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ibble Launches Social Networking App Landing One Of The Largest Series Seed Funding In Texas History

ibble

ibble, a new social media app empowering people to spark conversations and ignite new ideas has received $12.7MM, the largest series seed funding round in Texas history. Leading the seed round was Drive Capital followed by TTV Capital, Unknown Ventures, and Get Engaged Media. The investment in ibble comes amidst societies overwhelming frustrations with current social media platforms as they increasingly cut content; remove conversations and restrict engagement. “ibble is a Social Media App built on the idea of learning through conversations and having the ability to talk directly with the experts without the friction that currently exists on traditional social media apps and platforms,” said Raymond Kaminski, CEO and Co-founder of ibble. “We believe that talking with your community, not at your community, through the power of audio and video can spark more meaningful conversations and create more insightful engagement." ibble’s mission is to help people connect with and learn from experts through the power of video and audio conversations. Users are able to ask experts questions directly as well as spark conversations with their peers, naturally expanding candid conversations without friction. Is an expert always right? No, of course not. We believe what makes someone an "expert" is their relentless pursuit of the truth about a certain subject and their willingness to share it. For people who have been frustrated by structured and ad focused social media platforms that stifle conversations and are not easily suited to video and audio conversations, the solution is ibble – the social media app built by a distinguished team of entrepreneurs who believe that conversations and connections must have a healthy environment to thrive and grow in this digital age. “Brands, celebrities, influencers, the news, sports figures and more are looking for new ways to engage but that is almost impossible when dealing with the limits of current social media apps and platforms,” said Irving Lee, Co-Founder and Head of Partnerships at ibble. “We built ibble knowing that authenticity is not found in a like, comment or status update, and how could it? ibble provides a platform that celebrates real conversations with real people and threads that mirror real life conversations; conversations you can jump in and out of." With ibble anything is possible through the power of conversation. Users can start a video or audio conversation about their favorite show. They can also ask their favorite influencer or celebrity a question and get a response back with a simple click of a button. ibble makes conversation easy because ibble has made conversation through social media possible, with a focus on the natural flow of conversations and questions. For brands, shows, influencers, celebrities and others, ibble has made it easy to talk with their community members directly while not having to worry about being throttled or competing brands advertised to them while they are communicating with them. About ibble ibble is the social media app that enables experts and their communities to directly engage through audio and video conversations. ibble makes events more accessible and adds depth through back-and-forth video and audio posts. Learn more at https://www.getibble.com/ Contact Details ibble Jason Jepson +1 949-394-7033 press@ibble.io Company Website https://www.getibble.com/

March 10, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Nice Healthcare Raises $30M Series A To Reinvent The Way Primary Care is Delivered

