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FREELANCER.COM PARTNERS WITH THE BUREAU OF RECLAMATION AND NASA TO IMPROVE HYDROPOWER SYSTEM RELIABILITY

Freelancer.com

Freelancer Limited (ASX: FLN), the world’s largest freelancing and crowdsourcing marketplace, in partnership with Arrow Electronics, one of the world’s largest electronic components distributors, has secured the US$250,000 Automated Maintenance of Protection Systems Challenge, for the Bureau of Reclamation. The aim of the challenge is to improve the reliability of hydropower plant generation by automating safety equipment testing and reducing plant downtime. Using the Freelancer.com and ArrowPlus platforms are expected to attract a large number of candidates offering a variety of viable solutions. “We’re excited to deliver the Automated Maintenance of Protection Systems Challenge ( AMPS Challenge ) for the Bureau of Reclamation using the world’s largest online talent pool of electronic & electrical engineers in what will be the largest challenge yet by an order of magnitude - a quarter of a million US dollars in prize money. If you have the skills, sign up now to Freelancer.com to participate”, said Freelancer Chief Executive, Matt Barrie. Freelancer has broad expertise in engineering with over 2.5 million freelance engineers on its platform, ~260,000 who specialize in electrical engineering. There are also millions of tangentially skilled experts including software, hardware, and firmware developers. Freelancer.com has sourced over 13,000 product designs from more than 6,000 designers in contests run on behalf of NASA. Freelancer built and operates ArrowPlus the world’s largest electrical and electronic engineering crowdsourcing platform which 175,000 leading technology manufacturers and service providers access to guide innovation. The Bureau of Reclamation’s AMPS Challenge will be a two-phase challenge seeking improvements and/or fresh concepts to automate protection system testing at Reclamation hydropower facilities: a White Paper Challenge and a Prototype Challenge. The White Paper Challenge offers a total prize of $100,000, expecting to award up to 10 prizes of $10,000 each. In the Prototype Challenge, commencing immediately after the White Paper Challenge ends, the best prototype will be awarded up to $100,000 prize. In addition, $10,000 awards will be presented for teams that excel in individual benchmarks for a total prototype purse of $150,000. See https://www.freelancer.com/reclamation for more details. This is the first task order won by Freelancer under the US$25 million NOIS2 joint tender and is valued at US$365,000. About the Bureau of Reclamation Established in 1902, the Bureau of Reclamation is best known for the dams, powerplants, and canals it constructed in the 17 western states. These water projects led to homesteading and promoted the economic development of the West. Reclamation has constructed more than 600 dams and reservoirs including Hoover Dam on the Colorado River and Grand Coulee on the Columbia River. The Bureau of Reclamation is the largest wholesaler of water in the USA. It brings water to more than 31 million people and provides one out of five Western farmers (140,000) with irrigation water for 10 million acres of farmland. Reclamation is also the second-largest producer of hydroelectric power in the United States. Its 53 power plants annually provide more than 40 billion kilowatt-hours generating nearly a billion dollars in power revenues and produce enough electricity to serve 3.5 million homes. About Freelancer ® Twelve-time Webby award-winning Freelancer.com is the world’s largest freelancing and crowdsourcing marketplace by total number of users and jobs posted. More than 53 million registered users have posted over 20 million jobs and contests to date in over 1,800 areas as diverse as website development, logo design, marketing, copywriting, astrophysics, aerospace engineering and manufacturing. Freelancer owns StartCon, Australia's largest startup conference, expo and entrepreneur community established in 2009, WarriorForum.com, the world’s largest Internet marketing community & marketplace, Escrow.com, the world’s largest provider of secure online escrow and online transaction management for consumers and businesses on the Internet, and Freightlancer, a global marketplace for freight, shipping and transportation. Freelancer Limited is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange under the ticker ASX:FLN, and on the OTCQX, under the ticker OTCQX:FLNCF. Contact Details Freelancer.com Sebastian Siseles +1 415-801-2271 sebastian@freelancer.com Freelancer.com Helma Kusuma +19179202356 helma@freelancer.com Company Website https://www.freelancer.com

June 21, 2021 07:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Osmo Announces Amazon Prime Day Sale: Up to 40% Off Select Kits, Games, Bundles and More

