Aftermaster, Inc. (OTCQB: AFTM)
Aftermaster, Inc. (OTCQB: AFTM), with offices in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Hollywood California, is an award-winning, leading-edge audio technology company that specializes in the development of proprietary and groundbreaking audio technologies and products. The company also operates world-class mastering and recording studios located in the heart of Hollywood, California, in the famous Crossroads of the World complex along Sunset Boulevard.
Aftermaster and its subsidiaries are engaged in the development and commercialization of proprietary (patents issued and pending), leading-edge audio and video technologies for professional and consumer use including the award-winning AfterMaster® audio technology, ProMaster™ and Aftermaster Pro™. Aftermaster is unique in the audio world because its team has produced, engineered and mastered more hit records than any audio company in the world. The Aftermaster team knows what sounds right and the Company holds a unique position in the world of audio technology.
The Company's underlying technology, Aftermaster audio, delivers an audio experience unrivaled by any audio company. It brings an unprecedented new quality level to consumer audio by offering unparalleled clarity, depth, fullness and a significant volume increase to audio recordings without distortion or altering the original recording. Its versatility and smart processing characteristics make it effective across a broad range of applications from consumer electronics to industrial applications.
The Company also operates Aftermaster Recording and Mastering Studios which include the renovated production facilities of legendary director Alfred Hitchcock and the iconic recording studios of Crosby, Stills and Nash.
Aftermaster Labs maintains five primary business units: Aftermaster proprietary semiconductor chip and software for OEM licensing, proprietary consumer electronics, professional music mastering, online mastering, recording and mixing at its Aftermaster Recording and Master Studios, and Audio Consulting services. The Aftermaster semiconductor chip and software is used for embedding in consumer products, Aftermaster-developed and branded consumer and professional electronic products, ProMaster on-line music mastering for independent music artists and in-studio professional music mastering services.
Aftermaster has increasingly attracted interest from some of the music industry's leading audio companies. A newly expanded partnership with TuneCore, the leading digital music distribution and publishing administration provider, gives TuneCore members access to Promaster through its instant mastering service which offers audio mastering of unparalleled quality at the click of a button. The Company also recently entered into a licensing agreement with Muzik headphones for use of its Aftermaster chip in their new headphone line.
The company's first groundbreaking consumer product – the Aftermaster Pro – is designed to solve the universally widespread problem of poor, variable audio levels of television audio. Aftermaster Pro, which is smaller than an iPhone, masters and remasters inconsistent TV audio in real-time, creating an audio experience that offers clear, full-bodied depths of sound and most importantly, overall balanced audio. The Aftermaster Pro virtually eliminates the need to adjust TV volume to hear dialogue or to reduce the level of loud special effects. The Aftermaster Pro sells for $179 and is enjoying strong growth in sales to over 65 countries.
With the Company's Promaster, state-of-the-art proprietary algorithms, artists receive four CD quality mastered versions of their track including "Powerful," "Radio Ready," "Bass Enhanced," and "Vocal Enhanced." TuneCore artists have access to exclusive pricing on the Promaster pay-as-you-go instant mastering, as well as unlimited monthly and annual subscriptions. Aftermaster also holds a license agreement with headphone manufacturer, Muzik, Inc., for the use of Aftermaster's patented audio remastering and audio enhancement technology.
Aftermaster won three Envisioneering Innovation and Design Awards at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas for both its Aftermaster TV device and its BelaSigna 300 processor semiconductor chip created through a partnership with ON Semiconductor. Aftermaster was also named an honoree for its ProMaster audio technology.
Aftermaster Audio Labs is led by a group of world-class audio engineers and music industry veterans who have been involved with the development and implementation of countless successful proprietary audio technologies and products.
The Team
Aftermaster co-founder and CEO Larry Ryckman is an award-winning entertainment and technology executive with over 25 years of achievements in the music and entertainment industries.
Shelly Yakus, co-founder and chief engineer at Aftermaster Audio Labs, is a renowned music producer, audio engineer/mixer and is widely considered the best engineer and mixer in the music industry.
Justin Timberlake, a Grammy and Emmy award-winning singer/songwriter/producer and actor, is a co-owner of Aftermaster Audio Labs, Inc. Timberlake is widely considered to be one of pop culture's most influential entertainers in the world.
Peter Doell is one of the best-known mastering engineers in the world with over 35 years of experience mastering and engineering hundreds of chart-topping records, film scores and TV spots. Rodney Jerkins is an 8-time Grammy Award winning music producer/songwriter and considered to be one of the most influential and successful producers in the music industry.
Paul Wolff is a senior engineer and product development consultant at Aftermaster Audio Labs. Wolff has been involved in the professional music and audio industries as an audio engineer and product designer and manufacturer of professional audio products for more than 35 years.
Thousands of hours of testing millions of songs and audio sources of all types have been processed using Aftermaster's award-winning technology and the results speak for themselves with platinum records, numerous strategic partnerships, and overwhelming industry support.
American Helium (TSX.V: AHE)
(OTC: AHELF)
American Helium (TSX.V: AHE) (OTC: AHELF) is a resource exploration company focused on the global growth of technology-driven demand for helium and the development of high grade helium resources in North America. Through such activities, it strives to contribute to the global helium inventory and become an industry leading producer.
The Canadian helium exploration and development company is led by an experienced management and technical team. The Company is currently focused on three properties in prolific areas for Helium exploration.
Recently, the company executed an agreement with Holbrook Basin Energy LLC of Golden, CO to undertake an exploration drill program in Arizona. The Arizona project location is in the "Four Corners" area where the States of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona meet, and in the helium productive Holbrook Basin, a well-established helium production district where concentrations of the gas are as high as 10%. The area has good potential for additional discovery and production. The abundant nature of the region has led to anecdotal statements over the years that "Arizona is the Saudi Arabia of helium."
The Company holds 100 percent working interest and 87.5 percent net revenue interest in 12 federal leases at its Bruin Point property spanning across 17,000 acres in the Greater Uintah Basin, Carbon County, Utah (the Carbon County project). American Helium is undertaking preparations for the drilling of an exploration well, and as part of that process a Notice of Staking (NOS) has been filed with the offices of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
Evaluation is currently ongoing to determine potential additional acquisitions in regions that are known for their helium production. The Company is planning exploration wells with the prospect of capturing new resources and improving the Company's market position during the year.
The Company has also executed a project agreement with Yankee Resources LLC of Golden, CO and has appointed LoneTree Energy & Associates LLC to acquire certain acreage in SE Colorado. The project consists of two parts. The first objective is to re-drill two wells that have proven helium resources. Both were plugged and abandoned in the mid-nineties, offering the potential for near term production. The second part of the project will offer an exploration focus through the acquisition of land and a subsequent 3D seismic survey aimed at further defining areas of likely helium accumulations.
The company set up a Denver satellite office aimed at overseeing the regional operations in Utah better and at facilitating expansion in SE Colorado. Company President and CEO Frank Jacobs, a petroleum engineer with 35+ years of operational experience, will oversee U.S.-based operations.
Global helium demand is driven by a number of different industries. Primarily, the military, healthcare, nuclear, aviation and electronics. A colorless, odorless and non-toxic gas, helium is lighter than air and it has the lowest boiling point of all elements. This property makes it essential for a wide variety of tech based applications.
The U.S. ranks as the largest producer and consumer of helium. North America accounts for approximately a third of the world's helium consumption (2.6 billion cubic feet of helium per year). The world's annual consumption of helium is set at eight billion cubic feet per year. As far as production goes, the U.S. is responsible for 55 percent of the global helium supply. Qatar, Algeria and Russia come next.
The fact that production efforts have been centralized and focused in just a few countries has long been a source of industry concern. "The concentration of production among a handful of countries will continue to be the leading driver of uncertainty of helium supply and price volatility. We are working to identify, explore and place into production helium assets. With the right assets and the necessary funding we are confident we can achieve this objective ," Frank Jacobs said.
The price of helium has doubled since 2010 because this unique gas cannot be substituted in its applications. In addition, a Qatar production blockage has had a massive negative impact on the helium supply. In the summer of 2017, Qatar's RasGas closed down both of its plants, responsible for approximately 32 percent of the global helium demand. This shift has contributed to highly favorable supply and demand fundamentals for the remaining market players.
Experts predict that the demand for the gas will continue to grow in the years to come. The global helium market set to exceed $1.5 billion by 2020, advancing at a compound annual growth rate of 9 percent, according to Technavio analysts. Over 20 percent of the global helium demand is for healthcare applications. MRI machines are being installed in hospitals more frequently than ever before, potentially increasing the demand for helium in the medical industry. Innovative aerospace projects and technical applications are also expected to elevate the helium market forecasts in the years to come. Large corporations such as Google and Netflix have both been buying up significant amounts of helium, as the gas can increase the storage capacity of hard drives while also bringing down power consumption.
Additional information about the American Helium research and exploration activities will become available in the months to come. The company is positioning itself to capture the numerous opportunities stemming from increasing helium prices and the growing global demand.
AnalytixInsight Inc. (TSX.V: ALY)
(OTCQB: ATIXF)
AnalytixInsight Inc. (TSX.V: ALY) (OTCQB: ATIXF) is an artificial intelligence (AI) company that transforms data into knowledge. The company has developed a proprietary, machine-learning technology that algorithmically analyzes big data and distills it into actionable insights. AnalytixInsight has strategic initiatives in fintech, blockchain and workflow analytics, and its technology is scalable and extendable to virtually any data-driven industry such as sports, communications, healthcare, insurance or government.
The company's flagship product – CapitalCube.com – is a financial portal providing comprehensive company analysis including on-demand fundamental research, portfolio evaluation and screening tools on over 50,000 global equities and North American ETFs. CapitalCube's online portal is designed to empower investment ideas by providing in-depth analysis, peer-to-peer performance evaluations, accounting and earnings reports, dividend strength and AI-supported information about likely corporate actions such as dividend changes, share buybacks and acquisitions. AnalytixInsight provides a robust technology that is frequently rebalanced to maintain a desired risk profile, matching risk to ideal ETF exposure, with regular compliance reporting.
CapitalCube's freemium pricing model allows free access to basic financial information, with additional in-depth analysis and predictive analytics provided at a rate of $25 per month, and customized peer analysis for $300 per month. CapitalCube publishes 3,000 articles daily and has multi-language capabilities. Thomson Reuters and Africa Investor have recently been added to the growing network of content partnerships that already includes Euronext NV, Yahoo Finance and The Wall Street Journal.
Euclides Technologies is a subsidiary company focused on Field Service Management software solutions, led by a team with decades of experience in developing and implementing workforce management solutions for large global corporations. With worldwide customers representing over 100,000 field service personnel across multiple industries, Euclides Technologies has a deep understanding of the increasing amount of data generated within the industry, as well as the analytics solution offerings to transform that data into knowledge.
MarketWall is a Fintech subsidiary that develops integrated software solutions as part of an ecosystem of smart devices that includes PCs, tablets, smart phones, wearable mobile devices and Smart TV. AnalytixInsight Inc. has joint ownership in MarketWall together with Intesa Sanpaolo, Italy's largest retail bank which has over 4,000 branches and a market capitalization of $40 billion Euros. MarketWall is expected to deploy its real-time stock trading and mobile banking app to Intesa Sanpaolo's 12.6 million customers in six European countries during 2018. The mobile stock trading application will directly interface with Intesa Sanpaolo's established MarketHub trading platform. As a Samsung Global Partner, the MarketWall app is preloaded in mobile devices in certain areas in Europe.
AnalytixInsight is currently evaluating and pursuing Blockchain initiatives which are contiguous with its artificial intelligence platform, to use a distributed ledger technology to reduce transaction costs and settlement times for its users, partners, and subsidiaries. The Company believes these initiatives will enhance current revenues being received from existing multi-year agreements with its partners.
BLOCKStrain Technology Corp.
(TSX-V: DNAX)
BLOCKStrain Technology Corp. (TSX-V: DNAX), a full-service software company headquartered in Vancouver, BC, Canada, has developed the first integrated blockchain platform that registers and tracks cannabis intellectual property ("IP") from genome to sale. It is proprietary, immutable and cryptographically secure, thereby establishing a single source of truth for cannabis strains and their ownership.
With Canada set to legalize marijuana use for recreational purposes, and other jurisdictions following suit around the world, new challenges will emerge regarding the ability to provide a safe and legal inventory of a product that up until now was largely only available on the black market. Cannabis will be heavily tested and regulated by numerous regulatory bodies in Canada. The cannabis industry faces unique challenges that BLOCKStrain specifically helps it address, including:
- Mandatory Testing: Through BLOCKStrain's platform and lab-testing partners, the process is more efficient and streamlined, cutting the administrative burden in half and getting products to market faster;
- DNA Based Product Validation: The underlying blockchain technology creates a genetic fingerprint that identifies and validates the product electronically so any participant on the platform, including consumers, can view and track what's happening with that product from genome to sale;
- Intellectual Property: Third, and perhaps most importantly, the BLOCKStrain platform protects the intellectual property of growers and breeders. This is important for the industry's growth as products evolve and develop. If a craft grower, for example, creates a popular strain with unique characteristics, it will be able to protect its intellectual property by simply registering the strain's genome with BLOCKStrain and locking that data into the blockchain. It will reside there forever and will be readily accessible in the event of future disputes, bringing a level of trust to the industry and ensuring licensing fees are paid to all players in the market.
VERIFICATION = CERTIFICATION
BLOCKStrain's genetics verification process is authentic and incredibly effective. User groups register by creating an account with BLOCKStrain, which starts the process. Organizations and independent growers submit seeds, flower and post-extraction product for testing to a registered and approved testing facility, which then submits test results to BLOCKStrain. Pre-existing data of genetic cannabis strains can also be submitted via BLOCKStrain verification administrators, with those results being added to the user group's blockchain account. Submissions are entered into BLOCKStrain, and the transaction is completed and recorded.
Each time an item is tested and verified by the network, a Registration Affidavit is auto-generated and given a unique "BLOCKStrain Address" along with a traceable QR Code. Producers, patients and consumers are able to not only verify the test but can also rate the product, write reviews and share opinions. This detail is stored within BLOCKStrain and, just like the test results, cannot be tampered with or modified. Verification and certification are earned by all parties for their participation.
SAFE CONSUMER SUPPLY
BLOCKStrain demystifies the seed-to-sale process for all relevant stakeholders including producers, distributors, shippers, government agencies and consumers by creating a repository of cannabis genomes on an immutable, shared ledger. Thousands of cannabis strains exist and cultivators are breeding new strains all the time. The proliferation of cannabis strains can prove problematic for consumers since there are more than 500 known chemical compounds in a single plant. Furthermore, since several dozens of these compounds have been identified as pharmacologically active, it becomes more and more difficult for consumers to know what they are purchasing.
It is for this reason that being able to quantify the genetics, potency and equivalencies among cannabis products is crucial to the future of legalized cannabis. The difference is not so much in the name or brand attached to the cannabis, but the DNA of the plant itself. BLOCKStrain ensures product integrity, safety, regulatory compliance, product licensing and authenticity – all vital elements for the emerging cannabis industry. This technology also bolsters the process of meeting government regulatory standards by providing real-time visibility of industry operations to agencies assigned to enforce and regulate cannabis activity.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
BLOCKStrain allows for the defense of intellectual property rights for the grower with an authentic, verifiable chain of evidence embedded in the blockchain itself. Proof of ownership for a specific strain of cannabis is paramount in a multibillion dollar industry. Real life ownership disputes have already begun in the industry with legal battles underway. Unfortunately, the framework for resolving these disputes has yet to be defined and they are not likely to be resolved anytime soon.
Consumers and regulators alike want to know whether a cannabis product grown and sold at a local dispensary is safe and meets quality control standards. BLOCKStrain enhances trust of origin from genome-to-sale as cannabis flows through the supply chain, verifying critical steps in the process such as who is growing the plant, which seed is planted and where did it come from, whether pesticides were used, how much was grown, which tests are used to establish quality and potency, where the product is transported and how, and whether possession limits are meeting regulatory standards.
