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Carousell Group releases first-of-its-kind Circular Economy Impact Report showing positive climate impact from secondhand transactions in Greater Southeast Asia

Carousell Group

Carousell Group, the leading multi-category platform for secondhand in Greater Southeast Asia, released its inaugural Circular Economy Impact Report on 8 December 2023, showing that buying and selling secondhand items is a better choice for the planet compared to traditional retail of buying new items. The report, a first-of-its kind for e-commerce and recommerce marketplaces in Southeast Asia, quantifies the Avoided Carbon Emissions due to users purchasing secondhand items on three of the Groups’ marketplaces, in place of a new item. Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, President of the Republic of Singapore, graced the launch event for Carousell Group’s Circular Economy Impact Report at Carousell Campus. (from left to right: Mr Gaurav Bhasin, Chief Strategy Officer, Carousell Group; Marcus Tan, Co-founder, Carousell Group; Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, President of the Republic of Singapore; Quek Siu Rui, Co-founder and CEO, Carousell Group; Lucas Ngoo, Co-founder, Carousell Group) The launch event was graced by Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, President of the Republic of Singapore, on 8 December at Carousell Campus, the Group’s regional headquarters. The launch event also invited various industry partners and investors where Carousell Group’s Chief Strategy Officer Mr Gaurav Bhasin gave a keynote presentation on key report findings. Key findings of the Circular Economy Impact include: Carousell Group’s user community avoided 116,577 tonnes of carbon emissions in four goods categories (Fashion & Luxury, Electronics, Furniture & Home Living and Hobbies & Toys) in 2022 Equivalent of around 76% of total trees in Singapore absorbing CO 2 per year. Almost 56% of purchases on the Carousell marketplace displaced the purchase of a new item. On average across Carousell marketplace’s six key markets, 55% of surveyed users reported an increase in buying and selling of secondhand items in 2022 as compared to 2021. Mr Gaurav Bhasin, Chief Strategy Officer, Carousell Group said, “By facilitating secondhand transactions, Carousell Group holds a central role in advancing the circular economy alongside our users in the Greater Southeast Asia region. As a key enabler of the circular economy in our region, we have a responsibility to lead by example and measure the potential positive impact of choosing secondhand products over new ones in a trustworthy and transparent way. In addition to the Avoided Emissions calculations, we have also taken the opportunity to calculate our Group’s Carbon Footprint. The robustness of our chosen methodology underscores our strong commitment to sustainability, and it forms the bedrock of our sustainability endeavours.” To quantify our impact, Carousell partnered with Vaayu, a European climate tech company leveraging proprietary AI and machine learning technology and utilising its Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) database of over 600,000 product data points. As the initial phase of Carousell Group’s quantification journey, the scope of the report covers only the four goods categories of Carousell, Laku6 and REFASH. The Group is committed to progressively incorporating all remaining categories and integrating other Group brands Mudah.my, Chợ Tốt and OneShift within the scope in the coming years. Ms Namrata Sandhu, Co-founder and CEO, Vaayu said, “Retail is responsible for 25% of global carbon emissions and with research continuing to show we’re not on track to keep global warming below 1.5C, we’re at a critical inflection point. Circular business models, like recommerce, offer a clear path to reducing retail’s impact on our planet, which is why we are so proud to partner with Carousell Group to quantify its climate impact and empower communications with its users.” Besides the quantification of Avoided Emissions, the report also underscores the significance of every individual transaction in contributing to the overall circular economy impact. For instance, buying a secondhand sofa on Carousell can, on average, save up to 131 kg of Co 2 e, the equivalent of almost six trees absorbing Co 2 per year. As part of Carousell Group’s goal to accelerate the future of secondhand through recommerce, the Group’s marketplaces have been rolling out a variety of recommerce programmes and features across multiple platforms and markets this year. Mr Quek Siu Rui, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Carousell Group said, “Our mission is to make secondhand the first choice for everyone. We have stayed true to this mission over the past 11 years, and we remain committed to making selling and buying secondhand even simpler, more trusted and convenient. With the release of the report, we hope more people realise how easy it is to embrace secondhand as a lifestyle and contribute to a greener world, without compromising on the things they enjoy.” Visit https://press.carousell.com/impactreport/ to download the full report. Carousell Group Carousell Group is the leading multi-category platform for secondhand in Greater Southeast Asia on a mission to make secondhand the first choice. Founded in August 2012 in Singapore, the Group has a leading presence in seven markets under the brands Carousell, Carousell Media Group, Cho Tot, Laku6, Mudah.my, OneShift, REFASH and Revo Financial, serving tens of millions of monthly active users. Carousell is backed by leading investors including Telenor Group, Rakuten Ventures, Naver, STIC Investments, 500 Global and Peak XV Partners (formerly known as Sequoia Capital India). Visit here for more information. Featured brands in the report's calculations Carousell - Leading multi-category classifieds and recommerce marketplace in Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Taiwan. Laku6 - Leading AI-first end-to-end electronics recommerce platform in Indonesia. REFASH - Leading omnichannel thrift store with around 20 physical stores in Singapore and Malaysia. For more information, please contact press@carousell.com. Vaayu Vaayu is the world's first automated software empowering brands and businesses within the retail ecosystem to track and cut their carbon and environmental impact in real-time. By leveraging proprietary AI and machine learning technology, Vaayu calculates impacts like emissions, water and waste across product, packaging and logistics using certified LCA methodology to provide granular insights and inform data-driven decision-making. Through global partnerships, Vaayu has pioneered research into the climate impact potential of circular business models with Carousell, Vinted and Otrium, and calculated product footprints at scale for Klarna and Redcare Pharmacy, arming businesses and millions of consumers with robust impact data to guide more sustainable consumption. The partnership with Carousell Group marks the expansion of Vaayu's expertise to Asia. For more information https://www.vaayu.tech. Contact Details Carousell Group Natalie Lim natalie.lim@thecarousell.com

