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iTradeNetwork Announces the Next-Generation Spend Insights Solution, Bringing Premium Analytics and Insights to Foodservice Operators

iTradeNetwork

iTradeNetwork, the leading global provider of end-to-end supply chain management, data, and intelligence solutions for the foodservice industry, is proud to announce the next generation of Spend Insights, a solution that surfaces trends, anomalies, and actionable intelligence for Foodservice Operators to make informed business decisions faster than ever before. Foodservice Operators face many challenges in the current market. Nearly seventy-five percent of operators say labor recruitment and retention are their toughest challenges today (NRA 2021 Report), and the pandemic has caused widespread stock-outs, disruptions and inventory issues that affect their bottom lines. With so many distributor and manufacturer relationships to manage, simply gathering reliable, complete data is difficult and painful, and there are growing concerns amongst Operators about data privacy, security, and integrity. Poor visibility makes it nearly impossible to effectively manage compliance and spending—let alone identify opportunities for growth. iTradeNetwork introduces the next generation of Spend Insights, leveraging more than 20 years of securely and reliably managing data and providing analytics for the world’s largest food manufacturers, distributors, and operators. The new solution acquires, standardizes and validates the data across disparate distributor and manufacturer relationships, giving Foodservice Operators complete supply chain visibility to uncover opportunities for rebate, pricing, and contracting decisions. This release comes complete with an advanced, fresh user interface and staggering performance improvements of more than 90%. Reports that previously took 9 minutes to run now take 15 seconds, saving Operators an average of 40 hours a month and enabling them to receive accurate, actionable data even faster and more reliably. Using the next generation Spend Insights solution Operators can expect to see: ● 2-3% collection of pricing overcharges on contracted spend ● 15-20% rebate improvement from more compliant purchasing ● 10-15% improvement in new contracting opportunities “It isn’t a simple task to collect and reconcile data across all end units, distributors, and manufacturers,” says Nathan Romney, iTradeNetwork’s Chief Product Officer. “Now we can do this with 99.5% match rate accuracy—but we go beyond that. We put this data to work by surfacing advanced analytics that not only give our customers full visibility to evaluate compliance, pricing and contracts, but they can even benchmark customers against US national averages, scorecard vendors, manage menus, and more. The value our customers get from our insights is unrivaled.” The iTradeNetwork Data Pool is fully compliant with GS1 standards and can interoperate with any other GS1 GDSN-certified data pool or solution provider worldwide. iTradeNetwork plans to discuss the Spend Insights release at the upcoming National Restaurant Association’s Supply Chain Expert Exchange Fall Conference on October 11th and 12th in Orlando. The next generation of Spend Insights is the latest of many innovations iTradeNetwork has delivered to the market in the last year, including OrderMaestro, a branded ordering and inventory management solution for Foodservice Operators. About iTrade iTradeNetwork, Inc. is the leading global provider of supply chain management solutions for the food and beverage industry. Built upon deep industry expertise, a rich data foundation and the industries’ most extensive trading partner network, iTradeNetwork’s collaborative solutions allow distributors, manufacturers, operators, retailers, suppliers, and wholesalers of all sizes to reduce cost, grow revenue, and strengthen trading partner relationships. Today, iTradeNetwork’s growing customer list includes thousands of global companies. For more information, visit: www.itradenetwork.com. Contact Details Media Contact +1 925-660-1100 sales@itradenetwork.com Company Website https://www.itradenetwork.com

September 27, 2022 10:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time

Marshall Cavendish Education and Knowledgehook Join Forces to Transform Mathematics Learning Globally

