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kURL Now a Certified Kubernetes Distribution

Replicated, Inc.

kURL, an open-source, custom Kubernetes distribution generator created by Replicated, achieved CNCF Kubernetes Distribution Certification. CNCF-certified Kubernetes products guarantee that the complete Kubernetes API functions as specified so that users can rely on a seamless, stable experience. Replicated uses kURL to power its embedded cluster installs. Now that kURL is CNCF-certified, embedded clusters, by extension, are now compatible with certification standards. Replicated customers and their enterprise end-customers can rest assured that embedded clusters installed through Replicated stand up to the standards outlined by the CNCF. “One of the most valuable characteristics of Kubernetes is the ecosystem’s commitment to standardization and compatibility. The certification process for Kubernetes distros serves to ensure that Kubernetes admins and end-users can expect a consistent set of manifests and tooling to work interoperably with various distros. By certifying this kURL distribution, software vendors and their end-customers can be confident that the Kubernetes they’re leveraging meets those standards.” Grant Miller, Founder, and CEO of Replicated. kURL distributions already power the underlying Kubernetes add-ons for many commercial software vendors. The technology is used primarily to allow these vendors to mask the complexity of Kubernetes installation and management for enterprises that don’t yet have a cluster to install third-party Kubernetes applications. Recognizing the ongoing need and that the Kubernetes ecosystem is evolving rapidly, achieving certification was a natural next step for kURL. With the new certification, enterprise customers can now sleep easy knowing they operate with a reliable, CNCF-certified Kubernetes distribution that simplifies the process of deploying those applications. “kURL becoming a CNCF-Certified Kubernetes Distribution creator is an important milestone in our belief that Kubernetes and cloud-native standards are the easiest way to ship enterprise-grade, modern applications, whether on-prem, private cloud, or even air-gapped,” says Marc Campbell, Founder, and CTO of Replicated. “As Kubernetes technology evolves, we strongly believe in delivering solutions that sustain and support open source standards. In addition to this certification, we will continue to work closely with the CNCF ecosystem on other projects such as Troubleshoot.sh, KOTS, SchemaHero, and more.” Leading technology vendors around the globe have CNCF-certified Kubernetes offerings. By conforming to and releasing under CNCF’s Certified Kubernetes Distribution, kURL pledges that organizations will benefit from: Multi-Prem Deployment Flexibility – scale customer-controlled Kubernetes installations across enterprises whose infrastructure includes traditional data centers, public, private, or hybrid clouds. Agile Velocity – achieve faster development cycles with kURL’s declarative add-on manager. With native Kubernetes as the core foundation, declaratively simplify and manage various add-ons on top of upstream Kubernetes deployments. kURL knows how to configure it for you. Interoperability – ensure a seamless, stable environment from one Kubernetes deployment to the next, fully integrating sanctioned Kubernetes open-source API functions. Upgradeability – innovate leveraging continuous, seamless updates to adopt the latest Kubernetes releases, empowering them to embrace accelerated agile development. The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) sustains and integrates open source technology and recognizes Kubernetes as one of the top 30 highest velocity open source projects in existence. The CNCF certified the kURL submission, aligning kURL with its mission to deliver consistency, portability, and sustainability in the Kubernetes open-source space. CNCF collaborates closely with the Kubernetes development community at large, with persistent input from Testing and Architecture Special Interest Groups (SIGs). The Kubernetes Architecture SIG is the final arbiter that defines API conformance for the program. Every vendor’s version of Kubernetes must support the required APIs, mirroring open source community versions. For more information about kURL, visit https://kurl.sh. About Replicated: Replicated is a first-of-its-kind solution that empowers software vendors to deploy Kubernetes applications to enterprise customers with speed, consistency, reliability, and scalability. Replicated provides software vendors with the ability to package and deliver software across multi-cloud and on-prem environments – running Kubernetes clusters or not – in an agile manner using a single, modern, Kubernetes-based architecture. Vendors can now ship on-prem, air gapped, or self-hosted Kubernetes software with Day 2 operational enterprise management capabilities. Replicated vendors serve customers at the world’s largest and most innovative companies in major industries, including consumer technology, finance, and automotive. Replicated is trusted to deliver software to customers at over 60% of Fortune 100 companies. For more information about Replicated, visit https://www.replicated.com. Contact Details Forrest Carman +1 206-859-3118 forrestc@owenmedia.com Company Website https://www.replicated.com/