December 14, 2023 09:09 PM Eastern Standard Time

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U.S. Waterproofing Continues to Expand Geographic Footprint in the Southeast via Partnership with Engineered Solutions of Georgia

Rotunda Capital Partners LLC

U.S. Waterproofing, a Rotunda Capital Partners portfolio company, has acquired Engineered Solutions of Georgia (“ESOG”), one of the Southeast’s premier providers of residential foundation repair, basement waterproofing and crawl space encapsulation services. ESOG marks the third acquisition completed by U.S. Waterproofing since partnering with Rotunda in November 2022. Headquartered in Smyrna, Georgia and operating in the greater Atlanta area, ESOG further enhances U.S. Waterproofing’s market position in the Southeast U.S., expanding its comprehensive foundation solution offerings into Georgia. Through years of providing quality foundation repair, engineering and waterproofing solutions, ESOG has organically grown their service area and will continue to pursue new markets and offer incremental solutions in partnership with U.S. Waterproofing. U.S. Waterproofing’s best-in-class marketing, sales training, and installation expertise will further strengthen ESOGs’ value-proposition and service capabilities, including expansion into gutter services, while ESOG’s engineering and technical expertise will bolster U.S. Waterproofing’s foundation repair capabilities through the Southeast region. U.S. Waterproofing plans to pursue additional complementary acquisitions throughout the U.S. ESOG was founded by Jay Eastland and Luis Cuevas, who will continue overseeing ESOG going forward. “We are excited to partner with Jay, Luis, and the entire ESOG team,” said U.S. Waterproofing CEO Matt Stock. “Our shared cultural values and strategic vision will allow us to further penetrate the Southeast market as the preeminent waterproofing and foundation repair company. We are excited to leverage U.S. Waterproofing’s substantial infrastructure and marketing expertise to accelerate the growth that has made ESOG so successful. The acquisition of ESOG further demonstrates our ability to scale nationally while providing best-in-class solutions for our customers.” “Partnering with U.S. Waterproofing is an opportunity for our talented team to leverage national resources while expanding on our ability to best support customers throughout the Georgia market. Our shared dedication to employees and customers is what makes this partnership so exciting,” said Jay Eastland of ESOG. “The entire ESOG team looks forward to collaborating with U.S. Waterproofing to build one of the largest residential services platforms in the U.S.” About U.S. Waterproofing Founded in 1957, U.S. Waterproofing is a leading provider of basement waterproofing and foundation repair services, improving the value, health, and longevity of homes. The Company has helped more than 500,000 customers enjoy a dry and stable foundation throughout Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Michigan, and Washington, D.C. Fueled by their market leading reputation, U.S. Waterproofing’s services include crawl space encapsulation, concrete raising, sump pump installation, window well solutions, gutter services and humidity control. U.S. Waterproofing is A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau. For more information, visit www.uswaterproofing.com. U.S. Waterproofing is seeking to acquire other basement waterproofing and foundation repair service providers and is interested in acquisition opportunities presented by business owners, management, or M&A intermediaries. Please contact Margaux G Valle, mv@rotundacapital.com, Head of Business Development at Rotunda Capital Partners for more information. About ESOG Headquartered in Smyrna, GA, ESOG is a leading residential foundation repair, basement waterproofing and crawl space encapsulation services company that operates throughout Georgia. ESOG wins on high-quality customer service and a comprehensive service offering. For more information, visit https://www.esogrepair.com. About Rotunda Capital Partners Rotunda Capital Partners is an operationally oriented private equity firm focused on transforming family-founder owned companies into dynamic, data-driven platforms able to achieve and manage significant growth. Since its founding in 2009, Rotunda has partnered with management teams to build great businesses within three primary sectors: value-added distribution, asset-light logistics and industrial, residential & business services. Rotunda strives to achieve replicable results by implementing its Rotunda Performance System to create strategic alignment, develop lean processes and create robust, data-driven infrastructures. For more information, visit www.rotundacapital.com. Contact Details Rotunda Capital Partners Margaux G Valle +1 240-962-1707 PR@rotundacapital.com Company Website https://www.rotundacapital.com

December 14, 2023 05:08 PM Eastern Standard Time

Helix BioPharma Corp. Announces Fiscal 2024 First Quarter Results

Helix BioPharma Corp.