In summary, BLOCKStrain has developed the most comprehensive, secure and community-driven cannabis genetics archival platform for cannabis breeders and growers, large and small, to protect and release their varieties into the public domain, all while compensating and rewarding them for their contributions.
Choom Holdings Inc. (CSE: CHOO) (OTCQB: CHOOF)
Choom Holdings Inc. (CSE: CHOO) (OTCQB: CHOOF) channels the laid-back spirit of Hawaii to the Okanagan region of British Columbia with a generous nod to the inspirational, yet unofficial, history of the 1970s "Choom Gang," a group of buddies in Honolulu (including former President Barack Obama) who knew how to relax with "choom," the local's term for marijuana. Choom's trademark slogans pivot off another unconventional phrase ("Say Hello to…"), bringing a heady dose of good times and good friends together as the company invites investors to "Say Hello to Choom™" as it lights up the adult recreational cannabis market in Canada.
Choom™ has been an ACMPR (Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations) applicant since November 2013 in Vernon, B.C. The company's first application has received security clearance and is now in the detailed review stage. They also recently announced their second late-stage ACMPR application, which is in its confirmation of readiness stage. Cannabis Compliance Inc. has been retained to help expedite Choom's initial license applications to ensure the company's readiness for legalization of recreational marijuana in Canada mid-summer 2018.
True to the company's character, Choom™ is retrofitting two large facilities – No. 1 in Vernon, B.C., and No. 2 on Vancouver Island – to house its cannabis growing facilities. Phase 1 of the Vernon property will provide Choom™ with 6,800 square feet of growing space, capable of producing 660 kg/year of cannabis at an estimated revenue of $6.6 million, excluding oils. The company expects this facility to be completed by July 2018, the same month that Canada is expected to formally legalize recreational marijuana for adult use. A potential Phase 2, to be completed by the end of 2018, would add another 6,800 square feet for a total of 1,500 kg/year capacity, which would nearly double No. 1's revenue. A Level 9 vault is also planned with a storage capacity of 15,000 kg. While the No. 2 facility on Vancouver Island is smaller – 4,500 square feet – its retrofit is also slated to be completed by July 2018. Plans include doubling this space as well, which would add about $9 million in annual revenue, excluding cannabis oils.
Choom™ announced its retail dispensary strategy with the intention of establishing market leadership in reaching the Canadian cannabis consumer. The partner program is already in the retail space design stage as the company seeks to build a chain of branded retail cannabis dispensaries in jurisdictions in Canada where recreational cannabis is legal. Choom™ Stores will have a cool, modern layout and design created to emit an authentic "Aloha" vibe. Choom™ is all about producing high-grade cultivars and curating them for a bigger audience.
A savvy, experienced management team includes Chris Bogart, president and CEO; John Oh, R.P.I.C., Operations Manager; Robert Bayrack, Master Grower, S.P.I.C.; and Adrian Robinson, Strategic Advisor. Bogart has over two decades of international experience in capital markets and was a co-founder of InMed Pharmaceuticals and Magnum Uranium. He has structured complex equity financing transactions in the U.S., Europe and Canada. Bogart is joined on the Board of Directors by Kevin Pull, Stephen Tong and John Oh.
While the medical marijuana industry is expected to double by 2021 to 500,000 registered users, the true highlight of the recreational cannabis represents the key cultural shift set to launch in Canada. With an estimated $4.9B to $8.7B retail market coming, now is the right time for a Recreation Brand like Choom™ to be involved in this growing industry. Establishing and maintaining Choom™ premium brand loyalty is a key factor in the company's growth strategy. Get ready to "Say Hello" to opportunity, good times and good friends with Choom™.
DeepMarkit Inc. (TSX-V: MKT) (OTC: MKTDF)
DeepMarkit Inc. (TSX-V: MKT) (OTC: MKTDF), based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is a patent pending gamification technology company inventing new ways to engage consumers and other audiences. The Company's proprietary promotions platform – "Gamify" – enables businesses and agencies to create branded games that incentivize consumers, thus driving sales, capturing data and generating leads. The DeepMarkit platform integrates next-gen gamification engagement mechanics with interactive advertising industry standards and powerful visuals, including 3-D images. Customers may choose from both free and paid solutions suitable for campaigns of all sizes, targeting multiple channels on the web, mobile and social media.
A team of seasoned, passionate gaming executives, led by president and CEO Darold Parken, has worked together for more than 15 years developing games and gaming systems that are still used today by some of the largest gaming companies in the world. This accomplished executive team founded Chartwell Technologies, acquired in 2011 by Amaya Gaming, which now is known as The Stars Group (Nasdaq: TSG) with a market cap of over $5 billion.
Gamify offers a selection of easily customizable gaming apps featuring a customer's branded e-store in addition to tailored landing pages, technical support, real-time analytics, data collection and an engaging marketing campaign. Gamify's patent-pending app comes complete with unique user incentives that draw consumers in with games and prizes, which in turn engages shoppers, turning them into buyers and building brand loyalty.
The gamification market is rapidly expanding and projected to be worth $22 billion by 2022, with a CAGR of 41 percent. DeepMarkit is the only publicly listed company focused solely on this exploding market that embraces any size of business, from the mom-and-pop shops to the blue-chip giants. DeepMarkit's management team knows that increasing a customer's conversion rate by a mere 1 percent has the potential to double revenue, which is why Gamify's app and its ability to transform simple shoppers into engaged buyers is so compelling.
"Our marketing platform enables customers to build branded games that incentivize audiences, generate leads, and drive sales. Businesses need a way to stand out from the crowd," Parken states in an investor's video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97hJoRKR92k). "DeepMarkit's gamification platform gives customers that way to stand out and it's a way that they can afford. That's the strength of our platform. For a relatively small amount of money, any business can create a very powerful, high quality customer engagement using gamification."
DeepMarkit recently entered into a joint marketing agreement with ITN International ("ITN"), a global leader in trade show data capture and analytics. The agreement will enable the 1.5 million exhibitors at the 125-plus yearly events serviced by ITN to purchase a customizable campaign with prize delivery and branded games that can be used in collaboration with ITN's lead retrieval solutions. DeepMarkit and ITN are currently integrating DeepMarkit's patent-pending gamification platform directly into ITN's exhibitor portal.
"We started DeepMarkit because we have a passion for games and we believe in the power of games, not just for entertainment but more importantly as a tool for business," Parken said. "DeepMarkit is a gamification company. What we mean by that is that we create innovative ways to use games for business purposes. Games to generate customer leads, games to promote products, deliver rewards, build brand awareness and customer loyalty."
Selected as the winner of the New Company/Product pitch competition at the Retail Global 2017 Conference held in Las Vegas, Gamify's platform has also attracted a $1.5 million investment from Allstate International LLC in Hong Kong. The investment gives Allstate a 10 percent stake in DeepMarkit and a great opportunity to bring the Gamify platform into the burgeoning Asian gaming market.
Earth Science Tech, Inc. (ETST)
Earth Science Tech, Inc. (ETST) is an innovative biotechnology company operating in the fields of hemp cannabinoid (CBD), nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and medical device research and development. Earth Science Tech offers the highest purity and quality, full-spectrum, high-grade hemp CBD (cannabidiol) oil on the market. Made using the supercritical CO2 liquid extraction process, the company's CBD oil is 100 percent natural and organic. Earth Science Tech has partnered with the University of Central Oklahoma and DV Biologics Laboratory to conduct research and development projects that scientifically support and advance the healthcare benefits of its high-grade hemp CBD oil.
Earth Science Tech Inc. currently has three wholly owned subsidiaries focused on developing its role as a world leader in the CBD space and expanding its work in the pharmaceutical and medical device sectors. These subsidiaries include:
- Earth Science Pharma, Inc., which is committed to development of low cost, noninvasive diagnostic tools, medical devices, testing processes and vaccines for sexually transmitted infections and/or diseases. Earth Science Pharmaceutical CEO and chief science officer Michel Aubé is leading the company's research and development efforts. The company's first medical device, MSN-2, is a home kit designed for the detection of STIs, such as chlamydia, from a self-obtained gynecological specimen. Earth Science Pharma is working to develop and bring to market medical devices and vaccines that meet the specific needs of women.
- Cannabis Therapeutics, Inc. ("CTI"), which is poised to take a leadership role in the development of new, leading-edge, cannabinoid-based pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products. CTI is invested in research and development to explore and harness the medicinal power of cannabidiol. The company holds a provisional application patent for a CBD product that is focused on developing treatments for breast and ovarian cancers.
- KannaBidioiD ("KBD") provides a wide variety of products geared toward the recreational space of cannabis. KBD's unique Kanna and CBD formulation is sold and distributed in CBD-infused edibles and vapes/e-liquids products. Kanna and CBD synergistically enhance one another, providing optimal relaxation, an uplifting sensation, enhanced focus and the added benefit of assisting with nicotine reduction therapy.
Earth Science Tech celebrated a significant, developmental year during 2017 by sharing its achievements in a condensed end-of-year report. Among the report's highlights are the implementation of a development plan for the coming three years, which includes expanding into Canada and opening new manufacturing and shipping facilities. Of particular interest is the acquisition of Canna Inno Laboratories Inc., a company headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, which gives Earth Science Tech access to Canadian government grants offered to innovators in the pharmaceutical industry. ETST has also launched development of proprietary prophylactic therapies utilizing cannabidiol (CBD) to treat various forms of breast cancer.
In October 2017, ETST announced it is cooperating with the Clinique SIDA Amité (AIDS Friendship Clinic) for a mini-clinical trial, the last trial needed before the MSN-2 device, designed for the detection of STIs, enters molecular diagnostic trials. And in November 2017, the company began pre-launch human trials on a new CBD formula to fight against the U.S. opioid epidemic. The new formula, expected to decrease cravings and the negative effects of withdrawal in addicts, is based on industrial hemp CBD mixed with a known natural ingredient proven to help increase dopamine levels. ETST's medical devices will first be launched in Vietnam, Djibouti and Morocco while the company awaits regulatory permission to enter the North American market.
The company expects to up-list to the OTCQB in early 2018, which management believes will attract well-funded institutional investors and pave the way to becoming the next billion-dollar-in-capitalization company on the OTC markets. Other highlights include completion of the company's Scientific Advisory Council with a team of recognized scientists, the launching of several CBD-infused edible products and entry into the medical devices market through collaborative partnerships.
Earth Science Tech has signed a collaborate agreement with Laboratories BNK Canada, a private laboratory that will conduct the clinical studies necessary for MSN-2 medical device-related services to meet regulatory requirements. ETST has confirmed the MSN-2 device's ability to detect chlamydia, and is working to validate similar results for gonorrhea, both highly infectious diseases that often have permanent consequences for patients. ETST will also add testing for trichomoniasis and a complete body fluid panel to detect the different serotypes of the human papillomavirus (HPV) that causes cervical cancer. These additions will help the company create sales opportunities in the global market for diagnostic testing of STDs that Transparency Market Research has indicated will grow to $108 billion by 2019.
Cannabis Therapeutics is in the development stage of two cannabinoid-based pharmaceutical drugs and three cannabinoid-based nutraceutical products targeting a variety of ailments such as anxiety, depression, triple negative breast cancer, and fatty liver disease, among others. Research into the benefits of the non-psychoactive cannabinoid molecules found in the cannabis plant is supported by ETST's International Application for Provisional Patent titled "Cannabidiol Compositions Including Mixtures and Uses Thereof," which was filed on October 8, 2015. Cannabis Thera's R&D efforts are concentrated on developing CBD-based drugs and nutraceutical products and in working to integrate the CBD molecule with existing generic drug molecules to create more efficient medications with fewer and less severe side effects. A report in Hemp Business Journal predicts the CBD consumer market will grow to $2.1 billion by 2020, while other industry experts expect an increase to almost $3 billion by 2021.
The management team at Earth Science Tech brings decades of invaluable experience to the nutraceutical, dietary supplement field as well as the life sciences sectors. Nickolas S. Tabraue, who serves as the president, director and chief operating officer, is an industry veteran with extensive knowledge of supplements, retail management, customer service and sales expertise. He is joined by CEO and CSO Dr. Michel Aubé, a microbiologist whose scientific research in sexually transmitted infections, cancer and stem cell biology has been widely published in several prestigious medical journals. Sergio Castillo, chief marketing officer, and Gabriel Aviles, chief sales officer, bring a wealth of marketing and sales experience to Earth Science Tech, which is complemented by Issa El-Cheikh, Ph.D., and his 25 years in the international finance, accounting, planning and execution of large scale transactions in the public and private sectors.
Earth Science Tech's products include CBD, a natural constituent of hemp oil derived from hemp stalk and seed. EST offers CBD in the form of vitamins, minerals, herbs, botanicals, personal care products, homeopathies, functional foods and other products delivered in such forms as capsules, tablets, soft gels, chewables, liquids, creams, sprays, powders and whole herbs. Earth Science products can be found at retail stores throughout the United States and are available for purchase through the internet.
FANDOM SPORTS Media Corp. (CSE: FDM) (OTC: FDMSF) (FRANKFURT: TQ42)
FANDOM SPORTS Media Corp. (CSE: FDM) (OTC: FDMSF) (FRANKFURT: TQ42) taps into the primal, unfiltered passion of sports fans from around the world by providing an uncensored social media platform delivered through the FANDOM SPORTS mobile app. As an aggregator, curator and instigator of both company-created and user-generated content, the FANDOM SPORTS app is designed to entertain sports enthusiasts with real-time, interactive content on a mobile only app that offers bragging rights and real-life rewards. True sports addicts will appreciate an app that allows fans to pick a fight or create their own FanFights and rule over others as they trash talk their way to victory. The FANDOM SPORTS proprietary data centric "argument engine" measures and scores opinionated dialogue, as well as establishes consensus, giving fans and users the ability to dive deeper into one-of-a-kind cultural moments, cheer on favorite sports teams and slam dunk some sweet rewards.
Building on the company's tag line – "Pick a Fight" – the FANDOM SPORTS app provides an always fresh, authentic rush of deeper-than-surface interactive content that resonates with the targeted age demographic of 18-34. Intense sports fans aren't afraid of stepping up to the plate to engage other users by unleashing their opinions within the app's structured debate resolution tool coined "FanFights." Sports-loving fans can explore, gloat, vote, invite friends, create provocative FanFight topics and play to win while inside the FANDOM SPORTS app, which is currently available in the Google Play store and coming back to the Apple App store soon. The company's self-learning algorithm predicts and collects user preferences while building relevant personalized FanFight channels, bringing the concept of competitive, in-your-face conversation to a whole new level of sports entertainment.
The FANDOM SPORTS app is free to play (F2P) with in-app purchase and subscription capabilities. The gaming aspect of the ecosystem is built on behavioral economics and delivers multiple revenue streams by maximizing average revenue per daily active user (ARPDAU) and user-generated content (UGC), with select placement of high-impact video and moment-based marketing as part of the brand-sponsored FanFights and in-app offers. The platform enables applications (either FANDOM SPORTS created or third party apps) to be operated in partnership with leading sports themed brands, leagues, and service providing companies from around the world by supplying interactive sports entertainment through scalable global content to die-hard fans. The FANDOM SPORTS platform creates a bullet-proof snapshot of the app's fan base through a Blockchain supported "PlayerCard" (profile) which doubles as an invaluable acquisition and retention tool for its business operators. FANDOM SPORTS hosted transactions are placed on the distributed ledger, making them immutable and public to verified users interacting within the business ecosystem. Tracking this digital footprint provides extremely valuable metadata generated by users' very dynamic behavior and sports passion.
FANDOM SPORTS' Brand and Sponsorship partners are harnessing the affluent sports fans age 18-34 with integrated marketing content and service experience. The moments-based marketing integration will translate through FanCoin redemption, in exchange for items provided by programs established by FANDOM SPORTS and its clients. These programs are a key part of the business model and covers, as an example, the following partners; Sports Leagues, TelCo's service offerings, and Content owners (i.e. FANDOM SPORTS provides new paying customers to the owners of pay-per-view platforms).
