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NextFerm Technologies announces a commercial manufacturing agreement for the production of ProteVin™, its vegan protein, with Kothari Fermentation and Biochem, a subcontractor in India

NextFerm Technologies Ltd.

In the first stage, the production setup will enable an annual production capacity of $4M in revenues The completion of the production setup is expected during the fourth quarter, 2023 (Yokneam Illit, July 5, 2023) – NextFerm Technologies Ltd. (TASE:NXFR), a food-tech company developing ProteVin™, a vegan, fermentation-based, non-GMO protein alternative and other innovative yeast-based nutrients, announced today that it has entered into a commercial manufacturing agreement with a subcontractor in India, Kothari Fermentation and Biochem, for the production of ProteVin™. The agreement relates only for production services and doesn’t include IP transfer to the subcontractor. The company's management has worked diligently to find a solution to establish a production setup that will be in line with its financial means, so that, in this stage, this agreement replaces the establishment of the manufacturing plant with the subcontractor in North Macedonia, and will allow the company to supply market demands with a lower investment than planned and with the ability to increase future capacity. In the first stage, the production setup will enable an annual production capacity of $4M in revenues. In addition to the production equipment that the company has purchased so far, the Company estimates that the necessary investment needed for the completion of the production setup and the purchase of the production equipment for the first stage will be approximately $2M. This investment will be financed from the company's own resources. The completion of the production setup is expected during the fourth quarter, 2023. The building in which the production facility is planned to be built already exists and has needed utilities, and most of the equipment needed to operate it has already been purchased by the company and/or is in the possession of the subcontractor and is available for the company’s use. Starting 2023, five food and dietary supplement companies in the USA and Europe have launched vegan products based on ProteVin, including Swanson, one of the leading and veteran nutritional supplement brands in the USA, Spacemilk and Mushroom Design. In the five products, the ProteVin™ brand is labeled on the packaging. The company has a wide and growing base of food and dietary supplement companies, including global companies, that are examining ProteVin for use in a variety of alternative products. In addition to ProteVin, the production facility in India will allow the company to also produce and market the by-product Yeast Extract, which is obtained in the production process of the protein. This product is an ingredient that enhances taste and flavor in the food industry. The company has developed a first generation of Yeast Extract based on a unique technology developed by the company (a yeast strain and unique processes) that contributes to the quality of the Yeast Extract products and the profitability of these products. The Yeast Extract market is estimated at approximately $1.9 Billion in global annual sales, with a growth of approximately 8.7% which is influenced, among others, by the growth of the alternative food market[1]. This is one of the most important and largest categories in the flavors market. Boaz Noy, Chief Executive Officer of NextFerm, said: "In past few months, we have focused on finding an efficient and flexible production alternative to the production facility that was planned to be established in North Macedonia, which will be in line with the company's capabilities and financial resources. The production setup that will be established in India will allow us to meet the growing demand for ProteVin, with a lower investment than planned with the ability to increase future capacity. ProteVin™ is the only alternative protein on the market today with a neutral taste and an animal-like nutritional value, and we believe it will become a leading solution in the global alternative protein industry. In addition, the company will be able to initiate the production and launch of Yeast Extract, which is a vegan food ingredient that enhances taste and flavor and with a high and growing demand in the food industry." About Kothari Fermentation and Biochem Kothari Fermentation and Biochem, traded on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE:KFBL.BO) is a manufacturer of baker’s yeast, Instant Yeast, Active & Inactive Dried Yeast, Cell walls, yeast extract, alcohol yeast and other yeast based products. For more information, visit the Kothari website at: www.kothariyeast.in About NextFerm Technologies NextFerm Technologies, traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE:NXFR) is a food-tech company engaged in the research, development, manufacturing and marketing of innovative, functional and vegan yeast-derived, non-GMO protein alternatives for various applications in the food and food supplement markets and the growing market for animal-derived protein alternatives. NextFerm's flagship product is ProteVin™, a vegan, yeast-derived protein with animal-like nutritional value (Amino acid profile BCAA=21%, Leucine=9%, EAA=53% and high digestibility PDCAAS=1) and a neutral flavor. ProteVin™ is designed for a variety of categories in the alternative protein market, which is estimated at USD 20 billion in terms of final products and at USD 3.5 billion in terms of raw materials with an annual growth rate of above 20%, including milk and dairy substitutes, meat substitutes and additional categories such as infant nutrition, adult nutrition, and sports nutrition. The Company launched ProteVin™ and initiated marketing and supplying the product in second quarter of 2022. For more information, visit the NextFerm website at: www.nextferm.com [1] https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/yeast-extract-market-106656 Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This announcement also includes forecasts, projections, assessments, estimates and other information which refer to future events and matters, the realization of which is uncertain and not exclusively under the Company’s control (forward-looking information). The main facts and data used to support this information are facts and data regarding the current position of the Company and its businesses (including the scope of sales and levels of profitability, manpower, commercial engagements and more), facts and data regarding the current global position of the Company’s operating segments (including industry-specific financial developments, environmental regulatory developments, the competitive environment, technological developments, the reinsurance market and more), and macro-economic facts and data (including the economic situation both in Israel and around the world, yields in the capital markets, social and state developments and more), all as known by the Company when publishing this announcement. The forward-looking information included above in this announcement is significantly based upon, in addition to the existing information held by the Company, on the Company’s current assessments and expectations of future developments vis-a-vis each one of the aforementioned parameters, and the interconnectedness of each one of these developments. The Company has no certainty that its forecasts and assessments will indeed eventuate, and the Company’s operating results may be materially different than the results assessed or implicit based on that set forth above, inter alia, as a result of a change in any of the aforementioned factors. Contact Details NextFerm Technologies Ltd. Yossi Ohana - CFO +972 54-771-5893 yossio@nextferm.com Investor and Media Contact Meirav Gomeh-Bauer +972 54-476-4979 meirav@bauerg.com

