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The Great World Race Inaugural Event Features Terminal Cancer Survivor Sean Swarner and Social Media Star and Cancer Advocate Iain Ward, "The King of Chemo"

Ice Cap Adventures

The Great World Race announces its first annual event, launching on November 15th, 2024. This exciting competition invites participants to complete seven marathons on seven continents in seven consecutive days. Beginning at Wolf’s Fang in Antarctica, the 60 runners will then travel to Cape Town in Africa, followed by Perth in Australia. The Great World Race continues with two marathons in Istanbul, spanning both Asia and Europe across the Bosphorus. The final legs will take place in Cartagena, South America, and Miami, North America. Successful finishers will be eligible for The Global Marathon Club, recognizing those who complete all seven marathons in the designated timeframe. Additionally, there will be male and female champions determined by the fastest overall average marathon times across the continents. This year, The Great World Race has partnered with the non-profit charity LUNGevity who are transforming how people are diagnosed and live with lung cancer through research, education and support. LUNGevity will be represented by terminal cancer survivor Sean Swarner. Swarner was given 2 weeks to live as 16 year old, yet 33 years later he is getting ready for the 777 after having already completed the Explorers Grand Slam in 2017, one of only 50 people to ever complete the feat. His feat was all the more impressive given that Sean has only one functioning lung. Sean speaks of the bond he formed with LUNGevity and the community they help: “I spoke at the LUNGevity Hope Summit, an amazing event for lung cancer survivors and their caregivers. My immediate reaction was – this is my community! As a two-time cancer survivor, I understood what the attendees were going through, and decided then to help raise awareness for lung cancer and help raise funds for research. The Great World Race is the perfect platform to reach a whole new audience and get them involved. Please follow me and support the 1 in 18 people who will be diagnosed with lung cancer in their lifetime.” Becs Gentry, a Peloton instructor and marathon runner with a personal best of 2:32, is a prominent figure in the women's race. Based in New York City, Becs finished 4th in the 2021 British Olympic Trials, narrowly missing her chance to compete in the Olympics. Ashley Paulson, a two-time champion and record holder of the Badwater ultramarathon, will also race in Antarctica on November 15th. Additionally, Chirine Njeim from Lebanon brings impressive credentials, having represented her country at three Winter Olympics in skiing and at the marathon during the Beijing Summer Olympics. In the men's event, David Kilgore (USA) has carved out a reputation as one of the best in the world of endurance sport and ultrarunning. Two other athletes aim to achieve remarkable feats as they strive to be the oldest and youngest individuals to complete marathons on all seven continents within a week. Dan Little, an 81-year-old from Oklahoma, and Merrick Chernett, an 18-year-old from Michigan, are both seeking to make history. Notable participants include Alvaro Nunez, originally from Spain, who came to the United States on a tennis scholarship and has since become a successful ultramarathon runner, best-selling author, and entrepreneur based in Miami. Cole Brecka, son of well-known human biologist Gary Brecka, the man Dana White credited with changing his life and his health turnaround, will also join the event and aims to use the knowledge of his father in the science and nutrition space to turn himself into the first Ultimate Human Athlete. The Great World Race has gained international attention on social media, particularly with the involvement of social media creator and cancer awareness advocate, Iain Ward, known as @thekingofchemo. After being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in 2020, Iain has dedicated his life to raising funds for cancer through athletic events. His inspiring journey and engaging posts have attracted over 12 million followers across social media platforms. Audiences are drawn to his ability to transform a tragic diagnosis into a proactive mission, combined with his witty humor. Iain is participating in the Great World Race to benefit the American Cancer Society by seeking corporate sponsorships and donations. When asked about this initiative, Iain stated: “My terminal brain cancer diagnosis has given me absolute clarity: I want to use the time I have left to laugh in cancer’s ugly face by raising more money for cancer research than anyone ever has. We want to break the world record of $3,000,000, starting with the Great World Race. You don’t even have to donate: The bigger the channel gets, the more sponsorships we get, and the more money goes to charity. But I can’t do this without you, and I need each and every one of you reading this to follow right now. It only takes seconds and it will help raise money for the 1 in 2 people who will get cancer in their lifetime. So do it for your friends, your family, everyone you know who is affected by cancer.” “I'm delighted to be joining forces with LUNGevity, the work they do is outstanding in helping their community through difficult times, sometimes when people have lost hope. It's also great to be working with all participants embarking on this outstanding physical and mental challenge. Sean's story is one that illustrates how you should never give up hope, no matter the circumstances and his adventures have shown what can be done when you believe in yourself. Iain is an incredible character, his ability to take a positive view on an extremely tough diagnosis is inspiring. We should all take a leaf out of his book and make the most out of life, health is too often a commodity we all take for granted”, said David Kelly, CEO of Ice Cap Adventures and Great World Race event director. For additional information or interest in joining the 2025 race, visit thegreatworldrace.com. To check out the great work LUNGevity do, visit HERE: www.LUNGevity.org/ To donate to Iain’s fundraiser for American Cancer Society visit HERE: https://secure.acsevents.org/site/STR?pg=entry&fr_id=108295 About the Great World Race The Great World Race, organized by Ice Cap Adventures Limited, is the only 7-continents athletics event taking place in 2024. The CEO of the company and Race Director of the event, David Kelly, is a medical doctor and former Irish international athlete. David will be accompanied by a traveling support team of top professionals, all with extensive international experience in the polar regions and in round-the-world events. Among them are photographers and cameramen who will ensure every special marathon moment is captured for competitors and global media. Contact Details Ice Cap Adventures Limited David Kelly david@icecapadventures.com Company Website https://thegreatworldrace.com/

