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STO Market Valuation in Korea Expected to Reach 287 Billion By 2030

HTX

On November 10th, Edward Chen, Managing Partner of HTX Ventures, attended the 2023 STO Summit in South Korea and presented a speech on STO Insights and its Potential. The speech delved into the progression of Security Token Offerings (STOs) in Asia, addressing topics such as securities-related transaction regulations, future potential and challenges, key growth areas, and potential investment opportunities in 2024. As the STO and RWA sectors continue to gain momentum, HTX Ventures has invested considerable resources to explore this domain through research. STO Market: Boasting Huge Potential and Growing Rapidly Based on data from the STO market, the STO market cap has experienced tremendous growth, surging from 374 million to approximately 1 billion from December 2020 to September 2021, representing an extraordinary growth rate of 2670%. This momentum has persisted into 2022. From April 2021 to April 2022, STO trading volumes witnessed a remarkable increase of 386%, accompanied by a 2650% growth in the market cap. In May 2022, the total market cap of traded security tokens grew twentyfold in a year to surpass $19 billion. Looking ahead, it is anticipated that by 2030, the STO market in Korea will reach an impressive 367 trillion Won ($287 billion). During his speech, Edward delved into the advantages and limitations of STO. When discussing the positive features of STO, he underscored its flexibility, technological advancement, positive token economy, complete operation under regulation, and high composability. ● Flexibility: Multiple issuers or individuals can achieve asset refinancing goals more flexibly. Issuers can diversify their financing channels, reaching a broader spectrum of investors. ● Technological Advancement: Using blockchain for enhanced liquidity across regions and exchanges. Smart contracts can be used to conduct automated transactions, and even facilitate enterprises to complete cross-border settlement and payment scenarios. ● Positive Token Economy: Tokens have an economic incentive mechanism and functional role, which can redefine property rights and production relations. ● Complete Operation Under Regulation: Effectively preventing fraud and market manipulation, while fundamentally ensuring the interests of investors and fair trading. ● High Composability: STO and DeFi, STO and NFT, etc. Limitations of STO: ● Security tokens are subject to heightened regulation, leading to increased complexity in administrative processes. ● STO platforms must consistently adapt to ever-evolving regulations. ● Regulations in certain areas may impose limits on who can invest in STOs, thereby reducing the available pool of investors. In the Asia-Pacific region, the STO ecosystem is still in its early stages of development. From a technological standpoint, North America maintains its dominance in this domain, producing a diverse range of exceptional products and cutting-edge technologies. However, the potential of the South Korean market should not be underestimated, especially with its unique culture and the gradual relaxation of regulations. Japan's STO market stands out as the most vibrant in Asia. From 2019 to 2022, many traditional financial companies, including large securities firms and banks, have entered the STO sector. The types of Japanese STOs include corporate bonds, credit card bonds, real estate, carbon emissions, etc. In line with this, the Japan Exchange Group (JPX) is set to launch the STO market in 2025. STO vs. RWA: Analyzing Differences and Exploring Future Trends In his speech, Edward pointed out that the main differences between STO and RWA lie in their focus and scope. To summarize, their distinctions are as follows: 1. STO focuses on the securities sector, emphasizing the issuance and trading of tokenized securities through blockchain technology. In contrast, RWA has a broader scope, tokenizing various real-world assets, encompassing both those with monetary value and non-monetary value. 2. STO emphasizes compliance in the securities sector and investor protection. In contrast, RWA focuses on introducing a variety of real-world assets into the blockchain, offering increased liquidity and avenues for value exchange. 3. In the earlier cycle, roughly around 2017-2018, before the prominence of the DeFi concept, STO narratives primarily revolved around equity issuance, such as issuing company stocks or equity-like assets, without delving much into bonds. Conversely, RWA discussions often centered around assets like U.S. Treasury bonds or fixed-income assets. As a result, these two concepts belong to different eras and cycles, giving rise to notable divergences in narratives and contexts. In summary, STO can be considered a constrained implementation of RWA. 1. From April 2021 to April 2022, STO trading volumes witnessed a remarkable increase of 386%, accompanied by a 2650% growth in the market cap. In May 2022, the total market cap of traded security tokens grew twentyfold in a year to surpass $19 billion. 2. Tokenized assets are anticipated to witness increased adoption across a spectrum of sectors, including real estate, investment funds, bonds, and equities. Moreover, their application is predicted to broaden to encompass more unconventional assets, such as patents. 