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Transfr Closes $40M in Series C Growth Funding to Enable Career Mobility for Undiscovered Talent Through Its Virtual Reality Platform
“About two-thirds of the American workforce do not have a college degree (1). There is a massive opportunity for both private and public entities to utilize VR training programs to create alternative pathways to employment,” said Bharani Rajakumar, Transfr founder and CEO, and Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist. “This $40 million investment enables Transfr to continue to invest in undiscovered talent by developing more simulations and solutions to connect the classroom to career pathway with our partners in education and industry and hire the talent we need to scale and achieve our mission.”
Transfr’s mission is to scale access to quality education and employment for everyone, regardless of their background or location. The company developed an innovative VR-based platform, which hosts over 300 simulations that focus on careers that do not require a four-year degree. It has established a first-mover advantage in the Career Training and Education (CTE) market, with VR simulation training seeing $263 billion in global spending annually with an opportunity for rapid growth.
Transfr is now deployed in over 1,000 locations nationwide, including community colleges, trade schools, employers, prisons, and K-12 schools across Automotive, Aviation, Construction, Diesel, Electrical, Hospitality and Tourism, Manufacturing, and Healthcare. With this diverse industry set, Transfr has increased its user base by 10x over the last year, with trainees having completed over 400,000 simulations, helping incumbent workers, job-seekers, and students leverage the company’s virtual reality platform to build the skills needed to excel in middle-skills careers.
ABS Capital Partners Phil Clough will join Transfr’s board of directors, and Jennifer Krusius, also a Partner at ABS Capital, will serve as a board observer. Clough says, “We believe that Transfr and its experienced management team are uniquely positioned to capitalize on the tailwind from the challenges in the labor market by providing innovative training solutions that can efficiently bring qualified candidates to market.”
Krusius added, “Transfr’s VR platform offers a cost-effective alternative in the educational landscape that can reach many workforce candidates that otherwise would not have had access to this level of training and coaching.”
Transfr plans to leverage the capital investment to further build out its executive leadership team and scale its platform and impact, enabling more people to explore, learn, and connect with career opportunities in high-growth sectors such as manufacturing, skilled trades, and healthcare. The funding will also be used to invest in developing new training simulations that cover a wider range of skills and scenarios, as well as to enhance existing ones with more features, including offering training in Spanish.
If you are interested in bringing Transfr’s platform and services to your organization or community, please visit Transfr’s website or schedule a demo of the platform.
Footnote: (1) Scott, R. E., & Cooper, D. (2016, March 30). Almost two-thirds of people in the labor force do not have a college degree. https://www.epi.org/publication/almost-two-thirds-of-people-in-the-labor-force-do-not-have-a-college-degree/
About Transfr
Transfr is an emerging leader in virtual reality (VR) based vocational career exploration and pre-apprentice training. Transfr provides hands-on and immersive-simulation training for high growth in-demand careers that give real-world experience in the skills needed for job success, development, and retention. Using a headset, trainees are guided through simulations by a digital coach to engage in career exploration, job training, and practice and assessment use cases. Transfr’s innovative platform promotes ever-improving quality and lower development costs of VR simulations. For more information, please visit https://transfrinc.com/.
About ABS Capital
ABS Capital provides growth equity capital to B2B software and tech-enabled services businesses with strong technology and data underpinnings looking to scale with the right partners. Building growth-stage businesses has been ABS Capital’s focus for more than 30 years. Over that time, ABS Capital has invested more than $2.5 billion in approximately 130 companies across eight funds. Bringing investing, operational, infrastructure, technology, and business development skills to amplify the success of growing businesses together with data-driven business strategies, market research and analytics, ABS Capital works intensively in close partnership with talented management teams. ABS Capital: building emerging growth businesses into industry leaders. For more information, visit www.abscapital.com.
About Lumos Capital
Lumos Capital Group is an investment firm that focuses on dynamic growth-stage companies in the human capital development sector (education technology, workforce development, knowledge services). Lumos takes an active approach by committing time, network, and capital to accelerate their portfolio companies’ product leadership and international expansion and enabling them to achieve enduring market leadership. For more information, please visit www.lumoscapitalgroup.com.
Media Contact
Allie Mills
allie@salientmg.com

Finance and Investment Veteran Jim Schneider Joins Sightly’s Board of Directors
About Sightly
Sightly is the leader in real-time marketing and intelligence, as driven by each brand's unique perspective, opinions and outcomes. Our revolutionary Brand Mentality® platform combines speed with values, so companies can make advertising and marketing decisions instantly and authentically without sacrificing ROI. Learn more and master the mayhem at http://www.sightly.com.
Media Contact
Robert Helstrom
rocket@sightly.com



