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Botanic Tonics, Maker of feel free, Proudly Supports American Herbal Products Association as an Annual Fund Donor
About Botanic Tonics
Botanic Tonics is a plant-based herbal supplement company headquartered in Broken Arrow, OK. Established in 2020, it produces kava-forward tonics under its feel free brand. Its signature product, feel free CLASSIC, is crafted with ancient functional plants to provide mood lift, energy, and focus. Botanic Tonics’ products are manufactured in an FDA-registered, cGMP-certified facility and actively supports consumer safety regulations through transparent labeling and educational resources. Learn more at https://botanictonics.com.
Media Contact
Botanic Tonics
media@botanictonics.com
Prosperr.io Secures Funding to Launch AI Tax Management Solution for U.S. Individuals
Prosperr.io, a leading fintech platform solving tax for individuals, has secured a $1.55 million pre-seed funding round. The round was led by Gokul Rajaram, a board member at Pinterest and Coinbase and prominent investor, known for backing exceptional companies like Faire, Figma, and Airtable. The round also saw participation from notable angel investors, including Vinodh Bhat (co-founder of JioSaavn), Ramakant Sharma (Founder of Livspace), Kunal Shah (QED Ventures), Saurabh Jain (CEO of Livspace), among several others.
Founded in March 2022, Prosperr.io offers a subscription-based product designed to manage income tax comprehensively for individuals, ensuring maximum eligible tax savings and compliance. By using deep-tech products powered by AI, the company aims to create a digitally intelligent solution, benefiting millions worldwide. The capital raised will be used primarily to launch the product in the US market.
"With the growing population of high tax-payers and the ever-changing complexity of income tax regulations, there's a need for user-friendly, technology-driven solutions. Our mission is to address this challenge by developing AI-powered solutions that redefine tax management and help our customers save money while achieving their financial goals. We've already seen significant traction in India market with employees of 1,500 companies using Prosperr.io," said Manas Gond, CEO and co-founder of Prosperr.io.
They have launched the “Super Saver” product for the India market. It's an AI powered tax management product. The “Super Saver” product tracks subscribers’ income and spending in order to provide a continually-updated snapshot of what they owe in tax, and to recommend strategies for reducing the liability while remaining compliant. An AI-driven engine sitting behind, scans tax codes and curates personalized recommendations for each user according to the reliefs their financial affairs may qualify them for.
They are planning to launch the Super saver for people in the U.S. market by 2024. They are raising more funds to evolve their AI solution to work across geography and laws. The Super Saver product has gained very good traction with 7,000 taxpayers signed up so far. Prosperr’s founders expect to secure annual recurring revenues of $1 million within the next month or so.
"I'm excited to support the Prosperr team on their mission to build the best tax optimisation platform for consumers not just for India but for the world. The world of taxes is complicated and confusing, and Prosperr's AI platform helps individuals and employees stay compliant while maximizing tax savings," said Rajaram.
International expansion is an important part of the strategy for achieving that goal, with Prosperr now planning a launch into the U.S. market, another country where income tax compliance is different. They are developing a smart AI engine to work on any tax-codes and jurisdictions, which supports their vision to go global in the coming future.
On the funding, Dev Kumar, CPTO and co-founder of Prosperr.io added, “We are building a constitutional AI agent to solve tax globally. Our product philosophy has always been to build products personalized for the users. We understand user’s financial data in depth to generate capability to develop AI solutions to simplify personal finance in future for the users across the globe. Our next step is launching in the U.S. market to amplify.”
About Prosperr.io
Prosperr.io, a new-generation fintech company, is an AI-driven platform that simplifies tax management for individuals. It was founded in March 2022 by Manas Gond and Dev Kumar with a vision to streamline personal finance and help customers achieve their financial goals. The company offers two core products: the Super Saver product, which helps individuals plan and save their taxes efficiently, and the Flexi Benefits product, which enables employers to provide non-taxable allowances. This helps people increase their take-home salary through their easy-to-use service for claiming non-taxable allowances. For more information, visit https://www.prosperr.io.
Media Contact
Bilal Mahmood
+44 7714 007257
b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com
Media Contact
Bilal Mahmood
b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com
AI Evaluation Startup Maxim AI Raises $3M From Elevation Capital To Help Enterprises Test and Rapidly Ship AI Products
Maxim AI, an enterprise-grade evaluation and observability platform for AI applications, announced a $3M funding round led by Elevation Capital. The round also saw participation from marquee angel investors including founders of Postman, Chargebee, Groww, Razorpay, Media.net, among others. With the infusion of capital, Maxim announced the General Availability (GA) launch of their platform, marking a significant milestone in their journey.
With the recent explosion of large language models, the race to build & deploy AI applications has intensified. Traditionally, software was built in a deterministic paradigm with standardised best practices for predictably testing performance and systematically improving products, tightly integrated into the development lifecycle. Generative AI products, however, are getting built in a non-deterministic paradigm with unpredictable variability in quality and performance depending on factors including models, parameters, data or context, or simply the framing of the question. Moreover, challenges around hallucinations, inaccuracies, safety, and output structure lead to compromised user experiences and reputational risks for organisations. Organisations are resorting to non-scalable techniques, high-paid manual effort, and tediously slow iteration cycles as they test and ship their AI into production.
Founded in 2023 by Google-Postman duo Vaibhavi Gangwar and Akshay Deo who collectively bring over a decade of experience in building AI and developer-focused tools, Maxim aims to bring the best practices of traditional software development to streamline AI development workflows.