October 17, 2024 09:04 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Quantum Resistant Ledger (QRL) Strikes Key Industry Partnerships, Fortifying Its Position As Quantum Computing Era Nears

Benzinga

By Gerelyn Terzo, Benzinga Chinese researchers recently accomplished what they claim was the world’s first successful quantum attack on popular encryption algorithms. While the first cohort of thousands of quantum computers isn’t expected to come onto the scene until at least 2030, their problem-solving capabilities already appear to have become a reality. Some cutting-edge companies and projects like Quantum Resistant Ledger (QRL) already recognize the potential threats this technology could pose as it develops. QRL was designed to protect burgeoning technologies – including blockchains and cryptocurrencies – from any future threats that quantum computing may pose. In fact, the company shares that 99% of blockchains and cryptocurrencies are considered vulnerable in a post-quantum computing world, as blockchains and cryptocurrencies continue to remain heavily dependent on quantum-insecure cryptography. To strengthen its post-quantum preparedness, QRL has been striking key industry partnerships and integrations of late to serve the company’s vision for the foreseeable future. Chief among these collaborations is with the PKI Consortium. Founded in 2013, the PKI Consortium is a group dedicated to the future of Internet security, boasting high-profile members that, in addition to QRL, include Dell Technologies (NYSE: DELL), Fox Crypto and card giant Visa (NYSE: V), among many others. Not only is QRL a member of the organization, but it’s also one of the sponsors of an upcoming event hosted by the PKI Consortium. In early 2025, PKIC will host the Post Quantum Cryptography Conference in Austin, Texas, sponsored by QRL alongside peers such as Noreg, Entrust, PQ Shield, SSL.com, KeyFactor and HID. This sponsorship allows QRL the distinct opportunity to collaborate with other expert representatives from the likes of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as well as other industry leaders such as Google (NASDAQ: GOOG), IBM (NYSE: IBM) and Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON), to name a few. To register for this event, click here. PKI Consortium chair Paul van Brouwershaven stated, "We are delighted to welcome the QRL Foundation as an Innovator sponsor of the hybrid Post-Quantum Cryptography Conference on Jan. 15 - 16, 2025 at the University of Texas at Austin. Their commitment to advancing quantum-resistant technologies supports the collaborative effort needed to future-proof our cryptographic systems, ensuring a resilient and secure digital landscape for all." This partnership is only scratching the surface of all that the QRL team is doing behind the scenes and the important industry relationships it is building along the way. Blockchain industry participants who are interested in joining the project can learn more about all that QRL has to offer here. QRL’s Strategic Relationship Building Among the other strategic partnerships QRL has inked is its deal with the Linux Foundation, more specifically, its Post-Quantum Cryptography Alliance (PQCA) arm. Known as a neutral platform for developers to code and scale open technology, the Linux Foundation launched PQCA earlier this year to advance post-quantum cryptography and drive its adoption. Through this alliance, QRL joins in sharing its post-quantum cryptographic expertise to participate in the building of infrastructure of the future with its peers, which include the likes of Amazon Web Services (NASDAQ: AMZN), Google and Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), to name a few. Through projects like Open Quantum Safe and Post-Quantum Code Package, PQCA deems its members as “essential to the success of the Foundation” and “instrumental in steering the alliance direction.” As one of the industry’s most loyal partners, QRL also continues to support The League of Entropy, a collaboration that delivers publicly verifiable decentralized randomness as a service (DRS), paving the way for a wide range of applications. As a play on power in numbers, this group shifts the randomness beacon focus from individual entities to a group mentality, where the benefits and security can potentially be more pervasive. QRL’s 2025 Pipeline With the power of its partnerships at its disposal, QRL is looking ahead to Q1 2025 for events such as the public release of its proof-of-stake (PoS) network, which as of early 2024 was in the beta testnet phase, aka Test Zond. This platform boasts compatibility with the industry standard – the decentralized Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) – and QRL will also be seeking new partnerships for which grants are available through its overarching foundation to enhance the technology and its reach. What that means is that developers desiring to build on Layer-1, the foundational layer of the blockchain network, will have the option to build on one that’s quantum secure from the bottom up – QRL. As always, security remains paramount for the QRL team, which has been prioritizing a series of audits before any definitive launch of the platform. The timing couldn’t be better. Indications suggest there might already be a quantum computer threatening to abscond with Bitcoin funds. Anecdotal evidence shows wallet and digital asset movements from legacy Satoshi Nakamoto-era wallets to crypto exchanges involving millions of dollars worth of Bitcoin. While there’s no hard evidence of QC involvement, it’s a good reminder of where vulnerabilities remain in a system that has already been demonstrated to have a target on its back from nefarious actors. The rise of quantum computing will have implications for the crypto sector at large, and those who stick their proverbial heads in the sand could be left behind. Astute industry participants who would like to join in the preparation should visit the QRL today. Featured photo by geralt on Pixabay. Benzinga is a leading financial media and data provider, known for delivering accurate, timely, and actionable financial information to empower investors and traders. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

October 17, 2024 08:35 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Bitdeer (Nasdaq: BTDR) Advances Roadmap With Successful Testing Of Its Energy-Efficient SEAL02 Bitcoin Mining Chip

