with high-speed autofocus HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) Compatible with Lens Aberration Correction * Function available on supported cameras only. Available corrections or auto correction functionality may vary depending on the camera model. * On cameras where lens aberration correction is controlled with "ON" or "OFF" in the camera menu, please set all aberration correction functions to "ON" (AUTO). Supports DMF and AF+MF Compatible with AF assist (for Sony E-mount only) Nano Porous Coating Super Multi-Layer Coating Water- and Oil-Repellent Coating (front element) Aperture ring Aperture ring click switch Aperture ring lock switch AFL button (2 buttons) * Function can be assigned on supported cameras only. Available functions may vary depending on the camera used. Focus Mode switch Support for switching between linear and non-linear focus ring settings (for L-Mount only) * Function available on supported cameras only. Dust- and Splash-Resistant Structure Petal-type hood with lock LH875-05 Compatible with SIGMA USB DOCK UD-11 (sold separately / for L-Mount only) Designed to minimize flare and ghosting Every single lens undergoes SIGMA's proprietary MTF measuring system 11-blade rounded diaphragm High-precision, durable brass bayonet mount Mount Conversion Service available "Made in Aizu, Japan" craftsmanship [ Key Specifications ] The following specifications are for L-Mount. Lens Construction: 19 elements in 15 groups (6 FLD, 2 SLD, 5 aspherical elements) Angle of view: 84.1 - 34.3° Number of diaphragm blades: 11 (rounded diaphragm) Minimum aperture: F22 Minimum focusing distance: 6.7 (W) - 13.4 (T) in. / 17 (W) -34 (T) cm Maximum magnification ratio: 1:2.7 (W) - 1:4 (T) Filter size: 82mm Dimensions (Max. Diam. x Length): 3.5 x 4.7 in. / 87.8 x 120.2mm Weight: 26.3 oz. / 745g [ Product Barcode ] Product Name Barcode L-Mount: 0085126 941420 Sony E-mount: 0085126 941413 [ Accessories: Supplied ] LENS HOOD LH878-05: 0085126 941406 FRONT CAP LCF-82 III: 0085126 930028 REAR CAP LCR II for L-Mount: 0085126 937256 REAR CAP LCR II for Sony E-mount: 0085126 929879 [ Accessories: Optional ] SIGMA USB DOCK UD-11 for L-Mount: 0085126 878696 SIGMA WR CERAMIC PROTECTOR 82mm: 0085126 931834 SIGMA WR PROTECTOR 82mm: 0085126 930974 SIGMA PROTECTOR 82mm: 0085126 931100 SIGMA WR UV FILTER 82mm: 0085126 930714 SIGMA WR CIRCULAR PL FILTER 82mm: 0085126 930844 [ Information ] SIGMA Corporation: https://www.sigma-global.com/ SIGMA Global Network: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/corporate/world-network/ Product Information: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/lenses/a024_24_70_28_ii/ [ About SIGMA Corporation ] Craftsmanship. Precision. Dedication. Since 1961, SIGMA has been devoted to the pursuit of advancing photographic technology. Unique to the industry, the family-owned business produces its high-quality, award-winning still photo and cinema camera lenses, DSLR and mirrorless cameras, flashes, filters and accessories from its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located in Aizu, Japan. In 2012, the company introduced SIGMA Global Vision with three distinct lens lines: Art, Contemporary and Sports. Designed for industry camera mount systems including Canon, Fujifilm, Leica, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Sony and SIGMA, each lens is handcrafted and tested in Japan to ensure a high-performance, premium product that is purpose-built to last. In 2016, the SIGMA Cine lens lineup was launched, further cementing SIGMA as an innovator in imaging engineering. Embodying the core optical DNA that has defined the SIGMA benchmark of excellence, SIGMA Cine lenses meet the needs of advanced 6k and 8k cinema production. Forming the landmark L-Mount alliance alongside Leica and Panasonic in 2018, SIGMA continues its storied tradition of imaging excellence through groundbreaking innovations such as the native L-mount SIGMA fp and fp L full-frame mirrorless digital cameras, announced in July 2019 and March 2021 respectively. These products, along with dozens of award-winning SIGMA Global Vision lenses available in native L-Mount format, demonstrate SIGMA's continued commitment to the creative community through expanded product offerings. With the fp, fp L and these lenses, even more users can now leverage SIGMA's renowned optical formula to achieve their creative vision with ease. For more information about SIGMA America, please visit sigmaphoto.com and SIGMA Blog. Follow SIGMA America (Photo): Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Follow SIGMA Ameica (Cine): Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Contact Details Jack Howard +1 631-201-7381 sigma.pr@sigmaphoto.com Company Website https://www.sigmaphoto.com/

