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Rotunda Capital Partners Named for Fifth Consecutive Year in Inc.'s 2024 List of Founder-Friendly Investors

Rotunda Capital Partners LLC

Rotunda Capital Partners (“Rotunda”), an operationally driven private equity firm focused on the lower middle market, is proud to announce its continued recognition on Inc.’s esteemed Founder-Friendly Investors list. This accolade, awarded to 269 select private equity, venture capital, and debt firms, celebrates Rotunda’s dedication to fostering genuine partnerships with founder-led businesses, helping them achieve their vision through strategic growth and transformation. Rotunda collaborates closely with family- and founder-owned companies that are looking to scale or reposition their business for long-term success. Every investment begins with a shared commitment to cultural alignment and mutual goals, ensuring each partnership is built on trust. Together with its portfolio companies, Rotunda focuses on driving sustainable growth by leveraging data insights, operational expertise, and a tailored approach to business evolution. "We are honored to receive this recognition from Inc. Magazine once again. At Rotunda, our commitment to family- and founder-led businesses remains unwavering. Our model is built on a partnership-driven approach, providing the resources and expertise that empower lower middle-market companies to drive significant growth," said John Fruehwirth, Managing Partner of Rotunda Capital Partners. "It’s incredibly rewarding to see our partner companies transform into data-driven, growth platforms poised for long-term success." “It has been a complicated few years for growth companies and the companies that fund them,” said Mike Hofman, editor-in-chief of Inc. “So we are happy to share with our readers the best, latest guidance on which venture capital firms, private equity firms, and growth-capital lenders have the track record and reputation of being especially good partners to founders and CEOs.” To compile the list, Inc. went straight to the source: entrepreneurs who have sold to private equity and venture capital firms. Founders filled out a questionnaire about their experiences partnering with private equity, venture capital, and debt firms and shared data on how their portfolio companies have grown during these partnerships. Past performance is no guarantee of future results, while all investments are subject to loss. Any subjective views or opinions expressed herein should not be construed as absolute statements and are subject to change without notice to you. No representation, express or implied, is given regarding the accuracy of the information contained herein. Any forward-looking statements included herein are based on Rotunda Capital Partners’ current opinions, assumptions, expectations, beliefs, intentions, regarding future events, are subject to risks and uncertainties, and are provided for informational purposes only. Rotunda Capital Partners submitted an application and paid an application fee to be considered for this list, which was issued on October 29th, 2024. This list is based on an analysis of information gathered for the year ended 2023 by Inc. Magazine using its own methodologies and criteria and involves discussions with exited portfolio company executives. The analysis relies in part on certain subjective determinations and is subject to inherent limitations. To see the complete list, go to: https://www.inc.com/founder-friendly-investors/2024. About Rotunda Capital Partners Rotunda Capital Partners is an operationally oriented private equity firm focused on transforming family-founder owned companies into dynamic, data-driven platforms able to achieve and manage significant growth. Since its founding in 2009, Rotunda has partnered with management teams to build great businesses within three primary sectors: value-added distribution, asset-light logistics and industrial, residential & business services. Rotunda strives to achieve replicable results by implementing its Rotunda Performance System to create strategic alignment, develop lean processes and create robust, data-driven infrastructures. For more information, visit www.rotundacapital.com. About Inc. Inc. is the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of our community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating our future. Inc.'s award-winning work achieves a monthly brand footprint of more than 40 million across a variety of channels, including events, digital, print, video, podcasts, newsletters, and social media. Its proprietary Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since its launch as the Inc. 100 in 1982, analyzes company data to rank the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The recognition that comes with inclusion on this and other prestigious Inc. lists, such as Female Founders and Power Partners, gives the founders of top businesses the opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. For more information, visit www.inc.com. Contact Details Rotunda Capital Partners Margaux Valle +1 240-962-1707 PR@rotundacapital.com Company Website https://www.rotundacapital.com