Benzinga

By Gerelyn Terzo, Benzinga With bullish predictions for the Bitcoin price once again swirling, some experts believe BTC miners may experience increased demand. Six months have passed since the Bitcoin halving, and if history is any indication, the BTC price could have greater upside potential both in the near and long term. Bitdeer Technologies Group (NASDAQ: BTDR) is gearing up to provide the Bitcoin mining community with its latest technology, which is increasingly more energy efficient with every passing quarter. As part of its commitment to transparency, the company has shared the successful testing of SEAL02, the latest in a series of Bitcoin mining chips for which it has outlined a series of releases and updates. Bitdeer has developed its SEAL02 chips in partnership with leading semiconductor company TSMC. After receiving what are known as initial tape-out wafers from TSMC in mid-September, Bitdeer has ushered in results, which indicated an initial verification and prototype of 13.5J/ETH efficiency at low voltage, ultra power saving mode – an encouraging result for the energy-intensive process of BTC mining. SEAL02 chips are to be integrated into Bitdeer’s SEALMINER A2 mining machines, the mass production of which is planned for November. However, its SEALMINER A1 machines, which also lend themselves to better efficiency, are still in play, too, with mass production and distribution now planned for Q4 2024. Hashrate represents the computational power of a mining rig, and the number of joules per unit of compute (J/TH) represents the efficiency. Meanwhile, Bitdeer remains in the R&D phase for its third-generation chip, SEAL03, which is expected to continue to unfold with the product release milestone within view. While the performance of the SEAL02 chips was just confirmed from testing tape-out wafers from TSMC, the SEAL 03 prototype is scheduled for a similar process by year-end 2024 amid an improved chip efficiency of 10 J/TH. Bitdeer Chief Business Officer Linghui Kong stated, “We are thrilled about achieving SEALMINER’s power efficiency target as reflected in our roadmap. Our ongoing commitment to R&D is making possible innovative and superior solutions that will set new benchmarks for efficiency and transparency to benefit the wider mining ecosystem.” Bitdeer Envisions Further Technological Breakthrough, Eyes AI And HPC Segments As Bitdeer’s SEAL02 chips move forward to the next phase, the company continues to advance its roadmap as planned. Boasting a total hashrate under management of 17.1 EH/s, Bitdeer also oversees 167,000 mining machines. Bitdeer has mined 164 BTCs as part of its proprietary mining within a total data center portfolio of 895 MW. The company said its advanced chip design will catapult its SEALMINER product line to triple the energy efficiency of the legacy ASIC miners by H2 2025. Additionally, as Bitdeer engineers continue to innovate and perfect chip design, they expect new technological breakthroughs, the benefits of which are expected to spill over from Bitcoin mining into other segments such as artificial intelligence and high-performance computing (HPC). Bitdeer has arranged its roadmap so that new chip designs are released nearly every other quarter as it continues to strive for greater energy efficiency for the wider industry. Investors who are interested in learning more about Bitdeer’s financial performance and future growth plans can do so here. Featured photo by TheDigitalArtist on Pixabay. Benzinga is a leading financial media and data provider, known for delivering accurate, timely, and actionable financial information to empower investors and traders. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