3. A remarkable fiftyfold increase in tokenized assets is projected from 2022 to 2030, with their value surging from $310 billion to $16.1 trillion. 4. By 2030, the value of tokenized assets may account for approximately 10% of the global GDP. 5. STOs have garnered increased popularity compared to ICOs, attributed to their enhanced security and compliance features. The number of companies specializing in tokenization rises annually, and an escalating number of STO projects have successfully secured multimillion-dollar funding. 6. Europe is expected to see an STO boom in the next five years. The researchers estimate the market size for digital assets in Europe at more than a billion euros by 2026. Moreover, STOs have garnered significant popularity across diverse industries due to their provision of a secure and transparent avenue for investment and fundraising. Sectors embracing this trend include real estate, precious stones and metals, natural resources, and private equity. Taking real estate as an example, STO solutions provide a unique opportunity to tokenize real estate assets, streamlining the process of acquiring shares in a property. They create opportunities for fractional ownership, making it more accessible for smaller investors to participate. For businesses, STOs represent an effective means of raising funds, attracting global investors, and offering enhanced liquidity and transparency. This is a win-win solution. It is estimated that 89% of all traded security tokens are allocated to real estate. The global real estate market is projected to reach $5,388.87 billion by 2026, exhibiting a CAGR of 9.6%. Edward outlined several potential opportunities for RWA in his predictions for the future of RWA: · Within the realm of RWA, decentralized stablecoins and fixed-income assets remain the predominant categories, still with larger room development in the future. · Government bond RWAs will remain mainstream, with increased attention on equity RWAs. U.S. Treasury bonds have gained recognition in the crypto community. · The tokenization of assets like real estate and carbon credits is in demand, but compliance hurdles remain a significant challenge. · Token standards will diversify, and ERC-20 may not be the future mainstream, with significant potential for NFTs in bills, RETIs, collectibles, and other areas. · More projects will offer opportunities for infrastructure and RWA services. · Hong Kong and Singapore may contribute to the prosperity of the RWA due to their regulatory measures. Regarding RWA, it's noteworthy to highlight the Bitcoin ETF as a pivotal milestone in its development. Since 2023, eight major financial institutions have submitted applications to the U.S. SEC for a Spot Bitcoin ETF. The approval of such an ETF seems inevitable. Once approved, it will signify a pivotal moment in RWA's development. The expected influx of trillions of dollars into the RWA market is likely to drive the acceptance and investment in Bitcoin by traditional financial institutions, family offices, and funds, ultimately boosting the mainstream credibility and acceptance of Bitcoin investments. One highlight in the RWA sector is the tokenization of U.S. government bonds. The tokenization volume of U.S. government bonds is valued at $697 million with an approximate annual yield of 5.25%. Decentralized stablecoins and fixed-income assets remain the predominant categories. For instance, MakerDAO currently stands as the undisputed leader in the RWA sector, boasting a total business scale of $32.8 billion. Moreover, over 65% of the revenue in the MakerDAO protocol is derived from RWA. In his concluding remarks, Edward analyzed the factors that may contribute to the future success of STO. Even though STO provides significant business opportunities and financial innovation to financial markets, investors, and issuers, its structure remains in the early stages. Looking ahead, several factors may contribute to the ultimate success of STO in the future. These factors include the STO ecosystem and stakeholders, legal and regulatory frameworks, the credibility of trading platforms, and investor education. About HTX Ventures HTX Ventures, the global investment arm of HTX, leverages an integrated approach that combines investment, incubation, and research to identify the most exceptional and promising teams around the world. As a pioneer with a decade of experience in the blockchain industry, HTX Ventures is committed to exploring, uncovering, and driving the development of cutting-edge technology and emerging business models within the industry. It offers comprehensive support to collaborative projects, including financing, resources, and strategic consulting, to foster the growth of the blockchain ecosystem. To date, HTX Ventures has achieved a 60-fold return on investment, with investments spanning over 20 countries and regions. It has collaborated with more than 120 fund partners and has supported over 200 projects across various disciplines, with 60% of these projects eventually being listed on HTX. Collaborating with its investment department, HTX is dedicated to actively monitoring and supporting the development of the RWA sector. It will provide professional guidance, consulting services, an extensive resource network, liquidity pools, and a user base for portfolio projects. Contact Details Michael Wang glo-media@htx-inc.com Company Website https://www.htx.com/ Contact Details Michael Wang glo-media@htx-inc.com Company Website https://www.htx.com/