November 07, 2024 02:58 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Lisk Joins Forces with Rainbow Wallet to Offer Native Integration

Lisk

Lisk, a Layer 2 Ethereum blockchain dedicated to empowering web3 adoption in emerging markets, and Rainbow Wallet, the fun, simple, and secure way to explore web3, are pleased to announce a seamless integration of the Lisk network into Rainbow’s mobile apps and browser extension. This collaboration aims to provide users with enhanced functionalities and a superior experience in managing their digital assets. Key Features of the Integration: Seamless User Experience: Lisk users can now easily manage their tokens, NFTs, and DeFi positions all in one intuitive platform. The integration simplifies asset management, allowing for effortless navigation through the Lisk ecosystem. Enhanced Functionality: Users will benefit from in-app swaps, cross-chain asset bridging, and NFT minting directly within the Rainbow wallet. This functionality enables a comprehensive and versatile interaction with the Lisk network. Rewards and Incentives: Lisk will be included in Rainbow’s Points and ETH Rewards programs, providing users with additional benefits for their platform activities. The integration offers an unparalleled opportunity for web3 users and developers to explore and interact with Lisk-based tokens, NFTs, and DeFi positions through Rainbow’s user-friendly interface. Users can download the Rainbow wallet on iOS or Android, or as a browser extension, to begin utilizing Lisk’s features. Engaging with the Lisk ecosystem has never been easier or more rewarding. “Easy-to-use wallets like Rainbow are driving the next wave of adoption,” said Dominic Schwenter, COO of Lisk. “We are moving away from the clunky UX that characterized the early days of crypto, adapting to user-friendly interfaces that resonate with today’s digital consumers.” Rainbow was the first wallet to natively enable Optimism, paving the way for seamless integration with layer-2 solutions. At launch, Rainbow also introduced native support for Zora and Base, expanding its ecosystem to include these important platforms. The wallet has been at the forefront of community engagement, leading dedicated campaigns for OP rewards and Onchain Summer. With the introduction of ETH rewards on Optimism, all Rainbow users will now have an ETH balance on the Superchain by default, further enhancing the wallet's utility and user experience. “We are excited to partner with infrastructure projects like Lisk that empower web3 adoption in emerging markets,” said Tom Dean, Marketing Lead at Rainbow. “ We are committed to the Superchain vision, where Lisk is a pioneer member of, and believe that the Ethereum ecosystem is the ideal place for innovation and growth.” This partnership strengthens Lisk's network accessibility and broadens its appeal to existing and new users alike. About Lisk Lisk is a Layer 2 blockchain dedicated to bringing Web3 adoption in emerging markets back to Ethereum. By leveraging cost-efficient, scalable, and innovative Layer 2 technology, Lisk enables real-world applications in emerging markets to operate efficiently on Ethereum for the first time. Lisk's founder-focused approach provides a comprehensive ecosystem of startup programs, tooling, seed liquidity, and knowledge bases to support local founders from inception to success. As a long-standing Web3 infrastructure project, Lisk has been contributing towards democratizing blockchain accessibility for developers globally since 2016. As an original member of the Optimism Superchain, Lisk also plays a pivotal role in building the industry’s first truly interoperable supernetwork alongside Optimism, Base, Mode, and Worldchain.For more information, visit us on X and join our network of builders to start building for the real world. About Rainbow Rainbow is a leading digital wallet on both mobile and desktop designed to revolutionize the way users interact with the Ethereum blockchain. Known for its vibrant design and user-friendly interface, Rainbow offers a secure platform where individuals can easily create an Ethereum wallet, manage their digital assets, and have fun diving into the world of Web3. With Rainbow, users experience a seamless and engaging journey into decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and beyond, making it the go-to choice for both newcomers and seasoned crypto enthusiasts. Founded on the principles of simplicity, security, and innovation, Rainbow has quickly become synonymous with the future of personal cryptocurrency management. The platform not only facilitates the collection and trading of NFTs and tokens but also empowers users to explore decentralized applications (dApps) with confidence. Rainbow's commitment to enhancing user experience through regular updates and community engagement cements its position as a pivotal tool in the burgeoning digital economy, fostering a community where fun and technology intersect. Contact Details Serotonin Wahaj Khan wahaj@serotonin.co Company Website https://lisk.com/

