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Decoding Pre-IPO Funding: Key Points and Considerations

Benzinga

Pre-IPO Funding is a form of lending that provides individuals and companies with the opportunity to access capital using their equity holdings in private companies before those companies go public through an Initial Public Offering (IPO). Through pre-IPO Loans, individual investors and companies can unlock the value of their shares in private companies without having to sell them. This type of financing allows stakeholders to preserve ownership and participate in potential future gains after the company goes public. By leveraging the collateral of privately held shares, pre-IPO funding offers a flexible financing option for those seeking to capitalize on their investments before the IPO. This type of funding is particularly attractive for investors and early-stage companies looking to access liquidity and diversify their investment portfolios. “The pre-IPO loan is important to a business because it sets them up for success,” said Liquidty Group managing director Yaron Primovich. Pre-IPO Funding provides various benefits, including the ability to access capital quickly, flexibility in loan terms, and the opportunity to make informed investment decisions. It allows individuals and companies to secure financing against the anticipated value of their shares, based on the growth potential and market interest in the private company. Overall, pre-IPO Funding is an innovative financial solution that harnesses the potential value of equity holdings in private companies, allowing individuals and businesses to unlock capital while maintaining ownership and participation in the future success of these companies. Understanding pre-IPO Funding's Unique Value Proposition Essentially, pre-IPO Financing provides a conduit for individuals and firms to tap into capital based on their equity in private enterprises before the transformational event of an Initial Public Offering. Notably, it empowers stakeholders to: Unlock value from their privately-held equity without parting with it. Enjoy the privilege of gaining potential rewards after a public listing. Obtain swift capital access with tailored loan specifications. Leverage anticipated equity value, informed by the enterprise's growth trajectory and market appetite. This means that pre-IPO “primes the pump” for IPO success, something that most companies definitely would welcome in nearly any context. Why Opt for pre-IPO Financing? The consideration of a pre-IPO loan is a multifaceted strategy, essential for companies navigating the intricate transition from private to public status. One critical aspect is operational and growth finance. Prior to a public debut, organizations frequently require an infusion of capital to drive expansion, refine product or service offerings, recruit top-tier talent, or bolster their brand visibility. Securing this interim funding can serve as a strategic lever, ensuring they are ideally positioned for an impactful market entry. Furthermore, addressing the inevitable expenses associated with an IPO process is paramount. The journey from being a private company to a public entity is laden with significant expenditures, including costs related to regulatory compliance, underwriting fees, and extensive marketing campaigns. Pre-IPO loans offer a timely solution, conveniently supporting these financial demands without disrupting operational cash flow. Additionally, such financing allows companies to streamline their financial structures. This could involve settling outstanding liabilities or renegotiating terms on existing, high-cost debt. By optimizing their financial statements, companies can present a more attractive and secure profile, ultimately appealing to a broader spectrum of prospective investors. Not to be overlooked is the powerful signaling effect of securing pre-IPO financing. It's a strategic move that communicates an organization's confidence and belief in its growth story and future prospects. This, in turn, enhances the company's credibility and appeal, particularly in the eyes of savvy institutional investors who can discern such subtle yet confident market signals. Lastly, a vital tactical advantage of pre-IPO loans is the avoidance of equity dilution. By choosing debt financing over issuing new equity, existing shareholders can keep their current ownership percentages. This approach ensures that their interests remain tightly aligned with the company's future success, fostering an environment of trust and shared objectives as the enterprise embarks on its new journey as a publicly-traded entity. How do you apply for a pre-IPO loan? To apply for pre-IPO funding, companies need to go through a comprehensive application process. This process typically involves several steps and requirements. First, the company needs to contact a lender or financial institution that specializes in pre-IPO financing. The lender will usually ask for a business plan and financial statements, including balance sheets and income statements. These documents provide an overview of the company's financial health and growth potential. Additionally, the company needs to provide a valuation of its shares. This valuation is crucial as it determines the loan amount and the lender's assessment of risk. Lenders consider various factors when assessing the risk level, including the company's growth prospects, market competitiveness, management team, and the industry in which it operates. Once the initial evaluation is complete, the lender may ask for further due diligence. This can involve a more in-depth analysis of the company's financials, market positioning, and competitive landscape. The lender may also ask for meetings or interviews with management to gain a better understanding of the company's operations and plans. After the lender is satisfied with the due diligence process, loan terms and conditions will be negotiated. If both parties agree, the loan agreement will be finalized, and the funds will be disbursed to the company. A pre-IPO loan can benefit various individuals and entities. Companies can use the funds to cover IPO-related expenses, optimize their financial structure, and demonstrate confidence to potential investors. Institutional investors, private equity firms, and other early-stage investors can also benefit by providing capital to companies in exchange for future gains. Additionally, lenders themselves can benefit from pre-IPO loans by earning interest on the loan amount and potential future returns as the company goes public. How does a pre-IPO Loan work? A pre-IPO Loan is a financing option available to private companies in the pre-IPO stage. This type of loan allows companies to obtain capital before going public by using equity as collateral. Here is how it works: 1. Equity Collateral: In a pre-IPO Loan, the company offers its shares as collateral to the lender. The lender's valuation of the shares typically determines the value of the loan. This allows the company to access the capital it needs without giving up ownership or control. 2. Lender's Valuation: The lender evaluates the company's financials, growth potential, and market conditions to determine the value of the shares. This valuation helps determine loan amount and interest rates. Companies with a strong business model, promising growth prospects, and a solid management team are more likely to secure favorable loan terms. 3. Expected Growth of Equity: The pre-IPO Loan is structured in a way that aligns the repayment with the company's expected growth post-IPO. As the company goes public and its share prices increase, the value of the collateral (equity) also grows. This provides the lender with assurance that their investment will generate enough returns. 4. Importance of Future Business Plans: Lenders closely analyze the company's future business plans to assess its potential for success and growth. These plans demonstrate the company's strategy for using the loan proceeds and achieving milestones that will ultimately lead to a successful IPO. A well-defined and compelling business plan increases the company's chances of obtaining a pre-IPO Loan. In conclusion, a pre-IPO Loan allows private companies to access funding by using their equity as collateral. The loan amount is based on the lender's valuation of the shares, and repayment is aligned with the expected growth of equity post-IPO. Future business plans are crucial in attracting lenders and securing favorable loan terms, as they demonstrate the company's potential for success and growth. Other considerations for pre-IPO lending Other considerations for pre-IPO lending include factors such as share transfer restrictions, margin calls, and default scenarios. These factors add complexity to pre-IPO loans and underscore the importance of carefully assessing the borrower's financial situation and mitigating potential risks. Share transfer restrictions play a crucial role in pre-IPO lending. These restrictions prevent the borrower from freely transferring or selling their shares until the company goes public. Lenders need to carefully evaluate these restrictions to understand the limited liquidity options for collateral. This evaluation helps lenders gauge the potential difficulties in recovering their investments in case of default or other adverse scenarios. Margin calls are another crucial factor in pre-IPO lending. Lenders may require the borrower to maintain a certain loan-to-value ratio, and if the value of the collateral falls below this threshold, a margin call is triggered. This means that the borrower must repay a part of the loan or provide additional collateral to restore the required ratio. Margin calls can significantly impact the borrower's liquidity and ability to repay the loan. Default scenarios also need to be considered. In case of a default, lenders may have limited legal recourse due to the share transfer restrictions and the borrower's potential lack of assets other than the pre-IPO shares. Therefore, a thorough evaluation of the borrower's financial situation, creditworthiness, and risk management practices is essential to minimize the risk of default. In the end, the pre-IPO loan is a great vehicle to carry a company towards real success and growth, something even the most battle-hardened CEO can get behind. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