Modernist x MetaBurnett's DeMODE Takes NYFW SS24 by Storm, Ushering in a New Epoch in Fashion and Tech
"DeMODE exceeded our wildest expectations. Thanks to Emily Burnett and our invaluable partners like AlphaA.io, R-Pac, BitBasel, SpaceBlue, Lunaprise, DCG Media, Fashion Mingle, Global Luxury, and Total Trends Intl, we have shown the world our boundless creativity."
"Thanks to our designers and partners for making DeMODE a groundbreaking moment for fashion and technology. We have turned this into a cultural movement, and we're only just beginning."
Media Contact
Kelly Max
kelly@solvv.com



Transitiv Ranked 5th in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Franchise Top Supplier" List in the Technology Category
Transitiv specializes in offering cutting-edge analytics and data infrastructure services. Our platform enables franchise brands to make data-driven decisions, streamlining operations, and maximizing ROI. Our solutions are designed to be collaborative, ensuring seamless communication and operational efficiency across the franchise network.
About Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise Top Supplier List
The Entrepreneur Magazine's "Franchise Top Supplier" list is an annual ranking that celebrates the best suppliers in various industries. The list is compiled based on various criteria, including innovation, leadership, and performance, and aims to guide franchise brands in selecting the most reliable partners for their business.
Company Contact
For more information, please contact:
Christian Pillat
CEO, Transitiv
Email: christian@transitiv.io
Phone: (678) 839-7355
Media Contact
Matt German
matt.german@transitiv.io

Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors Announces Phoenix World Burn Congress 2023
"We are so excited to have this event so close to home,” said Jeffrey Shupp, MD, director of the Burn Center at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. “This is an amazing opportunity for our patients, staff, and community. So much of the recovery from burn injury happens after discharge from burn centers, and Phoenix Society has led the way in this space.”
Phoenix WBC is one component of the organization’s larger initiative, the Journey Forward Program. This initiative unites all of Phoenix Society’s resources and services to provide a seamless, personalized approach to lifelong support for every burn survivor, their caregivers, and service providers. It is designed to guide survivors along their entire path to recovery, offering tools, resources, and support for physical, emotional, and social healing at each stage.
About Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors
Media Contact
Rachel Kudlak
randerson@phoenix-society.org



BuySellAds and Buttondown Collaborate to Streamline Sponsorship Placements, Offering Advertisers Direct Access to Newsletter Audiences
Beyond simplifying the ad integration process, this collaboration also offers publishers the potential to diversify their revenue streams. By connecting with BuySellAds' vast network of advertisers, publishers can tap into a broader range of sponsorship opportunities. More than just a revenue source, these ads serve as a discovery platform, introducing readers to relevant products and services, thereby enhancing the overall value and experience delivered to their audience.
At the intersection of top-tier brands and premium publishers, BuySellAds is reshaping the contextual advertising arena. Their extensive toolkit empowers advertisers to access a plethora of opportunities, ensuring impactful audience engagement. Publishers, in turn, are equipped with efficient strategies to monetize their digital assets, from websites to newsletters and podcasts. Explore more at buysellads.com.
Buttondown is the preferred platform for creators, writers, and newsletter enthusiasts. Its sophisticated design, user-centric interface, and powerful REST API ensure that users can seamlessly initiate, nurture, and manage their email campaigns. Learn more at buttondown.email.
Media Contact
Todd Garland
todd@buysellads.com



Janna Rodriguez, Owner and Founder of the Innovative Day Care Corp, Joins Distinguished Panel of Experts for Dynamic Virtual Discussion Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month Hosted by the Small Business Majority
- Joe Mata: Founder and CEO of Mata Consulting
- Danny Martinez: Seasoned expert from Apex Business Consulting
- Elena Carne Lorenz: Visionary behind T31 Design House
Media Contact
Janna Rodriguez
innovativedaycarecorp@gmail.com

