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Telenor Global Services Selects CSG to Accelerate Its Digital Transformation

CSG

CSG® (NASDAQ: CSGS) today announced an extension of their multi-year agreement with Telenor Global Services. As part of the expanded engagement, CSG will deploy its innovative, cloud-based digital wholesale solution suite to simplify and streamline Telenor’s operations. “To enhance customer experience and foster a more efficient business model, our goal is to be fully cloud-based this year,” said Tone Snellingen, chief sales officer, Telenor Global Services. “Using CSG’s digital wholesale solution suite, we can increase quality, speed, and responsiveness for our customers, while driving efficiencies through development and process improvements. Our relationship with CSG will not only help accelerate our digital transformation, but also leverage the cloud to reduce complexities and simplify our network operations.” CSG is shifting Telenor’s on-premise wholesale network to a cloud-based SaaS system that will optimise the operator’s routing, enable hands-on control, increase visibility in its intercarrier business, and lower capital and operating expenditures. In addition, CSG’s digital wholesale solution: • Drives efficiencies and new functionalities: Uses one single point of contact, allowing Telenor to focus on the business of trading and routing traffic while driving efficiencies and providing new functionality. • Grows revenue: Provides full support for origin-based routing and optimised features for network provisioning, positioning Telenor to stay on top of their cost base, grow revenue, and quickly update numbering plans. • Enhances customer experience (CX): CSG will support Telenor in creating bespoke customer products and the ability to react quickly to customer demands for individual routing and pricing. “As Telenor looks to extend its industry leadership, we are excited to leverage our digital wholesale expertise to help them automate their business processes, manage risk, and control costs,” said James Kirby, head of CSG's EMEA business. “We are thrilled to be expanding our 15-year relationship with Telenor by delivering this critical transformation and helping to move their wholesale business into the cloud and into the future.” CSG is a leader in the global communications market with a long-standing track record delivering innovative digital wholesale solutions in disciplines including trading, routing, QoS assurance and inter-carrier billing and settlement. The company serves more than 300 operators and service providers worldwide, including more than half of companies that make up the ITW Global Leaders’ Forum. # # # About CSG For more than 35 years, CSG has simplified the complexity of business, delivering innovative customer engagement solutions that help companies acquire, monetize, engage and retain customers. Operating across more than 120 countries worldwide, CSG manages billions of critical customer interactions annually, and its award-winning suite of software and services allow companies across dozens of industries to tackle their biggest business challenges and thrive in an ever-changing marketplace. CSG is the trusted provider for driving digital innovation for hundreds of leading global brands, including Airtel Africa, América Móvil, AT&T, Charter Communications, Comcast, DISH, Formula 1, Hutchison 3 Indonesia, Inmarsat, Mastercard, Maximus, Mediacom, Microsoft, Mobily, MTN, New Leaf Service Contracts, State of California, TalkTalk and Telstra. To learn more, visit our website at csgi.com and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Copyright © 2021 CSG Systems International, Inc. and/or its affiliates (“CSG”). All rights reserved. CSG® is a registered trademark of CSG Systems International, Inc. All third-party trademarks, service marks, and/or product names which are referenced in this document are the property of their respective owners, and all rights therein are reserved. About Telenor Telenor Group connects its 182 million customers to what matters most. Connecting the world has been Telenor’s domain for more than 160 years and we currently operate across Scandinavia and Asia. We are committed to responsible business conduct and driven by the ambition of empowering societies. Telenor Global Services is the international communication provider of Telenor Group, connecting countries and offering global reach with managed quality to customers worldwide. We deliver high quality interconnect solutions within Voice, Roaming and Messaging; providing you with the world at hand wherever you are. To learn more please visit www.telenor.com/globalwholesale. Contact Details CSG Global, North America, Asia-Pacific Brad Jones +1 303-200-3001 brad.jones@csgi.com CSG Europe, Middle East, Africa Kristine Østergaard +44 (0)79 2047 7204 kristine.ostergaard@csgi.com CSG Investor Relations John Rea +1 (210) 687 4409 john.rea@csgi.com Telenor Global Services Anne Gundersen +47 94107894 Anne.gundersen@telenor.com Company Website https://www.csgi.com

March 09, 2021 01:00 AM Mountain Standard Time

Agora Data’s Steve Burke Joins The Independent Dealer Podcast Showcasing Innovation in Auto Finance

