Nikola, Electric Truck Manufacturer, Plans 23% Reduction in Workforce

Nikola Corp. is implementing layoffs and narrowing its focus on electric truck production in North America to conserve cash. The company will lay off 270 employees, which accounts for around 23% of its workforce. This includes 150 workers supporting European programs and 120 employees at sites in Arizona. The cuts are expected to reduce annual personnel-related cash spend by over $50 million, bringing the annual cash spend under $400 million by 2024. Despite the layoffs, Nikola’s shares experienced a 15% decrease, but saw a 1.7% increase in after-market trading. CEO Michael Lohscheller stated that the company is undertaking a more concentrated business plan focused on zero-emission truck production and its HYLA hydrogen business. Nikola has faced challenges following the indictment of its founder and former CEO, Trevor Milton, for federal securities fraud. The company has until November 20 to comply with Nasdaq’s minimum price rule and avoid delisting. Additionally, Nikola has struggled to secure enough votes to issue more shares. Delays or cancellations in production may occur if the proposal does not receive the necessary approval.

Meta claims that it is acceptable for 10-year-olds to use its VR headset, possibly

Meta is set to allow children as young as 10 to use its VR headsets, the Meta Quest 2 and 3, with parental consent. The tech giant claims that there are numerous engaging and educational apps and games for kids, although the debate on the impact of VR on children’s health continues. The new parent-managed Meta accounts will require parental approval, allowing parents to control which apps their children can use and set time limits. Users can find more information in the “family center” section of their accounts. Meta states that it will use data collected from 10- to 12-year-olds to provide an age-appropriate experience, without serving ads to this age group. Parents have the option to decide whether their child’s data can be used to improve the experience and can delete their child’s account and associated data. However, it remains to be seen if Meta follows through on this promise, given past incidents of other companies saving children’s data. It is up to each parent to decide if VR is suitable for their child, as there are limited independent studies on kids using modern headsets. Meta acknowledges the potential hazards of VR, such as the weight of the helmets on small children, eye strain, and nausea, but claims no evidence of harm. The potential blurring of a child’s “reality distinctions” is mentioned as a concern. Therefore, if parents choose to allow their children to use VR, they should communicate with their child and monitor the duration and intensity of their engagement with the technology, considering the risks highlighted by Meta.

Santiago: The Premier City of South America

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Santiago has become a popular destination and an ideal place to live, work, study, and invest. With its modernity, urban development, green spaces, and the charm of the Andes Mountains, the city offers a high quality of life.

In today’s world, where quality of life and urban development are increasingly valued, Santiago de Chile has been recognized as the second best city in Latin America, according to the “Inaugural City Index 2023” by Brand Finance.

This prestigious ranking evaluates various aspects of cities and places Santiago in a prominent position. The report analyzes factors such as the best place to live and work, study, retire, visit, and invest. Santiago de Chile has excelled in many of these categories and is known for its modernity, cosmopolitanism, and growth potential.

One of the city’s key strengths is its abundance of green spaces and leisure activities. Located at the foot of the majestic Andes Mountains, Santiago offers outdoor enthusiasts a range of activities including hiking, skiing, and adventure tourism. The combination of a vibrant metropolis and easy access to nature makes the city an attractive destination for those seeking a balance between urban life and the natural environment.

Claudio Orrego, metropolitan regional governor, expressed his delight at this recognition and emphasized that it is an honor for the Chilean capital to be included in the ranking alongside other important cities in Latin America. He credited this achievement to the collaborative efforts of the city’s residents, private sector, and different levels of the State. Orrego also highlighted the potential of the Andes Mountains for tourism, which presents a great opportunity to attract visitors and establish Santiago as a regional tourist hub.

Other notable cities

The Brand Finance ranking also mentions other prominent Latin American cities that follow Santiago on the list. Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and Buenos Aires are recognized for their urban competitiveness and dynamism.

This recognition not only fills the inhabitants of Santiago with pride but also strengthens the city’s position as an attractive destination for those seeking a high quality of life and for those looking to do business and invest in Chile. Santiago’s blend of modernity, cultural diversity, and a connection with nature set it apart as a unique city in the region.