May 16, 2024 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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HTX to Boost Liquid Restaking Quota Totaling $150 Million with Upgraded Point System

HTX

HTX, a world-leading cryptocurrency exchange, reportedly announced an upcoming, significant upgrade to its Liquid Restaking event, featuring an injection into the quota pool and the adoption of the new point system, to reward its users. This move stands HTX out for its event's stability and genuine commitment despite the backdrop of market volatility. Upsized Rewards Based on Quota Totaling $150M HTX will launch a brand-new version of Liquid Restaking on May 16, 2024, at 09:00 (UTC). This upgrade includes an additional $50M quota. According to HTX's announcement, with the additional quota, Liquid Restaking is offering a total staking quota of $150 million. This includes 5,000 ETH, 250 BTC, 2,000B HTX, and 30,000,000 TRX. Users can register for Liquid Restaking with their spot and futures account balances snapshotted to easily earn rewards, including airdrops from popular projects such as EigenLayer and BounceBit. Allocation of Additional $50M Quota: ● An increase of a 5,000 ETH quota allocated to EigenLayer and Puffer, effective from May 16. Accordingly, you will get airdrop rewards from EigenLayer on a total quota of 5,000 ETH and from Puffer on a total quota of 5,000 ETH daily. ● An increase of a 250 BTC quota allocated to BounceBit, effective from April 19. Accordingly, you will get airdrop rewards from BounceBit on a total quota of 500 BTC daily. ● An increase of 2,000B $HTX and 30,000,000 TRX quotas, effective from May 16. You will get more rewards accordingly. New Point System: Automatically Mapping LRS Points to r-Points HTX Liquid Restaking will adopt a new point system of r-points effective from May 16, which can be redeemed for rewards provided by corresponding projects. Points earned before May 16 will be automatically updated to r-points. After the upgrade, participants will receive r-points based on the cryptocurrency they enable for the event, which can be redeemed for airdrops from corresponding projects. For r-points distribution rules, please read HTX's official event announcement. See r-Points explained below: r-points give participants a clearer display of their rewards when they claim airdrops. LRS points participants earned by May 12, 2024, 16:00 (UTC) will be proportionally mapped to the corresponding project points, marked as r-points after the upgrade. For example: 10 LRS-ETH = 10 r-stETH + 5 r-EIGEN + 5 r-PUFF. For mapping details, please read: Updates on Liquid Restaking: Adding $50M Quota, New Point System, One-Click Reward Claims As the first exchange to eliminate participation barriers for on-chain restaking, HTX is comfortably ahead in the restaking field with its innovative Liquid Restaking event. The event features no lockups, no staking, high returns, and flexibility, which is noteworthy especially for investors seeking to capitalize on the on-chain staking revolution without compromising liquidity. About HTX Founded in 2013, HTX has evolved over a decade from a simple cryptocurrency exchange to a comprehensive blockchain business ecosystem. This expansion covers a wide range of services including digital asset trading, financial derivatives, wallets, research, investments, incubation, and more. As a world-leading portal to Web 3.0, HTX is committed to a growth strategy focused on global expansion, ecological prosperity, wealth effect, and safety and compliance. This approach enables us to offer comprehensive, safe, and reliable services and value to virtual currency enthusiasts around the world, reinforcing our position as a global gateway to Web3. Contact Details Michael Wang glo-media@htx-inc.com Company Website https://www.htx.com/

May 16, 2024 06:29 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Growth of Combat Sports Presents a Compelling Opportunity for Investors

