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MOTIS Brands Acquires Mac’s Custom Tie-Downs

Rotunda Capital Partners LLC

MOTIS Brands (“MOTIS”), a Rotunda Capital Partners portfolio company, has acquired Mac’s Custom Tie-Downs (“Mac’s”), a leading manufacturer of high-quality tie-down systems for trailers and truck beds. For nearly 30 years, Mac’s has been innovating and producing tie-down solutions from their headquarters in Sagle, Idaho. The acquisition of Mac’s adds another premium brand to MOTIS’s portfolio of loading, hauling, automotive, and accessibility brands, and further strengthens its position as a leader in truck and trailer cargo control. “We are excited to add Mac’s line of outstanding products and their talented team to the MOTIS family of brands,” said MOTIS CEO Rich Spratt. “Mac’s adds additional U.S. manufacturing capabilities and another strong brand to our assortment. Our goal remains to assemble the broadest and deepest collection of premium products for loading, hauling, storage and productivity needs, and Mac’s is an ideal addition to our offering.” About MOTIS Brands Headquartered in Germantown, WI, MOTIS Brands proudly designs, develops, and distributes a collection of industry leading loading, hauling, automotive and accessibility brands including Race Ramps®, Silver Spring Mobility®, Heavy Duty Ramps™, Black Widow®, Guardian Industrial Products™, Kill Shot®, Tilt-a-Rack®, Harbor-Mate®, Lucky Dog™, Big Boy®, and Mac’s Custom Tie-Downs. For more information, visit www.motisbrands.com. About Rotunda Capital Partners Rotunda Capital Partners is a private equity firm that invests equity capital in established, lower middle market companies. Rotunda partners with management to build data-driven growth platforms within its targeted sectors, including value-added distribution, asset light logistics and industrial/business services. Founded in 2009, the firm has a long history of helping management teams achieve their goals for growth. The Rotunda team actively provides guidance and draws on deep industry and financial relationships to contribute to the successful execution of Rotunda’s companies’ strategic plans. The firm has offices in Bethesda, MD and Evanston, IL. For more information, visit www.rotundacapital.com. Contact Details Jill Lafferty +1 847-280-1295 jill@rotundacapital.com Company Website https://www.rotundacapital.com

October 12, 2021 07:34 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Charlie Pesti Increases Bespoke Logistics and Supply Chain Media & PR Offerings with Addition of Hariesh Manaadiar

CHARLIE PESTI

Logistics and Supply Chain Media & PR Company Charlie Pesti has announced the addition of Hariesh Manaadiar as Director, Market & Data Intelligence. Manaadiar joined the company effective October 1 and will be actively executing the company’s vision of becoming the world's best publicist of logistics and supply chain technologies. “ We have had a strong and long-standing relationship with Hariesh through Shipping and Freight Resource (SFR) and are very excited about what this partnership will bring. Through the collaboration, we will continue to regularly bring our clients in front of thousands of decision makers, creating millions of dollars worth of business, while receiving invaluable insights from the ever growing and highly engaged SFR community. As owner of our data and market intelligence efforts, Hariesh will be working closely with customers to turn their operational data into market intelligence and actionable insights that can be presented to industry and mainstream media on a regular basis. We will also be expanding into market reports and research to continue providing stakeholders with crucial data sets essential for their business operations, ” said Charlie Pesti, Founder and Executive Director at CHARLIE PESTI. Hariesh Manaadiar, brings with him 3 decades of experience in global shipping, maritime, logistics, freight, and supply chain management. He holds a Masters in Shipping & Logistics, a Diploma in Journalism and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers and a Fellow of The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport. Hariesh has been educating Joe Public globally on the various requirements and vagaries of the industry since 2008 through his hugely popular Shipping and Freight Resource. The site is popular for its educational content, Executive Insights, and Product Reviews. Hariesh is a regular speaker at container seminars and has engaged with entities such as the FMC on matters relating to critical issues such as demurrage and detention and port congestion. “ I have always been passionate about assisting customers in the logistics and supply chain space with their pain points and aiding them in their efforts to find innovative solutions. CHARLIE PESTI was a good fit for me to pursue this passion based on their involvement and experience in working with LogTech companies. Working with start-ups, unicorns and scale-ups, CHARLIE PESTI has tripled their revenue and quadrupled profit in the past year alone. I am definitely excited to be part of this growing team and add my expertise to the business, ” adds Hariesh Manaadiar. CHARLIE PESTI covers the supply chain and logistics markets in the geographies of US, EU, APAC & South Africa. About CHARLIE PESTI Charlie Pesti is focused on and obsessed with being the world's best publicist of logistics technologies. They bring their clients to decision-makers, who are eager to engage with them, pay them, and talk about them. The Charlie Pesti team is expert in content creation, industry and mainstream media relations, lead generation, and conferences. Learn more at — www.pesti.io Contact Details CHARLIE PESTI Priyanka Ann Saini +91 98332 68264 priyanka@pesti.io