November 15, 2023 12:41 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Decoding Pre-IPO Funding: Key Points and Considerations

Benzinga

Pre-IPO Funding is a form of lending that provides individuals and companies with the opportunity to access capital using their equity holdings in private companies before those companies go public through an Initial Public Offering (IPO). Through pre-IPO Loans, individual investors and companies can unlock the value of their shares in private companies without having to sell them. This type of financing allows stakeholders to preserve ownership and participate in potential future gains after the company goes public. By leveraging the collateral of privately held shares, pre-IPO funding offers a flexible financing option for those seeking to capitalize on their investments before the IPO. This type of funding is particularly attractive for investors and early-stage companies looking to access liquidity and diversify their investment portfolios. “The pre-IPO loan is important to a business because it sets them up for success,” said Liquidty Group managing director Yaron Primovich. Pre-IPO Funding provides various benefits, including the ability to access capital quickly, flexibility in loan terms, and the opportunity to make informed investment decisions. It allows individuals and companies to secure financing against the anticipated value of their shares, based on the growth potential and market interest in the private company. Overall, pre-IPO Funding is an innovative financial solution that harnesses the potential value of equity holdings in private companies, allowing individuals and businesses to unlock capital while maintaining ownership and participation in the future success of these companies. Understanding pre-IPO Funding's Unique Value Proposition Essentially, pre-IPO Financing provides a conduit for individuals and firms to tap into capital based on their equity in private enterprises before the transformational event of an Initial Public Offering. Notably, it empowers stakeholders to: Unlock value from their privately-held equity without parting with it. Enjoy the privilege of gaining potential rewards after a public listing. Obtain swift capital access with tailored loan specifications. Leverage anticipated equity value, informed by the enterprise's growth trajectory and market appetite. This means that pre-IPO “primes the pump” for IPO success, something that most companies definitely would welcome in nearly any context. Why Opt for pre-IPO Financing? The consideration of a pre-IPO loan is a multifaceted strategy, essential for companies navigating the intricate transition from private to public status. One critical aspect is operational and growth finance. Prior to a public debut, organizations frequently require an infusion of capital to drive expansion, refine product or service offerings, recruit top-tier talent, or bolster their brand visibility. Securing this interim funding can serve as a strategic lever, ensuring they are ideally positioned for an impactful market entry. Furthermore, addressing the inevitable expenses associated with an IPO process is paramount. The journey from being a private company to a public entity is laden with significant expenditures, including costs related to regulatory compliance, underwriting fees, and extensive marketing campaigns. Pre-IPO loans offer a timely solution, conveniently supporting these financial demands without disrupting operational cash flow. Additionally, such financing allows companies to streamline their financial structures. This could involve settling outstanding liabilities or renegotiating terms on existing, high-cost debt. By optimizing their financial statements, companies can present a more attractive and secure profile, ultimately appealing to a broader spectrum of prospective investors. Not to be overlooked is the powerful signaling effect of securing pre-IPO financing. It's a strategic move that communicates an organization's confidence and belief in its growth story and future prospects. This, in turn, enhances the company's credibility and appeal, particularly in the eyes of savvy institutional investors who can discern such subtle yet confident market signals. Lastly, a vital tactical advantage of pre-IPO loans is the avoidance of equity dilution. By choosing debt financing over issuing new equity, existing shareholders can keep their current ownership percentages. This approach ensures that their interests remain tightly aligned with the company's future success, fostering an environment of trust and shared objectives as the enterprise embarks on its new journey as a publicly-traded entity. How do you apply for a pre-IPO loan? To apply for pre-IPO funding, companies need to go through a comprehensive application process. This process typically involves several steps and requirements. First, the company needs to contact a lender or financial institution that specializes in pre-IPO financing. The lender will usually ask for a business plan and financial statements, including balance sheets and income statements. These documents provide an overview of the company's financial health and growth potential. Additionally, the company needs to provide a valuation of its shares. This valuation is crucial as it determines the loan amount and the lender's assessment of risk. Lenders consider various factors when assessing the risk level, including the company's growth prospects, market competitiveness, management team, and the industry in which it operates. Once the initial evaluation is complete, the lender may ask for further due diligence. This can involve a more in-depth analysis of the company's financials, market positioning, and competitive landscape. The lender may also ask for meetings or interviews with management to gain a better understanding of the company's operations and plans. After the lender is satisfied with the due diligence process, loan terms and conditions will be negotiated. If both parties agree, the loan agreement will be finalized, and the funds will be disbursed to the company. A pre-IPO loan can benefit various individuals and entities. Companies can use the funds to cover IPO-related expenses, optimize their financial structure, and demonstrate confidence to potential investors. Institutional investors, private equity firms, and other early-stage investors can also benefit by providing capital to companies in exchange for future gains. Additionally, lenders themselves can benefit from pre-IPO loans by earning interest on the loan amount and potential future returns as the company goes public. How does a pre-IPO Loan work? A pre-IPO Loan is a financing option available to private companies in the pre-IPO stage. This type of loan allows companies to obtain capital before going public by using equity as collateral. Here is how it works: 1. Equity Collateral: In a pre-IPO Loan, the company offers its shares as collateral to the lender. The lender's valuation of the shares typically determines the value of the loan. This allows the company to access the capital it needs without giving up ownership or control. 2. Lender's Valuation: The lender evaluates the company's financials, growth potential, and market conditions to determine the value of the shares. This valuation helps determine loan amount and interest rates. Companies with a strong business model, promising growth prospects, and a solid management team are more likely to secure favorable loan terms. 3. Expected Growth of Equity: The pre-IPO Loan is structured in a way that aligns the repayment with the company's expected growth post-IPO. As the company goes public and its share prices increase, the value of the collateral (equity) also grows. This provides the lender with assurance that their investment will generate enough returns. 4. Importance of Future Business Plans: Lenders closely analyze the company's future business plans to assess its potential for success and growth. These plans demonstrate the company's strategy for using the loan proceeds and achieving milestones that will ultimately lead to a successful IPO. A well-defined and compelling business plan increases the company's chances of obtaining a pre-IPO Loan. In conclusion, a pre-IPO Loan allows private companies to access funding by using their equity as collateral. The loan amount is based on the lender's valuation of the shares, and repayment is aligned with the expected growth of equity post-IPO. Future business plans are crucial in attracting lenders and securing favorable loan terms, as they demonstrate the company's potential for success and growth. Other considerations for pre-IPO lending Other considerations for pre-IPO lending include factors such as share transfer restrictions, margin calls, and default scenarios. These factors add complexity to pre-IPO loans and underscore the importance of carefully assessing the borrower's financial situation and mitigating potential risks. Share transfer restrictions play a crucial role in pre-IPO lending. These restrictions prevent the borrower from freely transferring or selling their shares until the company goes public. Lenders need to carefully evaluate these restrictions to understand the limited liquidity options for collateral. This evaluation helps lenders gauge the potential difficulties in recovering their investments in case of default or other adverse scenarios. Margin calls are another crucial factor in pre-IPO lending. Lenders may require the borrower to maintain a certain loan-to-value ratio, and if the value of the collateral falls below this threshold, a margin call is triggered. This means that the borrower must repay a part of the loan or provide additional collateral to restore the required ratio. Margin calls can significantly impact the borrower's liquidity and ability to repay the loan. Default scenarios also need to be considered. In case of a default, lenders may have limited legal recourse due to the share transfer restrictions and the borrower's potential lack of assets other than the pre-IPO shares. Therefore, a thorough evaluation of the borrower's financial situation, creditworthiness, and risk management practices is essential to minimize the risk of default. In the end, the pre-IPO loan is a great vehicle to carry a company towards real success and growth, something even the most battle-hardened CEO can get behind. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