November 15, 2023 09:25 AM Eastern Standard Time

BENZINGA VIRTUAL EVENTS PRESENTS: METALS AND MINING MARKET OUTLOOK WEBINAR

Benzinga

Benzinga, a leading financial media and events company, is excited to announce its upcoming virtual event, the "Metals and Mining Market Outlook" webinar. This free webinar will delve into critical topics shaping the future of the metals and mining industry, featuring expert insights and discussions on the latest market trends and opportunities. The webinar will explore the following topics and more: Will this Bullish Trend in the Precious Metals Market Persist? Industry experts will analyze the factors contributing to the current bullish trend in the precious metals market and discuss whether this momentum is expected to continue. How Much Potential Value Still Remains for North American Gold Mining Companies Today? The webinar will explore the opportunities and challenges facing North American gold mining companies and assess the potential value that still exists in the market. Is the Lithium Market Outlook Positive? Attendees will gain valuable insights into the lithium market, exploring its current outlook and potential for growth. Experts will discuss key drivers and challenges within the lithium sector. And Much, Much More! The webinar will cover a broad range of topics, providing attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the current dynamics in the metals and mining industry. Event Details: Date: November 16, 2023 Time: 11:00 AM - 12:15pm, EST Location: Virtual Registration Information: To secure your spot at this informative event, register for free at https://www.benzinga.com/events/metals-mining-nov-16/ During the webinar, attendees will have the chance to learn from: Imaru Casanova, Portfolio Manager, Gold and Precious Metals, VanEck Jason Barnard, CEO and President, Foremost Lithium Miles Rideout, Vice President Exploration, Argentina Lithium Dennis Higgs, President & Director, Austin Gold Christopher Gerteisen, CEO & Director, Nova MInerals Limited Benzinga's commitment to providing high-quality financial information and fostering industry dialogue makes this webinar a must-attend for investors, industry professionals, and anyone seeking valuable insights into the metals and mining market. For media inquiries, please contact Matt Steinmetz, Vice President of Virtual Events at Benzinga. About Benzinga Benzinga is a dynamic and innovative financial media and events company that empowers investors with high-quality, unique content. With a focus on breaking news and expert insights, Benzinga strives to educate, inform, and inspire. Learn more at www.benzinga.com. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

