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Timber Exchange urges exporters to Egypt to prepare for July transition to new customs platform

Centersource

While Egypt’s new advanced cargo information (ACI) system is expected to streamline regulatory requirements for importers, the new system represents a significant departure from the current customs system. B2B supply chain platform with marketplace and market data Timber Exchange by Centersource is reminding timber exporters and other companies shipping to Egypt to prepare for the transition. Effective July 1st, Egypt’s unified registration system, called NAFEZA, will become the only means of processing maritime imports into the country. The new regulation will require exporters to submit all cargo data and documents (commercial invoices, packing lists, and final or initial bills of lading) with 3 additional unique elements: ACID number representing the shipment, Importer taxation ID, Exporter registration number upon vessel’s sailing from Port of Loading. If documents indicate wrong or mismatched numbers, cargo will be banned from being loaded on board. Furthermore, all exporters must be registered on CargoX’s blockchain-document-submission platform. Other processes that exporters should be aware of include: Exporters are responsible for providing importers with accurate information: Exporter’s company cargo ID. Exporter’s type ( whether it is a factory, branch, etc..) Correct details of the contact person. Clear details of Proforma Invoice including GS1 code or part/item number & HS code. Create and verify a CargoX account. Ensure that verified ACID 3 elements are added on required documents. Create an ACI filing envelope & submit it to Customs authorities in Egypt through CargoX or through one of its integrated partners such as Timber Exchange by Centersource Technologies. In addition, exporters should be aware of the Importer's responsibilities, which include: Importers will have to register an account on the electronic portal, NAFEZA. Importers must register primary and detailed information about the shipment in order to apply for the issuance of ACID number. Failure to meet ACI requirements could cost exporters. In a scenario where the cargo is loaded onto the ship, but the documents were not submitted in time or one or more of the three elements are missing or miss-matched, the cargo will not be discharged in Egypt, and all re-export costs will be borne by the carrier. In the final weeks before the mandatory operation phase of NAFEZA, Centersource is working to bring the timber industry up to speed to avoid any disruption. Centersource’s founder and CEO Amir Rashad is available to talk about what exporters to Egypt can do to prepare for the next phase of NAFEZA. Amir and his team of 30 logistics professionals are also available to discuss the ways in which Timber Exchange is creating trading opportunities across challenging markets, and helping exporters overcome language and regulatory barriers. To speak with the Timber Exchange team, contact Mai Taha at mai@centersource.io or Jéssica Sanduta at jessica@centersource.io. About Timber Exchange Timber Exchange is a supply chain and risk management cloud-based system by Centersource Technologies offering supply chain tools, market data and marketplace. The platform is built specifically for the unique needs of the forestry industry to drastically improve overall performance and coordination. 80 smart tools in 5 languages cover all steps from inquiry of cargo until it arrives at destination. This allows stakeholders to manage sales, logistics and legal obligations from a central workspace that automatically creates tasks and warnings. 40% of the work can be automated, which reduces delays and helps avoid deviations in responsibilities. The Swedish company is on a mission to automate global trade. Today the company employs 30 full-time staff with extensive, solid, and international experience in technology, forestry, trade finance, and business intelligence. Contact Details Charlie Pesti +1 267-439-4355 charlie@pesti.io Company Website https://www.centersource.io/

June 22, 2021 12:10 PM Eastern Daylight Time

ENEOS returns to Pikes Peak with Dai Yoshihara, Evasive Motorsports and a Tesla Model 3