November 15, 2023 09:25 AM Eastern Standard Time

BENZINGA VIRTUAL EVENTS PRESENTS: METALS AND MINING MARKET OUTLOOK WEBINAR

Benzinga

Benzinga, a leading financial media and events company, is excited to announce its upcoming virtual event, the "Metals and Mining Market Outlook" webinar. This free webinar will delve into critical topics shaping the future of the metals and mining industry, featuring expert insights and discussions on the latest market trends and opportunities. The webinar will explore the following topics and more: Will this Bullish Trend in the Precious Metals Market Persist? Industry experts will analyze the factors contributing to the current bullish trend in the precious metals market and discuss whether this momentum is expected to continue. How Much Potential Value Still Remains for North American Gold Mining Companies Today? The webinar will explore the opportunities and challenges facing North American gold mining companies and assess the potential value that still exists in the market. Is the Lithium Market Outlook Positive? Attendees will gain valuable insights into the lithium market, exploring its current outlook and potential for growth. Experts will discuss key drivers and challenges within the lithium sector. And Much, Much More! The webinar will cover a broad range of topics, providing attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the current dynamics in the metals and mining industry. Event Details: Date: November 16, 2023 Time: 11:00 AM - 12:15pm, EST Location: Virtual Registration Information: To secure your spot at this informative event, register for free at https://www.benzinga.com/events/metals-mining-nov-16/ During the webinar, attendees will have the chance to learn from: Imaru Casanova, Portfolio Manager, Gold and Precious Metals, VanEck Jason Barnard, CEO and President, Foremost Lithium Miles Rideout, Vice President Exploration, Argentina Lithium Dennis Higgs, President & Director, Austin Gold Christopher Gerteisen, CEO & Director, Nova MInerals Limited Benzinga's commitment to providing high-quality financial information and fostering industry dialogue makes this webinar a must-attend for investors, industry professionals, and anyone seeking valuable insights into the metals and mining market. For media inquiries, please contact Matt Steinmetz, Vice President of Virtual Events at Benzinga. About Benzinga Benzinga is a dynamic and innovative financial media and events company that empowers investors with high-quality, unique content. With a focus on breaking news and expert insights, Benzinga strives to educate, inform, and inspire. Learn more at www.benzinga.com. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