November 07, 2024 12:35 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Sungold Indonesia Factory on the Verge of Production, Another Milestone in Global Expansion

Rev Up Marketers

Leading solar panel manufacturer Sungold announces that its new factory in Indonesia is set to complete its renovation and commence production on December 1, 2024. This strategic move signifies a significant step in Sungold Solar's global expansion journey, further solidifying its position as a leader in the solar manufacturing industry. Sungold Solar's Marketing Manager, Li, stated, “The establishment of our Indonesia factory will provide our global customers with more favorable tax policies, thereby offering more competitive pricing. Our dedicated production and R&D team will ensure that our products maintain our high quality.” Sungold plans to carry out full-line production operations at its Indonesia factory, including core products such as flexible solar panels, rigid solar panels, and portbale solar panels. This will significantly enhance the company's production capacity and efficiency, accelerating its response to market demands. Additionally, the establishment of the Indonesia factory is expected to boost local employment and economic development, reduce carbon footprints, and enhance the brand's local influence. Sungold Solar's Chairman, Mr. Lu, personally visited Indonesia at the beginning of the factory renovation to oversee the installation of equipment and the renovation work. He emphasized, "We are confident that using Indonesia as a strategic fulcrum will leverage the Southeast Asian and global markets, bringing more development opportunities for Sungold Solar and strengthening our foundation in the solar manufacturing industry." The establishment of the Sungold Indonesia factory will strongly support Sungold Solar's expansion in the global photovoltaic module market, meeting the growing market demand. By improving production efficiency and quality levels, Sungold Solar will further consolidate its market position and enhance its brand influence. Sungold Solar will continue to work with global partners to explore the possibilities of energy transformation and strive for a harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. Sungold Solar cordially invites partners to visit our Indonesia factory, to experience our products and production process firsthand, and to engage in close contact and communication. Let's witness together the brilliant future of Sungold Solar in the solar energy field. About Sungold Solar - Leaders in off grid Energy Solutions:Founded in 2008, Shenzhen Sungold Solar Co., Ltd. has always led the way with high-performance photovoltaic modules that can handle harsh environments. Sungold has developed a wide range of adapted products for RVs, yachts, outdoor applications, balcony systems and camping. Contact Details Sungold Solar Will Hsu +86 755 2968 5821 sales@sungoldsolar.cn Company Website https://www.sungoldsolar.com/

November 07, 2024 12:35 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Activate Unveils New Active Gaming Experience at Mall of America®

