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Energy Focus, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2023 Financial Results

Energy Focus, Inc.

Energy Focus, Inc. (NASDAQ:EFOI), a leader in energy-efficient lighting and control system products for the commercial market and military maritime market (“MMM”), today announced financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2023. Second Quarter 2023 Financial Highlights: Net sales of $1.1 million, decreased 28.7% compared to the second quarter of 2022, reflecting a decrease of $0.5 million, or 54.7%, in commercial sales, partially offset by a $0.1 million, or 21.4%, increase in military sales period-over-period. Sequentially, net sales increased by 13.4%, primarily reflecting a $0.1 millionincrease in commercial sales, with military sales remaining flat, as compared to the first quarter of 2023. Gross profit margin of 17.0% increased from 7.4% in the second quarter of 2022, and 1.8% in the first quarter of 2023. The period-over-period increase, as compared to the second quarter of 2022, was driven mainly by a favorable impact from lower fixed costs, offset slightly by an unfavorable impact from the change in inventory reserves. Sequentially, the increase quarter-over-quarter, as compared to the first quarter of 2023, primarily relates to a favorable impact from the change in inventory reserves due to orders received in the second quarter of 2023 that are expected to be fulfilled during the third quarter of 2023. Loss from operations of $1.1 million improved as compared to loss from operations of $2.2 million in the second quarter of 2022, and $1.2 million in the first quarter of 2023. Net loss of $1.2 million, or $(0.42) per basic and diluted share of common stock, compared to a net loss of $2.5 million, or $(2.43) per basic and diluted share of common stock, in the second quarter of 2022. Sequentially, the net loss decreased by $0.2 million compared to a net loss of $1.3 million, or $(0.58) per basic and diluted share of common stock, in the first quarter of 2023. Cash of $1.3 million, included in total availability (as defined under “Non-GAAP Measures” below) of $1.5 million, each as of June 30, 2023, as compared to cash of $52 thousand and $938 thousand and total availability of $107 thousand and $2.5 million as of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022, respectively. Subsequent to approval by the Company’s stockholders and pursuant to the ratio approved by the Company’s Board of Directors on June 15, 2023, a 1-for-7 reverse stock split became effective on June 16, 2023 wherein every seven shares of common stock issued and outstanding automatically combined into one validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable share of common stock. No fractional shares were issued as a result of the reverse stock split. Private placement of additional $1.3 million of common stock was completed during the second quarter of 2023. “We believe the second quarter has been the start of a true turn around for Energy Focus,” said Lesley Matt, Chief Executive Officer. “The arrival of fresh inventory late in the quarter allowed for us to begin showing improvement in both our topline sales and gross profit. As more inventory continues to arrive, we are optimistic to continue this trend. Additionally, we have made changes to our sales team structure to better align with growth and the future. As we march towards increasing revenue by providing customers with innovative energy solution products, we continue to look at ways to improve our overall operation.” Second Quarter 2023 Financial Results: Net sales of $1.1 million for the second quarter of 2023 decreased $0.4 million, or 28.7%, compared to second quarter of 2022 net sales of $1.5 million, primarily driven by a decrease in commercial sales of $0.5 million, or 54.7%, that was partially offset by an increase in MMM product sales of $0.1 million, or 21.4%. MMM sales have increased due to improved sales pipeline as management replaced the head of MMM sales mid-year 2022. The MMM sales cycle is prolonged and started to reverse its negative trend in the middle of the fourth quarter of 2022. Net commercial product sales decreased in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, primarily due to the lack of availability in high-margin, high-demand commercial products as a result of supply chain interruptions. Sequentially, net sales were up 13.4% compared to $0.9 million in the first quarter of 2023, reflecting a slight increase in commercial sales with the sales in MMM orders flat. Gross profit was $0.2 million, or 17.0% of net sales, for the second quarter of 2023. This compares with gross profit of $0.1 million, or 7.4% of net sales, in the second quarter of 2022. The period-over-period increase in gross profit was driven mainly by a favorable impact from lower fixed costs of $0.2 million, or 15.3% of net sales. The $0.1 million favorable impact from product mix was offset by an unfavorable impact of $0.1 million from lower sales. Additionally, there was an overall net unfavorable impact from the change in inventory reserves of $0.1 million, or 7.5% of net sales, versus the second quarter of 2022, which included a one-time adjustment from a scrap write-off. Sequentially, gross profit of $0.2 million for the second quarter of 2023 compares with gross profit of $17 thousand, or 1.8% of net sales, in the first quarter of 2023. The increase quarter-over-quarter primarily relates to a favorable net impact of approximately $0.1 million, or 8.1% of net sales, related to the change in inventory reserves and favorable impacts of $0.1 million in sales and product mix, together. The change in inventory reserves relates mainly to orders received during the second quarter of 2023 that are expected to be fulfilled during the third quarter of 2023. Adjusted gross margin, as defined under “Non-GAAP Measures” below, was 6.8% for the second quarter of 2023, compared to (5.1)% in the second quarter of 2022, primarily driven by lower fixed costs during the second quarter of 2023 as compared to the second quarter of 2022. Sequentially, this compares to adjusted gross margin of (0.6)% in the first quarter of 2023. The improvement from the first quarter of 2023 was primarily driven by higher variable margins and lower fixed costs in the second quarter of 2023. Operating loss was $1.1 million for the second quarter of 2023, an improvement as compared to an operating loss of $2.2 million in the second quarter of 2022, and an operating loss of $1.2 million in the first quarter of 2023. Net loss was $1.2 million, or $(0.42) per basic and diluted share of common stock, for the second quarter of 2023, compared with a net loss of $2.5 million, or $(2.43) per basic and diluted share of common stock, in the second quarter of 2022. Sequentially, this compares with a net loss of $1.3 million, or $(0.58) per basic and diluted share of common stock, in the first quarter of 2023. Adjusted EBITDA, as defined under “Non-GAAP Measures” below, was a loss of $1.0 million for the second quarter of 2023, compared with a loss of $2.1 million in the second quarter of 2022 and a loss of $1.2 million in the first quarter of 2023. The smaller adjusted EBITDA loss in the second quarter of 2023, as compared to the second quarter of 2022, was primarily due to improved margins and lower operating expenses. Cash was $1.3 million as of June 30, 2023. This compares with cash of $52 thousand and $938 thousand as of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022, respectively. As of June 30, 2023, the Company had total availability, as defined under “Non-GAAP Measures” below, of $1.5 million, which consisted of $1.3 million of cash and $0.2 million of additional borrowing availability under its credit facilities. This compares to total availability of $107 thousand as of December 31, 2022 and $2.5 million as of June 30, 2022. Our net inventory balance of $5.3 million as of June 30, 2023 decreased $0.2 million and $1.9 million from our net inventory balance as of December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022, respectively. Earnings Conference Call: The Company will host a conference call and webcast today, August 10, 2023, at 11 a.m. ET to discuss the secondquarter 2023 results, followed by a Q & A session. You can access the live conference call by dialing the following phone numbers: Toll free 1-877-451-6152 or International 1-201-389-0879 Conference ID# 13739842 The conference call will be simultaneously webcast. To listen to the webcast, log onto it at: https://viavid.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1623732&tp_key=af4459857f. The webcast will be available at this link through August 25, 2023. Financial information presented on the call, including this earnings press release, will be available on the investors section of Energy Focus’ website, investors.energyfocus.com. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands) * Shares outstanding for prior periods have been restated for the 1-for-7 reverse stock split effective June 16, 2023. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands) (unaudited) Sales by Product (in thousands) (unaudited) Non-GAAP Measures In addition to the results in this release that are presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”), we provide certain non-GAAP measures, which present operating results on an adjusted basis. These non-GAAP measures are supplemental measures of performance that are not required by or presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP and, include: total availability, which we define as our ability on the period end date to access additional cash if necessary under our short-term credit facilities, plus the amount of cash on hand on that same date; adjusted EBITDA, which we define as net income (loss) before giving effect to financing charges, income taxes, non-cash depreciation, stock non-cash compensation, accrued incentive compensation, non-routine charges to other income or expense; and adjusted gross margins, which we define as our gross profit margins during the period without the impact from excess and obsolete, in-transit and net realizable value inventory reserve movements that do not reflect current period inventory decisions. We believe that our use of these non-GAAP financial measures permits investors to assess the operating performance of our business relative to our performance based on U.S. GAAP results and relative to other companies within the industry by isolating the effects of items that may vary from period to period without correlation to core operating performance or that vary widely among similar companies, and to assess liquidity, cash flow performance of the operations, and the product margins of our business relative to our U.S. GAAP results and relative to other companies in the industry by isolating the effects of certain items that do not have a current period impact. However, our presentation of these non-GAAP measures should not be construed as an indication that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or infrequent items or that the items for which we have made adjustments are unusual or infrequent or will not recur. Further, there are limitations on the use of these non-GAAP measures to compare our results to other companies within the industry because they are not necessarily standardized or comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. We believe that the disclosure of these non-GAAP measures is useful to investors as they form part of the basis for how our management team and Board of Directors evaluate our operating performance. Total availability, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted gross margins do not represent cash generated from operating activities in accordance with U.S. GAAP, are not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash needs and are not intended to and should not be considered as alternatives to cash flow, net income and gross profit margins, respectively, computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP as measures of liquidity or operating performance. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP are provided below for total availability, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted gross margins, respectively. About Energy Focus Energy Focus is an industry-leading innovator of sustainable light-emitting diode (“LED”) lighting and lighting control technologies and solutions. As the creator of the first flicker-free LED lamps, Energy Focus develops high quality LED lighting products and controls that provide extensive energy and maintenance savings, as well as aesthetics, safety, health and sustainability benefits over conventional lighting. In 2023, EFOI announced plans to add high efficiency GaN (gallium nitride) power supply products to its product portfolio. Energy Focus is headquartered in Solon, Ohio. For more information, visit our website at www.energyfocus.com. Forward-Looking Statements Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms “believes,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “feels,” “seeks,” “forecasts,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could” or “would” or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts and include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, among other things, our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies, capital expenditures, and the industry in which we operate. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. Although we base these forward-looking statements on assumptions that we believe are reasonable when made in light of the information currently available to us, we caution you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that our actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and industry developments may differ materially from statements made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this release. We believe that important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) our need for and ability to obtain additional financing in the near term, on acceptable terms or at all, to continue our operations; (ii) our ability to maintain compliance with the continued listing standards of The Nasdaq Stock Market (iii) our ability to refinance or extend maturing debt on acceptable terms or at all; (iv) our ability to continue as a going concern for a reasonable period of time; (v) our ability to realize synergies with our strategic investor; (vi) instability in the U.S. and global economies and business interruptions experienced by us, our customers and our suppliers, particularly in light of supply chain constraints and other long-term impacts of the coronavirus pandemic; (vii) the competitiveness and market acceptance of our LED lighting and control technologies and products; (viii) our ability to compete effectively against companies with lower prices or cost structures, greater resources, or more rapid development capabilities, and new competitors in our target markets; (ix) our ability to extend our product portfolio into new applications and end markets; (x) our ability to increase demand in our targeted markets and to manage sales cycles that are difficult to predict and may span several quarters; (xi) the timing of large customer orders, significant expenses and fluctuations between demand and capacity as we manage inventory and invest in growth opportunities; (xii) our ability to successfully scale our network of sales representatives, agents, distributors and other channel partners to compete with the sales reach of larger, established competitors; (xiii) our ability to implement plans to increase sales and control expenses; (xiv) our reliance on a limited number of customers for a significant portion of our revenue, and our ability to maintain or grow such sales levels; (xv) our ability to add new customers to reduce customer concentration; (xviii) our ability to attract and retain a new chief financial officer; (xvii) our ability to manage the size of our workforce while continuing to attract, develop and retain qualified personnel, and to do so in a timely manner; (xviii) our ability to diversify our reliance on a limited number of third-party suppliers and development partners, our ability to manage third-party product development and obtain critical components and finished products on acceptable terms and of acceptable quality despite ongoing global supply chain challenges, and the impact of our fluctuating demand on the stability of such suppliers; (xix) our ability to timely, efficiently and cost-effectively transport products from our third-party suppliers by ocean marine and other logistics channels despite global supply chain and logistics disruptions; (xx) the impact of any type of legal inquiry, claim or dispute; (xxi) the macro-economic conditions, including rising interest rates and recessionary trends, in the United States and in other markets in which we operate or secure products, which could affect our ability to obtain raw materials, component parts, freight, energy, labor, and sourced finished goods in a timely and cost-effective manner; (xxii) our dependence on military maritime customers and on the levels and timing of government funding available to such customers, as well as the funding resources of our other customers in the public sector and commercial markets; (xxix) business interruptions resulting from geopolitical actions such as war and terrorism, natural disasters, including earthquakes, typhoons, floods and fires, or from health epidemics, or pandemics or other contagious outbreaks; (xxx) our ability to respond to new lighting and control technologies and market trends; (xxxi) our ability to fulfill our warranty obligations with safe and reliable products; (xxxii) any delays we may encounter in making new products available or fulfilling customer specifications; (xxxiii) any flaws or defects in our products or in the manner in which they are used or installed; (xxix) our ability to protect our intellectual property rights and other confidential information, and manage infringement claims by others; (xxx) our compliance with government contracting laws and regulations, through both direct and indirect sale channels, as well as other laws, such as those relating to the environment and health and safety; (xxxi) risks inherent in international markets, such as economic and political uncertainty, changing regulatory and tax requirements and currency fluctuations, including tariffs and other potential barriers to international trade; and (xxix) our ability to maintain effective internal controls and otherwise comply with our obligations as a public company. For additional factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements, please refer to our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Contact Details Investor Relations +1 440-715-1300 ir@energyfocus.com Company Website https://energyfocus.com/

