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Post-COVID Travel Boom Visits Rural America

YourUpdateTV

Visit North Carolina has launched Dream Big in Small Town NC, an initiative to boost economic recovery by attracting travelers and potential workforce to small towns in 16 counties facing population loss. Starting with a sweepstakes promotion and a satellite media tour in Haywood County, the campaign showcases natural beauty and small-town charm in places with special challenges resulting from the pandemic. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/xcNldQZAVdk Created by the General Assembly as the Rural Tourism Recovery Pilot Program, Dream Big capitalizes on travelers’ interest in exploring small towns by drawing attention to the people, places and businesses in three distinct regions designated as the Scenic Mountains, the Northeast Lakes & Rivers, and the Inner Banks. As a unit of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, Visit NC is coordinating the program with the N.C. Department of Commerce and other private and public entities involved in growing the state’s first-in-talent workforce. “Dream Big is a natural extension of Visit NC’s economic development role as the state’s tourism marketing organization,” said Wit Tuttell, Visit NC’s executive director. “Our efforts center on showcasing local landmarks, memorable experiences, distinctive lodging, dining and shopping with the goal of an economic infusion from visitor spending. Dream Big takes the mission further by calling attention to the allure of living and working in charismatic places whose appeal is rooted in character and authenticity.” Funded with $1.5 million from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the pilot program designates Graham, Haywood, Madison, Mitchell and Yancey counties in the Scenic Mountains; Edgecombe, Halifax, Vance and Warren in the Northeast Lakes & Rivers; and Chowan, Gates, Hertford, Martin, Perquimans, Tyrrell and Washington in the Inner Banks. Dream Big also has a dedicated presence on VisitNC.com, complete with links for job postings, as well as program partner Airbnb’s website. The Scenic Mountains is the first region to take the spotlight. During the satellite tour in Waynesville, representatives from national, regional and in-state media outlets joined the virtual tour and Q&A session. The launch also features a sweepstakes with a prize package that includes: A $1,000 Airbnb stay voucher to experience Small Town NC life. A $500 VISA gift card to help with travel expenses by plane, train or automobile A choice of gift cards for dining, recreation and shopping in the Scenic Mountain destinations. Similar promotions and satellite media tours are planned for the program’s launch in Northeast Lakes & Rivers this summer and in the Inner Banks in the fall. According to a recent report from Destination Analysts, 28.4 percent of people surveyed plan to visit small towns or rural attractions this travel season. Increased demand is reflected in the doubling of short-term rentals available outside of North Carolina’s urban counties since the pandemic began. For 2021, Airbnb reports a 128 percent increase in nights booked in rural areas compared with 2019. For the same period, nights booked for rural stays of more than four weeks grew 160 percent, which supports Dream Big’s promise to engage visitors for more than a getaway. Tuttell also noted findings from a poll by booking.com that 58 percent of travelers said it’s important for their trip be beneficial to the destination's local community. Twenty-nine percent said they would research how their tourism spending would affect or improve local communities. Beyond exposure from the satellite tour, Dream Big will reach the traveling public through a presence on VisitNC.com and posts on @VisitNC’s social media channels. A media influencer campaign will bring selected tastemakers to the destinations to engage their followers in the local culture and lifestyle appeal for people interested in a change of scenery. Airbnb, which will also promote the campaign on its website and social media channels, will use its inventory of short-term rental properties to host the media visits. About Visit North Carolina: Visit North Carolina is part of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. Established in 2014, the EDPNC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that oversees the state's efforts in business and job recruitment and retention, international trade, and tourism, film and sports development. The mission of Visit North Carolina is to unify and lead the state in developing North Carolina as a major destination for leisure travel, group tours, meetings and conventions, sports events and film production. For more information on North Carolina’s destinations and travel assets, go to VisitNC.com. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

May 04, 2022 06:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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CSG Systems International Reports First Quarter 2022 Results