Activate

Activate, the cutting-edge entertainment brand redefining active gaming, is excited to announce the grand opening of its second location in Minnesota. The Bloomington location will open its doors this weekend, marking a thrilling expansion for Activate, which has captivated millions of guests worldwide with its blend of physical activity, advanced technology and team-based gaming experiences. Located within the iconic Mall of America, Activate’s new venue will provide an immersive, action-packed adventure where players work together to complete high-tech challenges that push both mental and physical limits. Each game takes place in a specially designed interactive space, combining elements of traditional gaming with physical engagement. “We are thrilled to bring Activate to Mall of America,” said Adam Schmidt, CEO of Activate. “With its status as one of the most visited destinations in the country, Mall of America is the perfect stage for our active gaming experience. Its lively mix of entertainment and attractions enhances our immersive experiences, crafted to engage and challenge participants. Whether you’re a passionate gamer or simply seeking a unique and unforgettable adventure, we’re confident that our new location will offer unmatched excitement and fun.” Following successful launches in Dubai, Chicago, Columbus, and Detroit, Activate Bloomington invites players to enter the game and explore unique gaming experiences. With over 30 locations across North America, one in Dubai, 15 under construction around the world, and plans to open 200 more globally, Activate recently announced expansion plans in Scandinavia, Los Angeles and New York. To celebrate the grand opening, guests can sign up for the Activate newsletter and unlock special surprises. For a sneak peek into Activate’s dynamic gaming experience, click here. ABOUT ACTIVATE Activate is the world’s first active gaming experience where players #EnterTheGame. Activate offers a unique blend of physical activity and gaming that promotes a healthy lifestyle. Each Activate location provides fun and interactive rooms for players to compete, earn stars and track achievements. With the global headquarters located in Winnipeg, Canada, Activate has grown to 30 locations across Canada, the U.S. and now the world! To join the active gaming movement, visit playactivate.com. Follow Activate on social media: Facebook: Activate Instagram: @activategames TikTok: @activategames ABOUT MALL OF AMERICA At 5.6 million square feet, Mall of America is the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America with up to 520 world-class retail stores and restaurants; Nickelodeon Universe, a 7-acre indoor theme park; SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium; FlyOver America; Crayola Experience; and more. The Mall opened in 1992 and is located in Bloomington, Minn., minutes from downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul and adjacent to MSP International Airport. Follow Mall of America on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok. Listen to So Much More – a Mall of America podcast, on all major platforms or watch on YouTube. Download the Mall of America app from the App Store for iOS or Google Play for Android. Please find imagery assets here. Contact Details Jive PR + Digital Mariana Anchante +1 702-472-0489 mariana@jiveprdigital.com Company Website https://playactivate.com

November 07, 2024 11:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

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The Money Service Lab (MSL) partners with Apata for 3dSecure on its new issuing processing platform for banks and issuers in Europe

BNP Paribas SA

The Money Service Lab today announced a partnership with Apata in order to provide 3DSecure capability and Authentication services for MSL card issuing and processing solutions and projects in Europe. Conor Doyle, co-founder and CEO of MSL said 'After a period of evaluating the various offerings in the 3Dsecure and Secure Customer Authentication market generally we are delighted to partner with Apata. We believe the two companies share a mutual approach to technology and business. The partnership will enable MSL to offer a tailor-made solution to Issuers of Debit, Credit and Electronic Money when using the MSL platform, combined with the flexibility and outstanding technology offered by Apata. This partnership will also enable MSL to offer the solution in other regions Globally going forward. Conor Doyle went on to say ‘As we expand our offering for banks, credit card issuers eMoney institutions and programme managers we have to ensure our partnerships have the capacity to support us as we grow in different regions. MSL has been chosen to sit as the issuing processor for a number of projects in the USA and LAC/South America region and it was important to us to choose a partner who could also operate and support MSL in those regions. A big factor in choosing Apata as a partner included the fact we had worked closely with a number of the Apata team previously when they were running “Touchtech Payments," a company that was later acquired by “Stripe” in 2019 and were impressed with their knowledge, capabilities and commitment. Mike Muscato, Head of Technology and a co-founder of MSL added 'Choosing a partner for authentication services was more than just focusing on commercials. Because our cloud-based solution is so flexible, we need to have technology partners who can cater for that and not rely on legacy approaches and practices. If you think about it, we can create multi-instances and multi-tenant versions of the platform almost instantaneously in any region, for multiple clients. ‘ Mike Muscato continued ‘this means our clients, banks, credit card issuers e-money entities etc, can basically set up and be live in days or weeks, as opposed to months. If you then also overlay the platform capable of running at 9000 Transactions Per Second, then you are going to need a flexible and scalable authentication capability and partner, and that is what we have found in Apata’ Niall Hogan, CPO and co-founder of Apata said “We are delighted to partner with MSL, a company which shares our ethos for leading edge, cloud-native technology. Our shared focus on modern technology and product innovation with common values of customer service and reliability make the partnership a no-brainer.” Shekinah Adewumi, CEO and co-founder of Apata added that he welcomed the renewed relationship with the MSL team, which confirms Apata as the preferred partner for the next generation of payment providers. Shekinah went on to say “Apata already supports millions of cardholders in fraud prevention, and we look forward to bringing our best-in-class 3DS solution to MSL customers.” For MSL: For all enquiries, please reach out to MSL at info@themsl.com or visit us at www.themsl.com For Apata For all enquiries, please reach out to Apata info@apata.io or visit us at www.apata.io NewsSource: PinionNewswire Contact Details Money Service Lab (MSL) info@themsl.com Company Website https://themsl.com/