"Pick A Fight. Talk Trash. Get Rewarded."
FANDOM SPORTS Media is an entertainment company that aggregates, curates and produces unique fan-focused content.
The FANDOM SPORTS App is the Company's core product, which is the ultimate destination for unfiltered raw sports talk. The app allows passionate sports fans to unleash their primal sports passions, pick fights and earn rewards.
So download the app and bring your crew. Talking trash is better with friends. The more you invite, the more FanCoins you earn.
You may also visit the Company's website at www.fandomsportsmedia.com.
DISCLAIMER:
The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy and accuracy of this information. This news release may contain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements do not guarantee future events or performance and should not be relied upon. Actual outcomes may differ materially due to any number of factors and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Some of these risks and uncertainties may be described in the Company's corporate filings (posted at www.sedar.com).
The Company has no intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements due to new information or events.
FinCanna Capital Corp. (CSE: FNNZF) (OTCQB: FNNZF)
FinCanna Capital Corp. (CSE: CALI) (OTCQB: FNNZF) is a royalty company aiming to be the capital partner of choice for high-growth, best-in-class businesses operating in the licensed U.S. medical cannabis industry. Primarily focused on the burgeoning California cannabis market, FinCanna leverages extensive investment expertise and industry experience to benefit its shareholders and portfolio companies.
Medical Cannabis Market
According to Ameri Research, the global market for licensed medical cannabis is growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 21%, on track to exceed $63.5 billion by 2024. Within this market, FinCanna has identified considerable opportunity in California, the fifth largest economy in the world and the largest medical cannabis market in North America. Arcview Group forecasts California's legal cannabis industry will grow at 21.1% CAGR to $6.5 billion in 2020, generating more than $1 billion in tax revenue.
Royalty Model & Portfolio
FinCanna's "whole capital" solution for businesses in the licensed medical cannabis sector includes the provision of capital investment for a percentage of their future revenues. The FinCanna Capital Solution utilizes a royalty arrangement to deliver capital, in order to facilitate the growth or other specific objectives of its investees, and ensure the business opportunity is optimized. This model provides an alternative or complement to debt and equity financing, allowing investees to maintain financial flexibility and control of their business rather than entering into arrangements that may include restrictive debt structures or giving up an ownership stake.
FinCanna's portfolio includes Cultivation Technologies, Inc. ("CTI"), a team of experts from Fortune 150 agriculture, medical cannabis, law, engineering and technology companies. FinCanna is providing funding to CTI for its planned, fully entitled, large-scale indoor medical cannabis facility to be developed in Coachella, California.
CTI has established an interim medical cannabis extraction facility (the "Interim Facility") that will produce licensed medical cannabis products until the Coachella Project is complete. CTI is currently expanding its product line, Coachella Premium, to include vaporizer cartridges. Initial market feedback gathered during the product development phase indicates that Coachella Premium's vaporizer cartridges offer a unique proposition within the vaporizer market, one of the fastest growing verticals in the cannabis market.
The Interim Facility can process up to 6,000 pounds of biomass per month, the equivalent of approximately 3.7 million grams of raw oil per year, with room for expansion. It is expected that the completed Coachella Project will be able to process 30,000 to 50,000 pounds of biomass per month, or the equivalent of 18 million grams to 30 million grams of raw oil per year.
Additionally FinCanna has entered into a royalty agreement with Green Compliance, a provider of point-of-sale software solution ("ezGreen") for licensed medical cannabis dispensaries and cultivators. Green Compliance helps its customers comply with both the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ("HIPAA") and State Laws by ensuring patients' confidential data is being handled properly, helping to protect from possible security breaches and financial and criminal liability resulting from potential violations.
FinCanna has also signed binding term sheet with Oakland, California-based Gram Co Holdings, subject to due diligence by FinCanna. Gram Co is a cannabinoid research and refinement facility focused providing B2B and B2C products and services to licensed medical dispensaries, infused product manufacturers, and numerous others in the cannabis supply chain. The company is also retrofitting a large, state-of-the-art medical cannabis extraction laboratory, which is expected to be operating in 2018.
The foregoing contains forward-looking statements regarding Cultivation Technologies Inc. ("CTI") which are subject to risks, uncertainties and contingencies which include, but are not limited to the statements relating the future construction and completion of the CTI medical cannabis facility in Coachella, California, and the projected biomass processing and raw oil production at the facility. Such forward looking statements are based on assumptions regarding the construction, completion and operations of CTI's proposed facility, including that CTI will obtain the financing required to build and equip its proposed facility, that CTI will obtain the additional financing required operate the facility, that construction facility is completed on time and budget, that CTI obtains state licenses to operate on a permanent basis, and that the equipment used in the cultivation of medical cannabis performs at scale in a similar way it performs at CTI's pilot tests.
First Cobalt Corp. (TSX.V: FCC) (OTCQX: FTSSF)
First Cobalt Corp. (TSX.V: FCC) (OTCQX: FTSSF), with headquarters in Canada, is the largest land owner in the Cobalt Camp in Ontario with control of over 10,000 hectares (nearly 25,000 acres) of prospective land and 50 historic cobalt/silver mines. The company's assets include a mill and the only permitted cobalt extraction refinery in North America capable of producing battery material, providing an integrated solution for cobalt projects. First Cobalt began drilling in the historic Cobalt Camp in 2017 and seeks to build shareholder value through new discovery and growth opportunities.
First Cobalt's 2018 $C7 million drilling program, which includes testing different styles of mineralized areas throughout the Cobalt Camp in more than 10 past-producing mines known to contain cobalt, is a significant expansion over its 2017 exploration activities. The company received positive test drill results from the Bellellen mine location, with early results confirming the presence of high-grade cobalt and nickel, prompting First Cobalt to increase its drilling program at that site. A prospecting sampling program of existing muckpiles around the camp's historic mines, trenches, pits and surrounding bedrock could provide an early production scenario.
First Cobalt Corp. is moving quickly to leverage its potential against an economic background that estimates global consumption for refined cobalt is set to grow at an average rate of approximately 5 percent per annum for the next 10 years. The electric vehicle market, in particular, is driving this sector since more than 50 percent of the world's current production of cobalt is used in the manufacture of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. The global lithium-ion battery market, as estimated by Zion Market Research, indicates the value at around USD $31 billion in 2016 and is expected to generate revenue of nearly USD $68 billion by end of 2022, growing at a compound annual growth rate of slightly above 17 percent.
First Cobalt is embracing innovation in the mining sector, utilizing a digital compilation of 100-plus years of mining and geological data spanning the historically prolific Cobalt Mining Camp's lifespan. First Cobalt's management team is also assessing the ability of artificial intelligence to accelerate the discovery cycle. As a member of the Mineral Exploration Research Centre (MERC) and Metal Earth Project, First Cobalt conducts regional geophysical surveys for geological interpretation of structures controlling cobalt-silver mineralization.
The company's clear pathway to production and cash flow generation includes being one of only four fully permitted cobalt extraction refineries in Canada with significant material and processing infrastructure on site. With the price of cobalt increasing significantly and its importance in the growing battery market underpinning a strong long-term demand forecast, First Cobalt Corp. and its mining interests are primed for success.
First Cobalt Corp. President and CEO Trent Mell, a mining executive and capital markets professional with extensive international transactional experience, is joined by a team of reputable and seasoned deal-makers, mine builders and mine operators with decades of global experience in exploration, business development, geoscience, engineering and finance.
Foresight Autonomous Holdings Ltd. (NASDAQ: FRSX) (TASE: FRSX)
Foresight Autonomous Holdings Ltd. (NASDAQ: FRSX) (TASE: FRSX), founded in 2015 and headquartered in Israel, is a technological innovator in automotive vision systems and driver assistance technology. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Foresight Automotive Ltd., Foresight is engaged in the design, development and commercialization of stereo/quad-camera vision systems and V2X cellular-based solutions for the automotive industry based on 3D video analysis, advanced algorithms for image processing and sensor fusion. The company's powerful and patented stereoscopic technology is derived from field-proven technology that has been deployed throughout the world for almost two decades.
Foresight's innovative autonomous driving solutions are based on mature, proprietary stereoscopic image technology that uses two synchronized cameras to mimic human depth perception and produce a three-dimensional image. This 3D image can anticipate possible collisions with other vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians and other obstacles. The technology provides highly accurate real-time alerts about the vehicle's surroundings while in motion. The systems are designed to improve driving safety by enabling highly accurate and reliable threat detection while ensuring the lowest rates of false alerts.
The company's patents provide IP protection for its robust and proven proprietary stereoscopic technology, which was developed using the security technology of Foresight's major shareholder, Magna B.S.P.
Foresight has developed three main products:
- QuadSight™. This breakthrough detection system sets the bar for autonomous vehicle vision. It features nearly 100 percent obstacle detection with almost zero false alerts and operates optimally under all weather and lighting conditions, including darkness, rain, fog, haze and glare. QuadSight™ is the first quad-camera multi-spectral vision solution of its kind, driven by advanced and proven image processing algorithms. The system consists of two sets of stereoscopic infra-red and visible-light cameras that enable highly accurate and reliable obstacle detection for seamless 24/7 vision.
- Eyes-On™. This solution uses advanced algorithms for accurate depth analysis and obstacle detection to provide a unique stereo vision Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS). It can detect all potential obstacles regardless of shape, form or material, including other vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians and animals. It has an accuracy and reliability of almost 100 percent and near zero false alerts.
- Eye-Net™. This is a cellular-based accident prevention solution that is designed to provide real-time pre-collision alerts to vehicles and pedestrians. This proprietary system is deployed on smartphones and cloud-based servers operating on existing cellular networks, and it eliminates the need for additional designated hardware. Eye-Net™ is designed to provide a complementary layer of protection to advanced driver assistance systems and extends this protection to road users who are not in direct line of sight. It is optimally designed for both urban environments and high-speed scenarios to provide protection for the most vulnerable road users. On March 28, 2018, Foresight announced that it had completed a successful feasibility study of its Eye-Net™ accident prevention solution involving 120 users of Android and iOS cell phones located across Israel.
In 2017, Foresight sought more opportunities within the international market. The Company signed pilot agreements with three leading car manufacturers in China and completed pilot projects meeting all pre-defined requirements and criteria. In addition, FRSX completed a pilot project with Uniti Sweden.
Studies by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety continue to emphasize the dramatic reduction in accidents and injury-related crashes reported when vehicles are equipped with collision avoidance systems. A recent study by the Institute states that the rate of single-vehicle, sideswipe and head-on crashes was 11 percent lower in vehicles with the warning systems. More importantly, the study shows collision avoidance technology cut the rates of injury crashes of the same type by 21 percent.
Foresight Autonomous Holdings, Inc. also holds a 32 percent interest in RailVision, a company that develops advanced systems for railway safety and maintenance. RailVision has successfully completed 13 tests in Israel, Germany, Italy and Switzerland in addition to a real-time system test with a European railway operator. Over the course of 2017, RailVision successfully completed rounds of financing totaling $5.8 million and started the process of licensing the system according to European standards.
Haim Siboni is the founder of Foresight and has served as the company's chief executive officer and director since 2015. Siboni, a passionate entrepreneur, has an extensive background in the marketing and business management sectors in the fields of electronics, video, TV, multimedia, computerized systems, line and wireless telecommunication, design and development of systems and devices, including electro-optic radar systems. He is the founder and CEO of Magna B.S.P., Foresight's major shareholder and a leading innovator in the field of homeland security surveillance solutions.
Global Hemp Group, Inc. (CSE: GHG) (FRANKFURT: GHG) (OTC: GBHPF)
Global Hemp Group, Inc. (CSE: GHG) (FRANKFURT: GHG) (OTC: GBHPF), headquartered in British Columbia, Canada, is a publicly traded company founded in 2014. Global Hemp Group is focused on acquiring and developing a strategic portfolio of like-minded companies that believe in the significant potential of the industrial hemp plant. Global Hemp Group's focused on attracting joint venture partners across all sectors of the industrial hemp industries with the commitment to improve quality of life by researching, developing and distributing sustainable materials, products and services produced from hemp.
The company's mission is to build a strategic portfolio of hemp-based companies that operate synergistically to consistently deliver a solid ROI to its shareholders. Global Hemp Group has established the concept of Hemp Agro-Industrial Zone (HAIZ) (https://globalhempgroup.com/hempagro/) in order to build cooperative mechanisms across industrial sectors with a focus on different parts of the hemp plant. Under the HAIZ strategy, Global Hemp Group brings together capital, farmers and labor in an effort to build a "soil-to-shelf" portfolio of complimentary companies and joint venture partners in the global hemp industry.
Global Hemp Group has chosen to only work with suppliers of high quality, sustainable raw materials and finished products derived from the hemp plant. Among the leading industries utilizing industrial hemp's exceptional properties is the automotive sector, building materials market, bio-composites, energy-related markets, super-foods, nutritional supplements, nutraceuticals and the cannabinoid markets. Guided by the principal theme of "global environmental stewardship," Global Hemp Group focuses on the key concepts of sustainability and social responsibility in all its endeavors.
Global Hemp Group's joint venture with publicly traded Marijuana Company of America on hemp cultivation trials in 2017, designed to develop commercial hemp production on the Acadian peninsula of New Brunswick, Canada, for the first time in 20 years, was a great success. The partners are preparing for the upcoming changes in Canada's cannabis legislation that will permit cannabinoid extraction from industrial hemp. Farmers have already been recruited to plant a minimum of 125 acres of industrial hemp for the 2018 growing season, with the goal of increasing the acreage under cultivation to 1,000+ acres by year three of the joint project. Global Hemp Group is preparing an application for a processing license to extract cannabidiol (CBD) and other cannabinoids from the upcoming industrial hemp crop. Discussions are also underway with potential processing partners for the extraction of cannabinoids and straw processing for building materials for the upcoming harvest in October 2018, with a longer term plan to establish permanent processing facilities by October 2019.
Global Hemp Group is led by Charles Larsen as its president, CEO and chairman of the board. Larsen's more than 30 years of experience working in government, public, private and startup companies as an executive manager includes being the founding president of Medical Marijuana, Inc., the first public company in the Cannabis space. Larsen is also a founder and current director of Marijuana Company of America, Inc., and has been actively involved in the cannabis and hemp industry for nearly a decade. Larsen is joined by Curt Huber, who serves as CFO and director. Huber is an independent corporate and financial consultant with more than 25 years of experience in all facets of public companies among many different sectors including mining, oil and gas, and technology.
Also joining the management team as director is Dr. Paul T. Perrault, an agricultural economist trained in cooperative development and in rural development. Perrault's experience includes years of consulting on rural development projects introducing new crops in several developing countries and strengthening agricultural research organizations, principally in Africa. Jeff Kilpatrick also serves as a director and is currently a program supervisor of Alachua County Department of Court Services in Gainesville, Florida. Kilpatrick, who spent 21 years in the U.S. Coast Guard, is a member of LEAP – Law Enforcement Against Prohibition – and is president elect for the National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies (NAPSA).
Global Hemp Group's business philosophy is "A healthier future through sustainable business strategies."
Global Payout, Inc. (GOHE)
Global Payout, Inc. (GOHE) provides comprehensive payment solutions that can be fully customized for virtually any domestic and international organization distributing money worldwide. The company is committed to enabling global access to technology for optimizing financial transactions and delivering a global financial eco-system with top-tier banking institutions and the highest level financial technology partnerships.
Today, more than ever before, commercial enterprises and government institutions need powerful financial technology solutions that have the flexibility to deliver innovative customer centric services and drive operational efficiency gains throughout the organization. The Global Reserve Platform is Global Payout's fully configurable "banking-in-a-box" web-based platform that can fulfill the front-to-back office processing requirements of domestic, foreign exchange and international payment service providers. This platform is designed to improve work flow, operational efficiencies, and global financial management for enterprises operating across the globe.