Osmo

Award-winning STEAM brand Osmo announces it will offer up to 40% off select kits, games, bundles and more for Amazon Prime Day, June 21 and 22. All Prime Day deals can be viewed at Osmo’s Amazon store. Save 30% on these Osmo kits, games, and bundles at Amazon.com: Little Genius Starter Kit for iPad (base included) Little Genius Starter Kit for Fire Tablet (base included) Little Genius Starter Kit for iPad + Grab & Go Small Storage Case Bundle (for iPad Starter Kits) (base included) Little Genius Starter Kit for iPad + Grab & Go Large Storage Case for iPad Bundle (base included) Little Genius Starter Kit + Early Math Adventure for iPad (base included) Genius Starter Kit for Fire Tablet (base included) Genius Starter Kit + Family Game Night for iPad (base included) Creative Starter Kit for iPad (base included) Creative Starter Kit for iPad + Super Studio Disney Princess Bundle (base included) Creative Starter Kit for iPad + Little Genius Starter Kit for iPad (base included) Creative Starter Kit for iPad + Detective Agency Bundle (base included) Creative Starter Kit for iPad + Pizza Co. Bundle (base included) Math Wizard and the Secrets of the Dragons for iPad & Fire Tablet (base required) Math Wizard and the Magical Workshop for iPad & Fire Tablet (base required) Math Wizard and The Secrets of The Dragons & Magical Workshop for iPad & Fire Tablet Bundle (base required) Math Wizard and The Secrets of The Dragons & Magical Workshop for iPad Bundle (base included) Coding Family Bundle for iPad & Fire Tablet + Base for iPad (base included) Coding Family Bundle for iPad & Fire Tablet + Base for Fire Tablet (base included) Coding Family Bundle for iPad & Fire Tablet (base required) Super Studio Disney Mickey Mouse & Friends for iPad & Fire Tablet (base required) Super Studio Disney Princess + iPad Base Bundle (base included) Super Studio Disney Princess + Fire Tablet Base Bundle (base included) Super Studio Disney Frozen 2 + iPad Base Bundle (base included) Super Studio Disney Frozen 2 + Fire Tablet Base Bundle (base included) Super Studio Disney Princess Game + iPad Base Bundle (base included) Super Studio Disney Princess Game + Fire Tablet Base Bundle (base included) Osmo offers up to 30% off all kits and games at Target.com during Target Deal Days, which continues through June 22. The full list of Target deals can be viewed here. About Osmo Osmo is an award-winning STEAM brand whose products are used in over 50,000 classrooms and 2.5 million homes. It is building a universe of hands-on play experiences that nourish the minds of children by unleashing the power of imagination. The company brings physical tools into the digital world through augmented reality and its proprietary reflective artificial intelligence. Founded in 2013 by ex-Google engineers Pramod Sharma and Jerome Scholler, the Osmo Play System fuses digital gameplay and physical interaction to create fun and nutritious play experiences designed for all kids. Osmo is headquartered in Palo Alto, California. Learn more at playosmo.com. For information about its educational division, Osmo for Schools, visit schools.playosmo.com. Contact Details Carolyn Kamii PR Carolyn Kamii +1 310-251-0550 carolynkpr@gmail.com Osmo Karen O'Dell karen@playosmo.com Company Website http://www.playosmo.com