ENEOS

ENEOS — Japan’s largest oil company, and supplier of motor oil and transmission fluids to the majority of Asian vehicle manufacturers — announces its return to the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb with its sponsored driver, Daijiro Yoshihara, and car builder Evasive Motorsports. This in itself is a big story since the same combination won the Unlimited Class at the 2020 event, but what makes it more remarkable is that the team has put aside its proven 900-horsepower turbocharged Toyota 86 and is building a Tesla Model 3 from scratch for the new attempt. Initially, the connection between a Japanese oil company and a US-built electric race car might not be immediately apparent, but it’s an indication of the major changes electric vehicles are bringing to the automotive industry. For ENEOS, its involvement with the Turn 14 Distribution / Toyo Tires / ENEOS / Evasive Motorsports Tesla Model 3 Pikes Peak race car is an opportunity to prove and promote its new EV Fluid Series. The line of six dedicated EV fluids (listed below) has been developed by the same engineers and chemists who work alongside the majority of leading car makers in Japan and Asia. Currently, ENEOS engineers and chemists are working closely with many vehicle manufacturers to create the latest lubricants, continuously improving vehicle efficiency through reduced friction, lower emissions, improved fuel consumption and greater longevity. And as the future of automotive development looks towards electric vehicles, ENEOS also tasked its development teams to look at alternative fuel vehicle concepts, particularly in terms of lubrication and cooling. The new ENEOS EV Fluid Series is now being offered to existing OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) partners and the rest of the world’s EV manufacturers to help improve vehicle efficiency. With a stroke of serendipity, Evasive Motorsports in Cerritos, CA also foresaw electric vehicles becoming a major factor in their future and took the major decision to purchase a used Tesla Model 3 and transform it into a challenger for the annual Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC). As one of the world’s most grueling motorsports festivals for both the driver and the car, the 12.42-mile “Race to the Clouds” climbs 4724 feet from start to finish The sustained demand of the high-speed course will put tremendous strain on any vehicle’s components, but particularly the Tesla battery packs, which must remain cool to maintain maximum power for the duration of the 156-turn course. As with all vehicle technology, one of the best ways to prove its credentials is to drop it into the cauldron of competition. And so the Turn 14 Distribution / Toyo Tires / ENEOS / Evasive Motorsports Tesla Model 3 Pikes Peak race car will become a partner in the development of the new ENEOS EV Fluid Series. TESLA MODEL 3 PIKES PEAK With six previous PPIHC attempts under its belt, Evasive Motorsports (EVS) is supremely experienced but the Tesla’s preparation is particularly challenging because very few motorsports components exist, requiring a great deal of extra effort in terms of problem solving and fabrication. One of the team’s priorities has been to ensure the powertrain has sufficient cooling. Evasive worked with CSF Radiators to create a new radiator and oil cooler set up. As an extra precaution, a nitrous oxide sprayer was installed, helping to chill the batteries during the hill climb if pre-set temperatures are exceeded. Airflow to the battery pack has been further improved with a carbon fiber front vent, venting in the new carbon fiber hood, and rear inlet ducts integrated into the C-pillars. Developing 450 horsepower, the stock Tesla Model 3 Performance accelerates 0-60mph in 3.1sec to a top speed of 162mph. The Evasive team needs to harness its all-wheel drive performance in order to create a new EV Production Car track record time in the Exhibition Class (because no EV competition class currently exists). As such, the car has further modifications, including widebody fenders and carbon fiber aero pieces from Artisan Spirits in Japan. The primary purpose is to accommodate 18x11” Titan 7 TP-5 forged wheels and 305/650-18 Toyo Tires racing slicks. This combination, in harmony with KW Competition suspension and Brembo racing brakes, should ensure Dai Yoshihara has the best chassis to command the 156 turns on his way up to the finish line. To further enhance aerodynamic efficiency and reduce weight, EVS developed its own aero disc covers for the wheels, and carbon fiber replacement doors, roof, rear windshield and trunk lid. For high-speed stability, the Tesla is equipped with an EVS honeycomb carbon splitter and rear diffuser plus a Voltex carbon fiber GT rear wing to generate increased downforce. Another major addition is the Quaife ATB rear differential, which will better apportion power to the rear wheels. However, its installation was far from simple, requiring a modified frame and custom bushings. As with previous PPIHC attempts, the diff is lubricated by ENEOS gear oil to ensure efficiency and durability. The final piece of the puzzle is the nut behind the wheel. And for 2021, driving duties will again be performed by Dai Yoshihara. As the 2011 Formula DRIFT driver’s champion, multiple Time Attack race winner, GT sports car driver and racing instructor, he will be protected by an FIA-spec EVS rollcage