The Global Reserve Platform can manage practically any financial product, including core and traditional banking products, online banking, card management, mobile wallets, merchant payment processing, biometric payments and authentication management, bill payments and P2P payments, international remittances, government benefits management, loans management, FOREX, and SWIFT / ACH / SEPA payments. Powered by the Global Reserve Administrative module, the platform can be customized for enterprises across a multitude of business sectors.
Investment in financial technology (FINTECH) companies has grown dramatically in recent years with the role of today's banks shrinking and demand for improved financial solutions continuing to rise. As the industry has continued to expand rapidly, Global Payout's management team has directed its focus on identifying the most promising market sectors with FINTECH needs. The four core areas selected are logistics, small and medium enterprises (SME), banking and travel.
In 2015, Global Payout introduced MoneyTrac Technology Inc. as a majority owned subsidiary to more effectively focus on the development of financial technologies that specifically address many of the challenges that enterprises in a variety of alternative and "high-risk" market sectors are faced with in processing financial transactions. Powered by Virtu Network Solutions, the MoneyTrac Technology platform is one the most configurable and intuitive financial technology platforms available to alternative and "high-risk" enterprises and provides them with solutions that effectively manages everything from pin debit and virtual currency, to compliance and cash flow logistics.
With the global economy constantly becoming more diversified and connected, Global Payout is well positioned with the technology software solutions its team has developed to address many different needs worldwide. Management has committed itself to exploring and identifying every avenue possible for further establishing itself as a recognized leader in FINTECH solutions.
GTX Corp. (OTC: GTXO)
GTX Corp. (OTC: GTXO) designs, manufactures and commercializes various products and services in the GPS tracking and monitoring business. Operating domestically and internationally, via two subsidiaries engaged in the internet of things (IoT) and wearable technology industry. Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California, the company is a pioneer in Smart GPS, cellular and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) tracking technology, offering complete, end-to-end tracking solutions through a proprietary IoT enterprise monitoring platform – the IoT Machine to Machine platform – backed by state-of-the-art hardware, software and connectivity solutions, patents and software algorithms.
Operating under the motto "We Put the 'Where' in Wearable Tech," GTX's main goal is to keep its customers connected to who and what matters most, with each of its patented tracking technologies providing real-time location coordinates on a map via a personalized portal. The company prides itself on offering not only technologies, but also effective solutions that provide safety, security and peace of mind by helping customers locate their loved ones or lost valuable items.
With a portfolio that includes more than 80 patents filed and issued and with products and services available in 35 countries, GTX's tracking solutions use the latest in miniaturized, low-power GPS, mobile, RF and BLE technology, that can integrate seamlessly with multiple consumer products, enterprise and military applications. The company became a U.S. Military contractor in 2017 and is already developing asset and human tracking technology for the U.S. Air Force. Its list of customers also includes public health authorities and municipalities, emergency and law enforcement, NGOs, private companies, public and private senior care homes, and consumers.
The company's flagship product is the award-winning GPS SmartSole®, the world's first invisible wearable tracking device created specifically for people at risk of wandering, becoming lost or disoriented, including patients with Alzheimer's, autism, dementia, traumatic brain injury and other cognitive problems. According to the World Alzheimer Report 2013 (http://nnw.fm/mrcV2), there are more than 100 million people worldwide who need constant care and monitoring because of a cognitive disorder, and their number is expected to rise to 277 million by 2050. Due to its hidden location – inside a shoe insert, the device can also be used by people undercover or at risk of kidnapping, such as government agents, military personnel, law enforcement, journalists, corporate executives, etc.
Other tracking devices designed and commercialized by the company for civilian or military use include:
- Take-Along Tracker 3G: A powerful mini-tracking device with GPS, 2G and 3G GSM data and voice capabilities, as well as a motion sensor and sleep mode. The device can be easily attached to a keychain, lanyard, dog collar, pocket, bag or plush toy for a discreet but advanced tracking solution.
- Invisabelt: Designed for children, this slim GPS tracker hidden inside a small waistband belt has a battery life of up to two days and is a great solution for parents who want to monitor their children's location at all times.
- Track My Workforce: An easy and cost-effective solution that allows businesses to track and monitor their mobile workforce. The app is available for both Android and iOS systems, and allows employers to monitor their workforce from a single company account.
- E.T.S. -Personnel Equipment Tracking System: Currently in use at the Edwards Air Force Base, this tracking system allows real-time monitoring and surveillance of personnel and assets and has a 200+ square mile coverage. Solar powering capabilities and extend battery life allow the tracker to be used in areas without existing power sources.
- GPS Rifle Tracker: The company's smallest GPS tracker, designed to withstand shocks and water submersion due to its robust, military standard enclosure, can be mounted on any AR15 platform picatinny rail to detect weapon discharge, track weapons and inventory, and send time and location alerts.
Led by a management team with solid experience in wearable technology, IoT, consumer electronics, mobile and technology licensing, as well as finance and the footwear industry, GTX plans to leverage its core technology platform to reach new verticals via licensing agreements and strategic partnerships, and to monetize its intellectual property portfolio. The monetization campaign kicked off in 2017 has already identified 100 companies that could become licensees. Besides military and law enforcement, the company also eyes the biometrics market, home health, medicare and insurance and other security applications for potential uses of its IoT platform and tracking technology.
GTX currently has 15 domestic and international distributors, subscribers in 35 countries and more than 700 online affiliates. With multiple revenue streams, several consecutive years of double-digit revenue growth and a strong pipeline of lucrative commercial products, GTX is uniquely positioned to become a leading provider of tracking solutions on this growing multi-billion-dollar market.
Hammer Fiber Optics Holdings Corp. (HMMR)
Hammer Fiber Optics Holdings Corp. (HMMR), with headquarters in New Jersey, is a telecommunications company investing in the future of wireless technology. The company's holdings include Hammer Fiber Optic Investments, Ltd., D/B/A Hammer Fiber, an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that offers internet, voice, video and data services in New Jersey as well as carrier services in Philadelphia and New York. Hammer Fiber serves residential and small business markets with high-capacity broadband, voice and video through direct fiber as well as its wireless fiber platform – Hammer Wireless® AIR technology.
Hammer Fiber recently completed the initial development phase of its advanced LTE fixed wireless system, which was designed and built upon its successfully deployed wireless technology suite. The expansion allows Hammer Fiber to add ultra-high capacity cellular broadband applications to its product portfolio including wholesale services such as backhaul support for cellular network operators. Designed to complement Hammer Fiber's core business of home residential service, the company expects this latest innovation to help position Hammer Fiber as a leader in future 5G technology. The company intends to leverage the Fixed LTE system in conjunction with its already deployed Fixed Wireless DOCSIS 3.1 system to deliver on one of its core promises, to deliver high capacity broadband to markets across the country at dramatically lower cost than traditional wireline methods, including fiber. Live field testing of the new system begins in early 2018 in the U.S. with service availability to follow later in the year.
Hammer Fiber has also expanded its IaaS (Infrastructure-as-a-Service) cloud services to include support for the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry. Interested companies will be able to host their products over Hammer Fiber's robust and modern server infrastructure, fiber network architecture and data center presence in some of the most secure locations in the New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia regions. Hammer Fiber's servers feature best-in-class computing power, designed to allow enterprise businesses to reap the benefits of utilizing a cloud-based system without the massive cost of establishing or maintaining a corporate data center.
"Distributed architecture infrastructure, such as those utilized by blockchain entities mining cryptocurrencies or other new vertical markets utilizing blockchain technology, are growing exponentially and we are poised to fulfill a critical but fundamental need of this explosive new industry," said Mark Stogdill, CEO of Hammer Fiber. "The distributed ledger architectures that blockchains are built on require secure and robust data processing networks, highly scalable power generation and a reliable fiber optic backbone infrastructure linking up data centers worldwide for them to exist, and that is what we at Hammer Fiber do really well."
Hammer Fiber seeks to achieve its vision by employing an extremely qualified group of business professionals with diverse backgrounds and successful track records from a variety of related industries. HMMR's seasoned leadership team combines startup expertise with a consummate understanding of the regional competitive telecommunications landscape in sales, marketing, engineering, construction and business development.
Hiku Brands Co. Ltd. (CSE: HIKU) (OTC: DJACF)
Headquartered in British Columbia's picturesque Okanagan Valley, Hiku Brands Co. Ltd. (CSE: HIKU) (OTC: DJACF) is a premium cannabis lifestyle brand growing high-quality handcrafted cannabis flower. Hiku's wholly owned subsidiary is a licensed producer of cannabis under the ACMPR that has requested its Pre-Sales License Inspection, the last step prior to receiving a license to sell cannabis under the ACMPR. Hiku's Dominion Facility is a state-of-the-art ACMPR licensed production facility capable of producing approximately 660 kg year of dried cannabis flower. Hiku's second facility, a 22,580 sq ft warehouse, "the FUTURE LAB", is targeting its Phase 1 completion by Q2 2018 and once the facility is fully built-out utilizing an industry leading multi-tier system powered by LED lighting provided by Fluence BioEngineering, Hiku's annual production capacity is expected to be in excess of 5,000 kgs. Hiku was founded by the proven entrepreneurial team that started SAXX Underwear®.
On December 21, 2017, Hiku and TS Brandco Holdings Inc. ("Tokyo Smoke") announced that they have entered into a binding Letter of Intent ("LOI") to merger the two companies and create a uniquely positioned cannabis company combining a best-in-class craft cannabis producer with an award-winning lifestyle brand and retail-focused cannabis company. It is anticipated that the combined company resulting from the merger will use the name "Hiku Brands Company Ltd." ("Hiku") to refer to the brand house containing premium cannabis brands DOJA, Tokyo Smoke, and Van der Pop.
Hiku recently closed on a $10 million strategic equity investment from Aphria Inc. ("Aphria") (TSX:APH and US OTC: APHQF) to expand their product offering ahead of the recreational market.
Upon completion of the merger, Hiku will have a robust cash position of approximately $31 million, which it plans to invest in expanding its cannabis production capacity, growing its retail footprint, and adding select brands to its portfolio through highly strategic and complementary acquisitions.
About Tokyo Smoke
Founded in 2015 by Alan and Lorne Gertner, Tokyo Smoke is an award-winning cannabis lifestyle brand that brings sophistication and design to the fast-growing industry. With immersive experiences and design-first, non-dispensary retail spaces selling coffee, cannabis accessories and design products, the brand has six locations in Canada, with plans to expand nationwide. Recently named "Brand of the Year" at the Canadian Cannabis Awards, Tokyo Smoke has showcased excellence in brand storytelling, and has developed an international reputation as the go-to destination for engaging content offerings within the industry. With the acquisition of fellow designer cannabis brand Van der Pop, and by partnering with Aphria Inc. (TSX: APH and US OTC: APHQF) and WeedMD (TSXV: WMD), Tokyo Smoke continues to be the leading Canadian brand in the cannabis space.
About Hiku
Hiku is focused on handcrafted cannabis production, immersive retail experiences, and building a portfolio of iconic, engaging cannabis lifestyle brands. Hiku is differentiated as the only Canadian craft cannabis producer with a significant national retail footprint and a growing brand house including premium cannabis lifestyle brands DOJA, Tokyo Smoke, and Van der Pop.
Hiku's wholly owned subsidiary, DOJA Cannabis Ltd., is a federally licensed producer pursuant to the ACMPR, owning two production facilities in the heart of British Columbia's Okanagan Valley. The company operates a network of retail stores selling coffee, clothing and curated accessories, across British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario.
Koios Beverage Corp. (CSE: KBEV)
Koios Beverage Corp. (CSE: KBEV) develops and distributes nature-based products that boost brain function, enhance health, and improve productivity. Its core vision is to help a billion people worldwide live more productively through the development of nootropics, which are supplements that improve cognitive abilities.
The company's flagship product, Koios, is a GMP-certified dietary supplement. Made from natural ingredients and backed by science, Koios is designed to improve focus, memory, mental drive, clarity and energy. The company produces Koios in the following formulations:
- Powder supplements containing nootropics as well as caffeine and lion's mane and chaga mushrooms;
- Vegan-friendly capsules;
- Canned beverages containing nootropics along with MCT oil to burn fat and increase metabolism.
Not to be mistaken with prescription-only drugs which are at times used for similar effects, nootropics are over-the-counter dietary supplements; some of which, like Koios, contain ingredients that are currently used in the treatment of patients with Alzheimer's disease. The global field of nootropics is growing rapidly and expected to reach USD $6,059.4 Mn by 2024 with a CAGR of 17.9 percent from 2016 to 2024.
According to media reports, there is believed to be significant and growing use of nootropics among high-achieving students and professionals. The UK's leading Guardian newspaper found that nootropics are commonly used in Silicon Valley by computer industry professionals who want to "hack" their minds and maximize their productivity without any possible negative effects on the brain.
Koios was born out of the personal struggles of its founder and CEO, Chris Miller, who has ADHD. Miller found that the symptoms of his condition held him back when navigating the competitive modern workplace. Unhappy with the effects of the Adderall he was prescribed, Chris began a search for a natural remedy that would improve his attention and mental capacity.
Speaking of his struggles at this time, Miller says, "Coffee and energy drinks were no longer helping me. Eventually, I was drinking so much caffeine that I was beginning to notice negative and troubling health effects." He adds, "I believed there had to be a better way. Better technology that the earth was providing that I could implement and not only boost my daily performance but take care of my brain and body long-term." After years of experiments and with the help of leading scientists, he developed Koios, named after the Greek Titan who represented rational intelligence.
Koios contains the following ingredients, among others:
- Vitamin B12: Crucial for the function of the nervous system and the synthesis of DNA, B12 also helps in the creation of red blood cells.
- Vitamin B6: This vitamin is crucial for brain development among children and brain function in adults. B6 is also important in the production of key hormones: serotonin, which regulates mood, norepinephrine, which helps us handle stress, and dopamine.
- Huperzine A: Developed from the Chinese club moss plant, huperzine A is used on Alzheimer's patients to boost their memories. It is also used to raise energy levels and alertness and is the subject of medical trials to test its efficacy when combined with other drugs.
- Bacopa: Also known as brahmi, bacopa is an Indian herb used in Ayurvedic medicine to improve concentration and memory. Modern science has recognized its effectiveness, and it is used to treat symptoms caused by Alzheimer's disease, ADHD and anxiety.
- Ciwujia: Sports scientists have been interested in this herb since they heard of how mountain climbers in Tibet use it to boost their performance at high altitudes. Peer-reviewed research has shown that Ciwujia has clear positive effects on endurance.
A full breakdown of Koios' active ingredients is available on the company website.
Additionally, safety is paramount for Koios, with all its products developed in a high-grade nutraceutical laboratory which is GMP-certified and in compliance with FDA guidelines. Koios only uses high-quality ingredients sourced from the best possible locations in order to deliver a product that is not only safe but also "one of the world's greatest nootropic blends."
The company's products can be found online and in stores, both across the United States and internationally, via a continuously growing distribution network.
Koios CEO Chris Miller is supported by a team with strong credentials in medical supplement start-ups, corporate finance and sales, which includes CFO/Director Anthony Jackson, Director Scott Walters, Director Konstantine Lichtenwald and Vice President of Sales Gina Burrus.
With people seeking a mental edge and cognitive boost, Koios believes that there is an opening in the market for its nature-based, over-the-counter nootropics, especially when current prescription medicines have worrying side effects.
Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (CSE: LXX) (OTCQX: LXRP)
Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (CSE: LXX) (OTCQB: LXRP) has developed and out-licenses its proprietary technology for improved taste, rapidity, and delivery of bioactive compounds, including cannabinoids. Though boasting a wide range of health benefits, cannabinoids are traditionally poorly absorbed by the body's gastrointestinal tract. To achieve higher effectiveness, consumers usually default to smoking. Lexaria provides a superior administration method by delivering hemp oil ingredients – or through locally licensed partners, cannabis oil ingredients – through a patented process within food products.