November 07, 2024 11:20 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Pinnacle Certification Inc. and AuditSoft Partner to Advance ISO 45001:2018 Audits

AuditSoft

Pinnacle Certification Inc. (PCI) is proud to announce a strategic partnership with AuditSoft, the industry leader in OHS auditing technology, aimed at transforming the ISO 45001:2018 certification process. This innovative collaboration introduces advanced digital solutions that will redefine ISO audits, bringing new levels of efficiency, accuracy, and value for both certification bodies and organizations. ISO 45001:2018 is the globally recognized benchmark for occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMS), providing a comprehensive framework that helps organizations proactively manage and mitigate risks. Certification to ISO 45001:2018 demonstrates an organization’s commitment to maintaining safe, healthy, and sustainable work environments. Through independent audits by certifying bodies like PCI, organizations undergo rigorous evaluations to ensure full compliance with the Standard’s robust requirements. Streamlined Auditing with Game-Changing Technology AuditSoft’s ISO 45001:2018 audit tool—the first of its kind in Canada and globally —redefines how OHS audits are conducted. Designed to streamline the auditing process, AuditSoft's platform enhances workflow automation, minimizes manual data entry, and ensures standardized, consistent reporting across all audits. “We are thrilled to partner with PCI to revolutionize the ISO 45001:2018 audit process,” said Ben Snyman, Co-Founder and CEO of AuditSoft. “Our technology optimizes every stage of the audit lifecycle, ensuring standardized audit questions, automating tedious manual tasks, and reducing error rates. This is a game-changer for certifying bodies and auditees alike, delivering not only efficiency but also the actionable insights needed to drive ongoing improvement in OHS management.” Driving Continuous Improvement and Value Creation Samantha Li, Chief Operating Officer at PCI, underscored the transformative impact of this collaboration. “AuditSoft’s technology is a breakthrough for ISO 45001:2018 audits, offering unparalleled ease of use for both auditors and the organizations seeking certification. By leveraging standardized audit protocols and electronic submissions, we can collect and analyze data faster and more accurately. This results in a more streamlined, insightful, and value-driven audit experience for our clients, positioning PCI at the forefront of the OHS certification industry.” With AuditSoft’s innovative platform, PCI is committed to helping businesses not only achieve ISO 45001:2018 certification but also realize continuous improvement in their OHSMS, leading to safer workplaces and long-term success. About Pinnacle Certification Inc. (PCI) Pinnacle Certification Inc. is a leading certification body specializing in ISO standards and compliance. Committed to delivering high-quality audits and certifications, PCI helps organizations achieve and maintain internationally recognized management systems that enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability. For more information, visit www.PinnacleCertification.com About AuditSoft AuditSoft is a technology company at the forefront of audit management solutions for OHS, ISO, and other standards. AuditSoft’s innovative tools empower auditors and organizations to enhance audit processes through automation, data accuracy, and actionable insights, driving continuous improvement and operational excellence. Find more information on AuditSoft at www.AuditSoft.co Contact Details AuditSoft Peter Spence peter.spence@auditsoft.co Pinnacle Certification Inc. Samantha Li samantha.li@pinnaclecertification.com

November 07, 2024 10:49 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Green Lantern Solar Welcomes New Director of Development to Lead Expansion of Community Solar Projects