October 17, 2024 08:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Active Traders And Investors Could Find Significant Balance Boosts During Robinhood's Upcoming HOOD Week

Benzinga

By Anthony Termini, Benzinga Beginning Oct.16 and continuing through the 27th, Robinhood Markets, Inc. (NASDAQ: HOOD) will be offering special incentives to encourage active traders and investors to transfer accounts to the company’s commission-free investment platform. The strategic initiative is intended to attract new customers and encourage current account holders to transfer assets from other brokers into a Robinhood account. HOOD Week Is A Limited Promotion Offering Unlimited Rewards The main questions active traders and buy-and-hold investors need to ask themselves about the 12-day HOOD Week event are why am I trading or investing and what’s in it (transferring accounts) for me? The numbers are pretty straightforward. Traders and investors who open and fund an account at Robinhood between Oct. 16 and 27 will get a cash bonus added to their account. For brokerage transfers of taxable individual or joint accounts, the bonus is 1% of the transferred balance. For those same accounts with a minimum margin balance of $10,000, the bonus is 2%. However, individuals who make use of Robinhood’s vast ecosystem reap the most rewards. Individuals who make a transfer to their Robinhood IRA with a Robinhood Gold subscription receive a 3% bonus, excluding rollovers. In the world of investing, 1%, 2%, or 3% are big and notable numbers, the company says. Not to mention, the HOOD Week bonuses have no limit. Who Benefits From Robinhood’s HOOD Week Bonuses? Since the bonuses are uncapped, it might be easy to assume that the main beneficiaries of the HOOD Week promo are active traders or traditional investors with a large investment balance. The more zeros in the account balance the bigger the bonus. However, even new investors and traders could be well-positioned to benefit from these bonuses. That’s why investors should know that the Robinhood HOOD Week incentives are available to all customers. To claim the uncapped bonus, investors can transfer stocks, cash, options, margin balances, IRAs, and any of the other types of securities that are available on the Robinhood platform, including cryptocurrencies. It’s important to note that account transfers that move into Robinhood’s Gold subscription service enjoy even more benefits. Those include Morningstar’s premium in-depth stock research reports, instant access to transfers up to $50,000, a 4.5% APY on idle cash, and a highly discounted margin rate (8% vs. 12%). So traders and investors looking for a boost to their accounts might consider moving money over to Robinhood during the HOOD Week incentive period. The important deadline is October 27. Transfers made by then are eligible to claim an uncapped bonus on stocks, cash, IRAs, and more. Click here for more information. Featured photo by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay. Benzinga is a leading financial media and data provider, known for delivering accurate, timely, and actionable financial information to empower investors and traders. Disclosures: Investing is risky. Bonus offers subject to terms and conditions, visit robinhood.com/hoodweek for more information. Margin is not suitable for all investors. Robinhood Gold is offered through Robinhood Gold LLC and is a subscription offering services for a fee. Brokerage services offered through Robinhood Financial LLC (member SIPC), a registered broker dealer. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