October 12, 2021 03:33 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Harrods enters the limited-edition sneaker market welcoming The Edit LDN

Stockwood Strategy

The UK’s leading online store for limited edition sneakers and high-end streetwear The Edit LDN, today announced the opening of its first ever UK boutique store in Harrods, one of London’s most famous department stores. Harrods visitors will be able to see, experience and buy the latest limited-edition sneakers from The Edit LDN. Already popular with royalty, celebrities and footballers, The Edit LDN is a leading online destination that sells the hottest and hardest to get sneakers and streetwear from brands including Yeezy, Jordan, Off-White and collaborations through to Supreme, among others to a wide community of fashionistas, collectors and investors. Just as premium sites like Farfetch address the fashion world, The Edit LDN showcases the latest sneakers and high-end streetwear. They connect premium resellers with a highly engaged, price agnostic and eager audience. Moses Rashid, Founder and CEO of The Edit LDN commented: “We want to expand and increase accessibility for people who want to own limited edition sneakers around the world. Being the first sneaker reseller in Harrods is a proud and milestone moment for the company and its great to see such a global mega brand engaging with the sneaker market, moreover, that we're the catalyst to make that happen. Harrods offers an amazing customer journey to their global customer base and this aligns completely with our approach, to offer the best in class service. In 18 months, we have expanded our community of buyers from avid sneaker fans to TV and film celebrities as well as professional footballers and royal families around the world. Opening in Harrods is a logical next step as we bring our unique proposition to their customer base”. The Edit LDN has established itself as a trusted source of authenticated and high quality new and pre-loved streetwear and sneakers. Their unabating focus on speed (to deliver purchased goods), customer service engagement and ensuring all goods are authenticated has been testament to the growth of the platform and community. Simon Longland, Head of Menswear at Harrods commented: “Over the past three years, menswear at Harrods has undertaken a huge transformation, that has been visible through our brand curation as well as the physical shop floor. Our goal has been to transform the menswear experience at Harrods and embrace the most important and desirable trends on the market, and the launch of The Edit LDN continues that strategy. Bringing The Edit LDN’s industry expertise to Harrods ensures that our customers have access to the latest and most exclusive styles on the market through a service level which is unmistakably Harrods.” Helen David, Chief Merchant at Kurt Geiger added: “We’ve been at the forefront of embracing the latest trends serving a wide and diverse range of customers. What used to be considered sportswear is now considered luxury, and the shoes that are the most wanted and the hottest tickets are now sneakers. Without this as part of our matrix at Harrods, we wouldn’t have a proper 360 luxury offer. Hosting The Edit LDN at Harrods is testament to our commitment of meeting our customer needs with the market-leader in the premium sneaker business. Our shared objective with The Edit LDN is to ensure that Harrods’ customers have access to the latest and best on the market to meet their lifestyle needs.” Looking ahead, Moses said: “This is a marketplace worth $6b a year globally and will grow 5x by 2030. The demand for sneakers is growing every day and we are at the heart of servicing this trend. It’s been a remarkable 18 months since we launched to now opening in Harrods, the world’s most iconic department store. We are in hyper growth and headed in the right trajectory as we scale the business globally. Our on-going funding round will enable us to move faster and achieve our goals“. About The Edit LDN Founded in 2020, The Edit LDN has quickly become the UK’s leading online consignment store for limited edition sneakers and high end streetwear, both new and pre-loved items. Their innovative platform connects premium resellers to a global audience offering a deluxe experience from discovery, packaging and delivery. Brands include Jordan, Yeezy, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Off-White, Supreme, Fear of God among others. The platform is fast becoming synonymous with speed of service, authenticity, diverse selection of secure payment methods, and first class customer service. The Edit LDN is the leading destination for resellers and their premium sneakers and streetwear. Through partnerships with styling services such as Thread.com and various concierge companies, The Edit LDN has a community of buyers celebrities to professional footballers and royal families around the world. Further information visit: www.theeditldn.com. You are welcome to follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram About Harrods Harrods began as a wholesale grocer and tea merchant in east London, first opening its doors in 1834. Since then, it has grown to become the world’s most famous department store, known for its unrivalled range of luxury merchandise. As well as exclusive brands and myriad departments, one of Harrods’ most renowned attributes is its unparalleled service. Harrods continues to be guided by its philosophy of “anything is possible” and, to this day, our customers remain at the heart of everything we do. Harrods.com About Kurt Geiger Kurt Geiger is a premium footwear brand operating across the UK. It first opened its doors on Bond Street in 1963. Kurt Geiger's own brands for women, men and children include Kurt Geiger London, KG, Carvela and Miss KG. Kurt Geiger has operated the Harrods and Selfridges footwear departments for the past 25 years. This unique positioning sets Kurt Geiger apart as a distinctive and unparalleled multi-channel business selling third-party and owned brands through department store concessions. The brand has over 80 stores worldwide, kurtgeiger.com, as well as e-commerce concession sites and wholesale partners. Selling over four million pairs of shoes a year this makes Kurt Geiger the largest luxury footwear retailer in Europe. Contact Details The Edit LDN Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://www.theeditldn.com/

