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Little Spoon Becomes The First and Only Baby Food Maker In the U.S. To Publicly Set EU-Aligned Safety Standards and Share Test Results for Heavy Metals, Pesticides + Plasticizers

Little Spoon

In a groundbreaking move for the baby food industry, Little Spoon, the largest online baby and kids food company in the United States, today becomes the first and only brand in the country to unveil its testing standards and results for heavy metals, pesticides and plasticizers, making a commitment to never sell any product that falls short of its strict limits. The launch of this significant transparency initiative comes in response to the ongoing national discussion about baby food safety, the urgent need for stricter industry standards, and staggering statistics from a recently commissioned study of 2,000 American parents with children under 2 years old. As national conversations on baby food safety rapidly gain steam, it has become impossible to ignore the concerning headlines on toxic levels of heavy metals, grocery store brand misinformation and deteriorating consumer trust. Little Spoon partnered with Talker Research to conduct a survey of 2,000 American Parents to pulse check the needs and standards of American parents, and the results uncovered astonishing levels of mistrust and concern around industry safety, federal regulations, and overarching brand commitment. In fact, 95% of parents agree that baby food brands should be doing more to address baby food safety concerns— and only 9% report a ‘high degree’ of trust in baby food companies. “Quality nutrition and confidence in the products that fuel your family are rights, not privileges.” said co-founder and CEO, Ben Lewis. “We view this as a fundamental responsibility for our industry and a key reason why Little Spoon exists in the first place. The standards for children’s food in the U.S. are maddeningly low. Parents deserve better, and we are doing our part to finally deliver what they deserve.” Established to bring change to a century old industry, Little Spoon is once again raising the bar in the category by testing and sharing results for every batch of baby food for 500+ contaminants including heavy metals, pesticides, glyphosate and plasticizers. With no current federal regulations set for limiting the levels of chemical contaminants in baby food in the U.S., Little Spoon has aligned its testing standards for heavy metals with the European Union (EU), a long-standing, trusted standard for safety and excellence in the baby space. Consumers can see exact testing limits for each contaminant through a dashboard viewable for every Babyblend product on the brand’s website and can confidently purchase products knowing Little Spoon will not sell any products that do not meet these standards. “This generation is plagued by concern regarding baby food safety — and for good reason.” said co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Little Spoon, Angela Vranich. “We have always crafted our products with the utmost care, using certified organic ingredients and differentiated processing. We knew we could meet the rigorous EU testing limits for heavy metals in our baby food, and it quickly became our obsession to provide the level of transparency parents truly deserve.” To draw further attention to this crucial issue for Little Spoon consumers and parents nationwide, the ‘Little Spoon, Big Change’ initiative will be driven by a comprehensive 360-degree marketing campaign launching today. Designed to meet parents’ growing demands for transparency and baby food safety, the campaign will feature media partners, celebrities, tastemakers, and experts including an expanded advisory panel which now features world-class experts in public policy and academics specializing in heavy metals. As a topic often fraught with fear mongering tactics, Little Spoon is leveraging experts, educators and a new AI-powered chatbot on their site to provide education for parents and support the wide-ranging questions that come with baby food safety. "We won't see large-scale changes until companies like Little Spoon take action," said Dr. Bruce Lanphear, an advisor to Little Spoon who studies childhood exposure to toxic chemicals. "Companies don't need to wait for regulations—they can lead the charge.” Test results for every Little Spoon Babyblend, alongside detailed ingredient sourcing information are now available on LittleSpoon.com, with plans to roll out additional transparency measures for their robust portfolio of products in the coming months. For complete details on the ‘Little Spoon, Big Change’ initiative including Little Spoon’s testing process, regulation limits, test results, and overall commitment to baby food safety, please visit LittleSpoon.com and follow @littlespoon on Instagram. Little Spoon is the leading direct-to-consumer kid’s food brand on a mission to make parents' lives easier, and kids healthier through high-quality, accessible feeding solutions from baby’s first bites through the big kid years. Little Spoon is conveniently delivering the future of kid’s food right to parent’s doorsteps with integrated products that age with your child through a portfolio of freshly-made baby food, early finger foods, toddler + big kid meals, and snacks that meet the modern standard on quality, nutrition and value. Since launch, the company has delivered more than 50 million meals, helping to simplify the lives of hundreds of thousands of parents across the U.S.. With more than 90% of new parents identifying as millennials, Little Spoon is here to disrupt the +$100B children's health and wellness market, offering modern solutions, trusted resources, and new ways to connect with a network of advisors and parents just like you. Learn more at LittleSpoon.com, or find Little Spoon on Instagram at @LittleSpoon. Contact Details Powers PR Alex Turk +1 516-306-2373 alext@powers-pr.com