CSG

Confirming All 2022 Financial Guidance Targets Delivered 4.5% YoY Revenue Growth and 4.9% YoY Non-GAAP EPS Growth in Q1 Launched 5G-Ready, SaaS-Based CSG Encompass for Global Telecom Customers CSG (NASDAQ: CSGS) today reported results for the quarter ended March 31, 2022. Financial Results: First quarter 2022 financial results: Total revenue was $264.4 million and total non-GAAP adjusted revenue was $246.4 million. GAAP operating income was $16.4 million, or 6.2% of total revenue, and non-GAAP operating income was $40.2 million, or 16.3% of non-GAAP adjusted revenue. GAAP earnings per diluted share (EPS) was $0.19 and non-GAAP EPS was $0.86. Cash flows used in operations were ($5.5) million, with a non-GAAP free cash flow deficit of ( $15.9) million. Shareholder Returns: CSG declared its quarterly cash dividend of $0.265 per share of common stock, or a total of approximately $9 million, to shareholders. During the first quarter of 2022, CSG repurchased under its stock repurchase program, approximately 266,000 shares of its common stock for approximately $16 million. “CSG continued to build off our excellent 2021 momentum by delivering 4.5% year-over-year revenue growth and 4.9% year-over-year non-GAAP EPS growth in Q1, despite the discounts related to our Charter Communications and DISH contract renewals,” said Brian Shepherd, President and Chief Executive Officer of CSG. “These good first quarter results prove that our strategy is paying dividends as we continue to deliver for our customers. As a result, we are pleased to confirm all 2022 financial guidance targets. Looking ahead, we remain well positioned to lengthen and strengthen our relationships with existing customers, organically grow our revenue, close good value-adding strategic acquisitions, and diversify into faster growth industry verticals.” Financial Overview (unaudited) (in thousands, except per share amounts and percentages): For additional information and reconciliations regarding CSG’s use of non-GAAP financial measures, please refer to the attached Exhibit 2 and the Investor Relations section of CSG’s website at csgi.com. Results of Operations GAAP Results: Total revenue for the first quarter of 2022 was $264.4 million, a 4.5% increase when compared to revenue of $253.1 million for the first quarter of 2021. The increase in revenue can be primarily attributed to the continued growth of CSG’s revenue management solutions, as approximately two-thirds of the increase was attributed to organic growth. GAAP operating income for the first quarter of 2022 was $16.4 million, or 6.2% of total revenue, compared to $31.4 million, or 12.4% of total revenue, for the first quarter of 2021. The decrease in operating income is mainly a result of a $12 million increase in restructuring and reorganization charges related primarily to real estate restructurings in the first quarter of 2022 as CSG rationalizes its real estate footprint to reflect a flexible work approach. GAAP EPS for the first quarter of 2022 was $0.19, as compared to $0.61 for the first quarter of 2021. The decrease in GAAP EPS can be mainly attributed to the increase restructuring and reorganization charges, discussed above, and a $7.5 million loss incurred on a derivative liability upon conversion of our 2016 Convertible Notes, discussed below. Non-GAAP Results: Non-GAAP adjusted revenue for the first quarter of 2022 was $246.4 million, a 4.1% increase when compared to non-GAAP adjusted revenue of $236.7 million for the first quarter of 2021. The increase in non-GAAP adjusted revenue between periods is due to the factors discussed above. Non-GAAP operating income for the first quarter of 2022 was $40.2 million, or 16.3% of total non-GAAP adjusted revenue, compared to $40.2 million, or 17.0% of total non-GAAP adjusted revenue for the first quarter of 2021. Non-GAAP EPS for the first quarter of 2022 was $0.86 compared to $0.82 for the first quarter of 2021. Balance Sheet and Cash Flows Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of March 31, 2022 were $187.6 million compared to $233.7 million as of December 31, 2021. CSG had net cash flows used in operations for the first quarters ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 of ($5.5) million and ($2.2) million, respectively, and had non-GAAP free cash flow deficits of ($15.9) million and ($10.5) million, respectively. Cash flows for the first quarters of 2022 and 2021 were negatively impacted by the payment of year-end accrued employee incentive compensation. During the first quarter of 2022, CSG borrowed $245 million on its 2021 Revolving Credit Facility to settle the 2016 Convertible Notes for approximately $242 million in cash. As a result of the conversions of the Notes in March 2022, CSG recognized a $7.5 million loss on a derivative liability related to the change in CSG’s stock price over the observation period prior to settlement. Summary of Financial Guidance CSG is reaffirming its financial guidance for the full year 2022, as follows: For additional information and reconciliations regarding CSG’s use of non-GAAP financial measures, please refer to the attached Exhibit 2 and the Investor Relations section of CSG’s website at csgi.com. Conference Call CSG will host a conference call on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. ET, to discuss CSG’s first quarter results for 2022. The call will be carried live and archived on the Internet. A link to the conference call is available at http://ir.csgi.com. In addition, to reach the conference by phone, call 1-888-412-4131 and use the passcode 2327393. Additional Information For information about CSG, please visit CSG’s web site at csgi.com. Additional information can be found in the Investor Relations section of the website. About CSG CSG is a leader in innovative customer engagement, revenue management and payments solutions that make ordinary customer experiences extraordinary. Our cloud-first architecture and customer-obsessed mindset help companies around the world launch new digital services, expand into new markets, and create dynamic experiences that capture new customers and build brand loyalty. For 40 years, CSG’s technologies and people have helped some of the world’s most recognizable brands solve their toughest business challenges and evolve to meet the demands of today’s digital economy with future-ready solutions that drive exceptional customer experiences. With over 5,000 employees in over 20 countries, CSG is the trusted technology provider for leading global brands in telecommunications, retail, financial services, and healthcare. Our solutions deliver real world outcomes to more than 900 customers in over 120 countries. To learn more, visit us at csgi.com and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements as defined under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, that are based on assumptions about a number of important factors and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from what appears in this news release. Some of these key factors include, but are not limited to the following items: CSG derives approximately forty percent of its revenue from its two largest customers; Fluctuations in credit market conditions, general global economic and political conditions, and foreign currency exchange rates; CSG’s ability to maintain a reliable, secure computing environment; Continued market acceptance of CSG’s products and services; CSG’s ability to continuously develop and enhance products in a timely, cost-effective, technically advanced and competitive manner; CSG’s ability to deliver its solutions in a timely fashion within budget, particularly large and complex software implementations; CSG’s dependency on the global telecommunications industry, and in particular, the North American telecommunications industry; CSG’s ability to meet its financial