June 21, 2021 12:01 AM Pacific Daylight Time

Cyvatar Raises an Additional $9 Million in Series A Round

Cyvatar

Cyvatar today announced that it has raised $9 million as part of its Series A financing to help scale and serve its rapidly growing customer base and continue to drive the adoption of its innovative cybersecurity-as-a-service (CSaaS) model. Escalating cybersecurity breaches and the need to address vulnerabilities across systems, networks, and apps fuel the security services market, expected to reach $193 billion by 2028. Additionally, the growth in hybrid and remote workers coupled with unsecured and unpatched BYOD devices further underscores the need for on-demand cybersecurity resources that include human talent, proven processes, and best-of-breed technology delivered from a single intuitive platform. Cyvatar has grown more than 200% since its debut in October. ATX Venture Partners led the round with additional participation from existing customer CORTEC and longtime Cyvatar investor Bill Wood Ventures. Cyvatar closed a $3 million seed round late last year, bringing the total amount raised over the last eight months to $12 million. “We’ve seen fundraising explode in the security space, in part as a result of the raft of ransomware, email compromise, and phishing attacks that have made people more aware of the problem and increased the need to fix it quickly and effectively,” said Chris Shonk, partner at ATX Venture Partners. “Cyvatar is an exciting addition to our dynamic portfolio and a natural fit alongside our other rapidly growing organizations. No other company we evaluated solves the problems of cybersecurity like Cyvatar. With Cyvatar CSaaS, security becomes as effortless as turning on the lights. There’s no better value for customers.” Cyvatar CSaaS offers security in a box for organizations of any size and any level of cybersecurity expertise--already more than 150 platform members have started the security journey with Cyvatar. Its mature sales and marketing engine makes it easy for new members to join and offers ongoing education and support for existing customers to continuously remediate evolving threats, safeguard critical systems, and boost compliance scores. "I can tell you that after implementing just three Cyvatar solutions, our security confidence is a lot stronger than it was before and our company as a whole is far more secure,” said Brent Fanguy, vice president of technology at CORTEC. “We applaud Cyvatar for pricing by employee count because it’s so easy to calculate and fit into our budget -- no counting servers or workstations, which is a nightmare. Cyvatar has delivered consistent value from our security spend, and we look forward to continuing to grow our partnership with them.” Whether customers need to speed their sales cycles, remediate after a breach, prevent future incursions, or respond to a third-party risk assessment, Cyvatar helps them achieve superior business outcomes every day. Click HERE to get started free and learn more about how Cyvatar is making cybersecurity effortless for every business. About Cyvatar Cyvatar is committed to effortless cybersecurity for everyone. As the industry’s first subscription-based, cybersecurity-as-a-service (CSaaS) company, it’s our mission to transform the way the security industry builds, sells, and supports cyber solutions. We empower our members to achieve successful outcomes by providing expert advisors, proven technologies, and a strategic process roadmap to guarantee results that map to their business drivers. Our approach is rooted in proprietary ICARM (installation, configuration, assessment, remediation, maintenance) methodology that delivers smarter, measurable security solutions for superior compliance and cyber-attack protection faster and more efficiently, all at a fixed monthly price. And because we’re a subscription, members can cancel anytime. Cyvatar is a global organization with operations around the world. Begin your journey to security confidence at cyvatar.ai and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube. About ATX Venture Partners ATX Venture Partners is an early-stage venture capital firm specializing in the South-Central US. The firm’s seed and Series A investments focus on software-as-a-service, IoT, e-commerce, AI, frontier commercial technologies and mobile applications. ATX Venture Partners brings institutional-grade funding, process and rigor to early-stage venture capital investments, and is the partner to propel portfolio companies forward to larger growth capital. The firm was founded in 2014 and is based in Austin, Texas. Visit www.atxventurepartners.com, and follow them on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Contact Details Cyvatar KC Higgins +1 303-434-8163 kc@cyvatar.ai ATX Ventures Meg Brigman +15127666462 meg@atxventurepartners.com Company Website https://cyvatar.ai/

June 17, 2021 07:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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COMCAST AND FAMILY PROMISE OF SPOKANE LAUNCH FREE WIFI-CONNECTED “LIFT ZONES” AT LOCAL SHELTERS