Nice Healthcare

Nice Healthcare, the clinic that comes to you, today announced that it has closed a Series A funding round of $30 million led by DNA Capital, with participation from existing investors Waterline Ventures, Conductive Ventures, and Santa Barbara Venture Partner and new investors Brown Venture Group, F.R. Bigelow Foundation, Daren Cotter, and Eddie Cisneros. Nice Healthcare is solving systemic pain points by bringing integrated primary care directly to the patient with in-home and virtual visits, lab tests, x-rays, mental health services, prescription medication and physical therapy. The company’s unique blend of innovation and personal touches are a welcomed disruption in modern medicine. Nice Healthcare focuses on bringing affordable healthcare benefits to small and medium sized businesses, the backbone of the US Economy. Small businesses generate 44% of US economic activity and employ 48% of US employees, yet few healthcare innovations are focused on this segment. Further, much of the innovation often caters to tech savvy, high earning consumers or those who are marginalized. What is often missed is the middle, working class families. Nice Healthcare is the first integrated healthcare solution that enables SMBs to offer medical care to families that is affordable and accessible. ”Healthcare innovation is worthless if it does not simultaneously and immediately reduce health insurance premiums, reduce patient out-of-pocket costs, and make care more accessible,” said Thompson Aderinkomi, Co-founder and CEO of Nice Healthcare. “Nice Healthcare has accomplished these three things from day one and this funding will enable us to bring our truly impactful model of care to more homes nationwide.” In addition to the Series A, Nice is also announcing an expansion of its C-suite to support continued growth with key executive hires, including the addition of Steven Bayer as Chief Experience Officer, Charles Wyatt as Chief Financial Officer and Shadé Akande as Chief People Officer. Since 2020, the company experienced 300% growth, added physical therapy and mental health to its service offerings and expanded into 20 markets to support demand. “We at DNA Capital are delighted to partner with Nice as they continue to scale their high touch and affordable primary care services to large cross sections of rural and suburban middle to low income working individuals and families across America,” said Partha Mishra, Partner at DNA Capital who joined Nice’s Board of Directors. “We are equally excited to back one of the most diverse founding teams and a culture that celebrates diversity and promotes respect for one another and inspires trust amongst the people they have the privilege to serve.” Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Nice Healthcare is currently available in parts of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Iowa, Wisconsin, Oregon and Washington, with plans to expand into more markets. More than 400 small businesses currently use Nice Healthcare for their employees healthcare benefits. In addition to the investors who participated in Nice’s Series A financing round, OATV was an early investor and has been instrumental in supporting the growth of the company. To learn more about Nice Healthcare, visit www.nice.healthcare. Nice Healthcare is making truly integrated comprehensive healthcare accessible, allowing patients to easily get care for their everyday needs. By utilizing a mix of technology, logistics, and expert clinical care, they bring a fully integrated clinic to you, providing in-home and virtual primary care, mental health therapy, and physical therapy Their clinicians can also offer patients x-rays, 35 labs and blood draws and a formulary with over 550 medications with no out-of-pocket costs. Since launching in Minnesota in 2017, Nice has expanded its integrated care services to 12 states. Contact Details Nice Healthcare Karen Swim, APR +1 586-461-2103 pr@nice.healthcare Company Website https://www.nice.healthcare/

March 10, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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MyYogaTeacher Launches Official 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program Online

MyYogaTeacher

MyYogaTeacher announces the launch of a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) program, which will be offered three times each year, and features live instruction by a group of highly-skilled, certified, India-based and -trained instructors. Unlike the self-paced, pre-recorded, video-based packages sold online, which offer digital materials, videos, and only a handful of live sessions led by an instructor, MyYogaTeacher’s courses are 100% live, taking place daily over a period of 95+ days. MyYogaTeacher was named one of “The 6 Best Online Yoga Classes of 2022” by Byrdie. “Our students have a wide range of reasons for pursuing teacher training,” says Jitendra Gupta, the Indian-born CEO of MyYogaTeacher, who co-founded the company with Mexican-American entrepreneur Will Allen, after pursuing yoga to improve his personal physical and mental well-being. “Some definitely have a desire to teach yoga, but others simply want to improve their practice and challenge themselves a bit further by expanding their yogic knowledge and taking their physical practice to the next level.” The program is open to students of all levels. The Yoga Alliance-certified teacher training program features 6 highly-qualified MyYogaTeacher instructors, and is led by Rohan Shroff, who earned a Masters in Science in Yoga from SVYASA University in Bangalore and has over 1300 hours of yoga teacher training from well-known and respected institutions in India. Rohan has graduated over 500 students from online and in-person teacher training programs, including over 100 MyYogaTeacher students, and he also teaches Pranayama, Meditation, Ashtanga Vinyasa, Yoga Sutras, and Methodology, at MyYogaTeacher. Besides live instruction on a variety of topics–yoga history, theory, anatomy and physiology–in addition to asana practice, pranayama, chanting, meditation, yoga sutras, and more, the program includes a 150-page e-book, recordings of the classes so students can return to each session and review, plus a community setting that keeps students engaged, motivated and energize. They can also live chat with instructors (Bodhi Abishek Singh, Gomati Woli, Stuti Asher, Umesh Balavaradaraju, Bharath Ram) and fellow students. “What’s great is that your investment in teacher training is nowhere close to the cost you will incur by traveling to India during our post-Covid era,” says Gupta. “And we offer students a 14-day free trial so if they are not happy with the coursework, they can cancel.” The first round of this YTT program runs from March 5 to May 28, and the program will be offered 3 times each year. The next round will take place in the summer of 2022. Learn more about the program and featured instructors here. About MyYogaTeacher MyYogaTeacher is reconnecting yoga to its roots and sharing it through live lessons taught by the world’s foremost teachers who studied yoga at India’s most elite universities and schools. With over 100,000 registered U.S. students, it offers over 40 group classes daily, and provides private sessions, along with over one million minutes of live interactions each month. The Cupertino, California-based company was co-founded in 2018 by Jitendra Gupta and Will Allen. Gupta is the successful former co-founder of Punchh, who turned his struggle with burnout into a platform to help others. Allen is a former mechanical engineer who left the lucrative aerospace industry to travel the world, and pursue yoga and meditation over the past decade. MyYogaTeacher recently received $3 million in seed round funding, led by TSVC, with participation from Leonis Investissement, Weekend Fund, All Access Fund, and Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments. For more information, visit MyYogaTeacher.com. Contact Details Carolyn Kamii PR Carolyn Kamii +1 310-251-0550 carolyn@carolynkamii.com Company Website https://www.myyogateacher.com/