expectations; Increasing competition in CSG’s market from companies of greater size and with broader presence; CSG’s ability to successfully integrate and manage acquired businesses or assets to achieve expected strategic, operating and financial goals; CSG’s ability to protect its intellectual property rights; CSG’s ability to conduct business in the international marketplace; CSG’s ability to comply with applicable U.S. and International laws and regulations; and CSG’s business may be disrupted, and its results of operations and cash flows adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This list is not exhaustive, and readers are encouraged to review the additional risks and important factors described in CSG’s reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q and other filings made with the SEC. For more information, contact: John Rea, Investor Relations (210) 687-4409 E-mail: john.rea@csgi.com CSG SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS-UNAUDITED (in thousands) CSG SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME-UNAUDITED (in thousands, except per share amounts) CSG SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS-UNAUDITED (in thousands) (1) Beginning with the second quarter of 2021, CSG reclassified certain cash flows related to settlement and merchant reserve assets and liabilities from cash flows from operating activities to cash flows from financing activities within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. EXHIBIT 1 CSG SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. SUPPLEMENTAL REVENUE ANALYSIS Revenue by Significant Customers: 10% or more of Revenue Revenue by Vertical Revenue by Geography EXHIBIT 2 CSG SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. DISCLOSURES FOR NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Limitations To supplement its condensed consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), CSG uses non-GAAP adjusted revenue, non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP adjusted operating margin percentage, non-GAAP EPS, non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA, and non-GAAP free cash flow. CSG believes that these non-GAAP financial measures, when reviewed in conjunction with its GAAP financial measures, provide investors with greater transparency to the information used by CSG’s management in its financial and operational decision making. CSG uses these non-GAAP financial measures for the following purposes: Certain internal financial planning, reporting, and analysis; Forecasting and budgeting; Certain management compensation incentives; and Communications with CSG’s Board of Directors, stockholders, financial analysts, and investors. These non-GAAP financial measures are provided with the intent of providing investors with the following information: A more complete understanding of CSG’s underlying operational results, trends, and cash generating capabilities; Consistency and comparability with CSG’s historical financial results; and Comparability to similar companies, many of which present similar non-GAAP financial measures to investors. Non-GAAP financial measures are not measures of performance under GAAP, and therefore should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for GAAP financial information. Limitations with the use of non-GAAP financial measures include the following items: Non-GAAP financial measures are not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles; The way in which CSG calculates non-GAAP financial measures may differ from the way in which other companies calculate similar non-GAAP financial measures; Non-GAAP financial measures do not include all items of income and expense that affect CSG’s operations and that are required by GAAP to be included in financial statements; Certain adjustments to CSG’s non-GAAP financial measures result in the exclusion of items that are recurring and will be reflected in CSG’s financial statements in future periods; and Certain charges excluded from CSG’s non-GAAP financial measures are cash expenses, and therefore do impact CSG’s cash position. CSG compensates for these limitations by relying primarily on its GAAP results and using non-GAAP financial measures as a supplement only. Additionally, CSG provides specific information regarding the treatment of GAAP amounts considered in preparing the non-GAAP financial measures and reconciles each n on-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Non-GAAP Financial Measures: Basis of Presentation The table below outlines the exclusions from CSG’s non-GAAP financial measures: CSG believes that excluding certain items in calculating its non-GAAP financial measures provides meaningful supplemental information regarding CSG’s performance and these items are excluded for the following reasons: Transaction fees are primarily comprised of interchange and other payment-related fees paid, in conjunction with the delivery of service to customers under CSG’s payment services contracts, to third-party payment processors and financial institutions by CSG. Because CSG controls the integrated service provided under its payment services customer contracts, these transaction fees are presented gross, and not netted against revenue; however, other payments companies who do not provide and/or control an integrated service present their revenue net of transaction fees. The exclusion of these fees in calculating CSG’s non-GAAP adjusted revenue provides management and investors an additional means to use to compare CSG’s current revenue with historical and future periods, as well as with other payments companies. Restructuring and reorganization charges are expenses that result from cost reduction initiatives and/or significant changes to CSG’s business, to include such things as involuntary employee terminations, changes in management structure, divestitures of businesses, facility consolidations and abandonments, and fundamental reorganizations impacting operational focus and direction. These charges are not considered reflective of CSG’s recurring business operating results. The exclusion of these items in calculating CSG’s non-GAAP financial measures allows management and investors an additional means to compare CSG’s current financial results with historical and future periods. Executive transition costs include expenses incurred related to a departure of a CSG executive officer under the terms of the related separation agreement. These types of costs are not considered reflective of CSG’s recurring business operating results. The exclusion of these costs in calculating CSG’s non-GAAP financial measures allows management and investors an additional means to compare CSG’s current financial results with historical and future periods. Acquisition-related expenses include amortization of acquired intangible assets, earn-out compensation, and transaction-related costs. Transaction-related costs, which typically include expenses related to legal, accounting, and other professional services, are direct and incremental expenses related to business acquisitions, and thus, are not considered reflective of CSG’s recurring business operating results. The total amount of acquisition-related expenses can vary significantly between periods based on the number and size of acquisition activities, previously acquired intangible assets becoming fully amortized, and ultimate realization of earn-out compensation. In addition, the timing of these expenses may not directly correlate with underlying performance of the CSG’s operations. Therefore, the exclusion of acquisition-related expenses in calculating CSG’s non-GAAP financial measures allows management and investors an additional means to compare CSG’s current financial results with historical and future periods. Stock-based compensation results from CSG’s issuance