The key differentiator between Lexaria's products and others on the market is the company's disruptive technology proven to enhance the absorption of orally ingested cannabinoids while improving the "unusual" taste of cannabinoids and allowing for lower overall dosing with higher efficacy. Lexaria is primarily a B2B enterprise, and is in licensing discussions or has existing agreements with companies in Canada, the largest-market states in the USA, and internationally. Lexaria has also developed its own brands partly for demonstration purposes, utilizing its patented technology to infuse hemp oil ingredients within lipids in popular foods. These brands include ViPova™, Lexaria Energy Foods, and TurboCBD™.
In 2015, Lexaria commissioned an independent, third-party lab to test its technology under carefully monitored in vitro conditions. Results showed that the company's technological process and lipid formulation both improve intestinal absorption as much as 500%. Additional follow-up studies in human volunteers suggested that Lexaria's processed, lipid-infused tea may be more effective in an actual gastrointestinal system than in an in vitro simulation with results indicating as much as a 1,000% increase in overall absorption.
Lexaria also has an R&D partnership with the Canadian government's National Research Council. That R&D is expected to characterize molecular bond formation theorized to occur with Lexaria's unique technology between the lipid delivery agents and the bioactive substances it processes and combines. Results from this R&D are expected to support accelerating B2B relationships – not just in the cannabis industry, but also to support new B2B business relationships in the fields of vitamins, NSAIDs, and nicotine delivery. All of these sectors expected to offer additional future growth potential.
Aside from testing, a critical component of Lexaria Bioscience's business model is a strong intellectual property portfolio that utilizes the most commonly used food processing techniques. As of 2017, the company's patent portfolio includes 19 patent applications filed and pending in more than 40 countries around the world. The most recent patent applications expand Lexaria's lipophilic food and beverage composition claims to include the processing of cannabinoids, vitamins, NSAIDs and nicotine in many of the world's most commonly used food processing ingredients. Lexaria is expecting additional new patent awards both in the USA and internationally in 2017 and 2018.
Royalties play a vital role in Lexaria's revenue-generating business model. The company out-licenses its technology (royalty) to third party partners, and has several deals signed and/or pending. The company's growth initiatives are guided by a management team headed by CEO Chris Bunka, a serial entrepreneur who has raised more than $50 million in working capital for the companies he has led over the course of his career. He is supported by a team of professionals with extensive experience in pharmaceutical and bioscience sectors, invention, toxicology, consumer goods, and other relevant skillsets.
Lithium Chile Inc. (TSX-V: LITH) (OTCQB: LTMCF)
Lithium Chile Inc. (TSX-V: LITH) (OTCQB: LTMCF), headquartered in Canada, is advancing one of the largest lithium-rich exploration portfolios in Chile consisting of 152,900 hectares covering sections of 14 salars or mineral salt flats and one laguna complex. The company's wholly owned premier properties include 66 square kilometers on the Salar de Atacama, Chile's largest mineral salt flat which hosts the world's highest concentration of lithium brine production and is currently the source of about 35 percent of the world's lithium production. Lithium Chile also owns a significant copper/gold/silver property portfolio consisting of 28,184 hectares over six different properties.
Lithium Chile's portfolio in the heart of Chile's lithium-rich salars includes Salar de Coipasa, Salar de Helados, Salar de Atacama, Salar de Turi Salar de Ollague and Salar de Talar. Surface and near surface salt and brine sampling programs on all properties has been completed. To date, samples of high-grade, near-surface lithium brines at each of these projects are showing excellent chemistry of lithium to potassium and lithium to magnesium ratios. Good chemistry is important as it reduces your overall cost of production. Recent geophysical surveys including T.E.M have been completed on 5 of 6 priority targets and data collected to date has been extremely encouraging.
Lithium Chile has identified multiple high-priority brine target areas at its Atacama and Ollague lithium project areas. These areas display the same geophysical characteristics as the lithium-rich aquifers at Salar de Atacama, home to the world's largest and highest-grade lithium brine producers. Spanning an area of 1,200 square miles, Salar de Atacama is the world's third largest salt flat behind Salinas Grandes in Argentina and El Salar de Uyuni in neighboring Bolivia. Exploration drilling and resource definition drilling for these target areas are planned for 2018.
"We are delighted with the discovery of such impressive drill target areas at Atacama and Ollague. The results also follow the recent discovery of a 60km2 target area at another of our top Chilean projects – Helados – where we hope to drill in the second quarter of 2018," stated President and CEO Steve Cochrane. "We have an aggressive multi-project drill program planned for this year, which includes all three of these exciting projects and we look forward to sharing drill results as they come through."
Global demand for lithium-ion batteries is expected to surpass US$53 billion by 2024 as governments around the world aggressively seek to ban gas-powered vehicles and major automakers invest billions in new technology and electric vehicles powered by lithium-ion batteries. Chile's mining-friendly jurisdiction offers Lithium Chile a clear, streamlined permitting process that significantly lowers the cost of lithium production to around $1,800/ton as compared to Australia's $5,000/ton.
Lithium Chile is led by an experienced team with strong Chilean connections. Cochrane's 36 years of investment industry experience have primarily been focused on the mining sector. During this time, he raised more than US$500 million for a variety of small cap public companies in various businesses and industry sectors including mining.
Terry Walker, P.Geol., vice president of exploration and chief geologist, is a highly experienced geologist. He has spent over 25 years in Chile's mining industry and is well connected throughout the sector. Walker is co-founder of GeoServicios Piedra Dorada, an exploration and development services company focused on Latin America. He is a Qualified Person for the North American and Australian stock exchanges.
Lithium Chile is well funded and driven by a top-tier team with more than 100 years of combined experience in financing, mining exploration and development in the natural resources sector.
Marijuana Company of America Inc. (MCOA)
The founders of Marijuana Company of America, Inc. (OTC: MCOA) (the "Company") are pioneers in the cannabis industry going back to 2009 when Don Steinberg, MCOA's CEO, founded the first marijuana company ever to trade on a U.S. stock market, Medical Marijuana Inc. Since then, Don and his partner, Charlie Larsen, have formed Global Hemp Group and Marijuana Company of America. They have experienced the shift of legislation first hand, not only for the legalization of marijuana but also the emerging hemp-based CBD products.
The CBD market is growing exponentially and consequently the founders of MCOA have constructed their business model around the development of industrial hemp-based CBD products. The industrial hemp plant can be used to produce products that are carbon neutral or even carbon negative. It is one of the longest, strongest natural fibers on earth, used as a building material that is free of mold, pesticide-resistant, and fire proof. Hemp has also been described as a "super food," which provides additional business opportunities. No part of the plant is left unused and the Company's overall strategy is to take advantage of every profit center from farm to the multiple valuable finished products.
The cannabis and hemp industries are experiencing unprecedented growth that is expected to continue for many years as these industries are now accepted globally and continue to mature and expand. North American consumers spent $6.7 billion on legal cannabis products in 2016, up 34% from 2015's $5 billion. This trend is widely expected to explode at a 27% compounded annual growth rate to reach $22.6 billion by 2021, according to ArcView Market Research.
The company offers investors the opportunity to be on the forefront of cannabis and hemp innovation through cultivation, processing in the legal cannabis and industrial hemp sectors. The Company's business model includes producing a diverse portfolio of synergistic business segments that provide value to its shareholders. Its vertically integrated business model and distribution platforms are positioned to capture market share by developing recognizable and valuable brands.
Under the MCOA umbrella, wholly owned subsidiary hempSMART™, Inc. is committed to bringing high quality CBD-based products to the market through its affiliate marketing program. Through hempSMART, MCOA's strategic approach to the distribution of products is through a networking architecture geared to maintain customer loyalty and capture market share. The patent-pending product "hempSMART Brain," is designed to revolutionize the safe and effective support of healthy brain function. The brand new product, HempSMART DROPS, is a full-spectrum CBD tincture formulated with hemp and fractionated coconut oils. The hempSMART marketing team has decades of experience, and is well positioned to take the hempSMART brand to a global audience.
Maxtech Ventures Inc. (CSE: MVT) (OTC: MTEHF) (FRANKFURT: M1N)
Maxtech Ventures Inc. (CSE: MVT) (OTC: MTEHF) (FRANKFURT: M1N), headquartered in Canada, is a junior exploration company assembling and acquiring mineral assets worldwide with a view to becoming a pure-play, low-cost supplier of manganese to the agricultural, industrial and green technology markets. Maxtech has assembled several high-grade manganese assets that it intends to develop with its established partners on the ground in strategic global regions.
Manganese is a diverse battery metal increasingly in high demand as an irreplaceable mainstay of steel production, an essential element of fertilizer in the agricultural sector, and as a vital resource in renewable battery technology. Maxtech Ventures is positioning itself to become a force in the green energy revolution where manganese is a critical element used in rechargeable batteries that power cars, hybrid vehicles, power tools and home appliances. LMD batteries, which typically use a 61 percent manganese in its mix and 4 percent lithium, are currently used in the Chevrolet Volt, Nissan Leaf, Hyundai Sonata and some Tesla-produced products. LMD batteries have numerous benefits including higher power output, thermal stability and improved safety compared to regular lithium-ion batteries.
"The price and demand for high-grade manganese is again on an upward trend. There are only a handful of junior pure play manganese explorers. This is an advantage Maxtech is looking to capitalize on as it expands its claims and strategic relationships in more mining jurisdictions," said Maxtech Ventures CEO Peter Wilson.
Maxtech Ventures holds strategic partnerships; one of which is Grupo Maringa Ferro-Liga SA. Maringa is the second largest producer of high-grade manganese in South America with over 2,000 employees and over US$200 million in 2016 revenues.
Maxtech Ventures is currently advancing work on several high-grade manganese projects in Brazil with its first large land package in Juína in the State of Mato Grosso. This 40,000-plus hectare land package has assayed high-grade manganese results of 51.4 percent to 55.9 percent Mn. Detailed prospecting and geological studies are being continued on the Juína claims and a trial mining license ('Guia de Utilização') (GU) has been filed with the Departamento Nacional de Produção Mineral (DNPM) on one of the claims and the company is awaiting approval.
The company plans to expand its Brazilian operation into other states of the country including Pará and Goiás. Maxtech has signed a joint venture in the state of Pará on the exploration of 40,000 hectares as well as one in Goiás focused on the joint exploration, evaluation, and potential acquisition of manganese mineral deposits.
Maxtech is also currently preparing applications for licenses to explore potential high-grade manganese deposits in Zambia. The company will work closely with partner GeoQuest in its mandate to identify, joint-venture and acquire assets with high-grade manganese mineralization. GeoQuest is led and managed by Julian D.Green BSc., MSc., D.I.C., CGeol., EURGeol, FGS, FSAIMM. Julian has worked as a Professional Exploration Geologist in Eastern Europe, Australia and particularly Central and Southern Africa for a variety of mining and exploration companies including Tesla, KGHM, Rio Tinto and Caledonia.
Maxtech's long-term strategy is to build an international industrial minerals company to produce and sell manganese ore and processed manganese into the global markets of Europe, North America and Asia. Maxtech Ventures has assembled a group of veterans in mining and exploration, acquisitions and field management to guide the development of its mineral interests.
CEO Peter Wilson has been the lead financier for public and private companies, raising over $300 million in equity and bond financings in the mineral and energy fields over the past two decades. As an experienced corporate executive, Wilson has extensive relationships in project acquisition, corporate structure and finance specializing in, but not limited to, the global resource sector.
John Harper, consulting geologist, is an international mineral exploration geoscientist and consultant with over 30 years of industry experience in base and precious metals, manganese, uranium and diamond exploration. He is a member in good standing of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) and Ontario (APGO). His international experience has taken him to projects in Africa and Brazil where he managed comprehensive programs for Cancana's manganese claims.
Medical Cannabis Payment Solutions (REFG)
Medical Cannabis Payment Solutions (REFG), headquartered in Cheyenne, Wyoming, is a first-tier merchant processing cannabis industry pioneer, offering one of the first and only comprehensive card processing operations of its kind to serve the state-sanctioned medical marijuana industry. The company's state of the art system, which also tracks sales and tax collection, and eliminates the need to deal in cash-only transactions.
Through its robust, closed-loop merchant processing system, the company's unique "StateSourced" proprietary system enables authorized operation under FinCEN parameters and complies with all regulatory frameworks. StateSourced is tailored to deliver full-spectrum merchant processing services, providing the convenience of modern commercial card processing resources and making it the first operation of its kind geared to the legal cannabis industry.
StateSourced is not a prepaid or gift card, which is an important variable for merchants since standard banking institutions have not offered this form of payment processing to the legal cannabis industry. Federal law still considers marijuana illegal under the Controlled Substances Act, although 29 states and the District of Columbia have legalized the plant either for medicinal or recreational uses or both. This restriction has kept financial institutions at bay since most banks are federally insured and haven't been inclined to venture into the nascent industry.
Medical Cannabis Payment Solutions is able to offer its StateSourced card on a state-by-state basis where the card can be used in purchasing product from a legal, authorized vendor, providing a much-needed option for consumers and businesses alike. In another first, the company is collaborating with First Bitcoin Capital Corporation to integrate First Bitcoin's cryptocurrency ($Weed) with Medical Cannabis Payment Solutions' StateSourced payment gateway. This collaboration will allow state-licensed marijuana establishments across the nation to accept both StateSourced debit cards and cryptocurrencies such as WeedCoin and Bitcoin.
Medical Cannabis Payment Solutions president and CEO Jeremy Roberts and his executive team are working with state lawmakers to introduce legislation in an effort to address the growing problems in banking for the medical cannabis industry. For companies in the emerging legal cannabis industry, where retail and non-retail transactions such as vendor payments and payroll are almost exclusively paid for with cash, the solutions offered by StateSourced can help businesses avoid the inherent risks associated with a cash-intensive sector. Medical Cannabis Payment Solutions has also signed its first StateSourced contract with a Las Vegas-based vertically integrated marijuana establishment.
"We've completed our transition from development stage to revenue stage," says Roberts. "We have just started our business development efforts and the market is responding very well. We anticipate having many more, similar releases."
Medical Cannabis Payment Solutions provides end-to-end management across multiple systems for medicinal marijuana operations. The company solves the fragmentation problem experienced by many of these rapidly growing companies by identifying tools that are important to dispensaries and customizing those tools to meet the specific needs of this unique industry.
Net Element, Inc. (NETE)
Net Element, Inc. (NETE) is a global financial technology and value-added solutions group that supports electronic payments acceptance in an omni-channel environment spanning across point-of-sale, e-commerce, and mobile devices. Net Element operates a payments-as-a-service transactional model and value-added services platform for small to medium enterprises in the U.S. and selected emerging markets. Internationally, Net Element's strategy is to leverage its omni-channel platform to deliver flexible offerings to emerging markets with diverse banking, regulatory and demographic conditions. Net Element was ranked as one of the fastest growing companies in North America on Deloitte's 2017 Technology Fast 500 ™ and South Florida Business Journal's 2016 fastest growing technology companies.
Net Element believes the future of global commerce is being revolutionized as consumers quickly migrate toward omni-channel shopping utilizing mobile devices, desktop, and online services. Net Element's all-in-one payment solutions support and unify a whole range of applications through a single, robust platform, allowing global onboarding and support for multiple payment methods.
In a partnership with Bunker Capital, Net Element has also launched a new blockchain-focused business unit that will develop and deploy blockchain technology-based solutions. Net Element expects the new division to create a decentralized crypto-based ecosystem that will act as a framework for an unlimited number of value-added services, connecting merchants and consumers in a seamless, economically efficient transaction. This new business unit intends to also identify and invest in unique projects that decentralize and disrupt the payment processing industry by combining blockchain technology and real-world applications with talented development teams, strong fundamentals and addressable markets large in size.
"We believe that we're at the dawn of a new evolution where additional digital payment methods are being introduced," Net Element CEO Oleg Firer, says. "Introduction of our division focused on blockchain as part of the NASDAQ-listed entity will add transparency and compliance assurance to our investors as well as provide access to deploy value-added services to over 20 million electronic commerce clients that are currently part of Net Element's growing network."
