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Author: gregg.castano

  • Kinetic Achieves a 75 Percent YoY Growth Rate Enabled by Novidea Insurance Management Platform

    News release by Novidea

    Kinetic Achieves a 75 Percent YoY Growth Rate Enabled by Novidea Insurance Management Platform

    Workers’ Comp MGU Upgrades from Spreadsheets to Modern, Cloud-based Policy Management System

    BOSTON, MA —July 23, 2025—8:30 AM Eastern Time – Novidea today announced that Kinetic Insurance has accelerated its digital transformation and scaled operations with its cloud-native insurance management platform. Kinetic is a workers’ compensation MGU that uses wearable technology, data, and AI to reduce workplace injuries. Enabled by the Novidea platform, Kinetic achieved a 24 percent increase in submission volume between 2023 and 2024, and a year-over-year (YoY) increase of 75 percent in its overall book of business.

    Backed by Nationwide, Primary, Prologis, and Crosslink Capital, Kinetic partners with local, regional, and national insurance agencies to provide workers’ comp policyholders with cutting-edge tech to monitor worker safety and deliver data-driven insights on reducing workplace injuries through safer practices.

    “The Novidea platform has empowered Kinetic to process more than 10,000 submissions on the platform while giving us 24/7 access to the data we need to understand our business,” said Haytham Elhawary, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Kinetic Insurance. “The ability to access a single source of reliable data across departments and manage all of our policies and stakeholders, including insureds, brokers, and carriers, through a single pane of glass makes us more efficient, so we can scale faster and better meet the needs of our customers. We also have the ability to create an auditable system of record, keeping us in compliance with industry regulations. With Novidea serving as our foundation, we now have a modern platform on which we can build automations for future services and products.”

    Kinetic previously relied on Google Sheets to manage its policy distribution lifecycle, manually tracking submissions, quotes, policies, commissions, and sales KPIs. This led to data silos, limited reporting, inconsistent submission forms, and poor audibility, which became increasingly difficult to manage as their workers’ compensation business expanded. A scalable solution was needed to support growth, improve user experience, and enhance customer service.

    After a thorough review of multiple vendors, Kinetic selected Novidea as its platform because of its enterprise-grade solution that uniquely supports the workflow and data needs of MGAs and MGUs. The Novidea platform’s modular, open API architecture meant that Kinetic could implement the solution quickly, connect it to other applications and data sources, and easily adapt it to meet their needs. For example, Novidea made it easy for Kinetic to extract data to bring into other software like Tableau for visualization.

    With the deployment of the Novidea insurance management platform, Kinetic now reaps the benefits of a system that offers:

    • Unified access across all departments to customer and operational data from a single source of truth
    • An auditable history of all policies, submissions for Kinetic’s Nationwide partners, and all structured data
    • A highly flexible, future-forward system that adapts to Kinetic’s changing operations
    • A foundation on which Kinetic can build additional functionality, including building and deploying AI agents in the near future for its broker and carrier customers

    Novidea’s Chief Revenue Officer, Jeff Heine, commented, “Kinetic is an innovative leader in the workers’ compensation insurance sector, bringing a modern, data-driven approach to risk product and customer service delivery. We’re honored to be their insurance management platform of choice, helping them scale their business.”

    Jeff Heine, Chief Revenue Officer of Novidea, and Haytham Elhawary, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Kinetic Insurance, will speak in a session “Inside the Distribution Shake-Up: How Brokers, MGAs, MGUs & Hybrid Fronting Carriers Can Win the Next Era” on October 14, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. Pacific Time at ITC Las Vegas on the ITC Brokers Stage at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.

    About Novidea

    Novidea is the leading Insurtech provider of a cloud-native, data-driven insurance management system. With its open API architecture, Novidea enables brokers, agents, MGAs, MGUs, hybrid fronting carriers, specialty and wholesale insurers to modernize and manage the customer journey end-to-end and drive growth across the entire insurance distribution lifecycle. Novidea’s streamlined and automated platform fully integrates front, middle, and back offices. The Novidea platform boosts operational efficiency while providing a seamless digital experience for team members and customers alike. Insurance businesses benefit from a 360-degree view of customers and policies and can access data and actionable insights anytime, anywhere, and on any device.  In 2024, Novidea acquired Docomotion, a leading Document Generation platform. The company currently serves more than 350 customers worldwide. For more information, please go to: www.novidea.com

    About Kinetic

    Backed by Nationwide, Kinetic provides workers comp insurance, wearable technology, and a software analytics platform that helps reduce workplace injuries and protects workers from COVID-19. To date, Kinetic’s approach to workers comp risk products and wearable technology has resulted in a 50-60% reduction in injury frequency. Customers include companies in the retail, logistics and manufacturing industries, including 6 of the Fortune 50. Kinetic was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in New York. For more information, visit https://kineticcomp.com/.

    Media contact:

    Michelle Barry

    Chameleon Collective for Novidea U.S.