Toronto, Ontario – TheNewswire – December 14, 2023 – Helix BioPharma Corp. (TSX:HBP), (“ Helix ” or the “ Company ”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing unique therapies in the field of immuno-oncology based on its proprietary technological platform DOS47, today announced financial results for the fiscal 2024 first quarter results for the period ending October 31, 2023. OVERVIEW The Company reported a net loss and total comprehensive loss of $1,254,000 for the three months ended October 31, 2023, (October 31, 2022 - $1,606,000) and a loss of $0.01 per common share (July 31, 2023– loss of $0.01 per common share). Clinical development On October 13,2023 the Company presented new preclinical data on L-DOS47 in combination with PD1 checkpoint inhibition at the 2023 AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics in Boston, via in person attendance. The title of the poster presentation was: Neutralizing Acidosis with ADC L-DOS47 Urease Immunoconjugate Enhances Response to Anti-PD1 Checkpoint Blockade in a Preclinical Orthotopic Model of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. On August 28, 2023, the Company together with its partner Moffitt Cancer Center, Florida published data on BioRxiv confirming the effectiveness of L-DOS47 in combination with anti PD-1 in pancreatic cancer. Statistically significant improvements in tumor regression were observed when combining L-DOS47 with anti-PD1 compared to each compound alone. LDOS47 in lung cancer The Phase II study of combination therapy in lung cancer (LDOS003) was halted in the dose escalation portion of the study in 2020 at the height of pandemic lockdown and the final clinical trial report was further delayed amidst war in Ukraine where all subjects were recruited. The company is now preparing to submit the final clinical study report to regulatory authorities later this month. LDOS47 in pancreatic cancer The Company's Phase I-b/II combination trial in pancreatic cancer (LDSOS006) continues to recruit patients, now in the fourth dosing cohort (13.55 µg/kg), after successfully completing the second dosing cohort (9 µg/kg) in July 2023. We remain committed to this study. Another important aspect of the development of the LDOS47 platform is the combination with chemo- and/or immuno-therapy to enhance current therapies, that may boost the utility of the platform. The Company continues to engage several key opinion leaders to evaluate potential combinations for partnership opportunities in other CEACAM6 expressing tumors. Corporate development On August 15, 2023, the Company announced that it had closed a private placement financing for net proceeds of CAD $2,998,000 from the issuance of 16,655,557 common shares at a price of $0.18 per common share. The common shares issued pursuant to the private placement were subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day ending on December 16, 2023, in accordance with applicable securities law. In connection with the closing, the Company paid a cash fee of 10% of gross proceeds raised to an eligible finder. On November 3, 2022, the Company announced that it had closed a private placement financing for net proceeds of CAD $4,629,019.86 from the issuance of 25,716,777 common shares at a price of $0.18 per common share. The common shares issued pursuant to the private placement were subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day ending on March 4, 2023, in accordance with applicable securities law. In connection with the closing, the Company paid a cash fee of 10% of gross proceeds raised to an eligible finder. On October 3, 2022, the Company announced the appointment of Dr. Frank Gary Renshaw, as the Chief Medical Officer. Research & development Research & development expenses for the three months ended October 31, 2023, totalled $949,000 (2022 – $1,300,000 ). The following table outlines research and development costs expenses for the current and comparative periods (in thousands of Canadian dollars): Click Image To View Full Size Research and development expenditures for the three months ended October 31, 2023, when compared to the three months ended October 31, 2022, were lower by $351,000 or 27%. The decrease in spending is covered most areas of expenditures including those associated with clinical and pre-clinical research and development activities. Stock-based compensation expenses were similar while salaries and benefits were lower by $31,000 when compared to the three months ended October 31, 2022). Operating, general and administration Operating, general and administration expenses for the three months ended October 31, 2023, totalled $303,000 (2022 – $285,000 ). The following table outlines operating, general and administration expenses for the current and comparative periods (in thousands of Canadian dollars): Click Image To View Full Size Operating, general and administration expenditures for the three months ended October 31, 2023, when compared to the three months ended October 31, 2022, were higher by $18,000 or 6%. Since May 2022, the Company has made significant efforts to control and reduce its overheads expenditures. This included closing its headquarters at Richmond Hill Ontario and moving it to Grove Corporate Services offices “(Grove”) in downtown Toronto. The Company hired Grove to perform accounting and corporate secretarial services following the resignation of its previous CFO in May 2022. The savings apply to various activities including salaries, rent, legal, and other operational expenditures. Further measures are being taken which will result in more reductions in the current period. In general, administrative savings were made in operating expenses ($137,000), Wages were higher by ($12,000) and Director and IR fees were higher by ($136,000). Stock-based compensation was higher by $18,000. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES Since inception, the Company has mainly relied on financing its operations from public and private sales of equity. The Company does not have any credit facilities and is therefore not subject to any externally imposed capital requirements or covenants. The Company manages its liquidity risk by continuously monitoring forecasts and actual cash flow from operations and anticipated investment and financing activities. The Company reported a net loss and total comprehensive loss of $1,254,000 for the three months ended October 31, 2023, (2022 - $1,606,000) and a loss of $0.01 per common share (2022 - $0.01 per common share). As of October 31, 2022, the Company had a working capital deficiency of $877,000, shareholders’ equity deficiency of $844,000 and a deficit of $201,407,000. On July 19, 2023, the Company applied to the TSX to price protect a proposed $3 million financing of common shares at a price of $0.18 per share. The TSX granted the conditional approval of the placement on July 19, 2023. On August 15, 2023, the Company announced that it had closed the private placement financing for gross proceeds of CAD $2,998,000 from the issuance of 16,655,557 common