September 25, 2024 09:03 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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AI Unpacks Generational Stereotypes, Highlighting Key Differences, but Beer Bridges the Gap

AIport

What happens when you ask generative AI models to depict Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z? You might expect tech-challenged Boomers and avocado-loving Millennials. But what you get is far more interesting and in some cases, unexpected. A joint research project conducted by AIport and Turing Post last month analyzed over 1200 AI-generated images across four different models—Stable Diffusion, Midjourney, YandexART, and ERNIE-ViLG. The findings have revealed both familiar stereotypes and surprising quirks about how AI perceives these generations. Sad Boomers, Happy Zoomers? Contrary to the carefree Boomer stereotype, AI models like Midjourney depict Baby Boomers as introspective, or even somber, often bundled up and gazing wistfully into the distance—a reflection, perhaps, of their disillusionment with the unfulfilled ideals of the 1960s cultural revolution. However, the ERNIE-ViLG model, likely trained on datasets with a more collectivist cultural slant, shows 93% of Boomers smiling. This fascinating contrast underscores the cultural differences embedded in different AI models. Meanwhile, Gen Z’s images are vibrant and diverse, reflecting their reputation as a generation that embraces individuality, inclusivity, and self-expression. The AI-generated images depict Zoomers in colorful, highly detailed scenarios, making them the most visually distinct generation in the study. Generations Through the AI Lens The research explored how generations are portrayed in five key aspects of life: identity, relationships, work, lifestyle, and consumer habits. The AI models revealed consistent patterns and stereotypes; for example, males predominated in the depictions of Boomers and Gen Xers across all four models, while many images of Millennials and Zoomers showed greater diversity and more female representation. Surprisingly, Gen X appears to be the least well-understood generation by AI, characterized by fewer defining features compared to all other generations, likely due to the limited amount of training data available. The one stereotypical Gen X leitmotif that AI consistently identifies is their fondness for flannel shirts—an unmistakable symbol of the 1990s grunge scene worn by Gen Xers who were rebellious teenagers and young adults during that era. As for one (un)expected commonality… It’s beer. Whether they’re Millennials job-hopping or Boomers reminiscing about the good old days, AI consistently showed beer in 34% of the produced images across all generations. Prompt Engineering and AI Insights The prompts for this research were carefully crafted to avoid bias, using neutral phrases like "A Millennial at work" or "A Boomer relaxing." The results offer a telling look at how generative AI models mirror societal stereotypes, often shaped by the data they're trained on. These findings open the door to deeper discussions on how AI reflects, and sometimes distorts, cultural narratives. "Whether we think we can learn about generations from these images depends upon how confident we feel that the training data that went in is an accurate image of the self identity of a group,” explains Senior Engineer and Sociologist Stephanie Kirmer, who analyzed the findings. “For the younger sets, I don’t think we can know how much of it is media representation created by people outside the group versus how much is selfie-style personal expression. Some of what we’re getting, especially for the older groups who don’t contribute as much self-generated visual media online, is perceptions of that group from advertising and media, which we know has inherent flaws." About the Study The study examined the outputs of four globally recognized generative AI models, each with distinct aesthetic and cultural nuances, providing a comprehensive look at how each generation is portrayed visually. The selected models included Stable Diffusion, Midjourney, YandexART, and ERNIE-ViLG, offering diverse perspectives from different regions across the globe. Conclusion Whether confirming or contradicting societal stereotypes, AI-generated images provide a fascinating snapshot of how technology interprets generational differences. The fact that beer remains a unifying theme across all four models shows that, no matter our age, some things—like enjoying a cold one—transcend generational divides. To learn more about the project, visit https://www.aigenerations.tech/. Hero images for the media: Google Drive Link About AIport AIport is an emerging community of AI/ML enthusiasts and practitioners with a goal of providing a truly global view of the AI/ML/DS landscape. https://www.blog.aiport.tech/ About Turing Post Turing Post is everything you need to make smarter decisions about AI. https://www.turingpost.com/ Contact Details Nick Leighton nick.leighton@nettresultsllc.com Company Website https://www.aigenerations.tech/

September 23, 2024 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Industry Update: 3 Exciting Precision Oncology Players to Watch Following Summit’s Meteoric Rise: Silexion, Nuvectis, Scorpian