October 11, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Ev Dynamics' 12-Meter E-Bus Passes Homologation in Europe

Ev Dynamics (Holdings) Limited

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 7 October 2021 - Ev Dynamics (Holdings) Limited (the "Company", Stock Code: 476, together with its subsidiaries, collectively “Ev Dynamics” or the "Group"), a provider of new energy vehicles and integrated technology solutions, today announced that its 12-meter E-Bus model has passed the Whole Vehicle-Type-Approval System (WVTA) and Standardized On-Road Test Cycles (E-SORT) of the Economic Commission of Europe, laying the foundation for the Company’s entry into the European market at large. The Company’s 12-meter E-Bus is currently on its way to Munich, Germany, where it will be used as a test and display unit for European clients. Specifically designed with a distinctive and fresh aesthetic, this high-tech vehicle has a reliable grade climbing performance and has been designed and manufactured to meet European standards. The Company will work with its strategic partner, Quantron AG (“Quantron”), a German-based company engaged in inner-city e-mobility and regional freight and passenger transportation, to tap into the European market with the 12-meter E-Bus model. Miguel Valldecabres Polop, CEO of Ev Dynamics, said: “We are thrilled to have taken a big step forward in launching our e-buses in the European EV market. With the vehicle now having passed homologation, we are ready to leverage the business network and experience of Quantron and launch our products in Europe. We believe this high-performing and environmentally friendly bus will win a warm welcome from the European market and become a key solution to replace the diesel buses currently being used, thus showing great development potential.” Michael Perschke, International Advisor of Ev Dynamics and CEO of Quantron, said: “We are seeing a growing demand for EVs in Europe on the back of favorable policies and the market trend of electrification of public transport. In light of the strategic partnership, Quantron will focus on product development whilst Ev Dynamics will be in charge of production. We have also participated in several public transportation tenders. Our collaboration has made significant progress and will continue to deliver good operational efficiency and robust business growth.” Currently, the Company holds a total of 9,157 shares in Quantron, representing approximately 14.43% of the enlarged share capital of the German company. Quantron has started delivering electric vans to IKEA Austria. About Ev Dynamics (Holdings) Limited (Stock Code: 476) Ev Dynamics (Holdings) Limited is a pioneer and a prominent player in China’s new energy commercial vehicles market, as well as a whole-vehicle manufacturer of specialty passenger vehicles and new energy passenger vehicles. It is an integrated driving and logistics solutions provider with a solid technological foundation in diverse areas including new energy platform power systems and their key components. The Group has a production base in Chongqing and it has developed its sales network in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Asia Pacific and South America. Contact Details Phoebe Leung +852 2114 4172 phoebe.leung@sprg.com.hk