July 05, 2023 03:06 PM Eastern Daylight Time

STIMULATE: The Nation’s First-Ever B2B Sexual Wellness Trade Show to Debut July 24 & 25 in Nashville, TN

STIMULATE Trade Show

Nashville, TN – July 5, 2023 – STIMULATE: A B2B Sexual Wellness Trade Show will debut in Nashville, TN on July 24 + 25, 2023, as the nation’s first and only trade show and conference experience dedicated to sexual wellness. Among the categories represented at STIMULATE include products that support intimate care, sexual health, pleasure products, lubricants and grooming, games + novelty including home accessories and party supplies, lingerie, fashion accessories, and more. “With sexual wellness supporting consumers from young to mature and across a variety of categories, it’s important for retailers, vendors, and industry leaders to have a dedicated, professional environment for connectivity, discovery, and learning experiences. This is why I am so thrilled to bring STIMULATE to life and to further support this rapidly growing retail category,” shares Nicole Leinbach, Founder of RetailMinded.com and STIMULATE, as well as a longtime retail industry leader, author, and Professor of Retail Marketing at Columbia College Chicago. With the sexual wellness industry expected to reach 65+ Billion in global sales by 2026, STIMULATE looks forward to bringing vendors, manufacturers, distributors, and brands together to connect with retailers, online sellers, spas, salons, and more. This B2B trade show is unlike any other in the market and will include a variety of educational experiences designed specifically for retail operators. Retailers such as Target, Ulta Beauty, Walgreens, and Anthropologie have already welcomed sexual wellness into their inventory assortment, and STIMULATE wants to provide a destination for more retailers to both discover and learn how sexual wellness can be introduced into their own stores. STIMULATE+Educate: 20 Speaker Sessions As part of the STIMULATE, there will be over 20 complimentary sessions under the STIMULATE+Educate experience with speakers that include Rebecca Alvarez Story, who is the Founder of intimate care line Bloomi which can be found at Target, Saks Fifth Avenue, and other retailers, as well as the Senior Editor of Beauty Independent, Claire McCormack. Nationally renowned surgeon and Founder of both BeSpoke Surgical and Future Method, Dr. Evan Goldstein, will also be among the speakers presenting at STIMULATE+Educate. Additionally, his anal product care line Future Method will be exhibiting at STIMULATE, as well. View Full Speaker Agenda HERE “ I’ve been covering the rise of sexual wellness for several years, as many exciting brands entered the space and both investors and retailers began to accept the category as an integral part of wellness. I am excited to share my insights on trends I’m seeing in the space, the unique challenges sexual wellness brands continue to face, and what I think the future of the category looks like,” shares Beauty Independent’s Claire McCormack. Additionally, attendees of STIMULATE can look forward to exploring products from brands that include Bloomi, Champ Condoms, Sportsheets, NuSensuelle, Zalo Pleasure Products, and more. Debuting their brands for the first time ever include Dahlier - a genderless lingerie + intimate care line - and Sexpot Apothecary, an herb-based sexual health brand supporting libido, reproductive health, and more. Leiamoon, BLK Alchem y, and bido will also be among the emerging brands. " We are thrilled to connect with retailers at STIMULATE, as we continue to spread information about the powerful, transformative practice of vaginal steaming. At LEIAMOON, we seek to normalize conversations around the health and vitality of the most sensitive, creative, pleasure-centers of our bodies,” Jessica Pratt, Designer & Co-Founder of LEIAMOON LLC, explains. Expanding on their