Maxim’s infrastructure, which sits between the foundational model and application layers of the AI stack, is deeply focused on AI developers who comprise the traditional AI/ML engineers as well as the emerging class of backend engineers now leading AI development across organizations. The Maxim stack provides end-to-end AI evaluation across the development lifecycle: right from prompt engineering, pre-release and post-release testing for quality and functionality, to data management and fine-tuning. While the automated evaluation platform by itself helps teams ship products >5x faster, the platform also offers the critical last-mile for evaluation including support for human evaluation as well as custom datasets and models.
“Even though we are seeing tremendous value creation in the AI hardware and foundational model stack, for the benefits to be realized meaningfully up the value chain, we need the products built on top of the generative AI stack to be trustworthy and reliable. This makes evaluation a very critical piece of AI infrastructure. However, today there is no standardization in the generative AI testing space unlike traditional software development. That’s where Maxim comes in: with our users, we have become this very core piece of infrastructure that is powering high quality AI development, streamlining team collaboration, and saving development teams hundreds of hours per month,” said founders Gangwar and Deo.
Talking about the investment, Akarsh Shrivastava, Principal at Elevation Capital said, “Maxim AI is addressing a crucial need in the evolving AI landscape. Their focus on creating a standardized, scalable evaluation infrastructure addresses a deep pain point for AI developers. As the complexity and diversity of AI use cases continue to rise, Maxim's platform will play a critical role in ensuring trustworthy and reliable AI systems. We are super excited to partner with Vaibhavi and Akshay as they build Maxim into a critical piece of this AI catalyzed paradigm shift we are going to see.”
So far, in private beta, the company has attracted multiple global customers who are at the forefront of the AI revolution. Looking ahead, Maxim is committed to expanding its platform capabilities including proprietary domain-specific evaluations for quality and security as well as its data engine to accelerate reliable and scalable deployment of AI products. The company plans to use the funds to expand its world-class team and scale its operations to partner with more leading enterprises building AI products.
About Maxim AI
Founded by Vaibhavi Gangwar and Akshay Deo, professionals with over a decade in AI and developer tools at top technology firms (including Google, Postman, and Slack), Maxim AI is the generative AI evaluation and observability platform for modern AI teams. It streamlines the entire AI development lifecycle from design to production, enabling faster, reliable, and high quality deployment of AI across organizations.
About Elevation Capital
Elevation Capital is a leading venture capital firm that provides seed and early-stage capital for emerging companies in India. Having invested in India since 2002, Elevation has deployed over $2.6 Bn of capital in 190+ companies. The firm announced its eighth pool of capital of $670 million in April 2022. Co-led by Managing Partners Ravi Adusumalli and Mukul Arora, along with Partners Mridul Arora and Mayank Khanduja, the firm has invested across Consumer Internet, SaaS, Fintech, Consumer Brands, Edtech, Healthtech and Deeptech. Elevation Capital has offices in Bengaluru and Gurgaon.
Media Contact
Bilal Mahmood
+44 7714 007257
b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com
Media Contact
Bilal Mahmood
b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com
Augie Studio Launches to Meet Demand for Social Video and Creative Ad Production
- Dynamic asset library: Squeeze more value from your asset library: Keep your assets organized, accessible, and usable. With Augie Magic Search, you can scan hours of B-roll footage in seconds to uncover new ways to repurpose your content. Plus Premium users can enjoy unlimited access to Getty Images‘ vast library of commercially licensed content.
- Automatic content creation: Create anything you’re missing: Need a storyboard by lunch? On the hunt for media to match your script? Can’t find a clip of a unicorn riding a unicycle anywhere? Pop your ideas into Augie and let it assemble your video from start to finish.
- Intuitive professional-grade editing: Breeze through your editing process: Try out different editing views, transitions, captions, music, effects, and file formats with a click of a button. Get professional-grade functionality—without needing one YouTube tutorial!
- Free access for basic and personal use
- Premium version starting at $39 per month
- Enterprise package starting at $249 per month
Augie is an all-in-one video studio designed to make video-first marketing attainable for any business. With easy-to-use features that cover the entire video creation and editing workflow, anyone can confidently jump in and create engaging social video content in minutes—no matter their experience or skill set.
Media Contact
Gabi Rubino
gabi@augxlabs.com
Theresa McClure Joins HNTB as a National Practice Consultant
Media Contact
Molly Hall
mohall@hntb.com
Media Contact
Daniel Brock
dbrock@hntb.com
Sandra Evers-Manly International Cultural and Human Rights Advocate To Receive the Coveted 2024 The Links, Incorporated’s Co-Founders Award for the Arts
Evers-Manly has generated overwhelming support from more than thirty years behind initiatives that support filmmakers from underrepresented communities to ensure that their stories are told. Past Co-Founders Award recipients include novelist, Alice Walker, The Color Purple; award-winning actress, Cicely Tyson, Roots; author Pulitzer Prize-winning Poet, Gwendolyn Brooks, Annie Allen; Dancer/Choreographer Judith Jamison, Alvin Ailey American Dance Company; Emmy Award-winning actress Lynn Whitfield, The Josephine Baker Story and author Poet, Playwriter, Activist, Sonia Sanchez, Homecoming (1969)—all of whom, like Ms. Evers-Manly, are creative giants of public service and personal sacrifice who are an inspiration to others.