Two Rockhurst High Grads – 50 Years Apart – Launch REIT in KC
“We are thrilled to launch our REIT here in KC at a time when Kansas City is making such big waves on a global scale,” said Tommy Nigro, CEO of North Oak Investment. “Our REIT is designed to benefit KC Metro residents, Local KC business owners, and our accredited investor partners.”
Holding onto the Lessons of the Past
North Oak has been around since the 1970s when its founder, Bernard Richter, began making real estate loans to home builders, including Charlie Koehler. In 2017 Mr. Richter, who is a proud member of the Rockhurst High class of 1957, joined forces with Tommy Nigro, who is also a graduate of Rockhurst High, class of 2008.
“The depth of Bernie’s experience has been absolutely key to our ability to craft and hone the algorithms we’re now using every day to make complex, multi-faceted decisions on the fly,” said Tommy Nigro. “We’ve effectively canned Bernie’s decades of experience into a decision-making model that enables us to apply many years of hard-knocks experience into an instantaneous decision.”
These two, with their four-person staff, have managed to combine decades of Kansas City real estate experience with the best service providers in the private lending industry to create a profitable alternative investment vehicle for their accredited investors and an institutional-level funding source for their local small business owner clients who are working hard every day to beautify and improve neighborhoods in and around KC.
- Diversification: The REIT provides a straightforward way for investors to diversify their assets by investing in real estate without the need for direct property ownership.
- Collateralization: Unlike stocks and bonds, The REIT is collateralized by 100% first mortgages with an average “loan to value” (LTV) of 70%.
- Liquidity: Unlike traditional real estate investments, shares in this REIT can be easily bought and sold, providing investors with greater liquidity.
- Income Potential: Investors benefit from regular monthly dividend payments generated from the REIT’s real estate income, offering a reliable income stream.
How to Invest
For more information on how to invest or to view the REIT’s prospectus, please visit invest-northoakinvestment.com or call 816-249-1001.
For more information watch our video: https://youtu.be/FOip2smAsrQ
Media Contact
Tommy Nigro, CEO
North Oak Investment LLC
Phone: (913) 687-3333
Email: tommynigro@northoakinvestment.com
Media Contact
TJ Nigro
tj@northoakinvestment.com

College of Charleston Business School’s Women for Women Summit Featuring Sheila Johnson, America's First Black Female Billionaire
The keynote address will feature the esteemed Sheila Johnson, a trailblazing founder and CEO of Salamander Hotels & Resorts, cofounder of BET and the first African American woman billionaire. Her appearance is highly anticipated on the heels of her memoir Walk Through Fire, released on September 19.
In addition to the keynote, the Summit will introduce a professional coaching workshop that will provide attendees with valuable skills and insights. Facilitated by College of Charleston faculty members, leadership coach and trained organizational psychologist Angela Passarelli, Ph.D. and Sarah Castle, the workshop will offer attendees a practical coaching session and course in practical communication skills that can enable them to optimize team performance and more efficiently navigate the business world.
The event will also celebrate this year's Woman of Courage award recipient – Anita Zucker, chair of The InterTech Group, Inc. Under Zucker’s leadership, The InterTech Group has become one of the largest woman-owned businesses in Charleston, South Carolina and the United States.
Additional speakers include Dianne Bailey, managing director at Bank of America; LaVanda Brown, executive director of YWCA of Greater Charleston; Katarina Fjording, COO of Coastal 8 and founder and CEO of Fatum LLC; Helen Hill, president and CEO of Explore Charleston; Susan Hull Walker, founder of IBU Foundation; Reshma Khan, M.D., founder of The Shifa Clinic; Joanna Lau, founder of Lau Acquisition Corporation; and Jennet Robinson Alterman, non-profit consultant and women’s rights advocate.
The Women for Women Summit boasts 13 sponsors, including Bank of America Private Bank and The InterTech Group. The summit is a significant event that highlights the College of Charleston's commitment to empowering women in business.
Seating is limited. For more information about the Women for Women Summit and to register, please visit w4w.cofc.edu.
Media Contact
Erika LeGendre
enlegend@cofc.edu



Tattoo Industry Coup: Award-Winning Tattoo Artist and Industry Innovator, Gabe Jaksich, Becomes the National Program Director for Ink Different Tattoo School
Media Contact
Paul-Anthony Surdi
paulanthony@inkdifferenttattoos.com



Innovative Day Care Corp Celebrates 5 Years of Excellence in Childcare Services
- Safety and well-being: The daycare center maintains the highest standards of safety, cleanliness, and hygiene to ensure that children thrive in a secure environment.
- Learning and play: Through a balanced approach to early childhood education, Innovative Day Care Corp stimulates children's curiosity, creativity, and love for learning through play-based activities.
- Parent engagement: Ms. Rodriguez understands the importance of involving parents in their child's development. Regular communication, parent-teacher meetings, and workshops have been key elements of the daycare's success.
- Community involvement: Innovative Day Care Corp actively participates in community events, collaborates with local organizations, and supports initiatives that benefit children and families in need.
For more information about Innovative Day Care Corp, please visit www.theinnovativedaycarecorp.com or contact Janna Rodriguez at innovativedaycarecorp@gmail.com.
Media Contact
Janna Rodriguez
innovativedaycarecorp@gmail.com