of equity awards to its employees under incentive compensation programs. The amount of this incentive compensation in any period is not generally linked to the level of performance by employees or CSG. The exclusion of these expenses in calculating CSG’s non-GAAP financial measures allows management and investors an additional means to evaluate the non-cash expense related to compensation included in CSG’s results of operations, and therefore, the exclusion of this item allows investors to further evaluate the cash generating capabilities of CSG’s business. The convertible notes OID is the result of allocating a portion of the principal balance of the debt at issuance to the equity component of the instrument, as required under current accounting rules. This OID is then amortized to interest expense over the life of the respective convertible debt instrument. The interest expense related to the amortization of the OID is a non-cash expense, and therefore, the exclusion of this item allows investors to further evaluate the cash interest costs of CSG’s convertible notes for cash flow, liquidity, and debt service purposes. Gains and losses related to the extinguishment/conversion of debt can be as a result of the refinancing of CSG’s credit agreement and/or repurchase, conversion, or settlement of CSG’s convertible notes. These activities, to include any derivative activity related to debt conversions, are not considered reflective of CSG’s recurring business operating results. Any resulting gain or loss is generally non-cash income or expense, and therefore, the exclusion of these items allows investors to further evaluate the cash impact of these activities for cash flow and liquidity purposes. In addition, the exclusion of these gains and losses in calculating CSG’s non-GAAP EPS allows management and investors an additional means to compare CSG’s current operating results with historical and future periods. Gains or losses related to the acquisition or disposition of certain of CSG’s business activities are not considered reflective of CSG’s recurring business operating results. Any resulting gain or loss is generally non-cash income or expense, and therefore, the exclusion of these items allows investors to further evaluate the cash impact of these activities for cash flow and liquidity purposes. In addition, the exclusion of these gains and losses in calculating CSG’s non-GAAP EPS allows management and investors an additional means to compare CSG’s current operating results with historical and future periods. Unusual items within CSG’s quarterly and/or annual income tax expense can occur from such things as income tax accounting timing matters, income taxes related to unusual events, or as a result of different treatment of certain items for book accounting and income tax purposes. Consideration of such items in calculating CSG’s non-GAAP financial measures allows management and investors an additional means to compare CSG’s current financial results with historical and future periods. CSG also reports non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA and non-GAAP free cash flow. Management believes non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA is a useful measure to investors in evaluating CSG’s operating performance, debt servicing capabilities, and enterprise valuation. CSG defines non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA as income before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, foreign currency transaction adjustments, acquisition-related expenses, and unusual items, such as restructuring and reorganization charges, executive transition costs, gains and losses related to the extinguishment of debt, and gains and losses on acquisitions or dispositions, as discussed above. Additionally, management uses non-GAAP free cash flow, among other measures, to assess its financial performance and cash generating capabilities, and believes that it is useful to investors because it shows CSG’s cash available to service debt, make strategic acquisitions and investments, repurchase its common stock, pay cash dividends, and fund ongoing operations. CSG defines non-GAAP free cash flow as net cash flows from operating activities less the purchases of software, property and equipment. Non-GAAP Financial Measures Non-GAAP Adjusted Revenue: The reconciliations of GAAP revenue to non-GAAP adjusted revenue for the indicated periods are as follows (in thousands): Non-GAAP Operating Income: The reconciliations of GAAP operating income to non-GAAP operating income for the indicated periods are as follows (in thousands, except percentages): (1) Stock-based compensation included in the tables above and following excludes amounts that have been recorded in restructuring and reorganization charges. Non-GAAP EPS: The reconciliations of GAAP EPS to non-GAAP EPS for the indicated periods are as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts): (2) For the quarters ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 the GAAP effective income tax rates were approximately 8% and 26%, respectively, and the non-GAAP effective income tax rates were approximately 27.5% and 27%, respectively. The first quarter of 2022 GAAP effective income tax rate was impacted by the combination of lower net income and a discrete tax benefit related to the vesting of equity-awards during the quarter. (3) The outstanding diluted shares for the quarters ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 were 31.8 million and 32.1 million, respectively. Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA: CSG’s calculation of non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA and the reconciliation of CSG’s non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA measure to GAAP net income is provided below for the indicated periods (in thousands, except percentages): (4) Interest expense includes amortization of deferred financing costs as provided in Note 5 below. (5) Amortization on the statement of cash flows is made up of the following items for the indicated periods (in thousands): Non-GAAP Free Cash Flow: CSG’s calculation of non-GAAP free cash flow and the reconciliation of CSG’s non-GAAP free cash flow measure to cash flows from operating activities are provided below for the indicated periods (in thousands): Non-GAAP Financial Measures – 2022 Financial Guidance Non-GAAP Adjusted Revenue: The reconciliation of GAAP revenue to non-GAAP adjusted revenue, as included in CSG’s 2022 full year preliminary financial outlook, is as follows: Non-GAAP Operating Income: The reconciliation of GAAP operating income to non-GAAP operating income, as included in CSG’s 2022 full year financial guidance, is as follows (in thousands, except percentages): Non-GAAP EPS: The reconciliation of GAAP EPS to non-GAAP EPS as included in CSG’s 2022 full year financial guidance is as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts): (6) For 2022, the estimated effective income tax rate for GAAP and non-GAAP purposes is expected to be approximately 26% and 27%, respectively. (7) The weighted-average diluted shares outstanding are expected to be approximately 32 million. Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA: CSG’s calculation of non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA and the reconciliation of CSG’s non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA measure to GAAP net income is provided below for CSG’s 2022 full year financial guidance (in thousands, except percentages): Non-GAAP Free Cash Flow: CSG’s calculation of non-GAAP free cash flow and the reconciliation of CSG’s non-GAAP free cash flow measure to cash flows from operating activities is provided below for the indicated period (in thousands): Contact Details CSG John Rea +1 210-687-4409 tammy.hovey@csgi.com Company Website https://www.csgi.com