Agora

Steve Burke, CEO of Agora Data, Inc., joined The Independent Dealer Podcast to talk about his firm’s recent industry-first crowdsourced securitization and the immense positive impact that future Agora crowdsourced securitizations will have on the auto industry and its consumers. During a recent episode, Burke joined the podcast’s hosts Jeff Watson of 4 Seasons Auto Sales and Luke Godwin of Godwin Motors for a 48-minute conversation on how Agora Data is changing the world of auto financing for Buy Here Pay Here auto dealers and smaller finance companies. Burke’s appearance on the show comes on the heels of Agora Data’s developing and executing the auto industry’s first-ever subprime crowdsourced securitization on December 29, 2020. This groundbreaking development in the world of structured finance provides Buy Here Pay Here auto dealers and small to mid-sized finance companies access to affordable capital markets funding. “There is a reason all the big dealers and banks are all in the capital markets,” Burke told Watson and Godwin on the podcast. “Enabling Joe’s Auto Sales with a $3 million portfolio to access the capital markets and be recognized adds an unbelievable number of intangibles and financial value to their dealership including significant growth. Now, the same exact capital that the big box dealers and finance companies have access to is available for Joe’s Auto Sales. AgoraCapital is bringing Wall Street to Main Street.” Prior to Agora, direct access to the capital markets with its more favorable financing terms was limited to only the largest institutional lenders and auto dealers. With Agora’s crowdsourced securitization program, subprime originators of all sizes now have a unique and viable financing option to obtain lower-cost capital with massively favorable terms thereby providing liquidity and fueling growth. In addition, Agora Data also recently announced its latest product offering – AgoraCredit. AgoraCredit was designed to transition originators from their current senior lender into interim credit lines that work in harmony with the AgoraCapital securitization program. AgoraCredit was created with the specific goal of not locking originators into expensive and risky lines of credit, but instead initiating the freedom of providing a smooth glidepath into the world of crowdsourced securitizations. Burke said, “The Independent Dealer Podcast by Jeff Watson and Luke Godwin is a source for independent used car dealers who want to get educated on how to improve their business and their life, and I applaud them for what they do for the dealer community.” Watson and Godwin talk to industry experts and dealers that are doing it right. Podcast #159 – Connecting Your Dealership To Wallstreet Money with Steve Burke is available on Apple, Spotify and where podcasts are found. About Agora Data, Inc Agora is re-inventing auto finance for Buy Here Pay Here dealers and finance companies with a crowdsourcing platform that bridges access to the capital market. Easy to use and analytically robust business tools empower the untapped and diverse portfolios of the BHPH auto market connecting dealers, sub-prime buyers, and capital market lenders with results-driven resources to enhance financial growth. Founded in 2017 by a best-in-class team of top professionals in auto finance and leading data scientists, the company has successfully combined billions in historical loan performance data to develop its AI-Infused predictive loan technology and machine learning models. www.agoradata.com. For more information, please contact Agora at (877) 592-4672 or contactus@agoradata.com. Contact Details Agora Data, Inc. Shelly Vandeven +1 682-282-4130 media@agoradata.com Company Website https://agoradata.com/

March 08, 2021 10:03 AM Eastern Standard Time

China Tower (788.HK) Continued to Consolidate Core Advantages; Strengthened Profitability with Payout Ratio Further Increased to 68%

Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 8 March 2021 - The world's largest telecommunications infrastructure service provider China Tower Corporation Limited ("China Tower", or the "Company") (Stock Code: 0788.HK) is pleased to announce its annual results for the year ended 31 December 2020. Performance Highlights RMB Million 2020 2019 Change Operating revenue 81,099 76,428 6.1% EBITDA 59,527 56,696 5.0% Profit attributable to owners of the Company 6,428 5,222 23.1% Basic earnings per share (RMB yuan) 0.0368 0.0297 23.9% Key operating data Number of tower sites (thousand) 2,023 1,994 1.5% Number of tower tenants (thousand) 3,361 3,239 3.8% Tower tenancy ratio (tower tenants / tower sites) 1.66 1.62 2.5% The Company's revenue maintained stable and healthy growth in 2020 while profitability continued to improve. Our operating revenue for 2020 recorded a 6.1% year-on-year increase to reach RMB81,099 million; our EBITDA [1] amounted to RMB59,527 million, with a 73.4% EBITDA margin [2]. Profit attributable to owners of the Company totaled RMB6,428 million, up by 23.1% over the previous year, with a net profit margin of 7.9%. Our cash flow remained strong while the debt leveraging level was stable and healthy. Net cash generated from operating activities amounted to RMB57,548 million in 2020. Capital expenditures amounted at RMB37,122 million, while our free cash flow [3] reached RMB20,426 million. As of 31 December 2020, our total assets reached RMB337,380 million and interest-bearing liabilities amounted to RMB112,871 million, with a gearing ratio [4] of 36.7%. Aligned with our commitment to providing good returns to our shareholders, the Board of Directors recommends to pay a final dividend of RMB0.02235 (pre-tax) per share for the year ended 31 December 2020, equivalent to a payout ratio of 68% of our annual distributable net profit. Supporting 5G network construction efficiently and maintaining stable growth in TSP business In 2020, in view of the accelerated 5G network deployment and the scaling of 5G construction, we strengthened the market-oriented approach with customer demands and 5G new features in mind. We continued to drive resource sharing by making full use of both existing resources and social resources and stepping up technological and product innovation to drive construction and service model transformation. By accelerating the implementation of our integrated wireless communications coverage solutions, we were able to meet customer demands with cost-effective, intensive and high-performing network coverage solutions. Our competitive advantages in low cost, high efficiency and quality services were further reinforced, supporting the stable growth of our TSP business. As of the end of 2020, we managed a total of 2.023 million tower sites, representing an increase of 29,000 compared to the end of 2019. The number of TSP tenants reached 3.175 million, representing an increase of 112,000 compared to the end of 2019. Our TSP tenancy ratio reached 1.57. With regard to our DAS business, we had covered buildings with a cumulative area of 4,060 million square meters, while high-speed railway tunnels and subway coverage totaled a cumulative length of 12,702 kilometers. In 2020, our TSP business revenue reached RMB76,899 million, or a 3.8% increase year-on-year, among which tower business revenue increased by 2.8% to RMB73,371 million, while DAS business revenue increased by 32.7% to RMB3,528 million. Fostering competitive advantages to accelerate the growth of Two Wings business Developing through sharing and collaboration is our founding principle, which has enabled us to fully leverage our resources and strengths to promote product innovation and better platform operation in key sectors. The Two Wings business maintained a good development momentum and has become important driver for revenue growth and value enhancement. In 2020, the Two Wings business recorded revenue of RMB3,939 million, or a year-on-year increase of 89.4%. The TSSAI business sustained rapid growth. Along with the accelerated pace of informatization across society, we captured timely opportunities to develop two types of services around resource sharing and data information. Targeting key clients in important sectors relating to national economy and peoples' livelihoods, such as environmental protection, forestry, lands, water resources, we enhanced our integrated information service abilities and continued to deliver rapid growth in our TSSAI business. In 2020, revenue generated from our TSSAI business reached RMB3,004 million, or a year-on-year growth of 59.2%. The energy operation business achieved considerable breakthrough in scale. Leveraging the advantage of our site resources and expertise in securing power supply and operation, we have taken proactive steps to expand socialized energy applications and services. In 2020, aligned to our core business segments of battery exchange and power backup, we enhanced our product platform, expanded our customer base and built our brand advantages. While building up our market competitiveness, we achieved initial breakthrough in scale. As of 31 December 2020, we have cumulatively developed 301,000 paid users for our battery exchange services. In 2020, our energy operation business generated revenue of RMB935 million. Mr Tong Jilu, Chairman of China Tower said, "Looking forward, we will seize the opportunities to achieve the goal of building an enterprise with the best potential for growth and value creation. We will continue to uphold our resource sharing to promote stable revenue growth and enhance the value of our Company, and to achieve high-quality development featured 'One Core and Two Wings' strategy." [1] EBITDA is calculated by operating profit plus depreciation and amortization. [2] EBITDA margin is calculated by dividing EBITDA by operating revenue, and multiplying the resulting value by 100%. [3] Free cash flow is the net cash generated from operating activities minus the capital expenditures. [4] Gearing ratio is calculated as net debt divided by the sum of total equity and net debt, then multiplied by 100%. Net debt is calculated as the amount of interest-bearing liabilities minus the amount of cash and cash equivalents. About China Tower Since its incorporation on 15 July 2014, China Tower Corporation Limited ("China Tower") has developed into the world's largest telecommunications tower infrastructure service provider with compelling market advantage under the national strategy of Cyberpower. China Tower was listed on the Main Board of Hong Kong Stock Exchange on 8 August 2018 (Stock Code: 0788.HK), raising approximately HK$58.8 billion. The Company implements the strategy of "One Core and Two Wings". "One core" refers to the traditional tower business and indoor Distributed Antenna System (DAS) business, which provide services to the TSPs based on site resources; while "Two Wings" refers to the Trans-sector Site Application and Information (TSSAI) business which mainly provides tower site resources and data information services to different industries, as well as energy operation business to satisfy the growing demands on energy services in the society, such as power backup and generation, charging, battery exchange and echelon use of batteries. China Tower adheres to the "sharing" philosophy for business development. It promotes site co-location and provides a wide range of services to fulfill the specific needs of its customers. As of the end of December 2020, the Company's total assets amounted to RMB337,380 million. China Tower operated and managed 2.023 million tower sites across 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in the PRC, and served over 3.361 million tenants with the tenancy ratio of 1.66. Contact Details iPR Ogilvy Ltd. Callis Lau / Gary Li / Emily Chiu / Charmaine Siu / Momo Yang +852 2136 6952 chinatower@iprogilvy.com