October 13, 2021 10:25 AM Pacific Daylight Time

CORRECTING and REPLACING Reliance New Energy Solar Ltd to invest in NexWafe as Strategic Lead Investor

NexWafe

Last sentence of 11th paragraph of release dated October 12, 2021 has been removed. The updated release reads: Reliance New Energy Solar Ltd to invest in NexWafe as Strategic Lead Investor NexWafe’s next-generation epitaxy technology offers remarkable cost advantages over existing technologies Leveraging this technology, Reliance intends to set up giga-scale wafer manufacturing facilities in India and build global photovoltaic leadership Ne xWafe GmbH today announced the induction of Reliance New Energy Solar Limited (RNESL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited (Reliance) as a strategic lead investor in its EUR 39 million ($45 million) Series C financing round with an investment of EUR 25 million ($29 million) in phase one. The investment by Reliance will accelerate product and technology development for NexWafe, including completion of the commercial development of NexWafe’s solar photovoltaic products on prototype lines in Freiburg. Reliance and NexWafe have also entered into an India Strategic Partnership Agreement providing for joint technology development and commercialization, at scale, of high-efficiency monocrystalline “green solar wafers.” Reliance, through this partnership, will secure access to NexWafe’s proprietary technology and plans to build large-scale wafer manufacturing facilities in India using the NexWafe processes and technology. NexWafe is developing and producing monocrystalline silicon wafers grown directly from inexpensive raw materials, going directly from the gas phase to finished wafers. This proprietary process obviates the need for costly and energy intensive intermediate steps such as polysilicon production and ingot pulling on which traditional wafer manufacturing relies. NexWafe uses in-line manufacturing, both for the formation of an initial release layer as well as for epitaxial deposition of silicon in an atmospheric chemical vapor deposition process. NexWafe’s unique patented technology is expected to drastically cut wafer production costs, making solar photovoltaics the lowest-cost form of renewable energy available. Reliance`s investment in NexWafe further underscores its goal of making India the world’s leading green energy provider by leapfrogging existing technology, thus creating the world’s most cost- and energy-efficient photovoltaic process at scale. Mr. Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries Limited said, “We at Reliance have always believed in being ahead of the technology curve in all our businesses. Our partnership with NexWafe testifies to this yet again, as we embark on an ambitious mission to meet affordable green energy needs of India’s rapidly growing economy. Our investment in NexWafe signals an important step towards accelerating India’s green energy transition and positioning India as a global leader in photovoltaic manufacturing. We believe NexWafe’s innovative ultra-thin wafer will give solar manufacturers a significant advantage over existing photovoltaic technologies, helping consumers in India and globally realize the benefits of solar energy more quickly and more efficiently. “For Reliance, our foray into solar and other types of renewable energy is much more than a business opportunity. It is our way of caring for Planet Earth and contributing to the global mission of saving it from the looming climate crisis.” Davor Sutija, CEO of NexWafe, said, “With its strategic partnership with NexWafe, Reliance can bring the latest in solar wafer innovation to India while also leveling the global playing field for photovoltaic manufacturers, expanding manufacturing beyond a single source market.” NexWafe Chairman Bart Markus added: “Reliance is famed for its ability to create quality products at the most competitive prices, so its commitment to helping us reshape and reinvent the silicon wafer will be, we believe, game-changing for helping the world deploy high-efficiency photovoltaics at scale.” Other investors joining Reliance in the Series C Round include InnoEnergy, Lynwood, Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures and other incumbent and new investors, adding another nearly EUR 10 million ($12 million) to the round. ACXIT Capital Partners are acting as the exclusive financial advisor to NexWafe. International law firms GÖRG and Raeder are acting as legal counsel to the company. Linklaters acted as the legal advisor and Deloitte as the accounting and tax advisor to Reliance on this transaction. About Reliance Industries Limited (Reliance) Reliance is India's largest private sector company, with a consolidated turnover of INR 539,238 crore ($73.8 billion), cash profit of INR 79,828 crore ($10.9 billion), and net profit of INR 53,739 crore ($7.4 billion) for the year ended March 31, 2021. Reliance's activities span hydrocarbon exploration and production, petroleum refining and marketing, petrochemicals, retail, and digital services. Reliance is the top-ranked company from India to feature in Fortune’s Global 500 list of “World's Largest Companies.” The company stands 55th in the Forbes Global 2000 rankings of “World's Largest Public Companies” for 2021 – top-most among Indian companies. It features among LinkedIn's “The Best Companies to Work For In India” (2021). For more information visit: www.ril.com. About NexWafe GmbH NexWafe GmbH designs, develops and pilots a proprietary process to produce ultra-thin, high efficiency, monocrystalline green solar wafers to make photovoltaics more sustainable and efficient. Fully compatible with conventional solar cell manufacturing, NexWafe offers a 70% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions during manufacturing. NexWafe's continuous, direct gas-to-wafer manufacturing process also minimizes waste, resulting in wafers that are 30% less expensive than conventional wafers. NexWafe's in-line, ultra-scalable process shatters cost down roadmap barriers and inherently supportsthe industry’s extraordinary growth as the transition to solar power accelerates worldwide. The company was spun out from Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in 2015. For more information, please visit https://www.nexwafe.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Contact Details Rainier Communications, for NexWafe Jenna Beaucage +1 508-340-6851 nexwafe@rainierco.com Company Website https://www.nexwafe.com