University Furnishings Reaffirms Commitment to Category Leadership in Student Housing with Addition of Kara Brownlee to Senior Team
In a strategic move to foster this vision, University Furnishings has added Kara Brownlee as Senior Vice President of Business Development. Ms. Brownlee, formerly the Chief Operating Officer of BSIDE Partners—a respected name in student and multi-family real estate development and a valued client of University Furnishings—brings a comprehensive understanding of property development, construction, and site-level operations. Her diverse experience is expected to significantly enhance the company's ability to stay ahead of the ever-changing demands of clients and residents alike.
Leveraging the robust operational framework that University Furnishings has built over decades, along with Ms. Brownlee's unique insights cultivated through a customer's lens, the company seems well positioned to continue setting industry standards. Kara will collaborate extensively with CEO, Paul Dougan, and will also be a pivotal member of Executive Vice President, Lisa Dillon’s leadership team.
Media Contact
Geoffrey Jackson
info@universityfurnishings.com



Miami-Based Startup Transforms Foot Care with Instant, AI-Powered Custom Insoles
- Speedy, Comprehensive Scans: A quick scan captures data about your feet and posture, employing advanced AI algorithms to make sense of it all.
- Data-Driven Analysis: The AI sifts through this information, factoring in dimensions like arch type, foot size, and walking pattern.
- Tailored Recommendations: Within moments, you receive an insole recommendation that isn't just a match for your feet but also fits your lifestyle seamlessly.
Beyond Just Foot Size: Lifestyle-Based Customization
Where Instant Insoles truly stands out is its ability to tailor recommendations based on lifestyle considerations. In jobs that require standing for long hours, comfort can't be compromised. Instant Insoles understands this need and offers solutions specifically designed for sustained support and all-day comfort.
Media Contact
Sal Yosufy
sal@itpcinc.com



Hope Chain Launched to Curb Rising Suicide Rates Timed for National Suicide Prevention Month
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted in a recent report that nationwide suicide rates rose again in 2022, following “an overall 5% increase in suicides in 2021”. Youth and young adults (10–24 years) account for 15% of all suicides, and it is the second leading cause of death for this age group.
“The rising suicide rates and terrible impact on young people motivated us start Hope Chain,” noted Dan Huber, who founded Hope Chain along with his daughter Bailey. “In a culture fatigued by anxiety and depression, we want to create a community dedicated to spreading messages of love, hope, and compassion to try to make a difference.”
Dan and Bailey Huber have produced a short film Please Live, Don’t Die, which focuses on the lives of teen students dealing with bullying, expectations, and issues of anxiety, depression, and suicide. The film is available at HopeChain.com.
“We’ve had family members who attempted suicide, and friends who did it," said Bailey Huber. “We wanted to tap into the popularity of viral videos challenges and social media to spread positive messages and reduce the stigma around reaching out for support.”
Hope Chain Challenges are dedicated to sharing positivity to spark a chain reaction of hope. Anyone can sign up at HopeChain.com or on social media. The first challenge is to film a short video and tell someone - “You Are Loved!” Users then post their video to their social networks using the hashtag #HOPECHAINCHALLENGE and tag @HopeChain. Participants also earn points to be entered for prizes and swag.
Follow Hope Chain:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hopechainmovement
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopechainmovement
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jointhehopechain
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thehopechain
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JoinTheHopeChain
About Hope Chain
Hope Chain is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Fort Worth, TX, founded by Dan and Bailey Huber, a father-and-daughter team with a desire to make a difference. Hope Chain is a diverse community of people who are dedicated to spreading messages of love, hope, and compassion. We aim to raise awareness of rising suicide rates, and combat those grim statistics with an outpouring of love and support for people struggling with mental health issues. Please visit www.hopechain.com.
Media Contact
Dan Huber
dh@hopechain.com