MMA TKO

An estimated 640 million people are dedicated fans of Mixed Martial Arts, signaling that the popularity of the sport is at an all-time high across the globe. According to a report from TechSci Research, the global combat sports market has experienced significant expansion on the backdrop of rising global interest in fitness, coupled with the widespread adoption of combat sports as a means of physical exercise as consumers are increasingly recognizing the health benefits and mental discipline associated with these activities. Going forward, the market is set to experience robust growth, growing from $8.7 billion in 2023 to about $12.6 billion by 2029, representing a CAGR of 6.5%. For investors looking for a way to capitalize on the growing popularity of combat sports, little known Alta Global Group (NYSE:MMA) and TKO Group Holdings (NYSE:TKO) should be added to their watchlist. Alta Global Group (NYSE:MMA) is a technology company that is enabling the global martial arts and combat sports industry to maximize the monetization opportunities available to the sector by increasing consumer participation in the sport. Think of it this way: As the fanbase for combat sports has risen over recent years, so too has the level of consumer interest in how to get fit, train, and get into shape like a professional fighter. Whether it's women thinking about self-defense or kids dealing with bullying, more and more people have been looking into learning more about the various sports comprised in mixed martial arts. For example, the growth in participation in jiu jitsu has been soaring globally. With this huge growth in the combat sports fan base and increasing investor interest, Alta believes that the next phase of growth for the sector will involve transitioning fans from just strictly viewership to real interest in participation. That is why the company has developed digital solutions that bring together the whole MMA community—fans, participants, gym operators, and coaches in order to drive more participation. This unique idea has received significant consumer validation, as illustrated by the fact that Alta Global Group (NYSE:MMA) has already amassed a substantial user base and strong user engagement of about 15 million monthly views and over 5 million social media users. It also currently ranks in the top 3 for ‘MMA’ in global search results. Taking that into consideration, Alta’s value proposition is simple. It aids in the digital transformation of a sector where small businesses and owner-operators predominate. They can benefit enormously from a partner like Alta, who will give them a really high level of visibility in a digital sense and the ability to connect them with their underlying fans. In recent days, Alta announced its acquisition of a subscription based mobile marketing platform Hype, which they believe will provide an invaluable digital tool for their gym partners to connect and engage with members, and grow revenue more cost effectively. So far, Alta has signed partnership agreements across a large global inventory of gyms, which it will work with to help get fans of mixed martial arts on the mat, training in their gyms and academies. Those agreements include a relationship with UFC Gym Group, which has close to 200 locations globally, to roll out Alta’s training within those gyms. The company has been aggressively growing its published gym footprint. The company has built a huge database of 9870+ professional and amateur athlete profiles, 5645+ potential content creator profiles and 3500+ tutorial libraries. Alta Global Group (NYSE:MMA) will provide marketing content, training syllabus for gyms and coaches, and connect the underlying fans to an opportunity to train either online or inside a gym at one of the company’s gym partners globally. This is a win-win deal for everyone in the ecosystem, as fans interested in participating in the sport can be easily matched up with a coach and gym. And Alta controls the whole payment experience, so when the company charges a customer a monthly subscription to train with the coaches in one of its programs in a gym, the company collects 100% of the payments. It then keeps its split and pays the gym the residuals, meaning that the gyms don't have to go through the hassle of onboarding the customer, chasing the money, collecting it, reconciling the payments, etc. Alta monetizing in a way that the UFC and other large professional promotions don't presently do, which is through fan base participation, could make it a very attractive company in the eyes of these much larger companies down the line. In fact, the way Alta Global Group (NYSE:MMA) makes money is completely complementary to how other players in the sector make their money and it doesn't have any crossover or cannibalization. That means that in the coming years, as Alta scales up, the partnership with UFC gym will have the opportunity to continue growing. Thanks to its first mover advantage in aggregate participation in the MMA sector at a grass-root level, the