March 09, 2022 04:30 AM Pacific Standard Time

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Fine Hygienic Holding recognized as one of few Global Top Employers for the first time

Fine Hygienic Holding

In recognition of its excellent work environment, Fine Hygienic Holding (FHH), the world leading wellness group and manufacturer of hygienic paper products and long-lasting germ protection solutions, has been recognized as a global Top Employer for 2022 by the prestigious Top Employers Institute. FHH was named Top Employer Middle East 2022, as one of few employers worldwide recognized at the awards for its outstanding human resources strategy as well as employees’ experience and culture. The group’s operations in Egypt, Jordan, KSA and the UAE all achieved the highest global benchmark of HR practices which cover the areas of People Strategy, Work Environment, Talent Acquisition, Learning and Development, Well-being and Diversity & Inclusion. Marking the group’s latest achievement, James Michael Lafferty, FHH’s CEO, said, “We are very proud of being recognized as a top employer in the field of FMCG. Attaining this certificate proves yet again that our motto – if we take care of our people, the business will take care of itself – is being put into action every single day. We know that our success as a company derives from the strength of our most important asset, our Fine people. That is why we are constantly working to create an environment that attracts and retains the very best, and always celebrate employees who excel both in their performance and in embodying our company values.” Fine Hygienic Holding has around 3,000 employees from more than 40 nationalities spread among its operations in the MENA region with two headquarters: Amman and Dubai. To achieve the “Top Employer” award, the company went through a multi-stage certification program. Companies from all over the world wishing to participate in the award are required to fill a detailed survey covering six HR domains consisting of 20 topics and undergo extensive auditing for each HR process. The Top Employers Institute specializes in the alignment of practices and policies through a global program based on benchmarking best HR practices to grant the global workforce with full outstanding people practices. About Fine Hygienic Holding: Fine Hygienic Holding (FHH), one of the world’s leading wellness groups and MENA’s leading manufacturer of hygienic products, serves consumers in more than 80 countries around the world. Originally established as a paper manufacturer, FHH has transformed into a wellness company dedicated to enhancing global health and wellbeing. Committed to becoming “the shining star of the Arab FMCG business world,” the Group focuses on wellness, sustainability, pioneering CSR programs, and state-of-the-art production processes. Fine Hygienic Holding offers a diverse array of award-winning products including sterilized facial tissues, napkins, kitchen towels, toilet paper, baby diapers, adult briefs, jumbo rolls, as well as away-from-home products to accommodate all types of private and public institutions, in addition to its advanced range of personal protective equipment (PPE) and long-lasting germ protection solutions, it also brings Nai natural iced teas and innovative nutritional supplements, Motiva, to the market. Along with multiple accolated and awards over the years, particularly for its products and CSR initiatives, the company was recognized as a Top Employer Middle East 2022 by the prestigious Top Employers Institute in every country it operates. Contact Details Rana Kawalit │ Corporate Communication & PR Director Rkawalit@finehh.com Company Website https://www.finehh.com/