Global Markets News

Summit Therapeutics (NASDAQ: SMMT) recently captured headlines with the release of its Phase 3 data for ivonescimab, a targeted NSCLC therapy that has generated substantial buzz. The results from its trial conducted in China showed a dramatic 49% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death compared to Merck’s Keytruda, signaling a potentially disruptive force in NSCLC treatment. However, the news wasn’t without its concerns—since the trial data originates from China, there are questions about its applicability to broader, global populations. As noted by BMO Capital Markets’ Evan Seigerman: “Results may or may not be generalizable beyond the China-focused patient population initially assessed.” Despite this, Summit’s valuation has risen by over 100%, now approximating $19 billion. With such a high valuation, the company could see limited room for further significant gains, leading many in the industry to explore other emerging opportunities in precision oncology. Alongside Summit, there are quite a few other players in the field. Some if these companies have even already shown promising initial results and could see similar success in the future if they were to report positive results. These emerging players are worth watching for those interested in following precision oncology drug candidates and pipelines. Among them are precision oncology innovators such as Silexion Therapeutics, Nuvectis Pharma, and Scorpion Therapeutics, which we discuss below. Silexion Therapeutics: Disrupting the KRAS-Driven Cancer Space Silexion Therapeutics (NASDAQ: SLXN) is another under-the-radar player in the precision oncology space, with a focus on KRAS-driven cancers—a notoriously difficult target in oncology. While current small-molecule KRAS inhibitors are making progress, they are often limited to specific mutations, such as KRAS G12C, which accounts for a small percentage of cancers. Silexion’s RNA interference (RNAi) approach offers a broader solution, targeting a wider spectrum of KRAS mutations, particularly in pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest and most treatment-resistant cancers. At the heart of Silexion’s approach is its LODER™ platform, which delivers siRNA directly to the tumor site, silencing KRAS mutations at the genetic level. This localized delivery not only increases efficacy by concentrating the treatment in the tumor, but it also reduces systemic side effects. Silexion’s next-generation candidate, SIL-204, is an optimized siRNA formulation designed to target pan-KRAS G12x mutations, positioning it to treat a broader range of KRAS-driven cancers beyond pancreatic cancer, such as lung and colorectal cancers. In Phase 2 trials for locally advanced pancreatic cancer, Silexion's LODER™ platform showed a 9.3-month improvement in overall survival when combined with standard chemotherapy. Additionally, the objective response rate (ORR) increased from 20% with chemotherapy alone to 55% with the combination, and in some cases, tumors that were initially non-resectable became operable after treatment with LODER™. These results are especially encouraging given the limited options available for pancreatic cancer patients. SIL-204, is expected to enter Phase 2/3 clinical trials in 2025-2026. What makes Silexion particularly intriguing is its current market valuation. Valued at aproximatly just ~$9 million following its SPAC merger, the company’s valuation could be perceived as low when compared to some of its peers, especially given its innovative technology and promising clinical achievements. Some have wondered whether this low valuation has more to do with dynamics post-SPAC companies. If Silexion can report positive results in its later-stage trials, the company’s outlook could dramatically improve, reflecting the potential of its RNAi-based platform. Like NXP900, SIL-204 could potentially have vast applications across multiple KRAS-driven cancer types, making Silexion a company to watch closely as it advances through clinical development. Nuvectis Pharma: Targeting NSCLC and Beyond by Inhibiting SRC/YES1 Kinases Nuvectis Pharma (NASDAQ: NVCT) has been quietly making strides in the precision oncology sector, developing innovative therapies aimed at overcoming treatment resistance in hard-to-treat cancers. Its lead candidate, NXP900, targets NSCLC by inhibiting the SRC/YES1 kinases, which play critical roles in cancer cell survival and resistance to current therapies. This approach positions NXP900 as a potential game-changer in the treatment of NSCLC, particularly in patients who have developed resistance to EGFR and ALK inhibitors, such as AstraZeneca’s Tagrisso and Novartis’ Alecensa. NXP900 is still in the early stages of clinical development, currently undergoing Phase 1 trials. However, preclinical studies have already shown that it has strong anti-tumor activity in resistant NSCLC models. Even more promising is its potential application beyond NSCLC. Like Summit's ivonescimab, NXP900 focuses on