    [email protected]

     

  • BioLumic Appoints AgTech Veteran Greg Levow as COO to Scale Light-Activated Seed Trait Platform

    News release by BioLumic

    BioLumic Appoints AgTech Veteran Greg Levow as COO to Scale Light-Activated Seed Trait Platform

    New executive to lead commercial delivery and operations as BioLumic accelerates xTraits™ deployment across global seed and dairy partners

    CHAMPAIGN, IL — July 23, 2025 — 10:00 AM Central Time – BioLumic, a pioneer in seed trait innovation, has appointed Greg Levow as Chief Operating Officer. Levow joins the executive team to scale commercial operations and delivery as BioLumic expands the xTraits™ platform across key crops and global markets.

    As COO, Levow will guide company operations, delivery infrastructure, and partner-facing execution, working closely with BioLumic’s science, product, and commercial teams to scale its seed trait offerings across regions and crops.

    “As we shift from R&D to large-scale commercialization, having Greg on board is a defining step for BioLumic. He is one of the most capable and trusted people I’ve worked with,” said Steve Sibulkin, CEO of BioLumic. “He builds efficient operations and systems, brings the right people together, and keeps a focus on what matters for driving impact.”

    Levow brings more than 20 years of leadership experience across agriculture and technology companies. He previously served as co-founder and president of Agronomic Technology Corp, led the global digital agronomy team at Yara, and most recently served as COO & CTO of Verblio, a private equity-backed technology company. Throughout his career, he has led global operations and commercial delivery at both startups and growth-stage companies. His leadership has helped launch and scale products in agriculture, analytics, and food supply chains, with a consistent focus on execution and cross-functional coordination.

    Levow joins BioLumic during a period of rapid expansion, with active and planned projects in North and South America, Europe, and New Zealand – and a growing seed trait pipeline designed to unlock productivity, resilience, and sustainability across the food system.

    “It’s rare to find a technology that can truly deliver win-win outcomes,” said Greg Levow. “BioLumic’s approach improves field performance for farmers while also advancing sustainability goals. There’s real momentum here, with partners already using xTraits to improve seed performance and farm outcomes. I’m excited to help scale that value globally.”

    BioLumic’s xTraits platform uses precision light signals to program genetic expression in seeds—without GMOs or chemical inputs. A one-time light activation to parent-line seed improves traits like yield, vigor, nitrogen efficiency, and forage quality. Benefits are passed on to the next generation, unlocking new value for seed companies, growers, and food systems.

    Following its 2025 commercial launch in corn, BioLumic now partners with leading seed companies across corn, rice, and soybean. The company is also advancing its xTraits technology in pasture grass through partnerships with global dairy leader Fonterra and AgriZero. The Fonterra collaboration focuses on improving dry matter yield and metabolizable energy to support milk solids production, while BioLumic’s earlier work with AgriZero targets increased lipid content to help reduce enteric methane emissions in dairy systems.

    About BioLumic
    Founded in 2013, BioLumic is a U.S.- and New Zealand-based agricultural biotechnology company using light signaling as a programming language for plants. Its patented xTraits™ technology unlocks non-GMO genetic expression traits to enhance yield, composition, and crop resilience through a one-time, light-based seed application. BioLumic traits are scalable, fast to develop, and easily integrated into existing seed systems. Learn more at www.biolumic.com or contact [email protected].

    Contact

    AgTech PR for BioLumic

    Jennifer Goldston

    [email protected]

  • Clarion Partners Adds to Industrial Holdings in Phoenix, Arizonawith New Opportunity Zone Development

    News release by Clarion Partners

    Clarion Partners Adds to Industrial Holdings in Phoenix, Arizona with New Opportunity Zone Development

    (Property rendering provided by Go Industrial)
    Firm forms joint venture with GO Industrial to deliver state-of-the-art warehouse space

    NEW YORK, NY – July 25, 2025 – 3:00 PM Eastern Time – Clarion Partners, LLC, (“Clarion”) a leading real estate investment manager, has formed a joint venture with GO Industrial to develop a new Class A rear-load industrial building at 3050 S. 35th Street, in an area designated as a Qualified Opportunity Zone.  Located in the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport industrial submarket, the project broke ground in April 2025 and expected to be delivered in March 2026.

    Clarion maintains a substantial presence in the Phoenix area with 15 existing industrial properties comprising 3.5 million square feet. In the Airport industrial submarket specifically, the Firm owns more than 1.4 million square feet across the five-building Airport I-10 Business Park and the three-building Phoenix I-10 Business Park.

    “Clarion maintains confidence in Phoenix as a vibrant logistics hub,” said Managing Director Jason Glasser. “We are excited to partner with GO to develop this project in a Qualified Opportunity Zone which will serve one of the fastest growing populations in the U.S.”

    The development sits in a supply constrained location less than one mile from the Sky Harbor International Airport, and four miles from downtown Phoenix. The property will feature a full concrete truck court with 45+ trailer parking stalls, 180’ truck court depth, 32′ clear height, full HVAC, LED lighting, and an ESFR sprinkler system, positioning it competitively against the many aging warehouses in the submarket. The investment will support new jobs through both the construction of the property and continued operation.