Net Element clients are treated to customized solutions that provide the flexibility needed to keep up with customers. Among the services offered are mobile payment apps that accept payments anywhere, anytime; cloud-based solutions built to increase productivity and enhance revenue for clients and partners; marketing solutions that turn lookers into buyers; and business analytics that make it easy for clients to monitor business metrics, engage with customers and compare the competition. Its multi-channel platform combines e-commerce, offline, point-of-sale, comprehensive back office tools, mobile point-of-sale, credit scoring and customer interaction in one powerful platform-as-a-service technology.
Net Element owns and operates a global mobile payments and transactional processing provider, TOT Group, Inc., with the following subsidiaries:
- Unified Payments – An award-winning, customized mobile billing and payments solution, recognized by Inc. Magazine as the No. 1 Fastest Growing Company in America in 2012.
- Digital Provider – A leading provider of SMS messaging and mobile billing solutions.
- Aptito – A next-generation, all-in-one, cloud-based restaurant management and point-of-sale payments platform using wireless technology.
- Payonline – A fully integrated, processor agnostic electronic commerce platform.
Net Element is ranked No. 418 on Deloitte's 2017 Technology Fast 500™ list of North America's 500 fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies. Net Element grew 190 percent. The company's chief executive officer, Oleg Firer, credits the company's progression to organic growth in its North America Transactions Segment, specifically the success of its Unified Payments brand, which focuses on value-added payment acceptance solutions for small to medium enterprises in the United States.
"The Deloitte 2017 North America Technology Fast 500 winners underscore the impact of technological innovation and world class customer service in driving growth, in a fiercely competitive environment," said Sandra Shirai, vice chairman, Deloitte Consulting LLP and U.S. technology, media and telecommunications leader. "These companies are on the cutting edge, and are transforming the way we do business."
Net Element's suite of application performing interfaces (APIs) and connectors power commerce for businesses of all sizes through multi-channel platforms, all-in-one digital solutions, and end-to-end encryption of cardholder data utilizing tamper resistant hardware that ensures integrity and simplifies security.
Net Element's corporate team is led by director and CEO Oleg Firer, who is responsible for the overall vision, strategy and execution of the company's mission of powering global commerce. He is joined by CFO Jonathan New, CPA, and Steven Wolberg, who is the company's chief legal officer and secretary. Each corporate officer brings a unique blend of leadership, vision, experience and creative energy to the company.
From mobile payments and value-added transactional innovations such as Digital Provider and Aptito to e-commerce and retail payment transaction processing brands like Payonline and United Payments, Net Element is transforming the online and mobile experience.
NUGL Inc. (OTC: NUGL)
NUGL Inc. (OTC: NUGL) is a search engine and online directory for the marijuana industry. NUGL's database includes listings for dispensaries, strains, doctors, lawyers, service professionals, vape shops, hydro stores and brands. The company focuses on leading the evolution in business relations, development and organic data in the cannabis industry with metasearch technology.
Headquartered in Chino Hills, California, which is home to a projected $5 billion legal marijuana marketplace, NUGL is on track to become a major asset for the global cannabis industry and related services sectors. The company recently established a strategic partnership with Thinklogic and appointed CEO Chris Adams to NUGL's growing board of directors. Thinklogic is a top-level software development company specializing in projects for start-ups to Fortune 500 companies.
"This strategic partnership puts NUGL in a distinguished class, adding a first-rate technical software expert like Chris gives NUGL a unique technological advantage," said Brandon Vargas CEO of NUGL. "With the addition of Chris's knowledge and expertise combined with Thinklogics' experienced and skilled staff, NUGL will have the ability to evolve and build a strong infrastructure unmatched in the 420 industry."
NUGL is nearing completion of its initial launch timeline, with plans to launch the app on both Android and iOS platforms within the next few weeks. NUGL's live testing of its software includes enhanced reviews that detail up to 10 category ratings. Each of the category rankings allow users to leave comments and choose among a 5-star rating among all categories or as few as they wish. The software's rating platform allows for customization and transparency for users while providing invaluable feedback to shops and professional services.
"This is a major feature that is critical to our community," said Jeff Odle, NUGL's CTO. "Enhanced ratings will be a definitive difference validating our organic listings and raising the standard for the industry. We want the users to know what they are getting before they step into a store or sign up for a service."
Leadership Team
NUGL is growing its team of developers and launching new features on an ongoing basis. The company is ahead of an impressive timeline, which includes building blocks for scalability and massive growth.
"Everything we do is focused on user experience. Our philosophy is simple – make it fun and easy to use, with the purest and most unbiased results," said Ryan Bartlette, NUGL CMO. "As the industry evolves and becomes more sophisticated, NUGL will adapt and build the best marketing technology for the cannabis-related companies. We have gotten in on the ground level and know the pulse of the industry."
NUGL CEO Brandon Vargas is a founding member of G6 Management, a full-service consulting firm advising cannabis professionals in all aspects of business. With over 10 years' experience in the cannabis space, he has worked on dispensary, cultivation and infusion entity formation, licensing, real estate acquisitions, construction and build out, marketing, policy and procedures, compliance, staffing, and capital raises. Vargas has an extensive background working with various medical marijuana companies on investment and in developing greenhouse and commercial cultivation, distillate for vapes cartridges, CBD oils and infusions.
CMO Ryan Bartlette is co-founder and CMO of 23Forty LLC and Boxy. He has expertly positioned and branded many companies while bringing them to market and is a sought out graphic artist, front-end developer, photographer, and visual artist with experience in the entertainment and technology industry.
Jeff Odle, NUGL CTO, is a successful senior software architect has a long and distinguished career developing some of the most innovative, cutting-edge platforms available. His unique and distinctive approach to creating the blueprint for advanced programming is industry leading and unprecedented. He is a top-level architect responsible for developing some of the most forward-looking software for various industries.
NUGL's board of directors includes John R. Armstrong, a founding partner of Horwitz + Armstrong, a full service general business firm handling all aspects of litigation and business strategy and advice. Armstrong and his partner, Lawrence Hortwitz, have more than 10 years of experience in the cannabis space, representing cannabis professionals in all aspects of business including business formation, licensing, compliance with local and state regulations, real estate acquisitions, corporate mergers and acquisitions, financing, inclusive of capital raises and alternative financing, contracts, and all forms of dispute resolution.
Board member Hendrik Klein, founder of Da Vinci Asset Management, a privately-owned investment firm, serves as CEO and executive board member of Fritz Nols AG, a capital marketing consulting firm specializing in trading and asset management. Klein has received several industry awards including the Austrian Hedge Fund Award, the German Hedge Fund Award, and most recently was named the Global Best Performing Systematic Quantitative CTA. Klein and the Da Vinci team employ the latest quantitative data research and analysis in their innovative investment strategy.
Pivot Pharmaceuticals Inc. (PVOTF)
Pivot Pharmaceuticals Inc. (PVOTF), based in Vancouver, Canada, is an emerging biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development and commercialization of pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals that provide novel treatments for unmet healthcare needs. Pivot's recent acquisition of BiPhasix ™ Transdermal Drug Delivery technology for the delivery of cannabinoids (CBD) to patients provides the answer for an age-old problem associated with cannabinoid-based therapies: the lack of a robust smoke-less delivery mechanism.
Research into the bioavailability of cannabinoid-based therapeutics shows that rates of absorption vary greatly between smoking cannabis to an orally-consumed product, with a difference noted even between individuals. Cannabinoids are degraded in the stomach and smoking may not appeal to patients for health or lifestyle reasons. Topical delivery, while a better alternative, has suffered from weak formulation issues. Transdermal cannabinoid delivery, on the other hand, could provide a better alternative route since it reduces side effects and bypasses other absorption issues. In addition, transdermal delivery provides the benefit of enabling patients to access a steady stream of medication over a prolonged period with fewer side effects.
Pivot Pharmaceutical's newly created subsidiary, Pivot Green Stream Health Solutions Inc. ("Pivot Green Stream"), will focus on improving the bioavailability of cannabinoid-based and pharmaceuticals. BiPhasix™ has been tested in FDA and EMA approved human clinical trials, which have shown the delivery system enhances the bioavailability of many drugs and improves clinical outcomes. Pivot Green Stream is tasked with developing several natural health products containing cannabinoids (CBD) that can receive a Health Canada Natural Health Product (NHP) designation. This marketing method ensures a shorter development cycle and faster revenue generation opportunities.
Pivot Pharmaceuticals Inc., which has positioned itself as a growing and crucial vertical in the cannabis industry, represents a compelling opportunity in the biotechnology field. The company's plans include working with Licensed Producers (LP) and Licensed Dealers (LD) to bring newer therapies to patients. The company has also applied to list on the Canadian Stock Exchange (CSE).
The global medical marijuana market is expected to reach a value of $55.8 billion by 2025, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The growing number of states and countries gaining approval for using cannabis in therapeutic applications is expected to continue driving the market forward.
Pivot Pharmaceuticals has assembled a highly experienced management team, bringing together a wealth of clinical, commercial, product development and financial experience. Among the many healthcare targets in Pivot's pipeline are cancer supportive care, pain and inflammation, women's sexual dysfunction, dermatology and eye disease.
Pressure BioSciences Inc. (PBIO)
Pressure BioSciences Inc. (PBIO) develops, markets and sells proprietary laboratory instrumentation and associated consumables to the life sciences sample preparation market. Sample preparation refers to the wide range of activities that precede most forms of scientific analysis. It is often complex and time-consuming, yet a critical part of scientific research. The market for sample preparation products is currently estimated at $6 billion worldwide.
The Company's product line can be used to exquisitely control the sample preparation process. It is based on a patented, enabling technology platform called pressure cycling technology ("PCT"). PCT uses alternating cycles of hydrostatic pressure between ambient (14.5 psi) and ultra-high levels (up to 100,000 psi) to safely and reproducibly control critical biological processes, such as the lysis (breakage) of cells, the digestion of proteins, and the inactivation of pathogens.
Pressure BioSciences' product line is led by its newly released, next-generation Barocycler 2320EXTREME instrument. Named a finalist in the prestigious 2017 R&D Awards (also known as the "Oscars of Innovation"), the Barocycler 2320EXT is already being touted by some key opinion leaders as an essential element of the $1.8 billion U.S. "Cancer Moonshot" program. For example, Professor Phil Robinson, Co-head of the cancer research center of the Children's Medical Research Institute (Sydney, Australia), said in a recent interview: "We are collecting the whole proteome on 70,000 tumor samples from all classes where complete clinical outcome is known. Due to its unique capabilities, the Barocycler 2320EXT has become a critical part of our program. It is the primary enabler of the high-throughput component of the project. Without this step, our project simply could not be done. In fact, the Barocycler 2320EXT works so well we have just purchased two more."
Momentum is building when it comes to the potential for using the Company's unique PCT technology platform. Leading scientists are intrigued by Pressure BioSciences' approach, which among other attributes, revolutionizes the process of rupturing cells (lysis) for further study, yielding superior biomolecules for investigation. The Company's technology transcends current methods of breaking open cells, which use chemicals, blades, metal beads, or other damaging and altering methods that can ultimately adversely affect the result for researchers. Pressure BioSciences' PCT technology utilizes customized, controlled hydrostatic (water) pressure to rupture cells in a chamber, enabling exquisitely customized levels of pressure to optimally break open different types of cells at prescribed pressure levels—something never before accomplished in a commercial setting. Using this pioneering method, the result is a truer, more legitimate sample, which boosts the efficacy of research and the quality of results. The potential impact of this technology on scientific advancement is enormous, enabling research scientists to begin their studies with biological samples of unprecedented integrity, with the potential to improve research outcomes at the earliest, most critical step. PCT can additionally inactivate pathogens (e.g., viruses, bacteria) using hydrostatic pressure, making the samples safer to study—another innovation with astronomical potential for application in a variety of markets.
The Company's high-pressure instruments for research purposes are marketed throughout the United States, Europe, China and Japan. To date, Pressure BioSciences has installed nearly 300 PCT Systems in over 165 leading academic, government, biotech and pharma laboratories around the world. Its primary applications are in biomarker discovery, forensics, agriculture and pathology. Over 100 scientific papers have been published on the advantages of the PCT platform, which is also being used in the specialized fields of drug discovery and design, bio-therapeutics characterization, soil and plant biology, vaccine development and histology.
Impressive as their biotech business is, there is more to the PBI story. Pressure BioSciences recently received two patents in China for its novel Ultra Shear Technology (UST), a process that has potential in a wide range of industrial applications, including extending the shelf life of some food products and making two insoluble liquids (like oil in water) soluble. Patents have also been filed in many other countries worldwide. UST is a novel technique based on the use of intense shear forces generated from ultra-high-pressure valve discharge.
This important technology has the potential to play a significant role in a number of commercially important areas through its ability to create high-quality, stable nanoemulsions. Scientific studies indicate that improved absorption, higher bioavailability, greater stability, lower surfactant levels and other advantages can be achieved with nanoemulsions – all hugely important factors in the fields of nutraceuticals, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and in various medical products. There is an enormous opportunity in the cannabis market, since the technology can potentially reduce oil droplets containing cannabidiol (CBD) to nanoparticles, after which they can be safely suspended in a stable water solution—something many companies have endeavored to achieve without success. Researchers looking for a way to increase the bioavailability of cannabinoids in the body will find this technology a game changer.
The Company's UST technology also has possibilities in the production of clean label foods, which are currently processed using several innovative methods, including high-pressure treatments (such as Starbucks' Evolution line of juices). In 2015, the worldwide market for high-pressure processed (HPP) food was estimated at U.S. $10 billion. UST uses ultra-high pressures and certain valves to generate intense shear forces under controlled temperature conditions to produce nanoemulsions, and which also significantly reduces food-borne pathogens. Pressure BioSciences' initial focus with this technology will be to evaluate UST for the production of high-quality dairy products and beverages.
PreveCeutical Medical Inc. (CSE: PREV) (OTCQB: PRVCF) (FSE: 18H)
PreveCeutical Medical Inc. (CSE: PREV) (OTCQB: PRVCF) (FSE: 18H), headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, is a health sciences company dedicated to researching and developing innovative options for preventive and curative therapies utilizing organic and Nature Identical™ products. The company is strategically staking out select positions in the medically acute areas of diabetes and obesity, pain management, neurological disorders and cancer.
PreveCeutical Medical Inc. had its beginnings in 2009 when Stephen Van Deventer, a seasoned businessman and venture capitalist, and Kimberly Van Deventer, a successful entrepreneur, met and formed a business partnership. The duo created Cornerstone Global Partners, a venture capital and business development company, and became involved in numerous ventures including building companies such as Aurora Cannabis Inc. Taking their interest in the health and wellness market further, the pair began researching how nature and science can work together to benefit health-conscious consumers. Coining and trademarking the word "PreveCeutical" – a combination of the words "preventive" and "pharmaceutical" – was a precursor to the company's formation and incorporation in October 2015.
The company's first product was developed in the Dominican Republic and is now marketed and distributed worldwide by PreveCeutical. It is a Caribbean Blue Scorpion venom product sold under the trade name CELLB9®. This product is an oral dilute solution infused with select peptides sourced exclusively from the blue scorpion (Rhopalurus princeps) found only in Caribbean nations. The active potentiated ingredients in CELLB9, which have been used in over 40 countries for over a decade, appear to support health at a deep, cellular level. PreveCeutical's research team is using proprietary chemistry to generate Nature Identical™ peptides derived from natural compounds found in Caribbean Blue Scorpion venom with the goal of eventually treating, regulating and preventing cancer progression. Peptides are also being used to target an array of disease indications including metabolic disorders, pain management, cancers, cardiovascular and infectious diseases.
PreveCeutical is developing the first nose-to-brain delivery system of cannabinoids (CBDs) with a novel process that prepares insoluble drug-containing nano-micelles and successfully incorporating them into a proprietary sol-gels application, essentially creating a targeted drug delivery vehicle. Intended for use via a nasal spray, this unique formulation rapidly gels upon contact with mucosal tissue, which paves the way for direct nose-to-brain delivery. This novel application eliminates first pass metabolism (stomach, intestines, liver), potentially improving bioavailability and delivering extended time release formulations that may alleviate side effects of higher dosage therapeutics. This CBD-based patented formula is projected to be deployed in selected markets with licensed medical marijuana companies within 18 months.