Sandra J. Evers-Manly, is president and founder of the Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center (BHERC), former president of the Beverly Hills/Hollywood NAACP, a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). She is an Emmy-winning executive producer for the Best Science and Technology Documentary, Into the Unknown, executive producer of the film currently in IMAX theaters, Deep Sky, and the author of a children’s book Raised Up By Mrs. Manly & Her L’s. A few of the past organization that have honored Evers-Manly for her service include The Memorial Foundation, Brotherhood Crusade, Los Angeles Sentinel, City of Los Angeles, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Evers is a champion for social and civil rights and uses every opportunity to advance these causes through film and philanthropy. Since 1996, BHERC has been a vital advocate, nurturing Black representation in film and TV through education, research, and events. Her "Films With A Purpose" initiative empowers emerging filmmakers to shed light on pressing societal issues.
Website: www.bherc.org | www.BHERC.TV
Media Contact
Stephene Johnson
Media Contact
Stephene Johnson
media@bherc.org
Greenwood Leather Announces Launch of New Full-Grain Leather Goods Collection
Greenwood Leather, a family-run business dedicated to producing high-quality full-grain leather goods, is thrilled to announce the launch of its latest collection. Since its inception in 2016, Greenwood Leather has been committed to creating innovative designs that seamlessly blend tradition with contemporary trends, ensuring exceptional satisfaction for its customers.
The new collection, which will be available on the company's website https://www.greenwoodleather.com.au/, showcases Greenwood Leather's dedication to craftsmanship, quality, and customer happiness. Each piece is meticulously crafted from the finest full-grain leather, promising durability, elegance, and timeless style.
Faisal Nawaz, the founder of Greenwood Leather, emphasizes the company's dedication to excellence. "Our mission has always been to produce leather goods that not only meet but exceed our customers' expectations," says Nawaz. "With this new collection, we've pushed the boundaries of design and craftsmanship to offer products that are not just accessories but lifelong companions."
Greenwood Leather takes pride in its ability to harmonize traditional leatherworking techniques with modern design aesthetics. The company's artisans, many of whom have honed their skills over decades, employ time-honored methods to ensure each product is of the highest quality. At the same time, the design team continually seeks inspiration from current fashion trends, ensuring that every item in the new collection is both stylish and functional.
As a family-run business, Greenwood Leather places great importance on maintaining a personal connection with its customers. This approach has fostered a loyal customer base that appreciates the attention to detail and the care that goes into every product. "We consider our customers part of the Greenwood Leather family," says Nawaz. "Their feedback and support drive us to continuously improve and innovate."
In addition to their commitment to quality and design, Greenwood Leather is also dedicated to sustainability. The company sources its leather from reputable suppliers who adhere to ethical practices, ensuring that the production process is as environmentally friendly as possible. This commitment to sustainability is reflected in the durability of Greenwood Leather products, which are designed to last for many years, reducing the need for frequent replacements.
About Greenwood Leather
Founded in 2016, Greenwood Leather is a full-grain leather goods company based in Victoria, Australia. The family-run business has consistently developed and created new designs, improving upon the old and combining tradition with contemporary trends. The company's mission is to make their customers happy by providing high-quality, stylish, and durable leather products.
For more information, please visit https://www.greenwoodleather.com.au.
Media Contact
Faisal Nawaz
Media Contact
Faisal Nawaz
sales@greenwoodleather.com.au
Hoffman Financial Group Joins Forces with AmeriLife’s Brookstone Capital Management
Brookstone Capital Management (“Brookstone”), a leading, SEC-Registered Investment Advisory (RIA) firm and affiliate of AmeriLife Group, LLC (“AmeriLife”), announced today that it has partnered with Hoffman Financial Group, a nationally recognized financial planning firm based in Atlanta. Per the agreement, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“We’re excited to partner with the Hoffman team. This collaboration will only strengthen both organizations and continue to provide best-in-class solutions for them and all the clients they serve,” said Dean Zayed, CEO of Brookstone Capital Management. “Additionally, this partnership underscores Brookstone’s ongoing investment and commitment to our advisors and our goal to be the leader at the intersection of insurance and securities.”
“Hoffman Financial Group is a premier financial services firm – Chris and his team have created something special that we are excited to be a part of,” added Darryl Ronconi, president of Brookstone Capital Management. “With a broader relationship with Brookstone and AmeriLife, our goal is to help continue to accelerate their significant growth by providing them with even more resources and support.”
Founded in 2011, Hoffman Financial Group is a comprehensive financial and retirement planning firm with one goal in mind: to be the go-to financial advisor for individuals wanting to retire. The firm offers a completely hands-on approach to retirement planning and a full suite of wealth management offerings, including investment management, 401(k) and IRA rollovers, tax planning, and more through its eight investment advisor representatives. Hoffman Financial Group has applied this high-touch approach to unique offerings such as Her Wealth Her Way®, designed specifically to help women retire with comfort, confidence, and class.
Hoffman Financial Group is also incredibly active in the media, bringing its expertise on money management to viewers of The Financial Edge on Atlanta’s CBS 46 and ABC’s Good Morning America Weekend every Sunday morning, and to listeners of Money Unleashed on Atlanta’s 95.5 WSB every Sunday afternoon. Additionally, the firm is an Official Partner of the University of Georgia Bulldogs® and, most recently, was named Official Financial Advisor of former Bulldog and NFL player Brock Bowers, partnerships that have cemented Hoffman Financial Group as a leading financial services company alongside two distinguished names in collegiate sports.