March 08, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

The LPGA Launches LPGA Live to Drive Virtual Connections with Players and Fans

Notable Live

Notable Live, an interactive Events platform, announced today a new partnership with the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), with a goal to enhance and extend the experience of live LPGA events off the course and enable fans, sponsors and spectators to get up close and one-on-one with LPGA Tour Members. With the challenges of in-person gatherings this year, the LPGA wants to ensure the organization continues to find innovative ways to stay connected with fans and sponsors alike by providing them with engaging content and interactive ways to engage with each other. From the LPGA Women’s Network to the LPGA*USGA Girls Golf (Girls Golf) and the LPGA Lesson Zone to the Fan Zone, the LPGA will utilize the Notable Live platform for a set of dynamic virtual events to amplify on-location tournaments, provide continuing education and real-time instruction that will enable face-to-face interaction with fans. “The Notable Live platform gives the LPGA a great opportunity to enable face-to-face, secure interactions between fans, sponsors and our athletes,” said Brian Carroll, the LPGA’s senior vice president of global media distribution. “Even as we progress through these difficult times, we look forward to continuing to grow our digital connections with fans located around the world and help them get to know the many diverse faces who make up the LPGA Tour.” In addition to hosting fan events, the LPGA plans to utilize the platform to integrate its sponsors to further commemorate the events across both the live and virtual experiences. “We are thrilled to have the trailblazing team at the LPGA on board with our mission to celebrate the passion of fans and make more connections possible between them and the LPGA professionals they admire,” said Notable Live co-founder Mike Antonucci. “LPGA Live will be an innovative extension of what the organization has traditionally offered in person and will create experiences that will feel like the closest thing to being a live spectator. This, coupled with their mission to deliver unique access to their players, is why we couldn’t be more excited about this partnership.” Together, the LPGA and Notable Live are committed to developing new ways to engage and support players, members and fans in a way that complements the organization’s existing live programming. The first event was held Monday, February 15, with Sandra Gal and members of Girls Golf. To sign up for LPGA Live Events, go to https://lpga.notable.live and create your account to get started. About the LPGA The LPGA is the world’s leading professional golf organization for women. Founded in 1950 and headquartered in Daytona Beach, Fla., the association celebrates a diverse and storied membership with more than 2,300 members representing more than 30 countries. With a vision to inspire, empower, educate and entertain by showcasing the very best of women’s golf, LPGA Tour Professionals compete across the globe, while the Symetra Tour, the official development and qualifying tour of the LPGA, consistently produces a pipeline of talent ready for the world stage. Additionally, LPGA Professionals directly impact the game through teaching, coaching and management. The LPGA demonstrates its dedication to the development of the game through The LPGA Foundation. Since 1991, this charitable organization has been committed to empowering and supporting girls and women through developmental and humanitarian golf initiatives, such as LPGA*USGA Girls Golf. Follow the LPGA on its television home, Golf Channel, and on the web via www.LPGA.com. Join the social conversation at www.facebook.com/lpga, www.twitter.com/lpga and www.youtube.com/lpgavideo, and on Instagram and Snapchat at @lpga_tour. About Notable Live Notable Live was founded in 2018 when a fan, Mike Antonucci, and a pair notables Pat Smith and Emmitt Smith, teamed up to create a truly unique platform focused on providing fans with unparalleled access to their favorite notables via face-to-face, virtual interactive events. Notable Live is a mobile app available on the App Store and Google Play that grants fans real access to notables by putting them "in the room" together for unforgettable virtual experiences. Connect with Notable Live at www.notable.live or on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. Contact Details Notable Live Alan Bloodgood, SVP Licensing and Operations +1 301-704-8584 alan.bloodgood@notable.live LPGA Christina Lance, Director, Tour Media Christina.lance@lpga.com Company Website https://www.notable.live

March 08, 2021 08:33 AM Eastern Standard Time

CMMC Center of Excellence Announces Engagement Agreement with HKA Technology Solutions