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Netmaker’s $2.3M Seed Pitch Deck: A Sample Presentation

In a world where remote workers and other users need access to networks and various other use cases, Netmaker offers a solution for creating and managing VPN connections without a steep learning curve. TechCrunch previously reported on Netmaker’s seed round announcement. The company’s pitch deck, which raised $2.3 million, has been submitted for review.

The deck consists of 14 slides, with certain sensitive data redacted and clearly marked. The slides cover the following topics: cover slide, problem, vision, solution, market size, product, how it works, traction, product evolution, go-to-market, road map, competition, team, and closing.

Three notable aspects of the deck include its focus on traction, simplicity in explaining how the product works, and a clear vision for the future. Netmaker showcases impressive traction, although some metrics may be seen as vanity metrics that don’t necessarily translate into customer growth. The “How it works” slide provides a basic understanding of the product, although screenshots of the actual setup process could provide more insight. Additionally, Netmaker presents a bold vision for the future of the industry, even if it may be ambitious.

Overall, Netmaker’s pitch deck effectively communicates key information while keeping it accessible. However, there are areas where improvement or alternative approaches could be considered.

Pharma Giant Granules India Targeted in Ransomware Attack by LockBit

LockBit, a Russia-linked ransomware group, has admitted to attacking Granules India, a major Indian pharmaceutical company, and has released some of the stolen data.

According to a listing seen by TechCrunch, Granules India was recently added to LockBit’s dark web leak site as a victim of their ransomware attack.

Although Granules India has not confirmed the attack, they did disclose a cybersecurity incident to Indian stock exchanges last month. They stated that the affected IT assets were isolated and that they were actively investigating and addressing the situation.

Granules India did not respond to requests for comment, and TechCrunch informed the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) about the incident prior to publishing the article.

Established in 1984, Granules India is one of the largest pharmaceutical manufacturers in India. They produce common off-patent drugs and have over 300 customers in more than 80 countries.

In the last quarter, Granules India reported a 7.8% increase in profit. However, their shares closed slightly lower on Thursday.

LockBit has become one of the most widespread ransomware variants globally since 2022, according to a joint advisory by the U.S. Federal cybersecurity agency CISA and international counterparts. The group was first observed on Russian cybercrime forums in January 2020.

LockBit has recently targeted various well-known tech companies, including Accenture, Foxconn, Advanced, Royal Mail, and others. They have also targeted government entities such as the California finance department and the Los Angeles housing authority.

According to the joint advisory, LockBit has extorted approximately $91 million in ransoms through around 1,700 attacks on U.S. victims since 2020.

Volkswagen Selects Chile as the Launchpad for its Debut Electric Vehicle in Germany

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During his visit to Chile, Alexander Seitz, Executive Chairman of VW South America, shared the company’s plans for the country. These plans include increasing vehicle sales in Chile and entering the domestic electric car market starting next year. Seitz emphasized the importance of the Chilean market for VW, ranking second only to Brazil. The executive also mentioned the company’s goal of reaching a market share above 5% in the long term. To achieve this, VW is analyzing the electric vehicle market and considering launching the ID.4, their electric SUV, in Chile in 2024. Seitz believes that the progress of electromobility in Chile will be faster than in Brazil due to the existing charging infrastructure and the government’s focus on electromobility. He expressed confidence in the Chilean economy and stated that VW will continue its long-standing relationship with the country. For more information on investment opportunities in Chile, refer to the article provided.

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Discover the Cutting-Edge Industrial Robotics of Tomorrow at Disrupt’s Hardware Stage

Robotics investments were showing positive trends before 2020, but the pandemic significantly increased investor interest as more companies sought to automate work. Manufacturing has been automated for many years, and the pandemic also led to a surge in labor shortages and the adoption of warehouse/logistics robotics.

With labor shortages persisting, investors see great potential for growth in a new wave of industrial robots in sectors that have yet to be fully tapped. Agtech, construction, and healthcare are all promising areas.

We are pleased to have Claire Delaunay, advisory board member of Farm-ng, Tessa Lau, founder and CEO of Dusty Robotics, and Andrea Thomaz, CEO of Diligent Robotics, joining us on the Hardware Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2023. The event will take place on September 19-21 in San Francisco.