while sat in his carbon/Kevlar Sparco QRT-K bucket seat with six-point harnesses. For his third attempt at PPIHC, Dai will monitor speed and vehicle parameters via a Motec C127 Datalogger display in a custom carbon fiber EVS dashboard. “I’m very excited about my third PPIHC,” Dai told us. “We had a great result last year and will try our best to build on the momentum. I’m grateful that ENEOS has supported our PPIHC program ever since my first year in 2019, and that they accepted our new challenge with the Tesla EV this year. We’re all very excited to see what we can do!” With the conversion to a race car recently completed, its test program continued until the team headed out to the “Race to the Clouds,” which takes place on June 27 in Colorado. Everybody at Evasive Motorsports is determined to be fully prepared for when the Turn 14 Distribution / Toyo Tires / ENEOS / Evasive Motorsports Tesla Model 3 Pikes Peak pulls up to the start line. “This is definitely our most ambitious project to date,” admitted Mike Chang, co-founder of Evasive Motorsports. “We love to challenge ourselves and know it’s only a matter of time before the performance and racing industry will need to look seriously at electric vehicles. So, we decided to jump into the deep-end and apply all our motorsports experience to the Tesla Model 3. We’re hoping to anticipate any potential problems we will face, but we won’t know if we succeeded until Dai crosses the finish line on 6/27, and hopefully we’re left holding the EV Production Class track record!” For ENEOS, its EV development program will not stop when the flag drops at Pikes Peak. It will continue to work with many of the world’s largest car makers to help solve their lubrication and EV fluid requirements in the pursuit of greater efficiency. “We’re proud to be returning to Pike Peak International Hill Climb with Dai Yoshihara and Evasive Motorsports,” said Keisuke Yokochi, Chief Marketing Officer at ENEOS USA. “We’re excited to learn how our products work under intense competition, not only in the traditional rear differential but also with the latest EV components. We have always worked with partners in world-class motorsports series such as F1, NASCAR, Super GT, Rallycross, Formula DRIFT and more, which has allowed ENEOS to develop not only the most efficient vehicle solutions but also the most protective to help ensure maximum durability and performance for the benefit of all.” SPECIFICATION Turn 14 Distribution / Toyo Tires / ENEOS / Evasive Motorsports Tesla Model 3 Pikes Peak Motor / Battery Cooling: CSF Radiators radiator / oil cooler, NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) sprayer, custom hood vent and rear inlet ducts Suspension / Chassis: KW Competition 3 Way coilover suspension, SPL Suspension spherical links, Evasive Motorsports spherical joints and custom front sway bar, MPP front upper A-arms and rear lower arms, Quaife ATB rear differential in modified frame, air jack lift system Wheels / Tires / Brakes: 18x11” Titan 7 TP-5 forged wheels with Evasive Motorsports aero covers, 305/650-18 Toyo Tires racing slicks, Brembo Pista racing front brake kit, custom Brembo GTS rear brakes, Evasive Motorsports electronic E-brake system Exterior: Artisan Spirits widebody fenders plus carbon fiber aero kit, Evasive Motorsports custom honeycomb carbon splitter and rear diffuser, Voltex dry carbon Type 13 1800mm GT rear wing, Evasive Motorsports carbon fiber doors, roof, rear windshield, trunk lid and front air duct, Lexan windows Interior / Safety: Evasive Motorsports FIA-spec rollcage, Evasive Motorsports carbon fiber dashboard, Motec C127 Datalogger / dash display, Sparco carbon/Kevlar QRT-K racing bucket seat, six-point harnesses and steering wheel ENEOS EV FLUID SERIES ENEOS EV FLUID Gear Protection: A fluid to enhance the performance and increase the protection of reduction gears ENEOS EV FLUID HV AT: A specialized fluid for automatic transmissions in electric/hybrid vehicles ENEOS EV FLUID Motor Cool: A fluid with a balance of gear lubricity, motor cooling, and electrical insulation properties ENEOS EV FLUID Energy Saving: A fluid to maximize the performance of motor cooling and energy-saving through very low friction ENEOS EV FLUID Isolation: A fluid to maximize electrical insulation for safety ENEOS EV FLUID Battery Cool: A specialized coolant for battery packs and electrical components EDITOR’S NOTE Additional high-resolution images of the Turn 14 Distribution / Toyo Tires / ENEOS / Evasive Motorsports Tesla Model 3 Pikes Peak race car are available here for editorial use: dropbox.com/sh/dkqgsmrz03p6bjo/AACyd_-aCEz7l4P5-2AsUDjna?dl=0 ABOUT ENEOS Established in 1888 and headquartered in Tokyo, ENEOS is Japan’s largest oil company, with manufacturing and sales facilities throughout the world. With a unique position in its home market, ENEOS has worked with Asia’s automakers and leading race teams for decades, creating advanced lubricants with their vehicle engineers to provide optimum fuel economy with maximum power and long-term protection. ENEOS also recently announced a new line of products for future electric vehicle applications, helping to ensure the newest EV technology is operating as efficiently as possible. For more information, please visit eneos.us Contact Details ENEOS Satomi Yamashita media@eneos.us ID Agency Greg Emmerson greg@theidagency.com Company Website https://www.eneos.us