August 10, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Aldoro set to start metallurgical sampling in Namibia

Aldoro Resources Ltd

Aldoro Resources Ltd (ASX:ARN) technical director Mark Mitchell tells Proactive the company has completed an orthophotographic survey at the Kameelburg Rare Earth Carbonatite Project in Namibia, paving the way for metallurgical sampling to start in the first week of September. Using a digital camera mounted in a fixed-wing aircraft, the company acquired high-resolution images over the carbonatite, leading to the creation of a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) to provide a better idea of the project’s topographic surface. A historical rock chip sampling program and a grid-based rock and soil sampling program at 100-metre intervals returned up to 2.12% total rare earth oxides (TREO) in the rocks and up to 2.02% TREO in the soils. Nine potential sites were selected as core drilling sample sites, which are subject to ground investigations to establish that suitably thick homogenous material is available at the sites. Eight samples sit within the carbonatite outline with the ninth located in a thick marginal dyke. Contact Details Proactive Investors Jonathan Jackson +61 413 713 744 jonathan@proactiveinvestors.com

August 10, 2023 08:35 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Ventripoint Announces Collaboration with Ascend Cardiovascular

Ventripoint Diagnostics Ltd.

Toronto, Ontario – The Newswire – August 10,  2023 - Ventripoint Diagnostics Ltd. (" Ventripoint " or the " Company "), (TSXV:VPT ); ( OTC:VPTDF) is thrilled to announce that Ventripoint and Ascend Cardiovascular, a leading provider of cardiovascular IT solutions, have solidified a strategic collaboration. The two companies have signed a letter of intent to explore joint research and development initiatives, knowledge sharing, and combining  efforts to bring innovative AI-based solutions to the market. Ascend Cardiovascular has over two decades of experience in cardiovascular IT and is an expert in cardiology workflow. Ascend’s clinical reporting, device interfaces, and analytics are used daily by some of the top institutions and hospital systems in North America. The teamwork  between Ventripoint and Ascend leverages the strengths and expertise of both Ascend and Ventripoint to enhance cardiovascular diagnostics and improve patient care. By combining the capabilities of Ventripoint and Ascend, both companies aim to develop and integrate solutions to improve diagnostic accuracy, streamline workflows, and enhance patient experience. Ascend intends to resell Ventripoint products developed through this partnership and integrated with Ascend’s cardiovascular IT platform. “This collaboration with Ascend Cardiovascular is part of Ventripoint’s mission to elevate cardiac care by providing better tools for clinicians.  We are excited about what the two companies can accomplish by joining efforts,” stated Dr. Alvira Macanovic, President & CEO of Ventripoint.   This coordination  will include exploring joint research and development initiatives aimed at enhancing existing cardiovascular diagnostic technologies and identifying new opportunities.   This may include joint projects, knowledge sharing, and collaborative efforts to seek regulatory approvals and commercialize new products or services including, where applicable, co-marketing and sales support activities "Ascend is on a mission to provide a fully integrated, best-of-breed cardiovascular workflow solution to its customers. Integration with Ventripoint's innovative solution for 3D visualization will provide tremendous value to pediatric and adult echocardiographers in the care of their most complex patients," stated Dr. Jeff Soble, CEO of Ascend Cardiovascular. Both Ventripoint and Ascend are excited about the potential impact of this collaboration within the field of cardiovascular diagnostics. Ascend brings their clinical and industry knowledge, along with its proprietary structured reporting, and its echocardiogram DICOM viewer to the collaboration.  Ventripoint brings its proprietary AI-based diagnostic technologies, research capabilities, and technical expertise in cardiovascular imaging and analysis.  By combining the unique expertise and resources of both companies, new solutions can be made that address existing challenges within the industry. About Ventripoint Diagnostics Ltd. Ventripoint has become an industry leader in the application of AI (Artificial Intelligence) to echocardiography. Ventripoint's VMS products are powered by its proprietary KBR technology, which is the result of a decade of development and provides accurate volumetric cardiac measurements equivalent to MRI. This affordable, gold-standard alternative allows cardiologists greater confidence in the management of their patients. Providing better care to patients serves as a springboard and basic standard for all of Ventripoint's products that guide our future developments. In addition, VMS+ is versatile and can be used with all ultrasound systems from any vendor supported by regulatory market approvals in the U.S., Europe and Canada.  Learn more:  www.ventripoint.com. About Ascend Cardiovascular ASCEND Cardiovascular is a leader in innovating cardiovascular solutions that empower the provider community to improve cardiovascular care. Designed with openness in mind, our solutions integrate with EHRs, medical devices, and other systems to deliver seamless workflows that span procedure types and modalities. A complete cardiovascular solution, ASCEND provides structured reporting, image visualization, collaboration, and analytics that improve efficiency, outcomes, and ROI. With decades of experience and a practicing cardiologist at our helm, the ASCEND team brings unparalleled “know how” in cardiology workflow, collaboration, and IT offering limitless opportunities to improve clinical, operational, and quality performance. Learn more:  www.ascendcv.com. For further information, please contact: Jonathan Robinson CFA JRobinson@oakhillfinancial.ca (416) 669-1001 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Forward Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "objective", "ongoing", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe", "plans", "intends'' and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information or statements. The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Company. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the risk factors in the Company's most recent annual management's discussion and analysis that is available on the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