    Clarion is currently invested in over 170 properties (nearly $8 billion in GRE) in areas designated as QOZs and owns an additional 734 properties (over $38 billion in GRE) in submarkets neighboring U.S. QOZs. 1


    ABOUT CLARION PARTNERS, LLC

    Clarion Partners, LLC, an SEC registered investment adviser with FCA-authorized and FINRA member affiliates, has been a leading U.S. real estate investment manager for more than 40 years. Headquartered in New York, the Firm maintains strategically located offices across the United States and Europe. With over $73 billion in total real estate and debt assets under management, Clarion Partners offers a broad range of real estate strategies across the risk/return spectrum to approximately 500 institutional investors across the globe. Clarion is scaled in all major property types and was an early entrant into the Industrial sector. The Firm’s global industrial team manages a ~1000 property portfolio in the U.S. and Europe consisting of more than 250 million square feet.1 Clarion Partners is an independently operated specialist investment manager of Franklin Templeton. More information about the firm is available at www.clarionpartners.com.

    1 As of March 31, 2025

    ABOUT GO INDUSTRIAL

    GO Industrial is an industrial development firm that delivers forward thinking development and workplace strategies for industrial users. With services that include development management, asset management, and project management, the GO Industrial team brings a wholistic approach to the industrial sector from acquisition through disposition. GO Industrial has vast experience with projects that have significant hurdles to overcome in order to achieve success, including environmental, entitlement and infrastructure challenges. These skills have made the GO Industrial team known for their ability to execute on ground-up developments and value-add projects that require significant vision. Put simply, there is no project too challenging for the GO Industrial team. With a focused approach on every project, GO Industrial simplifies the development process for our partners and aim to exemplify the

    company slogan: INDUSTRIAL UNBOXED.  Visit  go-industrial.com

     

    Press Contacts:

    Chris Sullivan
    [email protected]
    917-902-0617

    Natalie Evertson
    [email protected]
    212-883-2595

    Disclaimer

    Nothing herein constitutes an offer or solicitation of any product or service to any person or in any jurisdiction where such offer or solicitation is not authorized or is prohibited by law.

  • Bonsai Robotics Acquires farm-ng to Lead the Futureof Autonomous Farming

    News release by Bonsai Robotics

    BONSAI ROBOTICS ACQUIRES FARM-NG TO LEAD THE FUTURE OF AUTONOMOUS FARMING

    John Teeple, John Deere’s Former Technology Director, Named COO; Computer Vision Pioneer and OpenCV Founder Gary Bradski Appointed CSO

    SAN JOSE, CA – July 24, 2025 —  6:30 AM Pacific Daylight Time — Bonsai Robotics Inc. (“Bonsai”), a leader in vision-based autonomy software for agriculture, today announced its acquisition of farm-ng Inc., a pioneer in modular electric robots for farm management. This strategic combination brings together two of agtech’s most advanced and innovative companies with a shared vision to deliver powerful AI solutions that tackle the labor, cost, and efficiency challenges growers face today.

    The integration of Bonsai’s high-performance autonomous AI technology with farm-ng’s customizable robotic platform allows for a revolutionary offering of AI-first machines that will transform crop management. This powerful combination of intelligent software and advanced robotic hardware enables cost-effective, mixed-fleet solutions that boost efficiency and reduce operational costs across diverse crops, tasks, and environments.

    “To date, our vision has been to make autonomy and AI accessible, easy to use, and deployable across all farm equipment whether retrofitted onto existing tractors or built into the next generation machine,” said Tyler Niday, CEO and co-founder of Bonsai Robotics. “This acquisition allows us to now develop those next generation machines to augment and empower today’s workforce while optimizing farm productivity. We are shifting the industry from iron to intelligence.”

    Strong Platform for Growth

    Bonsai and farm-ng have a strong track record of collaboration across vineyards, orchards, and bedded crops, demonstrating proven field results and commercial momentum. This integration builds on that partnership and positions the combined company for rapid growth, supported by active commercial deployments and strong financial backing.

    “From day one, both teams have been deeply aligned on making robotics and AI practical and seamless for real-world agricultural workflows,” said Brendan Dowdle, former CEO of farm-ng and now Chief Business Officer of the combined company. “By joining forces, we can move faster, helping growers adopt transformative tools that support their operations and improve their bottom line.”

    Industry Leader in Agtech and Autonomy Expertise

    The combined team and recent new hires bring deep expertise spanning agriculture, robotics, artificial intelligence, and engineering. Joining the Bonsai team in connection with the acquisition are Chief Operating Officer, John Teeple, former director of technology at John Deere, and Gary Bradski, a key figure in the evolution of computer vision and founder of OpenCV, as Chief Science Officer.

    “We are excited to be able to bring together an industry leading team of engineers to address the very difficult task of integrating hardware, compute and perception necessary to accommodate the unpredictability of real-world farming,” said Ugur Oezdemir, co-founder and CTO of Bonsai. “With this acquisition we are able to develop a unified platform that is complementary to our OEM partners and capable of addressing the variability across form factors, crop types, and geographies to deliver effective and reliable autonomy in the field.”