June 22, 2021 06:50 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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BETTER WAYS, the CMA CGM Group’s new signature

CMA CGM Group

Building a more efficient, resilient and sustainable global trade is the strategic transformation driven by Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the CMA CGM Group. This new ambition is embodied by BETTER WAYS, the Group’s new signature. Drawing upon CMA CGM’s history and the core values that have supported its development for more than 40 years, the Group is launching a global communications campaign with a powerful key visual linking people, technology and the planet. A NEW AMBITION FOR A NEW WORLD A commitment to take action, BETTER WAYS is the promise of a renewed shipping and logistics offering that adapts constantly to customers’ needs. A promise that is built around five strategic pillars: Further expansion in shipping powered by innovation for higher levels of security, operational efficiency and greater customer satisfaction through the introduction of more sustainable transport solutions as well as through the Group’s commercial offer, including the extensive range of CMA CGM+ value-added services. The offering of efficient logistics solutions by building a complete and seamless range of services, from warehouse management to shipping, to overland transport and air freight, all within the CMA CGM Group’s shipping entity, its logistics subsidiary, CEVA Logistics, and its new CMA CGM AIR CARGO division. Faster innovation and digitalization. By investing in R&D as well as in IoT, artificial intelligence and blockchain solutions, the Group aims to develop smarter and more secure service offerings, while delivering a smoother user experience for both customers and employees. The development of solutions that are more people- and planet-friendly to make shipping and logistics a more sustainable industry. The Group is committed to taking concrete action by adopting the best available solutions, i.e., liquefied natural gas (LNG), biomethane and biofuel to achieve its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. The support and guidance for the Group’s staff members, keeping them safe, improving their well-being and championing more inclusive approaches with tailor-made training programs provided by the CMA CGM Academy to help them develop their expertise and know-how. Through the CMA CGM Foundation, staff members are able to pass on their talents via skill-based volunteering programs and other volunteering actions around the world. « BETTER WAYS is a game changer that embodies a mindset and a commitment for logistics and transport solutions that are more responsible and efficient while being built on strongly humane values from a family-led enterprise » commented Tanya Saadé Zeenny, Executive Officer of the CMA CGM Group, President of the CMA CGM Foundation. A STRONG KEY VISUAL AS A SYMBOL OF THIS NEW AMBITION The BETTER WAYS signature and its key visual convey the Group’s—and its staff members’— unrelenting will to always strive for the better. Looking to the future, responsible growth and continuous progress, this triptych of images reflects the scale and complementary nature of the Group’s business activities, and its ability to provide a comprehensive, integrated service offering. They also recall the Group’s determination to take steps to ensure its logistics activities are increasingly considerate of both people and the planet. With its new signature, the Group reaffirms its commitment to unlocking new ways of creating value for its customers, its partners and its 110,000 staff members around the world. The CMA CGM Group worked with Havas Paris and Brandimage, two globally renowned communications specialists, to help create a strong and impactful image conveying its growth, ambitions and expertise. About CMA CGM The CMA CGM Group, a world leader in shipping and logistics headed up by Rodolphe Saadé, serves over 420 ports on 5 continents around the world. The Group’s fleet of 561 ships carried close to 21 million TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) containers in 2020. With its CEVA Logistics subsidiary, a world-class logistics provider carrying 400,000 tons of air freight and 2.8 million tons of overland freight every year, and CMA CGM Air Cargo, the CMA CGM Group is constantly innovating to offer its customers end-to-end services delivering performance gains through ground-breaking shipping, overland, air freight and logistics solutions. The CMA CGM Group is committed to leading the energy transition in shipping and has pioneered the use of alternative fuels. In addition, it has set itself the goal of being carbon-neutral by 2050. This program of continuous improvement has yielded concrete results and reduced the Group’s total CO 2 emissions by 4% in 2020. Via the CMA CGM Foundation, the Group reaches out to thousands of children every year with initiatives championing education for all and equal opportunities. The CMA CGM Foundation also responds to humanitarian crises with emergency relief by harnessing the Group’s shipping and logistics expertise to carry humanitarian supplies to wherever they are needed around the world. With a network of over 400 offices and 750 warehouses in 160 countries, the Group employs more than 110,000 staff members worldwide, 2,400 of whom are based in Marseille where it has its registered office. cmacgm-group.com Contact Details Amber Leonard +1 804-218-8933 media@cma-cgm.com Company Website https://www.cma-cgm.com

June 21, 2021 06:31 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Agora Data Announces Commercial Real Estate Lending Program

Agora

Agora Data, dedicated to providing robust financing options to help meet the capital needs of Buy Here Pay Here (BHPH) dealers and smaller finance companies, today announced the company’s launch of AgoraPoint. AgoraPoint offers financing for commercial real estate and facilities and is another step to providing a holistic one-stop funding solution for dealers. Steve Burke, CEO of Agora Data, Inc. stated, “AgoraCapital provides more capital capacity than traditional lenders and enables BHPH dealers to grow their portfolio to two, three or four times their current size. Many dealers need to open new locations to handle that growth and Agora wants to make that funding easy for the dealer through AgoraPoint.” Offering a new funding source for subprime dealers to efficiently and effectively obtain capital to grow their dealership’s footprint reinforces Agora’s commitment to make available to the BHPH industry innovation and resources to fuel business. Members that connect their portfolios to the Agora platform, immediately start to realize the benefits of Agora’s proprietary modeling that outlines their business potential and the keys to maximize growth. Chris Barry, SVP of Sales at Agora stated, “When I talk to a dealer and let them know they qualify for $20 million in capital when their current lender has them capped at $5 million, the dealer asks how they can use the $20 million with only one car lot. AgoraPoint helps make the purchase of more lots possible.” AgoraPoint is the latest product added to Agora’s family of products all powered by radical AI and machine learning. Agora is dedicated to enabling BHPH dealers and small to mid-tier finance companies grow safely and have available abundant and affordable capital. About Agora Data, Inc: Founded in 2017, Agora Data’s mission is to provide access to capital for Buy Here Pay Here dealers and small to mid-sized finance companies. Pioneered by Agora Data, AgoraCapital, AgoraCredit and now AgoraPoint all provide critical funding so small- to mid-sized dealers can obtain all the cash they need to fuel growth. Agora’s proprietary, radical, AI-infused technology connects dealers and finance companies with the capital markets. Agora Data made history by closing the first-ever Crowdsourced Subprime Auto Securitization in 2020 and followed that up with its second transaction in early 2021. For more information, visit agoradata.com or contact us at 877-592-4672. Contact Details Shelly Vandeven +1 682-282-4130 media@agoradata.com Company Website https://agoradata.com/