“I couldn’t be more excited to partner and expand our relationship with Brookstone,” said Chris Hoffman, founder of Hoffman Financial Group. “They are the best partner to take us to the next level. The entire team is thrilled about the opportunity of aligning Hoffman Financial Group with the extensive resources and talent that they offer.”
Now, as part of the AmeriLife family of companies, Hoffman Financial Group will enjoy broad access to best-in-class platforms, tools, resources, and an expansive product portfolio to move quickly into new markets, accelerate production, and drive the firm’s growth for years to come.
“Chris Hoffman has built a powerhouse brand and business that is reshaping retirement planning for America’s retirees,” said Mike Vietri, Chief Distribution Officer for AmeriLife Wealth Group. “We’re incredibly excited for Hoffman Financial Group to join forces with Brookstone as part of AmeriLife Wealth Group, and look forward to integrating their unique approach, expertise, and leadership into our fast-growing distribution platform.”
About Hoffman Financial Group
Hoffman Financial Group is a leading financial planning firm based in Atlanta, Ga. With a personalized approach coupled with highest standards of financial advisory services, the firm specializes in principal protection, income planning, wealth accumulation, legacy planning, and more. For more information, visit HoffmanCorporation.com.
About Brookstone Capital Management
Founded in 2006, Brookstone Capital Management (BCM) is an SEC-Registered Investment Advisory firm with over $9.5B in Assets Under Management (AUM), providing fee-based investment management services through its network of more than 750 financial advisors and firms. Brookstone is an innovator and industry leader and empowers independent financial advisors of all sizes to scale their business by providing access to a Turnkey Asset Management Platform (TAMP) along with a dedicated team to support every aspect of an advisor’s practice. Visit BrookstoneCM.com for more information.
About AmeriLife
AmeriLife’s strength is its mission: to provide insurance and retirement solutions to help people live longer, healthier lives. In doing so, AmeriLife has become recognized as a leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities and retirement planning solutions to enhance the lives of pre-retirees and retirees across the United States. For more than 50 years, AmeriLife has partnered with top insurance carriers to provide value and quality to customers served through a distribution network of over 300,000 insurance agents and advisors and 120 marketing organizations and insurance agency locations nationwide. For more information, visit AmeriLife.com, and follow AmeriLife on Facebook and LinkedIn.
Media Contact
Jeff Maldonado
Patrick Nichols
corporatedevelopment@amerilife.com
Media Contact
Jeff Maldonado
media@amerilife.com
Global Kratom Coalition Applauds California Senate Health Committee for Passing Assembly Bill 2365
“Assemblymember Haney’s holistic approach in AB 2365 not only prioritizes consumer safety through robust safety measures but also ensures access to accurately labeled and responsibly formulated kratom products,” said Lowe.
The GKC emphasizes that continued support for AB 2365 is critical to its ultimate success. The Coalition urges all stakeholders, including legislators, industry participants, and consumers, to advocate for the bill's passage.
For Californians interested in sending a letter to local legislators, click here.
- Access: The belief that individuals should have a choice as to how they look after their health, informed by the latest unbiased information available.
- Education: Providing accurate, evidence-based information about kratom (including on our website), allowing consumers to make informed decisions.
- Advocacy: Serving as a united voice for kratom consumers worldwide, seeking fair and sensible regulations that prioritize consumer safety, freedom of information, and good sourcing and manufacturing practices.
- Community: Fostering a global group of enthusiasts, experts, vendors, and advocates to promote the benefits of kratom and fight for informed and responsible use.
- Responsibility: Promoting the responsible use of kratom and encouraging vendors to adhere to strict quality and safety standards so that consumers have access to products that are safe, well-manufactured, and appropriately labeled.
Media Contact
Byron Johnson
bjohnson@globalkratomcoalition.org
+1 202-680-8129
Media Contact
Patrick George
amullen@ka-pow.com
Kava Coalition Co-Authors Series on History of Kava for The Fiji Times
The Fiji Times is a daily English-language newspaper published in Suva, the capital and largest city of Fiji. Each part of the "Kava…" series initially appeared in The Fiji Times on March 12, March 19, and March 25.
The Kava Coalition is dedicated to promoting the responsible use and understanding of kava. Comprising industry professionals, researchers, and advocates, the Coalition strives to uphold the cultural significance and therapeutic potential of kava while advocating for safety and transparency within the herbal products industry. For more information about The Kava Coalition and its advocacy efforts, please visit https://www.kavacoalition.org/.
Mattha Busby is a freelance journalist with an interest in health, drug policy, and society. His work has appeared in The Guardian, Vice, The Times of London, GQ, and Men’s Health.
Media Contact
Byron Johnson
bjohnson@kavacoalition.org
+1 202-680-8129
Media Contact
Byron Johnson
bjohnson@kavacoalition.org
Veterans Health Group and Soldiers’ Angels Launch "No Soldier Walks Alone" 10K Step Challenge
Soldiers' Angels is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides aid, comfort, and resources to the Military, Veterans, and their families. Founded in 2003 by the family of General George Patton, hundreds of thousands of Soldiers' Angels "Angel" volunteers assist Veterans, wounded and deployed personnel and their families in a variety of unique and effective ways. (Tax ID# 20-0583415, CFC# 25131). Learn more at soldiersangels.org.