Green Lantern Solar

Green Lantern Solar, an innovative and trusted renewable energy developer, has added Brendan Boland as a Director of Development. Boland has been actively involved in the origination and development of solar projects in New York and Illinois for nearly five years. At Green Lantern Solar, he will spearhead the development of community and small-scale utility solar, C&I solar and battery storage projects in New York, the Midwest and other emerging markets. “It’s been great getting Brendan on board and up to speed,” said David Carpenter, Vice President of Development for Green Lantern Solar. “He brings a wealth of experience in New York and has proved to be a quick study, already adding value to our process. His highly analytical approach will undoubtedly enhance our development efforts, and his consistently upbeat attitude is a welcome presence as we navigate the ever-changing landscape of today’s solar industry.” Boland’s career in renewables began during an internship at the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). This experience drove his interest in clean energy and laid the foundation for his career in solar development. “I’m thrilled to join Green Lantern Solar and contribute to the company’s continued growth in community solar,” said Boland. “There’s a tremendous opportunity to expand access to clean energy in emerging markets, and I look forward to leveraging my experience and collaborating with this talented team to bring impactful projects to life.” Boland is a Hudson Valley native with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University at Albany. Since 2011 Green Lantern Solar has advanced the development, construction and operation of more than 125 community solar projects and commercial solar solutions for municipal, education, healthcare and government entities. Green Lantern Solar works with landowners to revitalize and re-develop low-value sites such as brownfields, landfills, quarries/pits/extraction sites and other challenging real estate. For more information, visit www.greenlanternsolar.com and on LinkedIn. Contact Details Leah Wilkinson +1 703-907-0010 leah@wilkinson.associates Company Website https://www.greenlanternsolar.com/

November 07, 2024 10:32 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Callan Family Office Launches Tax Overlay Management Program for Ultra-High-Net-Worth Clients

Callan Family Office

Callan Family Office, a registered investment advisor serving ultra-high-net-worth families, family offices, foundations and endowments across the United States, recently launched a technology-enabled Tax Overlay Management Program developed to maximize after-tax returns for wealthy families. The program empowers Callan Family Office’s investment partners to make personalized, tax-aware trading decisions in client portfolios instead of outsourcing portfolio implementation to third-party asset managers with a partial view of clients' assets. This gives clients greater control over the size and timing of capital gains taxes in their portfolios and optimizes outcomes across complex ownership structures, with CFO investment partners using firsthand knowledge of each family's overall financial situation to deliver a tailored solution for equity portfolio management. “The partners of Callan Family Office have worked with ultra-high-net-worth investors for decades on average, and minimizing taxes on investment gains is a priority for the families we serve,” said Jack Ginter, Chief Executive Officer of Callan Family Office. “With our new Tax Overlay Management Program, we’re leveraging technology and our expertise to help our clients grow and preserve wealth across generations.” The Tax Overlay Management Program integrates model delivery of third-party active strategies, direct indexing, and a household-level view of assets to coordinate