October 17, 2024 08:25 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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AGC Biologics Seattle Achieves Approval for all 2024 Biologics License Applications from U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Concluding Pre-License Inspection

AGC Biologics

AGC Biologics, a leading global Biopharmaceutical Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s approval of a third Biologics License Applications (BLA) from the March 2024 inspection of the company’s Seattle facility. The closure of this inspection and final BLA approval resulted in each of the three commercial products evaluated being approved for commercial production – a regulatory compliance and quality milestone for the site. The Seattle CDMO facility welcomed the FDA in March 2024 for an intensive week of three product inspections. The approved products include two FC-fusion proteins and a monoclonal antibody (mAb). One of the FC-fusion proteins is focused on treating non-muscle invasive bladder cancer; the other is designed to treat age-related neovascular Macular Degeneration (nAMD) and other serious retinal diseases. The mAb product targets chronic-versus-host disease (GVHD). The series of 2024 BLA approvals continues a trend of successful regulatory milestones for the AGC Biologics Seattle site. The FDA has approved four biologics products manufactured at this facility in the last two years. AGC Biologics received commercial approval at the end of 2022 for a mAb product targeting type 1 diabetes (T1D), the first and only treatment of its type at the time of approval. “Performing an agency inspection for three products simultaneously is not easy and I am extremely proud of this result. We took on the challenge and helped ensure every product evaluated achieved commercial approval this year,” said Jose Gonzalez, General Manager, AGC Biologics Seattle. “This is a tremendous achievement for our site. For our partners bringing lifesaving treatments to patients, it is pivotal for their manufacturing partner to maintain regulatory compliance and a high level of product quality to help them reach commercial success. This is a shining example of AGC Biologics’ Seattle ability to do that.” AGC Biologics operates multiple mammalian cGMP manufacturing lines of various scales at its Seattle site, which serves as a center of excellence for formulation and employs the latest fed-batch and perfusion manufacturing processes. In the past year, AGC Biologics Seattle has also expanded to include a new microbial-based manufacturing line system and a state-of-the-art 67,000 sq. ft. GMP-compliant warehouse to further enhance the quality, efficiency and operational excellence of the site. To learn more about AGC Biologics’ protein biologics manufacturing site in Seattle, visit www.agcbio.com/facilities/seattle. For more information on the company’s end-to-end global CDMO services in the U.S., Europe and Japan visit www.agcbio.com. About AGC Biologics: AGC Biologics is a leading global biopharmaceutical Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) with a strong commitment to delivering the highest standard of service as we work side-by-side with our clients and partners, every step of the way. We provide world-class development and manufacture of mammalian and microbial-based therapeutic proteins, plasmid DNA (pDNA), messenger RNA (mRNA), viral vectors, and genetically engineered cells. Our global network spans the U.S., Europe, and Asia, with cGMP-compliant facilities in Seattle, Washington; Boulder and Longmont, Colorado; Copenhagen, Denmark; Heidelberg, Germany; Milan, Italy; and Chiba, Japan. We currently employ more than 2,500 Team Members worldwide. Our commitment to continuous innovation fosters the technical creativity to solve our clients’ most complex challenges, including specialization in fast-track projects and rare diseases. AGC Biologics is a part of AGC Inc.’s Life Science Company. The Life Science company runs more than 10 global facilities focused on biopharmaceuticals, advanced therapies, small molecule active pharmaceutical ingredients, and agrochemicals. To learn more, visit www.agcbio.com. Contact Details AGC Biologics Nick McDonald +1 425-419-3555 nmcdonald@agcbio.com Company Website https://www.agcbio.com/