During a panel discussion, these leading roboticists will share insights on the latest advancements in agtech, construction, and healthcare. Building robust robotics systems is notoriously challenging, particularly when it comes to scaling and product deployment. They will discuss the challenges they face in these areas. In addition, they will discuss how the pandemic, supply chain issues, and labor shortages have impacted their strategies for company growth and securing funding.

Claire Delaunay is an experienced robotics and engineering professional who has worked on groundbreaking projects at Nvidia, Otto, and Google Robotics.

Tessa Lau is an award-winning CEO and roboticist who is revolutionizing the construction industry with Dusty Robotics. She was previously involved in automation projects at Savioke Robotics and Willow Garage.

Andrea Thomaz, CEO and co-founder of Diligent Robotics, is a recognized expert in social robotics. She has received numerous accolades for her work in the field.

More discussions with experts can be found on the Hardware Stage, which covers topics such as robotics, consumer electronics, and space. This is one of the six new stages at Disrupt, each focusing on a breakthrough sector.

Join the global startup community at TechCrunch Disrupt 2023, taking place on September 19-21 in San Francisco. Buy your pass now and save up to $625.

GM’s BrightDrop Expands Commercial EV Delivery Beyond US Borders

BrightDrop, a subsidiary of General Motors that specializes in electric delivery vans, has successfully completed its first delivery outside of the U.S. On Wednesday, the company delivered 50 BrightDrop Zevo 600 electric vans to FedEx Express Canada as part of a larger order of 2,500 Zevo EVs.

The introduction of BrightDrop’s vans aligns with FedEx’s goal of transitioning its entire fleet to electric vehicles by 2040. The Zevo 600 model from BrightDrop is specifically designed for last-mile deliveries and boasts an estimated range of 250 miles. FedEx already has around 400 Zevos in operation in Southern California.

FedEx Canada’s initial fleet of BrightDrop vehicles will be visible on the streets of Toronto, Montreal, and Surrey, as they deliver packages. FedEx has also announced plans to install charging infrastructure across its Canadian facilities.

The assembly of these vehicles took place at GM’s CAMI Assembly plant in Ontario, which began production in December 2022. GM invested approximately $750 million ($1 billion CAD) into the plant, with expectations of producing 50,000 Zevo vans annually by 2025. In addition to the Zevo 600, GM is also manufacturing a smaller version known as the Zevo 400.+

FedEx is just one of several major commercial partners for BrightDrop. The company has received over 30,000 reservations and letters of intent from customers including Walmart, Hertz, Verizon, and most recently Ryder.

Rivian, a competitor in the e-delivery van market, began deploying its vans in the summer of 2022, with around 3,000 units already delivered to Amazon according to the e-commerce giant’s blog. Amazon has plans to have 100,000 Rivian vans on the road by 2030. In their first-quarter earnings report, Rivian reaffirmed their goal of producing 50,000 units this year, including their R1S pickup truck and R1T SUV.

Codelco to Take Charge of Lithium Negotiations in the Atacama Salt Flat

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Corfo, the Chilean economic development agency, has presented a formal document to Codelco, the state-owned copper mining company, officially designating it as the State’s representative in future lithium mining contracts. This move aims to kickstart the implementation of the National Lithium Strategy, which was introduced by President Gabriel Boric in April. In a meeting between senior executives from Corfo and Codelco, the initiation of proceedings was formalized, allowing the Chilean State to directly participate in lithium production operations in the Atacama Salt Flat. Corfo, as the owner of the lithium deposits in the area and the organization responsible for promoting the development of lithium mining for the benefit of local communities and the country, has set out the minimum conditions for future lease agreements. These conditions will require approval from Corfo’s board of directors and relevant administrative and regulatory authorities. José Miguel Benavente, Corfo’s Executive Vice-President, emphasized that existing contracts will be upheld as long as the lithium reserves remain under Corfo’s control and are extracted through lease agreements. He also stated that the negotiation process with companies currently operating in the Atacama Salt Flat or other interested parties represents an opportunity to meet President Boric’s goal of the State’s involvement in lithium mining operations before the current lease agreements expire. Codelco’s Chairman, Máximo Pacheco, announced that the company will enter into negotiations to establish public-private partnerships that ensure continuity in lithium mining activities beyond 2030. As a state-owned company, Codelco intends to hold a majority share in these partnerships. Pacheco emphasized the strategic importance of lithium mining for both the company and the Chilean State, as it positions Codelco as a leading producer of vital minerals for the global energy transition. The minimum conditions outlined by Corfo for future lease agreements include maintaining the State’s benefits, enforcing environmental and community relations requirements, supporting R&D financing and scientific-technological cooperation, and providing preferential prices on lithium products to companies engaged in value-added operations in Chile. These conditions aim to safeguard the State’s interests, promote sustainable development, and uphold environmental standards.