enthusiasm to join STIMULATE is John O’Keefe, Co-Founder of Champ Condoms. “ Team Champ is thrilled to be attending the inaugural Stimulate event this year. We’re looking forward to connecting with like-minded modern sex health brands and potential retail partners. We are also excited to hear from thought leaders like Claire McCormack.” One of the nation’s largest distributors of pleasure products, party supplies, and lingerie, Eldorado Trading, will also join STIMULATE as the exclusive exhibiting distributor. “ Eldorado is thrilled to partner with Retail Minded for the inaugural STIMULATE show in Nashville! We believe our expert distribution services and educational resources will prove to be a solid value for the attendees. We look forward to meeting with current customers to talk about growth opportunities as well as meeting with new customers to help their businesses diversify into the adult and sexual wellness categories,” shares CEO Wanda Garland. As part of the STIMULATE experience, attendees can look forward to an evening of live music and an open bar with a balcony view of Nashville’s famous Broadway Avenue hosted by Eldorado Trading. This STIMULATE+AfterHours experience will feature Nashville artist Aly Cutter. STIMULATE: A B2B Sexual Wellness Trade Show will take place July 24 & 25, 2023, in one of America’s most vibrant cities, Nashville, Tennessee. CONTACT INFORMATION: Media, vendors, and retailers* interested in participating in STIMULATE should email stimulate@retailminded.com for more information. *Qualified retail buyers and their teams receive complimentary admission ABOUT RETAIL MINDED: PRODUCER of STIMULATE: A B2B Sexual Wellness Trade Show Retail Minded is an internationally recognized media company that is committed to delivering quality news, education and support specific to retailers and online sellers. Founded in 2007 by retail thought leader, author, and Professor Nicole Leinbach, Retail Minded introduces retailers to leading industry resources, merchant-specific news, and timely education to help commerce professionals thrive. Retail Minded proudly produces the Independent Retailers & Sellers Conference bi-annually in Las Vegas each year and works with a variety of retail- focused businesses throughout the world and will debut the nation’s first sexual wellness B2B trade show – STIMULATE – in 2023. Explore more about Retail Minded at RetailMinded.com. Contact Details STIMULATE: A B2B Sexual Wellness Trade Show Taylor Stinnett +1 312-925-8562 Stimulate@retailminded.com Company Website https://stimulatetheshow.com/

July 05, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

News Release

BSF Enterprise discusses sustainability with new approval to commercialize cultivated meat in US

BSF Enterprise

BSF Enterprise CEO Dr. Che Connan joined Proactive's Natalie Stoberman to discuss how the company is moving forward from its recent approval for the sale of cultivated meat in the United States. Dr. Connan said this approval also generates interest in BSF's intellectual property related to tissue engineering, particularly for cultured meat. He explained cultivated or cultured meat is produced in laboratories without harming animals while BSF's products closely resemble natural meat in appearance, smell, taste, and texture. BSF is focused on unlocking the next generation of biotechnological solutions by using cell-based tissue engineering to help generate cultured meat, lab-grown leather, as well as human corneas, collagen growth and skin substitutes, as part of a radical transformation to deliver sustainable solutions across a variety of sectors. Contact Details Proactive USA +1 347-449-0879 na-editorial@proactiveinvestors.com

June 30, 2023 03:17 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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SUMMER'S TRENDING PRODUCTS

News Media Group, Inc.