August 10, 2023 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Lunatic Femme: A New Dimension in Lingerie That Ignites the Soul

Lunatic Femme

Lunatic Femme, a trailblazing lingerie brand, is shaking up the industry with its unique approach to design and empowerment. More than just boosting confidence or enhancing allure, Lunatic Femme is about igniting the soul, stirring what’s latent, revealing the hidden, and inspiring self-discovery. Proudly designed and manufactured in the heart of New York City, Lunatic Femme is contributing to the city's rich history of fashion innovation. Not only does Lunatic Femme redefine traditional beauty standards as an innovative lingerie brand, but it also serves as a driving force for soul expression. Whether you're feeling shy or bold, bored or stressed, there's something for you. From multi-way bodysuits that speak volumes to changeable, detachable harnesses that channel fierceness, removable ties that ignite passion to silk and lace that foster connection, Lunatic Femme isn't just about inclusivity—it's about guiding you on a journey of erotic self-discovery. A defining aspect of their lingerie is its adjustable nature, which breaks away from the standard small, medium, and large sizes. To address individual needs like needing more room in the hips or having a longer torso, an extra two inches of space on the straps have been thoughtfully included to provide a tailored fit, boosting comfort, confidence, and exploration. Plus, many of their pieces, like the Boa High-Waisted Panty and the Champagne Room 33 Lace-Up Bodysuit, come with detachable ties. These ties not only provide additional room, but also open up a world of playful possibilities. They can be used for adventurous and sensual play, wrapped around the body for harness-like looks or compression, or applied to the body as a silky means of play, discovery, or style. This unique feature sets their lingerie apart, offering a blend of practicality, versatility, and a touch of kink, ensuring each wearer can express their soul with the pieces in a way that’s uniquely their own. It’s no surprise that the philosophy behind Lunatic Femme goes beyond just creating luxurious lingerie. It's a brand that champions the power of self-love, the freedom of soul expression, and the joy of self-discovery. Lunatic Femme encourages individuals to explore their style, ignite their creativity, and feel empowered in their own skin. In a recent interview with renowned sexologist Dr. Jess, the company's founder, Stacy Baker, shared her vision and mission for the brand. Stacy emphasized the importance of challenging conventional beauty standards and creating a space where individuals can play while expressing themselves and their sensuality authentically. “We’re a brand that recognizes and celebrates that you’re not one thing — and so your lingerie shouldn’t be either,” said Stacy. “It should be a pleasure zone where you get to explore and express the full-blown breadth and depth of all you are, in all your moments and moods.” With sustainability at the forefront of their values, Lunatic Femme uses ethically sourced, non-violent silk and ensures fair labor practices throughout their supply chain. By prioritizing sustainability, the brand aims to make a positive impact not only on their customers, but also on the environment. In the words of Stacy, “guilt has no place when you’re unapologetically sexy.” Lunatic Femme's commitment to inclusivity, soul expression, and sustainability has garnered attention from fashion enthusiasts and industry experts alike. Infusing designs that captivate with a commitment to social responsibility, Lunatic Femme is not only poised to become a leading force in the lingerie industry, but also a catalyst for igniting self-discovery among its clientele. For more information about Lunatic Femme and to explore their collection, visit their website at lunaticfemme.com. Contact Details Lunatic Femme Stacy Baker hello@lunaticfemme.com Company Website https://lunaticfemme.com/

August 10, 2023 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Prontoblock and Mercantile Bank International Partner to Modernize the $1.25 Trillion Commercial Paper Market Through Tokenization