November 15, 2023 09:25 AM Eastern Standard Time

OVER 90% OF US PUBLISHERS FOUND TO BE SHARING CONSUMER DATA WITH THIRD PARTIES BEFORE CONSENT

Compliant

Data compliance technology company, Compliant ™, today launched its publisher platform to help digital publishers identify and stop illegal data sharing on their websites. Compliant Audit Technology uses AI to identify compliance risks and vulnerabilities within a publisher’s site, and verify the correct operation of adtech and martech solutions. Based on extensive testing and benchmarking, Compliant has uncovered that almost all U.S. publishers are currently passing consumer data to third parties before a consumer is given the choice to share data, making consent mechanisms meaningless. This data sharing increases data compliance risk for publishers, making them susceptible to punitive regulatory action and class action lawsuits, jeopardizing the data compliance of advertisers programmatically buying their inventory and violating consumer trust. Data compliance is quickly becoming the next brand integrity standard. According to the WFA, nine out of ten global CMOs agree that data ethics is a top priority for their organizations. Recent studies by Compliant, looked at over one billion impressions measured across more than 1,000 programmatic media campaigns and found: Nearly all (91 percent) of U.S. publishers with a Consent Management Platform are currently passing consumer data to third parties before consent; 82 percent of U.S. publishers have elevated data leakage risk through excessive vendors and unauthorized ‘piggybacked’ tags; On average, U.S. publishers have five data brokers acquiring consumer data from their websites. “The ad-funded internet was not designed with privacy in mind. It was designed to solve identity, addressability, conversion and so on. Consequently, there's an alarming gap between what the consumer expects, what the law requires and what is happening in practice. Advertiser demand for safer media is motivating publishers to close that gap and we're determined to help them,” said Jamie Barnard, CEO, Compliant. “We are offering publishers the tools to adapt and improve. Compliance is becoming the hallmark for premium inventory and media investment will flow to those who take control of unintended sharing.” The Compliant platform provides publishers with an essential, in-depth analysis of more than 30 factors across 6 primary areas of data compliance risk. This level of transparency enables publishers to demonstrate compliance and monetize compliant inventory as media spend moves away from lower-quality, higher-risk inventory. Global news platform, Newsbreak, addresses the industry-wide problem: “As the country’s foremost local news platform, building trust is at the heart of everything we do—from the information we publish to the way we manage customer data and privacy. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case across the industry, with many publishers, both inadvertently and sometimes intentionally, not prioritizing data management and compliance,” said Scott Kelliher, Chief Revenue Officer, NewsBreak. “But Compliant is working to create a healthy and viable media ecosystem by helping publishers identify and address data sharing and leakage to meet customer privacy expectations and make inventory more valuable to advertisers and agencies.” The Compliant platform helps publishers: Identify their data compliance risks to help gain control of data flows across their ecosystem; Benchmark their compliance with other publishers in their category or region; Use the information to improve the quality of their impressions; Sell their inventory at an incremental “compliant” premium; and Attract advertisers and agencies committed to a responsible media framework. Advertisers use the Compliant platform to: Reduce regulatory, financial and reputational risk; Improve transparency and accountability; Work with agency partners to increase the impact and effectiveness of media investment decisions; and Reinforce their responsible media frameworks and their commitment to privacy and data ethics. The launch of the publisher solution expands on the company’s suite of products supporting all parts of the digital marketing and media business and comes on the heels of Compliant’s partnership with Peer39, the leading global provider of pre-bid contextual suitability and quality solutions for modern marketers. The partnership enables Peer39’s customers – advertisers, agencies and publishers – for the first time to be able to measure data compliance for their programmatic media campaigns. For more information, and for publishers to gauge their compliant score, visit www.compliant.global. About Compliant Compliant is pioneering a new standard for data compliance in the digital marketing industry. The compliance technology company offers risk management solutions to brands, agencies and publishers. Amidst ever-evolving privacy regulations and consumer expectations, Compliant provides the digital ad industry the tools it needs to be compliant. The company’s suite of data compliance solutions measure systematic privacy and compliance risks across owned-and-operated media and paid media, allowing companies to benchmark risk by market, category and brand. This industry-leading scoring system has been used in thousands of compliance audits across the world's leading advertiser and publisher sites. Compliant boasts a strong senior leadership team with unmatched expertise across privacy, digital governance and compliance technology, including Elliot Bell (former Facebook), Magid Souhami (former P&G), and Jamie Barnard (former Unilever). For more information and to view Compliant’s Annual Publisher Audits, visit www.compliant.global. Contact Details Kite Hill PR for Compliant +1 724-787-1565 compliant@kitehillpr.com