May no soldier go unloved | May no soldier walk alone | May no soldier be forgotten | Even after they come home.™
Veterans Help Group (www.veteranshelpgroup.com) is a national advocacy organization that focuses exclusively on getting veterans and their families the disability benefits they deserve. The group serves across all 50 states and is actively involved in partnering and supporting nonprofits that empower veterans. For more information, visit https://veteranshelpgroup.com.
jwaring@epgroup.net
Media Contact
Joe Waring
jwaring@epgroup.net
Kava Coalition Celebrates Second Edition of Botanical Safety Handbook's Kava Update
The Botanical Safety Handbook is renowned as the industry-leading compendium with application for safe use of kava. The updates underwent rigorous review by an Expert Advisory Council of esteemed herbal and integrative medicine experts from the U.S. The inclusion of kava in the handbook underscores the importance of ensuring accurate and reliable information for consumers, practitioners, and manufacturers alike locally and globally.
The Kava Coalition praised the AHPA BSH update as a pivotal step in enhancing understanding of kava's safety profile. With the most up-to-date science as a foundation, it is evident that kava is well-tolerated, whether consumed traditionally or through modern extraction techniques, paving the way for its continued safe use.
"This update reflects the advancements in scientific understanding of kava and dispels misconceptions surrounding its safety,” said Matthew Lowe, Executive Director of The Kava Coalition. “It reaffirms that claims of liver injury from kava are unsubstantiated and underscores the importance of quality control in product manufacturing."
Media Contact
Byron Johnson
bjohnson@kavacoalition.org
+1 202-680-8129
Media Contact
Byron Johnson
bjohnson@kavacoalition.org
Activate’s Cutting-Edge Gaming Expands to Kansas City
Activate, the world’s first active gaming facility and TikTok viral sensation, is thrilled to announce its first location in Kansas City, set to open on June 21, 2024. Building on the success of its openings in Dallas-Southlake, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Atlanta, and Houston-Katy, Activate provides a one-of-a-kind entertainment experience that continues to capture the imagination of gamers everywhere. Activate Kansas City is located at 6900 W 119th St, Overland Park, KS 66209.
Activate is transforming the gaming landscape, counting 11 locations in the United States and 13 locations across Canada with no signs of slowing down. Attracting over 2.6 million players worldwide, the experience blends cutting-edge technology with action-packed challenges for an adrenaline-fueled adventure.
"Bringing our interactive and immersive gaming experience to Kansas City’s vibrant community is a significant milestone for us," expressed Will Gray, Director of Marketing at Activate Games. “We can't wait for locals to dive into our high-tech, adrenaline-pumping adventures that blend physical activity with digital gameplay. This opening marks our expansion into a dynamic new market and reinforces our commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences. Get ready, Kansas City – the future of gaming has arrived.”
With over 11,000 square feet of fun, Activate Kansas City’s new state-of-the-art gaming facility welcomes all ages and skill levels, encouraging players to explore and create their own unique experiences. Here’s what to expect:
- Guests can sign up in groups of two to five players.
- Through progress tracking via Activate’s high-tech electronic RFID wristbands, players can rack up points, level up, and earn prizes along the way.
- Top gaming rooms include the TikTok viral sensation Mega Grid with 500+ multi-activated rainbow-colored tiles, blasting the beaming bullseye in a game called Strike, and feel like a modern-day spy in the laser room.
- Try Level 1 (easy) or take it to Level 10 (extreme).
- Play as a team in cooperative mode, or challenge your friends in competitive mode games.
In addition to Kansas City, Activate can be found in major U.S. markets such as Houston, Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, and New Jersey, along with Canadian markets such as Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Halifax, and Brampton. Additional Activate locations are set to open in 2024 across the United States in markets such as New York (Roosevelt Field), and Detroit, MI, along with internationally, including Dubai opening in the Fall, 2024 and launching in the UK in 2025. Activate operates over 30 locations across Canada, and the U.S.
Plan Your Visit
- Book in advance to save time and ensure your preferred time is available.
- Each game lasts 1–3 minutes. The full gaming experience lasts 75 minutes.
- Complete the waiver required for you to play in advance.
- Wear activewear and indoor runners.
- Age requirements: 10 and older.
- Where: 6900 W 119th St, Overland Park, KS 66209.
- When: Sun-Thurs: 9:30 am – 10:00pm, Fri-Sat 9:30 am – 11:00 pm.
For a sneak peek into Activate’s dynamic gaming experience and to keep tabs on the Activate Kansas City grand opening, click here.
Join the Inner Circle to be the first to hear about new locations, behind-the-scenes information, deals, and more.
Please find imagery assets 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
Media Contact
Jalila Singerff
+1 613-614-6777
Media Contact
Jalila Singerff
jalila@jiveprdigital.com
DPH Biologicals Launches Microbial Nutrient Enhancer Designed To Uniformly Cover Bulk Dry Fertilizers
DPH Biologicals, a leading developer and supplier of agricultural biologicals, has launched EnvelixTM Prime, a patented, biological nutrient enhancer designed to uniformly cover bulk dry fertilizer, delivering a robust biological consortium paired with fertilizer in a single application.
“Envelix Prime enables both retailers and growers to seamlessly unlock the value of biologicals on a broader scale,” said Mick Messman, DPH Bio President & CEO. “Just one pound of Envelix Prime evenly covers a ton of dry fertilizer, giving retailers a way to differentiate their fertilizer blends with biology while giving growers a single-purchase, single application route to enhanced performance and an increased return on their fertilizer investment.”