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Europe moves one step closer to finalizing an AI rulebook

The European Parliament has reached a significant milestone by confirming its negotiating mandate for the AI Act, enabling the next stage of negotiations towards a pan-EU rule book for artificial intelligence. MEPs have backed an amended version of the Commission’s proposal that expands the rule book to ensure that AI developed and used in Europe is fully in line with European Union rights and values, including human oversight, safety, privacy, transparency, non-discrimination, and social and environmental well-being. MEPs have added a total ban on remote biometric surveillance and predictive policing, as well as a ban on untargeted scraping of facial images from the internet or CCTV footage to create facial recognition databases. The proposed ban on remote biometric surveillance would apply to both real-time and post applications of technologies like facial recognition, except for law enforcement for the prosecution of serious crimes with judicial sign-off. Other measures include a ban on the use of emotional recognition tech by law enforcement, border agencies, workplaces, and educational institutions and classification of high-risk AI systems that pose significant harm to people’s health, safety, fundamental rights, environment, and used to influence voters. The plenary vote shows overwhelming support among parliamentarians for the amended version of the draft legislation with 499 votes in favour and 28 against. The Council, a body comprised of Member States governments, has already adopted its position on the file. Nevertheless, there is an impetus in Brussels to get this file over the line given how much global attention is now fixed on regulating AI.

NOBO Selected to BizWest Mercury 100 List for 2023

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Boulder, CO, June 14, 2023 –(PR.com)– NOBO, a leading vertically integrated multistate cannabis operator, today announced that it made BizWest’s Mercury 100 list of the fastest-growing companies in Colorado for 2022. The Mercury 100 event hosted by BizWest took place on June 8th where the fastest-growing private companies in Boulder County and Northern Colorado were honored for their continued growth over two years in their respective industries. As the only cannabis company to make the list, NOBO was recognized for its continued expansion with 667% revenue growth between 2020 and 2022.

Compiled by BizWest’s research department, the Mercury 100 list is ranked by percentage revenue growth over a two-year period. The 100 companies are divided into 5 “flights” with a total of 10 companies per flight; flights are based on total annual revenue. The 10 companies in each of the five flights are then ranked by their percentage of revenue growth over a two-year period, with the top five in each flight being introduced at the Mercury 100 event.

“NOBO is truly honored to make the Mercury 100 list this year. We set out to build a company that redefines the cannabis industry and paves the way as more states legalize cannabis. Our goal is to create the highest quality of products and deliver them to the broadest range of consumers. We cultivate to exacting standards which our customers recognize. This award demonstrates our success in building a foundation for many years to come,” states Alan Bonsett, CEO at NOBO. “Boulder County and Colorado continue to be known as the leaders in how to develop and grow cannabis companies that shape the industry while playing a part in the communities in which we operate.”

Out of the 10 competing companies in the top category, NOBO was ranked number one with 667% growth between 2020 and 2022, which is an outstanding accomplishment. The growth for NOBO is attributed to attention to detail and being able to take advantage of new market opportunities in very competitive and regulated markets. The passion to take customer feedback and produce sought-after products contributed to NOBO’s rapid revenue acceleration and shows no signs of slowing down.

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Indonesian Companies Can Integrate Embedded Finance on Their Platforms with Finfra.

Indonesian startup, Finfra, has secured $1 million in funding from investors including DSX Ventures, Seedstars International Ventures, Cento Ventures, Fintech Nation, FirstPick, BADideas Fund and Hustle Fund. The funding will be used for product development and to expand Finfra’s engineering, data and finance teams. The firm, which offers tech infrastructure to facilitate embedded finance products for B2B and B2C applications on a white-label basis, works with digital supply chain platforms, agritech companies, and merchant e-commerce platforms. The firm’s loan management system allows businesses to offer credit to users through their platforms. According to CEO Markus Prommik, Finfra saves businesses from spending millions of dollars to develop the technology, acquire lending licences and build a team, with clients able to offer embedded finance within weeks via the firm’s APIs.