October 07, 2021 07:24 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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UD Trucks kicks off global launch of new Euro 5 truck range

UD Trucks

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 30 September 2021 - UD Trucks today unveiled a new Euro 5 range for the well-established Quester (heavy-duty) and Croner (medium-duty) trucks. The upgrade also boasts enhanced features that will improve uptime, enhance efficiency, and optimize Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), all while lowering the vehicle’s environmental impact and retaining benefits from previous models. The new Euro 5 range will be introduced in fast-growing and emerging regions around the world that are moving to adopt more stringent international emission standards in a bid to cut pollution and improve air quality. In most markets, UD Trucks’ new Euro 5 range will be introduced ahead of these regulations to better prepare businesses for the switch to a cleaner fleet. This latest launch bolsters UD Trucks’ Better Life purpose – to be better for logistics, the planet, people, and business. Better Life drives the integration of sustainability across all of the company’s operations and processes to realize lower environmental impact, higher customer satisfaction, higher profitability, and a better place for people to work and live. Jacques Michel, UD Trucks International Sales, Senior Vice President, said “In today’s world, sustainability is more important than ever. COVID-19 is also placing more emphasis on a more sustainable approach to driving a post-pandemic recovery. Modern and efficient logistics is vital to keep the world moving in these fast-evolving times, and our latest launch will ensure greater resilience for businesses while ensuring environmental impacts are minimized.” Ensuring businesses stay competitive in a rapidly changing world with Euro 5 Air pollution is one of the largest health threats facing the world today[1]. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) global energy review 2021[2], global energy carbon emissions are projected to rebound in the post-COVID era to grow by 4.8%. This would represent the largest single increase in over a decade. Emissions from transportation alone are at risk of increasing global emission levels by over 1.5%. Moving towards cleaner fleets is imperative. Euro 5 reduces NOx emissions by about 43% compared to Euro 4 and significantly reduces the carbon footprint of the vehicle through cleaner emissions. As the first truck manufacturer to introduce Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology in 2004, UD Trucks’ new Euro 5 range features SCR technology to significantly boost environmental protection and fuel economy. With these benefits, SCR technology is proven to be more reliable when compared to other emission control technologies for reducing NOx emissions. Aside from featuring a Euro 5 system with SCR technology, the new range of Quester and Croner also features a new instrument cluster with real-time fuel coaching. This enhancement provides drivers with immediate and specific feedback on driving techniques that are more fuel efficient. New instrument cluster with real-time fuel coaching Quester has evolved with the times Quester, a heavy-duty truck that combines excellent fuel efficiency with durability, has evolved further to meet today’s transport and environmental challenges. The latest Euro 5 upgrade and new instrument cluster add to Quester’s other standout features: Smart: Connected and business-ready with innovative UD Telematics – a high-tech