Contact Details Karl Wayne +1 334-440-6397 karl@newsmg.com Company Website https://newsmg.com/

June 30, 2023 06:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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News Release

Taiga Motors revolutionizing powersport vehicles with electric innovation

Taiga Motors Corp

Taiga Motors CEO Samuel Bruno joined Proactive's Natalie Stoberman to share the company's production milestones for its fully electric powersport vehicles. Taiga is a Canadian company reinventing the powersports landscape with breakthrough electric off-road vehicles. Through a clean-sheet engineering approach, Taiga has pushed the frontiers of electric technology to achieve extreme power-to-weight ratios and thermal specifications required to outperform comparable high-performance combustion powersports vehicles. The first models released include a lineup of electric snowmobiles and personal watercraft to deliver on a rapidly growing demand from recreational and commercial customers who are seeking better ways to explore the great outdoors without compromise. Contact Details Proactive USA +1 347-449-0879 na-editorial@proactiveinvestors.com

June 29, 2023 04:24 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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THE APP AND UNIVERSAL TENNIS ESTABLISH LANDMARK PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

APP

The Association of Pickleball Players ( APP ) has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Universal Tennis, the global market-leading racket sports technology and events company. The agreement sees Universal Tennis become the APP's official and exclusive ratings partner, providing deep experience of racquet sports ratings systems and analysis to all levels of APP players and events — from elite professionals, amateurs and recreational players, to Next Gen, seniors, and super seniors. Universal Tennis — the creator behind the UTR Rating, the world’s most accurate tennis rating — has recently adapted its rating algorithm and event management software for pickleball. Universal Tennis is harnessing its renowned expertise and technology solutions to offer innovative technology solutions for pickleball players, enabling them to have one home for all their pickleball needs including ratings, leagues, matchplay, tournaments, and more. Universal Tennis has launched the UTR Pickleball Rating (UTRP) to rate players on a scale of P1 (beginner), P2 (intermediate), P3 (advanced), or P4 (expert/professional). Using results from the APP, Universal Tennis will continue refining the algorithm and eventually adopt a numerical decimal rating similar to tennis for higher-level pickleball players. Players looking to join the community and get a free rating can click here. “At the heart of Universal Tennis are players, so we are delighted to be partnering with the APP, an organization which prides itself on its integrity and its core focus on serving players of all levels,” said Mark Leschly, Chairman and CEO of Universal Tennis. “Pickleball is played by millions of people in America, and increasingly around the world, and now we have the opportunity to bring Universal Tennis’ experience, knowledge, and tried-and-tested systems to the APP to establish the benchmark for ratings and rankings systems. Universal Tennis also has vast experience, knowledge, and skills in creating and managing successful racquet sports events, which we will now add to the APP team.” “This is a historic day for pickleball, welcoming Universal Tennis, the worldwide market leader in tennis ratings, rankings, and player-focused events, into the APP family,” said Brian Graybill, President of Intersport, co-owner of the APP. “We have ambitious plans for the expansion of the APP, bringing significant new investment and resources into our organization to help raise the profile of the players and events. Universal Tennis will help supercharge those plans, bringing unrivaled experience and technology to help us achieve our goals and help players maximize their potential, on and off-court.” The 2023 APP tournament schedule has already featured six standout events in 2023, including the most recent tournament, The Boca Raton 2023 APP New York City Open at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York which attracted more than 1,200 players. The latest APP Tour stop, the 2023 APP Newport Beach Open, is the largest event in the APP’s history, featuring more than 1,400 pro and amateur players, competing over six days in one of the premier pickleball venues worldwide. APP Tour events are televised on ESPN2 or CBS Sports Network, and livestreamed on ESPN+ or APPTV on YouTube and Facebook. About the APP Founded in 2019, the Association of Pickleball Players (APP) serves professionals, senior professionals, amateurs and recreational players in the fastest growing sport in the USA. The first and only tour officially sanctioned by USA Pickleball, the 2023 APP Tour slate has 16 announced tournament stops, in addition to International and Collegiate Series events. The APP also prides itself on developing the next generation of pickleball champions through its Next Gen Series and other youth initiatives. To stay updated on the APP, visit theapp.global, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Facebook and LinkedIn. About Universal Tennis The mission of Universal Tennis is to connect and grow the sports of tennis and pickleball with innovative events and a global digital marketplace centered around level-based play. The Universal Tennis Engagement Platform is anchored by the UTR Rating, the world’s most accurate singles and doubles tennis rating system. Universal Tennis provides the tools and solutions to make the UTR Rating relevant and valuable to players, coaches, and organizers in their local tennis communities. Universal Tennis is creating opportunities and pathways, including the UTR Pro Tennis Tour, for players from all over the world, in all stages of life, to find better matches and unlock a more fun and flexible tennis experience. New since 2023, Universal Tennis is offering one home for tennis and pickleball, beginning a new chapter by bringing pickleball rating and technology solutions to another racquet sport. Universal Tennis enables its customers to use its UTR Pickleball Rating and event management software to create accessible, competitive level-based events. Go to UniversalTennis.com to join the global tennis and pickleball community. Follow @UniversalTennis to learn more. Contact Details The APP Daniel Sagerman +1 847-800-8182 dsagerman@theapp.global Universal Tennis Ben Makarenko bmakarenko@universaltennis.com Company Website https://theapp.global