    Financial terms of this acquisition were not disclosed. Existing shareholders of both companies will retain ownership stakes in the newly combined entity, Bonsai Robotics.

    About Bonsai Robotics

    Bonsai Robotics Inc. is reimagining farming production systems with an AI-first approach to provide vision-based autonomous solutions for harsh environments. Based on patented AI models, a leading orchard data set and computer-vision software, Bonsai’s solutions integrate seamlessly to make OEM equipment operate autonomously. Bonsai technology can navigate in GNSS-denied environments, without a cellular or internet connection, making the highly affordable technology ideal for the toughest physical conditions where dust, darkness, debris, elevation changes and vibration may occur. Learn more at https://www.bonsairobotics.ai

    About farm-ng

    Based in Watsonville, California, farm-ng inc. is an agricultural robotics company supporting productivity and innovation in the field. Its flagship product – the Amiga – is a modular, electric, open-architecture robot designed to serve small- and mid-sized farms, research institutions, and developers. From crop care to data collection, farm-ng empowers the ag community to solve today’s challenges and build tomorrow’s solutions. Learn more at https://farm-ng.com/

    Media Contact

    AgTech PR for Bonsai Robotics

    Jennifer Goldston

    [email protected]

  • Justin Sun to Become Youngest Chinese Commercial Astronaut with Blue Origin’s New Shepard

    News release by TRON Network

    Justin Sun to Become Youngest Chinese Commercial Astronaut with Blue Origin’s New Shepard

    GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – July 22, 2025 – 12:00 PM Eastern Time- Justin Sun, founder of TRON and one of the most recognizable figures in crypto, is set to make history as the youngest Chinese-born commercial astronaut and the first Forbes-cover crypto entrepreneur to travel to space aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard. This mission is the 14th human flight for the New Shepard program and the 34th in its history. The flight date will be announced soon. The live webcast on launch day will start 30 minutes before liftoff.

    In 2021, Sun placed the winning bid for the first seat on New Shepard. The $28 million in proceeds were donated to Blue Origin’s foundation, Club for the Future, which selected 19 space-focused non-profits to each receive a $1 million grant to inspire future generations to pursue careers in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) for the benefit of Earth and help invent the future of life in space. 

    “We are witnessing the beginning of a new chapter in human exploration, where space is no longer reserved for governments or institutions but is becoming a frontier for innovators, dreamers, and builders from all walks of life,” said Sun. “Blue Origin’s commitment to expanding access to space, along with Club for the Future’s mission to inspire young people worldwide, reflects a powerful vision. I am proud to support this effort and help advance the belief that space is a place for everyone, not just a select few.”

    Sun’s upcoming flight is more than a personal milestone. It highlights the growing international presence in commercial space travel and the increasing connection between blockchain and scientific innovation. As a leading voice in the digital economy and a strong advocate for decentralized technology, his journey reflects the broader potential for global collaboration and progress at the frontier of space exploration.

     

    About TRON DAO

    TRON DAO is a community-governed DAO dedicated to accelerating the decentralization of the internet via blockchain technology and dApps.

    Founded in September 2017 by H.E. Justin Sun, the TRON blockchain has experienced significant growth since its MainNet launch in May 2018. TRON hosts the largest circulating supply of USD Tether (USDT) stablecoin, exceeding $81 billion. As of July 2025, the TRON blockchain has recorded over 320 million in total user accounts, more than 10 billion in total transactions, and over $25 billion in total value locked (TVL), based on TRONSCAN.

     

    TRONNetwork | TRONDAO | X | YouTube | Telegram | Discord | Reddit | GitHub | Medium | Forum

     

    Media Contact

    Yeweon Park

    [email protected]

     

  • DigiPay Guru Expands to Africa with Its Next-Gen Mobile Money Solution to Drive Financial Inclusion

    News release by DigiPay Guru

    DigiPay Guru Expands to Africa with Its Next-Gen Mobile Money Solution to Drive Financial Inclusion

    DALLAS, TX, July 22, 2025 –  10:32 AM Eastern Time – DigiPay.Guru, a global technology provider specializing in digital financial solutions, has announced its entry into African markets with a mobile money platform tailored for inclusive, scalable, and regulatory-ready deployment. Designed for financial institutions, telecom operators, and fintech startups, the solution offers a robust path to launching digital wallet services across the continent.

    Africa remains at the forefront of mobile money innovation, yet over 350 million adults remain unbanked. DigiPay.Guru’s platform aims to address this divide with a digital wallet solution built for regions where physical banking infrastructure is limited but mobile phone penetration is high.

    “Access to financial services shouldn’t depend on geography,” said Rahul Patel, CEO of DigiPay.Guru. “Our platform enables African financial institutions to roll out wallet-based services that are fast to launch, secure, and tailored for local economies from urban hubs to rural communities.”