October 13, 2021 01:02 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley Partners with Comcast Business to Bridge the Gap in Telehealth Offerings During the Pandemic

Comcast California

Comcast Business today announced that the Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley has selected Comcast Business to deliver broadband connectivity at nine of its key locations, providing critical reliability for its facilities and supporting a widespread shift to telehealth services at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley is dually funded by Indian Health Service (IHS) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to serve and prioritize the unique health needs of American Indians, Alaskan Natives and the greater community. The Center provides medical, dental, counseling, wellness and prevention services to more than 22,000 patients, most of whom are located in economically disadvantaged and underserved communities. The pandemic posed a challenge for Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley – its clients would need to seamlessly transition from in-person appointments to telehealth services, but the Center’s technological infrastructure required to be updated to make the switch happen. The Center installed Business Internet from Comcast Business as its primary internet connection across its facilities, so all its services could function efficiently. “I was proud of how we were able to quickly pivot and provide telehealth services to our community. We couldn’t have done that without the infrastructure that Comcast Business provided,” said Gerardo Loera, Director of Development and Communications at the Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley. “We’re looking forward to the Comcast Business team’s support in helping us bridge this digital gap for our patients. With our broadband Internet, we can ensure our patients have adequate access to stay connected with their primary care providers.” Thanks to Comcast Business’ solutions, the Center’s medical professionals continue to treat patients through telehealth offerings, including one-on-one video sessions. Additionally, the Center is able to continue providing supplemental services to its patients through video classes, which has helped expand its reach and the total number of patients. “Medical facilities like the Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley continue to require fast, flexible and reliable network connectivity to provide health services throughout the pandemic for the patients who need it most,” said Kristeen Cominiello, vice president of Comcast Business in California. “Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley is a leader in local and national advocacy for equitable health care, and Comcast Business is honored to partner with the organization to help it provide the highest quality care to its patients.” About Comcast Business Comcast Business offers a suite of Connectivity, Communications, Networking, Cybersecurity, Wireless, and Managed Solutions to help organizations of different sizes prepare for what’s next. Powered by the nation’s largest Gig-speed broadband network, and backed by 24/7 customer support, Comcast Business is the nation’s largest cable provider to small and mid-size businesses and one of the leading service providers to the Enterprise market. Comcast Business has been consistently recognized by industry analysts and associations as a leader and innovator, and one of the fastest growing providers of Ethernet services. For more information, call 866-429-3085. Follow on Twitter @ComcastBusiness and on other social media networks at http://business.comcast.com/social. About Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley Established in 1970, the mission of the Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley is to help ensure the survival and healing of American Indians/Alaskan Natives and the Santa Clara Valley community by providing high quality, comprehensive health care and wellness services. Contact Details Comcast Adriana Arvizo +1 925-200-1919 Adriana_Arvizo@comcast.com Finn Partners Chloe Huard chloe.huard@finnpartners.com