October 17, 2024 05:57 AM Eastern Daylight Time

How PlusInvesting Prime AI Signals Indicator Enhances Portfolio Growth for Online Investors

Rev Up Marketers

PlusInvesting Prime AI Signals Indicator a leading AI-driven platform, is revolutionizing the way online investors grow their portfolios by leveraging cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The platform’s AI-powered signals indicator for stocks provides users with real-time, data-driven insights, enabling informed decisions that can enhance overall portfolio performance. The latest advancement from PlusInvesting Prime AI Signals Indicator focuses on delivering a seamless, intuitive experience for both new and seasoned investors. By analyzing complex market trends, the platform generates precise and actionable signals that help investors make smarter choices, reducing the uncertainty often associated with stock market investments. This innovation is designed to boost profitability while minimizing risk, making it a powerful tool for portfolio growth. “Our AI signals indicator provides investors with critical insights they would otherwise miss. Whether the market is trending up or down, our AI ensures that investors receive timely information to make the best possible decisions,” said the CEO of PlusInvesting Prime AI Signals Indicator. “We believe that the future of investing lies in automation and smart technology, and PlusInvesting Prime AI Signals Indicator is at the forefront of that transformation.” Why This Announcement Matters Now As global stock markets continue to evolve and adapt to various economic shifts, the need for sophisticated tools like PlusInvesting Prime AI Signals Indicator has never been more important. Traditional methods of tracking and predicting stock market movements often fall short when it comes to responding to rapid market fluctuations. PlusInvesting Prime AI Signals Indicator addresses these challenges by providing real-time signals based on advanced algorithms that consider multiple data points, including historical performance, market sentiment, and economic indicators. This comprehensive approach ensures that investors are always one step ahead. Investors across the globe are searching for reliable ways to safeguard and grow their investments. The AI-driven solution from PlusInvesting Prime AI Signals Indicator offers just that—precision and reliability without the need for manual market analysis. “Our AI platform doesn’t just predict market movements; it adapts and learns from every market shift,” added the CEO. “This allows our users to confidently manage their portfolios in real-time, ensuring that they can react instantly to emerging opportunities.” Key Features of the PlusInvesting Prime AI Signals Indicator: Real-Time Insights: Data-Driven Accuracy: User-Friendly Interface: Continuous Learning: Client Success Stories Many investors using PlusInvesting Prime AI Signals Indicator have reported significant portfolio growth due to the real-time stock signals provided by the platform. One investor remarked, “Using PlusInvesting Prime AI Signals Indicator has completely changed the way I manage my investments. The accuracy and timeliness of the signals have helped me make better choices, leading to a steady increase in my portfolio value.” Investors looking for a smarter, data-driven way to grow their portfolios can benefit from PlusInvesting’s Prime AI Signals Indicator cutting-edge AI signals indicator. By offering real-time, accurate insights, PlusInvesting Prime AI Signals Indicator is setting the standard for the future of online investing. About PlusInvesting Prime AI Signals Indicator PlusInvesting Prime AI Signals Indicator is a leading AI-powered platform dedicated to providing stock market investors with the tools and insights needed to make data-driven decisions. Its AI signals indicator simplifies stock market analysis, enabling users to grow their portfolios with confidence. Disclaimer: The information provided by PlusInvesting Prime AI Signals Indicator is for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be construed as financial or investment advice. All investments carry risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Always seek professional advice before making any investment decisions. Contact Details PlusInvesting Prime AI William Johnson wj@vitprime.com Company Website https://vitprime.com