June 21, 2021 11:07 AM Eastern Daylight Time

SUPER73® debuts versatile, affordable SUPER73-ZX

SUPER73

SUPER73® – the American lifestyle adventure brand specializing in electric motorbikes – is a world leader on the e-bike scene, captivating a loyal riding community with its fun, affordable, versatile and environmentally friendly products. While the company expanded its range in 2020 with flagship models crammed with the latest technology, it hasn’t forgotten its roots. In fact, the SUPER73 design team went back to the drawing board to re-imagine and re-engineer one of its original products, the SUPER73-Z1. The result is the brand new SUPER73-ZX. Picking from a checklist of popular features, the SUPER73 team ensured the ZX will meet the demands of a broad range of existing fans and new customers. These features include a lighter aluminum-alloy frame, allowing for greater range from the now removable battery. Additionally, the new ZX frame is larger, providing comfort for taller riders and making it easier to pedal. Like its other new generation of models that launched in 2020, the ZX offers Pedal Assist Modes: the SUPER73-ZX has four Riding Modes, including Class 1 and 2 (up to 20mph) plus Class 3 and Unlimited (up to 28+ mph). Battery range is estimated at 25-50 miles depending on the pedal assist mode, but this can vary depending upon conditions such as rider weight, speed, temperature, wind, tire pressure, terrain, incline, etc. The Riding Modes are identified as Eco, Tour, Sport and Super. They are accessed via the SUPER73 smartphone app (compatible with IOS and Android devices) and confirmed on the compact ZX Transflective Monochrome LCD display. The same technology also allows over-the-air software updates, ensuring the power supply is always running at its most efficient. The versatile SUPER73-ZX has been designed to cater to the most popular riding groups, many of which came to prominence during the global pandemic. Not only did the lockdown create a huge surge in the popularity of e-bike transportation, but also an expansion in what customers expect from their vehicles. As a result, the features of the ZX make it ideal for everybody from week-day commuters to weekend warriors, urban adventurers, and even parents with young families; the longer seat makes it more practical to carry precious cargo. Purchase price is an important consideration in this consumer category and the SUPER73-ZX will launch with a price of only $1995. All models will ship with the standard 615 watt-hours battery pack, four Riding Modes, smartphone connectivity, extended comfort seat, 31” seat height, 180mm disc brakes, and much more. As a bonus for early adopters, the Moon Rock Launch Edition will have red wheel liners on the 20”x100mm wheels, while the Storm Gray models will have white liners inside the wheel rims for easy identification. The Launch Edition will be shipped with 20x4.5” LZRD Street tires that have a tire tread pattern biased towards street use but provides riders with the ability to explore almost any environment. The SUPER73-ZX is available now, with first deliveries scheduled for Mid-July. A full range of accessories are also available, allowing customers to tailor the bike to their needs. This includes items such as a Saddleman seat, Crank Brothers bags and pedals, 1 Up Car Rack, Oury Grips, and SUPER73 custom handlebars and molle panels. For full product details and to order the SUPER73-ZX, please visit super73.com EDITOR’S NOTE A selection of high-resolution images is available here: dropbox.com/sh/bfc42mv19gjxnt2/AAD5jKyebOxevaZIiSlpqvoMa?dl=0 Editor’s wishing to review the SUPER73-ZX for editorial purposes should use the Media Contacts below. ABOUT SUPER73® SUPER73® is an American lifestyle adventure brand based in Orange County, CA that develops products to help fuse motorcycle heritage with youth culture. Founded in 2016, SUPER73 has quickly grown into one of the most recognizable electric vehicle brands in the world with a passionate customer base including A-list celebrities, professional athletes, and many more. For more information, visit super73.com or @super73 on social media. Contact Details Christiana Mullen +1 714-659-4883 christiana@super73.com Greg Emmerson greg@theidagency.com Company Website https://super73.com

June 17, 2021 10:05 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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Cyvatar Raises an Additional $9 Million in Series A Round