Knowledgehook

Knowledgehook, the leading education technology provider and first of its kind real-time teacher math professional development platform, today announced a strategic partnership with Marshall Cavendish Education (MCE), the global leader in mathematics educational content and pioneer of the Singapore Math® approach that has kept Singapore at the top of math achievement globally. The partnership aims to provide a powerful ecosystem of research-backed math pedagogy (MCE Primary Mathematic Series), gamified assessments, learning data and reporting, and actionable instructional support. It also empowers teachers to identify each student’s specific math challenges, and then adjust their instruction using expert-designed content and interventions to improve student outcomes. The joint MCE-Knowledgehook solution enables teachers to link the MCE Primary Mathematics resources to digitized content and assign gamified and curriculum-aligned activities and assessments to their students, making classroom learning more engaging and effective. Students can join a live classroom activity or launch their independent learning at home using links found inside their eBook. Each digital activity is linked directly to in-class instruction, allowing real-time data collection to provide effective support to learners and educators. “MCE Primary Mathematics is the first series that introduced the Singapore Math method, which has helped students around the world to succeed in learning math. With the changing times, schools are now finding more innovative ways in teaching and learning, and we trust that the partnership with Knowledgehook will enhance the experience for both teachers and students,” shares Lim Soon Jinn, Head of Commercial and Digital Solutions of Marshall Cavendish Education. “Teachers are getting the top-rated mathematics in the world paired with a top-rated technology program. Together, that partnership is stronger than anything I have ever seen,” states Susan Resnick, US Consultant - Primary Mathematics 2022. “This powerful collaboration with Marshall Cavendish further drives Knowledgehook’s mission forward,” states Qamar Qureshi, President and Chief Business Officer at Knowledgehook. “We believe that teachers need to be at the center of any solution that aims to improve student learning outcomes. Integrating world-class content with adaptive and predictive technology saves teachers time and helps them deliver the highest quality instruction to address individual learning needs in the classroom and at home.” The partnership aims to leverage the core capabilities of each respective company to fulfill their collective vision - reach every teacher; reach every math student. About Knowledgehook Knowledgehook is a leading Canadian-based educational technology company that actively collaborates with governments worldwide while working directly with schools to offer curriculum-aligned education solutions. The company currently empowers teachers in more than 175,000 classrooms. In 2024, it is anticipated the solution will reach 50,000,000 students globally. Winner of Google’s Game Changer Award and named Top Disruptor by BNN, its platform analyses student understanding through engaging assessments, providing real-time personalized solutions to close learning gaps between classroom teaching and at-home learning. Designed by leading numeracy and research experts, Knowledgehook’s Instructional Guidance System is known for reinventing how online technology supports education and educators while inspiring the problem solvers of tomorrow. For further information visit: www.knowledgehook.com About Marshall Cavendish Education Marshall Cavendish Education (MCE) is a global education solutions provider dedicated to nurturing the joy of learning and preparing students for the future. We believe the best way to do so is by simplifying learning and listening to the needs of schools, teachers, students, and parents. MCE makes world-class educational content more accessible through a seamless experience that integrates both print and digital resources. We provide holistic, end-to-end solutions customized to the school's requirements, with professional development to help educators implement the curriculum. We've worked with ministries, policymakers, educators, and parents in over 85 countries, designing education solutions in 14 languages for Pre-K to 12. MCE is the only Asia-based publisher that is an endorsement partner of Cambridge Assessment International Education. For more information please visit@ www.mceducation.com Contact Details Knowledgehook Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://www.knowledgehook.com/

September 27, 2022 09:32 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Industrial Defender Appoints Aaron Crow as Chief Technology Officer

Industrial Defender

Industrial Defender, a leader in OT cybersecurity technology, today announced that Aaron Crow has been appointed Chief Technology Officer of Industrial Defender. Crow is a highly regarded industrial cybersecurity expert and brings over two decades of experience in IT and cybersecurity, with more than 15 of those focused on critical infrastructure and power utilities. “Aaron is a talented individual with the right skill set to help propel Industrial Defender into the future and build on our vision to become the global leader in OT cybersecurity solutions,” said Jay Williams, CEO of Industrial Defender, “His vital experience building out security programs and technologies for industrial environments as both an asset owner at a power company and as a consultant is exactly what we need, and I couldn’t be more excited to welcome him to our growing team.” “The world is at a critical juncture right now that will shape how secure our future will be. Industrial Defender is perfectly positioned to be a leader in the global industrial security transformation,” said Crow. “I’m incredibly optimistic about where the company is headed and the role it will play in keeping the technology that powers society safe and operational.” Crow’s impressive background spans operational technology security roles at both Ernst & Young and Luminant, where he built out multiple, large scale OT cybersecurity programs reaching across hundreds of sites, multiple states and different entities. He also holds a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP®) certification. About Industrial Defender Industrial Defender protects the world’s critical infrastructure from cyberattacks. As a leader in OT cybersecurity innovation, the company’s scalable platform is used by organizations around the world to empower security stakeholders with actionable data from their OT and IIoT infrastructure, enabling them to make informed risk management decisions and manage their OT cybersecurity program in a concise, single vendor dashboard. Learn more at www.industrialdefender.com. Contact Details Erin Anderson +1 617-675-4206 eanderson@industrialdefender.com Company Website https://www.industrialdefender.com