October 13, 2021 10:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time

Lensbaby Announces “Shoot Extraordinary” Photography Conference

Lensbaby

Lensbaby, the leader in award-winning creative effect camera lenses, is excited to announce its 2021 virtual photography conference taking place Dec. 7-9. Join us for the Lensbaby “Shoot Extraordinary” Photography Conference 2021 on December 7th! Click here to register and claim your free spot today. Registered conference attendees will be automatically entered to win prizes including a grand prize worth over $2500. For 16 years, Lensbaby has been an ally of the unusual, and an advocate for the unique — this three day conference will be a testament to our passion for blazing your own trail. With 16 speakers and top Lensbaby educators from around the globe, there is something for everyone. Conference attendees can expect to learn the ethos of the Lensbaby “Shoot Extraordinary” motto, while learning the nuances and uncommon qualities of its photo and video lenses. For a full list of course topics, visit our 2021 virtual photography conference page. How Do You #SHOOT EXTRAORDINARY with Lensbaby? Register for your FREE ticket to our virtual photography event where you'll have access to three days of Lensbaby and creative photography education. About Lensbaby // Lensbaby creates tools that enable photographers and videographers to find their unique visual voice. For over 16 years, they have been manufacturing high-quality creative effects lenses, optics and accessories out of their Portland, Oregon headquarters. Lensbaby sells its products on its website as well as through a worldwide network of retailers and distributors. For more information, visit www.lensbaby.com Lensbaby, “Shoot Extraordinary” ### Learn more and register for free here. For a look into what to expect, you can check out the Lensbaby 2020 Photography Conference here. Contact Details VP Sales and Marketing, Lensbaby Michael Anthony Michael@lensbaby.com PR & Marketing, M&P Digital Creative Agency Andrea Larson andrea@mcmillanphillips.com Company Website https://lensbaby.com/

October 13, 2021 11:49 AM Eastern Daylight Time

QX Global Group further augments its US Leadership Team

QX Global Group

QX Global Group, a leading knowledge process outsourcing company with a growing presence in North America, has brought onboard Mr Kyle Wilbur as Vice President, Sales, QX Finance & Accounting, further strengthening its senior management team in the US. At QX, Mr Wilbur will play an important and strategic role in the company’s expansion plans for the US. He was previously associated with University Loft Co. as Director of Sales and brings with him a wealth of experience in the student housing and property management sectors. His knowledge and expertise in leadership roles includes university housing expansion projects, on-site production management, and vendor relation management, while exceeding sales targets and providing on-floor sales training. Sharing his comments on the appointment, Mr Ravi Kurani, Country Head, North America, said, “With the addition of Kyle to our Senior Management team in the US we are confident of achieving the growth and success we have planned for the region. His grasp of the student housing and property management sectors will help strengthen our plans for these specific domains.” “The unique offerings of QX Global Group would add significant value to organizations that seek to enhance and transform their business processes. I am looking forward to working closely with the team to bring to fruition our ambitions for the US.” said Mr Kyle Wilbur, VP, Sales, QX F&A. The US is a strategic growth market for QX Global Group with close to 70 active clients in accounting, finance and recruitment processes. The company plans to double its number of clients and add offices in New York, Austin and Chicago, in addition to its existing headquarters in New Jersey. Follow Us On Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube To know more about our capabilities and success stories, Click Here About QX Global Group QX Global Group is a leading provider of business process management services. With over 17 years of accounting and recruitment process outsourcing experience, we help our clients unlock business value by improving process efficiencies and automation in the accounting and recruitment function to enable business transformation. We are based out of the UK with offices in the USA, Canada, Australia and India. Contact Details QX Global Group Vishal Kurani +1 646-693-9693 vishal.kurani@qxglobalgroup.com Company Website https://qxglobalgroup.com/

October 13, 2021 11:09 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Global Energy Leader Chevron Shipping joins NAMEPA, Demonstrating its Dedication to Save Our Seas.

North American Marine Environment Protection Association

Carleen Lyden Walker, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA), announced that Chevron Shipping has joined NAMEPA as its newest corporate member. NAMEPA is proud to be partnering with Chevron Shipping in making strides to Save Our Seas and towards a cleaner future. “We are delighted that our discussions with Chevron Shipping have resulted in their decision to join NAMEPA’s efforts towards sustainability,” stated Ms. Walker. NAMEPA’s mission of preserving the marine environment and promoting sustainable marine industry best practices is aligned with Chevron Shipping’s goals. “Protecting people and the environment has always been a core value of Chevron Shipping. We are pleased to join NAMEPA and its likeminded members striving for a safer, ever-cleaner environment and marine industry,” said Mark Ross, President of Chevron Shipping. NAMEPA proudly welcomes Chevron Shipping to its global and diverse network of individuals and companies in a new partnership that will help progress towards a greener future. About Chevron Shipping: Chevron Shipping Company LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Chevron U.S.A. Inc. (NYSE: CVX). Chevron’s fleet has provided a vital link between our operations and the marketplace for more than 125 years. Today, Chevron Shipping Company is an industry leader in safely and reliably transporting crude oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and refined products that power the world. Learn more. The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) is a marine industry-led organization of environmental stewards preserving the marine environment by promoting sustainable marine industry best practices and educating seafarers, students and the public about the need and strategies for protecting global ocean, lake and river resources. Visit us at: www.namepa.net Contact Details NAMEPA Carleen Lyden Walker +1 203-255-4686 executivedirector@namepa.net Company Website https://namepa.net/