Envelix Prime contains naturally occurring beneficial bacterial and fungal microorganisms designed to accelerate and maximize fertility release using a patented carrier to adhere microorganisms to the fertilizer prill. In a tissue sample taken from a 2023 corn trial at the V3 leaf stage, Envelix Prime increased nutrient uptake of several macro and micronutrients when applied to MESZ fertilizer, including:
- An 18% increase in phosphorus,
- A 10% increase in sulfur.
- A 9% increase in boron.
- An 8% increase in copper.
Envelix Prime is DPH Bio’s first product to be powered by Prime™, a one-of-a-kind, patented spore priming technology that germinates beneficial bacteria faster, and in harsher conditions, enabling more consistent biological performance. In a recent corn trial, Prime enabled more than 70% of spores to germinate at temperatures as high as 98.6 degrees, while those without Prime germinated less than 10%. Additionally, nearly all spores with Prime germinated in high salt environments, while those that were not treated with Prime did not germinate.
Envelix Prime mixes seamlessly with MAP, DAP & Urea, offering improved flowability and less bridging at application.
“We are excited to get Envelix Prime out on the broad acre this fall enabling many growers the opportunity to experience the benefits of biologicals for the first time. This integrated approach requires no change in practice for the grower and, with the addition of Prime, we are confident that growers will consistently see the benefits this dynamic product unlocks both in the field and to their bottom line,” said Messman.
Envelix Prime is available now to retail partners and fertilizer blending facilities. For more information about DPH Bio’s technology platforms – RegenAphex™ and Prime, as well as DPH Bio’s expanded product portfolio, visit www.dphbio.com.
About DPH Biologicals
DPH Biologicals, LLC attracts, develops and scales technologies improving broad market access and simplifying the grower experience with biologicals. Based on investments in scientific research, field testing, partner relationships and product development, and leadership-owned since 2024, DPH Bio yields success through science and relationships, standing at the leading edge of clarity, trust and proven, profitable solutions for agricultural biologicals. For more information, visit www.dphbio.com.
Media Contact
Jennifer Goldston
Media Contact
Jennifer Goldston
jennifer@agtechpr.com
LeanData Launches Comprehensive Go-to-Market (GTM) Efficiency E-Book
LeanData, the market leader in revenue orchestration and go-to-market solutions, announced the publication of their latest e-book, "The 2024 State of Go-to-Market Efficiency Report." This detailed guide offers valuable insights and strategies for B2B revenue teams striving for operational excellence in an increasingly complex market landscape.
The new e-book, produced in collaboration with Qualified, UserGems, Cognism, Modern Sales Pros, and Welcome, compiles the experiences and priorities of over 200 professionals across various sectors. The report underscores the pressing need for efficiency and innovation in GTM strategies, especially in light of the economic challenges faced by many businesses.
"As B2B companies navigate an increasingly complex and competitive B2B landscape, the insights from the 2024 State of Go-to-Market Efficiency Report are invaluable,” said Evan Liang, CEO and Co-Founder of LeanData. “This report highlights the critical need for revenue teams to adopt opportunity-based selling to drive efficient, predictable growth. In addition, by aligning marketing and sales functions as well as making strategic tech investments, companies will not only overcome the challenges of today's market but also find new opportunities for success. At LeanData, we are committed to supporting organizations with the tools and strategies they need to excel in this dynamic environment."
Key finding and insights include:
- Prioritizing Efficiency: The report reveals that 33% of companies are prioritizing new tech stack investments to streamline operations and improve efficiency. Additionally, 30% of respondents ranked "accelerating digital transformation" as a top priority, reflecting the need to adapt quickly to market changes.
- AI and Automation: AI is expected to significantly impact operations, with 60% of respondents using generative AI for targeted content creation. Additionally, AI is taking over some Sales Development Representative (SDR) functions, such as writing and scheduling email outreach, using chatbots for initial prospect information, and scheduling meetings. This automation is helping companies streamline their go-to-market motions and improve efficiency.
- Marketing and Sales Alignment: Misalignment between sales and marketing teams remains a major hurdle, with 39% of respondents not believing their teams are aligned. The report emphasizes strategies for better integration to ensure cohesive and effective go-to-market motions, enhancing overall efficiency and conversion rates.
- Lead Management Challenges: Ineffective lead management continues to be a barrier, with 20% of respondents not believing their current lead management system will support their organization’s revenue goals in 2024. Additionally, 25% don’t believe their lead management systems and processes help deliver an ideal customer experience.
- Opportunity-Based Selling: The transition from lead-based to opportunity-based selling is gaining traction, with 54% using opportunity-based selling focused on buying groups. This approach has shown to increase deal closure rates by up to 25%, highlighting its effectiveness in today’s market.
“The only real path from go-to-market bloat to business efficiency is to know your market, your landscape, and buying group thoroughly. For marketing to drive an organization’s position in their market, marketers must weave together disparate intent signals, truly own pipeline orchestration, and partner with sales for opportunity-based selling,” said Maura Ginty, Fractional CMO at LeanData.
To download the "2024 State of Go-to-Market Efficiency Report" e-book visit https://www.leandata.com/resources/state-of-gtm-efficiency-report.