March 08, 2022 11:24 PM Eastern Standard Time

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NEW XFINITY REWARDS PROGRAM UNLOCKS A WORLD OF UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES, EARLY ACCESS TO THE LATEST TECHNOLOGIES, AND SPECIAL PERKS AND DISCOUNTS FOR XFINITY CUSTOMERS

Comcast Houston

Comcast today announced the launch of Xfinity Rewards, a rewards program for all customers across the country. Xfinity Rewards was built around a simple idea: to give back to customers, just for being a customer, through unique and unforgettable experiences that only Comcast NBCUniversal can deliver. The multi-faceted program spans media and entertainment, sports, music, and technology. Members enjoy special perks like $1 Movie Rentals, access to free content, discounts at Universal Parks & Resorts, early access to the latest Comcast technologies, products, features like the new xFi Advanced Gateway with Supersonic WiFi, and Xfinity Mobile benefits and savings. Customers can also redeem rewards for unforgettable experiences like exclusive live stream events, have a chance for a meet and greet with Olympic gold-medalist Nathan Chen, a trip to the Latin American Music Awards in Las Vegas, or tickets to be part of the live audience at Late Night with Jimmy Fallon in New York, just to name a few. “The entire Xfinity Rewards experience has been shaped and inspired by our customers. They told us they wanted meaningful rewards rooted in unforgettable experiences, so we’ve brought together the best of Comcast NBCUniversal to deliver just that,” said Jason Wicht, Senior Vice President of Growth Operations. “Xfinity Rewards truly speaks to our mission to connect people to more of what they love, with the most innovative technology available anywhere, while giving back and saying thanks - just for being a customer.” How Xfinity Rewards Works Joining Xfinity Rewards is free for customers. Signing up only takes a minute through the Xfinity App or online at xfinity.com/rewards. Upon enrolling, members are placed in Silver, Gold, Platinum or Diamond tier based on how long they’ve been a customer, with access and the types of rewards based on tenure with Comcast. Rewards are available immediately upon signing up for the program so members can start exploring and enjoying them right away with new opportunities added frequently throughout the year. Launching Xfinity Rewards with Supersonic WiFi Xfinity Rewards is all about unlocking unforgettable experiences – and what better place to start than right at home. Beginning March 4, at 12:00 p.m. EST, Xfinity Rewards Diamond members who subscribe to Gigabit Internet will receive early access to Comcast’s most innovative and powerful device to date delivering reliable, supersonic WiFi. The next generation Gateway, only from Xfinity, is capable of multi-Gig speeds and can power a house full of hundreds of connected devices all at once. It won’t be available to the public until April 2022, but eligible Xfinity Rewards members can redeem this reward beginning March 4 through the Xfinity App or online at Xfinity.com/rewards while supplies last. Save Hundreds on Xfinity Mobile, Rated #1 in Customer Satisfaction Customers who sign up for Xfinity Rewards can access even more product discounts and perks as part of the program, including up to $150 towards a new Xfinity Mobile device and up to $100 towards new or existing service for Xfinity Mobile customers. Xfinity Mobile, rated number one in customer satisfaction by ASCI two years in a row, combines the best nationwide cellular 5G with more than 20 million WiFi hotspots to deliver fast speeds and a more flexible way to pay for cellular data. Customers can mix and match between Unlimited or By-the-Gig shared data and can switch back and forth on any line at any time. Xfinity Mobile offers Unlimited data for $30 a line per month when you get 4 lines with Xfinity Mobile. Discounts to Universal Parks & Resorts and Other Comcast NBCUniversal Brands Xfinity Rewards members can experience the action, thrills, and excitement of Universal Orlando’s three amazing theme parks, Universal Studios Florida, Universal Island of Adventure, and Universal’s Volcano Bay water theme park, at specially discounted prices. Enjoy a Universal Orlando Resort 3-day ticket for the price of a regular 2-day admission ticket or save on a 2 Park 1-Day VIP experience for a personally guided tour of Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. There’s also a sweepstakes for a 3-night trip for four people to Universal Orlando including roundtrip airfare, accommodations at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, and admission to all three theme parks. In addition, Xfinity Rewards members get instant access to exclusive discounts across many popular Comcast NBCUniversal brands – including 20% off merchandise at NBC and Bravo stores, discounts on subscriptions to premium services like GolfPass, NBC Sports Edge, and CNBC Pro, and early access to TODAY’s Steals and Deals with Jill Martin. Unforgettable Sports, Music, and Entertainment Experiences Members also have access to experiences and events made possible through Xfinity’s wide array of sports, music, and entertainment partnerships – like a VIP experience to watch all the drama unfold live at NASCAR, tickets to NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB games, exclusive virtual cooking demonstrations with award-winning celebrity chefs like Bren Herrera, host of Cleo TV’s Culture Kitchen, and Chef G. Garvin of Aspire TV's G. Garvin Live!, virtual meet and greets with Bravolebrities, tickets to top music events like the Latin American Music Awards in Las Vegas in April, and even a super VIP experience like the chance to meet Olympic gold medalist, Nathan Chen. Simple Delights like $1 Movies and Access to Free Content While there are tons of great experiences, discounts, and perks for being a member of Xfinity Rewards, sometimes the best moments are the simple everyday opportunities to connect with loved ones. In addition to offering tons of great movies for just $1, Xfinity Rewards members can also redeem rewards for movies like The Mighty Ducks, The Minions Movie, In the Heights, and It’s a Wonderful Life for free. And there are tons of games and activity kits featuring hit characters from Boss Baby, The Minions Movie, Sing 2, and more to keep the whole family entertained for hours. There’s truly something for everyone with Xfinity Rewards. For more information about Xfinity Rewards, download the Xfinity App or visit xfinity.com/rewards. About Comcast: Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on broadband, aggregation, and streaming with 57 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Comcast Houston Foti Kallergis +1 832-986-0196 Michael_Bybee@cable.comcast.com Company Website https://houston.comcast.com/