opportunity for Alta is massive. To put it in better context, there are over 45,000 martial arts academies in North America alone, with some estimates suggesting that Americans are spending about $30 billion a year on training and martial arts. With the sector growing at double digits and participation growth surging, some analysts predict that the US will have 67,000 martial arts academies by the end of 2025, which bodes extremely well for Alta. Alta Global Group (NYSE:MMA) has built iconic partnerships with the most exciting and respected identities in MMA who amplify its brand and drive platform adoption. In fact, the company recently announced that five-time MMA world champion Conor McGregor had invested in Alta, whilst Conor voiced his support for the Alta Warrior Training Program through social media. Other Alta Ambassadors connected to the UFC include former 2-division Champion Daniel Cormier and Laura Sanko. At the moment, the company’s high profile brand ambassadors and investors have a reach of 60 million+ social media followers, allowing it to generate even more hype and reach more cost effectively. TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:TKO) had a solid start in 2024 with strong performance across both UFC and WWE. Coming off a record 2023 for both businesses in terms of revenue and profitability, the company continued to deliver through the first quarter. From our perspective, the health of the combat sports sector is overwhelmingly driven by the most dominant player, which is the UFC, and it is doing extremely well. The Endeavor-controlled company, which owns the UFC and WWE, reported revenue of $629.7 million, with a net loss of $249.5 million and adjusted EBITDA of $282.2 million. The company also raised its guidance for the year to up to $2.685 billion in revenue, and adjusted EBITDA to up to $1.205 billion. The loss was attributable to the $335 million UFC settlement from March. Unsurprisingly, the UFC saw its live events, sponsorships, and consumer products segments rise, with media rights down slightly due to one less numbered event. Most notably, the company secured a landmark global deal for WWE with Netflix and renewed UFC rights in multiple international markets, and UFC 300 became one of the highest grossing events in UFC history. During the quarter, the company also announced that Tourism Western Australia entered a multi-year partnership for UFC to return to Perth with at least two events, including the UFC 305 pay-per-view in August and one additional Fight Night in subsequent years. Disclaimers: RazorPitch Inc. "RazorPitch" is not operated by a licensed broker, a dealer, or a registered investment adviser. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investment advice. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides investors a safe harbor in regard to forward-looking statements. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, goals, assumptions, or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact may be forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are based on expectations, estimates, and projections at the time the statements are made that involve a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those presently anticipated. Forward looking statements in this action may be identified through use of words such as projects, foresee, expects, will, anticipates, estimates, believes, understands, or that by statements indicating certain actions & quote; may, could, or might occur. Understand there is no guarantee past performance will be indicative of future results. Investing in micro-cap and growth securities is highly speculative and carries an extremely high degree of risk. It is possible that an investors investment may be lost or impaired due to the speculative nature of the companies profiled. RazorPitch has been retained by Alta Global Group to assist in the production and distribution of content related to MMA. RazorPitch is responsible for the production and distribution of this content. It should be expressly understood that under no circumstances does any information published herein represent a recommendation to buy or sell a security. This content is for informational purposes only, you should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Nothing contained in this article constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, or offer by RazorPitch or any third party service provider to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments. All content in this article is information of a general nature and does not address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in this article constitutes professional and/or financial advice, nor does any information in the article constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto. RazorPitch is not a fiduciary by virtue of any persons use of or access to this content. Contact Details RazorPitch Inc Mark McKelvie +1 585-301-7700 mark@razorpitch.com Company Website http://razorpitch.com