Comcast Washington

Comcast Washington and Family Promise of Spokane today announced the opening of WiFi-connected Lift Zones at three family shelters across the City of Spokane. Comcast is equipping the Family Promise shelters with free robust WiFi technology that will help dozens of vulnerable students participate in distance learning and do their homework, and ensure adults and families are able to access needed online resources as they seek to transition into a stable home. In addition to Lift Zones, Comcast is providing new laptop computers to support the Family Promise of Spokane transitional housing program. The new devices provide families transitioning into permanent housing with technology that they can use for schooling, seeking jobs, applying for assistance programs, and more. The COVID-19 crisis has also worsened the gap in access to internet and technology that adults and families living in homelessness experience. Comcast Lift Zones are uniquely positioned to address this issue by providing robust WiFi technology for free in community centers that lack consistent access to the internet. Lift Zones at the following shelters will offer internet connectivity and technology access in a safe and positive place and strengthen Family Promise of Spokane’s efforts to help families transition from homelessness into a more stable situation: The Mission House– 2012 E Mission Ave Spokane, WA 99202 Open Doors Family Emergency Shelter– 2002 E Mission Ave Spokane, WA 99202 The Harston House – 904 E Hartson Ave Spokane, WA 99202 “For the families we serve, the internet is a key tool that helps them connect to so many different resources they need. From online learning for their kids, to finding housing and employment, to applying for government support and resources, it is invaluable, especially during this global pandemic,” said Joe Ader, Executive Director, Family Promise of Spokane. “By providing free connectivity to families, Comcast is helping us make a tremendous impact at a time of when it is deeply needed.” The new robust WiFi coverage is so effective it has reduced the number of troubleshooting cases the IT and Data Systems team manages for families onsite, allowing it to focus on other programs the shelter is building to address homelessness in Spokane County. “Internet is one of the most important resources we offer our clients and prior to the Comcast Lift Zone technology we would typically have roughly 60 connectivity troubleshooting issues in a given week,” said J Wylie, IT and Data Systems Manager for Family Promise of Spokane. “The new WiFi connection has greatly reduced these issues, allowing my team to focus on other technology and data projects that will help us better understand and serve our local vulnerable community members.” “Our work with Family Promise over the last several years has been focused on addressing digital equity gaps, by providing affordable internet connectivity to local families transitioning out of homeless,” said Kris Workman, Senior Director, Comcast in Spokane. “By opening Lift Zones at these shelters, we can take that work one step further by powering these Family Promise buildings with robust WiFi connectivity that their families can use while they are onsite.” Lift Zones complement Comcast’s Internet Essentials program and is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to help connect low-income families to the Internet in and outside of the home. Comcast plans to complete 80 Lift Zones in Washington by the end of 2021. Internet Essentials is Comcast’s signature digital equity initiative and the nation’s largest and most comprehensive broadband adoption program. Since 2011, Internet Essentials has connected more than 10 million people in America to broadband internet at home, including 60,000 in Spokane County. Today’s announcement also comes on the heels of Comcast’s  recent $1 billion commitment  over the next 10 years to help further close the digital divide and give even more low-income students and families the tools and resources they need to succeed in a digital world.   For more information about Comcast’s comprehensive connectivity program for low-income Americans visit https://corporate.comcast.com/values/internet-essentials About Family Promise of Spokane Family Promise of Spokane helps local communities coordinate their compassion to address the root causes of family homelessness. The organization taps existing local resources to empower families towards economic stability. Families come to them in crisis; Family Promise of Spokane helps them rebuild their lives with new skills and ongoing support. The nonprofit addresses the issue holistically, providing prevention services before families reach crisis, shelter and case management when they become homeless, and stabilization programs once they have secured housing to ensure they remain independent. For more information visit www.familypromiseofspokane.org/ About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company with three primary businesses: Comcast Cable, NBCUniversal, and Sky. Comcast Cable is one of the United States’ largest video, high-speed Internet, and phone providers to residential customers under the Xfinity brand, and also provides these services to businesses. It also provides wireless and security and automation services to residential customers under the Xfinity brand. NBCUniversal is global and operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures, and Universal Parks and Resorts. Sky is one of Europe's leading media and entertainment companies, connecting customers to a broad range of video content through its pay television services. It also provides communications services, including residential high-speed Internet, phone, and wireless services. Sky operates the Sky News broadcast network and sports and entertainment networks, produces original content, and has exclusive content rights. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Comcast Washington Nick McDonald +1 425-977-5565 Nick_McDonald@Comcast.com Family Promise of Spokane Craig Howard +15097683083 choward@familypromiseofspokane.org Company Website https://washington.comcast.com/

June 16, 2021 05:57 AM Pacific Daylight Time

Increase In Early Retirement Forcing Americans to Collect Permanently Reduced Social Security.

Jennifer Lang Financial Services, LLC

Contact Details Jennifer Lang Financial Services, LLC. Jennifer Lang +1 870-413-6993 mail@jenniferlangfinancialservices.com Company Website https://www.jenniferlangfinancialservices.com

June 15, 2021 10:05 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Minuteman Press Printing Franchise in Bethesda, MD Celebrates Grand Reopening