March 08, 2022 08:13 AM Central Standard Time

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Cardiology Consultants of Philadelphia Launches Heart Disease Prevention Campaign

Cardiology Consultants of Philadelphia (CCP)

Cardiology Consultants of Philadelphia (CCP) — the region’s largest and most extensive cardiology practice — has launched a state-of-the-art heart disease prevention program — the CB4 Prevention Program. The practice has locations at more than 36 offices in five counties, making it uniquely qualified to reach and potentially save the highest number of patients possible. CCP has over 100 cardiologists on staff who are experts across all specialties. Each physician on the team offers comprehensive cardiovascular care and education based on the latest research, and uses cutting-edge, innovative technology to treat and diagnose cardiovascular diseases. Patients looking to identify their risk factors and take preventive action against heart disease will have access to advance testing as needed, as well as an individualized program based off of the initial consultation with a doctor through CB4. “Preventative care is an incredibly important first step for patients to take, as heart disease is easier to prevent than it is to treat,” said Dean Karalis, MD, FACC, FNLA, a CCP physician. “CB4 is about awareness as much as it is about heart disease prevention—success requires us to create a highly-individualized, ongoing program for each patient based on a number of factors including risk factors and family history.” As part of the prevention evaluation, the patient will have blood work drawn to screen for high cholesterol as well as other cardiovascular risk factors. The lab work will include a comprehensive metabolic panel and a Hemoglobin A1c Test (diabetes screener). The results of the bloodwork will give one of the practice’s 11 CB4 cardiologists — all of whom are preventative-trained and focused cardiologists — clear insight to develop a plan of action from a preventative angle. The CB4 Prevention Program can be scheduled through any of the CCP offices in the Philadelphia region. Appointments are available in person or virtually. About Cardiology Consultants of Philadelphia CCP is affiliated with virtually every major hospital in the region and serves patients from over 36 offices in all five Southeastern Pennsylvania counties. Contact Details Lauren Stralo +1 484-747-0172 lstralo@levlane.com Company Website https://ccpdocs.com/

March 08, 2022 08:53 AM Eastern Standard Time

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UNiDAYS Launch Annual “Student Women of the Year 2022” Competition with £10,000 Prize Fund