November 15, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

News Release

Bitcoin may hit $43,000 as retail interest surges. InQubeta's whale interest sparks community reactions.

Web3 AI Media

Bitcoin, the foremost cryptocurrency, has been experiencing a recent uptrend in its price. It continues to hover above the $35,500 mark, displaying strong momentum that may propel it towards $43,000 with the increasing interest of retail investors. Interestingly, InQubeta (QUBE) has similarly emitted a bullish signal, gaining attention from prominent crypto whales. This has generated excitement within the cryptocurrency community as numerous investors flock to the platform. InQubeta's aim of bridging the gap between AI startups and investors has caused its value to skyrocket within the crypto market. The services it offers and its NFT marketplace have revolutionized the crypto AI space, making it the best new DeFi crypto to buy for high returns. Therefore, experts project QUBE as one of the Christmas tokens to buy to maximize gains. This article explores why whales are picking up interest in QUBE amidst BTC's possibility of hitting $43,000 as retail investors' interest surges. InQubeta (QUBE): Revolutionizing AI Startup Investment and Attracting Crypto Whales InQubeta's innovative approach to AI startup funding through its QUBE token has captured the interest of the crypto whales, sparking significant reactions and interest in the crypto community. This new DeFi crypto platform is the first cryptocurrency crowdfunding platform, enabling fractional investment in AI startups using its QUBE tokens. It is built on the Ethereum blockchain, creating a secure and seamless investment ecosystem for investors and AI entrepreneurs. One of the key factors boosting the spotlight on QUBE among whales as the best DeFi crypto to buy is its unique investment protocol. By turning every investment opportunity into an NFT and enabling fractionalization, it expands the possibilities for investment, appealing to different budgets and attracting both big investors and early supporters. InQubeta's trending NFT marketplace not only serves as a fundraising platform for AI startups but also introduces reward and equity-based NFTs, establishing a mutually beneficial environment for QUBE token holders and AI projects. The trending NFT marketplace is a gateway for AI tech startups to connect with a wide range of potential investors within the community. By listing investment NFTs on InQubeta's marketplace, startups can gain increased exposure to a larger audience of investors and receive valuable support and guidance from experienced industry professionals. These benefits have been among the reasons whales are onboarding the platform and buying the tokens, causing a big reaction in the crypto community. The QUBE token's unique deflationary nature adds another layer of attractiveness for crypto whales. With a 2% buy and sell tax contributing to a burning wallet and a 5% tax allocated to a dedicated reward pool, QUBE holders can earn rewards by staking their tokens. This feature makes QUBE the best DeFi crypto investment option for those who believe in the growth potential of AI technology startups. InQubeta's successful presale demonstrates the crypto community's enthusiasm for the QUBE token. With over $4.5 million raised in funding in stage five of the presale and more than 474 million tokens already sold at a presale price of $0.0161, crypto whales have been attracted to this ICO. This has further fueled the buzz and excitement surrounding InQubeta's unique approach to AI startup investments. Visit InQubeta Presale Bitcoin (BTC): Analyst Predicts $38K-$43K Surge as CME Open Interest Hits Record As Bitcoin maintains its position above the $34,000 mark, the primary cryptocurrency exhibits increased momentum, potentially propelling its price even higher. Market analyst Michael van de Poppe envisions a surge toward the $38,000 to $43,000 range, contingent on BTC breaking through the resistance at $36,700. Retail investors have been closely monitoring the Bitcoin market, especially as open interest on the CME exchange recently reached a historic milestone, surpassing 100,000 BTC. As a result, retail investors have been joining the Bitcoin frenzy. Conclusion Bitcoin's recent surge in value, expected to reach $43,000, has caught the attention of retail investors. InQubeta, a platform that has garnered interest from whales in the crypto community, is causing quite a stir. Hence, investors and enthusiasts are eagerly participating in the presale by purchasing the QUBE token, anticipating its growth during the holiday season. The ongoing presale allows individuals to be part of the QUBE ecosystem. To join the presale, visit the website and use cryptocurrencies like ETH, BTC, or USDT to purchase the token. Don't miss out on being part of the AI revolution. Visit InQubeta Presale Join The InQubeta Communities Contact Details Solomon marketing@inqubeta.ai