Cyvatar

Cyvatar today announced that it has raised $9 million as part of its Series A financing to help scale and serve its rapidly growing customer base and continue to drive the adoption of its innovative cybersecurity-as-a-service (CSaaS) model. Escalating cybersecurity breaches and the need to address vulnerabilities across systems, networks, and apps fuel the security services market, expected to reach $193 billion by 2028. Additionally, the growth in hybrid and remote workers coupled with unsecured and unpatched BYOD devices further underscores the need for on-demand cybersecurity resources that include human talent, proven processes, and best-of-breed technology delivered from a single intuitive platform. Cyvatar has grown more than 200% since its debut in October. ATX Venture Partners led the round with additional participation from existing customer CORTEC and longtime Cyvatar investor Bill Wood Ventures. Cyvatar closed a $3 million seed round late last year, bringing the total amount raised over the last eight months to $12 million. “We’ve seen fundraising explode in the security space, in part as a result of the raft of ransomware, email compromise, and phishing attacks that have made people more aware of the problem and increased the need to fix it quickly and effectively,” said Chris Shonk, partner at ATX Venture Partners. “Cyvatar is an exciting addition to our dynamic portfolio and a natural fit alongside our other rapidly growing organizations. No other company we evaluated solves the problems of cybersecurity like Cyvatar. With Cyvatar CSaaS, security becomes as effortless as turning on the lights. There’s no better value for customers.” Cyvatar CSaaS offers security in a box for organizations of any size and any level of cybersecurity expertise--already more than 150 platform members have started the security journey with Cyvatar. Its mature sales and marketing engine makes it easy for new members to join and offers ongoing education and support for existing customers to continuously remediate evolving threats, safeguard critical systems, and boost compliance scores. "I can tell you that after implementing just three Cyvatar solutions, our security confidence is a lot stronger than it was before and our company as a whole is far more secure,” said Brent Fanguy, vice president of technology at CORTEC. “We applaud Cyvatar for pricing by employee count because it’s so easy to calculate and fit into our budget -- no counting servers or workstations, which is a nightmare. Cyvatar has delivered consistent value from our security spend, and we look forward to continuing to grow our partnership with them.” Whether customers need to speed their sales cycles, remediate after a breach, prevent future incursions, or respond to a third-party risk assessment, Cyvatar helps them achieve superior business outcomes every day. Click HERE to get started free and learn more about how Cyvatar is making cybersecurity effortless for every business. About Cyvatar Cyvatar is committed to effortless cybersecurity for everyone. As the industry’s first subscription-based, cybersecurity-as-a-service (CSaaS) company, it’s our mission to transform the way the security industry builds, sells, and supports cyber solutions. We empower our members to achieve successful outcomes by providing expert advisors, proven technologies, and a strategic process roadmap to guarantee results that map to their business drivers. Our approach is rooted in proprietary ICARM (installation, configuration, assessment, remediation, maintenance) methodology that delivers smarter, measurable security solutions for superior compliance and cyber-attack protection faster and more efficiently, all at a fixed monthly price. And because we’re a subscription, members can cancel anytime. Cyvatar is a global organization with operations around the world. Begin your journey to security confidence at cyvatar.ai and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube. About ATX Venture Partners ATX Venture Partners is an early-stage venture capital firm specializing in the South-Central US. The firm’s seed and Series A investments focus on software-as-a-service, IoT, e-commerce, AI, frontier commercial technologies and mobile applications. ATX Venture Partners brings institutional-grade funding, process and rigor to early-stage venture capital investments, and is the partner to propel portfolio companies forward to larger growth capital. The firm was founded in 2014 and is based in Austin, Texas. Visit www.atxventurepartners.com, and follow them on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Contact Details Cyvatar KC Higgins +1 303-434-8163 kc@cyvatar.ai ATX Ventures Meg Brigman +15127666462 meg@atxventurepartners.com Company Website https://cyvatar.ai/

June 17, 2021 07:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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NHS Test and Trace strengthen their cyber defences with Risk Ledger