May 16, 2024 06:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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TRON DAO at Cornell Blockchain Conference

TRON DAO

Geneva, Switzerland, May 15, 2024 – TRON DAO, a platinum sponsor at the Cornell Blockchain Conference, recently showcased its leadership at Cornell Tech on Roosevelt Island. The event attracted over 800 participants, including students, academics, and industry leaders, highlighting TRON DAO’s commitment to blockchain education and community interaction. Many of these participants visited the TRON DAO booth to learn more about the TRON network and upcoming events. Insightful Panel Participation Dave Uhryniak, Ecosystem Development Lead at TRON DAO, participated in a compelling panel discussion on decentralized finance (DeFi). The panel consisted of other thought leaders in the industry such as Christopher Newhouse, DeFi Analyst at Cumberland Labs, and Jasmine Cooper, Head of DeFi Product at Ripple. Uhryniak’s insights into how the TRON network facilitates major advancements in DeFi applications underscored TRON DAO’s significant role in propelling the blockchain industry forward. This panel provided an excellent platform for TRON DAO to engage with other blockchain experts and discuss future collaborations, strengthening its strategic position within the DeFi ecosystem. ChainGPT Co-hosts Exclusive Side Event TRON DAO, in collaboration with ChainGPT and Cornell Blockchain Conference, hosted an engaging side event at The Graduate Hotel’s rooftop, attended by over 150 blockchain enthusiasts, students, and developers. ChainGPT, known for its innovative AI-powered solutions such as smart contract generators and blockchain analytics tools, played a crucial role in fostering discussions on the convergence of AI and blockchain. This collaboration between TRON DAO and ChainGPT exemplifies their shared effort to bridge theoretical blockchain applications with practical, real-world implementations. Advancing Blockchain Innovation Through its active involvement in the Cornell Blockchain Conference and the successful side event, TRON DAO reaffirmed its dedication to supporting educational initiatives and promoting innovative discussions in the blockchain space. These events were pivotal in advancing knowledge, addressing industry challenges, and showcasing the diverse capabilities that TRON DAO brings to the blockchain community. As TRON DAO continues its mission to decentralize the internet through groundbreaking blockchain solutions, it remains committed to nurturing strong community ties and fostering innovation globally. The Cornell Blockchain Conference was a testament to TRON DAO’s leadership in shaping the future of decentralized technologies and its ongoing commitment to educational advancements in the blockchain sector. About TRON DAO TRON DAO is a community-governed DAO dedicated to accelerating the decentralization of the internet via blockchain technology and dApps. Founded in September 2017 by H.E. Justin Sun, the TRON network has continued to deliver impressive achievements since MainNet launch in May 2018. July 2018 also marked the ecosystem integration of BitTorrent, a pioneer in decentralized Web3 services boasting over 100 million monthly active users. The TRON network has gained incredible traction in recent years. As of January 2023, it has over 205.11 million total user accounts on the blockchain, more than 6.96 billion total transactions, and over $20.43 billion in total value locked (TVL), as reported on TRONSCAN. In addition, TRON hosts the largest circulating supply of USD Tether (USDT) stablecoin across the globe, overtaking USDT on Ethereum since April 2021. The TRON network completed full decentralization in December 2021 and is now a community-governed DAO. Most recently in October 2022, TRON was designated as the national blockchain for the Commonwealth of Dominica, which marks the first time a major public blockchain partnered with a sovereign nation to develop its national blockchain infrastructure. On top of the government’s endorsement to issue Dominica Coin (“DMC”), a blockchain-based fan token to help promote Dominica’s global fanfare, seven existing TRON-based tokens - TRX, BTT, NFT, JST, USDD, USDT, TUSD, have been granted statutory status as authorized digital currency and medium of exchange in the country. TRONNetwork | TRONDAO | Twitter | YouTube | Telegram | Discord | Reddit | GitHub | Medium | Forum Media Contact Hayward Wong press@tron.network Contact Details Hayward Wong press@tron.network Company Website https://trondao.org/

May 15, 2024 03:15 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Ideal Power Advances with New Semiconductor Technology and Strategic Partnerships

Ideal Power Inc

Ideal Power CEO Daniel Brdar joined Steve Darling from Proactive to provide an in-depth discussion on the company's advancements in manufacturing power semiconductors. These essential components play a critical role in a wide range of everyday devices, including home appliances and electric vehicles (EVs). Ideal Power has developed an innovative power semiconductor known as B-TRAN, which stands out due to its remarkably low energy losses. This technology significantly enhances efficiency across various applications, making it a game-changer in the industry. One of the key benefits of B-TRAN is its ability to increase the range of electric vehicles, a crucial factor in the adoption of EV technology. Additionally, B-TRAN enhances the effectiveness of solar power systems in both residential and commercial settings, thereby promoting sustainable energy solutions. The semiconductor's bi-directional capabilities are particularly valuable for applications involving batteries, such as grid support systems and electric vehicles. This feature contributes to more cost-effective and efficient energy management, addressing one of the major challenges in the energy sector. Ideal Power's primary customers are Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) that integrate these advanced semiconductors into a variety of products. These range from power converters used in energy storage systems to drivetrains in hybrid and electric vehicles. The company's innovative technology has recently undergone a rigorous test and evaluation program, which has been met with considerable success. This has led to commercial orders from several large, well-recognized companies, demonstrating the market's confidence in Ideal Power's solutions. Moreover, Ideal Power has initiated a collaboration with Stellantis, one of the leading global automakers, to develop next-generation electric vehicle platforms. This partnership is expected to drive further advancements and adoption of Ideal Power's semiconductor technology in the automotive industry. Contact Details Proactive North America +1 604-688-8158 na-editorial@proactiveinvestors.com