resistance, but it also has broader applications due to its ability to target multiple cancer types driven by SRC/YES1 pathways. This versatility makes it a promising asset not just for NSCLC but also for other difficult-to-treat cancers like squamous cell carcinomas. In addition to NXP900, Nuvectis is advancing NXP800, another precision oncology candidate that is further along in the clinical development process. NXP800 is currently in Phase 1b trials, targeting ARID1a-mutated cancers such as ovarian and endometrial cancers. The early clinical data for NXP800 is promising, showing positive responses in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. With two strong candidates in the pipeline, Nuvectis is positioning itself as a formidable player in the precision oncology landscape. As Summit’s ivonescimab continues to gain attention, Nuvectis’ earlier-stage NXP900, with its NSCLC focus and beyond, could see similar success in the future if clinical results continue to trend positively. Scorpion Therapeutics: Pioneering Mutant-Selective Therapies Scorpion Therapeutics is redefining the frontier of precision oncology with its focus on delivering highly selective small molecules targeting validated and previously undruggable cancer mutations. Its lead candidate, STX-478, is a mutant-selective, allosteric PI3Kα inhibitor currently in Phase 1/2 trials for advanced solid tumors. Early data presented at the ESMO Congress 2024 highlighted its potential, with STX-478 demonstrating a 23% overall response rate in breast cancer and a 21% response rate across all tumor types, positioning it as a potentially best-in-class PI3Kα inhibitor. STX-478 is notable for its ability to spare wild-type PI3Kα activity in normal tissues, avoiding the toxicities seen with previous PI3Kα inhibitors, such as hyperglycemia and rash. Tumor reductions were seen in 72% of patients treated with STX-478 as a monotherapy, with circulating tumor DNA levels dropping in 86% of patients. This mutant-selective precision could help overcome the limitations of existing PI3Kα inhibitors, which have struggled with dose-limiting toxicities. In July 2024, Scorpion raised $150 million in a Series C financing round, co-led by Frazier Life Sciences and Lightspeed Venture Partners. The additional funding will support the advancement of STX-478 and other pipeline assets, positioning Scorpion for further clinical success. Scorpion’s pipeline includes a broad range of wholly-owned compounds that target both validated and novel cancer targets, positioning the company for future expansion into larger patient populations. As STX-478 progresses through clinical development, Scorpion is poised to become a significant player in the precision oncology space, making it another company worth watching closely. Optimistic Outlook for Precision Oncology The precision oncology space is experiencing a golden era of innovation, with companies like Summit Therapeutics, Nuvectis Pharma, Silexion Therapeutics, and Scorpion Therapeutics leading the charge. As the focus shifts towards targeted therapies that address resistance mechanisms, the market is increasingly favoring companies with novel approaches and broad applications. Summit’s meteoric rise has shown that there is tremendous potential for companies that can demonstrate efficacy in overcoming cancer resistance. While Summit has already captured much of the current attention, companies like Nuvectis, Silexion, and Scorpion, with their earlier-stage pipelines, offer exciting opportunities for the industry to keep a close eye on. As these companies continue to report clinical data and advance through trials, the potential for breakthroughs in treating some of the most difficult cancers grows stronger. With targeted therapies offering the possibility of overcoming resistance without the need for chemotherapy, the future of cancer treatment looks brighter than ever. For those in the oncology space, keeping a close eye on emerging players like Nuvectis, Silexion, and Scorpion could lead to transformative developments as the field of precision oncology continues to evolve. * * * This update may include speculative forward looking statements. Readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. the BioTech and Pharma industries are volatile and risky and readers are advised to seek out preffesional advice in the relevent feilds from licensed profesionals. This update is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as financial, investment or any form of professional advice, recommendation or endorsement. Please review the full documentation detailing financial compensation disclosures and disclaimers the article is subject to. [ https://justpaste.it/ch2qt/pdf ]. Global Markets News Network is a commercial digital brand compensated to provide coverage of news and developments related to innovative companies as detailed in the full documentation and it is thus subject to conflicts of interest. Contact Details News Coverage ronald@futuremarketsresearch.com