shares at a price of $0.18 per common share. On September 12, 2022, the Company applied to the TSX to price protect a proposed $5 million financing of common shares at a price of $0.18 per share. The TSX granted a price protection letter on September 14, 2022, and the conditional approval of the placement on September 26, 2022. On November 3, 2022, the Company announced that it had closed a private placement financing for net proceeds of CAD $4,629,020 from the issuance of 25,716,777 common shares at a price of $0.18 per common share with insiders subscribing for $270,000. The common shares issued pursuant to the Private Placement are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day ending on March 4, 2023, in accordance with applicable securities law. In connection with the closing, the Company paid a cash fee of 10% of gross proceeds raised to an eligible finder. In order for the Company to advance the currently planned preclinical and clinical research and development activities, its collaborative scientific research programs and pay for its overhead costs, the Company will need to raise approximately $11,000,000 through to the end of fiscal 2025. The Company projects an average monthly fixed overhead spend of approximately $120,000. This amount does not include the costs related to any of the Company’s third-party activities such as clinical studies, collaborative research activities and contract manufacturing. The Company’s Statement of Financial Position and Statement of Net Loss and Comprehensive Loss for fiscal 2023 and 2022 are summarized below: Click Image To View Full Size The Company’s consolidated financial statements, management’s discussion and analysis and annual information form will be filed under the Company’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, as well as on the Company’s website at www.helixbiopharma.com. About Helix BioPharma Corp. Helix BioPharma Corp. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing unique therapies in the field of immune-oncology for the prevention and treatment of cancer based on our proprietary technological platform DOS47. Helix is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “HBP”. Helix BioPharma Corp. 2704, 401 Bay Street, Toronto M5H 2Y4, Ontario, Tel: 905-841-2300 namrata@grovecorp.ca Forward-Looking Statements and Risks and Uncertainties This news release contains forward-looking statements and information (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements and information that are not historical facts but instead include financial projections and estimates, statements regarding plans, goals, objectives, intentions and expectations with respect to the Company’s future business, operations, research and development, including the focus of the Company’s primary drug product candidate L-DOS47 and other information relating to future periods. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements concerning (i) the Company’s ability to operate on a going concern being dependent mainly on obtaining additional financing; (ii) the Company’s priority continuing to be L-DOS47; (ii) the Company’s development programs, clinical studies, trials and reports for DOS-47 and L-DOS47; (iii) the Company’s development programs for DOS47 and L-DOS47; (iv) future expenditures, the insufficiency of the Company’s current cash resources and the need for financing; (v) future financing requirements, and the seeking of additional funding, and (vi) forecasts and future projections regarding development programs and expenditures. Forward-looking statements can further be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “ongoing”, “estimates”, “expects”, or the negative thereof or any other variations thereon or comparable terminology referring to future events or results, or that events or conditions “will”, “may”, “could”, or “should” occur or be achieved, or comparable terminology referring to future events or results. Forward-looking statements are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain and are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that are also uncertain. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Forward-looking statements, including financial outlooks, are intended to provide information about management’s current plans and expectations regarding future operations, including without limitation, future financing requirements, and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Certain material factors, estimates or assumptions have been applied in making forward-looking statements in this news release, including, but not limited to, the safety and efficacy of L-DOS47; that sufficient financing will be obtained in a timely manner to allow the Company to continue operations and implement its clinical trials in the manner and on the timelines anticipated; the timely provision of services and supplies or other performance of contracts by third parties; future costs; the absence of any material changes in business strategy or plans; and the timely receipt of required regulatory approvals and strategic partner support. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release as a result of numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, the risk that the Company’s assumptions may prove to be incorrect; the risk that additional financing may not be obtainable in a timely manner, or at all, and that clinical trials may not commence or complete within anticipated timelines or the anticipated budget or may fail; third party suppliers of necessary services or of drug product and other materials may fail to perform or be unwilling or unable to supply the Company, which could cause delay or cancellation of the Company’s research and development activities; necessary regulatory approvals may not be granted or may be withdrawn; the Company may not be able to secure necessary strategic partner support; general economic conditions, intellectual property and insurance risks; changes in business strategy or plans; and other risks and uncertainties referred to elsewhere in this news release, any of which could cause actual results to vary materially from current results or the Company’s anticipated future results. Certain of these risks and uncertainties, and others affecting the Company, are more fully described in the Company’s annual management’s discussion and analysis for the three months ended October 31, 2023 under the heading “Risks and Uncertainty” and Helix’s Annual Information Form, in particular under the headings “Forward-looking Statements” and “Risk Factors”, and other reports filed under the Company’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com from time to time. Forward-looking statements and information are based on the beliefs, assumptions, opinions and expectations of Helix’s management on the date of this new release, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statement or information should those beliefs, assumptions, opinions or expectations, or other circumstances change, except as required by law. __________