November 15, 2023 07:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

News Release

Shiba Inu’s Price Trajectory: Evaluating the Recovery Prospects Against Rebel Satoshi

RoundHouse Media

The crypto market has rebounded impressively in Q4 2023. As a result, novice investors are increasingly asking whether top altcoins like Shiba Inu (SHIB) will continue performing bullishly. Meanwhile, Rebel Satoshi ( $RBLZ ), a new meme coin, is stealing the limelight from popular tokens after promising to generate a 150% ROI during its public presale. Why is Shiba Inu losing investors to emerging tokens like Rebel Satoshi? Continue reading to discover! Shiba Inu Gains 2% In a Week: What’s The Future Outlook? Shiba Inu has performed decently over the past seven days, starting November 2. On November 2, SHIB was trading around $0.000007861. SHIB surged marginally until the Shiba Inu team announced that Shibarium would spread decision-making across the community as part of its 2024/2025 roadmap on November 6. As a result, Shiba Inu surged as high as $0.000008696 on November 9. However, news of a whale transferring 4 trillion SHIB saw the price correct downward to stabilize around $0.000008090. This November 9 price means SHIB has only gained 2.98% in a week. So, based on this performance, is SHIB a good crypto to buy? According to analysts, SHIB will continue plunging in November as the selling force from the whale activity intensifies. To be specific, experts set the end-of-November SHIB prediction at $0.000007617. However, the end-of-2023 SHIB forecast is bullish, with experts predicting SHIB will soar as high as $0.000010779. This forecast makes SHIB one of the best coins to invest in. Analysts peg this prediction on SHIB getting more adoption as more investors embrace it because of its 2024/2025 roadmap. Visit Rebel Satoshi Presale Website Rebel Satoshi Challenges Top Meme Coins After Promising a 150% Presale Jump! Rebel Satoshi, a new meme coin that aims to challenge the status quo in the crypto industry, has witnessed a steady flow of investors into its public presale. The Rebel Satoshi project aims to topple centralized organizations and usher in a new era of decentralization by banding together Recusants, anyone who refuses to accept or obey without question. In the center of the Rebel Satoshi ecosystem is $RBLZ. $RBLZ is the governance and membership token of the Rebel Satoshi ecosystem. With a supply cap of 250 million tokens and a deflationary mechanism, $RBLZ positions itself as the best cryptocurrency to buy now! Moreover, $RBLZ investors will get access to 9,999 NFTs that symbolize Rebel Satoshi ’s story of unity, courage, and defiance against oppressive rules. On top of this, investors can stake $RBLZ to get staking rewards, explaining why Rebel Satoshi has left investors buzzing about its presale. By November, Rebel Satoshi had initiated the Early Bird Round of its public presale, with $RBLZ going for $0.010. $RBLZ is set to surge to $0.013 when it enters the next round, dubbed Rebel. Furthermore, investors in the Early Bird Round will see their $RBLZ holdings surge 150% once Rebel Satoshi completes its presale at the projected price of $0.025. For the latest updates and more information, be sure to visit the official Rebel Satoshi Presale Website or contact Rebel Red via Telegram Please note that the Discord and Telegram communities are for Recusants and $RBLZ holders only. Contact Details Rebel Red marketing@rebelsatoshi.com

November 14, 2023 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

Bacula Announces Version 18 of its Backup and Recovery Software for HPC and Large Enterprises