November 15, 2023 09:25 AM Eastern Standard Time

OVER 90% OF US PUBLISHERS FOUND TO BE SHARING CONSUMER DATA WITH THIRD PARTIES BEFORE CONSENT

Compliant

Data compliance technology company, Compliant ™, today launched its publisher platform to help digital publishers identify and stop illegal data sharing on their websites. Compliant Audit Technology uses AI to identify compliance risks and vulnerabilities within a publisher’s site, and verify the correct operation of adtech and martech solutions. Based on extensive testing and benchmarking, Compliant has uncovered that almost all U.S. publishers are currently passing consumer data to third parties before a consumer is given the choice to share data, making consent mechanisms meaningless. This data sharing increases data compliance risk for publishers, making them susceptible to punitive regulatory action and class action lawsuits, jeopardizing the data compliance of advertisers programmatically buying their inventory and violating consumer trust. Data compliance is quickly becoming the next brand integrity standard. According to the WFA, nine out of ten global CMOs agree that data ethics is a top priority for their organizations. Recent studies by Compliant, looked at over one billion impressions measured across more than 1,000 programmatic media campaigns and found: Nearly all (91 percent) of U.S. publishers with a Consent Management Platform are currently passing consumer data to third parties before consent; 82 percent of U.S. publishers have elevated data leakage risk through excessive vendors and unauthorized ‘piggybacked’ tags; On average, U.S. publishers have five data brokers acquiring consumer data from their websites. “The ad-funded internet was not designed with privacy in mind. It was designed to solve identity, addressability, conversion and so on. Consequently, there's an alarming gap between what the consumer expects, what the law requires and what is happening in practice. Advertiser demand for safer media is motivating publishers to close that gap and we're determined to help them,” said Jamie Barnard, CEO, Compliant. “We are offering publishers the tools to adapt and improve. Compliance is becoming the hallmark for premium inventory and media investment will flow to those who take control of unintended sharing.” The Compliant platform provides publishers with an essential, in-depth analysis of more than 30 factors across 6 primary areas of data compliance risk. This level of transparency enables publishers to demonstrate compliance and monetize compliant inventory as media spend moves away from lower-quality, higher-risk inventory. Global news platform, Newsbreak, addresses the industry-wide problem: “As the country’s foremost local news platform, building trust is at the heart of everything we do—from the information we publish to the way we manage customer data and privacy. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case across the industry, with many publishers, both inadvertently and sometimes intentionally, not prioritizing data management and compliance,” said Scott Kelliher, Chief Revenue Officer, NewsBreak. “But Compliant is working to create a healthy and viable media ecosystem by helping publishers identify and address data sharing and leakage to meet customer privacy expectations and make inventory more valuable to advertisers and agencies.” The Compliant platform helps publishers: Identify their data compliance risks to help gain control of data flows across their ecosystem; Benchmark their compliance with other publishers in their category or region; Use the information to improve the quality of their impressions; Sell their inventory at an incremental “compliant” premium; and Attract advertisers and agencies committed to a responsible media framework. Advertisers use the Compliant platform to: Reduce regulatory, financial and reputational risk; Improve transparency and accountability; Work with agency partners to increase the impact and effectiveness of media investment decisions; and Reinforce their responsible media frameworks and their commitment to privacy and data ethics. The launch of the publisher solution expands on the company’s suite of products supporting all parts of the digital marketing and media business and comes on the heels of Compliant’s partnership with Peer39, the leading global provider of pre-bid contextual suitability and quality solutions for modern marketers. The partnership enables Peer39’s customers – advertisers, agencies and publishers – for the first time to be able to measure data compliance for their programmatic media campaigns. For more information, and for publishers to gauge their compliant score, visit www.compliant.global. About Compliant Compliant is pioneering a new standard for data compliance in the digital marketing industry. The compliance technology company offers risk management solutions to brands, agencies and publishers. Amidst ever-evolving privacy regulations and consumer expectations, Compliant provides the digital ad industry the tools it needs to be compliant. The company’s suite of data compliance solutions measure systematic privacy and compliance risks across owned-and-operated media and paid media, allowing companies to benchmark risk by market, category and brand. This industry-leading scoring system has been used in thousands of compliance audits across the world's leading advertiser and publisher sites. Compliant boasts a strong senior leadership team with unmatched expertise across privacy, digital governance and compliance technology, including Elliot Bell (former Facebook), Magid Souhami (former P&G), and Jamie Barnard (former Unilever). For more information and to view Compliant’s Annual Publisher Audits, visit www.compliant.global. Contact Details Kite Hill PR for Compliant +1 724-787-1565 compliant@kitehillpr.com

November 15, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Lucid, a Cint Group company, earns Verified Partner status with Amazon Ads