UNiDAYS

To celebrate International Women’s Day, UNiDAYS has launched its annual Student Women of the Year competition, for the 4th year. Running until 27 th March 2022, the competition is open to all female-identifying students and will reward inspiring entrepreneurs who are breaking boundaries with a £10,000 grant to further their impact. The competition is part of UNiDAYS’ 2022 Student Women of the Year campaign, running throughout March. Building on this year’s International Women’s Day theme of #BreakTheBias, the campaign focuses on females who are breaking it down to build it better and succeeding, putting a spotlight on those doing so to inspire others to follow. With over 54% of Gen Z wanting to start their own business, UNiDAYS’ wants to redefine what it means to be an entrepreneur and empower those who are overcoming stereotypes and discrimination by breaking boundaries and problem solving. The competition will celebrate the next generation of female-identifying young leaders and shine a spotlight on their inspiring initiatives. The winner will be awarded a £10,000 grant to enable them to expand their efforts, with five runners up being awarded £1,000 respectively. To enter, participants simply need to post a short 60-second video, showcasing how they have been breaking boundaries, and outlining their plans for how they would spend the £10,000 grant to further their impact. To access the application form, participants must have a UNiDAYS account. UNiDAYS will shortlist five stand-out entries and a specially selected panel of external judges will choose the winner. These include award-winning environmental activist, CEO and author, Maya Penn, leading British vlogger, Georgia Rankin, and Mariel Richards, CEO at Gal-Dem. Entrants will be judged based on the content and creativity of the video, how well they explain how and what they are changing/contributing, how candidates will use the £10,000, and to what extent their project is breaking boundaries, and making the world a better place. Pretty Munro, Global Marketing Director, UNiDAYS, says: “To date, UNiDAYS has awarded £23,000 to female students to support their dreams and goals, however this year is our biggest prize fund yet. Building on last year’s International Women’s Day theme, which celebrated those who have been working tirelessly throughout the pandemic, this year’s award focuses on entrepreneurship. This generation is already expected to be the most entrepreneurial ever. Through our competition, we want to inspire the entrepreneurs of tomorrow, and help make their dreams a reality.” ENDS For further information on UNiDAYS, visit www.myunidays.com. Notes to Editors For further information please contact: Email: ben.robinson@eulogy.co.uk About UNiDAYS UNiDAYS is the world’s leading Student Affinity Network, with a verified global audience of over 20 million student members across 115 countries. UNiDAYS works with 800 of the world’s biggest brands globally, taking their products and services into the hearts and minds of tomorrow’s professionals, by inspiring Gen Z to discover and connect with the brands and services they need. Its global members have spent more than $5 billion through the UNiDAYS marketplace since 2018. Through its identity technology, secure brand-safe environment and marketing solutions, UNiDAYS delivers reach and engagement for brand partners, maximising sales and building long-term affinity, at scale and speed across a full range of channels. The company has over 200 staff, with headquarters in Nottingham, UK, and with offices in London, New York and Sydney. Contact Details UNiDAYS Alan Duncan alan.duncan@myunidays.com Company Website https://www.myunidays.com/PH/en-GB

March 08, 2022 03:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Ultimate Odds Announces Seed Funding Round