PreveCeutical is working with four leading Australian research centers to develop a curative therapy for diabetes and obesity. This four-year program involves engineering a novel approach that selectively targets the gene that encodes for the protein PTP-1B, which is implicated and over-expressed in both type-2 diabetes and obesity. PreveCeutical's gene-silencing technology would effectively "turn off" the genetic signal which leads to the over-production of this key protein molecule, bringing it back down to safe, normalized levels, and prevent the body from storing excessive fat. Diabetes kills one person every six seconds, with more than $800 billion spent globally on the disease.
Another exciting joint venture, established with Sports 1 Marketing, will focus on the therapeutic potential in the peptides and proteins connected to the Caribbean Blue Scorpion venom to potentially treat mild brain injury concussions. Developing a therapeutic product geared towards athletes who suffer from concussions could help alleviate suffering experienced by those who are affected by head trauma.
PreveCeutical Medical's science and research team is led by Dr. Harendra (Harry) Parekh, Ph.D., who is based at the University of Queensland's (UQ) Pharmacy Australia Centre of Excellence (PACE), and Dr. Makarand Jawadekar, Ph.D., whose 28 years of R&D experience with Pfizer Inc., is applicable in his role as chief science officer. Research collaborators include Dr. Rakesh Veedu, an emerging expert internationally in the field of molecular medicine, and Professor Grant Ramm, who is currently head of a leading medical research institute located in Brisbane, Australia.
PreveCeutical Medical is partnering with leading industry experts and companies in its quest to be a leader in the preventive health sciences sector. Its Research and Development partnership with UniQuest, the main commercialization company for the University of Queensland, provides PreveCeutical with the rights to all intellectual property arising from projects created under the agreement. PreveCeutical Medical Inc.'s management team brings an extensive portfolio of research experience, product development, deep corporate strategy and capital markets leadership to the company's core.
QMC Quantum Minerals Corp. (OTC: QMCQF) (TSX-V: QMC) (FSE: 3LQ)
QMC Quantum Minerals Corp. (OTC: QMCQF) (TSX-V: QMC) (FSE: 3LQ) is a British Columbia based company engaged in the business of acquisition, exploration and development of natural resource properties. QMC's focus is on creating shareholder value through strategic acquisition and development of high quality lithium, silver, gold, nickel, copper and zinc prospects.
QMC's current properties are in the Canadian province of Manitoba, one of Canada's most productive, centrally located mining regions. These resources include the Irgon Lithium Mine project and two Volcanic Massive Sulphide ("VMS") properties – the Rocky Lake and Rocky-Namew known collectively as the Namew Lake District Project – which contain base metal-rich mineral deposits. Excellent access and well-developed mining infrastructure to the company's wholly-owned Irgon Lithium Mine Project offers significant value and ramps up the near-term production schedule, putting QMC in a position to take advantage of rising lithium prices.
The region's historic resource estimate of lithium is well documented in a 1956 Assessment Report developed by a previous owner, Lithium Corporation of Canada Ltd. The project's historical resource estimate of 1.2 million tons grading 1.51% lithium-oxide over a strike length of 365 meters and to a depth of 213 meters is being updated by QMC through a detailed channel sampling and subsequent drill program.
North Face Software Ltd. recently created an interactive 3-D model of the Irgon Dike utilizing all historical data derived from past drilling and underground work. The 3-D model clearly demonstrates that exploration and underground development has only taken place on the central portion of the dike, leaving significant potential to quickly increase tonnage.
The company's latest assay results, obtained from 144 channel samples at QMC's Irgon Lithium Mine Project, provided encouraging and positive results that compare favorably with the historic assays. QMC has received a drill permit from the Sustainable Development Office of the Manitoba government and is in the process of requesting and assessing bids from drilling contractors. The company plans to begin a 2,000-meter drill program to confirm the historic lithium oxide assay results documented in the historic 1953-54 drill program.
QMC's experienced leadership team includes specialists in mineral exploration, geology, engineering, new business development, marketing and investor relations. The company's team of qualified advisors includes consultant Bruce E. Goad, P.Geo., who has 40 years of experience in mineral exploration in Canada, Argentina, Asia and Africa. As a Qualified Person, Goad has worked on numerous deposit styles including rare element pegmatites, porphyry, banded iron formation (BIF) gold deposits, skarn, greisens, and VMS. He has a wide and varied skill set which includes precious, base, industrial and rare metal projects with a sharp focus on gold exploration. Goad is the author of several scholarly publications on pegmatite granites of the southeastern Manitoba region.
The market for lithium has surged over the past three years with prices per metric ton tripling. The world's rising demand for portable power can easily been seen in the electric vehicle and mobile device industries – both of which use lithium-based, renewable batteries as a power resource. QMC's high potential prospects and experienced management team, both in geology and corporate finance, put QMC and its shareholders in an excellent position to take advantage of the lithium, precious and base metals markets.
Sharing Services, Inc. (OTC: SHRV)
Sharing Services, Inc. (OTC: SHRV), headquartered in Plano, Texas, is a diversified holding company focused on reshaping how entrepreneurs succeed today. Sharing Services Inc. owns, operates or controls an interest in a variety of companies specializing in the direct selling industry that either sell products to the consumer directly through independent representatives or offer services that range from health and wellness, energy, technology, insurance services, training, media and travel benefits. SHRV has created the "Blue Ocean Strategy," which melds three keys together to implement the company's vision. These keys include elevating home-based entrepreneurs, known as "Elepreneurs," utilizing the direct selling channel to generate 100 percent organic growth, and sending as many successful company "families" as possible on vacation.
Sharing Services Inc. subsidiaries include:
- A growing international network of home-based entrepreneurs, called "Elepreneurs"
- Growing selection of health and wellness products dedicated to elevating the well-being of all people
- Insurance from auto, home and life to health benefit discounts and health insurance that help families elevate their options
- Wholesale travel and payment programs with travel concierges that empower more families to go on vacation
- Live seminars and training events – from Vacationars™ to EduTainment – that elevate the skills and knowledge of entrepreneurs around the world
- Unique compensation and reward programs crafted to help entrepreneurs elevate their health, wealth and happiness
Sharing Services recently expanded its corporate footprint by moving to a 10,000 square foot facility in Plano, Texas, that offers room to expand as the company grows and its subsidiaries flourish. The larger corporate locale provides space for a growing customer service department, product fulfillment, opportunity and training rooms, as well as a video production suite.
"The opportunity to expand to the rest of this new building over the course of the next six to 12 months ensures we won't have to move again anytime soon," Sharing Services Inc. Chairman Robert Oblon said. "We are on track for very significant growth here in the U.S., as well as upcoming international expansion, so this move is in preparation for what's in front of us."
The company recently signed a joint venture agreement with Health Wealth & Happiness Limited ("HWH") to expand its "Elepreneurs" brand and market its products throughout Asia. The newly formed company will be named "Elepreneurs Asia Limited" and will have marketing and sales rights to China, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Papua, New Guinea. A soft launch of the Elepreneur program is scheduled sometime later in 2018 with HWH CEP Fai Chan and his team leading the effort. Formed in Hong Kong, Health Wealth & Happiness Limited is dedicated to working with visionary partners like Sharing Services Inc. to deliver the best products and services to improve the well-being of consumers.
Nearly 1,000 people attended Sharing Services, Inc.'s first "Elepreneur Happiness Convention," held March 2-3, 2018, in Dallas, Texas. Attendees arrived from several countries including the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Singapore and Hong Kong. Keynote speakers included several internationally known motivational leaders – Shawn Achor, Sandra Yancey, John Fleming and Les Brown – who provided exceptional material and inspirational discussion points.
"The enthusiasm of our attendees and the early success that we are experiencing is incredible considering our growth has been 100 percent organic, with almost no marketing from the company," Oblon said. "I'm speechless by the dedication of our Elepreneur leaders and their entire teams, as they share our incredible line of products that have helped so many people."
Sharing Services and its management team plan to travel the U.S. to hold several mini conferences to expand on the messages presented at its Happiness Convention that focus on helping people become "healthier, happier and wealthier." Details of the company's aggressive global expansion initiatives are soon to be announced, Oblon said.
The law firm of Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP has been retained as outside corporate counsel for all general business matters. The Dallas-based law firm will represent Sharing Services, Inc., and its subsidiaries as the company utilizes the direct selling channel for a significant component of its overall growth strategy.
John "JT" Thatchwas appointed president and chief executive officer of Sharing Services, Inc., at a March 1, 2018, annual shareholder meeting. Thatch has successfully started, owned and operated several sized businesses in various industries. His experience with corporate growth, acquisitions, financing and negotiation in fast-paced and flexible environments will significantly assist Sharing Services Inc. as the company aims to expand and increase revenues.
SinglePoint, Inc. (SING)
SinglePoint, Inc. (SING) is a diversified holding company with operations in multiple industries and verticals including two high-performing market sectors: legal cannabis and cryptocurrencies. SinglePoint has grown from a full-service mobile technology provider to a recognizable brand with a diverse portfolio of undervalued subsidiaries with multiple revenue streams.
SinglePoint is researching opportunities where it can be an active participant by influencing the strategy and direction of high-potential companies whose verified assets offer attractive possibilities for shareholders. The company is guided by a visionary leadership team with extensive experience in technology, engineering, marketing and raising capital.
SinglePoint is bullish on the cannabis industry, bitcoin and blockchain technologies, which is evident in its recent acquisitions and joint-venture announcements. Recent SinglePoint key highlights include:
- A joint venture with Smart Cannabis Corporation (OTC: SCNA) to license and market Smart Cannabis' SMART APP. SMART APP enables cannabis growers to measure all aspects of cultivation, from soil nutrient levels to watering cycles and carbon dioxide content in the air. SMART APP will integrate SinglePoint's bitcoin payment solution to enable growers to process safer and more secure transactions.
- A joint venture with Global Payout (OTC: GOHE) will build on existing financial technology solutions developed by SinglePoint and Global Payout's subsidiary MoneyTrac Technology, Inc., to fully optimize the delivery of mobile payment applications for domestic and international organizations.
- A joint venture with AppSwarm (OTC: SWRM) to start development on a proprietary delivery application that will enable licensed cannabis delivery services and licensed dispensaries to safely make in-home cannabis deliveries.
- Signed original "Shark Tank" member Kevin Harrington as company spokesman for an innovative, compatible virtual wallet to store any type of cryptocurrency. Harrington recently finished shooting a new national ad campaign featuring SinglePoint and the virtual wallet's secure method of storing cryptocurrencies.
- Entered into a letter of intent to acquire 100 percent of Bitcoin Beyond, a premier platform that enables merchants to accept bitcoin payments using existing web-enabled point-of-sale devices.
- Through SING subsidiary, SingleSeed, the company will soon offer a proprietary cryptocurrency solution that links both cannabis merchants and consumers who seek to take advantage of bitcoin-powered transactions using debit and credit cards. In addition to making bitcoin-backed card purchases possible, the solution enables cannabis dispensaries to digitally track and manage their product inventories, performing tasks like uploading product data, photos and descriptions. The system deducts items automatically from a dispensary's product listings when a purchase is made. While this fully KYC-AML compliant point-of-sale platform can be utilized for any other retail setting, it will fill a critical need in the underbanked cannabis industry as it continues to seek non-cash payment solutions outside of traditional banking circles.
SinglePoint CEO and founder Greg Lambrecht leads the company in its mission to capture opportunities through an aggressive expansion strategy across a broad range of assets. Lambrecht oversees all company operations including investor relations, leadership of the board of directors, and daily business activities. As the founder of PCI, a leading consumer product distribution company, Lambrecht negotiated agreements with the nation's largest retail outlets and led PCI through a NASDAQ listed IPO, raising $10 million.
Eric Lofdahl, SinglePoint's chief technology officer, has more than 20 years of experience in the technology sector including positions in software development, program management, complex system integration and engineering process definition. Prior to SinglePoint, Lofdahl worked at the Boeing Company where he led a team that successfully developed advanced wireless and satellite data products based on commercial technology for the U.S. Air Force.
SinglePoint President Wil Ralston is well known for his successful track record of building and maintaining great relationships with clients. Ralston graduated cum laude from the WP Carey School of Business at Arizona State University with a degree in Global Agribusiness and a specialization in Professional Golf Management. He is currently recognized by the Professional Golfers Association of America (PGA) as a Class A Professional.
Sunniva, Inc. (CSE: SNN)
(OTCQX: SNNVF)
Sunniva, Inc. (CSE: SNN) (OTCQX: SNNVF) is a vertically integrated medical cannabis company operating in the world's two largest cannabis markets – Canada and California – committed to delivering safe, consistent, high-quality products and services. Sunniva operates through its wholly owned subsidiaries: Sunniva Medical Inc., CP Logistics, LLC, Natural Health Service Ltd., and Full-Scale Distributors, LLC. Sunniva's vision is to become the lowest cost, highest quality cannabis producer in the markets it serves by building large scale purpose-built cGMP-compliant greenhouses, offering best quality assurance with cannabis products free from pesticides, providing better patient and doctor access to cannabis education, and sourcing better therapeutic delivery devices.
The company is establishing sophisticated distribution channels, including Sunniva's ownership of Natural Health Services cannabis clinics in Canada with over 95,000 active patients, to purchase the significant quantities of high quality Sunniva-branded and Sunniva private-labeled cannabis products.
Sunniva is an ancient English name which means, "Gift of the Sun." Sunniva's team of horticulturists, scientists and engineers is helping to set best practices for the industry, believing that sun-grown, solar-powered cultivation is the most sustainable and cost-effective way to grow high-quality, premium cannabis.
The Sunniva Family includes:
CP Logistics, LLC
Through its subsidiary, CP Logistics LLC, Sunniva is developing Sunniva Campus, a state-of-the-art, purpose-built greenhouse facility in Cathedral City, California. This modern purpose-built, agri-technology greenhouse will adhere to the Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) regulations that assure proper design, monitoring and control of manufacturing processes and facilities.
Phase 1 of the project includes a fully funded 325,000 square foot greenhouse capable of producing 60,000 kg per year of dry cannabis at capacity with operations commencing Q3 2018. Approximately 30 percent of initial total production will be converted into oils and extracts. Phase 2 is expected to increase the greenhouse by 165,000 square feet and grow production by about 40,000 kg per year.
These uniquely sealed greenhouses are designed to deploy custom, automation assembly line cultivation processes at a large scale. Energy consumption will be reduced while utilizing the energy of the sun and microclimatic controls to provide precise growing conditions. The greenhouse will recirculate air for more efficient climate control, and the company's Integrated Pest Management System is designed to ensure every plant grown is certified clean and free of all contaminants and pesticides.
Sunniva Medical Inc.
Sunniva Medical Inc. is designing and preparing to break ground on the Sunniva Canada Campus encompassing 700,000 square feet of purpose-built cGMP greenhouse facilities in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia. The total campus is expected to produce 100,000 kg of premium medical cannabis a year plus additional trim used for extraction. This facility will produce pesticide-free products and will convert trim to extracted products such as cannabis oil that can be used for drug delivery formats such as capsules, dissolvable strips, vaporization cartridges, tinctures and creams.
Sunniva and Canopy Growth Corporation ("Canopy Growth") recently announced a large take or pay supply agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, Canopy Growth will purchase up to 45,000 kilograms of dried cannabis annually commencing Q1 2019, which includes the distribution of Sunniva branded products. Sunniva Medical is a late-stage applicant under Canada's ACMPR and is in the final review stage of the process.
Natural Health Services Ltd.
Natural Health Services ("NHS") owns and operates a network of eight medical clinics in Canada specializing in medical cannabis under the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations ("ACMPR"). NHS connects licensed producers to their 21 physicians and patients with its proprietary SPARK software which utilizes a software-as-a-service revenue model. To date, there are 27 integrated licensed producers utilizing the SPARK software.