September 27, 2022 09:08 AM Eastern Daylight Time

COMCAST TO OPEN NEW XFINITY STORE IN EDINA, MINNESOTA

Comcast Twin Cities

Comcast today announced the opening of its newest Twin Cities area Xfinity Store in Edina, Minnesota. Located in the popular France Avenue area, this interactive retail and product demonstration showroom is designed entirely around the customer experience, providing an opportunity to explore and interact directly with the latest Xfinity products and services. The nearly 5,000 square foot store is located at 7101 France Ave S, Edina MN 55435, in the Rue de France Shopping Center, and will open to the public on Friday, Sept. 30. This opening marks the 15 th Xfinity Store in the Twin Cities. With a welcoming and interactive environment that highlights Comcast’s entertainment and technology offerings, customers can interact with all Xfinity products from internet, video and connected home solutions to Xfinity Mobile, a simple, flexible, affordable wireless plan designed to save customers money. “Comcast is an important part of the Edina community and we congratulate them on this new store,” said Jim Hovland, Mayor, City of Edina. “The France Avenue area is a great location and we welcome the Comcast employees who will be serving Edina customers from this new Xfinity store.” Xfinity store employees will happily demonstrate the X1 entertainment platform, show how to use xFi tools to manage home internet functions (like shutting it down at dinnertime or bedtime, or ensuring the security of your network), as well as educate customers on the free mobile apps available so you can take your saved TV programs and movies on the go with you wherever you are. Rachel Johnson, Comcast Twin Cities’ vice president of Sales and Marketing is excited about the new store. “It’s an amazing location right off France Avenue, so we’re expecting it to be very easy for the community to access.” She went on to say, “Xfinity has such a compelling story to tell with our unbeatable internet and mobile, as well as other products and services. A new, exciting physical location for our customers to come in and hear about our products is the right investment to make.” The new store will employ 15 people, and will offer customer-friendly hours, open to from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sundays. ### About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on connectivity, aggregation, and streaming with 57 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Jill Hornbacher +1 651-425-1695 Jill_Hornbacher@comcast.com Company Website https://twincities.comcast.com/

September 27, 2022 08:00 AM Central Daylight Time

Loopin enables people to own workplace meetings with public launch of platform

Loopin

Knowledge workers spend nearly half their working week in meetings and incessant collaboration yet it is so difficult to get things done in business today. Workplace productivity platform Loopin has launched today to improve workplace meetings and assist hybrid teams in value-creating collaborations. Loopin is backed by Venture Highway and a few angel investors. Loopin is a central hub for all meeting-related tasks and discussions and helps users and their teams stay aligned and move faster on goals and projects. It helps people know what to do, why to do it, and when. Loopin was created in April 2021 by college friends Anurag Varma, Parth Pareek, and Mehul Dudi. Prior to Loopin, Anurag was a product lead at Venture Highway and Upgrad, Parth was a product lead at Samsung, and Mehul worked as an engineering manager at Freshworks. The idea of Loopin originated when they noticed the deteriorating quality of meeting interactions. As meeting hours increased at the onset of COVID, they realized how repetitive the discussions became. Running from one meeting to the next, the need for Loopin stemmed from their personal struggles of keeping up with the context of the meeting (like decisions, action items and updates) and making them actionable. Anurag Varma, Co-Founder and CEO, commented: "Despite a rising number of apps available to collaborate with your teams, it is more difficult than ever to get stuff done. With an overwhelming number of work apps, our knowledge gets fragmented. We end up spending more time searching for the right info which can be productively utilized towards working on important stuff." Today, the Loopin platform focuses on managing meeting knowledge and tasks on the calendar. One of the key Loopin features is a meeting management component to capture and share meeting outcomes with attendees. Loopin organizes these notes by meetings and resurfaces previous discussions (meeting recap) and tasks in relevant meetings. A tasks feature enables people to stay on top of their responsibilities across meetings, emails, and other work apps by planning tasks on their calendars. Loopin rolled out access to thousands of waitlist users earlier in the year. With over 450 teams in early beta, users reported a step function change improvement in meeting collaboration and task management. Mehul Dudi, co-founder and CTO added, "Loopin offers a single source of truth for meeting outcomes, building a second brain for meetings. It boosts team accountability and saves at least the first 10 mins in every meeting going over what was last discussed, who's working on what etc. Through Loopin, people now have a single view of tasks from meetings, other work apps, Slack, and email – which is critical to help knowledge workers organize their time. Furthermore, our calendar analytics will help people learn more about how they spend their time". "Going forward, our vision is to make Loopin the anchor for knowledge workers to drive productive workdays. In the modern work era, time is the most important commodity. By bringing together information from disparate applications, we can provide workers with contextual information at the right time. Loopin takes a calendar-first approach to help users navigate their workday. This differentiates Loopin from other apps out there that treat calendar as a secondary integration.", said co-founder and COO, Parth Pareek. Contact Details Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://www.loopinhq.com/