December 14, 2023 05:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

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John Ye, Esq. Explores the Significance of Choosing the Optimal Insurance Plan to Safeguard You and Your Loved Ones

KISS PR Brand Story

John Ye, Esq., a renowned car accident injury lawyer with extensive insurance claims expertise, recently discussed the importance of selecting the right insurance plan to protect yourself and your family. “Insurance is an essential part of life,” said Ye. “It’s important to understand the different types of insurance and how they can benefit you.” Ye has been helping individuals and families select the right insurance plan for over 20 years. He believes that the right insurance plan can provide peace of mind and financial security. “It’s important to understand the different types of insurance and how they can benefit you, especially when you need to file a claim” said John Ye. “For example, life insurance can provide financial security for your family in the event of serious injury or even your death. Health insurance can help cover the costs of medical care. And auto insurance can help protect you from financial losses due to a serious accident.” John Ye also discussed the importance of understanding the different types of coverage available. He believes that it’s important to understand the different types of coverage and how they can help protect you. “It’s important to understand the different types of coverage and how they can help protect you,” said Ye. “For example, liability coverage can help protect you from financial losses due to an accident. Property damage coverage can help cover the costs of repairing or replacing damaged property. And medical payments coverage can help cover the costs of medical care.” Ye believes that it’s important to select the right insurance plan for your needs. He recommends that individuals and families take the time to research and compare different plans to find the one that best meets their needs. John Ye, Esq. is a renowned insurance expert who has been helping individuals and families select the right insurance plan for over 20 years. He believes that the right insurance plan can provide peace of mind and financial security. He recommends that individuals and families take the time to research and compare different plans to find the one that best meets their needs Being uninsured is not only risky but also illegal in California. The state requires all drivers to have minimum liability insurance coverage, which includes bodily injury and property damage coverage. However, many people still choose to ignore this requirement or opt for the bare minimum coverage because it is the cheapest option. This can have serious consequences if you are involved in a car accident. If you are underinsured and get into an accident, it means that your insurance coverage may not be enough to cover all the expenses related to the accident. This could leave you personally liable for any additional costs, which can quickly add up and put you in a difficult financial situation. In California, the minimum liability insurance coverage is $15,000 for injury or death to one person, $30,000 for injury or death to multiple people, and $5,000 for property damage. These amounts may seem sufficient at first glance, but in reality, they are often not enough to cover all the costs associated with a car accident. For example, if you are at fault in an accident and the other party suffers serious injuries that require extensive medical treatment, your insurance may only cover a fraction of the costs. This means that you could be held personally responsible for the remaining expenses, which can easily exceed the minimum coverage limits. Furthermore, being underinsured can also have legal consequences. If you are unable to pay for the damages you caused in an accident, the other party may take legal action against you. This can result in a lawsuit and potentially lead to wage garnishment or even bankruptcy. Another major downfall of being underinsured is that it can affect your ability to seek compensation if you are injured in an accident caused by another driver. In California, drivers who are found to be at fault in an accident are responsible for covering the damages and injuries of the other party. However, if you are underinsured, you may not have enough coverage to fully compensate for your injuries and suffering. Media Contact: A. Beckstead Phone Number: (877) 278-6890 Email: aaron@lawfirminnovations.com Website: https://www.johnyelaw.com/ Release ID: 840961

December 14, 2023 04:30 PM Eastern Standard Time

The Approach to Front End Development is the Key to Companies’ UX Success, Says Torii Studio Founder Cristobal Chao

Prodigy Press Wire

In today’s hypercompetitive and digital-dominated world, poor user experience (UX) can be a death sentence for a digital product. People are used to good UX, with many of the most widely used mobile applications and websites have made sure to invest in this aspect, contributing greatly to their popularity. People know instinctively when they encounter a broken user experience and are extremely likely to stop using the digital product in question. Torii Studio, a New York-based digital development, and UX agency, believes that, to provide a genuinely good user experience, the proper front-end implementation of a product must be impeccable. The front-end refers to the user-facing side of a digital product, such as a website or app’s layout, its menus, and other visual elements. Most UX topics deal with the user experience, but functionality, which refers to the interactivity with the server and behind-the-scenes elements that make a product tick, is also important. A faulty functional front-end can cause reliability issues and other bugs that can show up and ruin an otherwise good UX. Torii Studio company logo Cristobal Chao, Torii Studio’s founder, began his career as a software engineer after finishing his degree in computer science in Madrid. Working for one of the largest enterprise software companies in the world, he noticed that most applications used old and outdated user interfaces, causing frustration among clients. This sparked his interest in UX, and he began learning and experimenting in the field, with even minor improvements resulting in better satisfaction from clients. Chao was among the 10 graduates from Spain who were chosen to go to the US for a half-year internship, and he later joined an innovation lab in the Silicon Valley area. There, he further explored front-end development, with the innovation lab working with several startups to launch their digital capabilities. Eventually, part of the innovation lab was acquired by Google, which, at the time, was also redesigning its products’ UX. Chao was the only software engineer picked up and became part of an embedded team that was in charge of innovating using front-end and design principles. “It was a great journey, and I had the opportunity to learn from the best, in both the design and engineering aspects. It was also very challenging, as I knew I was working among extremely talented designers and engineers,” Chao said. “Working in such a large organization, I also learned the value of collaboration. This includes creating well-structured code that allows a new person to join the project and immediately know what to do. Poorly structured code, also known as spaghetti code, is very confusing to someone who hasn’t worked on it from the start, making it hard to scale the product. Similar to a domino effect, if the product gets affected, the user is affected as well as the business itself.” After six and a half years, Chao decided that it was time for him to create his own company and contribute to the startup world by helping them translate their ideas into successful products. Torii Studio is named after the torii, a traditional Japanese gate often found at the entrances of Shinto shrines, symbolically marking the transition from the mundane to the sacred. According to Chao, in the context of his company, this symbolizes transforming companies through exceptional UX, combining first-rate technical expertise with a human-centered approach to create innovative products that people love. Chao adds that this transformation applies not only to the client but also to Torii Studio’s team members, who approach each project with a learning mindset, seeking to continuously improve. Since 2019, Torii Studio has helped both large companies and startups build better, faster, and more creatively. To date, over five different companies have been able to go to the next level, being able to secure their next round of funding and one even becoming a unicorn. One such project is with a neuroscience-based mental wellness platform, which had a huge disconnect between the design (front end) and development (back end) teams’ original intentions and the final product. This resulted in low user engagement, quality and consistency issues, and low ratings of 2.5 on the App Store and 2.1 on the Play Store. Torii Studio helped break down organizational silos by rearranging the company’s design and development teams to work side-by-side instead of in isolation. It also helped create a design system and component library, providing a common ground for both designers and developers. The platform now has an updated look and feel with significant improvements in performance and UI/UX design. After implementing the project, the client saw a 300% increase in daily active users and vastly improved ratings of 4.0 in the App Store and 4.3 in the Play Store. “Here we see the importance of having a unified vision and better collaboration between the front end and the back end in the success of a digital product,” Chao says. “UX encompasses both aspects, and our work bridges the gaps between design and engineering, tailoring our clients’ products to their users’ needs. To help us learn those needs, we offer code audits for prospective clients. We work with them in assessing the state of their codebase, identify which areas need improvements, and obtain a roadmap on how to best optimize their systems and processes.” Media contact: Name: Cristobal Chao Email: hello@torii.co Release ID: 840980