Woman-Owned Travel Business Prepares to Launch New Product as the Travel Industry Sees Steady Growth in 2022

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Boise, ID, September 12, 2022 –(PR.com)– Borsali, a travel product brand, opened their doors in 2019. On the company’s one year anniversary in March of 2020, travel was shut down due to COVID restrictions. The company continued to market their existing products to new and existing outdoor enthusiasts. They also added a product (paper hand soap) that could be used while camping, hiking, or in local businesses at a time when everyone was conscious of keeping their hands extra clean.

In 2021 as restrictions were slowly being lifted, Borsali started seeing increased sales and then in 2022 sales were up over 400% from the previous year.

The founder said, “We were so excited to know that travel lovers were ready and anxious to get back out there and re-book their vacations and trips!” She also spoke about how passionate Borsali is about their customers’ overall experience from the moment they begin packing their bags to the day they come home, “Our company is dedicated to helping travelers spend more time enjoying their vacation and less time packing and digging through their bags. We have learned the last few years that every moment is precious and that it should never take more than a minute to find what you need in your luggage.”

Borsali’s newest product, the lightest weight travel bottles, had been put on hold and it is now ready to be released. “We are very excited for our upcoming launch as well as the continued health of the travel industry. We wish everyone that loves to travel to have amazing experiences in the world.”

Borsali is a woman owned business located in Idaho, you can contact them for more information by email, travelwithus@borsali.com or by visiting the website www.borsali.com.

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Google grants 3,500 scholarships in Chile.

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Google is offering 3,500 scholarships in its Career Certificates program to promote technological skills and generate job opportunities in Chile’s digital sector. The courses, such as IT support, data analysis, project management, and user experience design, provide skills necessary to succeed in the digital labor market, with 50% of the scholarships aimed at women. The scholarships will be awarded along with Digital Talent, a public-private initiative integrating companies, training institutions and government organizations. Google’s expansion of scholarships shows its commitment to developing digital talent in the country and to labor inclusion for women and young people. No prior experience is necessary to receive a scholarship, which will be available until June 14, 2023, via the online learning platform, Coursera. Google’s investment in Chile offers new opportunities and improves quality of life, contributing to Chile’s development as a digital hub in Latin America.

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A new Beatles song was created by Paul McCartney using AI.

Paul McCartney has made a new Beatles song using artificial intelligence (AI) and plans to release it this year. The song is based on an old demo recording of John Lennon’s vocals taken from a cassette recording that was made in Lennon’s New York City living room just before he died. The AI technology used for this project separated and cleaned up the vocals of the various Beatles members from background noise, allowing high-quality reproduction. McCartney expressed some skepticism about AI-generated music that sounds like original John Lennon recordings, but also said it’s exciting because it represents the future.

Uptech Has Released App Development Cost Calculator

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San Francisco, CA, September 13, 2022 –(PR.com)– Uptech, an award-winning design and development company, has released an app development cost calculator. This tool will help users estimate the cost of developing an app within minutes – no outsourcing vendor is needed.

It can be difficult, if not impossible, to determine the exact cost of developing an app without first getting a quote from a development team. The most apparent reason for using an app development cost calculator is that it gives a quick estimate of an app cost. But there are more benefits.

An app development cost calculator can be helpful for businesses who are trying to decide whether or not it’s worth investing in an app or to determine if it’s worth paying more for certain services. Here are some other reasons why people use an app development calculator today:

● To learn more about the outsourcing company’s hours and decide if their services fit within target.
● To get detailed info regarding what the application should look like and know exactly what needs to be done for each feature to be implemented.
● To estimate how many hours it would take to complete specific tasks such as admin dashboard, must-have features and nice-to-have features.
● To determine the right team needed for the project because the number of developers or designers working on it will affect its cost.