wireless communications system – allows transportation companies to maximize efficiency with real-time vehicle tracking and geofencing. Sustainable: Increased fuel efficiency with numerous features including ESCOT automated manual transmission. Combined with lighter tare weight and optimized driveline, fuel economy can improve by up to 10% compared to the previous Quester model. Safe: Quester with ESCOT takes away the drivers’ need to shift an average of 1,000-1,500 times a day by automatically selecting the right gear at any given time. This leads to less stress and improves safety by allowing the driver to focus more on the road. Croner, ahead of its time A reliable and versatile medium-duty truck, Croner has been designed to make every moment count. The latest Euro 5 upgrade and new instrument cluster add to Croner’s other tried-and-tested features: Wide and customizable model offering – Croner can be configured to suit specific applications and optimized for better productivity. Fuel efficiency – Aerodynamic cab design reduces the drag coefficient by 5% compared to previous models. Drivability – Allison automatic transmission and superior ergonomics provide more comfort for the driver, resulting in less fatigue and higher productivity. More space, comfort, convenience – Croner’s cabin has been designed to put driver comfort first. It also comes with numerous active and passive safety features to protect the driver, cargo, and surrounding traffic. Michel concludes, “For 86 years, we have grown UD Trucks to be a truck brand of choice for our customers. We are committed to continuing our endless pursuit of bettering lives in the spirit of our ‘Gemba’ philosophy, leveraging smart and sustainable logistics solutions to provide ultimate dependability for our customers, business partners, colleagues and society at large.” The new Euro 5 range of heavy-duty Quester and medium-duty Croner will be rolled out in key growth markets – across Southeast Asia, Middle East, Africa, and Latin America – from October 2021 onwards. For more information on the new Euro 5 range, visit https://www.udtrucks.com and watch the digital reveal film at https://www.udtrucksdriveforbetter.com. Join the conversation on social media at https://www.facebook.com/UDTrucksJP and https://www.linkedin.com/company/ud-trucks-corporation. [1] United Nations Economic Commission for Europe: Air pollution and health https://unece.org/air-pollution-and-health [2] International Energy Agency (IEA) Global Energy Review 2021: https://www.iea.org/reports/global-energy-review-2021/co2-emissions [3] Automotive Fleet: Asset & Driver Strategies to Reduce Fuel Spend https://www.automotive-fleet.com/10139856/asset-driver-strategies-to-reduce-fuel-spend About UD Trucks UD Trucks is a leading Japanese commercial vehicle solutions provider, active in more than 60 countries on all continents. Since its inception in 1935, the company has been an innovation leader with a clear vision to provide the trucks and services the world needs today. The company is committed to go the extra mile for smart logistics with the most dependable solutions for demanding customers. To best support across applications and geographies, UD Trucks offers a full range of heavy duty trucks – Quon and Quester, medium duty trucks – Condor and Croner, and light duty trucks – Kazet and Kuzer, as well as associated operational and financial services. For more information from the UD Trucks, please visit http://www.udtrucks.com/en-int/home #UDTrucks Contact Details Director, Brand and Marketing, UD Trucks International Sales Tricia Thet tricia.thet@udtrucks.com