September 27, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Vantage Data Centers Opens Second Kuala Lumpur Data Center with a Third Facility Under Construction on the Growing Campus

Vantage Data Centers

DENVER, USA and SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 27 September 2022 - Vantage Data Centers, a leading global provider of hyperscale data center campuses, today announced the on-schedule delivery of a second data center (KUL12) on its Cyberjaya campus in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In addition, the company is constructing a third facility (KUL13) on the growing campus to meet customer demand in the region. Located on a four-acre campus in the Malaysia Digital Districts, KUL12 is a four-story data center with a variety of sustainability features, including the use of a closed-loop chilling system that requires virtually no water for cooling. The project was completed in approximately 1 million working hours without any lost-time injuries since breaking ground in May 2021. KUL12 and the flagship KUL11 facility provide a combined 10MW of IT capacity across 194,000 square feet of space. Vantage is also constructing KUL13, a third facility on the Cyberjaya campus. KUL13 will offer an additional 5MW of capacity to hyperscale customers and local enterprises and will open its doors to customers in the first half of 2023. “Vantage is actively investing in new developments in Malaysia to serve growing customer demand and support the country’s aspiration to become a digital economic hub,” said Brian Groen, president of Vantage’s APAC business. “We are excited to open the doors to this additional data center while continuing our expansion and investment in greater Kuala Lumpur.” “We are thrilled to have Vantage Data Centers be part of our thriving digital economy. Their presence here is a sign of continued confidence towards Malaysia’s robust and enabling data center ecosystem, digitally skilled talent, and world-class infrastructure,” said Mahadhir Aziz, CEO of Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC). “Vantage’s new data center will also strengthen Malaysia’s digital infrastructure and accelerate the nation’s ongoing digital transformation. Moving forward, MDEC is committed to supporting Vantage’s presence here, as well as the growth and development of the nation’s data center industry via the Malaysia Digital (MD) national strategic initiative,” Aziz added. Vantage Data Centers announced its entrance into the Asia-Pacific region in September 2021 through two strategic acquisitions. For more information on the company’s campuses in the Asia-Pacific region, please visit https://vantage-dc.com/data-center-locations/apac/. About Vantage Data Centers Vantage Data Centers powers, cools, protects and connects the technology of the world’s well-known hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises. Developing and operating across five continents in North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific, Vantage has evolved data center design in innovative ways to deliver dramatic gains in reliability, efficiency and sustainability in flexible environments that can scale as quickly as the market demands. For more information, visit www.vantage-dc.com. Contact Details Vantage Data Centers Mark Freeman +1 202-680-4243 mfreeman@vantage-dc.com REQ for Vantage Data Centers Robin Bectel +1 703-287-7827 vdc@req.co Vantage Data Centers, APAC Brenda Fong +852 9466 4788 brenda.fong@vantage-dc.com Creative Consulting Group for Vantage Data Centers, APAC Jesa Amparo jesa.amparo@creativegp.com Company Website http://www.vantage-dc.com/

September 27, 2022 04:42 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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KLEVV Unveils CRAS XR5 RGB DDR5 Gaming Memory