    Built for Scale, Security, and Simplicity

    DigiPay.Guru’s mobile money payment system is white-label and API-driven, allowing local institutions to deploy branded wallet experiences for customers. Its modular framework supports a wide range of essential financial use cases:

    Digital Wallet Transfers

    Send and receive money instantly through secure, user-friendly wallet-to-wallet transactions.

    Utility & Airtime Payments

    Pay bills and recharge mobile services directly from the wallet anytime, anywhere.

    Agent Banking Support

    Enable cash-in and cash-out through trusted agents in remote or cash-heavy areas.

    Bulk Disbursements & Salary Payouts

    Distribute salaries, grants, or aid to thousands instantly with full traceability.

    Multi-Currency & Multilingual Compatibility

    Launch wallets across regions with built-in support for local languages and currencies.

    Built-In KYC & Regulatory Compliance

    Onboard users securely with digital KYC, AML checks, and flexible compliance tools.

    Each component is optimized for fast deployment, whether through mobile apps, USSD, or NFC-enabled touchpoints.

    Local Needs, Global Expertise

    DigiPay.Guru brings over a decade of experience powering mobile finance solutions across 15+ countries. Its platform has supported everything from urban fintech ecosystems to last-mile financial inclusion programs in rural areas.

    “We’ve developed a system that adapts to African market realities, whether it’s intermittent connectivity, language diversity, or cash-first economies,” said Rahul Patel, CEO of DigiPay.Guru, Africa. “This launch enables institutions to offer practical, impactful services without building infrastructure from scratch.”

    Partnering for Scale and Impact

    DigiPay.Guru is actively partnering with local banks, MNOs, MFIs, and payment service providers across West, East, and Southern Africa. The company provides tailored deployment support, including sandbox testing, integration assistance, and compliance alignment.

    About DigiPay.Guru

    DigiPay.Guru builds digital payment solutions for the next generation of financial services. With a presence in over 15 countries, its modular platform enables banks, fintechs, and enterprises to launch mobile wallets, agency banking, merchant acquiring, and digital KYC services faster and more affordably.

    Media Contact

    Organization: DigiPay.Guru

    Contact Person Name: Nikunj Gundaniya

    Website: https://www.digipay.guru/

    Email: [email protected]

  • The Money Builders Launches Wealth Enhancement System to Combat Retirement Wealth Erosion

    News release by The Money Builders

    The Money Builders Launches Wealth Enhancement System to Combat Retirement Wealth Erosion

    TORONTO, ALBERTA, CANADA – July 22, 2025 10:16 AM Eastern Time – The Money Builders, a Canadian wealth strategy firm, has launched a system designed to counter the three most common forces that reduce retirement wealth: taxation,unnecessary interest expenses, and market volatility. With over 70 years of combined experience, the firm is focusing its approach on high-net-worth individuals and families with an eye toward intergenerational wealth transfer.

    The firm’s proprietary Wealth Enhancement System aims to decrease tax burdens, reduce excessive interest payments to financial institutions, and avoid unmitigated exposure to volatile market performance. “Our goal is to give clients peace of mind, enable an easy transfer of inheritance, and provide freedom in retirement,” said Laurie Varcoe, founder of The Money Builders. “The reality is that if what you thought to be true about your financial position turned out not to be true, you’d want to know sooner rather than later.”

    The Money Builders frame these impacts as the result of three major “Wealth Stealers”: the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), financial institutions through excess  interest charges, and capital markets via unmanaged risks. The firm offers a systemized approach to identifying, recovering, and protecting against these threats through personalized planning that moves beyond typical high-fee investment strategies.

    The approach is tailored to those looking for strategies that emphasize the preservation and controlled distribution of wealth, especially when transitioning between generations. This differentiates The Money Builders from traditional advisors whose focus more heavily on product sales over structural financial planning.

    The Money Builders is a member of the Better Business Bureau and maintains a focus on long-term client relationships, education, and strategic outcomes. The firm operates across Canada and works directly with clients on reviewing and correcting financial inefficiencies that can undermine post-retirement stability.

    About The Money Builders  

    The Money Builders is a Canadian wealth strategy firm founded in 2012, specializing in advanced retirement planning and estate coordination for high-net-worth individuals and families. The firm combines over 70 years of experience in financial guidance with a mission to preserve and transfer wealth across generations.

    Contact  
    Laurie Varcoe  
    [email protected]  
    www.themoneybuilders.ca

    Media Contact

    Organization: The Money Builders

    Contact Person Name: Laurie Varcoe

    Website: https://www.themoneybuilders.ca

    Email: [email protected]

  • Hotel Campaign by MCANISM Reaches New Heights with SKYNET Milestone Success

    News release by MCANISM

    Hotel Campaign by MCANISM Reaches New Heights with SKYNET Milestone Success

    HAMBURG, GERMANY – 22nd Jul 2025 — 10:06 AM Eastern Time –MCANISM, a Hamburg-based performance marketing company, has reached two major milestones with its proprietary software platform, SKYNET 2.0. The platform now features real-time conversion tracking and has achieved a record of 2,000 active clients simultaneously using the system, solidifying its position as an industry leader.