Interoperability Clearinghouse

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Center of Excellence ( CMMC COE ), hosted by the Information Technology Acquisition Advisory Council (IT-AAC), a public-private partnership serving the public and private sectors for more than 15 years, is excited to announce a partnership with HKA Technology Solutions, an IT Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) consulting company providing a wealth of GRC solutions for clients from the U.S. Government to the private sector. This unique partnership will extend efforts to identify and include proven capabilities within the CMMC COE Marketplace to improve cybersecurity protection and resilience for the global defense industrial base network of contractors, vendors, and suppliers. By facilitating results that customers want to reduce costs and risks, HKA provides the CMMC subject matter expertise that creates business value co-creation to help the DIB contractor think critically about establishing, documenting, and testing their CMMC administrative, technical, and physical controls to support the nation’s warfighters. Furthermore, HKA uses a unique Service Value System (SVS) to ensure that within the CMMC Practices and Processes Lifecycle, DIB CMMC practices and processes continuously co-create value with all stakeholders. The executed Engagement Agreement establishes a collaborative engagement between HKA Technology Solutions and the CMMC COE to partner in the furthering of their respective and complementary missions and objectives regarding the adoption, use, and expansion of CMMC based cybersecurity practices, risk management, and compliance for the DIB contractor, vendor, and supplier community of providers creating a broader CMMC ecosystem globally to improve security and resilience. Specific actions will include: The co-development of CMMC advisory services, cyber training and education programs to accelerate CMMC certification, increase cyber adoption and improve cyber protection & resilience. Co-sponsor symposiums, training programs and podcasts leveraging their combined cyber and IT expertise. Host regular working groups, with other partners, to enable collaboration and communications. Establish an independent Industry Cyber Security Advisory Council with peer organizations to advise and educate leaders across government and industry on the continued evolution and effectiveness of CMMC. The CMMC-COE ( http://cmmc-coe.org ) and HKA Technology Solutions partnership will focus on bringing together the many disparate cyber and national security communities of interest to reduce complexity, improve awareness, and accelerate industry effort to become more cyber resilient against the growing threats from nation states and criminal enterprises. “This is exciting opportunity for us”, said Mr. John Weiler, Chairman of the Board at CMMC Center of Excellence, “This new partnership will further help advance the goals and objectives for improving the supply chain security and resilience of the US Department of Defense (DoD)”. "Through the partnership with the CMMC-COE, HKA Technology Solutions scopes, tailors, and publishes CMMC policies, procedures, and standards to safeguard data Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability for our Defense Industrial Base members who support our nation's warfighters." said Mr. Glenn Axelrod, President & CEO. The CMMC-COE establishes both a Market Place and Knowledge Clearinghouse that will include resources that support the overall effort, including white papers; tutorials; recorded webcasts; presentations; and more that will help reduce the cost and burden on small and medium size contractors already struggling from the impact of COVID. For more information on the CMMC COE, please visit http://cmmc-coe.org, email info@cmmc-coe.org or call 703-863-3766 For more information on HKA Technology Solutions, please visit https://www.hkatechnolgysolutions.com/ About Us ---------- CMMC-COE.ORG is a unique non-profit public-private partnership, with a vision to accelerate Cybersecurity Maturity Model (CMM) adoption, and reduce time & cost for security compliance for our partners by leveraging commercial best practices, CMMC standards, and innovative solutions for a measurable success. Our mission, focused on DOD mission objectives, cost containment and expeditious CMMC compliance, is to help the DIB improve cyber posture and resilience, and simplify its acquisition. The CMMC-COE is hosted by the Information Technology Acquisition Advisory Council (IT-AAC), a public/private partnership (P3) chartered in 2007 as an honest broker to reach outside the confines of the Federal IT advisories that lack dynamic reach into the Global IT Market, and dedicated to the adoption of commercial IT management standards of practice and innovations emanating from the Global IT market. Team IT-AAC has already demonstrated the value of its decade long investment, and provides a unique value to agencies seeking to achieve accelerate the transformation of legacy processes and systems. Our Just-in-Time SMEs apply an innovative suite of Technology Business Management and Agile Acquisition Processes needed to assure the business value of commercial IT. The Interoperability Clearinghouse (ICH), is the managing partner that make up the 24 NGO/SDO organizations that make up the IT-AAC. ICH provides the contract vehicles, clearances, and critical resources proven to guide sustainable, measurable and repeatable processes needed to drive better investment decisions as the speed of mission need, while aligning existing processes, methods and workforce with IT reform mandates contained in Clinger Cohen Act, FITARA, IT MGT Act, EO13838. Contact Details Bob Dix +1 703-975-6633 bob.dix@it-aac.org Company Website https://cmmc-coe.org

March 08, 2021 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Osmo Announces $100,000 Product Donation to National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP) In Honor of Women’s History Month