Media Contact
Maura Ginty
maura.ginty@leandata.com
Media Contact
David Libby
david@2pinz.com
Daniel Brock Joins HNTB as Regional Public Relations Lead in the Carolinas
HNTB Corporation is an employee-owned infrastructure firm serving public and private owners and contractors. With 110 years of service, HNTB understands the life cycle of infrastructure and addresses clients’ most complex technical, financial and operational challenges. Professionals deliver a full range of infrastructure-related services, including award-winning planning, design, and program and construction management. For more information, visit HNTB.com, or follow HNTB on LinkedIn, X, Facebook or Instagram.
Media Contact
Molly Hall
mohall@hntb.com
Media Contact
Molly Hall
mohall@hntb.com
AGC Biologics & Chief Executive Officer Patricio Massera Announce Plans for Him to Step Down
AGC Biologics, a leading global Biopharmaceutical Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), today announced that its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Patricio Massera, will be stepping down from his role effective June 30.
Patricio Massera joined the company in 2012, as General Manager of the Copenhagen site at CMC Biologics A/S. He later served as Chief Operating Officer of CMC Biologics at its Seattle headquarters. He held the same role after CMC Biologics was acquired by AGC Inc. and formed AGC Biologics. Mr. Massera was appointed CEO in 2019. He also served as an Executive Officer of the AGC Life Science Company, the Life Science Division of AGC Inc.
During his tenure as CEO, Mr. Massera spearheaded several initiatives that elevated AGC Biologics' global business and brand. His work and achievements include key milestones such as navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, acquiring Molecular Medicine S.p.A. ("MolMed") in Milan to create AGC Biologics' Global Cell and Gene business, and acquiring facilities in Boulder and Longmont, Colorado to establish new large-scale commercial mammalian capacity and cell and gene services in North America. Mr. Massera also directed the company's long-standing commitment to investing in single-use technology to ensure AGC Biologics could address the evolving needs of pharmaceutical companies using any platform process to develop new drug candidates.
"Over the past 12 years, I have had the privilege of experiencing the most vibrant and remarkable professional position of my life. CMC Biologics, and later AGC Biologics, have provided me with countless opportunities. I have met incredible individuals driven by the desire to build a better world, all sharing the common purpose of enabling our partners to cure life-threatening diseases and bring hope to life." Massera said. "During this journey, we have managed to grow the business multiple times. However, like all great stories, every book has an end. In this case, it is just a chapter that finishes. AGC Biologics has a long and brilliant journey ahead, but it is time for someone else to write the next chapter."
The new CEO search process is underway. In light of this transition, AGC Biologics is pleased to share Tadashi Murano, President of the AGC Life Science Company, will serve as interim CEO. He brings several decades of experience in global leadership roles within AGC Inc. across various business entities.
For more information on AGC Biologics, visit www.agcbio.com.
About AGC Biologics
AGC Biologics is a leading global biopharmaceutical Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) with a strong commitment to delivering the highest standard of service as we work side-by-side with our clients and partners, every step of the way. We provide world-class development and manufacture of mammalian and microbial-based therapeutic proteins, plasmid DNA (pDNA), messenger RNA (mRNA), viral vectors, and genetically engineered cells. Our global network spans the U.S., Europe, and Asia, with cGMP-compliant facilities in Seattle, Washington; Boulder and Longmont, Colorado; Copenhagen, Denmark; Heidelberg, Germany; Milan, Italy; and Chiba, Japan. We currently employ more than 2,500 Team Members worldwide. Our commitment to continuous innovation fosters the technical creativity to solve our clients' most complex challenges, including specialization in fast-track projects and rare diseases. AGC Biologics is a part of AGC Inc.'s Life Science Company. The Life Science company runs more than 10 global facilities focused on biopharmaceuticals, advanced therapies, small molecule active pharmaceutical ingredients, and agrochemicals. To learn more, visit www.agcbio.com.
Media Contact
Nick McDonald
+1 425-419-3555
Media Contact
Nick McDonald
nmcdonald@agcbio.com
Simplified Clinical Accelerates Towards Zero Data Entry with FHIR Integration
Key benefits of FHIR integration include:
- Reducing Administrative Burden: Offering sites a zero/near zero data entry system, sponsors can attract the best Investigators and sites to participate in their clinical research efforts and reduce administrative burden on health workers (e.g., doctors and nurses).
- Improved Interoperability: FHIR enables seamless integration and data exchange between the EDC system and other healthcare systems, facilitating better data sharing and care coordination.
- Standardized Data Formats: FHIR defines standardized data models and resources for representing clinical data, ensuring data consistency and reducing the need for custom data mappings.
- Enhanced Data Access: FHIR's RESTful APIs and resource-based architecture make it easier to access and retrieve data from the EDC system, enabling real-time data exchange and integration with other applications.
- Improved Data Quality: By adhering to FHIR standards, the EDC system benefits from built-in data validation and integrity checks, leading to higher data quality and reduced errors.
- Futureproofing: As FHIR continues to gain widespread adoption in the healthcare industry, incorporating it into the EDC system future-proofs the system and ensures compatibility with emerging technologies and regulatory requirements.
Media Contact
John Schwope
Media Contact
John Schwope
jschwope@simplifiedclinical.com
Charleston Literary Festival Announces First Group of 14 World-Class Authors From November Line-up of 35+ Events and Puts Limited Number of All-Session Access Passes on Sale
This preliminary announcement features just 14 of the authors who will appear at the Festival in November. The full list of 35+ writers and thinkers will be announced and all tickets will go on sale in the first week of September.