    Real-Time Tracking Enhances Campaign Agility

    Previously operating with a 15-minute tracking delay—already faster than most industry standards—SKYNET 2.0 now delivers real-time conversion tracking. This upgrade provides advertisers and publishers with instant insights into campaign performance, enabling quicker adjustments and more precise optimizations.

    “Real-time data is not just a technical achievement—it’s a strategic advantage,” said Gunnar Militz, CEO of MCANISM. “Clients can now react instantly, adjust campaigns dynamically, and operate with unprecedented agility.”

    Record Client Adoption Demonstrates Scalability

    In another significant achievement, SKYNET 2.0 recently supported 2,000 active clients simultaneously for the first time since its launch. This milestone highlights the platform’s scalability and growing adoption across industries.

    The integration of Chefscampaign and Hotelcampaign into the MCANISM Group has contributed to this growth, bringing in new clients from the restaurant and hotel sectors. These additions have expanded the network’s reach and vertical expertise.

    “SKYNET 2.0 was built for independence, transparency, and high performance,” added Militz. “The success of Chefscampaign and Hotelcampaign has accelerated growth, proving that the platform is not just keeping pace with the market but actively shaping it.”
    SKYNET 2.0 is MCANISM’s next-generation performance marketing platform, developed in-house to empower advertisers and publishers. With advanced tracking, customizable dashboards, and seamless integrations, it provides a robust foundation for data-driven marketing success.

    About MCANISM

    MCANISM is an independent performance marketing company based in Hamburg, founded in 2018. The company focuses on affiliate and performance-based campaigns for brands across Europe, using advanced technology and a commitment to transparency to connect advertisers with publishers. With a strong foundation in media and a tech-driven approach, MCANISM continues to lead in delivering measurable marketing results.

    Media Contact

    Organization: Hotel Campaign by MCANISM Technology GmbH

    Contact Person Name: Celina Walz

    Website: https://www.hotelcampaign.de

    Email: [email protected]

    Contact Number: +4940239694240

  • PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION REPORTS RESULTS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2025

    News release by Peoples Financial Corporation

    PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION REPORTS RESULTS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2025

    BILOXI, MS -July 23, 2025 – 4:05 PM Central Time – Peoples Financial Corporation (the “Company”)(OTCQX Best Market: PFBX), parent of The Peoples Bank (the “Bank”), announced earnings for the second quarter ending June 30, 2025.

    Second Quarter Earnings

    Net income for the second quarter of 2025 decreased $1,087,000 to $1,242,000 compared to net income of $2,329,000 for the second quarter of 2024. The earnings per weighted average common share for the second quarter of 2025 were $0.27 compared to earnings per weighted average common share of $0.50 for the second quarter of 2024. Per share figures are based on weighted average common shares outstanding of 4,617,466 and 4,661,686 for the second quarters of 2025 and 2024, respectively.

    The decrease in net income for the second quarter of 2025 was primarily due to a decrease in net interest income of $431,000 to $5,472,000 for the second quarter of 2025 compared with $5,903,000 for the second quarter of 2024. Total interest income decreased by $1,231,000 to $7,464,000 for the second quarter of 2025 as compared with $8,695,000 for the second quarter of 2024 due to lower interest income on securities caused by a decrease in balances and yields. Total interest expense decreased by $800,000 to $1,992,000 for the second quarter of 2025 as compared with $2,792,000 for the second quarter of 2024 due to lower borrowing costs and lower interest rates paid on deposit accounts.

    Net income for the first six months of 2025 decreased $2,192,000 to $2,552,000 compared to net income of $4,744,000 for the first six months of 2024. The earnings per weighted average common share for the first six months of 2025 were $0.55 compared to earnings per weighted average common share of $1.02 for the first six months of 2024. Per share figures are based on weighted average common shares outstanding of 4,617,466 and 4,661,686 for the first six months of 2025 and 2024, respectively. The income tax expense increased $218,000 to $620,000 for the first six months of 2025 as compared with $402,000 for the first six months of 2024. The increase was driven by the near-full utilization of federal tax credits in 2024, leaving only a minimal credit available for utilization in 2025.

    Return on average assets for the first six months ended June 30, 2025, decreased 0.52% to 0.64% compared to 1.16% for the first six months ended June 30, 2024. The Company’s efficiency ratio increased 10% to 78% for the first six months ended June 30, 2025, compared to 68% for the first six months ended June 30, 2024.

    Asset Quality

    “The Bank’s leadership remains committed to maintaining high-quality assets. We are closely monitoring economic conditions and staying vigilant for any potential changes in interest rates. As hurricane season commences, the Company has proactively prioritized hurricane preparedness. Across all 18 bank facilities, we have ensured that resources are available allowing branches to operate even in the event of power outages. The Company has a comprehensive and thorough business continuity and disaster recovery strategy.” said Chevis C. Swetman, chairman and chief executive officer of the Company and the Bank.