and optimize trading across the many active and passive Separately Managed Accounts (SMAs) that span a typical multi-generational UHNW portfolio. Potential benefits of the program for UHNW families and family offices include: Greater control over capital gains: Model delivery of active strategies gives Callan Family Office portfolio managers greater control over when and how capital gains are realized, while direct indexing accounts can be leveraged to make active strategies more tax efficient. Lower investment expenses: The program reduces costs for both active and passive management by reducing third-party trading and implementation expenses. Multi-Account and Entity Optimization: Coordinating activity across multiple accounts and entities adds value by identifying tax efficiencies that are not visible when accounts are viewed in isolation. Partnership with Aris Investing This capability is made possible by the technology of Aris Investing LLC, which powers the Tax Overlay Management Program with sophisticated portfolio optimization, scalable and secure infrastructure, and the tools needed to customize portfolio outcomes for ultra-high-net-worth investors. Aris is a configurable investment technology platform that enables Callan Family Office to meet the specific needs of its UHNW clients. “Aris solves the challenge wealthy families face when rebalancing accounts with complex ownership structures and a mix of active and passively managed SMAs,” said Daniel Burke, investment partner at Callan Family Office. “By utilizing its technology, we can optimize portfolio transitions by managing the transfer of highly appreciated securities between direct indexing accounts and active strategies to avoid triggering taxable events. Additionally, we can directly employ tactical tax-loss harvesting and optimal tax lot selection during portfolio transitions, minimizing capital gain impacts when changing active managers or rebalancing manager allocations.” Callan Family Office has taken a strategic equity stake in Aris Investing to ensure that the Tax Overlay Management Program and Callan Family Office will evolve to meet the sophisticated needs of UHNW families for years to come. About Callan Family Office Independently owned and operated, Callan Family Office was founded by experienced wealth professionals to provide investment management, thoughtful personalized advice, and holistic financial planning to ultra-high-net-worth families, family offices, foundations, and endowments. The firm's principals have spent their careers serving ultra-high-net-worth clients, family offices, and institutions. Callan Family Office has agreements with Callan LLC to use the Callan® tradename in providing investment advisory services to the ultra-high-net-worth market segment and to access Callan's institutional quality research, education, and investment guidance experience. Callan Family Office and Callan LLC are independent, unaffiliated investment advisory firms separately registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Callan Family Office (CFO) is the exclusive trademark licensee of Callan LLC. Callan LLC provides products and services to CFO. Clients of CFO are not clients of Callan LLC, and the parties are not affiliated. CALLAN, CFO and the other Callan trademarks and service marks are registered and/or unregistered trademarks of Callan LLC and may not be used without its permission. INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES AND PRODUCTS PROVIDED TO CLIENTS OF CFO ARE PROVIDED SOLELY BY CFO AND NOT BY OR ON BEHALF OF CALLAN LLC. REPRESENTATIVES OF CFO ARE EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS OF CFO AND NOT EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS OF CALLAN LLC. Contact Details For Callan Family Office info@callanfo.com Company Website https://callanfamilyoffice.com/