The Uptech app development calculator is designed to be a simple, fast way to calculate the cost of an app. When users enter specific information about their project in the calculator, it estimates the project costs within minutes. Here is how it works:

1st –Domain selection: When choosing a domain, users can select from the pre-approved options or provide a custom domain for their app.
2nd –Platform choice: The next step is to choose the platform(s) the app will be built on (iOS app, an Android app, or a web app)
3rd – Project scope: This is where users must determine which features are must-haves and which are nice-to-haves.
4th – Technical complexity requirements: Here is where users select security requirements and other technical aspects of the app, such as third-party APIs.
5th – Design requirements: Here, users can choose from Uptech’s designs or request a custom design. They can also get an “I’ll provide the design” option.

Finally, users must provide an email address to receive a detailed app cost estimate in their inbox.

Uptech developed the app cost calculator to help businesses consider all the factors needed for a reasonable estimate. “It is important to remember that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer for determining the cost of an app,” said Olga Galik, business developer at Uptech. “Each project is unique. So we recommend speaking with the Uptech sales team once users have used the app cost calculator.”

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Reddit’s API Pricing Protest Causes Thousands of Subreddits to Go Dark

In response to Reddit’s new API pricing, which will result in the shutdown of many third-party apps, over 8,000 subreddits have gone dark or in read-only mode. The organized blackout, which will last for 48 hours, involves tens of thousands of moderators and millions of Reddit users. Subscribers cannot post or comment on new content, and non-subscribers cannot view existing content on participating subreddits. Users are encouraged to boycott the official Reddit app and switch to non-Reddit platforms to protest against the changes. Currently, 28,606 moderators and 8,300 subreddits have pledged support. The new pricing model for API access based on data usage will be prohibitively expensive for many third-party apps, and the cost is unsustainable for many developers running widely used apps such as Apollo, Reddit is Fun, and Sync. Some subreddits have pledged to permanently shut down unless Reddit addresses its users’ concerns adequately. The cost of API access has been free until now, and the changes made will have disastrous effects on the moderators’ ability to sustainably moderate subreddits. The changes will allow spam, karma farming, link-dumping, and other types of behavior that ruin subreddits. There will also be restrictions on NSFW content. Despite these concerns, Reddit is not planning any further API updates and argues that developers should be responsible for app efficiency. Existing non-commercial moderation tools such as Toolbox, Context Mod, Remind Me, and anti-spam detection bots will still have free access to Reddit API. The company will also make exceptions for certain accessibility apps. In conclusion, the two-day blackout is not the end but a tool for further action until Reddit appropriately addresses its users’ concerns.

Building Block Resolutions Introduces Floreo’s Innovative Virtual Reality Platform to Teach Social, Behavioral, Communications and Life Skills

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Los Angeles, CA, September 14, 2022 –(PR.com)– Building Block Resolutions (BBR), a premier Southern California-based autism therapy and behavioral analysis services provider, has begun deploying Floreo to teach social, behavioral, communication and life skills. Floreo’s mission is to create the first behavioral therapy metaverse, a virtual world that is safe for learners, equipping them with skills and tools they can apply in their everyday lives.

BBR is a woman-owned provider that serves all of Los Angeles and Orange Counties with more than twenty years of experience. Southern California is one of the most innovative regions in the United States for autism services and BBR has a track-record of providing the highest-level of professional services on behalf of the communities it serves.

“We are introducing Floreo into BBR’s service delivery model based on Floreo’s proven ability to harness technology in a way that is accessible to individuals with autism spectrum disorder, helping them to translate their learnings to practical applications in their daily lives,” said Dr. Jennifer Charles, PhD, BBR’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer. “Building Block Resolutions is proud of the role we play in our community, and we will continue to identify and adopt cutting-edge technologies that can positively impact the individuals we serve,” added Dr. Charles.

“Building Block Resolutions is an extraordinary community resource serving the children of Los Angeles and Orange counties, and Floreo is proud to partner with them to bring our cutting edge technology to their clients,” said Heather Manning, Floreo’s Director of Customer Success. “We look forward to continuing to scale our program with BBR to reach more families and children with ASD,” added Ms. Manning.

Floreo’s virtual reality platform, which is immersive and repeatable, provides practice in situations difficult to replicate in home or office settings. Learners are empowered by practicing l skills in a safe, engaging, and reinforcing manner. Floreo’s technology was recently featured in the New York Times as an example of technology innovation in the autism space: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/14/business/virtual-reality-autism-children-telehealth-floreo.html

About Building Block Resolutions:
BBR is a woman-owned autism therapy and behavioral analysis services provider serving all of Los Angeles and Orange counties. The firm has a team of highly trained therapists and staff who integrate their therapeutic services with families to create the best outcomes for children with autism spectrum disorder.