    Shareholders’ Equity

    Total shareholders’ equity increased by $6,509,000 from $90,001,000 at December 31, 2024, to $96,510,000 at June 30, 2025. The improvement in shareholders’ equity was mainly due to the six-month earnings of $2,552,000 through June 30, 2025. The Company also experienced a decrease of $4,788,000 in unrealized losses on securities in 2025. The Company reported $32,218,000 and $38,006,000 in unrealized losses on the available for sale securities portfolio as of June 30, 2025, and December 31, 2024, respectively. These unrealized losses are presented in accumulated other comprehensive income for the respective periods. The cause of the unrealized losses has primarily resulted from higher interest rates that have impacted the current market value of available for sale securities. The unrealized losses are not related to any credit deterioration within the portfolio. The Company has maintained strong liquidity and continues to do so; therefore, the Company does not foresee a sale of any affected securities that would cause the realization of these losses by the Company as part of net income in the near future.

    The Bank’s leverage ratio has not been impacted by these unrealized losses on available for sale securities due to an opt- out election previously made by the Bank in accordance with current regulatory capital requirements and therefore remained strong at 13.97% as of June 30, 2025.

    Liquidity

    The Company maintains a well-capitalized balance sheet which includes strong capital and liquidity. The Bank provides a full range of banking, financial and trust services in our local markets. The majority of the Bank’s deposits are fully FDIC insured. The Company evaluates on an ongoing and continuous basis its financial health by preparing for various moderate to severe economic scenarios.

    As interest rates have increased and the cost of attracting new deposits and replacing deposit attrition has increased, the Bank experienced a decrease in deposit balances during the six months ended June 30, 2025. This decrease was mostly caused by the loss of several large public fund deposits in 2025 following competitive bid processes held in 2025 whereby the public fund deposit accounts were awarded to other local banks. As of June 30, 2025, total deposits have decreased $76,419,000 to $644,311,000 from $720,730,000 as of December 31, 2024.

    About the Company

    Founded in 1896, with $761 million in total assets as of June 30, 2025, The Peoples Bank operates 18 bank facilities along the Mississippi Gulf Coast in Hancock, Harrison, Jackson and Stone counties. In addition to offering a comprehensive range of retail and commercial banking services, the Bank also operates a trust and investment services department that has provided customers with financial, estate and retirement planning services since 1936.

    Peoples Financial Corporation’s common stock is listed on the OTCQX Best Market under the symbol PFBX. Additional information is available on the Internet at the Company’s website, www.thepeoples.com, and at the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), www.sec.gov.

    This news release reflects industry conditions, Company performance and financial results and contains “forward-looking statements,” which may include forecasts of our financial results and condition, expectations for our operations and businesses, and our assumptions for those forecasts and expectations. Do not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risk factors and uncertainties which could cause the Company’s actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results and expectation expressed in such forward-looking statements.

    Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements are described under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Regulation and Supervision” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, and in other documents subsequently filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, available at the SEC’s website and the Company’s website, each of which are referenced above. To the extent that statements in this news release relate to future plans, objectives, financial results or performance by the Company, these statements are deemed to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are generally identified by use of words such as “may,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “will,” “should,” “plan,” “estimate,” “predict,” “continue” and “potential” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology.

    Forward-looking statements represent management’s beliefs, based upon information available at the time the statements are made, with regard to the matters addressed; they are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties that change over time and could cause actual results or financial condition to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such statements. All information is as of the date of this news release. Except to the extent required by applicable law or regulation, the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statement for any reason. 

    PEOPLES FINANCIAL CORPORATION
    (In thousands, except per share figures) (Unaudited)
    EARNINGS SUMMARYThree Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
     2025202420252024
    Net interest income $      5,472 $          5,903 $         11,140 $ 12,596
    Provision for credit losses             –                   –                    (5)              –
    Non-interest income         1,777             1,761              3,480      3,504
    Non-interest expense         5,762             5,564            11,453    10,954
    Income tax expense (benefit)            245              (229)                 620         402
    Net income          1,242             2,329              2,552      4,744
    Earnings per share$        0.27$             0.50$              0.55$       1.02
         
    TRANSACTIONS IN THE ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES ON LOANS   
     Three Months Ended June 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
     2025202420252024
    Allowance for credit losses on loans, beginning of period $      2,969 $          3,087 $           2,982 $   3,224
    Recoveries              42                105                   82         163
    Charge-offs             (48)                (42)                (101)        (177)
    Provision for (reduction of ) loan losses                3                     –                     3          (60)
    Allowance for credit losses on loans, end of period $      2,966 $          3,150 $           2,966 $   3,150
    PERFORMANCE RATIOS 
    June 30,20252024
    Return on average assets0.64% 1.16%
    Return on average equity5.52%13.30%
    Net interest margin3.02%3.07%
    Efficiency ratio78%68%
       
    BALANCE SHEET SUMMARY 
    June 30,20252024
    Total assets $  761,340 $      846,747
    Securities     437,829         541,582
    Loans, net     245,332         235,590
    Other real estate (ORE)                 –                    –
    Total deposits     644,311         674,914
    Shareholders’ equity       96,510           74,200
    Book value per share         20.90             15.92
    Weighted average shares  4,617,466      4,661,686
       