The first 14 authors that have been released as part of the line-up in November at Charleston Literary Festival include:
Colm Tóibín: Laureate for Irish Fiction, with an international reputation for powerful emotional narratives, Colm Tóibín will discuss his latest novel, Long Island, a sequel to his award-winning book, Brooklyn, and Oprah Book Club Pick 2024.
Jayne Anne Phillips: Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2024 for her book Night Watch, Jayne Anne Phillips joins us to discuss her mother-daughter survival story set in West Virginia during the aftermath of the Civil War.
Ilyon Woo: Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Biography in 2024 for Master, Slave, Husband, Wife: An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom, Ilyon Woo will dive into this extraordinary story as part of the third annual Charleston READS! program run in tandem with the Mayor’s Book Club and Oakwood University.
Paul Murray: Nominated for the Booker Prize in 2023, Irish author Paul Murray will discuss his sweeping family tragicomedy The Bee Sting.
James Shapiro: One of the most important Shakespeare scholars in the United States, uncovers the hidden roots of today’s culture wars and offers vital insights into the transformative power of art in his history of the Federal Theatre Project, The Playbook: A Story of Theatre, Democracy, and the Making of a Culture War.
Claire Messud: Best known for her acclaimed novel, The Emperor’s Children, Claire Messud will discuss This Strange Eventful History—an immersive, multigenerational story of a French-Algerian family, spanning from 1940 to 2010, a fictionalized story of her own family’s wanderings.
Charan Ranganath: One of the world’s top memory researchers uncovers the hidden role that memory plays in our lives and gives us powerful tools to remember better in Why We Remember.
Marie Arana: Inaugural Literary Director of the Library of Congress, discusses Latinoland—a sweeping yet personal overview of Latino identity drawn from hundreds of interviews and deep research, that emphasizes the diversity of America’s largest and fastest-growing minority by this National Book Award finalist.
Attica Locke: Acclaimed American author and screenwriter, known for gripping crime novels that explore themes of racial tension and justice in the American South, joins us to talk about her latest novel, Guide Me Home.
Lottie Hazell: Author of one of the most exciting debuts of the year, English writer Lottie Hazell joins us to talk about her sumptuous novel Piglet and how it deals with literary depictions of food and disordered eating.
Emmeline Clein: Cultural critic and author of the acclaimed, generation-defining Dead Weight: On Hunger, Harm and Disordered Eating, Emmeline Clein will be in conversation with Lottie Hazell.
Catherine Lacey: Acclaimed American novelist known for literary innovation, Biography of X, an instant classic, explores the enigmatic life of a celebrated artist, weaving a playful narrative that blurs the lines between reality and fiction.
- A limited number of Early Bird All-Session Access Passes for Charleston Literary Festival are now available for purchase via CityPaperTickets.com.
- Note! This preliminary announcement features just 14 of the authors who will appear at the Festival in November. The full list of 35+ authors will be announced and all tickets will go on sale in the first week of September.
- For more information about the festival schedule, author biographies, and event details, please visit CharlestonLiteraryFestival.com or follow us on Instagram (@charlestonlitfest).
- To make sure you stay up-to-date, sign up for our newsletter at CharlestonLiteraryFestival.com/newsletter
- We encourage you to buy your books locally! You can buy your books at Charleston Literary Festival bookseller Buxton Books (160 King Street, Charleston). If you’d rather borrow books, you can also check titles out at the Charleston County Public Library.
- Ticket link: https://www.citypapertickets.com/events/154102345/early-bird-all-session-access-pass
Charleston Literary Festival is a boutique literary festival held in Charleston, South Carolina, every November with an emphasis on literary excellence and an international edge. Over ten days, world-renowned writers and readers come together to discuss and explore. By connecting readers and thinkers with a wide range of quality speakers, the Festival promotes the power of excellent writing, ideas, and champions the free exchange of ideas.
An independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, now in its eighth year, previous attendees include Claire Keegan, Hernan Diaz, Patrick Radden Keefe, Deborah Lipstadt, Yaa Gyasi, George Saunders, Madeline Miller, Margo Jefferson, Imani Perry, Walter Isaacson, Eddie S Glaude, JR, Tiya Miles, Stephen Greenblatt, André Aciman, Colm Tóibín, Yiyun Li, Lisa Taddeo, Lauren Groff, Rebecca Makkai, Lorrie Moore, Jenny Offill, Jia Tolentino, Deborah Eisenberg, Joyce Carol Oates, Jeanette Winterson, Ben Okri, Louis Menand, David Blight, Adam Gopnik, A.O. Scott, and many more.
For more information, visit CharlestonLiteraryFestival.com.
Media Contact
Sarah Moriarty
sarah.moriarty@charlestonliteraryfestival.com
Botanic Tonics, Maker of feel free, Supports the Kava Coalition, Advocating for Responsible Industry Practices and Consumer Choice in the Kava Industry
Botanic Tonics is a plant-based herbal supplement company headquartered in Broken Arrow, OK. Established in 2020, it produces kava-forward tonics under its feel free brand. Its signature product , feel free CLASSIC, is crafted with ancient functional plants to provide mood lift, energy, and focus. Botanic Tonics’ products are manufactured in an FDA-registered, cGMP-certified facility and actively supports consumer safety regulations through transparent labeling and educational resources. Learn more at https://botanictonics.com.
Media Contact
Botanic Tonics
media@botanictonics.com
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