May 04, 2022 02:01 PM Mountain Daylight Time

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Web3 Solidity Engine, tEVM 2.0 - Ahead of Schedule

Telos Foundation

As the Goliaths of crypto continuously crash ( Solana ), fail to deliver ( Ethereum ), or live in their white papers ( Cardano ), David ( Telos ) continues to defy them all and over-deliver. The Telos story is very much a David vs. Goliath story. Why? Because Telos is tens and even hundreds of billions of dollars smaller than its peers in market cap, yet still manages to significantly lead them in speed, costs, true capacity, credible neutrality, front running protection, fair governance, and energy efficiency ( Net Zero ). The tEVM Version 1.0's capabilities are already a quantum leap ahead of its peers and are clearly demonstrated in this video. Now, less than a year later, version 2.0 is set to elevate the tEVM's performance further. Jesse Schulman (Lead Architect and TCO), alongside Kersten Wirth (Program Manager), will be providing detailed insights into the development of Telos EVM 2.0. This hybrid "Super-Node" solution will be even easier to operate and integrate than the previous version, offer top-notch history management, and tie in with the best available Ethereum clients. The dev-duo will also be discussing the many benefits and successes of the existing tEVM Version 1. Since its launch, the tEVM’s ecosystem is closing on six months of strategic growth. On the DeFi side, it has already launched multiple Dex/AMMs, Price Oracles, Farming dApps, multi-Chain bridges, Lending dApps, and everything else that a vibrant DeFi ecosystem requires to level up its TVL and end-user occupancy. Telos’ TVL is now where the market cap leading chains were not long ago but with far superior governance, no front running, credible neutrality, true decentralization, and an ESG compliant EVM that is several multiples faster. In utopian fashion, Telos’ ecosystem is now ready to scale its occupants and its TVL simultaneously. About Telos Live since 2018, Telos Blockchain (ticker: TLOS) is a third-generation smart contract platform that offers compatibility with Solidity, Vyper, and Native C++ smart contracts. Telos provides full EVM/Solidity support with fixed low-cost gas fees and no front running and, more uniquely, offers a path to fee-less transactions via its robust native C++ smart contract support. Even while operating as a Net Zero Blockchain, Telos still sustainably supports hundreds of millions of transactions per day, produces blocks in 0.5 second intervals (on a first-in-first-out basis, eliminating front running on the network), and securely validates transactions via a credibly neutral and globally decentralized block producer network. As a result, the Telos blockchain has the throughput needed to facilitate and scale the thriving Metaverse / Web 3.0 landscape better than any other blockchain in existence. Its performance is unrivaled in the industry and was purpose-built to offer speed, scalability, cost-effectiveness, credible decentralization, and end-user fairness. Telos harnesses its power by utilizing tight C++ on the frontend and a custom WASM runtime environment on the backend. About The Foundation The Telos Foundation is a Decentralized Autonomous Organization established as a promotional and funding body to advance the Telos Blockchain Network and provide support to network applications. Not investing advice. Contact Details The Team hello@telosfoundation.io Company Website https://www.telos.net/

May 04, 2022 01:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Volatus Aerospace Expands Pipeline Inspection with Acquisition of Canadian Air National

Volatus Aerospace Corp.

Volatus Aerospace Corp. (TSXV: VOL) (OTCQB: VLTTF) ("Volatus" or "the Company") is pleased to announce the acquisition of Canadian Air National, a commercial aircraft operator specializing in contracted pipeline inspections for the oil and gas industry. Seth Moffat, President and CEO of Canadian Air National, will continue to lead the company. "The oil and gas sector has enormous growth potential as drone and AI-enhanced solutions are added to the mix of traditional crewed aircraft providing aerial patrol and inspections," says Luc Masse, Volatus Executive Vice President. "We are looking forward to supporting Seth and his team. They are a welcome addition to Volatus. Seth is a well-respected aviation professional who pilots for a major national airline in addition to being Vice Chair of the Flight Operations Specialist Group with the Royal Aeronautical Society." Seth Moffat stated: “I am exceptionally proud of the quality air operator that Canadian Air National has become, and recognize Volatus Aerospace as the right opportunity for future growth, development and technological advancement. The strength that Volatus brings to the company will significantly benefit our clients moving forward and ensure Canadian Air National remains part of the Canadian aviation landscape for years to come.” Canadian Air National is organized to conduct airborne inspections and patrols in Canada and the USA. Volatus intends to use this new capability to supplement and expand larger drone project opportunities. Wherever possible, Volatus will dronify operations to improve efficiencies. About Volatus Aerospace: Volatus Aerospace Corp. is a leading provider of integrated drone solutions throughout Canada, the United States, and Latin America. Operating a vast pilot network, Volatus serves commercial and defense markets with imaging and inspection, security and surveillance, equipment sales and support, training, and design, manufacturing, and R&D. Through its subsidiary Volatus Aviation, Volatus carries on the business of aircraft management, charter sales, and cargo services using piloted, remotely piloted, and autonomous aircraft. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statement This news release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Corporation with respect to future business activities and operating performance. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, or “believes” or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or statements formed in the future tense or indicating that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” (or other variations of the foregoing) be taken, occur, be achieved, or come to pass. Forward-looking information includes information regarding (i) the business plans and expectations of the Corporation; and (ii) expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Forward-looking information is based on currently available competitive, financial and economic data and operating plans, strategies or beliefs as of the date of this news release, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Corporation to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors may be based on information currently available to the Corporation, including information obtained from third-party industry analysts and other third-party sources, and are based on management’s current expectations or beliefs. Any and all forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflects expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Forward-looking information reflects the Corporation’s current beliefs and is based on information currently available to it and on assumptions it believes to be not unreasonable in light of all of the circumstances. In some instances, material factors or assumptions are discussed in this news release in connection with statements containing forward-looking information. Such material factors and assumptions include, but are not limited to: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Corporation; meeting the continued listing requirements of the TSXV; and anticipated and unanticipated costs and other factors referenced in this news release and the Circular, including, but not limited to, those set forth in the Circular under the caption “Risk Factors”. Although the Corporation has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. The forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this news release and, other than as required by law, the Corporation disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Source: Volatus Aerospace Corp. TSXV: VOL Contact Details Rob Walker +1 514-447-7986 rob.walker@volatusaerospace.com Company Website https://volatusaerospace.com