May 15, 2024 12:03 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Direxion Unveils AIBU and AIBD: Leveraged & Inverse Trades on Artificial Intelligence and Big Data

Direxion

Direxion, a leading provider of tradeable and thematic ETFs, today announced the launch of the Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bull 2X Shares (Ticker: AIBU) and the Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bear 2X Shares (Ticker: AIBD). AIBU and AIBD seek to achieve 200%, or 200% of the inverse (opposite), before fees and expenses, respectively, of the daily performance of the Solactive US AI & Big Data Index. The Index is designed to track the performance of companies deriving at least 50% of revenue in at least one of the following business fields: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Analytics and Big Data, Natural Language Processing, and AI-Driven Services. AI and big data are inherently connected and dependent on each other, as AI requires large amounts of data to learn and develop. In 2023, the size of the global AI market was $207.9 billion. By 2030, this number is predicted to increase nearly tenfold to $1.8 trillion. “AIBU and AIBD seek to capitalize on the relationship between AI and big data. We’re launching these ETFs at a pivotal time, as AI and its capabilities are now well established, but innovation is ongoing. Multiples for these companies are high, and sustaining valuations will be key, ” said Direxion Managing Director and Head of Sales and Alternatives, Edward Egilinsky. “These ETFs offer traders a chance to express short-term convictions in the AI-big data sector.” All Direxion leveraged and inverse ETFs are intended only for investors with an in-depth understanding of the risks associated with seeking leveraged investment results, and who plan to actively monitor and manage their positions. There is no guarantee these ETFs will meet their objective. Please visit the Direxion Leveraged and Inverse ETF Education Center, where you will find educational brochures, videos, and a self-paced online course to help you understand if leveraged ETFs are right for you. About Direxion: Direxion equips investors who are driven by conviction with ETF solutions built for purpose and fine-tuned for precision. These solutions are available for a broad spectrum of investors, whether executing short-term tactical trades, or investing in thematic strategies. Direxion’s reputation is founded on developing products that precisely express market perspectives and allow investors to manage their risk exposure. Founded in 1997, the company has approximately $42.3 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2024. For more information, please visit www.direxion.com. There is no guarantee that the Funds will achieve their investment objectives. For more information on all Direxion Shares ETFs, go to www.direxion.com, or call us at 866.301.9214. An investor should carefully consider a Fund’s investment objective, risks, charges, and expenses before investing. A Fund’s prospectus and summary prospectus contain this and other information about the Direxion Shares. To obtain a prospectus and summary prospectus call 866-476-7523 or visit our website at direxion.com. A Fund’s prospectus and summary prospectus should be read carefully before investing. Leveraged and Inverse ETFs pursue daily leveraged investment objectives which means they are riskier than alternatives which do not use leverage. They seek daily goals and should not be expected to track the underlying index over periods longer than one day. They are not suitable for all investors and should be utilized only by sophisticated investors who understand leverage risk and who actively manage their investments. Direxion Shares Risks – An investment in each Fund involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Each Fund is non-diversified and includes risks associated with the Funds’ concentrating their investments in a particular industry, sector, or geographic region which can result in increased volatility. The use of derivatives such as futures contracts and swaps are subject to market risks that may cause their price to fluctuate over time. Risks of each Fund include Effects of Compounding and Market Volatility Risk, Leverage Risk, Market Risk, Counterparty Risk, Rebalancing Risk, Intra-Day Investment Risk, Other Investment Companies (including ETFs) Risk, Cash Transaction Risk, Passive Investment and Index Performance Risk, and risks specific to the information technology sector and AI and big data companies. The value of stocks of information technology companies and companies that rely heavily on technology is particularly vulnerable to rapid changes in technology product cycles. Additional risks include, for the Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bull 2X Shares, Daily Index Correlation Risk and for the Direxion Daily AI and Big Data Bear 2X Shares, Shorting or Inverse Risk and Daily Inverse Index Correlation Risk. Please see the summary and full prospectuses for a more complete description of these and other risks of each Fund. Distributor: Foreside Fund Services, LLC. Contact Details Ditto Public Relations Danielle Black, SAE direxion@dittopr.co Company Website https://www.direxion.com/

May 15, 2024 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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