Osmo

Osmo Cares, the charitable arm of award-winning STEAM brand Osmo, announces a donation of 1500 units of its best-selling Creative Kit for iPad to National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP), in honor of Women’s History Month. This product donation, valued at $100,000, will be distributed across six states (California, Tennessee, Oregon, Florida, Montana and Texas), to benefit programs like Girls, Inc., Girl Scouts, and other local non-profit programs, which introduce girls to STEM learning. “When girls have access to STEM learning at a young age, they can start to develop and nurture an interest in pursuing STEM, which is very important to Osmo,” says Karen O’Dell, Osmo Director of PR and Osmo Cares. “By supporting programs that promote equitable access to STEM, we can help future generations build confidence in pursuing a STEM career, regardless of one’s race, gender, and economic background. We particularly admire NGCP’s broad reach to over 42,000 U.S. organizations that encourage STEM learning among youth, impacting millions of girls and boys across this country.” “We are so grateful to Osmo for a gift that not only encourages creativity and collaboration, but will provide high-quality STEM activities to programs who are often not able to access these sorts of products,” says Karen Peterson, Founder and CEO of NGCP. Osmo’s Creative Kit for iPad ( image ), used at home and in classrooms across the U.S., features award-winning games that inspire learning, drawing, creativity, and more. It contains the Osmo Base for iPad, Creative Board, 4 erasable markers, a fuzzy eraser pouch, stackable storage for each game, and three best-selling game apps (Monster, Newton, Masterpiece). Osmo Cares Since 2016, Osmo Cares has made over $400,000 (USD) in product donations to nonprofit and charitable organizations in the U.S., and established over 50 partnerships with family service and autism awareness organizations. In addition, Osmo currently offers free downloads of the extremely popular Osmo Projector App, which allows teachers to broadcast their desktops and create more engaging virtual classroom environments over popular video conferencing technologies using Osmo’s proprietary AI technology. Projector App is the recipient of the 2020 E-Learning Innovation of the Year Award. About NGCP The National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP) is a network of organizations committed to informing and encouraging careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), by seeking to connect, create, and collaborate to transform STEM for all youth. Through maximizing access to shared resources and strengthening the capacity of programs, the NGCP seeks to use the leverage of a network and the collaboration of individual girl-serving STEM programs to create the tipping point for gender equity in STEM. NGCP manages the FabFems platform, the IF/THEN ® Collection, and The Connectory, databases of STEM programs and media, role models and mentors, passionate about sparking girls’ interest in STEM, dispelling stereotypes, and expanding girls’ perceptions of their STEM career options. Through these initiatives and resources, the National Girls Collaborative supports STEM experiences as diverse as the world we live in. Learn more about the National Girls Collaborative and its programs at ngcproject.org. About Osmo Osmo is an award-winning STEAM brand whose products are used in over 30,000 classrooms and 2.5 million homes. It is building a universe of hands-on play experiences that nourish the minds of children by unleashing the power of imagination. The company brings physical tools into the digital world through augmented reality and its proprietary reflective artificial intelligence. Founded in 2013 by ex-Google engineers Pramod Sharma and Jerome Scholler, the Osmo Play System fuses digital gameplay and physical interaction to create fun and nutritious play experiences designed for all kids. Osmo is headquartered in Palo Alto, California. Learn more at playosmo.com. For schools, visit playosmo.com/schools. Contact Details Osmo Karen O'Dell +1 310-251-0550 karen@playosmo.com Carolyn Kamii PR Carolyn Kamii +1-310-251-0550 carolynkpr@gmail.com Company Website http://www.playosmo.com

