26 Missouri Youth Organizations to Receive Grants Totaling Close to a Quarter of a Million Dollars

St. Louis, MO, July 05, 2024 –Each year, The Optimist Club of St. Louis provides grants to organizations to improve communities and provide opportunities for youth of all ages.

The Optimist Club of St. Louis, is proud to announce the awarding of youth community grants to 26 deserving organizations across Missouri. These grants, combined with matching funds, total $238,000.

“We believe in the power of youth,” said Adam Bagwell, President of the Optimist Club of St. Louis. “These grants represent an investment in our future, and we are thrilled to partner with the Youth Work Foundation to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people.”

Organizations to receive grants – Flourish, Girls in the Know, Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis Inc., Almost Home, LitShop, Wings of Hope, Affinia Healthcare, A Million Stars, Inc. – College Bound, Ready Readers, Show Me The World Project, Gentlemen of Vision Rites of Passage, Infant Loss Resources, Safer Waters In Memory Of Nicholas – SWIM ON Foundation, St. Louis County Library Foundation, The GCI, Inc., The Youth and Family Center The Little Bit Foundation, Wesley House Association, Boys Hope Girls Hope of St. Louis, City Academy, Inc., Cultural Leadership, Inc. – LEAD STL, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri, Twin City Area Optimist Club, Wentzville-Lake St. Louis Optimists Club.

RV Pocket Tech Joins RVDA as Associate Member

Fort Worth, TX, July 05, 2024 — RV Pocket Tech, a pioneering app dedicated to enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of RV technicians, is proud to announce its new status as an Associate Member of the Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA). This membership marks a significant milestone for RV Pocket Tech as it continues to support and innovate within the RV industry.

RV Pocket Tech was specifically designed to be an indispensable resource for RV technicians, providing comprehensive information and detailed troubleshooting paths for RV air conditioners. By leveraging the app, technicians can significantly streamline their diagnostic processes, resulting in faster, more accurate repairs. This not only enhances customer satisfaction but also boosts the overall productivity of service departments.

The Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA) is the premier national association representing RV dealers, their employees, and RV-related businesses. Established to advocate on behalf of the RV industry, the RVDA offers a wealth of resources, including educational programs, industry data, and professional development opportunities. Through its efforts, the RVDA aims to ensure a thriving RV market by supporting best practices and fostering strong relationships between dealers, manufacturers, and service providers.

“Joining the RVDA as an Associate Member is a significant achievement for RV Pocket Tech,” said Troy Grant, President of RV Pocket Tech. “We are excited to contribute to the RVDA’s mission by providing innovative solutions that enhance the capabilities of RV technicians across the country. Our app is designed to make troubleshooting RV air conditioners more efficient and accurate, ultimately benefiting both technicians and RV owners.” As an Associate Member, RV Pocket Tech looks forward to collaborating with RVDA members and participating in industry events, sharing insights, and continuing to develop tools that address the evolving needs of the RV market.

Revolutionizing Gaming: Ant Cloud Launches a Hybrid Cloud Gaming and Cloud PC Service in India

5th July 2024  New Delhi, Delhi, India Ant Cloud, a revolutionary cloud gaming and PC service, launched today in India. This allows users to play any AAA game on any device, at any time. But Ant Cloud isn’t just limited to gaming – with its PC Mode, users can seamlessly perform productivity tasks using a fully-featured Windows gaming PC on the cloud. Ant Cloud is the first-of-its-kind subscription service originating from India, offering a pay-as-you-go model. The service, with prices starting from just INR 599 per month, is set to transform the way people engage with gaming and PC activities.

With Ant Cloud, users can bid farewell to limitations on the type of hardware they need to play their favorite games or accomplish their tasks. Whether it’s a smartphone, tablet, or an older PC, Ant Cloud ensures a seamless and high-quality gaming and computing experience for its subscribers. It is also available on select Samsung Smart TVs.

A key highlight of Ant Cloud is its commitment to flexibility and affordability. The pay-as-you-go model empowers users to access the service within their budget and eliminates the need for high upfront costs. Its subscription plans have been carefully crafted to cater to a diverse audience, ensuring that everyone can access this groundbreaking technology.