November 07, 2024 09:03 AM Eastern Standard Time

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This Ad-Tech Platform Pays Consumers To Recommend Products On Their Social Media, Effectively Doing What Airbnb And Uber Did In A New Industry

Benzinga

By Josh Enomoto, Benzinga Increasingly, the concept of democratization – both in the social and economic realms – has become a central rallying cry for society. Digital marketing platform Thumzup Media Corp (NASDAQ: TZUP), recently uplisted to Nasdaq, takes this principle and applies it to the advertising ecosystem. Rather than the typical top-down approach deployed in this arena, Thumzup turns that business model on its head. Under the “analog” paradigm of advertising, businesses were forced to rely on major agencies and media outlets. At the time, only the largest enterprises controlled mass media channels such as television, radio, newspapers and billboards. Essentially, product and service messaging was funneled through centralized and hierarchical networks. Under this construct, the actual consumers were merely relegated to passive receivers of information. However, the internet – especially social media – has ushered in a fresh framework for how advertisers can influence their target audience. Through various hubs of connectivity, individuals can foster product discovery through a bottom-up approach. Such peer-to-peer recommendations lend a certain weight of authenticity that celebrity endorsements may not quite be able to match and are the central focus of Thumzup’s vision. Best of all, to incentivize this organic engagement, Thumzup offers cash rewards to users. Effectively, consumers are rewarded for doing what they do naturally: making recommendations to their family and friends. On the other end of the spectrum, businesses can potentially see their advertising dollars go much further than they could with traditional celebrity endorsements, which carry high costs and unpredictable results. Disruption Is At The Heart Of Thumzup’s Vision While big businesses occupy the collective consciousness thanks to their legacy standing, it’s the category of emerging and mid-tier enterprises that offer a compelling opportunity for Thumzup. Currently, 33.2 million small businesses operate in the U.S., accounting for 99.9% of all firms. Among this group, data from 2021 revealed that about 45% purchase digital ads, with the average monthly expenditure per business reaching $534. However, because of the meteoric success of digital ads, more recent research indicates that 69% of small enterprises use the medium to find new customers. Even with the older numbers, if Thumzup is able to capture 10% of this market and receive 20% of the average monthly spending rate, its potential annual revenue could skyrocket to nearly $442.5 million. But with the growth in the ecosystem, the actual sales potential could be far higher. Although it’s an ambitious goal, the directive is tied to a compelling concept of disruption. Last year, Matter Communications reported that 69% of consumers trust recommendations stemmed from influencers, friends and family as opposed to narratives originating directly from brands. What’s even more startling, preference for celebrity influencers slipped to 11%, down sharply from a range of 17% to 22% in Matter’s 2020 report. Notably, even social media influencers – who benefit from grassroots sentiment – are starting to feel the heat of skepticism. As sponsored material becomes more commonplace in the content environment, consumers rightfully question whether product endorsements are truly authentic or sincere. Such a friction point in the trust dialogue opens the door for Thumzup. Fundamentally, the key driver for Thumzup is the decentralization of information. In contrast to a top-down approach where only the largest, centralized entities dictate the broader information flow, Thumzup empowers individual voices. In turn, those voices become amplified through its programmatic incentivization structure. As the company states on its website, consumer voices have value. In this case, Thumzup pays people to promote specific products or services on their social media accounts. Furthermore, the reward is tied to the volume and quality of the posts. This setup encourages detailed product feedback while businesses enjoy that expanded reach and the return on their advertising dollars. Proving The Potential By directly engaging end users, Thumzup aims to enliven the dead space occupying the economic connection points in the product/service value chain. Specifically, consumers can put their downtime to productive use through quality recommendations and getting paid for it. Businesses can better ensure that their messaging is reaching out to their target clients. In this manner, Thumzup is analogous to Uber Technologies Inc (NYSE: UBER) or Airbnb Inc (NASDAQ: ABNB). Both entities allowed regular people to become economic agents: ride-sharing drivers for the former and landlords (hosts) for the latter. With Thumzup, individual customers can effectively become marketing partners. In many ways, Thumzup is introducing the potential in an entirely new economy. Robert Steele, Chief Executive Officer of Thumzup, shared, “Our growth strategy includes expanding into new target markets, adding powerful features like an integration with Instagram Reels, enhancing attribution tools, and integrating additional social media platforms. These improvements are designed to make Thumzup even more attractive to advertisers, which we believe will help us reach our goal of a tenfold increase in advertisers over the next 12 months.” Since its launch, Thumzup has proven this potential through tangible outcomes. The company has paid out over $200,000 in cash for roughly 20,000 posts in its initial test area around Los Angeles, and the company reports that it has grown subscribers by 131% since January. These payouts serve as a direct testament to the platform's ability to incentivize users to create authentic content that reaches a broader audience. Additionally, repeat business is a key indicator of success. For example, the Harley-Davidson Inc (NYSE: HOG) dealership in Marina del Rey has renewed its campaign multiple times, showcasing the effectiveness of Thumzup's strategy for both brand exposure and customer engagement. The company’s first strategic investor also believes their range of products – which includes Star Trek brand wines – will benefit from Thumzup’s innovative approach. Such success demonstrates that Thumzup’s business model is applicable to multiple industries. Redefining Advertising Through Authentic Connections Thumzup is helping reshape the future of advertising by empowering everyday consumers to share genuine brand experiences. Through incentivizing real, peer-driven recommendations, the platform offers brands a powerful alternative to traditional advertising models. With its scalable approach, Thumzup is positioning itself to potentially transform how businesses connect with their audiences, driving more authentic engagement and lasting brand loyalty. Featured image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay. Benzinga is a leading financial media and data provider, known for delivering accurate, timely, and actionable financial information to empower investors and traders. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

November 07, 2024 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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