KLEVV

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 27 September 2022 - KLEVV, an emerging memory brand introduced by Essencore, is thrilled to unveil its latest extreme performance DDR5 overclocking/gaming memory, the CRAS XR5 RGB memory kit. Tailor-made to synergize well with the latest 12th Gen Intel® Core™ desktop processors and Intel® Z690 chipset motherboards, the CRAS XR5 RGB memory brings leading-edge DDR5 technology and superior product design and engineering prowess of KLEVV to your desktop. LIGHTNING FAST PERFORMANCE & OUTSTANDING COMPATIBILITY Through laborious research & development, built with premium, strictly-sorted components, the CRAS XR5 RGB DDR5 memory dishes out unparalleled data transfer speeds with supreme overclocking potential. Available in 32GB kits (16GBx2, dual channel pack), users can choose from either 6000MT/s or 6200MT/s speed options, depending on their preference. The CRAS XR5 RGB DDR5 memory delivers unrivaled performance, designed to empower overclockers, PC enthusiasts, gamers, and professional content creators. Built-in PMIC, On-die ECC, & 10-layer PCB board for better power management, stability, & integrity, the new CRAS XR5 RGB DDR5 memory modules are QVL tested and compatible with any mainstream motherboard in the market. Furthermore, support for Intel® XMP (Extreme Memory Profile) 3.0 technology provides hassle-less one-click overclocking/optimization capability. ONE-OF-A-KIND DESIGN & LIMITLESS CUSTOMIZABILITY Incorporating the design elements of KLEVV's signature CARS XR series recognized by Red Dot Award, the CRAS XR5 RGB DDR5 memory is built with an uniqle circular light diffuser bar, and an elegant white aluminum heatsink for a refreshed look. The refined design asserts unmatched visual flair in any build. Compatible with the RGB control softwares of major motherboard and gaming peripheral brands, the CRAS XR5 RGB DDR5 memory allows users full reign over limitless RGB effects for a truly immersive experience. LONG-LASTING STABILITY & PEACE OF MIND DURABILITY Precisely-tuned reliability, attentive component selection, and intelligent design elements focused on performance and durability make the CRAS XR5 RGB DDR5 memory virtually indestructible. Additionally, a peace of mind limited lifetime warranty gives users a second layer of protection, to ensure the new memory can work well with their system throughout its lifespan and complement possible future upgrades. PRODUCT AVAILABILITY AND WHERE TO BUY The CRAS XR5 RGB DDR5 memory is expected to hit shelves in the fourth quarter of 2022 KLEVV products are distributed by Integral Memory plc in the United Kingdom/ France/ Spain/ Germany. Consumers may visit Amazon sites for online purchase. FURTHER INFORMATION KLEVV CRAS XR5 RGB webpage: https://www.klevv.com/ken/products_details/memory/Klevv_CrasXR5RGB KLEVV CRAS XR5 RGB video: https://youtu.be/UcIa-ldNdNA ABOUT ESSENCORE Established in 2014, Essencore Limitedaims to become the world's top vendor of DRAM modules and NAND flash application products. The company started with one goal: to "Change the world and be a leader in semiconductor distribution". The business strategies of Essencore is to adopt the newest technologies to differentiate themselves from competitors, deliver dedicated Memory products, and offer various product portfolios for customer's competition readiness. For more information, please visit www.essencore.com. ABOUT KLEVV KLEVV, is a premium brand of Essencore, the major Module and NAND Flash application product vendor. The KLEVV range focused on superior gaming memory modules and solid state drives. KLEVV is committed to delivering world-class products with first-rate quality, and all products are engineered for enthusiasts who are pursuing the best things in life. KLEVV memory/SSD have been recognized by Germany's Red Dot Design Award for its innovative product design in 2015, 2019, 2021, and 2022. For more information, please visit www.klevv.com Contact Details Yunly International Marketing Emily Lin emily@yunlymedia.com

September 26, 2022 10:22 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Medicare Plan