June 29, 2023 12:00 PM Pacific Daylight Time

Elite High School Basketball Institution Our Saviour Lutheran Joins Forces with the New York Lightning to Unveil Innovative Name, Image, and Likeness Platform

Obsesh Media

In a groundbreaking partnership, Our Saviour Lutheran young men’s basketball and New York Lightning Basketball have jointly introduced an inventive platform to leverage Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) for the benefit of their unified teams. This pioneering initiative, named "Protect the Nest", merges the strengths of these renowned entities from the NY Metro and national high school basketball circuit. Led by esteemed Head Coach Pete Wehye, the collaborative endeavor brings together the top-rated New York high school basketball program, the highest-rated Nike EYBL League team from New York, and the elite NY Metro grassroots AAU team, and aims to enhance the NIL potential for athletes and teams. The partnership also reinforces Our Saviour Lutheran and the New York Lightning’s commitment to fostering their athletes' development and recognition on an elite level, and signals a significant stride in promoting their players' personal brands while revolutionizing the sports landscape. Working hand in hand with Obsesh, the industry leader in NIL branding, sports marketing, and technology services, the inclusive NIL platform seeks to create opportunities for the alliance and its players through national and local sponsorships, talent endorsements, and various other marketing initiatives nationally. Players will also benefit from unparalleled resources for personal brand development and instruction, in addition to financial planning and contract education—vital for the evolving new sports era. This revolutionary partnership aims to establish these leading high school and grassroots basketball entities as the undisputed powerhouses of high school basketball nationwide. By providing a comprehensive NIL platform, the alliance will maximize opportunities for both their athletes and programs, further strengthening their dominant status within the competitive landscape of high school basketball. "Our goal extends beyond shaping outstanding basketball players to positively impacting lives," said Coach Wehye, a leading advocate of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights for high school basketball athletes. "Through our high school basketball and grassroots programs, we've consistently led the way in every era of basketball, aiming to create a brighter future for our athletes and their families. We champion our players' rights to benefit from their own NIL, providing more paths to success athletically and personally, with the aim to create citizens that contribute to society, generate generational wealth, and break the cycle of poverty in our communities. This is incredibly important, and I’m going to lead the way so they have the best chance to maximize their next level in college and professionally.” "We are extremely pleased to be leading the charge in the era of Name, Image, and Likeness, serving as the go-to NIL sportstech and marketing group for athletes, collegiate entities, and top-tier high school programs,” expressed Tracy Benson, CEO & Cofounder of Obsesh. “We are passionate about empowering athletes to maximize their personal brand and create a long-lasting impression on their future. It’s exciting to work with these incredible coaches, players, and programs to develop an industry-first platform for these two elite national powerhouse basketball brands, shaping their NIL platform and driving their success to greater heights. Together, we're on a mission to craft a compelling narrative that resonates with fans, families, sponsors, partners, and the world at large, amplifying their voice and maximizing their potential in the dynamic arena of NIL opportunities on both individual and team levels." The New York Lightning grassroots teams compete in the distinguished Nike’s EYBL Circuit—the top high school showcase program nationwide. The organization includes more than 110 players, with its elite team being hailed as a top contender again at the upcoming Peach Jam Championship Tournament from July 3-9th in N. Augusta, South Carolina. One of high school basketball's biggest events, The Peach Jam further spotlights the New York Lightning’s star players, including four-star point guard and Auburn University commit Tahaad Pettiford and four-star small forward Jahki Howard, who