September 30, 2021 03:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Atlys Survey Finds New and Emerging Travel Patterns Amongst Americans Showing Increases in Travel Expenses; Non-Vaccinated Travelers on the Rise

Atlys

Eighteen months after the start of the coronavirus pandemic, countries have reopened borders to travelers. A recent survey conducted by Atlys found new and emerging travel trends, with travel becoming more expensive and uncertain than ever. The survey analyzed data from more than 3,500 travelers who used Atlys to travel abroad to understand these new travel patterns amongst Americans. Travel expenditure increased by a whopping $330 per trip due to COVID-19-related entry requirements, and so has the uncertainty, with 41% of travelers actively involved in travel communities related to their journeys. Additionally, 58% of American travelers were unvaccinated, with the most common destinations being Mexico (37%), Greece (19%), Dominican Republic (12%), Bahamas (11%), and Aruba (13%), and Costa Rica (8%). Major Survey Results Other significant results from the Atlys survey conducted over the summer include: 58% of Americans that traveled abroad this summer were not vaccinated. As countries reopened their borders, non-vaccinated travelers returned to the same travel patterns as before COVID-19. Old travelers are on the rise with a quarter being 50+. Amongst other demographic shifts, 47% of millennials refused to travel because of high costs, while 25% were scared to travel with unvaccinated children. Florida is the hub for unvaccinated travelers: 20% of unvaccinated American travelers live in Florida. The top 4 U.S. states by active COVID-19 cases also led the pack for most outbound travel amongst unvaccinated Americans. Florida accounted for most outbound unvaccinated tourists, followed by Texas, New York, and California. Traveling is inefficient: Each traveler spends more than 5 hours determining entry requirements and filling out paperwork. In addition, 23% of travelers saying they contacted either their airline, hotel,” or travel platform to understand the entry requirements with airlines call waiting times running into hours. The New Normal The current process is highly confusing for travelers. Mohak Nahta, CEO and founder of Atlys, said, “This survey highlights the inefficient processes set in place by governments. While it’s understandable that requirements exist to keep COVID-19 at bay, countries must streamline the process. As countries look to revamp tourism, they underestimate the impact of fast, efficient systems and clear, easy-to-understand processes have.” Countries have introduced a range of requirements to enter, making it more expensive to travel than ever. On average, the extra cost adds up to $330 per traveler and constitutes COVID-19 visas, travel insurance, and COVID-19 tests. In addition, 79% of travelers expressed frustration at the lack of disclosure by hotels & airlines on the added costs of traveling, only to discover them much later when the cancellation was not an option. A COVID-19 visa, also known as a health visa, is a new visa that travelers need to get. While they’re electronic, the approval is not instant. Authorities review each application; they can only be submitted a few days before the trip and are not free. “I wanted to travel to the United Kingdom, but I need to get a test within three days and then once I reach on the second and eighth days, and in between too? I am confused. I just decided not to go," said Sid, a 26-year-old Software Engineer based out of New York City. Many other travelers echo this sentiment, and the survey brings to light the importance of building systems to guide and educate travelers in the post-Covid world. About The Survey Atlys conducted the survey based on data from 3500 Atlys users between May 15, 2021, and September 5, 2021, for U.S. adults ages 18 and older. The Atlys app makes it fast & easy for travelers to get their visas. Contact Details Atlys Media Relations +1 650-550-1417 pr@atlys.com Company Website https://www.atlys.com/

September 28, 2021 08:03 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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D8.co to Launch 1-Hour Delivery for Delta-8 THC Products

D8 Holdings, Inc.

D8.co the market leader in hemp-derived Delta-8 THC —today announced it is launching 1-hour delivery for consumer orders throughout the United States. D8.co will deliver their award winning Delta-8 carts, Delta-8 disposables, and Delta-8 gummies to any customer within 1-hour in a 25-mile radius of any professional NFL team. Outside that radius customers will receive next day packages at the latest. “The largest problem we have is fulfillment and delivery,” said Chris Duffield, CEO of D8.co. “Anyone shipping consumer goods knows that all the carriers are a current nightmare. We have shipped thousands of packages priority and the majority show up two or three days late, with far too many getting lost or stolen. If a customer places an order after cutoff on Friday, they have to wait an additional three days. Customers want our products, and they want them immediately.” The first six states D8.co will integrate into their program are Texas, Georgia, Florida, Minnesota, Ohio, and North Carolina. The company will expand into the rest of the U.S immediately, with full integration expected to take approximately 45 days. “We have more than 50 major fulfillment centers locked in that are centrally managed from our cloud technology. Once an order is placed, our customers will receive an email and text where they can track our drivers all the way to delivery,” said Hugh McPherson, EVP of D8.co. D8.co expects to immediately double online sales with the new integration. “We are extremely excited to launch 1-hour delivery,” said Duffield. “We just became the largest cannabis company in the United States, which makes us a prime acquisition target. I’m very proud of our core team and all the hard work everyone has put in to make D8 the number one brand in the market.” About D8.co D8.co is based in Colorado and Miami with satellite offices in Las Vegas and Los Angeles. The company is an assembly of the top hemp and cannabis minds in the country. With backgrounds in extraction, chemistry, manufacturing, marketing, distribution, and legal, the D8 team came together organically around this elusive, but extremely powerful molecule to create a new category of products. More info at www.d8.co. Contact Details D8.co Chris Duffield +1 424-333-2112 chris@d8.co Company Website https://d8.co/

September 23, 2021 12:26 PM Eastern Daylight Time

MarketFinance in pole position as it raises £280m and is approved for Recovery Loan Scheme lending