Stockwood Strategy

NHS Test and Trace has selected British cyber security company Risk Ledger to manage cyber security risks in their supply chain as a proactive measure to mitigate the increasing risks the NHS and other critical national infrastructure organisations face from supply chain cyber-attacks. The Risk Ledger platform will give the UK government funded service all the tools they need to manage cyber security risks in their supply chain at speed for a low per-supplier cost - at least 60% cheaper than traditional solutions. Cyber security risks in the supply chain can include third parties failing to encrypt sensitive data when it is being transferred. NHS Test and Trace, established to track and help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus in England, will take advantage of Risk Ledger's key innovation which is its secure 'social network' allowing organisations to connect and share risk data securely, quickly, and easily. This gives organisations like NHS Test and Trace unparalleled visibility of their supply chain and a comprehensive set of data to identify, measure and mitigate supply chain security risks at scale. Major supply chain cyber security breaches at Solarwinds and Microsoft in recent months have put the challenge of securing supply chains at the top of the agenda for organisations around the world. Minister for Digital Infrastructure, Matt Warman MP said: “The government is working tirelessly to secure the nation online and grow the UK's £8.9 billion cyber security industry as we build back better from the pandemic. We're helping SMEs develop innovative products and services and it's great to see Risk Ledger, one of the firms we've supported, win this contract to protect the Test and Trace system and support the national effort against coronavirus.” Risk Ledger's client base includes organisations like BAE AI, City of London Police, Telenor, Schroder's Personal Wealth and ASOS. Risk Ledger CEO and Co-Founder Haydn Brooks said: "NHS Test and Trace is essentially the biggest new start-up in the UK healthcare market so we are delighted they have chosen to take advantage of our ability to provide enhanced visibility of their supply chain risks. I am proud we will be part of the effort to secure this incredibly important supply chain. "Healthcare organisations and their supply chains handle lots of highly sensitive data and have a high rate of data breaches. We have already seen during the COVID-19 pandemic that bad actors are actively targeting supply chains to access data and cause disruption” added Haydn Brooks. Risk Ledger is a rising star of the UK's growing cyber security scene having won competitions run by the UK Government's National Cyber Security Centre, the tech industry body TechUK and most recently a winner in the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport’s ‘Most Innovative UK Cyber SME of the Year’ competition in May. The company is also a member of the UK Government backed LORCA programme (London Office of Rapid Cybersecurity Advancement). About Risk Ledger Risk Ledger is a British company that manages cyber security risks in supply chains. Th process of supply chain security risk management ensures third parties who deliver critical services, have access to data, corporate networks, or any other status of business trust, maintain a good base level of cyber security controls to prevent bad actors using the third party as an attack vector. In 2019, Risk Ledger won the ‘Cyber Den’ competition at the 2019 CyberUK event run by the UK Government’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). At the time, Ian Levy, Technical Director at the NCSC said: ‘Our mission is to make the UK the safest place to do business online. We run the Cyber Den competition with DCMS to identify and provide a springboard for the most promising cyber security start-ups in the UK. Risk Ledger beat some excellent competition at this year’s Cyber Den event because their platform approaches supply chain security in a novel way that could revolutionise the way organisations understand the cybersecurity of their supply chains which is at the root of so many security incidents.’ Notable achievements - Risk Ledger was a finalist in the 'Most Innovative New Technology Award' category at the 2021 Water Industry Awards. - In March 2021, Risk Ledger won the South Summit Industry 4.0 innovation competition. - In May 2021, Risk Ledger was announced as a runner up in the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport’s ‘Most Innovative UK Cyber SME of the Year’ competition. Contact Details Risk Ledger Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://riskledger.com/

June 16, 2021 05:15 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Secta Finance innovates the £10b private school fees model, making affordable finance options for parents

Stockwood Strategy

Fintech business Secta Finance has launched today to transform how private school fees are paid. Families are spending circa £10b every year to pay school fees for over 620,000 children and over the years there has been no innovation on the termly bill payments. Secta Finance has set out to change this and become an enabler for many more families considering private schooling but feel it is currently unaffordable. In collaboration with a number of financial institutions, Secta Finance has created a range of flexible and highly competitive finance plans that enable parents (and would-be parents) to spread the cost of private school fees over many years in a simple affordable way. The Secta Flexiplan enables parents to use the equity in their home to secure a facility that allows parents to draw funds flexibly within the first 5 years. Parents only pay interest on the amount they actually drawdown. If they don’t need to draw funds there is no cost. Parents can decide how much they draw; their monthly repayment amounts (subject to a minimum) and the term they repay over (up to 30 years). Also, there are no early repayment fees if they choose to repay in full. Below is an example* of how a Secta Flexiplan could be used to finance 5 years of private education. This example is based on one child, annual school fees of £15,000 per year and with the Secta Flexiplan being repaid over a period of 10 or 20 years. However, the amount borrowed, the term over which it is repaid and the monthly repayments can be adjusted to suit individual circumstances and preferences. Secta Finance has made it quick and simple for parents to get indicative quotes from their online platform. Thereafter they can engage with a qualified advisor to discuss their options and tailor a plan to suit their needs. Joe Hill, founder and CEO of Secta Finance commented: “How parents pay for private school fees is no longer fit for purpose. They are still paying large lump sums, sometimes, with expensive and inflexible means using credit cards or unsecured loans, that simply is not sustainable. Secta has set out to challenge this approach with a fresh lens and a clear pathway for parents to handle this significant expense. We want to create manageable and affordable finance solutions for school fees, much like the financial products people consider when buying a house or a car.” Contrary to popular belief, private education is not confined to the wealthy, but many middle class parents place a very high value on it and want to provide the benefits of a private education for their children. However, the costs can be prohibitive, especially for families with more than one child. Annual average school fees are in excess of £15,000 for day schools and in excess of £30,000 for boarding schools. Factoring in additional costs, a private education can cost an average of £325,600 per child for day school and £469,700 for boarders starting their schooling in 2019. Unsurprisingly, many parents find this a struggle. Research completed by Killik and Co suggests that private day school fees have increased by 403% since 1990. “Many parents make significant sacrifices to give their children a private school education. But it doesn’t have to be that way. It makes sense to have a solution whereby parents can spread the cost over a longer period of time if they wish (up to 30 years), to reduce the strain on their finances, but still be able to give their children a private education,” added Joe Hill. There are more than 2,500 independent schools in the UK catering for approximately 620,000 pupils. This represents about 7% of all UK school children and 18% of pupils over aged 16 years and older. The estimated school fee market value is approximately £11 billion. Secta Finance is working closely with schools who are keen to offer meaningful finance options for their parents. The company is also collaborating with independent financial advisors who are seeking flexible, efficient options for their clients. Parents are also directly engaging with the online platform to find out more about the options available to them. Looking ahead Joe Hill added: “We are creating opportunities for parents, for schools and for children. By offering finance solutions which are affordable, simple to understand, we will create a sustainable path for better outcomes. Our strategic aim is to expand the opportunity of private education to many more families and enable a sustainable relationship for parents and schools through the products that we offer”. ENDS *This is an indicative quote and does not constitute an offer or advice. Interest rate and solution terms will depend on your circumstances and the amount of the loan. Before you make a loan application, we will carry out a full review to establish your needs and preferences and if you meet the criteria, we will give advice and make a recommendation to you. All loans are subject to status. Please note that our product calculators show an indicative rate only and may not be suitable for you. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up with your repayments. About Secta Finance Our mission is to relieve the pressure of private school fees by providing innovative, affordable finance solutions to parents. In doing so, we bring the outstanding benefits of private education within the reach of many more families, everywhere. Secta Finance Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Contact Details Secta Finance Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://www.sectafinance.co.uk/