September 19, 2024 07:45 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Mothers' Milk Bank California Welcomes New Board Members

The Mothers' Milk Bank

Mothers' Milk Bank California (MMBCA) today announced the appointment of three community leaders to its Board of Directors. These new members bring a diverse range of expertise and a shared passion for supporting vulnerable infants, further bolstering MMBCA's mission to provide life-saving donor human milk to those in need. Their leadership will play a critical role in advancing our efforts to ensure every baby has access to the vital nutrition they require. "Our new board members bring invaluable experience and a deep commitment to our mission. Their diverse backgrounds and shared dedication to supporting vulnerable infants will strengthen our efforts to provide life-saving donor human milk to those who need it most. We are excited to welcome them to the MMBCA family as we continue to work towards ensuring every baby has access to the vital nutrition they need,” Katie Anderson, Board Chair, Mothers' Milk Bank California Kristin is Senior Director of Development and Communications at the National Fragile X Foundation, a patient advocacy organization that supports families living with Fragile X, a group of conditions associated with alterations of the FMR1 gene on the X chromosome. She has over 20 years of experience in fundraising and non-profit management, event planning, and board and volunteer development. She earned a BA in Economics from UC Berkeley and a MA in Public Administration from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. Peter Bailinson is a SF-based entrepreneur. He's worked at a variety of social impact organizations over his career, most recently as Director of Strategy and Business Operations at Atticus, a public interest law firm. Previously he was an Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company and managed their global LGBTQ+ initiatives. He graduated with an MBA from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business and a BA from Columbia University. He's passionate about making it easier for Americans to start and grow families and has conducted extensive research on human milk sharing. Lauren Morgan is a nonprofit professional currently in Program Operations at the Energy Foundation. She began her involvement with Mothers’ Milk Bank California as a donor, giving hundreds of ounces of breast milk. Passionate about scaling nonprofits, Lauren previously led fundraising at GRID Alternatives and managed youth programs at Planet Granite. She also served in AmeriCorps, developing a community garden program in Boston Public Schools. Lauren holds degrees in Religious Studies and Environmental Studies from Brown University and serves on the board of Weekend Adventures. For more information about Mothers' Milk Bank California and our new board members, please visit MothersMilk.org or contact Jennifer Benito at jbenito@MothersMilk.org About Mothers' Milk Bank California Founded 50 years ago, Mothers’ Milk Bank California is a leading nonprofit dedicated to providing screened, donated human milk to babies in need. As a founding member of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA), it helped set standards for nonprofit milk banks across North America. The organization collects, pasteurizes, and distributes safe human milk to hospitals and families, ensuring essential nutrition for infants. Committed to improving lives, Mothers’ Milk Bank California supports families and advances neonatal care. More information at MothersMilk.org ### Founded 50 years ago, Mothers' Milk Bank California is a leading nonprofit dedicated to providing screened, donated human milk to babies in need. As a founding member of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA), it helped set standards for nonprofit milk banks across North America. The organization collects, pasteurizes, and distributes safe human milk to hospitals and families, ensuring essential nutrition for infants. Committed to improving lives, Mothers' Milk Bank California supports families and advances neonatal care. Contact Details Jennifer Benito-Kowalski +1 408-831-7276 jbenito@mothersmilk.org Company Website https://camilkbank.org/

September 18, 2024 06:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Join Benchmark International's Exclusive Webinar "Seller Motivation: What Goes Into the Decision to Sell?"

Benchmark International

Are you considering selling your business? Deciding when and why to sell is one of the most significant decisions you’ll ever make as a business owner. While maximizing financial proceeds is often at the forefront of these decisions, it’s essential to recognize that it’s not the only factor. Life circumstances, time with family, and other qualitative considerations can often outweigh financial gain. To help you navigate this complex process, we invite you to join our upcoming webinar: Seller Motivation: What Goes Into The Decision To Sell? Space is filling up fast, so register today! Why You Should Register Selling a business is about more than just crunching the numbers. In this exclusive webinar, you’ll gain valuable insights into the full spectrum of motivations that drive business owners to sell. Understanding these motivations can help you make a well-rounded and informed decision about your business’s future. This webinar is a must-attend for business owners contemplating the sale of their business, particularly in today’s strong but disciplined market. By attending, you’ll be better equipped to evaluate both the financial and personal factors that play a crucial role in this life-changing decision. Whether you’re focused on securing a comfortable financial future or prioritizing time with loved ones, the information presented will help you weigh these considerations effectively. Spots are limited, so don’t miss this opportunity to secure your spot. What You’ll Learn This webinar offers actionable insights into the decision-making process for business owners. Here’s what you can expect to learn: The wide range of reasons why business owners choose to sell, beyond just financial incentives How personal life events, such as family needs and future aspirations, can influence your decision A look at the current M&A market and how buyers are approaching valuations How to balance personal and financial goals using the concept of indifference curves, which help weigh non-monetary values like time with family against financial returns By attending, you’ll gain the tools to make a decision that aligns with your long-term vision—both personally and financially. Spots Are Filling Fast – Register Now! If you’re ready to gain clarity on your motivations for selling and align your decision with both your personal and financial goals, this is the webinar for you. Don’t miss out—register now and take the first step toward making a well-informed, strategic decision about the future of your business. ABOUT BENCHMARK INTERNATIONAL: Benchmark International is a global M&A firm that provides business owners with creative, value-maximizing solutions for growing and exiting their businesses. Benchmark International has handled over $11 billion in transaction value across various industries from offices across the world. With decades of M&A experience, Benchmark International’s transaction teams have assisted business owners with achieving their objectives and ensuring the continued growth of their businesses. The firm has also been named the Investment Banking Firm of the Year by The M&A Advisor and the Global M&A Network as well as the #1 Sell-side Exclusive Privately-held M&A Advisor in the World by Pitchbook and Refinitiv's Global League Tables. Contact Details Brittney Zoeller +1 813-898-2350 zoeller@benchmarkintl.com Company Website https://www.benchmarkintl.com/