Bacula Systems

Expanding its leadership in high security, high performance backup and recovery for HPC, Super Computing and other demanding IT environments, Bacula Systems today announced a broad range of new performance capabilities and features in the latest version of its backup and recovery software. Some of these new features further build on Bacula’s already leading security qualities, others expand on Bacula’s ability to achieve a complete technology fit with even the most complex IT environments. Of the many new features in this major release, one is BGuardian, in the area of added security. BGuardian further compliments Bacula’s already especially strong security qualities. It has innovative new security tools such as data poisoning detection, centralized encryption and an all-new cybersecurity dashboard for single-pane security control across an entire organization. Bacula’s economic, modular architecture is due in part to a wide choice of technology-specific modules. Its wide and flexible fit into complex environments grows even further with the introduction of Version 18’s new modules: OpenStack Module Amazon EC2 Module Hyper-V WinAPI Module Exchange EWS Module Bacula Enterprise Version 18 also introduces state-of-the-art upgrades to Bacula’s previously available Kubernetes, VMware and Oracle backup modules and expands its wide range of storage immutability capabilities. Version 18 delivers an increase in Bacula’s multi-tenancy feature-set and also includes a wide range of new automation features. “ Organizations using complex and high performance IT environments need more automation, much higher security and to drive costs down”. Bacula is uniquely equipped to upgrade the backup and recovery strategy of large organizations and to ensure they avoid capacity-based licensing of backup software, to streamline their IT spending” said Frank Barker, CEO of Bacula Systems. “ Bacula’s highly scalable architecture complements its non-capacity-based licensing to offer enormous savings to users. At the same time, it brings entire, complex IT environments into the safe-harbour of BGuardian; Bacula's advanced security technology for unprecedented protection against ransomware and data poisoning. Our military, government, Research, ISV, and HPC customers have chosen Bacula for its extraordinary security levels, its cloud-agnostic approach and its compatibility with a vast range of different storage media" said Jorge Gea, CTO, Bacula Systems. Bacula Systems customers include NASA, Navisite, Texas A&M University, Sky PLC, Warner Bros. Discovery, Locaweb and many more. About Bacula Systems: Bacula Enterprise Edition is a highly scalable backup and recovery software for large organizations, data centers and MSPs. www.baculasystems.com Contact Details Rob Morrison rob.morrison@baculasystems.com +41 21 641 60 80 rob.morrison@baculasystems.com Company Website https://www.baculasystems.com/

November 14, 2023 10:07 AM Eastern Standard Time

Minuteman Press Franchise Owner Sherri Winslow Reflects on Over 20 Years in Palm Desert, CA and Joins President’s Club

Minuteman Press International Inc

Sherri Winslow is the owner of the Minuteman Press franchise in Palm Desert, CA since April of 2002. When her husband suddenly passed away in 2012, Sherri made the difficult decision to carry on as she took a more prominent role in the business as the sole owner and operator. Since then, Sherri has continued to build her business and in 2023 she was honored and acknowledged as one of the newest members of the Minuteman Press President’s Club. As she reflects on her accomplishments, Sherri shares her thoughts on 20-plus years and joining the President’s Club, keys to success and longevity, advice to others, and more. Celebrating 20 Years + Joining Minuteman Press President’s Club In 2022, Sherri celebrated 20 years of business ownership for Minuteman Press in Palm Desert. Today, in 2023, Sherri is now recognized as a member of the Minuteman Press International President’s Club for achieving yearly gross sales of over $1 million in 2022. Sherri shares, “Reflecting on our 20 years in business makes me realize that we were fortunate to partner with a good franchisor. Very few small businesses were able to make it through this period without a strong management and operational program to follow. That along with proper training and support from people that have been in the print business have made a huge impact. We will always be thankful for this.” She continues, “In 2023, I was proud to join the Minuteman Press International President’s Club. We have had fairly steady growth over the past 20 years. We started out making $19,000 in our first month after buying an existing business. In 2012, I lost my husband and I personally went from part-time to being the boss. My staff and Minuteman Press local support led by RVP Dan Byers helped me through one of the most difficult times in my life. It was a very foggy year but we made it. In the past few years, we were getting close to the $1 million milestone and we set that as our goal last year. My staff and I worked very hard to make sure we reached that goal. A lot of hard work and determination helped us get there.” When asked about her keys to success and growth, Sherri says, “Our longevity and success is primarily due to our staff and customer service. We have had many referrals through the years without asking. Now that we have been through the last training session, we plan to start asking for referrals through different channels. Other contributing factors to our success are related to our direct & internet marketing along with expanding our services & products over the years. We added wide format in the beginning, then signage, direct mail, and blueprints.” Sherri continues, “There are two other areas worth mentioning that I feel have been successful for us. The first has to do with Google Reviews, which has been a point of focus at regional meetings. At one meeting before the pandemic hit, there were around 50 people in attendance from many franchises in Southern California. We talked about how important Google Reviews are. We shared materials used to get reviews and it really blossomed here. I get a lot of new customers because they did a search and noticed how many good reviews we have.” She further shares, “Next is having good storefront and building signage. My shop is on the main highway that people travel from one end of the valley to the other. You can’t miss my shop because we went big and bold with the signage. I would do more, but the local laws don’t allow it. People always tell me they find me from our signage.” Printing Industry & Community/Franchise Support Sherri shares her insights on the printing industry today, saying, “Printing remains vital to businesses today because it provides a connection that stays with the consumer as opposed to the internet or email. Your printed materials end up in someone’s hand, which can make that lasting impression. How many people swipe left or delete emails without reading them? They will always take the time to look at a business card, postcard or holiday card that they receive.” In Palm Desert, Sherry says, “We are a small set of cities that hold large events and conventions. This brings an increase to our population that is about triple the amount during certain months of the year. Thanks to our community, our key growth areas have included signage, blueprints, convention printing and direct mail.” She adds, “We would not be where we are today without the local franchise support, training and the IT department that Minuteman Press International provides. We owe a lot of our success to this.” Rewards & Advice for Others As she looks back on over 20 years and reflects on the rewards of owning a business, Sherri says, “I would say my biggest personal reward is that I have been able to achieve everything that I have wanted to in my life. I can’t really ask for more personally except for time. My biggest professional reward has been reaching that $1 million goal and making the Minuteman Press President’s Club.” As for what advice she would give to others, Sherri shares, “Make sure you are active with the quote process and follow-up. Understand the difference between shoppers (who are getting 3 quotes from various vendors) and buyers. I recommend you give the customer a day to digest the quote they received, then follow up and make sure you answer their questions. Lastly, make sure you let them know you want to meet their price point or their budget constraints if you do… Again, the difference between a shopper and a buyer will make the difference on whether you will want to meet their budget constraints.” Minuteman Press in Palm Desert is located at 73-660 Highway 111, Palm Desert, CA 92260. For more information, visit their website: https://minuteman.com/us/locations/ca/palm-desert/ Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and read Minuteman Press franchise reviews at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