In-house physicians specializing in the endocannabinoid system provide expert consultation, education and recommendations for targeted phytoceutical remedies and wellness plans to improve the quality of life for all patients. NHS enjoys a long-term relationship with patients due to the quality of its physician-patient experience. A rapidly expanding NHS cannabis clinic network serves 94,000 active patients in Canada. NHS has also initiated a pilot program with a national pharmacy chain to aggregate more patients.
Full-Scale Distributors, LLC
Full-Scale Distributors, LLC is an industry leading provider of custom, private-label vaporizers through its brand, Vapor Connoisseur. The company currently serves the needs of over 80 top brands in the North American marketplace. Vapor Connoisseur is recognized for its high quality and innovative therapeutic delivery devices. Products are tailored to client needs, ensuring both safety and reliability.
Sunniva's highly experienced management team is building partnerships with leading scientists, universities and clinical trial groups to deliver proprietary cannabis formulations to a broad spectrum of health ailments and conditions. These global partners require cGMP-certified facilities for the processing and manufacturing of cannabis products. Sunniva is committed to providing safe, pesticide-free, high quality, reproducible cannabis medicines.
Leading Sunniva is co-founder, chairman and CEO Dr. Anthony (Tony) Holler. He is the former CEO and founder of ID Biomedical, which was acquired in 2005 for $1.7 billion by GlaxoSmithKline. He is also the former chairman of Corriente Resources Inc., which was sold for approximately $700 million to CRCC-Tongguan Investment Co. Holler is currently chairman of CRH Medical Corporation, a public company trading on the TSX and NYSE. His expertise includes strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions and financing with a singular focus on increasing shareholder value.
Holler is joined by co-founder Leith Pedersen, who serves as president of Sunniva. Pedersen is the former owner and CEO of Vida Wealth Management Bahamas and was a former investment advisor at Canaccord Wealth Management. He is a former partner and director at JF Mackie and Company, an independent brokerage firm in Calgary, Alberta, that managed capital in excess of $2 billion for high net worth clients. Pedersen's expertise is in corporate strategy, financing and mergers and acquisitions.
The Green Organic Dutchman
(TSX: TGOD) (OTC: TGODF)
The Green Organic Dutchman (TSX: TGOD) (OTC: TGODF), whose principal location is in Hamilton, Ontario, produces farm grown, organic, pesticide-free medical cannabis in small batches using all natural, organic craft growing principles. TGOD is licensed under the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR) to cultivate medical cannabis. The company carries out its principal activities producing cannabis pursuant to the provisions of the ACMPR and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada).
Committed to becoming the global leader in delivering organic cannabis solutions that enhance people's lives, TGOD consistently adheres to the highest levels of excellence. Its world-class management team includes a proven group of leaders with outstanding executive and operational experience specific to consumer packaged goods, consumer products, cannabis and finance industries.
TGOD is positioned as one of the highest quality and most cost efficient cannabis producers in Canada by leveraging innovative technology and low-cost power solutions. It holds one of the largest land packages under a single ACMPR license in Canada, providing future cannabis Agri-park style development and opportunities for joint ventures, licensing and distribution partners. Its industry leading alliance partners include Eaton, Ledcor Group and Hamilton Utilities Corp.
Eaton is the second largest power management company in the world and promises to supply innovative and cost effective power solutions to meet TGOD's growing demands. Construction management is supplied by Ledcor, Canada's second largest multidisciplinary construction company and a pioneer in the Green Building Industry. An alliance with Hamilton Utilities Corp allows TGOD to reduce its power costs from $0.13 per kWh to less than $0.05 per kWh. Greenhouse design is provided by Larssen Greenhouse, whose 25-plus years of experience in building some of the most modern and sophisticated greenhouses in the industry will provide TGOD with state of the art, climate-controlled hybrid greenhouse solutions.
Canada is quickly becoming a hub for cannabis investors with over $1.3 billion raised by Canadian companies to date. There are 58 licensed producers to service a population of 36 million and only two organic producers. TGOD, which holds licenses in Ontario and Quebec, is strategically located in both provinces that together claim 22 million Canadians as residents. Another estimated 57 million people live next door in six U.S. bordering states.
The Canadian cannabis market currently has a massive supply demand gap, which makes TGOD's expansion plans even more important to investors. These plans include a combined build-out capacity of 970,000 square feet, allowing TGOD to produce 116,000 kg annually of organic cannabis. Upon completion, Phase One in Hamilton, Ontario, which is fully funded, will provide 150,000 square feet of growing capacity capable of producing up to 14,000 kg of cannabis or $112 million in revenue at $8 a gram.
The company's Quebec expansion will be constructed on a recently secured 75-acre property near Montreal. This new property has a planned expansion of 820,000 square feet capable of producing 102,000 kg of organic cannabis. The first phase of this expansion is underway and construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2018. Quebec's first phase will consist of 220,000 square feet capable of producing 22,000 kg of cannabis. Two additional expansion phases will add 250,000 square feet (26,000 kg of cannabis) and 350,000 square feet (54,000 kg of cannabis). Power costs remain exceptionally low for both facilities with access to all other needed utilities available and close by.
TGOD also plans to gain a share of the burgeoning cannabis oils market which by Q1 2017 accounted for 49 percent of all cannabis sold in Canada under the ACMPR, up from only 27% in Q2 2016. TGOD has ordered a purpose-built extraction laboratory with an estimated commission in Q4 of 2017. This is a commercial-scale CO2 extraction unit capable of processing up to 12,000 kg of raw material per year and producing approximately $170 million worth of organic cannabis oils. Raw cannabis oil provides a significant downstream manufacturing opportunity into several potential recreational market verticals including edibles, beverages, topicals and concentrates.
Data from the Canadian ACMPR Market Trends report indicates a rising number of consumers will continue to seek out healthier, less conspicuous ways to consume cannabis, ensuring sales of organic cannabis oil products remain brisk. Organic cannabis products demand a significant premium compared to non-organic products and the demand keeps growing.
Plans to take the company public are underway with an initial public offering (IPO) slated for January 2018. In November, the company raised $13 million in equity financing and in March closed a $27 million non-brokered private placement. Another $20 million is currently being raised before the IPO in January, which will be utilized for expansion plans.
TGOD is uniquely positioned between the medical and recreational cannabis industry since Canada is scheduled to legalize cannabis for all adults in mid-2018. As of August 2017, TGOD has 2,400 shareholders. Established in 2012, TGOD's motto, "Making Life Better," can be seen in its strategic partnerships, top quality management team, and dedication to organic farming and principles.
To learn more about the company and how to invest, contact TGOD directly at financing@tgod.ca
TMSR Holding Company Ltd. (NASDAQ:
TMSR)
TMSR Holding Company Ltd. (NASDAQ: TMSR), together with its subsidiaries, is a recognized leader in the research, development, production and sale of solid waste recycling systems and zero emissions process systems, for the industrial and mining sectors in the People's Republic of China. The company operates through its wholly owned business divisions: Shengrong Environmental and Wuhan HOST Coating Materials.
TMSR's Shengrong subsidiary designs, builds, sells and services customized solid waste recycling systems and equipment for some of the largest industries in China. The company provides customers full-service, tailor-made systems from conceptual design to planning, production, modernization, optimization, assembly, start-up, conversions, disassembly, maintenance and servicing of components to complete zero emissions solid waste recycling and process systems.
Utilizing what management believed to be the world's most advanced technologies of physical magnetic industrial solid waste recovery, Shengrong can process a variety of industrial solid waste materials and is able to extract valuable metal byproducts from the waste without generating any chemical pollution. Shengrong's patented equipment can process aluminum slag, copper mine tailings, iron mine tailings, red mud manganese tailings, and molybdenum tailings among many others. Unlike traditional chemical-based recovery methods, the company extracts resalable metals from the waste without generating any pollution. The residues are processed to manufacture high-quality construction materials, turning polluted solid waste into valuable industrial materials with zero discharge.
Industrial solid waste recycling and heavy metal removal are significant worldwide technical, financial and environmental issues. Through Shengrong, TMSR is addressing this profound unmet market need by delivering end users a clean alternative to traditional waste disposal. The company intends to leverage these serious unmet needs, expand its patented industrial waste recycling systems to broad international markets, and provide global industrial and mining businesses cost-effective, patented green technology platforms that create new-found revenue streams for end users.
Through Shengrong, TMSR owns two U.S. patents and five patents granted by the Peoples Republic of China, including four invention patents and two utility model patents. The company's research and development efforts have achieved technological advancements that allow end users to eliminate pollutant discharge as well as generate new revenue streams by selling valuable byproducts extracted from industrial waste.
TMSR subsidiary, Wuhan HOST Coating Materials, is the largest manufacturer of inorganic Zinc-rich resin and one-component epoxy Zinc-rich resin in China. Established in 2010, Wuhan HOST is a leader in the research and development, production and sale of Zinc-rich coating materials throughout the PRC and has a broad customer base that includes some of the foremost enterprises in major industries such as electricity, metallurgy, machinery, chemicals, bridge and shipping. TMSR completed the acquisition of 100% equity interest in Wuhan HOST Coating Materials on May 1, 2018.
Notably, TMSR first went public as JM Global Holding Company, a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) formed to effect a merger, asset acquisition or other business combination that had exceptional growth potential. After reviewing over 50 potential targets and completing due diligence and third party analysis, JM Global identified China Sunlong Environmental Technology Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries as the acquisition target. Upon closing the business combination, the company was re-named TMSR Holding Company Ltd.
Demand for TMSR's products is expected to grow significantly due to Chinese policies that encourage mining and manufacturing companies to adopt "green" technology. Approximately 3 billion tons of industrial solid waste were generated annually in China between 2011 through 2015. Currently, 95% of industrial solid waste in China is stored in special facilities and sites; however, the cost of storage, disposal and incineration of industrial solid wastes is high. TMSR is focused on exploiting this unmet need, providing end users in the solid waste recycling markets a clean alternative to traditional waste disposal, significantly reducing solid waste discharge into the environment and enabling end users to extract value from industrial waste materials.
Virtual Crypto Technologies Inc. (OTCQB:
VRCP)
Virtual Crypto Technologies Inc. (OTCQB: VRCP), is a technology company dedicated to making cryptocurrencies accessible to the public, specifically by creating payment solutions for businesses and consumers which combine Application Programming Interfaces and Mobile Applications, for implementation across ATM's, PCs, tablets and other mobile devices (www.virtual-crypto.com).
The company's proprietary algorithmic technology trading platform, utilized in it's product line called NetoBit, can instantaneously confirm the purchase or sale of Bitcoin, a process that typically can take between 10 minutes to 24 hours. All trades and exchanges are insured up to $3,000 per trade.
The global market for ATM machines that allow transactions in cryptocurrencies is forecast to increase from its 2017 valuation of $14 million to surpass $285.1 million by 2025 with a CAGR of 45.8 percent, according to market researcher Coherent News (http://nnw.fm/N867q), but only about a third of the machines currently allow two-way trades.
With NetoBit, cryptocurrency holders enjoy immediate confirmation of Bitcoin and its crypto equivalents at the best crypto exchange rate at the point of transaction – providing a major breakthrough in the quest to bring cryptocurrencies to the mass market. Virtual Crypto's cryptocurrency ATM, embedded with currency exchange transaction validation (CETV) in its hardware and software, accepts and dispenses cash and cryptocurrency in seconds.
Virtual Crypto's NetoBit ATM and retail point-of-sale, NetoBit Pay, incorporates advanced technologies tailored to the needs of primary market players, users, investors, and business owners. Virtual Crypto's platform bridges the three main functions of the cryptocurrency sector – exchanges, wallets and payments – to the world of fiat exchanges, granting access to immediate cash exchanges between consumers and businesses worldwide.
NetoBit'sover-the-counter, two-way transaction solution is available through one app, providing online cryptocurrency transactions at ecommerce and gaming portals. The app provides real-time cryptocurrency validation and exchange, easy buying and selling of Bitcoin , enables traders to buy and trade crypto, and gamers to transfer cryptocurrency into cash after play. Crypto users can withdraw funds from their crypto accounts through a NetoBit cryptocurrency ATM or software-enabled tablet, and consumers can purchase retail with crypto from businesses that offer and use the NetoBit software.
The company's newly redesigned corporate website, www.virtual-crypto.com, delivers a simple, clean design with enhanced functionality, features and navigation. Virtual Crypto's new corporate website includes:
- Media room with downloadable product brochures, corporate presentations, product demo's and other relevant content
- Investor's page provides transparency to investors with direct access to Virtual Crypto's progress through press releases, SEC filings, senior management team bios, and stock performance charts
- Downloadable NetoBit app link and contact forms for more information
- MarketWatch provides real-time tracking of the Bitcoin market, with other currencies to follow
- Improved security utilizing https certificates to protect personal information and site integrity
- Social Media integration with buttons for LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook jump to Virtual Crypto's social media profiles, providing real-time updates from the online community
"Our primary objective is to make cryptocurrencies accessible to everyone, and that was the motivation for our redesign," said Alon Dayan, Chief Executive Officer of Virtual Crypto. "The updated content provides real value for our customers, shareholders and employees, showcasing our products and services, in an intuitive, easy to navigate way."
Virtual Crypto's strategic vision of "Cryptocurrency Made Easy" allows crypto traders and users to overcome the complex hurdles currently hampering the cryptocurrency sphere.
Zenergy Brands, Inc. (ZNGY)
Zenergy Brands, Inc. (OTCQB: ZNGY) is the nation's leading next-generation energy and technology company operating in the emerging smart energy, conservation, and utility industries. Headquartered in Texas, Zenergy provides an entire suite of conservation-based products and services that enable clients to achieve sustainability goals, reduce carbon emissions and improve their bottom line. The company's cutting-edge Zero Cost Program™ reduces utility expenses by 20 percent to 60 percent by offering energy conservation, smart controls, and efficiency-based products and services to residential, commercial, industrial and municipal end-use customers.
The Zero Cost Program™ is a financing mechanism that allows customers to reduce water, natural gas and electricity expenses by implementing proven conservation technologies at no out-of-pocket cost. The Zero Cost Program™ enriches businesses by immediately reducing energy consumption through the use of smart controls, building automation, LED lighting solutions, refrigeration optimization, efficient water systems, EC motor controls, demand-side management and load factor correction.
A unique Managed Energy Services Agreement ("MESA") allows a portion of these utility savings to be retained by Zenergy's partner financing the upgraded, retrofit equipment and installation costs until a specified repayment period ends. After that, clients reap all the financial rewards of the technologies implemented, which Zenergy estimates should range between 25 percent and 45 percent of total utility costs.
Residential customers seeking cost-effective energy savings can also choose from a suite of "Smart Home" products including home automation, security monitoring, and energy conservation services that can be controlled 24/7 from the comfort and convenience of their smartphones or internet-connected smart devices. Zenergy's residential program offers partnership opportunities for homebuilders and residential, multi-family real estate developers to provide smart home technologies to high-end customers.
Zenergy Brands' acquisition of Enertrade Electric LLC, a fully operating, licensed Texas-based Retail Electric Provider (REP), further increases the company's value proposition. Zenergy CEO Alex Rodriguez said this new subsidiary adds an essential complementary service to the company's suite of smart energy products and services.
"Since our founding, our vision has been to converge smart controls (home and building automation) with energy conservation and retail energy to deliver the comprehensive smart energy service to customers," Rodriguez said.
On a global scale, residential and commercial buildings account for nearly 45 percent of the world's total energy consumption. Improving the energy efficiency of these homes and buildings is often a more affordable way to reduce harmful gas emissions while minimizing the need for new energy production. According to Navigant Research, global revenue for energy-efficient commercial building retrofits alone is expected to grow from $71.4 billion in 2016 to $100.8 billion in 2025. At the same time, the energy-efficient devices market is expected to reach a market size of $908 billion by 2022. Increasing demands for reduction in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions along with concerns over climate change are contributing factors driving the market's overall growth.
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