September 16, 2024 09:54 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Flash Transforms Parking at Denver International Airport

Flash

Flash, the leading end-to-end parking technology platform, announced today it has completed an overhaul of public and employee parking at Denver International Airport (DEN) through a contract the City and County of Denver awarded in August 2024. In just 22 days, Flash deployed its platform across the airport’s nine public and employee parking garages and lots, bringing a state-of-the-art parking experience to DEN’s 40,000 employees and the 77.8 million passengers they serve annually. "Flash’s commitment to DEN has been tremendous and we look forward to a bright future that provides innovative solutions to improve the customer experience," said Mark Nagel, Senior Vice President of Parking and Commercial Transportation, Denver International Airport. In its first few weeks of deployment, DEN reports improved traffic flow and reduced wait times for vehicles entering and exiting the airport’s parking facilities. DEN’s deployment of Flash’s platform spans 144 lanes and features 137 kiosks, 97 license plate recognition (LPR) lanes, and 49 automatic vehicle identification (AVI) lanes. With the new AVI lanes, employees can enter and exit automatically in seconds via vehicle-mounted passes that require no interaction with their phones or kiosks. “DEN is the sixth busiest airport in the world and sees millions of parking transactions each year, requiring the highest service level,” said Flash CEO Dan Sharplin. “Our technology breadth and industry-leading scale, plus our maniacal focus on the driver experience, made us confident we could support DEN’s traffic volumes and service levels while getting passengers and employees through parking transactions quickly, and it’s hugely gratifying to see it live.” DEN also benefits from the Flash platform’s design as an enhanced cloud-based parking solution. In the event of an internet, payment processor, network or cloud disruption, the platform maintains continuous operations and critical payment processing capabilities so the airport’s parking facilities stay up and running. About Flash Flash is a pioneering technology company bringing seamless parking and EV charging experiences to drivers through a first-of-its-kind digital ecosystem. Flash’s platform connects reservable parking and charging in the apps drivers use every day with garage, surface lot, event, and valet parking locations—connected and controlled via a cloud-based operating system with unrivaled intelligence. Customer-obsessed brands partner with Flash to deliver digital, easy-to-use, reliable, and increasingly frictionless experiences to drivers eager to pay for a solution that eliminates wasted time, excess emissions, and stress. The solution has arrived.. Visit www.flashparking.com to learn more. Contact Details Ray Young +1 512-694-6097 ray@razorsharppr.com Company Website https://www.flashparking.com/

September 12, 2024 09:00 AM Central Daylight Time

Leading Beauty Retailer Credo Beauty Debuts Private Label Skincare Line: Credo Skincare