October 13, 2021 10:26 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Holland & Barrett backs Floe Oral Care to tackle gum disease via salivary biomarkers

Floe Oral Care

Floe Oral Care, the oral healthcare business dedicated to improving oral and systemic health by means of a direct-to-consumer subscription, has secured £350k from a group of high profile investors including Holland & Barrett, Lord Mervyn Davies, Tim Farazmand, Professor John Deanfield CBE, Sir Nigel Rudd, and Julio Bruno. Existing shareholders Stephen Welton, Dr. Jose Navarro, and Charles Southey are also following on. Founded by Anglo-Spanish duo Will Welton and Javier Navarro, Floe is an online subscription service on a mission to address the UK’s ‘dental care timebomb’ by building a preventative routine for consumers and providing vital insights into undetected gum disease. Will Welton, Co-founder at Floe Oral Care said: “If your mouth is the gateway to your body, then protecting it requires not only using the right products but also visibility of what condition your gums are in. The impact of gum disease is significant, and the prevalence of periodontitis has barely changed over the last 20 years. Our mission is to build a service that both tracks and improves oral and systemic health. We want to encourage a pro-active relationship with dental care by capturing and contextualising oral health data, and are thrilled to be bringing on board a fantastic group of investors from business and healthcare as well as an excellent and highly relevant corporate partner. This is a great platform for the next stage of our development” Periodontitis is now the sixth most prevalent disease in the world, and according to research led by The Economist Intelligence Unit (IEU), costs the UK £6.4bn a year in treatment. Nearly half the adults in the UK have some form of periodontal disease, which has increasingly been shown to raise the risk of serious health conditions including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Its awareness has remained low however amongst the general public and other health professionals - it’s often referred to as a silent killer - with the study showing that three out of four adults with periodontitis do not know they have the condition at all. Tamara Rajah MBE, Chief Business & Science Officer, Holland and Barrett: “H&B are committed to making health and wellness a way of life for everyone, and to supporting early-stage innovation in wellness as part of our strategy. Recognising that effective oral health management can disproportionately impact an individual’s overall health and wellness, coupled with our interest about the potential of diagnostics, makes Floe very exciting for us. We look forward to working with Will, Javier and the team at Floe to optimise the way we manage our oral health and improve lives.” Floe is building a data driven approach, designed to cast light on untreated periodontitis and put the right measures in place to improve it. The service will track gum health via proprietary at home saliva testing whilst delivering essential products to support your oral health. Floe launched their core dental kit in August 2020, delivering their own unique toothpaste formulations (Dusk and Dawn), an ultra-soft toothbrush, and charcoal dental floss, delivered every three months to improve preventative habits in a more sustainable way. The products are all built with the environment in mind, including a free-returns service collecting used products for specialist recycling when subscribers' new boxes arrive. Julio Bruno, CEO of Time Out Group plc, will be joining the board as a Non-Executive Director whilst Stephen Welton, founder and Executive Chairman of BGF, the UK’s largest growth capital investor, will remain as the Chairman. Professor John Deanfield CBE joins Floe as Chief Medical Officer, to put together a world leading Advisory Board to inform the strategy of the saliva testing and future healthcare products. Professor Deanfield is one of the leading cardiologists in the UK and has published several papers on the linkage between oral and systemic health. Professor John Deanfield CBE commented: “We now understand the big impact oral health can have on important diseases in the rest of the body. This underpins a new opportunity to benefit from a change in approach to oral health – I am excited to be joining Floe to help address this.” About Floe Oral Care Floe Oral Care is a subscription service providing core dental products/ services on a quarterly basis with a closed loop recycling process to ensure that plastic doesn’t end up in the ocean. It was co-founded by William Welton and Javier Navarro to deliver technology enabled dental healthcare solutions whilst protecting the planet’s environment. Javier comes from a family of dentists and spent the first part of his career in banking. Will’s background is in consumer goods with commercial roles within the drinks industry and e-commerce. For careers please get in touch via CV and covering letter to hello@getfloe.com. About Holland & Barrett Holland & Barrett is the UK’s leading wellness retailer* and one of the largest in Europe. We make health and wellness and way of life for everyone, with a leading range of own brand, innovative vitamins, supplements, specialist food, sports nutrition and ethical beauty brands. Established in 1870, Holland & Barrett has been trusted for wellness for over 150 years and is owned by the Letter One Retail Group (L1 Retail). Holland & Barrett has a retail presence of more than 1000 stores across 16 countries worldwide, including over 800 in the UK and Ireland**, as well as a rapidly expanding e-commerce business. Holland & Barrett’s colleagues are “qualified to advise” with in depth training in nutrition and supplements to give accessible personalised advice to customers on their individual needs. *Kantar Brand Tracking – health and wellness retailers March 2021 ** up to 30 September 2020. Contact Details Floe Oral Care Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 bilal@getfloe.com Company Website https://getfloe.com/