May 04, 2022 07:45 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Altais Names Nishant Anand, M.D., as President and CEO

Altais

Altais, a healthcare services and technology company, today announced the appointment of Nishant Anand, M.D., F.A.C.E.P., as its new president and CEO, effective May 31, 2022. In this role, Dr. Anand will lead the three-year-old company that is pioneering integrated, scalable health technology solutions and transformative business models designed to enhance the patient experience, improve health outcomes, reduce cost and drive professional gratification among physicians. Dr. Anand will report directly to the Altais Board of Directors. He succeeds Altais founding President and CEO Jeff Bailet, M.D., who is retiring. “We are excited to welcome Dr. Anand to steer Altais into its next phase of growth,” said Dr. Toluwase Ajayi, Altais board member and medical director of palliative medicine at Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego. “His background as a board-certified physician with extensive strategic business experience makes him the perfect leader to advance Altais’ mission to cultivate the well-being of physicians, patients and the entire clinical community.” Dr. Anand comes to Altais from BayCare Health System in Florida, where he has served as executive vice president and chief medical officer since 2018. In that role, Dr. Anand had full profit and loss accountability for the physician group, a strong clinical leadership role for the system of 15 hospitals and an expanded scope of responsibility in response to the pandemic. Before BayCare Health System, Dr. Anand served as chief transformation officer and chief medical officer for population health at AdventHealth System, as well as chief medical officer to the entire Banner Health Network. Over the course of his career, he has led population health initiatives and accountable care organizations in multiple roles. Dr. Anand currently serves on the National Quality Foundation MAP Committee, a joint committee reporting to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, as well as on the American Hospital Association Regional Policy Board. He has authored several peer-reviewed publications and has received numerous awards for clinical competency, his work with underserved populations, patient satisfaction and innovation. “I am thrilled to join Altais as the company leads the way in next-generation clinical services and support to physicians and communities throughout California,” said Dr. Anand. “The stresses on healthcare professionals and health systems have only escalated in recent years. Altais is uniquely positioned to provide solutions that enable independent physicians to focus on what they’ve always wanted to do, which is to provide excellent patient experiences and improved health outcomes. Personally, I am also looking forward to returning to the San Francisco Bay Area.” Dr. Anand is a board-certified emergency medicine physician, who earned his medical degree from the Mayo Medical School in Rochester, Minnesota, and completed his residency training in emergency medicine at Stanford/Kaiser Emergency Medicine Program. He has served on the faculty of the University of Central Florida College of Medicine, as well as the University of Arizona College of Medicine. Dr. Anand also served as a team doctor for the San Francisco 49ers. *** About Altais Altais is a healthcare services company that helps physicians and the clinical community maximize the health and well-being of their patients in an affordable and sustainable way. Altais has two divisions. Altais Clinical Services offers a range of affiliation and employment models for physicians and high-quality, affordable care for patients. Altais Health offers a broad platform of clinical support tools and technology, along with high-touch support. Ultimately, Altais seeks to enhance the vibrancy of physician practice and strengthen the heart of medicine – physicians connecting with patients and providing personalized, high-quality care. For more information about Altais, please visit www.altais.com. ### Contact Details Robin Carr +1 415-971-3991 altais@landispr.com Company Website https://altais.com/

May 04, 2022 03:12 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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GIFT IDEAS TO DELIGHT EVERY MOM IN YOUR LIFE

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/UxM5jvVZJQ4 Mother’s Day is one of the biggest retail holidays of the year and consumers are expected to spend more than $25 billion in 2022. A few of the most popular gifting trends include flowers, jewelry, and sweets. Although, spa visits, restaurant gift certificates, and electronics continue to see record levels of spending. Sunday, May 8 th is Mother’s Day, the perfect time to think about and celebrate the mothers and mother figures in your life. According to a recent survey, many moms are happy with a greeting card or a special experience with their family. In fact, staycations are another growing trend, whether visiting a local green space, movie theater, or museum, moms are asking for more quality time with loved ones. Braun-Silva has some of the best bets to make moms happy this Mother’s Day. SHOP & DELIVER: Braun-Silva says once you know this year’s top gifts, it’s important to know how to get them into your mom’s hands. The Lifestyle Expert recommends DoorDash, saying, “It has everything you need to treat mom this Mother’s Day, including those restaurant meals, groceries, baked goods, retail gifts, alcohol, and now—flowers.” This Mother’s Day, consumers are able to order mom a beautiful bouquet of flowers through DoorDash. The popular service has partnered with more than 4,000 local and national florists across the country for on-demand delivery. Braun-Silva explains, “The way I see it, this is the perfect way to send flowers to all the moms in your life—whether you want to schedule a delivery in advance, send a bouquet across the country, or have flowers delivered on-demand. DoorDash makes gifting so easy and convenient. For more information, go to DoorDash.com. Direct link: https://www.doordash.com/ Social media handles: @doordash NEVER GO OUT OF STYLE: Braun-Silva acknowledges that many moms sacrifice on beauty and style to focus their attention on their families. That’s why she wants to help women feel like the best version of themselves. She admits to knowing the feeling, “I’m the mom of two boys that bring me so much happiness. However, sometimes I want to get dressed up and do a day with my girls.” This Mother’s Day, she recommends finding cute and fashionable dresses for every woman on your list, adding, “Now that it’s getting warmer, I can’t wait to put on a dress. So, I turn to Kohl’s.” Whether you’re attending a brunch or want to give the gift of must-have staples to rotate throughout the season, she says Kohl’s exclusive Draper James RSVP, Simply Vera Vera Wang and Lauren Lane x Sonoma collections will have something for everyone. She points out that, “The florals look fantastic, and stripes and patterns are always a fun way for moms to express their personal style and taste in clothing.” The lifestyle expert highlights another trend, saturated colors, like Kelly green, hot pink, and tangerine. As Mother’s Day approaches, she says Kohl’s is here to make shopping a breeze for everyone, especially all the moms in your life. For more information, go to Kohls.com. Direct link: https://www.kohls.com Social media handles: Facebook Instagram TikTok Twitter Hashtag: #KohlsFinds HAIR WITH A FLARE: Another category Braun-Silva wants consumers to consider when gifting is Beauty. She says Mother’s Day is always about women feeling their best as they spend time with their loved ones, adding, “If we feel good on the inside, we want to show it on the outside.” She steps away from the obvious, skincare routines, and focuses on hair. The lifestyle expert says, “I may not be on a curly journey, but, a few of my girlfriends are—they have naturally curly hair. And, for curls that transform through heat, color, protective styling and more, the DevaCurl® CurlBond™ product line allows you to Live Your Curls without the fear of damage in just one wash.” One product she recommends, the DevaCurl CurlBond Mask, includes DevaCurl’s Patented CurlBond Complex, which is dermatologist co-developed, backed by science and stylist approved. It repairs broken bonds & recoils curls from the inside-out, helping curls to flex through heat, color, detangling, and everything in between with improved strength. The brand attracts conscious consumers and moms, because all the DevaCurl CurlBond products are formulated with everything curls love and nothing they don’t! They are vegan, cruelty-free, and made without SLS/SLES sulfates, silicones, parabens, and gluten. For more information, visit Devacurl.com. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