Key features of Ant Cloud’s Cloud Gaming Service include:

• Seamless access to AAA video games on any compatible device
• Ability to use productivity tools for work and editing tasks
• Plans start from INR 599/-, making it an affordable option for all users
• Subscribe to a Pay-As-You-Go Model
• Access to a diverse and extensive game library, including a multitude of genres and titles
• Access to a Dedicated High Power Gaming PC.

Himanshu Jain, CEO of Ant Cloud, said, “Ant Cloud represents a leap forward in the world of gaming and PC services. By providing an accessible and versatile platform, we are empowering users to unlock the full potential of gaming and PC usage, without being limited by hardware capabilities or geographical constraints.”

The launch of Ant Cloud is a major milestone not only for gaming enthusiasts but also for individuals and businesses seeking cost-effective and efficient solutions for PC usage. With its user-friendly interface and robust infrastructure, Ant Cloud promises to deliver unparalleled gaming and PC experiences for its subscribers.

Venture Capital Fund Caret Capital Launches Accelerator Program

5th July 2024 New Delhi, Delhi, India Caret Capital announced the launch of Caret360 Accelerator – a 100-day Outcome-Focused program for Early-Stage Startups.

Selected startups will get up to Rs. 3 crore investment as well as deep-engaged mentoring from industry leaders. Additionally, the startups get assisted access to Caret’s community of CXOs from some of the country’s largest corporations.

Commenting on the development, Prajakt Raut, Managing Partner of Caret Capital said, “Caret Accelerator is a platform for us to empower early-stage startups with capital and mentoring from industry stalwarts. Startups will also have the opportunity to draw further follow-on capital from Caret Capital.”

“Caret provides timely capital, aggregates and makes accessible industry expertise, imparts skills through mentorship and helps startups improve their chances of success,” Sandip Das, Ex-CEO – Hutchison and ex-MD Jio, Co-chair Caret Innovation Lab and Caret Accelerator.

Caret360 Accelerator will invest and mentor startups across the 3 areas of focus of Caret Capital – smart mobility, distribution/supply chain, and employment/employability.

Caret360 Accelerator has a rigorous selection process to select a distinguished group of startups. The selection process involves multiple stakeholders including other VCs, corporates, and domain experts, and selects as steep as 1% of the start-ups that apply. Past cohort companies like Celcius Logistics, Just Deliveries, etc. have raised follow-on capital from Caret Capital as well as other marquee VCs.

Maharashtra State Board of Secondary & Higher Secondary Education Results Now Accessible on Target Publications Website

5th July 2024  Mumbai, Maharashtra, India  As the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary & Higher Secondary Education is all set to declare the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) 2024 board result, students can now conveniently access their HSC results on the Target Publications Pvt. Ltd. website on 21st May 2024 at 1 pm. In a bid to alleviate congestion on the Maharashtra State Board website and in association with the Board, both Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and Secondary School Certificate (SSC) results are now accessible on the Target Publications website at results.targetpublications.org.

The HSC board theory exams for this year took place from February 21 to March 19, 2024. In the Mumbai Division alone, over 3.5 lakh HSC students participated, contributing to a statewide approximately 15 lakh candidates. On the other hand, over 16 lakh students from across the state appeared for the SSC board exam that was held on March 01, 2024. The board officials are scheduled to release the HSC results on their official websites, mahahsscboard. in and mahresult.nic.in. Additionally, students can also access their results through results.targetpublications.org.

Dilip Gangaramani, Founder Director & CEO of Target Publications Pvt. Ltd., expressed, “We are thrilled to extend our services to the Maharashtra State Board, facilitating lakhs of students in effortlessly accessing their board exam results. This initiative aims to ease congestion on the Maharashtra state board platform while granting students immediate access to their results through our website. We appreciate the Maharashtra State Board for selecting us to support students through this initiative.”

To check your HSC result follow the steps:

• Login to – results.targetpublications.org
• Enter your hall ticket number in the given space.
• Download your result and take a print of it.