PlatoData

New York, NY, August 10, 2023 ( PlatoData via 500NewsWire) – Prontoblock, a leading digital asset fintech company, is pleased to announce its strategic partnership with Mercantile Bank International (MBI). This partnership aims to revolutionize the commercial paper market through the tokenization of these financial instruments. This partnership will empower MBI clientele to engage in the purchase and issuance of tokenized commercial paper using Prontoblock’s cutting-edge digital assets platform. Prontoblock will collaborate closely with issuers to identify the most suitable commercial paper instruments for tokenization. The outstanding value of U.S. commercial paper exceeded $1.25 trillion at the end of 2022. Commercial paper works like fixed-income investments but tends to have rates higher than Treasuries with similar maturities, and even higher than bank savings deposit rates. Of the $1 billion in assets Prontoblock plans to tokenize by Q2 2024, $250 million will be high grade commercial paper. Prontoblock’s digital asset platform is revolutionizing investment opportunities such as hedge funds, private equity, fixed income and commercial paper. Leveraging the power of blockchain technology and smart contracts, the platform tokenizes financial assets issued by its clients, streamlining investment processes and enhancing operational efficiency. Leveraging its strong track record of enabling clients to participate seamlessly in the digital asset realm, MBI offers high-quality, high-yield, and liquid short-term instruments such as commercial paper that generate attractive risk-adjusted returns. Bill Gleason, CEO of Prontoblock, commented that “MBI, with its robust presence in the US digital asset space, is an ideal partner as they routinely generate excess liquidity and are in search of high-quality, short-term liquid instruments to invest their short-term liquidity and generate an attractive risk-adjusted return.” Bo Collings, CEO of MBI, echoed the sentiment, "Our alliance with Prontoblock perfectly aligns with our strategic vision. Tokenizing commercial paper allows us to provide a diverse array of investment opportunities to our clients while facilitating their access to liquidity. Through leveraging our advanced blockchain technology stack, we are poised to enhance client investment capabilities, yielding exceptional outcomes while meticulously adhering to US securities regulations." By taking proactive measures to ensure that their financial solutions are compliant with relevant laws and regulations, both MBI and Prontoblock are solidifying their status as trusted partners for their global clientele, ensuring that their financial interests are safeguarded within the bounds of regulatory frameworks. As digital asset adoption and regulatory compliance regulations evolve, both companies remain committed to ensuring clients can navigate the complexities of the digital assets landscape with confidence. About Mercantile Bank International Mercantile Bank International ("MBI") is a licensed US bank, elevating the global banking and payments experience for its specialized clientele. From its inception in 2019, MBI has been a trailblazer in the digital assets arena. Armed with the unique authority to custody and transmit digital assets, MBI was among the earliest banks in the US to possess such privileges. Beyond being just a bank, MBI is dedicated to meeting the requirements of entrepreneurs and startups, particularly those driven by sustainable technology, digital assets, and disruptive technological breakthroughs. About Prontoblock Prontoblock is a fintech company that leverages blockchain technology to provide cutting-edge solutions for the financial industry. Led by a team with extensive expertise in capital markets and blockchain-based systems, Prontoblock develops solutions that enable financial institutions and businesses to streamline transactions, enhance security, and integrate digital assets seamlessly. The company is revolutionizing the financial landscape, offering secure and efficient transaction processing, analytics, and decentralized digital asset integration. Contact Details Alex Gault alex@prontoblock.com +1 415-830-6739 alex@prontoblock.com Company Website https://www.prontoblock.com/

August 10, 2023 07:20 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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TRON and USDD Resilience Unveiled: Insights from Messari, Reflexivity, and JPMorgan's Analysis