Ultimate Odds

Ultimate Odds, a next generation fantasy sports platform that combines sports betting lines and odds with fantasy players into one experience, today announced it has completed its seed funding round. Led by Philadelphia-based entrepreneurs Justin Batushansky and Jonathan Bierig, Ultimate Odds aims to launch its flagship fantasy sportsbook product in 2022. Participating in the seed round are gaming industry veterans Seth Young, the former Chief Strategy Officer at PointsBet who now holds the same title with Fifth Street Gaming; Benjie Cherniak, principal at Avenue H Capital and former Managing Director of Don Best Sports acquired by Scientific Games; and gaming industry investor and consultant Quinton Singleton, with additional support from Stephen Jurgella and 305 Ventures, a Miami-based venture capital fund managed by the co-founder of Simplebet, Joey Levy, among others. Fifth Street Gaming CEO Seth Schorr has also been named an advisor to the business. Ultimate Odds, offers an alternative to traditional wagering. It is bridging the gap between fantasy sports and sports betting by bringing the feel and process of sports betting into a fantasy sports format. The traditional fantasy starting positions like quarterback, running back and wide receiver are replaced with drafted bets, like the Chiefs moneyline, Jaguars over/under, a running back’s yardage over/under, and are played head-to-head with your opponent. The winner of each contest is determined by which player has the longest calculated parlay odds based on their successful drafting and management of their roster of “bets” on a daily or weekly basis. “We are thrilled with our seed investment team,” said Justin Batushansky and Jonathan Bierig, co-founders of Ultimate Odds. “Our investors understand there is a shortage of standout innovative and engaging games in the market. Ultimate Odds was created to bring the fantasy sports and sports betting world closer together because the players are often one in the same.” "The Ultimate Odds experience is not only highly engaging but also differentiates from the pack, presenting a true competitive gaming experience within the fantasy and sports betting space,” said Benjie Cherniak, principal at Avenue H Capital. “The offering is perfectly suited to an emerging generation of sports enthusiasts.” "I'm thrilled to be a part of the Ultimate Odds journey. The game concept is fantastic, and I love the company's fresh approach to fan engagement,” said Seth Young, Chief Strategy Officer at FSG Digital and managing partner at The Strategy Organization "It’s unique, it’s compelling, it’s fun, and it also addresses a unique angle in the burgeoning affiliate market in the USA.” About Ultimate Odds: Ultimate Odds is a next generation gaming product that combines sports betting and fantasy into one highly engaging experience. Ultimate Odds is at the forefront of the US sports gaming industry with a modern product that educates new bettors and creates a competitive space for sports fans. For more information on Ultimate Odds, please visit: https://ultodds.com/ Contact Details HPL Digital Sport Michael Adorno +1 212-931-6143 madorno@hotpaperlantern.com Company Website https://ultodds.com/

March 03, 2022 09:01 AM Eastern Standard Time

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New STORY MODE Series Explores the Positive Benefits of Video Games

The Entertainment Software Association

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) and Games for Change (G4C) today announced the launch of STORY MODE, a series of conversations with video game industry leaders who are defining the future of play and bringing immersive, interactive experiences into innovative spaces like education, fitness and mental health. “ STORY MODE shows how video games and interactive entertainment positively affect many aspects of people’s lives, especially physical and mental wellness and education,” ESA President and CEO Stanley Pierre-Louis said. “We appreciate the opportunity to partner with Games for Change to produce a series that illustrates the importance and value of play.” The inaugural episode of STORY MODE released today features Microsoft’s Head of Minecraft Education Allison Matthews, who discusses how Minecraft helps students prepare for a future where coding skills are essential. Future episodes will spotlight creators and innovators including Supernatural Co-founder, CEO and CCO Chris Milk, Supernatural Head of Fitness Leanne Pedante, thatgamecompany President and Creative Director Jenova Chen, Popcannibal Fouder Ziba Scott and Akili Interactive Labs Founder and CEO Eddie Martucci. “The creators and games featured in STORY MODE give us unique perspectives on the power of play,” Games for Change President Susanna Pollack said. “Games for Change is pleased to partner with the ESA on this new series to further advance our mission to empower game creators and social innovators to drive real-world change.” Future episodes are scheduled for release through June on theESA.com and Gamesforchange.org, with additional episodes planned for later in the year. About the ESA The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) serves as the voice and advocate for the U.S. video game industry. Its members are the innovators, creators, publishers and business leaders that are reimagining entertainment and transforming how we interact, learn, connect and play. The ESA works to expand and protect the dynamic marketplace for video games through innovative and engaging initiatives that showcase the positive impact of video games on people, culture and the economy. For more information, visit the ESA’s website or follow the ESA on Twitter @theESA. About Games for Change Since 2004, Games For Change (G4C) has been empowering game creators and innovators to drive real -world change, using games and immersive media that help people to learn, improve their communities, and contribute to make the world a better place. G4C partners with technology and gaming companies as well as nonprofits, foundations and government agencies, to run world class events, public arcades, design challenges and youth programs. G4C supports a global community of game developers working to use games to tackle real world challenges, from humanitarian conflicts to climate change and education. Contact Details The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) Karen Elliott +1 202-223-2400 kelliott@theESA.com Company Website https://www.theesa.com/

March 03, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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