Dorsett – Your Rewards Announces Partnership with Cathay

5th July 2024  Hong Kong, SAR  Dorsett Hospitality International is pleased to announce a new partnership between its hotel loyalty program, Dorsett – Your Rewards, and Cathay. This collaboration will allow Dorsett – Your Rewards members to convert their points into Asia Miles so they can explore the world with greater convenience, flexibility, and rewards.

Members of Dorsett – Your Rewards can earn and accumulate points by staying at any of our 22 participating Dorsett, Dao by Dorsett, d.Collection and Silka hotels across Mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, London, and Australia. Our program is designed with simplicity and transparency in mind – no strings, no catches. Just instant benefits, including an exclusive additional 12% discount on room bookings made via our hotel websites or membership platform.

With this exciting partnership, members of Dorsett – Your Rewards can now seamlessly convert their accumulated points into Asia Miles, which can be utilized for amazing journeys, experiences, and curated products. The conversion rate is simple and rewarding, with each Dorsett – Your Rewards point equivalent to 10 Asia Miles*.

1 DYR Point = 10 Asia Miles

This collaboration between Dorsett – Your Rewards and Cathay provides a world of possibilities for our members to elevate and enhance their travel experience.

High Street Malls Gain Popularity Among Retailers, Here’s Why

5th July 2024  New Delhi, Delhi, India  Amidst the increasing number of ghost shopping malls in the country, there’s positive news surrounding the high street malls. High street malls are becoming a favored destination for retailers due to the rapid opening of new stores. Recently released data from Knight Frank states that high street malls earned an average of INR 30,893 per square foot in 2023. The potential consumption in 58 high street malls across 29 cities is estimated to exceed INR 2500 crores. Potential consumption per square meter in high streets is 238% higher than operation shopping centers in 29 cities, mainly due to high commercial density in some categories that only perform better in high street malls.

Large shopping malls, with an area of over five lakh square feet, are not without their challenges. The number of vacant shops there has seen a modest increase of five percent. However, high-street malls are making their mark in retail, contributing 29% to the sector. Their unique offerings and vibrant atmosphere are drawing in retailers and customers alike. Food and beverages follow closely with an 18% contribution.

Mr. Ajendra Singh, Vice President at Spectrum@Metro stated, “High-street malls are an important aspect of urban life, often preferred by traditional buyers. Many retail high-street locations are now making substantial efforts towards urban revitalization, especially in tier 1 cities. In the future, new infrastructure will further strengthen the revival of major high-street malls and enhance the major locations.”

Moreover, a commercial high street is a key component of a successful business, and it’s increasingly popular among retail businesses looking to expand or relocate. There are many benefits of commercial high streets over shopping malls. The first thing that comes to mind when considering investing in a commercial high street is its ability to attract more customers and increase profits for your business. Regarding infrastructure, commercial high street comprises multiple entry and exit points, providing easy access to visitors within the high street. This can be seen by comparing shopping malls with commercial high streets. While both offer similar services, such as retail stores and restaurants, but with different layouts, commercial high streets allow more footfall per square foot than their counterparts.

Another important factor is that commercial high streets are becoming increasingly popular because of their low-maintenance nature, as shopping malls close and are threatened by rising rent. While many people may think of high streets as a place for local shops, they can also be used by businesses looking to attract customers. Hence, the main benefit of commercial high streets is that they offer more choices than shopping malls. Visitors can explore endless options from smaller to bigger brands under one roof and have more options when making purchase decisions (or browsing). Not only does this help ensure that each customer gets exactly what they want, but it also helps ensure that all parties involved get what they need from these premises-whether it’s convenience or value for money.

Furthermore, businesses can access a wide range of customers in a small area on commercial high streets. This is because many different types of businesses can be found on-site. The accessibility of these services means you can reach out to customers who may not usually visit your store or service them in ways they wouldn’t normally consider. This means that if you have a shop on a high street, more people will walk past it than in a shopping mall or out-of-town retail outlet. This means that when someone sees their favorite brand on display at one of these locations, they’ll want to stop by for a quick look around!