October 17, 2024 04:04 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Investor Releases Satirical Video Calling for Reid Hoffman’s Removal from Microsoft’s Board

NLPC

Poor judgment that led him to visit [Jeffrey] Epstein Island, asking friends to meet with the late pedophile, and an overwrought obsession with the defeat and downfall of President Trump, are just a few of the reasons why tech investor Reid Hoffman should no longer serve on Microsoft’s board of directors, according to an investor in the company. And now that shareholder, National Legal and Policy Center, has released a satirical video to amplify the case it has made for the last 18 months – that the LinkedIn co-founder is unfit for such a prestigious role with the software giant. Last year NLPC submitted a memorandum to the Securities and Exchange Commission asking shareholders to vote against Hoffman’s re-election to the Microsoft board. The nonprofit investor again called for his removal this year in an additional filing at the SEC, after he told fellow billionaire elites at a Sun Valley, Idaho conference that he wished he had made Donald Trump an “actual martyr,” just days before an assassination attempt was made on the former President in Butler, Pa. “There are plenty of active and generous donors, mostly to left-leaning candidates, on corporate boards in the U.S., but we don’t consider them unfit to serve,” said Paul Chesser, director of NLPC’s Corporate Integrity Project. “But with his excessive Trump obsession, dubious political ethics and funding of lawfare, Reid Hoffman is in another class, which should eliminate him from consideration for any public company leadership role.” Microsoft’s annual meeting is scheduled for December 10, and release of the company’s proxy statement is expected before the end of October. Watch NLPC’s video on Hoffman and his role at Microsoft here. For more information or to schedule an interview with Paul Chesser, contact Dan Rene at 202-329-8357 or drene@nlpc.org. Please visit http://www.nlpc.org. Founded in 1991, the National Legal and Policy Center promotes ethics in public life through research, investigation, education and legal action. Contact Details National Legal and Policy Center Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 drene@nlpc.org Company Website http://www.nlpc.org

October 16, 2024 03:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

ACTIVATE ACCELERATES US EXPANSION WITH 50 NEW LOCATION DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT

Activate

Activate, the world’s first active gaming facility and TikTok viral sensation, has announced a new exclusive agreement with Sounds Fun Entertainment to accelerate its US expansion. The partnership aims to fast-track Activate’s US presence with 50 new locations across 21 states, solidifying Activate’s position as a leader in the immersive gaming industry–a feat no other immersive gaming experience has accomplished. With 30 locations open in North America and 15 currently under construction, Activate is setting an ambitious goal to double its footprint by the end of 2025. This bold move will bring its presence to 60 total locations, with upcoming launches in iconic cities like Austin, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco. “We’re on a fast track to redefine entertainment for a whole new generation, “ said Adam Schmidt, CEO and founder of Activate. “What started as a groundbreaking idea, blending physical activity with immersive, tech-driven gaming, is now more than just a concept. We’ve seen tremendous success in bringing Activate Games to communities across the US, and this new agreement with our incredible partners in Sounds Fun Entertainment demonstrates our commitment to scaling the brand in high-demand markets.” The multi-state deal comes as Activate continues to deliver strong performance results, with an impressive growth trajectory of 1105% in the last three years. Next month, Activate is set to open a flagship location at the Mall of America, one of the country’s most visited destinations, followed by openings in Missouri, Colorado and Florida. "We first saw a Facebook post about Activate in 2019 and immediately sent a team to Winnipeg to find out what was going on up there,” states Jeremiah Sizemore, CEO of Sounds Fun Entertainment. “Our experience in the escape room industry with Breakout Games made it clear that Adam (and Megan, Derek, Jeremy, Rob, Khanh, Justin, Kayla and others) had built something truly unique at Activate. We believed there was a massive amount of potential in the concept and we are grateful they trusted us to be part of that early journey. We think that playing games with people you love brings a specific joy and we can’t wait to bring it to millions more people through these next 50 locations.” With more than 2.7 million players worldwide, Activate’s continued expansion reinforces its presence as a major player in the entertainment space, driven by its one-of-a-kind blend of physical challenges and interactive technology. For more information, visit playactivate.com, or follow @activategames on social media for the latest updates. ### Activate is the world’s first active gaming experience where players #EnterTheGame. Activate offers a unique blend of physical activity and gaming that promotes a healthy lifestyle. Each Activate location provides fun and interactive rooms for players to compete, earn stars and track achievements. With the global headquarters located in Winnipeg, Canada, Activate has grown to 30 locations across Canada, the U.S. and now the world! To join the active gaming movement, visit playactivate.com. Follow Activate on social media: Facebook: Activate Instagram: @activategames TikTok: @activategames Click here for high-res assets Contact Details Jalila Singerff +1 613-614-6777 jalila@jiveprdigital.com Company Website https://playactivate.com