March 08, 2021 04:00 AM Pacific Standard Time

Fintern launches consumer lending driven by AI and Open Banking

Stockwood Strategy

The UK consumer lending market is worth £160bn, yet over 15 million people in the UK are denied access to affordable loans. These people are resorting to unsustainable means including high-cost lenders and buy-now-pay-later schemes to manage their lives. Today, digital consumer lender Fintern has launched to radically transform the financial well-being of people with an innovative and sustainable lending approach that goes beyond traditional credit scoring and puts affordability first. Fintern’s next generation credit technology bypasses credit scores in making lending decisions, focusing instead on affordability. Fintern builds relationships with customers helping them to understand how much they really need, how much they can afford to take on, and how they will repay. Fintern integrates its AI platform with Open Banking* to smartly connect the dots in consumers’ banking data enabling Fintern to obtain the most accurate view of borrowers’ affordability and spending behaviour using real time transaction information. Gerald Chappell, CEO and co-founder of Fintern commented: “Fintern will help people to really understand what is affordable for them, rather than offering yet another faceless transactional process. Currently, lenders either lend money or don’t, and then don’t engage with the borrower again until the loan terms ends or payments are missed. “Our success as a lender lies in the ability of our customers to repay their loans. Our AI-powered technology helps us and all our customers to understand their finances in a deeper, more hands-on way than ever before. This approach allows us to increase approval rates, lower APRs and empower our customers to make the best and most responsible borrowing decisions for them.” The approach of banks to personal lending inappropriately results in “computer says no” answers for millions every year. While traditional behavioural credit scoring (the industry’s approach for credit decisioning) works well to separate the highest quality customers from the lowest, it performs poorly in differentiating risk among the majority of people. Often the consumers hardest hit are those who have had historical blips in their credit records or, for example, those people who are new to credit or have moved countries. Dr. Michelle He, COO and co-founder of Fintern added: “We will be closer to our customers than incumbent lenders can ever be, and this will differentiate us in the marketplace. Intelligently integrating AI and Open Banking data disrupts credit decisioning for the better of all customers. Doing it well requires the right experience. Data and technology are Fintern’s bread and butter. We have an amazing team with extensive experience in digital lending and credit analytics. They are customer obsessed and have made the Fintern App a unique experience.” Looking ahead, Gerald Chappell added: “As we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic, Fintern is needed now more than ever. While many existing lenders are reducing credit supply given the shock to their existing portfolios, Fintern uses high frequency transaction data to understand consumers’ real time financial circumstances and lend responsibly. Over the next 4-5 years, we intend to rapidly grow in the UK building a £1bn loan book alongside broadening our product range and considering expansion to other geographies.” Fintern received its FCA authorisation as a regulated consumer credit lender in February 2021. The co-founders have built an exceptional team that includes credit experts with over 100 years’ experience in finance and technology. Ends * Open Banking regulation requires UK banks to open up customer transaction data in a secure and standardised form, which means the third party providers have access to consumer data from banks via APIs. While the UK is leading globally on Open Banking, adoption is under way in 35 economies. About Fintern Fintern is a digital consumer lender on a mission to expand access to low cost personal finance and transform financial well-being. Fintern’s next generation credit technology bypasses credit scores in making lending decisions, focusing instead on affordability. Fintern builds relationships with customers helping them to understand their repayment capacity and credit appetite. Fintern integrates its AI platform with Open Banking to smartly connect the dots in consumers’ banking data enabling Fintern to obtain the most accurate view of borrowers’ affordability and spending behaviour using up to the minute transaction information. Fintern was founded in 2020 with a team from McKinsey, EY, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, HSBC and XiaoMi. Fintern is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, firm reference number 929244, a member of Cifas (the UK's leading anti-fraud association) and registered with the UK Information Commissioner's Office in compliance with the Data Protection Regulations 2018. Contact Details Fintern Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 press@fintern.ai Company Website https://fintern.ai/

March 08, 2021 06:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Consero Named Outsourced Accounting Preferred Provider for the National Venture Capital Association

Consero

Consero Global LLC, a leader in Finance as a Service (FaaS), today announced it is now a preferred partner of the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA), the preeminent trade association of the U.S. venture capital and startup community. “Consero’s mission is to disrupt the way PE and VC backed software and service businesses meet their finance and accounting needs, which is why we’re very excited to partner with the NVCA,” said Bill Klein, President of Consero. “Our FaaS model combines cutting edge technology, processes, and people in a fully-managed solution to deliver precise financial visibility and improved operational scalability, plus a lower and more predictable cost structure.” More than 150 operating companies that Consero partners with are backed by blue-chip private equity and venture capital investors. The company is focused on preparing companies to raise capital, M&A, and potential IPOs. Consero combines innovative integrated software, including the Consero SIMPL® financial management console and Simon voice-activated artificial intelligence technology with the traditional CFO, controller and bookkeeping services needed to support a business’s financial operations. All of this comes without the time, cost, and effort of creating and managing a full, in-house finance and accounting department. With Consero’s solutions, companies of all sizes can afford true enterprise level financial tools. About Consero Global Founded in 2006—by Scott Tynes, Bill Klein, and Kiran Jagannath—Consero Global disrupts the way businesses build and maintain their finance and accounting function. Through a cloud-based platform, Consero delivers the financial clarity and efficiency needed to drive a business forward. Strategic CFOs are adopting Consero’s cutting-edge Finance as a Service model to free up time and understand how the business is performing. Serving more than 150 clients and their portfolio companies, Consero, backed by BV Investment Partners provides the control and insight needed to steer businesses toward success. Contact Consero Global for more information about gaining greater control of your financial operations. More info at www.conseroglobal.com. Contact Details Consero Global Ray Young +1 512-633-6855 ray@razorsharppr.com Company Website https://conseroglobal.com/

March 05, 2021 10:33 AM Central Standard Time

Minuteman Press Franchise in Fredericksburg, VA Supports Local Businesses During COVID-19