Minuteman Press International Inc

Located at 8210 Wisconsin Avenue, Minuteman Press in Bethesda held its grand reopening event on May 15 th in conjunction with the Rockville Chamber of Commerce. Owner Leslie Klein was excited to celebrate the renovations of her center as well as the return of local community events to Bethesda. She says, “We redid our lobby, added a new envelope printer, and rearranged our layout to optimize our production and best serve our clients. It feels fantastic to celebrate our grand reopening!” As she reflects on her grand reopening as well as the past year, Leslie says, “The pandemic took its toll on everyone and we are just thrilled to be able to move forward. Last year, we remained open as an essential business and continued to support and serve our community in any way we could. For example, I reached out to all of the local school districts and we ended up printing and distributing 3,000 graduation yard signs, which was really gratifying.” Today, Leslie is happy to get back to business. “As soon as networking events opened back up, I jumped on board and attended all sorts of networking and speed networking sessions. This past week alone, I received two jobs for orders from people who referred me from those events. It feels great to get back out there and let people know what Minuteman Press in Bethesda is all about.” Some of the popular high-demand items that Leslie’s team provides to clients right now include bulk mailings, banners and signs (large format printing), promotional products, and custom printing for events and trade shows. Leslie says, “Community events are coming back and this summer is already heating up for us. We have already been selected to be the print supplier for two golf tournaments. For one of the upcoming golf outings, we are producing 60 double-sided yard signs, retractable banners, table tents, and promotional magnets.” Leslie adds, “As for bulk mailings, I’ve done my research on direct mail and I’ve really made it a point of focus at networking events. I talk about direct mail in Chamber groups, my BNI group, and to my customers. We are able to help them market themselves and our ability to design, print, and do the mailings for them makes it easy for our clients.” “Our clients will give us an idea of what they want and as marketing and printing professionals we’re able to help them figure out what they really need. We are a small business with a team that works really well together. What I’ve learned is that print is here to stay and we can assist our clients with customized products and services that make sense for their needs and their bottom lines.” -Leslie Klein, owner, Minuteman Press franchise, Bethesda, Maryland From Nursing to Printing Prior to buying Minuteman Press in Bethesda in November 2019, Leslie Klein worked 25 years as a nurse and also spent time raising her three children. She says, “I loved being a nurse but I always wanted to do something entrepreneurial for myself. My husband and I decided to go to the local franchise show in April 2019 because it was fun to see what opportunities were out there. I always thought I might end up with a business related to gardening since it’s a hobby of mine, and I also looked at other options such as an eyelash/cosmetics franchise. I met Minuteman Press Regional Vice President Bob Heimbuch at the show and learned about printing. We did our research, the price was right, and by the middle of May we put down a deposit for Minuteman Press in Bethesda.” “Minuteman Press provided me with a turnkey business where I didn’t have to reinvent the wheel. I love everything about the ongoing local support Minuteman Press provides as well as the business model where I have nights, weekends, and holidays off. I enjoyed being a nurse but the hours were hard and I left the field to raise my kids. I love what I am doing now and I feel my quality of life and work-life balance are far superior than when I was working in hospitals.” -Leslie Klein When asked about the rewards of owning her own business, Leslie answers, “My staff is absolutely amazing and we work well together to best serve our customers.” She concludes, “Being able to fulfill custom orders and keeping my clients happy is such a great feeling. Being able to learn and grow with them is my ultimate reward.” Minuteman Press in Bethesda has been awarded the 2021 Best of Bethesda Award in the Commercial Printers, Designers & Marketers category. The award from the Bethesda Award Program recognizes Leslie and her team for working to “enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community.” For more information on Minuteman Press in Bethesda, call (301) 656-1188 or visit https://www.mmpbethesda.com. Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

June 15, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Velocity Global commits $1M to First Descents to expand adventure programs for young adults coping with multiple sclerosis