4.screen to Exhibit at DMEXCO, Showcasing World's First Driver Interaction Platform
In addition to the exhibition, the company will also participate in the start-up pitch competition.
The presence of 4.screen at DMEXCO is significant as it highlights the company's dedication to revolutionizing the way drivers interact with their surrounding infrastructure. By bridging the gap between drivers and their environment, 4.screen's integrated solution allows businesses to safely and seamlessly connect, interact, and engage with their targeted customers in real-time and directly through the in-car screen.
4.screen's driver interaction platform opens up a world of possibilities for businesses, enabling them to deliver personalized and location-specific content to millions of drivers, enhancing their overall driving experience. By leveraging the power of real-time communication, businesses can connect with customers at their exact moment of need, delivering relevant information, offers, and promotions directly to their in-car screens.
According to Simon Hecker, Co-Founder and CRO, 4.screen, "We are thrilled to be showcasing our driver interaction platform at DMEXCO. This event provides us with a unique opportunity to demonstrate the immense potential of our solution and how it can transform the way businesses engage with drivers. We look forward to connecting with industry leaders, partners, and potential customers during this exciting event."
Looking ahead, 4.screen is committed to further enhancing their driver interaction platform and expanding their reach across different industries. With an ongoing focus on innovation and customer satisfaction, the company aims to empower businesses with the tools they need to seamlessly connect with on-the-go customers, transforming their needs into navigation.
For more information about 4.screen and their driver interaction platform, please visit https://www.4.screen.com/.
4.screen is the world's first driver interaction platform that connects businesses with on-the-go customers, in real-time, directly through the car screen. As the pioneer of in-car marketing, 4.screen is integrated into the top automotive brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Audi & Skoda, providing businesses with unparalleled access to millions of drivers across six countries.
Media Contact
Niveen Saleh
niveen@vividand.co

We Will All Rise Awards $300,000 in Scholarships to Young Men of Color
All Rise was founded in 2019 when six young men of color convened to imagine the possibilities of a barrier and boundary-free world under the leadership of Ricardo O. Neal. All Rise is anchored in three main development pillars - higher education, economic empowerment, and community engagement. The funding model includes partnerships with municipalities, foundations, and individual-donor contributions that allow the organization to respond to the needs of the young men they support.
Media Contact
Ricardo Neal
mark.nash@wewillallrise.org



Lattini Sunflower Milk Launches Nationwide
Media Contact
For interviews and more information, contact:
Nicholas Romano
435-830-6502
nick@lattini.com
www.lattini.com
Media Contact
Michelle Songy
michelle@presshook.com



AI-Powered Tech Companies Press Hook and EZ Newswire Announce Partnership
For more information about Press Hook and its suite of tools, visit www.presshook.com.
Media Contact
Caitlin Kelly
ck@eznewswire.com

REV Global Expands with Launch of REV Advisers, Providing Comprehensive Support for Business Leaders and Startups
"The business world moves at a breakneck pace, demanding agility, foresight, and precision. Our aim is to bridge the leadership gap many organizations face, offering them access to a pool of elite executives on a flexible, as-needed basis," says Lynn Fernando, co-founder and co-CEO at REV Global.
"REV Advisers, combined with our venture fund and community, positions REV Global as the ultimate destination for business growth and leadership development," remarks Raphael Bennett, co-founder and co-CEO at REV Global.
Media Contact
Lynn Fernando
lynn@revglobalinc.com



Inclusively Introduces Retain: Revolutionizing Self-ID and Tailored Accommodations in the Workplace
In a move set to redefine how businesses approach accommodations, Inclusively launches Retain, targeting enterprise-level companies, and merging advanced AI with human-centric processes. Retain's primary goal is to simplify, automate, and transform the way businesses address and manage employee accommodation requests at scale.
Charlotte Dales, co-founder and CEO of Inclusively, remarked, "Accommodations are the silent champions of an inclusive work environment. With Retain, we're not just tweaking the system; we're disrupting how accommodations have been traditionally managed. We're in 2023, and it's time to move away from a medical model and embrace a more social approach to accommodations that every employee benefits from."
Sarah Bernard, co-founder and COO of Inclusively, shared her perspective on Retain saying, "Every creation at Inclusively stems from a desire to challenge the status quo. Retain is a manifestation of that very spirit. We've envisioned a world where every individual feels empowered to personalize their workplace needs, and Retain is our way of making that world a reality for enterprises. With Retain, we're reversing social norms around accommodations. It's about giving enterprise companies a tool that’s robust enough for their scale and enables each and every employee to reach their full potential."
- Self-ID Centralization: A clear and confidential platform for employees to self-identify and learn about their accommodation needs.
- Automation: Over 60% of the accommodation process is automated, significantly reducing overhead.
- Cost Efficiency: Companies can achieve $200K savings for every 50 employees that self-ID and an average of $150K saved annually on related overheads.
About Inclusively
Inclusively takes your employee experience, productivity, and retention to the next level. We help you unearth new talent and unlock the potential of your existing employees without disruption. Starting with the disability community, our platform provides integrated access to 1 million diverse candidates for roles based on candidate skills, experience, and accommodations. We also support companies who are learning to adapt to the increasing demands around workplace flexibility and the personalization of existing employees.
Media Contact
Maya Yeshurun
VP Marketing, Enterprise
Mayayes@inclusively.com
Media Contact
Michelle Songy
michelle@presshook.com


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