form one of EYBL’s most potent duos. Notable alumni talents from the New York Lightning include Elliot Cadaeu, committed freshman University of North Carolina point guard, Zakai Ziegler and Tobe Awaka, both current University of Tennessee athletes, Jaylen Blakes, now at Duke University, Akil Watson, now at Arizona State University, and Mark Armstrong, now at Villanova. "We're thrilled to pioneer this next-level platform and cultivate relationships between our athletes and potential partners. It also furthers our dedication to fostering the comprehensive development of young athletes. With the proficient team at Obsesh serving as our provider and representatives, our coaching staff can concentrate on what we do best—developing young talent and winning!"said Shandue McNeill and Dana Dingle, Co-Directors of the New York Lightning. “We will continue to provide an empowering environment that prioritizes their growth, maximizing their potential on and off the court.” Our Saviour Lutheran School, which serves more than 60 players annually led by Head Coach Pete Wehye, is the former Grind Session Champions, with star alumni such as Mr. Basketball–New York Jaquan Sanders (Seton Hall), Sadiku Ibine Ayo (St. John’s), Posh Alexander (Butler), Youssouf Singare (UConn), and NBA Swingman Jared Rhoden (Detroit Pistons). The school has been a dominant player in the elite NY Metro high school basketball scene, in addition to its National Falcons participating in the Overtime Elite Basketball League (OTE). Beginning with the 2023-2024 season, this first-of-its kind alliance will ignite a fresh chapter in Name, Image, and Likeness, unlocking avenues for sponsorships, endorsements, education, and other partnerships for both our current players, alumni, and incoming recruits. As they persist in cultivating the future basketball elite, this initiative presents a unique opportunity for all players to gain visibility, lifelong skills, and profit from safe and compliant projects, enhancing their experience beyond the boundaries of the court. For any national or local brands, or sports sponsors, interested in connecting with more than 170+ premier up and coming basketball talents, or for more information on NIL opportunities and how to make a significant impact, visit https://nyprotectthenest.com/ and get in touch by email at nyprotectthenest@obsesh.com. About Our Saviour Lutheran Led by champion Head Coach Pete Wehye, Our Saviour Lutheran School has five basketball teams in its program, including the OSL National Falcons, a leading force in both the semi-professional Overtime League (OTE) and the International elite basketball league, The Grind Session. In 2022, the OSL National Falcons took home the title of Grind Session World Champion s. The school’s mission is to strive to inspire academic success, cultivate holistic growth, and instill faithful Christian character in all that they do. The athletic philosophy is best stated in this way: “Life is like sports. You train, endure, suffer, and triumph. In the end, you retire. God willing, you leave an amazing history and a better place for those after you.” About New York Lightning The New York Lightning (“NYL”), a subsidiary of the Long Island Lightning Basketball organization, is one of New York City’s most successful of its kind. Spanning more than 110 players in any season with teams ranging from 12U to 17U. While many know of its participation in the high-profile Nike EYBL Circuit as the New Heights Lightning, the premier high school showcase league in the country, very few are aware of the broad-reaching social and educational programs it deploys to the other student-athletes that are part of the organization. 17-U coaching staff includes Co-directors Dana Dingle and Shandue McNeill, Head Coach Pete Wehye, and Darryl Washington. About Obsesh Launched in 2021 by industry veterans Tracy Benson and Jonalyn Morris, Obsesh is a sports marketing and technology platform specializing in Name, Image, and Likeness brand growth for collegiate and elite high school athletic programs. Headquartered in California, Obsesh is backed by key sports tech funds including Stadia Ventures, Underdog & Co., and influencers, including Chad Hurley, YouTube Founder and co-owner of Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Football Club. Obsesh is dedicated to empowering athlete equity for all. Contact Details Obsesh Jonalyn Morris +1 323-376-3632 jonalyn@obsesh.com Company Website https://go.obsesh.com/