May 03, 2022 02:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise achieves HIPAA compliance

Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise

Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise, a leading provider of communications, networking and cloud solutions tailored to customers’ industries, today announced that it has achieved compliance under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”). HIPAA requires companies to demonstrate their ability to ensure the privacy and security of protected health information (“PHI”). This entails the establishment and maintenance of administrative, technical, and physical safeguards that are designed to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of all PHI to which a company has access. In furtherance of maintaining its HIPAA compliance, ALE has committed to periodic re-assessments of its compliance policies and protocols. HIPAA compliance will enable Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise to provide its Rainbow TM communications solution to its healthcare customers for purposes of facilitating patient care. “ALE has been proactive in taking on the critical role of protecting patient data and providing healthcare providers with the technology they need to deliver effective care. We take great pride in offering peace of mind to healthcare professionals and enabling them to focus on what matters most: their patients,” said Salvatore Zoida, Senior Attorney and HIPAA Compliance Officer at Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise. Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise is a key networking supplier of switches, wireless products, network management, and security solutions for organizations of all sizes. The company also provides cloud-based solutions, enhancing its channels’ ability to address customer needs as they increasingly move to the cloud. “Achieving this milestone allows us to extend the benefits of Rainbow communications platform, through its licensing model, to companies supporting the healthcare sector, which is a priority vertical for ALE. We are committing to our healthcare customers and will continue to propose the solutions they need while ensuring all the necessary protection for them to offer services in optimal conditions,” said Mike Mullarkey, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Americas at Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise. About Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise delivers the customized technology experiences enterprises need to make everything connect. ALE provides digital-age networking, communications and cloud solutions with services tailored to ensure customers’ success, with flexible business models in the cloud, on premises, and hybrid. All solutions have built-in security and limited environmental impact. Over 100 years of innovation have made Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise a trusted advisor to more than a million customers all over the world. With headquarters in France and 3,400 business partners worldwide, Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise achieves an effective global reach with local focus. al-enterprise.com | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram Contact Details Fox Communications Limited Chloe Murray +44 20 3750 6688 chloe@fox.agency Company Website https://www.al-enterprise.com/

May 03, 2022 07:15 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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Toplyne raises $15 million Series A to monetize product-led growth