Stockwood Strategy

Fintech business lender MarketFinance has today announced a £280m debt and equity fundraise and its accreditation under the Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS). This comes after MarketFinance became one of the first fintechs to be accredited under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS), having lent £250m to companies across the UK. Launched by the British Business Bank in April 2021, the Recovery Loan Scheme supports access to finance for UK businesses as they recover and grow following the pandemic. Funding from the Scheme can be used for any legitimate business purpose including managing cashflow, investment in new equipment and preparing for future growth. It is designed to appeal to businesses that can afford to take out additional finance for these purposes. MarketFinance is ready to lend immediately with its debt and equity funding. The debt financing has been provided from a large global investment firm alongside Italy’s largest bank, Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A. The equity investment was led by Black River Ventures (previous investments include Marqeta, Upgrade, Coursera and Digital Ocean) with participation from existing investor, Barclays Bank PLC. Alongside this, the launch of MarketFinance Flex Loans today will aim to help nearly one million SMEs in the UK solve their short-term funding gaps up to £100,000. Viola Credit has provided MarketFinance with £20m to launch the Flex Loans product. Similar to a credit card or overdraft, businesses will have a pre-agreed limit of up to £100,000 which they can withdraw at once or in smaller amounts. Flexible repayment options enable the businesses to spread their repayments over 3 - 12 months based on their working capital needs. It is a solution to support a variety of one-off and ongoing funding requirements such as purchasing inventory, clearing outstanding invoices, upfront supplier payments, investment into sales and marketing, or expanding the team. Anil Stocker, CEO at MarketFinance, commented: “This funding and our accreditation as a Recovery Loan Scheme lender is testament to the brilliant work everyone at MarketFinance has done to serve UK businesses during a difficult period. Adapting to the increased demand from businesses looking for finance online instead of through traditional avenues also drove our profitability this year, which has continued into H2 2021”. From today, businesses can immediately apply* for an RLS loan from MarketFinance between £50k and £250k repayable over 4, 5 or 6 years. Repayments in the first six months of the term will only consist of interest charges, an additional support measure as businesses gear themselves for a full reopening of the economy. Anil Stocker aded: “Businesses have been resilient and managed to hold their nerve during one of the most difficult periods in recent history. We were there to help with the CBILS and will do the same with the RLS by offering a simple application process, quick decisions and sending funds to businesses immediately. Our fundraise puts us in pole position to do this. We played a key role during CBILS, as one of the first fintech lenders, to help get funds to businesses quickly when they found their applications were delayed and or denied by others. We will stand shoulder to shoulder with businesses and help navigate them through to the full reopening of the economy and beyond”. As a native fintech, the MarketFinance platform is designed to receive, process and manage large volumes of businesses applying for finance using the platform. From simple online application forms, enhanced credit risk models to exceptional one-to-one customer support, MarketFinance will get RLS funds to businesses in need, quickly. “We aim to quickly lend to businesses around the UK. We anticipate demand for RLS to come from companies that will need capital to scale operations ahead of the full reopening of the economy. Manufacturers, wholesalers, public services businesses and a range of others will need the funds to ramp up supplies and build pipelines as business returns to normal” added Anil Stocker. Ends *Minimum eligibility criteria for RLS business loans through MarketFinance: Limited Company or Limited Liability Partnership Trading for more than 3 years, has a turnover of more than £200,000 Company sells goods and/or services to consumers and/or other businesses About MarketFinance MarketFinance is a business finance company with offices in London and Manchester. The online platform enables businesses to access a range of flexible finance solutions - quickly and easily. This smart technology is backed by help from real people so business owners can save time and focus on growing their business. Since 2011, MarketFinance has cumulatively advanced over £2.6 billion to companies across a range of sizes and sectors, providing working capital and finance for everything from paying staff and suppliers to launching new products or services and accelerating growth. MarketFinance is backed by Barclays Bank PLC, Mouro Capital, European venture capital fund Northzone (invested in Klarna, iZettle and Trustpilot), and private equity group MCI Capital (also invested in iZettle, Azimo and Gett). About the Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS) The Recovery Loan Scheme is managed by the British Business Bank on behalf of, and with the financial backing of, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. British Business Bank plc is a development bank wholly owned by HM Government. It is not authorised or regulated by the PRA or the FCA. Contact Details MarketFinance Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://marketfinance.com/