Velocity Global

First Descents (FD) has announced a transformative $1 million contribution from Velocity Global to support the expansion of adventure programs for young adults living with multiple sclerosis (MS). Funds will support program development and help reach more than 1,000 MS participants over the next 5 years. “First Descents serves people first to fill a gap in psychosocial supportive care for young adults living with MS. Velocity Global is honored to support the expansion of these programs through this donation and volunteer efforts from our global team,” said Ben Wright, founder and CEO of Velocity Global. “I have witnessed the healing impact of First Descents programs firsthand, and am proud our company is in a position to advance this important work.” Velocity Global and First Descents share a special partnership that transcends financial support. The two Colorado-based companies began as office neighbors at INDUSTRY Denver in 2014. Over the years, Velocity Global employees have volunteered on First Descents programs and fundraised while competing in the Ragnar Snowmass Relay and the TransRockies Run. In 2018, Velocity Global contributed $150,000 to pilot MS programming which began with a whitewater kayaking experience in Tarkio, Montana. “Velocity Global’s support will help us to serve more than 1,000 young adults living with MS in the coming years while investing in vital partnerships with patient advocacy groups and neurology clinics nationwide,” observes Ryan O’Donoghue, CEO, First Descents. “We want MS patients to learn about First Descents closer to the time of diagnosis and know that we are here for them. Velocity Global’s leadership support will make this vision a reality.” The National MS Society indicates there are approximately 1 million people living with multiple sclerosis in the United States with approximately 10,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Typically, MS is diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with a median age of diagnosis at 34. Young adults living with MS can experience significant physical, neurological and psychosocial changes that often disrupt important developmental milestones. In addition to the complexities of clinical treatments and lifestyle implications, the relapsing and progressive nature of MS can be daunting, and can result in significant psychosocial distress. According to the National MS Society, clinical depression ranks among the most common comorbidities associated with MS. These realities have been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic where prolonged social isolation and apprehension for the future have taken a significant toll. First Descents is working with several renowned patient advocacy groups, including the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) to reach more people coping with MS. “There is an important need to support young adult MS patients with age appropriate programming that can improve their outlook and quality of life,” observes Gina Ross Murdoch, CEO, Multiple Sclerosis Association of America. “Staying fit and active - especially with peers living with MS - can greatly benefit patients’ mental and physical health. We are excited to work with First Descents and Velocity Global on the launch of these programs.” First Descents’ all-inclusive programs are free of charge to participants. All programs ensure ADA lodging compliance, a tailored Wahls protocol nutrition program, and fully-accessible outdoor activities. Further, programs are designed with careful consideration to mitigate heat sensitivity, balance issues, and fatigue. Ultimately, First Descents creates an environment where young adults with MS can reclaim their physical agency, explore new activities, and nurture lifelong supportive peer relationships. ### ABOUT VELOCITY GLOBAL Velocity Global accelerates the future of work beyond borders. Its platform enables businesses to employ remote teams and expand internationally through global expertise, best-in-breed technology, and scale. More than 700 brands rely on its Employer of Record model and infrastructure, also called an International PEO (Professional Employer Organization), in 185 countries and all 50 United States to compliantly employ thousands of supported employees, access global talent, and grow revenue. Named a “Leader” in Global Employer of Record services by prominent analyst firm NelsonHall, Velocity Global is a strategic partner to its clients through additional comprehensive services including Immigration, Independent Contractor Compliance to assess a workforce, and Agent of Record (AoR) to streamline payments to contractors globally. Founded in 2014, the company is headquartered in Denver, Colorado, with regional headquarters in Amsterdam, Bogotá, and Singapore, with local employees in 16 countries. ABOUT FIRST DESCENTS First Descents (FD) is a leader in adventure-based healing. Through outdoor adventure, community building, and lifestyle development, FD improves long-term survivorship and quality of life for young adults impacted by cancer, multiple sclerosis, and other serious health conditions. Headquartered in Denver, First Descents has served more than 10,000 participants over the last 20 years. Beginning in 2020, First Descents launched programs for healthcare workers on the frontlines of COVID-19. All services are fully-adaptive and free of charge. A Guidestar Platinum-ranked nonprofit, First Descents has been recognized on CNN Heroes and Outside Magazine's Best Places to Work. RESOURCES: First Descents MS Program Page Contact Details Velocity Global John Hall +1 720-650-4348 johnhall@velocityglobal.com First Descents Ray Shedd +12034999633 ray.shedd@firstdescents.org Company Website https://velocityglobal.com/

June 15, 2021 07:02 AM Mountain Daylight Time

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Taiwanese Online Learning Startups Flourish During Pandemic, Make Headway in APAC