Toplyne

Toplyne, a SaaS platform that lets companies to monetize their product-led growth flywheel, today announced a $15 million Series A funding round led by Tiger Global and Sequoia Capital India, with participation from existing investors Together Fund, Sequoia India’s Surge and angel investors from Canva, Vercel & Zoominfo. Toplyne lets Growth Teams at product-led SaaS companies monetize their product-led growth by increasing conversions within their freemium user base. The company was founded in June 2021 by Rishen Kapoor and Ruchin Kulkarni who were earlier with Sequoia India and the former VP of Product at Clevertap, Rohit Khanna. Since the announcement of its $2.5 million seed round in November 2021, the company has on boarded several marquee customers like Canva, Grafana, Gather.Town, and BrowserStack and is all set to launch a self-serve freemium product within the next quarter to onboard a long list of waitlisted customers. The company has more than doubled from 13 to 30 employees across geographies, since the last round of funding. The genesis of Toplyne happened when the founding team members - former investment analysts at Sequoia India - noticed a fundamental shift in how software was being discovered and bought. Product-led growth (PLG) was at the epicenter of the most successful SaaS companies. User virality, referrals and freemium usage had exploded the top-of-funnel. SaaS companies had more users than ever before. While product-led growth had opened the floodgates at the top of the funnel for successful SaaS companies, the battle had moved from acquisition to conversion. Most hyper-growth PLG companies have sub 1-2% conversion rates. Monetization is easier said than done. Experimentation, with various permutations of user segments and GTM strategies, is of the essence. The responsibility of this experimental approach lies with “Growth” teams. Growth teams at these companies experiment with various GTM strategies that cost heavily in terms of pooling in time, talent (cross functional teams) and money. Toplyne lets these teams (their customers) rapidly experiment and deploy various go-to-market (GTM) motions at scale from driving self-serve conversions through in-product nudges (chatbots, paywalls, promos) or sales-assisted conversions through high-velocity inside-sales teams. By assessing complex patterns in large volumes of product-usage data, Toplyne is able to identify users and accounts who have the highest intent to convert to paid subscriptions. Revenue teams using Toplyne are empowered to focus their efforts on users and accounts who show real intent, rather than chasing leads that will never convert. ​​“Millions of people around the world use Canva to achieve their goals – from high school students to small business owners and the Fortune 500. It’s important that we’re able to identify users where our premium subscriptions are the right fit and can add value to the way they’re using our platform. Toplyne helps us effectively target and scale these efforts at our speed of growth.” - said Toplyne customer David Burson, Head of Product Growth at Canva Toplyne is committed to becoming a one-stop-shop for PLG businesses to solve their monetization problems. The plug-and-play product seamlessly integrates into existing CRMs (Salesforce. Hubspot), customer engagement platforms (Braze) and product analytics infrastructures (Amplitude, Segment) within minutes. Ruchin Kulkarni, Co-founder at Toplyne, said, “It's an interesting time to be a monetization software. ARR is back in vogue. PLG SaaS companies need their free users to convert to paid plans. And they need it to happen yesterday. Toplyne fills this gap by enabling businesses to monetize their product-led growth.” “Whether it’s bubbling up the highest intent users for sales calls, in-product nudges, email campaigns or account expansion, Toplyne’s mission is to transform growth teams from frustrated, hand-tied, prisoners of cross-functional collaboration to agents of change with the power to move metrics at will.” said Rishen Kapoor, Co-founder at Toplyne The team will use the funding to aggressively deliver on the product roadmap and help PLG companies across the spectrum - from early to late stage, increase their conversion rates. They are hiring in the US across many roles including sales and product marketing. The team is laser-focused on going fully self-serve by the end of the quarter to onboard a growing waitlist of 1000+ companies. "Monetizing freemium users is an important problem faced by software companies with a PLG motion. We are thrilled to see how the Toplyne team and product has shaped up in the first year of operations. Their unified approach combining in-product nudges and sales assisted conversions is resonating strongly with customers. We believe Toplyne has a shot at being the global leader of this emerging category and the team at Sequoia Capital India is excited to deepen the partnership with them." Ashish Agrawal, MD, Sequoia India “We are strong believers in building fast. Our product’s first version went live on Day 30 of the company’s existence. We were solely focussed on the outcome of driving up conversion rates for our first customer. Within just a few days of going live, we saw their sales conversion rate double. That’s when we knew we were onto something.” said Rohit Khanna, Co-founder at Toplyne and former VP-Product at CleverTap About Toplyne Toplyne is a technology startup that lets growth teams at product-led SaaS companies monetize their product-led growth by increasing conversions within their freemium user base. The company was founded in June 2021 by Rishen Kapoor and Ruchin Kulkarni who were earlier with Sequoia India and the former VP of Product at Clevertap, Rohit Khanna. For more information, photos and logos please click on the google drive link here. To learn more, visit www.toplyne.io or follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter. Contact Details Toplyne Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://www.toplyne.io/

May 03, 2022 07:09 AM Pacific Daylight Time

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CognitiveCare Inc. Receives a Grant of Nearly $1 Million to Advance Maternal and Fetal Health

CognitiveCare

CognitiveCare, a Healthcare AI startup and pioneer in maternal and infant health, today announced it has received a $965,871 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to provide antenatal risk stratification AI support for the ARC’s pregnancy surveillance efforts. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), global maternal mortality is an unacceptably high 810 deaths per day, primarily from preventable or treatable causes. Further, 10–15% of all infants born are preterm and are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality. As part of this grant, CognitiveCare will detect and quantify propensity for critical adverse outcomes during antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum stages, by leveraging CognitiveCare’s Maternal Infant Health Insights & Cognitive intelligence “ MIHIC ” solution. MIHIC incorporates granular insights and patterns that interplay with clinical and social determinants of health to help detect and quantify risks at individual and population levels. CognitiveCare will first validate its models with local data and will then integrate MIHIC into both the Kenya PRiSMA (western Kenya) and the Aga Khan University & VITAL Pakistan ARC sites’ existing production environments. A segment of this grant is dedicated to train the ARC sites to use MIHIC, ensuring sustainable impact. “With the foundation’s grant support, our aim is to support caregivers in understanding propensity for risk early enough to help reduce maternal and infant morbidity and mortality,” said Dr. Suresh Attili, Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer, CognitiveCare. “Decisions on patient care rest with physicians; however, risk scores generated by MIHIC support triaging patients early. The models will further provide explainable AI functionality to help caregivers understand the ‘why’ behind each MIHIC Score TM.” “ G iven that 94% of all maternal deaths occur in low- and lower-middle-income countries, CognitiveCare is committed to ensuring that low resource settings have access to MIHIC,” said Sheena Gill, President, Americas for CognitiveCare. “With this grant, we take another important step toward our vision to eradicate maternal and infant mortality globally.” About CognitiveCare: CognitiveCare is working at the forefront of science to build the world's first comprehensive health risk quantification solution that integrates AI, advanced math, and stats at the intersection of medicine, biology, genomics and social determinants. CognitiveCare's MIHIC Score™ platform assesses propensity for risk of maternal, fetal and infant health risks categorized as antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum risk scores early in the pregnancy cycle to empower proactive care. To learn more about CognitiveCare, please visit: www.cognitivecare.com. Contact Details CognitiveCare Vivek Singh vivek@cognitivecare.com Company Website https://cognitivecare.com

May 03, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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