June 29, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Fun learning platform Kidovo raises $1.2M funding round to provide personalised interactive learning to every child

Kidovo

The next generation of children are growing up with digital devices all around them. As a result, they’re spending increasing amounts of time on these devices in passive consumption of content which is leading to a range of development issues. In addressing this pressing concern, fun learning platform Kidovo is today launching with a $1.2 million seed funding round to provide every child (2-8 years old) with personalised interactive learning. The funding round saw participation from Venture Highway, Amplify PCC, Good Capital, & prominent angels including Ashish Singhal from Coinswitch among others. Using interactivity, Kidovo is aiming to turn passive consumption into active participation from kids, which helps avoid many of the problems prevalent today with kids’ screen time. Kidovo was founded by Sameer Goyal, ex Amazon & AWS engineer, and Rahul Bhatnagar, ex Uber, Cubical Labs, Amazon. They met while beginning their careers at Amazon over a decade ago. Together, they have a combined experience of over 20 years in the tech industry. “When Rahul reached out to me, about building an interactive learning platform for kids, I was sure something like this must exist. But I was surprised to see very few options for such content. Further, we both realised the massive size of this problem. This affects most of the kids on the entire planet. We started researching the space and found that there is a massive opportunity to build better learning experiences for kids using the latest technology.” said Sameer Goyal, co-founder of Kidovo. “We’ve been testing the early versions of the product with a small group of about 60 families as part of our co-builder program since December 2022. While we have been constantly improving the product based on feedback from that program, the platform has already grown to serve 4000 registered families. Further, as a testament to our team’s commitment to improving kids’ learning experience and safety, we have already received kidSAFE COPPA+ certification as well as a 5 star certification from educational app store in just 6 months since our platform accepted its first external user. We are now confident in serving more users on our platform and have begun rolling out our paid subscription plans.” Recent studies have suggested that kids spend about an hour everyday on Youtube. With shortage of workers in the childcare industry, increasingly these devices are the child’s nanny ( Source ). Further, since generation alpha is the first generation to grow up around digital devices, parents are increasingly finding it difficult to limit screen time without access to other sources of more meaningful & productive entertainment for children. The American academy of Pediatrics recommends for children 2 to 5 years of age to limit use to 1 hour per day of high-quality programming, while parents co-view & help children understand the content and help them apply what they learn ( Source ). Kidovo is designed to provide children with a digital playmate, who would fulfil the above responsibilities when a parent is unavailable to do so. “We found that existing interactive solutions were too focussed on academic outcomes & hence were unable to engage the child over a long period of time. Further, they lacked the variety of content that would support children as they explore different areas of interest. Therefore, we decided to work together with the best kids content creators and empower them with interactive tools to make more engaging content.” said Rahul Bhatnagar, co-founder of Kidovo. Since children are spending increasing amounts of time on digital devices, the time they spend practising speaking has gone down leading to speech delay problems. The team has devised an innovative approach to get kids to speak while learning on their platform. One of the forms of interactivity on the platform is where kids are asked questions from the content and they need to speak to answer and get real time feedback almost as if there’s a real life tutor with them. The owl mascot, Ovo, also involves kids in casual conversation to help them build confidence to express themselves. Kidovo not only helps children with healthier screen time options, but also helps parents participate in their children’s learning journeys. The platform offers parents key moments they might have missed from their kids’ activity on the platform, they can hear their kids speak, see what they drew. Further, parents are offered tips on activities & discussions that they can engage in with their kids based on their activity on the platform. Kidovo plans to use this investment to move closer to their vision of empowering every child worldwide to reach their full potential through personalised, immersive, and engaging experiences that make learning fun and accessible. About Kidovo Kidovo is a fun learning app providing personalised, interactive learning for kids between 2-8 years of age. Kidovo curates content from the best kids' content creators like SciShow Kids, Kiboomers, Learning Mole and many more and adds fun educational activities where children tap on the screen, respond with their voice, and even colour on the screen. Kidovo's mascot, Ovo, the owl will be kids’ digital buddy, and engage and talk with them. Kidovo shows parents what their kids are learning using their child's audio, coloring sheets and much more. Contact Details Kidovo Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://www.kidovo.com/