September 21, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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WIN Adopts New Corporate Name, Centerboard – The Logistics Industry's Neutral Technology Platform

Centerboard

Leading logistics technology platform, Web Integrated Network (WIN), today announced it will be adopting a new corporate brand name, Centerboard, to best reflect its overall mission of giving shippers control over their supply chain using the growing slate of neutral, shipper-centric transportation and supply chain management technology solutions it is developing. A truly neutral solution, Centerboard empowers the shipper to utilize its own contract carrier relationships – as well as accessing any carrier/broker in the spot market. There is more than $1 billion in freight value running through the platform. The company also unveiled a range of new features for its core platform, now known as WIN, by Centerboard. Centerboard, which will continue to operate as a standalone entity from its former parent company, Odyssey Logistics & Technology Corporation, is focused on providing shippers with solutions that are easy to use, customizable and designed for integration, while being more affordable than other options. Centerboard’s proprietary technologies provide supply chain stakeholders access to real-time data, providing unprecedented transparency and efficiency and helping shippers move goods in the fastest, most cost-effective and sustainable manner. Unlike older legacy systems, the company’s product development approach leverages modern, nimble, modular architecture, enabling Centerboard to offer shippers of all sizes the advantage of continuous improvement with the latest technology. Centerboard’s philosophy and modular approach enables supply chain participants the ability to integrate and upgrade while minimizing development costs. Centerboard’s leadership team consists of Glenn Riggs, President; Lindsey Shellman, Chief Commercial Officer; and Xavier Amella, Chief Technology Officer. The company was founded in 2017 and the cost-effective, cloud-based solutions it created like WIN, by Centerboard have helped companies of all sizes save time and money, resulting in increased profits. “Dairyland Trading Co. is a satisfied customer of WIN. Last year alone the WIN software contributed to our 27 percent year over year growth,” said Jerry Haines, Owner and Manager at Dairyland Trading Co. LLC. “We are looking forward to using the expanded features of the WIN, by Centerboard offering to increase our efficiencies as we continue to meet the shifting demands of shipping our goods.” Centerboard enables shippers to transact with quality carriers as well as successfully and easily integrate with legacy and emerging technology. Along with a new vision for the industry, the rollout comes with new platform features like advanced shipment notifications which sends notifications on all order tracking messages, helping to improve costs, accuracy and flexibility. Additionally, a new spot quote carrier setup feature helps to increase efficiencies. “Working with Centerboard allows us to provide our customers with seamless, easy access to key transportation management features right within our system,” said John Walker, Logistics Product Manager at Encompass Technologies, a comprehensive cloud-based ERP for the beverage and food industry. “Centerboard’s technology architecture is designed to be flexible, modular, and agile, which allows our team to upgrade to the latest technology, saving our team and customers time and money.” “The rollout of Centerboard’s solutions, including our ability to offer both standard and custom integrations, allows us to solve key issues facing the shipping and logistics industry. For the first time, shippers are able to take command of their supply chain and to access the features they need most,” said Glenn Riggs, President of Centerboard. “Supply chain is the lifeblood of business, but it’s complex, fragmented and often difficult to find answers to inform good decision making. Centerboard changes that with simplicity, easy integration capabilities and affordability.” To learn more about Centerboard and the new solutions offered through WIN, by Centerboard, visit www.centerboard.com. About Centerboard Centerboard is a neutral, shipper-centric transportation and supply chain management platform supplying shippers with access to a wide range of affordable features needed to take control of operations. Centerboard unlocks business opportunities for shippers, carriers and supply chain stakeholders, through leveraging real-time data. Centerboard is out to make the supply chain more sustainable and efficient to ensure less waste and significant carbon reduction with every trip. Contact Details Kite Hill PR for Centerboard Kite Hill PR centerboard@kitehillpr.com Company Website https://www.centerboard.com/

September 20, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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