December 14, 2023 04:30 PM Eastern Standard Time

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TAX POLICY LEADERS PUSH FOR NEW MARKETS TAX CREDIT PERMANENCE

New Markets Tax Credit Coalition

Tax policy trends and community economic development were the focus at the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Coalition annual NMTC Conference, held this week. The event featured three prominent members of Congress, CDFI Fund Acting Director Marcia Sigal and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Economic Development, US Treasury Department Noel Poyo, as keynote speakers. Conference participants noted the need to pass legislation calling for the NMTC’s permanence as a key tax policy. Congressional keynote speakers included longtime champions of the NMTC, including Ranking Member on the House Ways and Means Committee Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA), Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY), lead sponsor of the H.R. 2539, the New Markets Tax Credit Extension Act of 2023 and one of the lead sponsors of the Senate companion bill, S. 234, Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT). Panelists included congressional staff, NMTC board members and leadership, investors and economic development leaders, Treasury Department officials, and legal experts. Panels held discussions on community economic development, the pending permanent extension of the Treasury Department program, legislative hurdles, and the latest insights from the Treasury Department. During this Congress, both the Senate and House introduced bills (S. 234 and H.R. 2539) with bipartisan support to make the NMTC extension permanent. Establishing permanence will provide certainty in delivering resources to low-income and marginalized communities, creating jobs, increasing economic opportunity, and improving lives at a time when underserved communities face significant challenges. “I’m a passionate advocate,” said Sen. Daines, who co-lead the introduction of the bill backing NMTC permanence in the U.S. Senate. “The New Markets Tax Credit is a really important part of what we do in Montana, as it is around the country. I’m passionate about making it permanent.” “We’re going to push for permanence,” said Rep. Tenney, lead sponsor of the bill in the U.S. House of Representatives, noting the NMTC had helped bring more than 400 well-paying jobs to her district. “It’s something we’re going to fight for.” “The New Markets program plays a significant role in financing many vital businesses and community projects that are overlooked by traditional lending markets,” said Rep. Neal. “It helps to breathe new life into our neglected and underserved low-income communities. We’ve leveraged these funds to preserve and create jobs, and to build successful businesses. In my district alone, there are 27 New Markets projects. The amount of good that these projects have done for the community cannot be understated: hundreds of millions of dollars in investment and thousands of jobs. “One of my proudest accomplishments as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee was when I was able to secure a five-year extension of the program in 2020. Our work is not done, though: we need to make the New Markets Tax Credit permanent,” added Rep. Neal. In December 2020, Congress enacted a 5-year, $25 billion NMTC extension through 2025, the largest in the program’s history. Throughout its 20-year history, the NMTC has delivered more than $130 billion to rural and urban communities outside the economic mainstream, which has led to more than 8,000 businesses and projects and over one million jobs. “With more than two decades of bipartisan successes under our belt, we’re continuing our push to increase funds and to make the NMTC permanent,” said Bob Rapoza, NMTC Coalition spokesperson. “At a time when the economic frailty of our underserved communities has never been more apparent, we see a tremendous opportunity for our coalition to help create jobs, spread opportunity, and put America back on a solid financial footing, and we implore Congress to make it happen.” ABOUT THE NEW MARKETS TAX CREDIT The New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) was enacted in 2000 to stimulate private investment and economic growth in low-income urban neighborhoods and rural communities that lack access to the patient capital needed to support and grow businesses, create jobs, and sustain healthy local economies. Since its inception, the NMTC has generated more than one million jobs. Today, due to the NMTC, more than $130 billion, which has financed over 8,000 projects and businesses, is hard at work in underserved communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit www.NMTCCoalition.org. Contact Details Greg Wilson +1 571-239-7474 gregwilsonpr@gmail.com Company Website https://nmtccoalition.org/

December 14, 2023 03:50 PM Eastern Standard Time

9th edition of International Coffee and Chocolate Exhibition wraps up with numerous visitors and brands around Globe