October 13, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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COMCAST JOINS COMMUNITY LEADERS TO MARK 10 YEARS OF INTERNET ESSENTIALS

Comcast Utah

Alongside Utah’s top leaders, Comcast’s executives announced its expansion efforts to help low-income Utahns gain access to the Internet and increase digital equity. “Utah is one of the most collaborative states we work with across the country when it comes to helping its citizens gain digital equity,” said J.D. Keller, senior vice president, Comcast Mountain West Region. “Leaders from the state, county and city are working together as we open more free WiFi Lift Zones, connect more families to the Internet at home, and increase speeds for businesses and families across the state.” The announcement is part of Project UP, Comcast’s comprehensive initiative to advance digital equity and help build a future of unlimited possibilities; and coincides with the 10th anniversary of its Internet Essentials program, which has connected a cumulative total of more than 10 million people to the Internet at home – most for the very first time. Comcast’s expanded eligibility for Internet Essentials, now including all Federal Pell Grant recipients within its service area, will enable even more students to stay connected as they continue to pursue degrees at colleges, universities, and technical schools. Comcast’s top priorities are connecting people to the Internet at home, equipping safe spaces with free WiFi and working with a robust network of nonprofit community organizations, city leaders, and business partners to create opportunities for low-income Americans. “We are delighted to work with such outstanding corporate partners, such as Comcast, as we connect more Utahns to the Internet,” said Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox. “Utah is regularly lauded for its innovative vision in numerous categories, and increasing our digital access helps everyone, including families, students and businesses.” Salt Lake County is responsible for launching unique digital equity initiatives to connect its community. “We have one of the most forward-thinking counties in the country and having such a robust partnership with leaders in government and community organizations means we can connect the pivot points quicker and more securely for all involved,” said Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson. “We’re committed to digital equity. Our Salt Lake County libraries have more than 300 hotspots and 150 Chromebooks in circulation to assist residents with digital needs in their homes. “As a national technology leader, Comcast is greatly advancing Salt Lake County's effort in supporting economic prosperity in each region of the county.” According to Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, county collaboration with Salt Lake City allows continuity between communities in their efforts to bridge the digital divide. “We only benefit as a community when we embrace technology and ensure we have the fastest and most reliable Internet services available,” said Mendenhall. “Closing the digital divide and providing Lift Zones allows students and families to excel in ways they need to compete in today’s fast-paced environment.” As the nation’s largest Internet provider, Comcast supports cooperation between communities, businesses and non-profit organizations to enhance digital equity. “In working with communities across America, we know Utah is remarkable with a can-do attitude and an extraordinary amount of collaboration with incredible community partners,” said Keller. “Together, we have been able to connect tens of thousands of Utahns to the power of the Internet at home and to the endless opportunity, education, growth, and discovery it provides. Today, we are rededicating ourselves to this mission to ensure the next generation of students in Utah has the tools, resources, and abilities to succeed in an increasingly digital world.” In 2021 alone, Comcast estimates students across America will complete more than 25 million hours of remote learning lessons to further address the “homework gap” at the hundreds of Lift Zone locations that have already opened or will open soon. Comcast’s $1 billion commitment will include investments in several critical areas, including: additional support for the Lift Zone initiative, which establishes WiFi-connected safe spaces in 35 community centers in Utah and 1,000+ community centers nationwide for students and adults by the end of 2021; new laptop and computer donations; over $100,000 in digital equity grants for local Utah nonprofit community organizations to