Chainwire

In-depth reports on the performance of TRON and USDD in 2023, published by renowned blockchain analytics firms Messari and Reflexivity have recently been published. Messari's Analysis: TRON's Q2 2023 Performance Messari's report highlights TRON's substantial growth across various performance metrics. Growth in Network Activity: The report observes TRON's daily average active accounts, new accounts, and transactions surging by 14%, 13.4%, and 28.9% respectively, paralleling the rollout of BitTorrent Bridge and Stake 2.0 integrations. Outshining Other L1’s: The report additionally underscores TRON's exceptional performance in Q2, highlighting a 14.7% QoQ market cap increase, in stark contrast to a 23% average decline for other major Layer 1 blockchains. Expanding the DeFi Sphere: The report applauds TRON's efforts to continue to expand DeFi, with several applications and infrastructure providers integrating TRX liquid staking and the decentralized resource marketplace. Enhancing Network Functionality: Finally, Messari notes TRON's dedication to improving network functionality through the introduction of Stake 2.0 (TIP-467), GreatVoyage-V4.7.1.1 (Pittacus), and initiation of Great Voyage - V4.7.2 (Periander). TRON employs a Delegated-Proof-of-Stake (DPoS) mechanism, with block validation being performed by a group of validators known as Super Representatives (SRs). Interestingly, the pool of SR candidates has grown from ~390 in Q1 to over 400 in Q2, illustrating the democratic nature of TRON’s ecosystem. At the end of Q2, TRON nodes were dispersed across more than 75 global locations. This diverse geographical distribution of nodes is a promising step towards a more decentralized network, reducing vulnerabilities to localized disruptions and geopolitical risks. Messari's Analysis: USDD's Q2 2023 Performance Messari's report also paints a positive picture for USDD during Q2. Peg Stability and Increased Backing: Messari notes that USDD traded close to its peg throughout Q2, allowing an accumulation of $13 million in backing within the PSM and a return to balance in the Curve pool. Adoption Metrics: The report states that USDD's adoption metrics remained stable with volumes and holders experiencing minimal fluctuations quarter over quarter. Improved Backing: The backing for USDD strengthened in Q2, with BTC and TRX prices rising 7% and 15% respectively. Notably, with the inclusion of TRX assets, the stablecoin is now 171% collateralized, showcasing a robust backing that provides stability to its value. Q2 saw the initiation of governance for USDD. The Messari report details how TRON DAO Reserve activated the first governance proposal, allowing TRX holders to vote, signifying the increasing democratization of USDD’s operations. Reflexivity's Analysis: TRON's H1 2023 Performance Reflexivity’s report starts with an overview of TRON's network design, highlighting the network's high transaction speed, low cost, and hosting of the largest circulating supply of Tether (USDT). Utilizing a Delegated-Proof-of-Stake (DPoS) consensus mechanism, TRON maintains 27 Super Representatives elected by the community every six hours, from a pool of ~400 Super Representative Candidates, resulting in seamless network operations. Network Performance: In the first half of 2023, TRON's block height exceeded an impressive 52.5 million with 7,385 nodes across the network, marking a substantial 33.5% increase. Reflexivity underscores the significance of Stake 2.0, which was approved and deployed on TRON’s mainnet in early April, bringing about major enhancements in resource utilization and system stability. Influence in the Stablecoin Ecosystem: TRON's growing influence in the stablecoin ecosystem has been evident, absorbing over $5 billion in stablecoin inflows following the USDC depeg in March. Overall, the market capitalization of stablecoins on TRON saw a substantial 30.3% surge in the first half of the year, signifying its rising dominance. Reflexivity's Analysis: USDD's H1 2023 Performance Reflexivity’s report on USDD demonstrates the stablecoin's resilience and adaptability during a tumultuous first half of the year. Stability and PSM: By the end of H1, USDD’s collateral ratio stood at a robust 177.8%, marking a vital element of its stability. The Peg Stability Module (PSM), allowing 1:1 conversions from USDC to USDD, facilitated over $640 million in volume for Q2, playing a crucial role in maintaining the peg's stability. Partnerships and Integrations: The report emphasizes USDD’s continued expansion in its partnerships and integrations with other key players in the crypto industry. From major chains and protocols to wallets and external service providers, USDD has successfully extended its reach and functionality. Partnerships include Venus, BSC’s leading borrow-and-lend protocol, and Huobi. JPMorgan Acknowledges TRON's Performance in Difficult DeFi Conditions A recent article on The Block reflects on JPMorgan's comments concerning the resilience of certain segments in the DeFi ecosystem following the Curve Finance attack. The analysts highlighted the positive performance of the TRON ecosystem. Despite the broader market turbulence, TRON has seen their total value locked (TVL) increase over the recent months. "The rise in their TVL could be attributed to them offering faster and cheaper transactions to users, who otherwise were facing network congestion and higher transaction costs in Ethereum," the analysts said. This statement further underscores the insights from the Messari and Reflexivity reports, reinforcing TRON's performance amidst challenging market conditions. About TRON DAO TRON DAO is a community-governed DAO dedicated to accelerating the decentralization of the internet via blockchain technology and dApps. Founded in September 2017 by H.E. Justin Sun, the TRON network has continued to deliver impressive achievements since MainNet launch in May 2018. July 2018 also marked the ecosystem integration of BitTorrent, a pioneer in decentralized Web3 services boasting over 100 million monthly active users. The TRON network has gained incredible traction in recent years. As of August 2023, it has over 177.44 million total user accounts on the blockchain, more than 6.22 billion total transactions, and over $13.27 billion in total value locked (TVL), as reported on TRONSCAN. In addition, TRON hosts the largest circulating supply of USD Tether (USDT) stablecoin across the globe, overtaking USDT on Ethereum since April 2021. The TRON network completed full decentralization in December 2021 and is now a community-governed DAO. Most recently in October 2022, TRON was designated as the national blockchain for the Commonwealth of Dominica, which marks the first time a major public blockchain partnered with a sovereign nation to develop its national blockchain infrastructure. On top of the government’s endorsement to issue Dominica Coin (“DMC”), a blockchain-based fan token to help promote Dominica’s global fanfare, seven existing TRON-based tokens - TRX, BTT, NFT, JST, USDD, USDT, TUSD, have been granted statutory status as authorized digital currency and medium of exchange in the country. TRONNetwork | TRONDAO | Twitter | YouTube | Telegram | Discord | Reddit | GitHub | Medium | Forum About USDD USDD is an over-collateralized decentralized stablecoin launched collaboratively by the TRON DAO Reserve and top-tier mainstream blockchain institutions. The USDD protocol runs on the TRON network, is connected to Ethereum and BNB Chain through the BTTC cross-chain protocol, and will be accessible across more blockchains in the future. USDD is pegged to the US Dollar through TRX under a Linked Exchange Rate System (LERS) and maintains its price stability under the guidance of the TRON DAO Reserve. It enables access to a stable and decentralized digital dollar system that in turn assures financial liberty for everyone. With the designation of TRON as the national blockchain for the Commonwealth of Dominica, USDD has been granted statutory status as authorized digital currency and medium of exchange in the country effective on October 7th 2022. Website | Twitter | Telegram | Discord | Medium Contact Details Hayward Wong press@tron.network

August 10, 2023 07:16 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Premium Amanita Muscaria Mushroom Gummies Launched by Exhale Wellness