Cint

Research technology leader Cint, which acquired US-based Lucid in 2021, today announced Lucid's verified partner status with Amazon Ads. As a verified partner on the Amazon Ads Partner Network, Lucid Impact Measurement is dedicated to streamlining measurement of brand advertising campaigns. For global clients of Amazon Ads, a fully automated brand lift measurement solution is available within the Amazon DSP and Twitch Ad Server, powered by Lucid Impact Measurement. Brand lift studies are supported in North America, South America, APAC and EMEA. A brand lift study powered by Lucid Impact Measurement uses a depth of insights for advertisers across brand key performance indicators including awareness, ad recall, consideration, purchase intent, and favorability. Advertisers can leverage millions of consumer responses using Lucid Impact Measurement’s direct connection to its owned research system. This scale enables advertisers to confidently understand the impact of their ads across Amazon Ads services on desktop, mobile web and app and cross-screen packages. Properties include but are not limited to Amazon DSP, Twitch, FireTV and Amazon Freevee with regional availability. This comprehensive view of an advertiser's Amazon Ads campaign can result in statistically significant insights at scale. Insights are available by demographics, including age, gender, frequency, and media facets like site, placement, device, and creative. Study results are available within a week of launch giving advertisers the proof points to make meaningful optimizations on Amazon properties in near real-time. “When shopping behaviors and external factors are changing rapidly, each day matters,” said Laura Manning, SVP Measurement at Cint. “Today’s world demands that we be more agile in our campaign strategies. Marketers need to have access to readily available insights that they can act on quickly. Our collaboration with Amazon Ads is designed to help advertisers globally get statistically significant results and greater depth of insights more often. Across all digital properties, we want to demonstrate the true impact of their brand campaigns and show real business results. Together with Amazon Ads, users can leverage our Lucid Impact Measurement to pioneer the next wave of intelligent brand measurement, in real time.” About Cint Lucid was acquired by Cint in December 2021. Cint is a pioneer in research technology. Our customers use Cint to post questions and get answers from real people. They use these answers to build business strategies, confidently publish research, accurately measure the impact of digital advertising, and more. Our exchange is the world’s largest, with nearly 300 million respondents in over 150 countries who consent to sharing their opinions, motivations, and behaviors. We are feeding the world’s curiosity. Cint Group AB (publ), listed on Nasdaq Stockholm (STO: CINT), has a global workforce of over 1000. Cint has offices in Stockholm, London, New York, New Orleans, Singapore, Japan, Gurgaon, and Sydney, among others. Contact Details Kite Hill PR Mackenzie Sikora +1 631-739-5716 mackenzie@kitehillpr.com

November 15, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Cure Alzheimer’s Fund Launches WomenandAlzheimers.org

Alzheimer’s Disease Research Foundation

In honor of National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, Cure Alzheimer’s Fund announces the launch of WomenandAlzheimers.org, a website dedicated to bringing awareness to the impact of Alzheimer’s on women, providing information on research into understanding sex-based differences and recognizing many of the women who are working toward finding a cure. There are more than 6 million people in the United States—and 50 million people throughout the world—currently living with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, and experts estimate there may be as many as three times more people living with the disease who have not yet been diagnosed. Both men and women develop Alzheimer’s disease, but two-thirds of all patients are women, and women are frequently the primary caregivers for spouses, partners, parents and others with the disease. “For far too long, science has had a partial view into disease biology because only one sex was included in research studies,” said Meg Smith, CEO of Cure Alzheimer’s Fund. “Cure Alzheimer’s Fund has long required researchers to include consideration of potential sex differences in their projects. Understanding why and how Alzheimer’s develops differently in men and women, and the factors that increase resilience or risk, will lead to benefits for all Alzheimer’s patients.” WomenandAlzheimers.org is a resource to learn more about Alzheimer’s disease pathology, signs and symptoms, and the scientific discoveries that are advancing our understanding of the disease. Users can learn about ways to improve brain health, at any age, and read about the women who are working to find a cure, including researchers, Board members, staff members and advocates. About Cure Alzheimer’s FundCure Alzheimer’s Fund is a nonprofit dedicated to funding the most promising research to prevent, slow or reverse Alzheimer’s disease. Since its founding in 2004, Cure Alzheimer’s Fund has provided grants to the world’s leading researchers and contributed more than $180 million to research. Its funded initiatives have been responsible for many key breakthroughs in understanding the causes and pathology of Alzheimer’s disease. Cure Alzheimer’s Fund has received a 4-star rating for more than 12 consecutive years from Charity Navigator. With 100% of funds raised going to support research, Cure Alzheimer’s Fund has been able to provide grants to many of the best scientific minds in the field of Alzheimer’s research. For more information, visit https://WomenandAlzheimers.org and https://www.CureAlz.org/ Contact Details Barbara Chambers +1 978-417-9890 bchambers@curealz.org Company Website https://WomenandAlzheimers.org

November 15, 2023 05:46 AM Eastern Standard Time

Minuteman Press Franchise Owner Sherri Winslow Reflects on Over 20 Years in Palm Desert, CA and Joins President’s Club