YourUpdateTV

As the next Medicare enrollment period approaches, seniors face a wave of new challenges, including crushing inflation, higher cost of living and impending Medicare changes from the Inflation Reduction Act. Recently, Medicare Expert and Author of new book called It’s Not That Complicated, participated in a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss some costly mistakes that seniors make when choosing a plan and some resources that can help. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/5H_g5GihHMA With this extra economic pressure piled on top of the existing complexities of the system, seniors have never needed more help in figuring out how to make the most of their Medicare plan selections. Most seniors say that Medicare is confusing, and many end up in plans that fall short or cost too much. That’s what motivated Ari Parker to write a new book called It’s Not That Complicated. Parker, a Stanford Law School graduate and Medicare expert, has helped thousands of seniors enroll in Medicare as a licensed advisor. In the book, he shares the three Medicare decisions critical to protecting your health and wealth, and the three costliest mistakes seniors make in choosing Medicare plans: 1. Not having access to all plans they’re eligible for 2. Not considering how their individual health needs affects their selection 3. Not understanding how their lifestyle can make certain plans more advantageous For more information on the Annual Enrollment Period and Ari’s book It’s Not That Complicated, visit askchapter.org/ari. People can also call 888-802-1674 to talk with a representative ready to help. About Ari Parker: Ari Parker is one of the country’s leading Medicare experts. He has helped thousands of Americans sign up for Medicare by breaking it down into simple, bite-sized pieces. Ari’s work has been featured in Forbes, CNBC, CBS Moneywatch, MarketWatch, Huffington Post, and many other publications. A graduate of Stanford Law School, he trains and leads Chapter’s team of 30+ licensed Medicare advisors. He lives with his wife and two dogs in Phoenix, Arizona. His book "It's Not That Complicated: The Three Medicare Decisions to Protect Your Health & Money" was released in mid-September. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

September 26, 2022 02:35 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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CITY OF SEATTLE PARTNERS WITH COMCAST TO ANNOUNCE $1 MILLION IN GRANTS TO LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES

Comcast Washington

Today, Comcast announced that it will award an additional $1 million in grants to small businesses owned by women and people of color, including Black, Indigenous, Hispanic, and Asian American owners, among others, in King and Pierce counties. Expanding on the foundational work of Mayor Bruce Harrell and the City of Seattle Office of Economic Development to establish regional partnerships that support small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Comcast will award $10,000 cash grants to 100 small business owners. Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and Tacoma City Council Member Keith Blocker, along with representatives from the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, joined Comcast today at Work and Play Lounge in West Seattle to announce the Comcast RISE Investment Fund. Beginning on October 3 and through October 16, eligible businesses can apply for a $10,000 grant at www.ComcastRISE.com. “Small businesses make our communities vibrant places to live and work, and they have shown tremendous resilience over the last two years,” said Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell. “The Comcast RISE grants will provide a boost for women and BIPOC-owned small businesses in Seattle, investing in an equitable recovery for our city and giving these businesses that make up the very fabric of our communities the tools needed to thrive.” According to a 2022 survey, almost all small businesses (97%) are concerned about inflation, and rising costs are the most significant threats small businesses currently face. Boosting revenue from online sales has become the No. 1 priority for small businesses. Some past Comcast RISE recipients have used their grants to expand their presence online. To offer some relief and help small businesses continue to grow and adapt, Comcast RISE was formed in late 2020 to give small businesses owned by people of color the grants needed not just to survive but thrive. In November 2021, Comcast RISE announced a major expansion to all women-owned businesses nationwide. Also, as early as March 2020, the Seattle Office of Economic Development identified the need to provide SBA disaster loans to local small businesses impacted by COVID and also launched the Small Business Stabilization Fund at that time. Last fall, more than 100 small businesses owned by people of color in King and Pierce Counties were awarded $1 million in total grants as well as technology and marketing resources, bringing the total to more than $2 million to date. These recipients are part of the more than 9,500 entrepreneurs nationwide who have been selected as Comcast RISE awardees since the program’s inception. One of the local grant recipients from last year is Margie Haywood, owner of Work and Play Lounge. “As a self-funded business of more than seven years, facing racism, barriers, rejection, and no access to funding like so many others, the Comcast RISE grant came at a pivotal time in my journey. It was the first money from any institution I had ever received. In the reality of the true cost to run a business, it might not have seemed like much to others, but between the award letter and $10,000, it gave me more than just capital to prevent my business from closing,” said Margie Haywood, owner of Work and Play Lounge. “It gave me and my family joy, hope, and confirmation that we are seen and qualify as business owners who deserve to participate in the business ecosystem. I am more confident after winning, that I am making the right decision as an entrepreneur, that when you use business to build community, advocate and invest in others without expectation of return or benefit, much like Comcast Rise Investment Fund is doing in marginalized communities, you will always get a positive return on investment.” The Seattle-Tacoma Metropolitan area is among five major metros that also include Chicago, Miami, Oakland, and Washington, D.C., which were selected to award a $10,000 grant to 100 local businesses from the Comcast RISE Investment Fund for a total of $5 million across 500 businesses, bringing the amount awarded nationwide to $21 million to date. Through Comcast RISE, the company also announced it will support 13,000 small businesses, owned by people of color and women with monetary grants; a TV campaign, production of a TV commercial or consulting services from Effectv; or computer equipment, internet, voice, or cybersecurity from Comcast Business by the end of 2022. “Independent small businesses are the backbone of our communities, and Comcast is committed to supporting them,” said Rodrigo Lopez, regional senior vice president, Comcast Washington. “We encourage small business owners to apply for the Comcast RISE program. The grant may cover any need to help your business survive and thrive. We know no single relief effort can solve historic and systemic inequities overnight, but Comcast is committed to taking tangible actions that can drive long-term impact for change.” In addition, Comcast RISE invests in ongoing mentorship and resources to help businesses succeed over the long term. The program has partnered with Ureeka, an online platform for entrepreneurs, to provide grant recipients with business coaching to help build skills in company foundation, growing customers, and financial stability. All Comcast RISE recipients will also have a specialized online networking community within Ureeka with access to educational resources, sources of capital, and vetted experts such as U.S. Black Chambers, National Asian Pacific Islander Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Association for Enterprise Opportunity, Walker’s Legacy and Operation Hope. Comcast RISE Marketing and Technology Services In addition to the Investment Fund, Comcast RISE, which stands for “Representation, Investment, Strength and Empowerment,” provides the opportunity for small businesses owned by people of color and women nationwide to apply for grants for one or more of the following support focus areas with the opportunity to receive one. Marketing Services Grant: The following services from Effectv, the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable, and its creative agency, Mnemonic, are designed to help recipients with their marketing and media campaigns, including: Media: A linear TV media campaign to run over a 90-day period. Creative Production: Turnkey 30-second TV commercial production, plus a media strategy consultation and a 90-day linear TV media campaign. Consult: Digital audits by Ureeka in the form of Website Repair Reports and SEO Keyword reports to target website mechanics and effective organic marketing Technology Makeover Grants: The state-of-the-art equipment and technology upgrade from Comcast Business includes computer equipment as well as internet, voice, and cybersecurity services for up to a 12-month period. (Taxes and other fees may still apply for tech makeover services.) Monetary Grants: Monetary grants can be used for any business expense. In round one, which was announced in April of 2021, the Comcast RISE Investment Fund provided $5 million in grants to 500 small businesses owned by people of color in five cities: Philadelphia/Chester, Houston, Atlanta, Chicago, and Detroit. In round two, which was announced in September of 2021, the Comcast RISE Investment Fund provided $6 million in grants to 600 small businesses in six cities: Miami, Houston, Oakland, Seattle, the Twin Cities, and Washington, D.C. In round three, the Comcast RISE Investment Fund provided an additional $5 million in grants to 500 small businesses owned by people of color and women in five cities: Atlanta, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and the Twin Cities. As noted above, in round four, the Comcast RISE Investment Fund will provide $5 million in grants to 500 small businesses in Chicago, Miami, Oakland, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. Comcast RISE is part of Project UP, the company’s comprehensive initiative to advance digital equity and help build a future of unlimited possibilities. More information and the applications to apply for either the grant program or marketing and technology services are available at www.ComcastRISE.com. About City of Seattle Office of Economic Development The Office of Economic Development (OED) is committed to building an inclusive economy in the City of Seattle. OED works at all levels of our local economy to support small and micro-businesses, partner with neighborhood business districts, support creative business sectors and workers, partner with key industries that drive innovation, job growth and global competitiveness, and invest in our local workforce with an emphasis on young people, low-income, as well as un-and under-employed adults. About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on broadband, aggregation, and streaming with over 57 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Andy Colley andy_colley@comcast.com Company Website https://washington.comcast.com/

September 26, 2022 10:30 AM Pacific Daylight Time