June 15, 2021 04:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Lawsuit Brought by Car Owner Against Honda Over Alleged Defect that Leads to Premature Battery Failure and Safety Risks

FeganScott

On May 18, 2021, a Honda CR-V owner filed a putative class action lawsuit on behalf of Honda vehicle owners and lessees, alleging that the automobile manufacturer sold more than 2 million vehicles with a serious defect that can cause the car battery to prematurely drain, leading to the failure of safety functions. Filed in federal court in Iowa, the lawsuit seeks to represent all U.S. consumers who purchased or leased a 2017 – 2019 Honda CR-V or a 2016 – 2019 Honda Accord. According to the lawsuit, the Honda vehicles fail to shut down properly after the car is parked and turned off, draining the battery. Left unrepaired, this defect results in the permanent destruction of the vehicle’s battery and other safety component failures, such as emergency hazard lights. According to Elizabeth A. Fegan, founder and managing member of consumer-rights law firm FeganScott, Honda knew about the defect and did not offer a reliable solution or issue a recall of the affected vehicles. The complaint alleges that despite sharing internal Service Bulletins to its authorized dealerships concerning the defect, Honda merely instructed its dealers to update internal software and replace dead batteries in certain vehicles. But, according to the complaint, Honda already knew that these “corrective” actions would not solve the parasitic draining defect nor make the vehicles any more dependable for their owners. “Honda claims that they manufacture high-quality cars that keep drivers safe, but by continually hiding this information, they’ve endangered consumers and have forced them to make costly repairs,” said Fegan. “This manufacturer has failed to fulfill even the most basic responsibilities required by law, and we intend to hold them accountable through this suit.” The lawsuit cites more than 120 public complaints from the scores that were filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), all of which reference various issues related to the battery draining or engine stalling. Another complaint posted on carcomplaints.com details how a driver reported that her CR-V “completely stalled out again” while driving, “leaving [her] in danger of” getting hit by other vehicles. The lawsuit alleges that Honda drivers believed the manufacturer’s claims of the vehicles being safe in the design and dependable. According to the complaint, “[h]ad the Plaintiff and other class members known of the defect at the time of purchase or lease, they would not have bought or leased the class vehicles or would have paid substantially less for them.” “Honda has been a trusted and popular car brand in the United States for decades, and consumers have relied on these vehicles to safely get them from point A to B, only to have Honda recklessly put drivers in harm’s way,” Fegan noted. “Betraying this trust isn’t just about the inconvenience of a dead battery – Honda has actually endangered the lives of the consumers that they claim to protect.” Consumers who are interested in learning more about this class-action suit are urged to send their contact information to info@feganscott.com. Case No. Case 4:21-cv-00148-JAJ-CFB About FeganScott FeganScott is a national class action law firm dedicated to helping victims of consumer fraud, sexual abuse, and discrimination. The firm is championed by acclaimed veteran attorneys who have successfully recovered $1 billion for victims nationwide. FeganScott is committed to pursuing successful outcomes with integrity and excellence while holding the responsible parties accountable. Contact Details Firmani + Associates Mark Firmani +1 206-466-2700 feganscottpr@firmani.com Company Website https://feganscott.com

June 10, 2021 08:05 AM Central Daylight Time

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Secta Finance innovates the £10b private school fees model, making affordable finance options for parents

Lawsuit Brought by Car Owner Against Honda Over Alleged Defect that Leads to Premature Battery Failure and Safety Risks