Minuteman Press International Inc

Sherri Winslow is the owner of the Minuteman Press franchise in Palm Desert, CA since April of 2002. When her husband suddenly passed away in 2012, Sherri made the difficult decision to carry on as she took a more prominent role in the business as the sole owner and operator. Since then, Sherri has continued to build her business and in 2023 she was honored and acknowledged as one of the newest members of the Minuteman Press President’s Club. As she reflects on her accomplishments, Sherri shares her thoughts on 20-plus years and joining the President’s Club, keys to success and longevity, advice to others, and more. Celebrating 20 Years + Joining Minuteman Press President’s Club In 2022, Sherri celebrated 20 years of business ownership for Minuteman Press in Palm Desert. Today, in 2023, Sherri is now recognized as a member of the Minuteman Press International President’s Club for achieving yearly gross sales of over $1 million in 2022. Sherri shares, “Reflecting on our 20 years in business makes me realize that we were fortunate to partner with a good franchisor. Very few small businesses were able to make it through this period without a strong management and operational program to follow. That along with proper training and support from people that have been in the print business have made a huge impact. We will always be thankful for this.” She continues, “In 2023, I was proud to join the Minuteman Press International President’s Club. We have had fairly steady growth over the past 20 years. We started out making $19,000 in our first month after buying an existing business. In 2012, I lost my husband and I personally went from part-time to being the boss. My staff and Minuteman Press local support led by RVP Dan Byers helped me through one of the most difficult times in my life. It was a very foggy year but we made it. In the past few years, we were getting close to the $1 million milestone and we set that as our goal last year. My staff and I worked very hard to make sure we reached that goal. A lot of hard work and determination helped us get there.” When asked about her keys to success and growth, Sherri says, “Our longevity and success is primarily due to our staff and customer service. We have had many referrals through the years without asking. Now that we have been through the last training session, we plan to start asking for referrals through different channels. Other contributing factors to our success are related to our direct & internet marketing along with expanding our services & products over the years. We added wide format in the beginning, then signage, direct mail, and blueprints.” Sherri continues, “There are two other areas worth mentioning that I feel have been successful for us. The first has to do with Google Reviews, which has been a point of focus at regional meetings. At one meeting before the pandemic hit, there were around 50 people in attendance from many franchises in Southern California. We talked about how important Google Reviews are. We shared materials used to get reviews and it really blossomed here. I get a lot of new customers because they did a search and noticed how many good reviews we have.” She further shares, “Next is having good storefront and building signage. My shop is on the main highway that people travel from one end of the valley to the other. You can’t miss my shop because we went big and bold with the signage. I would do more, but the local laws don’t allow it. People always tell me they find me from our signage.” Printing Industry & Community/Franchise Support Sherri shares her insights on the printing industry today, saying, “Printing remains vital to businesses today because it provides a connection that stays with the consumer as opposed to the internet or email. Your printed materials end up in someone’s hand, which can make that lasting impression. How many people swipe left or delete emails without reading them? They will always take the time to look at a business card, postcard or holiday card that they receive.” In Palm Desert, Sherry says, “We are a small set of cities that hold large events and conventions. This brings an increase to our population that is about triple the amount during certain months of the year. Thanks to our community, our key growth areas have included signage, blueprints, convention printing and direct mail.” She adds, “We would not be where we are today without the local franchise support, training and the IT department that Minuteman Press International provides. We owe a lot of our success to this.” Rewards & Advice for Others As she looks back on over 20 years and reflects on the rewards of owning a business, Sherri says, “I would say my biggest personal reward is that I have been able to achieve everything that I have wanted to in my life. I can’t really ask for more personally except for time. My biggest professional reward has been reaching that $1 million goal and making the Minuteman Press President’s Club.” As for what advice she would give to others, Sherri shares, “Make sure you are active with the quote process and follow-up. Understand the difference between shoppers (who are getting 3 quotes from various vendors) and buyers. I recommend you give the customer a day to digest the quote they received, then follow up and make sure you answer their questions. Lastly, make sure you let them know you want to meet their price point or their budget constraints if you do… Again, the difference between a shopper and a buyer will make the difference on whether you will want to meet their budget constraints.” Minuteman Press in Palm Desert is located at 73-660 Highway 111, Palm Desert, CA 92260. For more information, visit their website: https://minuteman.com/us/locations/ca/palm-desert/ Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and read Minuteman Press franchise reviews at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

November 14, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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LevLane Advertising Announces Key Leadership Promotions

LevLane

LevLane Advertising, one of Philadelphia's oldest independent full-service advertising agencies, is pleased to announce the promotions of Kelly Sizemore to chief growth officer (CGO) and Dan Hall to chief data and insights officer (CDIO). "I am excited to announce these well-deserved leadership appointments,” said Bruce Lev, chief executive officer (CEO) of LevLane. “By doing so, we are reinforcing our commitment to driving client and agency growth. Kelly and Dan bring invaluable expertise to these roles, and each has a proven track record of achieving client success and satisfaction." In her new role, Sizemore, who previously served as senior vice president and director of strategy at LevLane, will spearhead the agency's initiative to identify and develop new growth pathways, ensuring long-term foundational success for both LevLane and its clients. Additionally, Sizemore's responsibilities will include developing strategies to strengthen client satisfaction and retention, including developing new products and services and optimizing the overall quality of the service delivery. "As chief growth officer, Kelly will lead various aspects of the agency, including sales, product development, and agency planning and operations," said Josh Lev, president of LevLane. "Kelly has played a major role in developing strategies for LevLane to stay competitive and adapt to changing market conditions, and we look forward to seeing the success she drives in this new role." As CDIO, Hall, who previously served as senior vice president and director of digital media and analytics, will oversee and manage data-related functions and analytics initiatives for LevLane and its clients. Hall’s role will include spearheading data management efforts, leading analytics and insights generation, and ensuring robust data governance in compliance with regulations. Additionally, he will be responsible for promoting a data-centric culture across the organization. "This new role reflects the increasing importance of data as a strategic asset," said Josh Lev. "Dan's strategic contributions have become increasingly important to the agency, and we recognize the value of data and analytics in helping us make informed business decisions and gaining a competitive edge. Dan gives us that edge." These new roles will ensure that LevLane remains at the forefront of the marketing and advertising industry evolution. About LevLane LevLane Advertising is a full-service independent advertising agency headquartered in Philadelphia and has been building brands people love for nearly 40 years. The award-winning agency integrates traditional creative expertise with cutting-edge digital capabilities in its menu of services, including search engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM), programmatic media, strategy, creative and branding, media and analytics, social media, content marketing, and public relations. For more information about LevLane and its capabilities, connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. Contact Details Lauren Stralo +1 484-747-0172 lstralo@levlane.com Company Website https://www.levlane.com