June 29, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Florida Financial Advisors Joins Forces with AmeriLife to Expand Wealth Management for Working-Class Americans

AmeriLife

AmeriLife Group, LLC (“AmeriLife”), a national leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities and retirement planning solutions, announced today that it has partnered with Florida Financial Advisors, a full-service, comprehensive wealth management and financial planning firm and insurance brokerage dedicated to helping middle market Americans grow and secure their wealth and achieve their retirement goals. Per the agreement, terms of the deal were not disclosed. "At Florida Financial Advisors, it’s all about our core values: integrity, work ethic, drive, entrepreneurship and servitude,” said Jason and Allyson Mickool, founders and CEO and CFO, respectively, of Florida Financial Advisors. “What drove this partnership with AmeriLife was an alignment with those values. Now, with expanded resources, leadership and expertise, we’re excited to take our firm to new levels of success while taking our unique value proposition for working-class Americans to the national stage." Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., with offices in Orlando, Jacksonville and Miami, Florida Financial Advisors employs a unique, holistic advisory model designed to maximize its clients’ investments no matter the economic environment. The firm offers financial products and solutions, including financial planning, wealth management, insurance, and other services designed to achieve the goals of the everyday investor. Alongside its subsidiaries Tristate Financial Advisors and Georgia Financial Advisors, Florida Financial Advisors employs more than 150 licensed financial planners and advisors who go above and beyond to customize the right solutions for their clients, taking a personalized approach to navigate the unique financial circumstances of each. “When I think of Jason and Allyson Mickool, I think of outstanding people who are leading an outstanding organization,” said Mike Vietri, Chief Distribution Officer of AmeriLife Wealth. “The accomplishments they’ve achieved in such a short period of time — and the team of advisors that supports them and continues to drive the business — are incredible. Jason and Allyson have developed a strong organization of professionals with a culture committed to providing the most professional advice to clients. As AmeriLife continues to grow its Wealth platform, we’re excited to add to our distribution the distinct solutions and services that Florida Financial Advisors brings to the table. I look forward to our many successes together.” ### About Florida Financial Advisors Florida Financial Advisors, Inc. (FFA) is a Tampa, Fla.-based independent financial advisory and FINRA-registered broker dealer with a network of more than 150 advisors operating in Florida, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia. As a full-service, comprehensive wealth management and financial planning firm and insurance brokerage, FFA is committed to helping working-class Americans maximize their financial future through its unique, holistic advisory model, the FFA Solution. FFA has been recognized with a number of industry awards, including locally by ThreeBestRated.com, City’s Best Awards and Expertise.com as a top financial services firm. For more information, visit FloridaFA.com. About AmeriLife AmeriLife’s strength is its mission: to provide insurance and retirement solutions to help people live longer, healthier lives. In doing so, AmeriLife has become recognized as the leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities and retirement planning solutions to enhance the lives of pre-retirees and retirees across the United States. For more than 50 years, AmeriLife has partnered with top insurance carriers to provide value and quality to customers served through a distribution network of over 300,000 insurance agents and advisors and more than 120 marketing organizations and insurance agency locations nationwide. For more information, visit AmeriLife.com, and follow AmeriLife on Facebook and LinkedIn. Contact Details Media Jeff Maldonado +1 321-297-1112 jmaldonado@amerilife.com Partnership Inquiries Patrick Nichols +1 727-726-0726 pnichols@amerilife.com Company Website https://amerilife.com/

June 28, 2023 01:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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