KISS PR Brand Story

The International Coffee and Chocolate Exhibition, the largest exhibition in the Middle East for coffee and chocolate lovers, recently concluded its 9th edition. The exhibition was held in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center. The number of participants in the exhibition exceeded 200,000 visitors, including investors, businessmen, experts, and coffee lovers. The exhibition also hosted more than 400 local and international brands from 40 countries around the world. The large turnout the exhibition witnessed reflects its prestigious reputation and remarkable distinction achieved in recent years. This has made it one of the most important trade exhibitions hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Moreover, it is the largest event specializing in coffee and chocolate in the Middle East. The exhibition is recognized by the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI). It is an international exhibition that conforms to the stipulated specifications and standards of the association. Additionally, it is an accredited member of the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA). Championships and prizes The exhibition concluded its fifth day with the Saudi Barista Championship, which is accredited by the World Barista Championship. The championship was held under the supervision of 4 international and 11 local judges. According to the nominated parties, voting, and evaluation, Ahmed Bahaa won first place in the Saudi Barista Championship. Abdul Rahim Al Balushi won second place and Muhammad Fakhri won third place. Saudi World Brewers Cup The exhibition also hosted the Saudi World Brewers Cup, which was held for the first time in Saudi Arabia with international accreditation. Moreover, it hosted numerous activities and awards to encourage innovation and the growth of businesses specialized in the field of coffee and chocolate manufacturing. The Middle East Coffee and Chocolate Awards The Middle East Coffee and Chocolate Awards were given to the fastest-growing coffee and chocolate establishments in the Middle East. The awards aim to support the development of the local trade balance and the development of non-oil export revenues. Investment opportunities The International Coffee and Chocolate Exhibition hosted a group of entrepreneurs interested in investing in the field of coffee and chocolate at the local and international levels. The event is a platform for communicating with major participating companies and thousands of interested people through meetings to learn more about the opportunities led by innovations and product excellence in this field. The exhibition allowed major investors from participating companies to exchange deals and establish partnerships in the production, manufacturing, and exporting sectors of the industry. Workshops and discussion sessions On the first day of the exhibition, there were two interactive sessions where entrepreneurs shared their experiences and expertise with the participants.The opening session featured a keynote address by Nourah Al Aidh, chairman of the Aseer Region Coffee Association. Her speech focused on the theme “Why do we need a sustainable coffee economy?”. This session, titled “Sustainability in Coffee: The main issues in 2023” The second session, titled “The Entrepreneur Spirit and Coffee Business Success”, featured Mr. Mubarak Al-Mabadi, founder of Coffee Story Company and the Lastoria Café chain, and founder of Haseel Roasters Company.On the second day of the exhibition, the fourth interactive session focused on the challenges of the coffee industry between climate change and rising costs. Three speakers shared their insights: Mr. Abdullah Al-Aqeel, certified coffee evaluator and developer of coffee and cafes; Mr. Dejene Dadi, GM of the Oromiya Cooperative Farmers Union; Mr. Muhammad Al Rajeh, founder and owner of the calibrated Cafe and Roastery and expert in coffee business.Another session held on the second day was titled “Coffee Innovation and New Trends in 2024″. It featured Mr. Osama Al-Awam founder and director of Roasting House. On the third day of the event, the focus was on sustainability in the production of specialized coffee. The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Gary Urrutia, managing director for the Cup of Excellence Program in Honduras, shedding light on this important topic.This session featured discussions led by Mr. Walid Al Khaldi, general manager of Espresso Station; Eng. Abdullah bin Kulaib, researcher in coffee cultures; Mr. Moaz Al-Qahtan, co-founder of Black Night roastery; Mr. Abdullah Al-Othman, co-founder of Sika roastery; Mr. Ali Alblushi, founder of Slope, CEO of Roast limit KSA champion of AeroPress championship, championship judge and roaster.Ms. Irina Sharipova, SCA Dubai coffee consultant and educator, delivered the keynote address during the 7th session, focusing on coffee culture and barista skills. Tweets by CandCExpo ‏https://www.instagram.com/candcexpo/ ‏https://candcexpo.com/ar MEDIA CONTACTS Faisal Louar business@onliii.com +971 58 5859 589 Disclaimer: Release ID: 840849

December 14, 2023 03:30 PM Eastern Standard Time

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San Jose Bachata Nights Proudly Announces Sponsorship with Nutrishop: Fostering Health, Fitness, and Community Growth