    PERIOD END DATA 
    June 30,20252024
    Allowance for credit losses on loans as a   
       percentage of loans1.19%1.32%
    Loans past due 90 days and   
       still accruing $           10                  –
    Nonaccrual loans $         600 $             455
    Leverage ratio13.97%11.84%

    For more information, contact:
    Chevis C. Swetman, President and CEO
    228-435-8205
    [email protected]

  • Shumate Engineering Awarded Patent for its Designto Cool Data Centers with 50% Less Energy, 93% Less Water

    News release by Shumate Engineering

    Shumate Engineering Awarded Patent for its Design to Cool Data Centers with 50% Less Energy, 93% Less Water

    Breakthrough Innovation for Hybrid-Dry/Adiabatic Cooling Comes as Industry Confronts Sustainability for Artificial Intelligence

    TYSONS, Va. – July 21, 2025 — 10:00 AM Eastern Time – Representing a major leap forward in sustainable data center infrastructure, Shumate Engineering is proud to announce that its revolutionary Hybrid-Dry/Adiabatic-Cooling (HD/AC) design has been approved by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
    The design – co-invented by R. Stephen Spinazzola, PE, Shumate’s Director of Mission Critical Services, and Justin Penrod, PE, Shumate’s Director of Mechanical Engineering– gives data center operators the ability to cut power consumption by 50 percent and water use by 93 percent compared to conventional cooling designs.

    “With the need for massive computing power taking hold around the world, the data center industry is booming right now. However, the power and water needed to cool the racks and keep them functioning has limited its progress,” said Spinazzola, who now has seven engineering patents to his name. “This solution utilizes a single closed loop to run two taps at different water temperatures to cool high-density racks utilizing both fans and direct-liquid.”

    The ability to alternate between both approaches is what sets the design apart – limiting the resources needed to sustain a hyperscale data center for uses like artificial intelligence, which has been fueling enormous growth in the sector globally.  “Major data center projects backed by the biggest names in tech have resorted to drastic measures to meet this demand, including the construction of high-density data centers that span city blocks and recommissioning nuclear power plants, but our cooling design manages to use half of the power and less than 10 percent of the water compared to traditional data centers – offering a massive savings of natural resources and billions of dollars in costs,” said Daren Shumate, PE, Founder and Managing Principal of the Vienna, Va.-based firm.
    The design uses a closed-loop system that supports two distinct cooling flows:

    • 68°F water for traditional air-cooled CRAC systems

    • 90°F water for direct-to-chip liquid cooling

    At the heart of the design is a hybrid adiabatic cooler — a dry cooler with intelligent “trim” evaporative functionality that activates only when outdoor conditions require it. During cooler months or off-peak hours, the system operates in economizer mode, taking full advantage of ambient temperatures. In warmer periods, it modulates with precision to efficiently maintain thermal balance without overusing energy or water.

    “This patent affirms our commitment to solving real-world problems with high-performance, sustainable design,” Penrod said. “With HD/AC, we’re bridging the gap between old and new IT loads, while reducing environmental impact at scale.”

    The timing of the innovation could not be more relevant. As data center operators face mounting pressure from regulators and hyperscalers to streamline PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) and WUE (Water Usage Effectiveness), HD/AC provides a scalable, future-proof answer. It’s ideally suited for retrofitting legacy data centers, supporting mixed IT loads, and enabling new facilities to meet aggressive ESG targets.

    Shumate Engineering credits its intellectual property legal team at Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox for bringing the application process, which has been several years in the making, to fruition.

    “This milestone is the result of collaboration, persistence, and a clear focus on what matters:
    performance, sustainability, and innovation,” Shumate said. “We’re just getting started.”

    Key Benefits of the HDAC Design:

    • 50% reduction in power use compared to conventional air- and liquid-cooling designs
    • 93% less water use thanks to dry-first cooling with minimal evaporative assist
    • Dual-temperature delivery to support legacy and liquid-cooled racks simultaneously
    • Fully closed-loop, reducing risk of contamination and corrosion
    • Adaptive economization that adjusts in real-time for peak energy efficiency

    For more information about the HDAC cooling system or to schedule a demo or consultation, visit www.shumateengineering.com or email [email protected].

    About Shumate Engineering
    Shumate Engineering is a full-service MEP engineering firm specializing in mission critical, data center environments. Its ever-growing roster of engineers have collaborated on many projects — from the namesakes of northern Virginia’s “Data Center Alley” and the rapidly growing DMV housing market to new prospects in Richmond and beyond. The team’s groundbreaking Hybrid Dry Adiabatic Fluid Cooler – which uses half as much power and 97 percent less water than
    traditional cooling systems for AI data centers – was approved by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in July 2025.

    Learn more at www.shumateengineering.com.

    ###

    MEDIA CONTACTS
    Andrew King, [email protected], 914-513-6895
    Leeza Hoyt, [email protected], 310-962-0101