Credo Beauty

Credo, the specialty clean beauty retail pioneer, is proud to announce the launch of its own eponymous skincare line, Credo Skincare. The specialty retailer has raised the bar introducing a benefit-driven collection of skincare products focused on the #1 skin concern gathered from clients – hydration – while continuing to challenge and elevate standards for clean and sustainable products and packaging. A cohesive easy to navigate cleanser and moisturizer system meets wanted gold standards. A decade ago, Credo disrupted an underregulated industry as a catalyst for positive change spurring a tidal wave of conscientious product and packaging innovation. Now after accruing 10 years of customer feedback, experience, and data Credo Skincare was developed according to what they found matters most. Ultimately hydration was the stand-out concern for clients. And through in-depth analysis, Credo determined the top ingredient and search terms according to what customers want from their products to deliver that and more. Through their access to the best in business partners, they created results-driven formulas packed with clinically proven actives and sustainably- minded packaging - every aspect of Credo Skincare is transparent and powerfully effective. Credo Skincare’s first collection is comprised of two cleansers ($44 each) and four moisturizers ($64 each) that service skin conditions surrounding primary concerns - dry skin, sensitivity and redness, dullness, and aging - by nourishing the skin and protecting its microbiome through today’s most powerful active combinations. Their formulations are based on key ingredient search terms and skincare concerns. As well, each product contains the transformative power of upcycled vetiver root extract, ethically harvested by a local cooperative in Haiti. Vetiver root is an antioxidant-loaded, potent wonder grass that supports the protection of the skin’s barrier for a vibrant skin tone and a nourished complexion while improving skin texture and reducing the appearance of pores and wrinkles. Credo Skincare’s goals are to provide an easy two step, effective regimen for healthy, hydrated skin that makes customers look and feel their best. Clinicals have proven 27% improvement in hydration after 24 hours, 31% improvement in hydration instantly, and an improvement in the skin barrier function instantly and after 24 hours. ● Deep Thirst Hydrating Cleanser ($44): A transformative formula to deeply cleanse while retaining moisture. ● True Timeout Calming Cleanser ($44): Designed to soothe and calm sensitive skin. ● Deep Thirst Hydrating Moisturizer ($64): Provides intense hydration with lasting effects. ● True Timeout Calming Moisturizer ($64): Helps alleviate sensitivity and redness. ● Radiance Rising Brightening Moisturizer ($64): Brightens dull skin and enhances radiance. ● Rewinder Anti-Aging Moisturizer ($64): Reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Beyond that as a retailer, Credo Beauty continues to drive the packaging and social standards that are the hallmarks of tomorrow. Every pump and cap in the Credo Skincare collection is comprised of a first-of-its kind PCR resin, including beauty waste packaging collected in Credo Beauty stores nationwide through Pact Collective, the non-profit Credo Beauty co-founded to divert beauty packaging from landfills. ● The Credo pump was created with Pact’s NewMatter material, a mixture of hard-to-recycle material or landfill and ocean-bound plastic. ● The first run of NewMatter pumps eliminated the need for 500 kg of virgin plastic (500 kg of recycled plastic used is equivalent to 11 cubic meters of landfill space or ~2,900 gallons of space!) ● Every 38 pumps eliminate one pound of material going to the landfill or ocean. “The benefit of listening to 10 years of customers' desires and skin concerns compelled us to create this line. Years of data drove the ingredient compositions of these products so that we could exceed our customers’ expectations for efficacy. Our Credo Clean Standard is already rigorous and difficult to attain but we wanted to challenge ourselves with how our own brand could take clean innovation to new heights from full disclosure of fragrance ingredients and packaging innovation to exceeding the minimum requirements to check certain boxes, Credo Skincare raises the bar on what is possible and what can become the future baseline,” says Co-Founder and CEO Annie Jackson. Availability: Credo Skincare will be available for purchase starting September 12, 2024, at all Credo brick and mortar store locations and on www.credobeauty.com. Media Contact: press@credobeauty.com About Credo Beauty: Credo Beauty offers today’s largest clean and sustainably minded beauty assortment in North America, across color, skincare, haircare and fragrance, partnering with over 120 leading brands, such as Westman Atelier, ILIA, OSEA, True Botanicals and LolaVie. Having built the strictest and lengthy guidelines, “The Credo Clean Standard™”, customers can trust that they are purchasing the most effective, innovative products with safer ingredients with an emphasis on sustainable, natural and ethical materials. Trained makeup artists and estheticians (who are continually being educated by Credo Beauty and our brands) offer an exceptional experience both in-store and online. Visit one of the 15 brick-and-mortar store locations or www.credobeauty.com. Credo Beauty is backed by Next World Evergreen, a San Francisco-based private equity firm that invests in conscious consumer brands across sectors like clean beauty, personal care, health and wellness, sustainable lifestyle, and better-for-you food and beverage. Visit https://www.nextworldevergreen.com/ About Pact Collective: With an industry that generates over 120 billion packages every year, most ending up in landfill – they’re often too small, too flexible, or made of too many materials to be traditionally recycled. All those tiny cosmetic contraptions? They’re headed for the trash. Pact is a nonprofit collective uniting the beauty industry to take responsibility for our packaging waste and work collaboratively toward circular packaging solutions. Visit https://www.pactcollective.org/ Contact Details Amanda Smeal +1 844-692-7336 press@credobeauty.com

September 12, 2024 08:04 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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CollisionRight Reaches 100 Collision Repair Shops