October 16, 2024 12:44 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Agtonomy Closes $32.8M Series A to Accelerate AI-Driven Automation in Agriculture and Expand into Autonomous Industrial Equipment

Agtonomy

Agtonomy, the pioneer in AI-enabled automation software for agriculture and land maintenance, has raised an additional $10M to close its Series A round, bringing total funding to $32.8M. This significant investment, combined with Agtonomy’s commercial offerings and scalable business model, positions the company for accelerated growth and market expansion over the next few years. Autotech Ventures, the leading mobility venture fund, led the round. New investors include Rethink Food, Allison Transmission, and Black Forest Ventures. Existing backers Toyota Ventures, Flybridge, and Cavallo Partners continued their support. This funding marks a pivotal moment in Agtonomy's mission to address labor and climate change challenges through advanced automation for industrial equipment fleet management. “Agtonomy's innovative approach aligns with our mission to revolutionize mobility and automation across various sectors, starting with off-road autonomy. Their unique business model, which combines software expertise with established OEM partnerships, positions them to lead the transformation to autonomous fleet management. We look forward to supporting Agtonomy's experienced team as they address critical labor shortages and sustainability challenges in these industries,” said Alexei Andreev, founding partner of Autotech Ventures. Agtonomy’s immediate growth plans include scaling its West Coast technical team into new markets, expanding its 2025 paid pilot program for permanent crops by 500 percent, and developing technology solutions for other industrial markets that seek world-class automation to improve margins. “The impact Autotech has already had on our business is expansive. We could not have had a better lead investor in this round than this talented group who have focused on the world of mobility since their inception,” said Tim Bucher, CEO and Co-Founder of Agtonomy. Powerhouse Board Validates Agtonomy’s Market Potential Sterling Anderson, a Silicon Valley icon who led the team that created the original Tesla Autopilot and co-founded the leading independent developer of on-road autonomy, will join Agtonomy’s diverse Board of Directors. “Agriculture is a vast and essential element of the human experience. Autonomy can make it better. I’ve been impressed with Agtonomy’s approach, focus, and execution to date and look forward to advising them on this important journey.,” said Sterling Anderson, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer of Aurora. In May, Agtonomy announced that Jorge Heraud, formerly John Deere’s vice president of automation & autonomy, joined the Board, which includes both co-founders Tim Bucher and Valerie Syme, and Board Chair Jim Meyer, former SiriusXM CEO and current Vice Chair. “By bringing together some of the most impactful technology leaders, our Board is enabling additional firepower in corporate strategy and governance to bring Agtonomy to its full potential,” said Valerie Syme, co-founder and COO of Agtonomy. About Agtonomy: Agtonomy is a California-based, farmer-founded software, services and technology company enabling autonomy to solve agriculture’s most immediate and pressing problems including labor scarcity, climate change and shrinking profit margins. Partnering within the equipment value chain for rapid commercialization, Agtonomy embeds their ‘smarts’ into brand-name tractors and implements, digitally transforming machinery into a remote-operated, task-driven ecosystem for safe, equitable, profitable and climate-smart agriculture. For more information, visit https://www.agtonomy.com/. Contact Details AgTech PR for Agtonomy Sara Winters sara@agtechpr.com Company Website https://www.agtonomy.com/

October 16, 2024 08:30 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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