create opportunities for low-income Utahns – particularly in media, technology, and entrepreneurship; and continued investment in the company’s landmark Internet Essentials program. “Comcast’s investment in Utah’s digital connectivity future is remarkable,” said Gov. Cox. “Helping to close the digital divide so everyone has Internet access in Utah is paramount.” To increase digital access and reliability, Comcast awarded a financial grant to Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salt Lake, whose mission is to inspire and empower youth to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. “We are very grateful for this timely grant from Comcast,” said Amanda Ree Hughes, president and CEO of Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salt Lake. “Comcast is a 360-partner because they give more than just dollars for computers and programs. Their employees bring skills, experience and knowledge to create a whole solution in providing access and technology to help our kids succeed.” To help close Utah’s digital divide, Comcast is gifting computers and laptops to Neighborhood House for individuals and families to have Internet access where they had none. “We are excited about our partnership with Comcast because we work with a clientele that doesn't have a lot of access to technology,” said Jennifer Nuttall, executive director at Neighborhood House. “Comcast has been an amazing partner by connecting us, and now that they're giving out 300 computers and laptops to our clients and to help our programs, it's just really phenomenal. “It's life-changing for families. Being able to access technology for kids for school and for parents with work and their kids’ school needs is very much needed.” “Whenever we can help our community neighbors connect to reliable, high-speed Internet access, we work to do that,” said Keller. “It helps keep us all moving forward one family, one organization, and one community at a time.” Project UP & Comcast’s $1 Billion Commitment to Advancing Digital Equity: For over a decade, connecting more people to the Internet and the technology they need to participate and excel in an increasingly digital world has been a core focus for the company. Looking toward the next ten years, Comcast is building on that foundation and expanding its impact through Project UP, a comprehensive initiative to advance digital equity and help build a future of unlimited possibilities. Backed by a $1 billion commitment to reach 50 million people, Project UP encompasses the programs and community partnerships across Comcast, NBCUniversal, and Sky that connect people to the Internet, advance economic mobility and open doors for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, storytellers, and creators. For more information on Project UP and the latest news on efforts to address digital inequities, including the recent expansion of the Comcast RISE Investment Fund to provide millions in grants to small business owners of color and investment in research to increase diversity in the technology and digital fields, visit https://corporate.comcast.com/impact/project-up. About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on broadband, aggregation, and streaming with over 56 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. About Comcast Business Comcast Business offers Ethernet, Internet, Wi-Fi, Voice, TV and Managed Enterprise Solutions to help organizations of all sizes transform their business. Powered by an advanced network, and backed by 24/7 customer support, Comcast Business is one of the largest contributors to the growth of Comcast Cable. Comcast Business is the nation’s largest cable provider to small and mid-size businesses and has emerged as a force in the Enterprise market; recognized over the last two years by leading industry associations as one of the fastest growing providers of Ethernet services. For more information, call 866- 429-3085. Follow on Twitter @ComcastBusiness and on other social media networks at http://business.comcast.com/social. About Effectv Effectv, the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable, helps local, regional and national advertisers use the best of digital with the power of TV to grow their business. It provides multi-screen marketing solutions to make advertising campaigns more effective and easier to execute. Headquartered in New York with offices throughout the country Effectv has a presence in 66 markets with more than 30 million households with video service. For more information, visit www.effectv.com. Contact Details Deneiva Knight +1 520-345-9792 deneiva_knight@comcast.com Company Website https://utah.comcast.com/