Blue Ribbon Media

Exhale Wellness, a premiere-rated, all-natural hemp brand, becomes the newest addition to the thriving US psychedelics market with its proud range of mystical mushroom gummies. These spellbinding Amanita Muscaria Mushroom Gummies redefine the landscape for psychoactive gummies with 500mg of pure potency, creating a new benchmark for individuals seeking an escape to their happy place. Crafted using pure Amanita mushrooms without any additives or artificial flavoring, these gummies embody a potent, mystical experience with cruelty-free lab certification testifying to its safety. If you're a gummy connoisseur looking to try trend-breaking new launches, this is your sign to get to know Amanita Muscaria Mushroom gummies well. Understanding The Mystical Amanita Gummies & Its Effects Amanita Muscaria Mushrooms are the easiest to recognize. If you've ever encountered soft, white mushrooms with red polka-dotted tops, know these mushrooms can take you on a mind-expanding, marvelous journey. This mushroom's blend of psychoactive alkaloids is particularly responsible for the mystical experience. Among these, the two alkaloid blends that stand out for their prominent psychoactive personalities are muscarine & ibotenic acid. What makes these psychoactive mushrooms different than other psychedelics is their interaction with various receptors, encouraging mild hallucinogenic properties when taken in a high quantity. Unlocking the wonders with Exhale Wellness Amanita Mushroom Gummies If you're looking for a calming, elevating escape in the form of a wholesome treat, the Amanita mushroom gummies could be your go-to munchie destination. These gummies are crafted using all-natural ingredients along with 5mg of Muscimol and 500mg of Amanita muscaria mushroom fruiting body extract. Amanita mushrooms are less powerful than psilocybin, better known as 'magic' mushrooms, and won't cause a steep feeling of intoxication if used responsibly. However, the effects majorly depend on the quantity and compatibility of the user. For new users, 1/2 a gummy would be the best way to start their mushroom gummy journey. If the craving for a better, more elevated experience persists, users can use the other half of the gummy after 2-3 hours to continue their mystical adventure. Where Do Amanita Mushroom Gummies Stand Legally? Amanita Muscaria Mushroom gummies lack the crude potency 'magic' mushrooms or psilocybin contains, and hence, do not fall under the Controlled Substances list. In the US, Louisiana is currently the only state that has imposed limitations on the distribution and sales of Amanita extract and related products. Safety and Thrills Rolled Into One With Exhale Wellness Amanita Mushroom Gummies The market for psychoactive on-the-go treats is ballooning with each passing day, and mushroom gummies are at the top of the trend list, which means newer variations and more refined experiences are on the horizon. New launches like Exhale Wellness' Amanita Muscaria Mushroom gummies are further propelling the expansion and popularity of these fun-sized treats. However, stringent protocols for quality and safety testing are one of the driving factors that distinguish prominent brands like these from others. About Exhale Wellness Exhale Wellness is an all-natural hemp brand highly regarded for its premium-quality hemp. Sustainably sourced from the finest farms in Colorado, Exhale Wellness is known for its extensive line of Delta-8, Delta-9, Delta-10, THC, HHC, and CBD products, with their newest introduction being Amanita Muscaria Mushroom gummies. All products sourced, manufactured, and advertised are USA-made and safety certified through stringent third-party lab tests to ensure the purity and potency of all products. Contact Details Exhale Wellness Support at Exhale Wellness +1 323-448-3810 support@exhalewell.com Company Website https://www.exhalewell.com/

August 10, 2023 07:14 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Building blocks: SAEKI emerges from stealth with $2.3M funding round for its Robots-as-a-service for manufacturing industry

SAEKI

The architecture, engineering and construction industry has undergone significant changes in recent years yet one major challenge they face is the slow and costly manufacture of large components as part of their installations. Enabling the industry to move faster and efficiently, SAEKI has today launched from stealth with a $2.3M seed funding round to create fully automated plants with industrial robots using 3D technology to create anything from wings for aircraft to construction site installations. The funding round was led by Wingman Ventures including participation from Vento Ventures, Getty Capital and angel investors. Founded in 2021 by Andrea Perissinotto, Oliver Harley and Matthias Leschok, SAEKI works with the architectural design, engineering design and construction services industry to turn complex designs into reality, save concrete and CO2 having developed a new method to produce custom concrete formwork cost-effectively. They achieve this by combining 3D printing, milling, with large industrial robots that can print formwork up to many metres in length, very efficiently and when it comes to design complexity, the opportunity is unlimited. Currently, to develop a lightweight carbon fibre element, or to build a topologically optimised concrete floor slab, buyers would have to wait months and spend vast sums of money to receive a first sample and only then build a prototype, let alone consider reiterating for any flaws. With SAEKI this bottleneck is removed, enabling buyers to rapidly innovate, grow their services and offerings in ways they have not been able to before. Indeed, for large scale items, this has not been previously possible. Andrea Perissinotto, Co-Founder of SAEKI, commented: “From what we build underground, to what we build on earth, to what goes to space, from the construction to aerospace industries, there is a need for large, one-off (custom) components, that are mostly used once a couple of times at most, then scrapped. Manufacturing these parts, from the moulds to make concrete elements to the tooling required to build composite rockets, is labour intensive, has long lead times, and is very expensive. Moreover, these factors delay hardware iteration to get to the final product.” “For vast swathes of industry it’s not practical to own and manage robots that can create what you need quickly. We are at the forefront of addressing this and democratising access to the best tools and creating productive, sustainable and effective outcomes for industry. Long lead times for large components will be a thing of the past and we can provide faster and cost effective iterations. Our comprehensive approach sets us apart - it's not just about being faster or cheaper; it's about providing a complete solution that caters to the entire spectrum of challenges, which is resonating well with our customers.” SAEKI is focussed on building a partnership of trust, support, and mutual growth with its customers. The team currently works hand-in-hand with customers, understanding their unique challenges, and tailoring the microfactories to address their specific needs. This collaborative approach will help the business unleash its full potential. SAEKI is building its first production hub, which will be the blueprint for further expansion. In an industry bottlenecked by manual processes, the company takes on the difficult challenge of solving manufacturing problems, acting as a catalyst and enabler for radical growth and progress across industry. The production hub will offer industrial robots built by SAEKI. The robots will combine multiple digital manufacturing methods, from 3D printing, milling, inspection to creating an all in one low waste production process and recyclable materials. The robots will act as microfactories; self-contained units able to do all the manufacturing steps, easily deployable for localised manufacturing. Additionally, SAEKI will offer a quoting platform tailored to the customers' own business needs to remove the complex opaque approach currently in the market. Edouard Treccani, Principal at Wingman Ventures commented: “We're thrilled to join forces with SAEKI as lead investor of their pre-seed round. Their groundbreaking approach to distributed additive manufacturing has the power to revolutionize sectors from aerospace to construction through disruptive tech, local production and sustainable materials. We look forward to supporting them as they embark on their mission to create yet another deep-tech champion from Switzerland.” SAEKI is building a platform that will allow our customers to transcend the limits of traditional manufacturing, where size, complexity, and efficiency are no longer obstacles but catalysts for progress. In doing so, SAEKI envisions a network of decentralised, robot operated production hubs around the world. Matthias Leschok, Co-Founder at SAEKI added: “In 10 years from now SAEKI envisions lights-out factories filled with SAEKI microfactories autonomously producing complex, material and weight saving formwork for the construction industry, fixtures and tooling for super-sonic jets or composite moulds for the next generation formula one cars. SAEKI’s mission is to empower design freedom to be efficient and sustainable - irrespective of the final product.” About SAEKI SAEKI AG is developing and manufacturing “RDM” (Robotic Digital Manufacturing) microfactories (uFactories) for on-demand fabrication of large-scale components for the construction, automotive, aerospace, marine and energy industries. SAEKI aims to become the leading system/technology provider for large-scale (0.2 to 10+ metres) components that are fabricated using digital manufacturing technologies. SAEKI offers a flexible solution by combining large-scale 3D printing, milling, postprocessing and 3D scanning into one microfactory, operated by a robot. For more information please visit https://saeki.ch/ About Wingman Ventures Wingman Ventures is Switzerland’s leading pre-seed fund, backing founder teams building tech companies with the potential to become global market leaders. Wingman has a track record of supporting exceptional founders in creating breakthrough companies and has the passionate conviction that the Swiss startup ecosystem is just starting to write its best success stories. To learn more, please visit https://www.wingman.ch/ About Vento Ventures "Vento, the Italian chapter of Exor Ventures". Exor Ventures is the venture arm of Exor. Exor Ventures invests in startups from pre-seed to pre-IPO, focusing on discovering exceptional founders with the ambition to build great companies. About GETTY Founded to back era-defining engineering and applied math, GETTY leads, co-leads and collaborates — Seed+ to pre-IPO: https://gettycap.com Contact Details SAEKI AG Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://saeki.ch/