In addition, commercial high streets are also close to transport links, making it easier for customers to reach by car or public transport. The commercial high street also has more parking spaces than shopping malls, so if you have many customers coming into your store, then parking can be more accessible for them.

Thus, the success of high-street is exponentially increasing with urban trends. As infrastructure developments continue to support these commercial hubs, high-street malls are set to play an increasingly vital role in the retail sector. They provide a unique blend of traditional shopping experiences and modern conveniences, ensuring they remain attractive for retailers and consumers.

USSEC’s Pitch2Fork Spotlights Startups Leading in Protein Innovation

5th July 2024  Dubai, United Arab Emirates  Right to Protein powered by the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) hosted its second Pitch2Fork program in Dubai, UAE. With a focus on innovations in the protein industry, this platform provided a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs across Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan to pitch their rising businesses to a panel of investors. Shortlisted companies that leveraged this unique opportunity included Gladful, Hello Tempayy, Poulta, and WeGro.

While South Asia ranks as the fastest-growing region in the world, it is challenged with meeting the rapidly growing demand for protein. Reflecting on the potential impact of Pitch2Fork, Kevin Roepke, Regional Director of South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa (SAASSA), USSEC, commented, “Pitch2Fork is strategically positioned to facilitate the networking needed between startups and investors, accelerating innovation. By embracing disruption, proactively investing in the future, and addressing protein challenges, we create a path towards a more nutrition-secure tomorrow.”

Hello Tempayy, an innovative Indian start-up reshaping tempeh production was awarded the Pitch2Fork 2024 trophy for ‘Protein Start-up of the Year.’ With their user-friendly and flavorful offerings, Hello Tempayy is expanding the array of soy-based protein options available to consumers in India. On seeing the value of winning the title, Hello Tempayy’s Cofounder and Nutritionist, Malavika Siddharth, from India added, “As a nutritionist, I witness the effects of protein deficiencies on an individual’s health on a regular basis. That’s why we founded Hello Tempayy – to bridge this gap. Platforms like Pitch2fork present an invaluable opportunity to amplify our mission to raise awareness and offer nutritious and delicious high-quality protein options.”

Providing insight on their experience as a nominee in Pitch2Fork from Pakistan’s poultry segment, Khushbakht Ashraf, GM of Global Sales and Marketing, at Poulta added “Presenting Poulta’s innovative solutions for traceability, vertical integration, and data-driven decision-making in front of such a great audience was an immensely valuable experience. We are committed to farm-to-fork traceability while maximizing the production of protein and this perfectly resonates with USSEC and its mission. It has been a pleasure to network and connect and discuss future collaborations and partnerships for increasing awareness of protein.”

Md Mahmudur Rahman, Founder of WeGro, another nominee from Bangladesh’s Agri-tech sector added, “At WeGro, we empower farmers by providing access to finance, inputs, and markets. We acknowledge Pitch2Fork as an excellent platform that celebrates innovative solutions addressing the protein gap for a more sustainable future.”

Attendees were inspired by the triumph of Agroshift, an agritech startup from Bangladesh and the Winner of Pitch2Fork 2022. Agroshift operates as an omnichannel agri-supply chain platform that helps farmers sell their goods to businesses and consumers enabling fair pricing and better market access with increased affordability, quality, and convenience to buyers through its micro-fulfillment distribution network.

Pitch2Fork’s renowned speaker lineup included Janna Fritz, Vice Chair, USSEC; Henry Gordon-Smith, Founder and CEO at Agritecture; Roma Roy Choudhury, Founder & COO at Evolved Foods; Deeba Giannoulis, Regional Head of U.S. Soy Sustainability and Marketing at USSEC-SAASSA; and Roberto Vitón, Founder and Managing Director from Valoral Advisors.

U.S. Soy has been at the forefront of innovation and sustainability – continuously improving to deliver solutions to its customers across the globe. With a commitment to nourishing the world sustainably, U.S. soybean farmers support platforms like Pitch2Fork and deliver solutions like the Soy Value Oil Calculator, Specialty U.S. Soy Database, In-Pond Raceway Systems (IPRS), the International Aquaculture Feed Formulation Database (IAFDD) and the Soy Excellence Centers to name a few.