November 14, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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ToolsGroup Positioned as the Leader in the SPARK Matrix for Retail Forecasting and Replenishment by Quadrant Knowledge Solutions

ToolsGroup

ToolsGroup, a global leader in retail and supply chain planning and optimization software, is proud to announce it has been named the technology leader in the SPARK Matrix ™ analysis of Retail Forecasting and Replenishment (RF&R) by Quadrant Knowledge Solutions (QKS). The Quadrant Knowledge Solutions SPARK Matrix: Retail Forecasting & Replenishment (RF&R), Q4, 2023 includes a detailed analysis of global market dynamics, major trends, vendor landscape, and competitive positioning. The study provides competitive analysis and ranking of the leading Retail Forecasting and Replenishment (RF&R) vendors in the form of its SPARK Matrix. It gives users strategic information to evaluate vendor capabilities, competitive differentiation, and market position. According to Avinash Singh, the Analyst at Quadrant Knowledge Solutions who researched ToolsGroup and its dynamic JustEnough retail solution, “ToolsGroup has been placed as the leader in the SPARK Matrix: Retail Forecasting and Replenishment owing to its comprehensive and innovative RF&R solutions, a compelling vision and roadmap, an extensive RF&R vendor ecosystem, year-on-year growth, and comprehensive product offerings with in-depth domain experience.” This announcement comes on the heels of other recent and exciting developments in the ToolsGroup ecosystem since its acquisition of JustEnough, with the company being named a leader in the SPARK Matrix for Inventory Optimization and bolstering its retail and supply chain solutions by acquiring Evo, a provider of responsive artificial intelligence solutions. According to Sahil Gupta, Chief Product Officer, “Our intense focus on marketplace trends, customer needs, and advancements in the use of AI have enabled us to enhance the already powerful JustEnough solution. By combining real-time planning and execution capabilities with AI, we are furthering our vision to help organizations navigate the supply chain with the ability to sense and respond to changes in customers’ needs in real time and automate the optimal distribution of inventory.” “ToolsGroup is thrilled to be recognized as the leader in retail forecasting and replenishment by QKS,” said ToolsGroup CEO, Inna Kuznetsova. “Our customer-centric focus keeps us at the vanguard of innovation and helps us provide the software advancements and next-generation AI our customers rely on to achieve real-world KPIs. We are dedicated to continuing these endeavors and delivering enhanced business performance to retail organizations worldwide.” Download the report and read more about ToolsGroup’s industry accolades HERE. About Quadrant Knowledge Solutions Quadrant Knowledge Solutions is a global advisory and consulting firm focused on helping clients as the strategic knowledge partner in achieving business transformation goals with Strategic Business and Growth Advisory Services. Quadrant’s research and consulting deliverables are designed to provide comprehensive information and strategic insights for helping clients formulate growth strategies to survive and thrive in ever-changing business environments. For more available research, visit: https://quadrant-solutions.com/market-research/ About ToolsGroup ToolsGroup’s innovative AI-powered solutions enable retailers, distributors, and manufacturers to navigate through supply chain uncertainty. Our retail and supply chain planning suites empower a new level of intelligent decision making and unlock powerful business improvements in forecast accuracy, service levels, and inventory - delighting customers and achieving financial and ESG KPIs. Stay in touch with ToolsGroup on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, or visit www.toolsgroup.com. Contact Details MKPR Meir Kahtan +1 917-864-0800 mkahtan@rcn.com Quadrant Knowledge Solutions Mr. Ajinkya Ingle +1 978-605-1066 ajinkya@quadrant-solutions.com Company Website https://www.toolsgroup.com