Minuteman Press International Inc

Minuteman Press Fredericksburg Has Remained Open Throughout COVID-19 As An Essential Business Owner Doug Walton Shares Insights On Operating During the Pandemic and How Minuteman Press is Helping Local Businesses Bounce Back For nearly 15 years, Doug Walton has owned the Minuteman Press design, marketing, and printing franchise located at 10699 Courthouse Road. Because printing is considered an essential business, Minuteman Press Fredericksburg has remained open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. “It feels good to remain open and help other local businesses navigate the pandemic economy. We have been able to help them market themselves through direct mail, provide banners and signage to help with social distancing, and we have even supplied many with acrylic sneeze guards and masks to help keep their employees and customers safe.” Print Is Essential As a longtime local business owner in an essential industry, Doug is uniquely positioned to be able to help organizations and businesses as they continue to reopen and recover. “We’ve expanded our products and services over the years and when the pandemic first hit we were ready to provide high-demand items such as direct mail, signage, and sneeze guards. Businesses have come to us for banners, posters, yard signs, floor decals, and branded clothing, which has been a good source of growth. When everyone’s graduation ceremonies were canceled, we were able to help students and their families celebrate with lawn signs.” Doug continues, “The response from the community has been incredible. They know we have been here for a long time, and they appreciate our ability to provide custom printing of all kinds to help keep people safe. We also have been helping businesses reach out to their customers through marketing and direct mail campaigns. When restaurants need new menus or businesses have important updates and special promotions, Minuteman Press Fredericksburg is here as their trusted local provider.” “The printing industry has been designated as essential for a reason. The products and services we provide support almost every other business and allow them to continue to operate. We print for many different kinds of customers from HVAC contractors to the local Sheriff’s office and more. They all depend on us to do their jobs, and we are happy to be there to help them with everything they need during this unprecedented time.” -Doug Walton, owner, Minuteman Press Fredericksburg, VA Bounce Back Fredericksburg One of the ways Doug and his team are giving back is through Bounce Back Fredericksburg, a free community platform that provides businesses with free local listings and COVID-19 awareness and prevention posters. To date, 60 participating businesses have posted special offers and promotions that community members can take advantage of to support local and shop local. Doug says, “I would encourage every business owner to advertise more. There is no such thing as too much marketing. Take advantage of Bounce Back Fredericksburg, start a direct mail campaign, or simply take a look at your marketing materials and make sure everything is professional and up to date.” As the economy continues to recover, Doug sees opportunities for businesses to come back strong. “I’d like to think that we are proof it is possible to operate and market during the pandemic. As more and more of the local economy comes back, my message is to refocus and stay positive. I hope my own positive attitude encourages my fellow business owners to realize we will get through this together and that brighter days are ahead.” As for his own marketing efforts, Doug has used every tool available to him as part of the Minuteman Press franchise family. “We have depended on direct mail, email, and social media to advertise. We have kept the message simple by saying ‘we are here to help, and we are all in this together.’ The response has been very encouraging. Many have thanked us for being there when people need us at this critical time.” He adds, “As a franchisee, the support we’ve received from Minuteman Press International has been great. At the beginning, we received daily updates of what was going on in our industry, tips for pushing forward, words of encouragement, and tons of new resources including the launch of the Bounce Back USA program. They have continued to share success stories from across the nation and provide recommendations and industry news as well as new marketing templates and strategies to help us grow.” Benefits of Franchising Prior to owning his own business, Doug worked in construction. He was able to successfully switch industries and change careers by going the franchise route. As printing industry leaders, Minuteman Press offered Doug comprehensive training and ongoing support that he continues to benefit from today. Doug says, “Minuteman Press is outstanding. They are always there for support. I couldn’t imagine navigating this pandemic without them. Over the years they have always been there when I need them and they are always looking for ways to help us be more successful. Minuteman Press truly cares about their franchisees.” Reflecting on the rewards of business ownership, Doug adds, “It comes down to my improved quality of life. I don’t miss any of my daughter’s school or sports events. I can make my own schedule. It’s as simple as that and I wouldn’t want it any other way.” “Doug Walton has simply done a tremendous job as the owner of Minuteman Press Fredericksburg for nearly 15 years,” says Bob Heimbuch, Minuteman Press International Regional Vice President, Virginia / DC / Maryland. “I am especially proud of his efforts in helping the local business community through Bounce Back Fredericksburg as well as all of the ways he has been supporting local businesses during the pandemic. Doug is truly dedicated to his clients and his community and he lifts others up with his positivity while providing outstanding products and services.” Advice for Others When asked for what advice he would give to other business owners, Doug answers, “Put your blinders on and don’t pay any attention to bad news. Do everything you can to service your customers. Advertise more. This is not the time to cut back. Keep a positive attitude and encourage everyone in your community to support local businesses.” “And remember, we are all in this together.” For more information on Minuteman Press Fredericksburg, visit https://www.fredericksburg.minutemanpress.com. Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

March 05, 2021 09:01 AM Eastern Standard Time

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