October 12, 2021 12:00 PM Mountain Daylight Time

Reliance New Energy Solar Ltd to invest in NexWafe as Strategic Lead Investor

NexWafe

NexWafe’s next-generation epitaxy technology offers remarkable cost advantages over existing technologies Leveraging this technology, Reliance intends to set up giga-scale wafer manufacturing facilities in India and build global photovoltaic leadership Ne xWafe GmbH today announced the induction of Reliance New Energy Solar Limited (RNESL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited (Reliance) as a strategic lead investor in its EUR 39 million ($45 million) Series C financing round with an investment of EUR 25 million ($29 million) in phase one. The investment by Reliance will accelerate product and technology development for NexWafe, including completion of the commercial development of NexWafe’s solar photovoltaic products on prototype lines in Freiburg. Reliance and NexWafe have also entered into an India Strategic Partnership Agreement providing for joint technology development and commercialization, at scale, of high-efficiency monocrystalline “green solar wafers.” Reliance, through this partnership, will secure access to NexWafe’s proprietary technology and plans to build large-scale wafer manufacturing facilities in India using the NexWafe processes and technology. NexWafe is developing and producing monocrystalline silicon wafers grown directly from inexpensive raw materials, going directly from the gas phase to finished wafers. This proprietary process obviates the need for costly and energy intensive intermediate steps such as polysilicon production and ingot pulling on which traditional wafer manufacturing relies. NexWafe uses in-line manufacturing, both for the formation of an initial release layer as well as for epitaxial deposition of silicon in an atmospheric chemical vapor deposition process. NexWafe’s unique patented technology is expected to drastically cut wafer production costs, making solar photovoltaics the lowest-cost form of renewable energy available. Reliance`s investment in NexWafe further underscores its goal of making India the world’s leading green energy provider by leapfrogging existing technology, thus creating the world’s most cost- and energy-efficient photovoltaic process at scale. Mr. Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries Limited said, “We at Reliance have always believed in being ahead of the technology curve in all our businesses. Our partnership with NexWafe testifies to this yet again, as we embark on an ambitious mission to meet affordable green energy needs of India’s rapidly growing economy. Our investment in NexWafe signals an important step towards accelerating India’s green energy transition and positioning India as a global leader in photovoltaic manufacturing. We believe NexWafe’s innovative ultra-thin wafer will give solar manufacturers a significant advantage over existing photovoltaic technologies, helping consumers in India and globally realize the benefits of solar energy more quickly and more efficiently. “For Reliance, our foray into solar and other types of renewable energy is much more than a business opportunity. It is our way of caring for Planet Earth and contributing to the global mission of saving it from the looming climate crisis.” Davor Sutija, CEO of NexWafe, said, “With its strategic partnership with NexWafe, Reliance can bring the latest in solar wafer innovation to India while also leveling the global playing field for photovoltaic manufacturers, expanding manufacturing beyond a single source market.” NexWafe Chairman Bart Markus added: “Reliance is famed for its ability to create quality products at the most competitive prices, so its commitment to helping us reshape and reinvent the silicon wafer will be, we believe, game-changing for helping the world deploy high-efficiency photovoltaics at scale.” Other investors joining Reliance in the Series C Round include InnoEnergy, Lynwood, Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures and other incumbent and new investors, adding another nearly EUR 10 million ($12 million) to the round. Additionally, InnoEnergy, will also convert its current debt of EUR 4 million ($4.7 million) in NexWafe into equity at the same share price as the Series C Round shares. ACXIT Capital Partners are acting as the exclusive financial advisor to NexWafe. International law firms GÖRG and Raeder are acting as legal counsel to the company. Linklaters acted as the legal advisor and Deloitte as the accounting and tax advisor to Reliance on this transaction. About Reliance Industries Limited (Reliance) Reliance is India’s largest private sector company, with a consolidated turnover of INR 539,238 crore ($73.8 billion), cash profit of INR 79,828 crore ($10.9 billion), and net profit of INR 53,739 crore ($7.4 billion) for the year ended March 31, 2021. Reliance’s activities span hydrocarbon exploration and production, petroleum refining and marketing, petrochemicals, retail, and digital services. Reliance is the top-ranked company from India to feature in Fortune’s Global 500 list of “World’s Largest Companies.” The company stands 55th in the Forbes Global 2000 rankings of “World’s Largest Public Companies” for 2021 – top-most among Indian companies. It features among LinkedIn’s “The Best Companies to Work For In India” (2021). For more information visit: www.ril.com. About NexWafe GmbH NexWafe GmbH designs, develops and pilots a proprietary process to produce ultra-thin, high efficiency, monocrystalline green solar wafers to make photovoltaics more sustainable and efficient. Fully compatible with conventional solar cell manufacturing, NexWafe offers a 70% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions during manufacturing. NexWafe’s continuous, direct gas-to-wafer manufacturing process also minimizes waste, resulting in wafers that are 30% less expensive than conventional wafers. NexWafe’s in-line, ultra-scalable process shatters cost down roadmap barriers and inherently supportsthe industry’s extraordinary growth as the transition to solar power accelerates worldwide. The company was spun out from Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in 2015. For more information, please visit https://www.nexwafe.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Contact Details Rainier Communications, for NexWafe Jenna Beaucage +1 508-340-6851 nexwafe@rainierco.com Company Website https://www.nexwafe.com

October 12, 2021 01:46 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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