CommonWealth Education Media and Publishing

TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach – 15 June 2021 - The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a boom in homeschooling. At the same time, it has accelerated the development of online learning platforms around the world. According to the “2020 Asia-Pacific Independent Learning White Paper” published by the online self-learning startup Snapask, COVID-19 has changed the way we learn in many countries. The number of Snapask users has increased exponentially in Asia-Pacific (APAC), especially in Korea (275%) and Japan (173%). According to the “2021 White Paper” published by Taiwan’s biggest online education platform Hahow, in 2020, its number of users increased by 60%, its revenue doubled to reach 270 million NTD, and traffic to its online platforms grew by 150%. In mid-May, the number of COVID cases spiked in Taiwan. Concurrently, traffic for Hahow’s enterprise-level courses “Hahow for Business” grew by 200%, while the average time spent on these courses more than doubled. The online English-learning platform VoiceTube reported that the number of web version users grew 75% month-over-month, while the number of new registrations on Snapask grew 35% month-over-month. All this goes to show that education has moved online after schools closed. Students are eagerly looking for learning resources on the internet to educate and improve themselves. Hahow, VoiceTube, and Snapask are three online learning platforms that are participating in “EduStartup 20+”, a startup accelerator program cocreated by Taiwan’s National Development Council and CommonWealth Parenting, the most influential education brand in the Chinese-speaking world. All three companies are pursuing a proactive market strategy that will expand their presence in the APAC region. For example, Hahow is targeting Chinese-speaking users in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. By developing suitable intellectual property for lecturers, Hahow seeks to optimize its user experience by promoting content overseas and attracting international traffic. By providing educational content for free in smaller packages, VoiceTube has so far been able to secure 300,000 new user registrations in Japan. Beginning this month, VoiceTube will offer paid content in Japan featuring advanced educational functions and courses. As for Snapask, it is mainly focusing on markets in Japan, Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia. It will introduce online video courses based on the local curriculums and provide afterschool learning programs for middle-schoolers. The National Development Council has devoted a lot of effort to helping Taiwanese startups compete on the world stage. Besides introducing Taiwan's national startup brand “Startup Island Taiwan” and the “Asia Silicon Valley Development Plan”, the current plan to “Accelerate Taiwan’s Education Startups on the World Stage” has provided resources for companies qualified for the “EduStartup 20+” program for two consecutive years. In the future, the National Development Council will continue to help these companies connect with the global market, establish a presence overseas, and broaden the international influence of Taiwan’s startup brands. Contact Details CommonWealth Education Media and Publishing Polly Peng pollypeng@cw.com.tw

June 15, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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The Impact of Hearing Loss and What You Can Do About It

YourUpdateTV

Hearing loss has been shown to affect nearly every dimension of human life, including physical, emotional and mental health. Recently, World Champion and Olympic Kayaker, Eric Jackson, participated in a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss his own battle with hearing loss and the importance of getting your hearing tested. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/0Ewdu9hNHF8 Hearing loss is the most common neurologic disorder in the world, affecting around 460 million people. According to the National Institutes of Health, about 37.5 million adults report some trouble hearing. Experts note that hearing loss is an undertreated condition, with an estimated 28.8 million U.S. adults with mild to severe hearing loss could serve to benefit from hearing aids. Untreated hearing loss brings higher risk of dementia, depression, memory loss, injury, and cognitive decline. There are several reasons for delay in addressing hearing loss, including recognizing and accepting that one may have hearing loss, having access to Hearing Care Professionals, and misperceptions associated with hearing aids. For Eric Jackson, hearing loss has been a lifelong battle. In 1966 at the age of two, Eric contracted Scarlet fever which caused him to completely lose his hearing in both ears. Eric is now 57 and his hearing has been partially restored over time; however, he still lives with severe hearing loss today and relies on hearing aids like ReSound ONE as necessary tools to help him communicate. All of ReSound’s hearing aids are designed with the person in mind, and is made to be discreet, comfortable, durable and functional. Hearing quality is the foundation for ReSound hearing aids, providing unmatched hearing quality, emulating the way humans hear sound. For more information, visit resound.com/online-hearing-test About Eric Jackson: Eric Jackson is a four-time world champion and an Olympian who has dominated the whitewater kayaking scene for the past three decades. Eric has received numerous accolades for kayaking, including two Everest Awards and the World Paddle Lifetime Achievement Award. He is also an entrepreneur, motivational speaker and hosts his own popular videos on YouTube. In 1966 at the age of two, Eric contracted scarlet fever which caused him to completely lose his hearing in both ears. Eric is now 54 and his hearing has been partially restored over time; however, he still lives with severe hearing loss today and relies on hearing aids and lipreading as tools to help him communicate. Eric has never let hearing loss stop him from enjoying life and pursuing his ambitions. Today, Eric spends his free time helping others achieve their goals, coaching the winners of almost every gold medal winner in freestyle kayaking over the past 15 years, including his two children. Eric’s son, 27-year-old Dane, a world champion kayaker himself, also lives with severe hearing loss which he has had since birth About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

June 11, 2021 03:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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