November 14, 2023 09:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

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One Of The Hottest Wall Street Trends In 2023 Has Been AI – Trust Stamp Is Leveraging AI To Ensure Security In The New Reality

Benzinga

By Faith Ashmore, Benzinga Wall Street has become increasingly focused on the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and the role it can play in transforming business and the global economy. While some experts are concerned about the hype and fear that a bubble is forming around the technology, there is growing evidence that more and more companies are embracing AI to drive innovation and growth. Multiple research reports and studies have been released by investment research firms, highlighting the transformative potential of AI and its ability to boost worker productivity and contribute to GDP growth. Carlyle recently called the birth of generative AI a “watershed in human history,” and Wall Street seems quite bullish on the long-term prospects of AI. This is unsurprising considering that AI is becoming increasingly vital to businesses across a range of industries. Many firms are recognizing the need to incorporate AI into their operations and processes to remain competitive and meet the evolving demands of consumers. For example, companies are using AI to improve customer experience, enhance data analysis capabilities and streamline business operations. As AI technology continues to evolve, its role in driving innovation and growth in the business world is likely to become even more significant. Among companies leveraging AI, Trust Stamp (NASDAQ: IDAI) is one that stands out in its field – the company is looking to revolutionize digital security. Trust Stamp is a global provider of AI-powered, privacy-first trust and identity services used across multiple sectors – such as banking and finance, real estate, communications, regulatory compliance and government. Trust Stamp offers a range of innovative services. Their biometric capture and analysis technology enables secure and convenient identity verification, allowing businesses to streamline onboarding processes. By integrating advanced document verification, Trust Stamp helps verify the authenticity of important documents, reducing the risk of fraud. Trust Stamp has recently received a Notice of Allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office. This notice marks a significant milestone for Trust Stamp's AI-powered, tokenized identity products, which are leveraged in its global operations. It follows the announcement of three additional patent applications made by the company in April 2023. The new patent, titled “Systems and processes for lossy biometric representation," further bolsters the company's IP protection for its innovative biometric hashing technology, which is used for subject identity verification. The technology in the patent uses neural network processing and pseudorandom matrix multiplication to generate anonymized vector representations of biometrics that can be verified for identity authentication. The anonymized vector representations are "lossy," meaning that not all the information from the original biometric data is retained, thereby enhancing security when dealing with sensitive biometric data while still allowing for identity verification with a degree of certainty. Dr. Norman Poh, Trust Stamp’s Chief Science Officer, shared, “This latest Notice of Allowance marks an important win and significantly enhances the IP around our AI-based authentication technology. With over 30 patents now issued, allowed, or pending, over the last seven years our team has developed a highly defensible IP position that is now being productized across an ever-growing range of use cases. The IT² represents an evolution of biometric authentication that provides the subject with an exceptional level of security, while greatly enhancing the utility of the original biometric capture. These capabilities have clearly differentiated Trust Stamp in the market, and industry feedback has been extremely positive, resulting in a rapidly growing commercial sales pipeline.” Trust Stamp has integrated the innovative identity verification processes from this patent into its Irreversibly Transformed Identity Token (IT2) technology, a unique privacy-first solution. Using its AI-based IT2, Trust Stamp ensures the benefits of biometric-derived authentication while keeping control of and not sharing the original biometric data. The IT2 cannot be converted back to the original data, keeping the biometric templates secure and offering privacy-protecting methodology to enjoy biometric-based authentication advantages without the risk of storing biometric templates. This patent is a significant step forward for Trust Stamp in the AI-powered identity and trust services landscape. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, Trust Stamp's emphasis on privacy and data protection is aimed at ensuring that users’ personal information is safeguarded at all times. The ability to enhance security while maximizing the benefits of biometric data is a game-changer for financial institutions and companies dealing with sensitive data. Trust Stamp's products and services are set to play a significant role in shaping the future of finance and identity verification in the coming years. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

November 14, 2023 09:30 AM Eastern Standard Time