August 10, 2023 07:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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bet365 6 Scores Challenge: Play for a Share of One Million Pounds

Acroud Media

To celebrate the launch of the new Premier League season this weekend, bet365 is offering customers the chance to take part in an exciting, free-to-play contest. With the bet365 6 Scores Challenge, players can compete for a huge prize fund if they are able to predict the correct score of six selected Premier League matches. Any player who is able to correctly predict six correct scores will win a share of one million pounds! Read on to learn more about the 6 Scores Challenge, how to play and how to sign up today. bet365 is featured on the list of the best betting sites at newsdirect.com. ENTER THE BET365 6 SCORES CHALLENGE HERE How To Play The 6 Scores Challenge The 6 Scores Challenge is a new and exciting promotion available to all football betting fans across the UK. bet365 challenges customers to guess the correct full-time scores of six football matches in the Premier League. Customers who get three correct scores or more will win a share of some fantastic prizes! To play, simply head to the 6 Scores challenge page on the bet365 app or website and enter your predicted scores. For the opening weekend of the Premier League season, players will be required to predict the scores from the following fixtures: Bournemouth vs West Ham United Brighton vs Luton Town Everton vs Fulham Newcastle United vs Aston Villa Brentford vs Tottenham Hotspur Chelsea vs Liverpool What Prizes Are Available? As part of the 6 Scores Challenge, bet365 offers customers the chance to win a share of amazing cash prizes if they guess three or more scores correctly. Even if players do not get all six scores correct, this is not game over. bet365 will reward players who guess three or more scores correctly, so even if you get three scores incorrect, you could still be in with a chance of winning! The share of prize pots are featured as follows: Players who guess three correct scores will win a share of 5,000 Players who guess four correct scores will win a share of 10,000 Players who guess five correct scores will win a share of 20,000 Players who guess six correct scores will win a share of 1,000,000 How To Join bet365 To sign up for the bet365 site, follow these simple steps: Click the link above to be taken to the bet365 6 Scores Challenge sign-up page. Enter your personal details, such as your name, date of birth and address at the sign-up page. Create a unique username and password combination. Verify your details and log in. Enter your predictions to take part in the bet365 6 Scores Challenge! bet365 6 Scores Challenge Terms And Conditions For full details on gameplay, please refer to our 6 Scores Challenge rules. You are responsible for any tax obligations (reporting and/or tax settlement) that are applicable in your jurisdiction in relation to any deposits, stakes or entry fees, or any winnings/prizes or losses as the case may be. Prize values displayed are exclusive of any tax deductions (where applicable). The 6 Scores Challenge feature is available at the discretion of bet365 and bet365 makes no guarantees regarding its availability. bet365 will not be responsible if the 6 Scores Challenge feature is not available for technical reasons. bet365 reserves the right to reclaim any prize-money awarded for a 6 Scores Challenge entry if the outcome of a fixture within the relevant game was determined in error. bet365 reserves the right to accept or decline any 6 Scores Challenge entry. bet365 reserves the right to amend, suspend or remove the 6 Scores Challenge feature (or any part of it) for any event, fixture or customer. bet365 reserves the right to remove the 6 Scores Challenge feature for any customer or group of customers where it has reasonable grounds to believe that the customer or groups of customers is misusing the feature. Advertising feature from bet365 #Ad. Contact Details Acroud Media info-media@acroudmedia.com

August 10, 2023 04:47 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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