KISS PR Brand Story

San Jose Bachata Nights, the pulsating heartbeat of the vibrant bachata community, is thrilled to declare a groundbreaking collaboration with Nutrishop, a leading name in promoting a fit, happy, and healthy lifestyle. With an unwavering commitment to inclusivity and the celebration of diversity, San Jose Bachata Nights has consistently dedicated itself to providing top-tier Bachata dance instruction that transcends mere movement, fostering personal growth, unshakable confidence, and self-expression. The partnership with Nutrishop aligns seamlessly with our mission, offering a comprehensive approach to holistic well- being that extends beyond the dance floor. Nutrishop, founded by Bryon McLendon, embodies a legacy of dedication and passion for empowering individuals to lead healthier lives. Bryon's journey, from the humble opening of the first retail nutrition store to the expansive growth of NUTRISHOP®, Inc., resonates deeply with the values upheld at San Jose Bachata Nights—integrity, hard work, and a commitment to community. "This partnership is more than just a sponsorship; it's a synergy of shared values," expressed Mike Galindo, owner of San Jose Bachata Nights. "Nutrishop's dedication to supporting individuals in their fitness goals perfectly complements our mission of nurturing personal growth through dance. We are excited about the opportunities this collaboration presents to our community members." Nutrishop's ethos revolves around trust, excellence, and a profound focus on the individual customer's journey toward fitness. With a diverse range of top-quality supplements and personalized, consultative experiences in-store, Nutrishop embodies the spirit of supporting individuals in their pursuit of wellness, echoing the core principles of San Jose Bachata Nights. The collaboration between San Jose Bachata Nights and Nutrishop marks a pivotal moment—a union aimed at fostering a holistic approach to well-being, bridging the gap between physical fitness and personal growth. "We are thrilled to be working with San Jose Bachata Nights," remarked Shayan Khan, Owner and Operator of Nutrishop, East San Jose. "This collaboration represents our shared commitment to empowering individuals in their pursuit of a healthier lifestyle. Together, we aim to create a supportive community that celebrates diversity, fosters growth, and encourages self-expression." The alliance between San Jose Bachata Nights and Nutrishop is poised to create a dynamic space that encourages individuals to unleash their true potential, both on the dance floor and in their pursuit of holistic health. For more information about San Jose Bachata Nights, please visit www.sanjosebachatanights.com. For more information about Nutrishop East San Jose, please visit www.nutrishopeastsanjose.com. About San Jose Bachata Nights: San Jose Bachata Nights is a vibrant community committed to providing high-quality Bachata dance instruction, fostering personal growth, and celebrating diversity through dance. About Nutrishop: Nutrishop is dedicated to helping individuals lead healthier lives by providing top-quality nutritional supplements, personalized consultation, and unwavering support in achieving fitness goals. Media Contact The Digital Marketing Agency & Consulting Company LLC (510) 706-3755 Source: San Jose Bachata Nights Release ID: 840979

December 14, 2023 03:30 PM Eastern Standard Time

Flipster Debuts ‘The Dragon’s Treasure’ Trading Competition Series with 1 million USDT worth of prizes

Flipster

Chainwire Flipster, the fast-growing crypto trading platform, released its final campaign series for the year. Named ‘ The Dragon’s Treasure ’, this campaign is Flipster’s first themed event, consisting of an initial nine trading competitions over seven weeks with up to 1 million USDT worth of prizes to be given out. The huge prize pool stacks on top of existing generous offerings to bring new users to the platform, who can earn up to 175 USDT worth of bonuses (at the time of writing). The Dragon’s Treasure is a series of challenges that each run for a week. Each weekly challenge contains a story that is linked to an overarching narrative across an initial seven chapters. Taking inspiration from the pop culture world that the platform’s target demographic grew up with, the storytelling elements are aimed at elevating the trading experience to a level of enjoyment found in popular digital entertainment options. For each chapter, a new tournament is revealed in conjunction with a new character and world. The team has created backstories for each of the seven chapters, with inspiration for the characters and chosen worlds being drawn from the unique cultures of Flipster’s user base. The first competition, named Chapter One: The Lucky Bear, kicked off on 13 November 2023. Users had to compete to win a share of 25,000 USDT in prizes. Building up the momentum and excitement for traders, with each week that passes, more characters are revealed, and the prize money also increases in tandem, with Chapter Five: A Charming Elephant (scheduled to conclude on 17 December 2023) awarding up to 100K USD worth of prizes. Two more weeks of tournaments remain for 2024 before the campaign ends with a bang in a grand final round with record prizes planned. The crypto-obsessed world has been stunned this year by the rapid rise of Flipster in a year dominated by high-profile dramas in the news and a primarily bearish market. Despite less-than-ideal conditions, Flipster has impressed insiders with its rapid rise in user growth, maintaining a greater than 500% month-on-month user growth. The increase has transformed into a positive 4000% trading volume growth. Flipster came to prominence around June 2023, having proven they can build and launch in a bear market, bullish whispers predict how quickly they will rise if a bull market does pass next year for the bitcoin halving. CEO Yongjin Kim says, “We are deeply committed to excellence and innovation at Flipster, and take nothing for granted. I am proud of the team’s performance and thrilled with how this translates into our impressive numbers. It’s incredibly rewarding to constantly encounter individuals who are curious about Flipster’s journey. Their questions about what’s next for us and how we plan to lead the crypto industry in the coming years are not just thought-provoking but also affirming the brand we have carved out. From myself and everyone at Flipster, we wish everyone a joyous holiday season.” The price of BTC and the crypto market are moving positively, making it a fun way to wrap up the year by trading crypto on Flipster and competing for prizes in The Dragon’s Treasure. About Flipster Flipster is the fastest-growing crypto exchange in the world. The easy-to-use crypto derivatives trading platform offers users an all-in-one trading experience with leverage of up to 100x on over 190 tokens. Created by the same founders as Presto Labs, the largest crypto quant trading firm in Asia. Users can get started at flipster.xyz. For media enquiries or interview requests with the team, users can reach out to pr@flipster.xyz or keep up to date with flipster on our blog Official Website | Linkedin | Twitter | Telegram | Facebook Contact Details Ben Rogers, Head of Marketing benrogers@prestolabs.io

December 14, 2023 02:30 PM Eastern Standard Time

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TAX POLICY LEADERS PUSH FOR NEW MARKETS TAX CREDIT PERMANENCE

9th edition of International Coffee and Chocolate Exhibition wraps up with numerous visitors and brands around Globe

San Jose Bachata Nights Proudly Announces Sponsorship with Nutrishop: Fostering Health, Fitness, and Community Growth

Flipster Debuts ‘The Dragon’s Treasure’ Trading Competition Series with 1 million USDT worth of prizes