CollisionRight

CollisionRight LLC, a leading regional multi-shop collision repair operator, today announced the acquisition of its 100th shop. The milestone was reached within four years of the company’s founding, culminating in the rapid implementation of its initial market-entry campaign and setting the stage for an equally aggressive growth strategy that aims to increase CollisionRight’s footprint threefold over a five-year span. CollisionRight has reached its 100th-location milestone through the three-shop acquisition of Tripp’s Collision in Michigan. As with each of CollisionRight’s 41 acquisitions to date, Tripp’s will continue to do business under its market-leading local brand while benefiting from the support and efficiency of a unified, large-scale organization. All of CollisionRight’s locations are corporate-owned and run under a common operating system of management, technology, back-office support, and partnerships with insurance carriers and vendors. “Acquiring our 100th store in just a few years is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our remarkable team. It underscores the value that embracing the history of established and trusted collision repair brands can bring,” said Rich Harrison, CEO of CollisionRight. “Driven by our mission to provide exceptional customer service and create the best possible place to work, our team will continue to pursue rapid growth into the coming years.” Having reached the 100-shop milestone, CollisionRight intends to both increase its presence within the 10 states it currently serves and expand its footprint into numerous additional markets. Through strategic acquisitions of local market leaders like Tripp’s—as well as organic growth via insurance-carrier relationships, supply chain optimization, and calibration services—CollisionRight expects to triple its revenue within the next five years. About CollisionRight Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, CollisionRight provides state-of-the-art collision repair services at 100 corporate-owned locations across 10 states: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Their team of more than 1,500 collision repair professionals puts more than 90,000 vehicles back on the road each year with a single priority in mind: Getting you back to GO. Every location operates under an established brand that has earned the trust of its local community through decades of prioritizing complete customer satisfaction and convenience. For more information about CollisionRight, or to contact your neighborhood collision repair shop, please visit www.CollisionRight.com. Note to the editor: the company logo, a high-resolution headshot of Rich Harrison, and a copy of the map illustrating CollisionRight’s geographical presence can be found at this link. Contact Details Razor Sharp PR Ray Young +1 512-694-6097 ray@razorsharppr.com Company Website http://www.collisionright.com/

September 11, 2024 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Flash Secures $85 Million to Back Special Purpose Vehicle to Propel Growth and Provide Flexible Payment Options

Flash

Flash, the industry-leading end-to-end parking technology platform, today announced that it has closed on $85 million in debt financing for a newly formed special purpose vehicle (“SPV”) to accelerate platform adoption and offer Flash clients an expanded range of flexible payment options. The debt capital, which can be increased up to $100 million, was provided by Vantage Infrastructure (“Vantage”), a leading independent specialist infrastructure credit fund. “Asset owners and operators have a myriad of budgetary and deployment preferences – the payment options we can now extend through the SPV will allow customers to join the Flash platform on terms that work best for them," said Chris Donus, President of Flash. “Innovation in payment options is as critical as platform innovation in pursuit of our vision for the parking industry’s transformation in light of the scale and momentum we're on pace to achieve." Flash’s payment options allow clients to select amongst flexible monthly payment plans that suit their budgets, regardless of scale, asset type, or configuration. This includes EV charging infrastructure and other advanced parking technologies offered by Flash. Flash anticipates extending the SPV structure and partnership with Vantage in future financings. ”We’re pleased to support Flash with a tailored financing solution that enables their team to continue to meet and exceed their clients’ need for better transport related infrastructure,” said Nick Cleary, Senior Partner at Vantage. “This is a great example of the opportunity to upgrade and transform proven traditional infrastructure that saves time and costs for drivers and help build out the EV charging network.” Evercore acted as Flash’s exclusive financial advisor, and Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP provided legal counsel to Flash. Steptoe LLP acted as counsel to Vantage. About Flash Flash is a pioneering technology company bringing seamless parking and EV charging experiences to drivers through a first-of-its-kind digital ecosystem. Flash’s platform connects reservable parking and charging in the apps drivers use every day with garage, surface lot, event, and valet parking locations — connected and controlled via a cloud-based operating system with unrivaled intelligence. Customer-obsessed brands partner with Flash to deliver digital, easy-to-use, reliable, and increasingly frictionless experiences to drivers eager to pay for a solution that eliminates wasted time, excess emissions, and stress from driving. The solution has arrived. Visit www.flashparking.com to learn more. About Vantage Infrastructure Vantage Infrastructure is an independent infrastructure specialist manager committed to delivering sustainable investment solutions with an equity and debt infrastructure investment portfolio of over US $4 billion invested in infrastructure assets across Europe, North America, and Australia on behalf of global clients. Contact Details Razor Sharp PR Ray Young +1 512-694-6097 ray@razorsharppr.com Company Website https://www.flashparking.com/

September 09, 2024 09:00 AM Central Daylight Time