For more information, please visit www.buildingblockresolutions.com.

About Floreo:
Floreo’s vision is a world that is open and accessible for every neurodiverse person. Its mission is to create the first behavioral therapy metaverse, a virtual world that is safe for learners, equipping them with skills and tools they can apply in their everyday lives. Floreo has developed a virtual reality platform that teaches social, behavioral, communication and life skills for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, anxiety and other neurodiverse conditions. For more information, please visit www.floreotech.com

Media Contact:
Dan Tarman
dtarman@perceptualadvisors.com

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Discover and Share Recommended Places with Friends Made Easy by Rex’s New App

A new consumer social app called Rex has been launched by a team of Twitter alumni, which is designed to help people share their personal recommendations of places to visit, such as restaurants, bars, museums, businesses, parks and trails. The app uses a combination of AI and computer vision technologies to make it easier to share recommendations by analysing the user’s Camera Roll for images of favourite spots, which can then be added to playlists shared with friends and followers. Founder Aliza Rosen said she was inspired to build the app because of the difficulties of researching the best spots and finding personalised, curated content. Rex is available to download for free from the App Store and is not generating revenue through ads, subscriptions or in-app purchases.

Brick and Mortar Retail Attraction is Not Dead: Michigan-Based CC Consulting Brings Hot New Retail Concepts to National Markets

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Detroit, MI, September 14, 2022 –(PR.com)– What motivates high profile cities like Naples or Orlando, Florida to look to a small city in Michigan to bring new retailers to their market?

It’s all because of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan-based CC Consulting. Principal Cindy Ciura, who was recently named one of the Top Women in Retail/Commercial Real Estate nationally, founded the company to meet an unfilled need in the metro Detroit area for retail attraction.

Since it launched 17 years ago, the team has expanded its work nationally, carving out a niche working with cities, large development sites, mixed use projects and companies wanting new business development work.

“The retail industry is ever-changing and ever evolving. But brick and mortar retail attraction is never going away; shopping is a tactile experience. New retailers will fill those spaces that went out of business during the pandemic. And we’re here to help bring some of the hottest new retail concepts to this market, many of which will open in the near future,” said Ciura.

CC Consulting currently works in Michigan, Florida, the Carolinas​ ​and will soon be adding new locations to their pipeline​, plus a few unannounced new stores. The firm recently announced that they’re adding the Orlando market to their client list – Longwood.

“In this iconic, over-saturated retail market, the City reached out to us to spearhead several retail developments including a 20-plus-acre site, which was partly used as a greyhound track before Floridians voted to ban greyhound racing in the state. And we’ve had almost immediate attention from entertainment anchors,” said Ciura.

Other new businesses CC Consulting is working with, in addition to several others in the pipeline for 2023 openings, include:

· Brilliant Earth, a global leader in ethically sourced fine jewelry which just opened its first Michigan location in downtown Birmingham.
· Faherty, a men’s and women’s high quality apparel store with sustainable and innovative fabrics which will open before the end of the year.
· CB2, Crate & Barrel’s urban concept which will open early next year with an emphasis on home accessory goods.

“CC Consulting’s client list looks like a ‘who’s who’ in the real estate business. Our success,” Ciura says, “is based on the fact that we take a strategic look at the overall project and pull from national retail contacts to make the best decision for the individual developments. Their services include connecting retail attraction, strategic planning, marketing, and public relations.”

“We provide excellent customer service and have a large national network that helps us to determine a good fit for businesses looking for other businesses. In other words, we are the consummate matchmaker,” said Ciura.

Ciura has more than 25 years experience in the areas of retail attraction, strategic marketing and public relations. Her past experience includes working in executive roles for The Forbes Companies, Schostak Brothers & Company, and General Growth Properties on projects such as The Somerset Collection and Campus Martius.

CC Consulting is located at 7 West Square Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills. For more information, visit ccconsultgroup.com or email info@ccconsultgroup.com.

ccconsultgroup.com/

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