November 14, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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One Of The Hottest Wall Street Trends In 2023 Has Been AI – Trust Stamp Is Leveraging AI To Ensure Security In The New Reality

Benzinga

By Faith Ashmore, Benzinga Wall Street has become increasingly focused on the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and the role it can play in transforming business and the global economy. While some experts are concerned about the hype and fear that a bubble is forming around the technology, there is growing evidence that more and more companies are embracing AI to drive innovation and growth. Multiple research reports and studies have been released by investment research firms, highlighting the transformative potential of AI and its ability to boost worker productivity and contribute to GDP growth. Carlyle recently called the birth of generative AI a “watershed in human history,” and Wall Street seems quite bullish on the long-term prospects of AI. This is unsurprising considering that AI is becoming increasingly vital to businesses across a range of industries. Many firms are recognizing the need to incorporate AI into their operations and processes to remain competitive and meet the evolving demands of consumers. For example, companies are using AI to improve customer experience, enhance data analysis capabilities and streamline business operations. As AI technology continues to evolve, its role in driving innovation and growth in the business world is likely to become even more significant. Among companies leveraging AI, Trust Stamp (NASDAQ: IDAI) is one that stands out in its field – the company is looking to revolutionize digital security. Trust Stamp is a global provider of AI-powered, privacy-first trust and identity services used across multiple sectors – such as banking and finance, real estate, communications, regulatory compliance and government. Trust Stamp offers a range of innovative services. Their biometric capture and analysis technology enables secure and convenient identity verification, allowing businesses to streamline onboarding processes. By integrating advanced document verification, Trust Stamp helps verify the authenticity of important documents, reducing the risk of fraud. Trust Stamp has recently received a Notice of Allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office. This notice marks a significant milestone for Trust Stamp's AI-powered, tokenized identity products, which are leveraged in its global operations. It follows the announcement of three additional patent applications made by the company in April 2023. The new patent, titled “Systems and processes for lossy biometric representation," further bolsters the company's IP protection for its innovative biometric hashing technology, which is used for subject identity verification. The technology in the patent uses neural network processing and pseudorandom matrix multiplication to generate anonymized vector representations of biometrics that can be verified for identity authentication. The anonymized vector representations are "lossy," meaning that not all the information from the original biometric data is retained, thereby enhancing security when dealing with sensitive biometric data while still allowing for identity verification with a degree of certainty. Dr. Norman Poh, Trust Stamp’s Chief Science Officer, shared, “This latest Notice of Allowance marks an important win and significantly enhances the IP around our AI-based authentication technology. With over 30 patents now issued, allowed, or pending, over the last seven years our team has developed a highly defensible IP position that is now being productized across an ever-growing range of use cases. The IT² represents an evolution of biometric authentication that provides the subject with an exceptional level of security, while greatly enhancing the utility of the original biometric capture. These capabilities have clearly differentiated Trust Stamp in the market, and industry feedback has been extremely positive, resulting in a rapidly growing commercial sales pipeline.” Trust Stamp has integrated the innovative identity verification processes from this patent into its Irreversibly Transformed Identity Token (IT2) technology, a unique privacy-first solution. Using its AI-based IT2, Trust Stamp ensures the benefits of biometric-derived authentication while keeping control of and not sharing the original biometric data. The IT2 cannot be converted back to the original data, keeping the biometric templates secure and offering privacy-protecting methodology to enjoy biometric-based authentication advantages without the risk of storing biometric templates. This patent is a significant step forward for Trust Stamp in the AI-powered identity and trust services landscape. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, Trust Stamp's emphasis on privacy and data protection is aimed at ensuring that users’ personal information is safeguarded at all times. The ability to enhance security while maximizing the benefits of biometric data is a game-changer for financial institutions and companies dealing with sensitive data. Trust Stamp's products and services are set to play a significant role in shaping the future of finance and identity verification in the coming years. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

November 14, 2023 09:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

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One Of The Hottest Wall Street Trends In 2023 Has Been AI – Trust Stamp Is Leveraging AI To Ensure Security In The New Reality