Technology

Comcast Invests More Than $1M In Grants to Advance Digital Equity Efforts Across Greater Boston

Published

3 years ago

October 27, 2023

Ethos, Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs and Tech Goes Home Among 16 Nonprofits to Receive Grants

BOSTON, Oct. 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Comcast announced today that it will reach more than $1 million in investment this year in digital equity grants to 16 organizations in Greater Boston. Recipients include YMCA of Greater Boston, Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts, and Elder Services of Cape Cod to support digital access and adoption for residents across Greater Boston. The organizations receiving grants were chosen due to their commitment to digital equity, and the funds will support programs specifically designed to provide residents in Boston and surrounding communities with Internet access and digital skill-building services. Additionally, Comcast surprised Ethos with 120 new laptops to help further support its senior citizens during an event held at the Boston Centers for Youth & Families Hyde Park, one of Comcast’s 36 Lift Zones throughout the city.

This announcement is part of Project UP, Comcast’s $1 billion commitment to advance digital equity through programs and community partnerships that connect people to the Internet, advance economic mobility, and open doors for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, storytellers and creators.

“More than a decade ago, Comcast set out to close the digital divide. We envisioned a network of community partners and programs that would empower neighborhoods – including those right here in Greater Boston – with the tools to thrive in the growing digital economy: broadband Internet, access to a computer and digital skills training,” said Broderick Johnson, Comcast Corporation’s Executive Vice President of Public Policy, and Executive Vice President of Digital Equity. “Today’s announcement further underscores our longstanding shared commitment with these local nonprofits to help ensure residents can achieve unlimited possibilities.”

The recipient organizations will also use the funds to provide their members with digital skills and workforce development opportunities. Additionally, they will help residents learn about the Federal Government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides eligible low-income households with a credit of up to $30 per month toward their Internet and/or mobile service. Thanks to ACP, eligible Comcast customers can get home Internet through Comcast’s Internet Essentials or Internet Essentials Plus at no cost once the federal credit is applied. Internet Essentials customers can also add a line of unlimited 5G cellular data ($45) through Xfinity Mobile for as little as $24.95/month after the ACP benefit is applied.

Ethos, one of the Boston-based grant recipients, will use the funds to support its Digital Aging Program, which provides Boston senior citizens with Internet service connections at their homes, computer access and individualized skill-building opportunities. Ethos program coordinators teach seniors how to use a laptop and search the Internet for healthcare and other resources.

“We are deeply grateful for Comcast’s generous $75,000 contribution to our Digital Aging Program,” said Valerie Frias, CEO of Ethos. “We have a longstanding commitment to empowering older adults through technology, and the partnership between Comcast and Ethos has been vital to that effort, addressing critical equity and device access disparities in our community. Their support allows us to expand digital literacy training, helping seniors – especially those who have faced disparities – connect with family, access resources and age with confidence. We look forward to our continued partnership in creating a more connected and enriching future for Boston’s seniors.”

This year, 15 other nonprofits have received grants to further digital equity efforts – such as conducting digital literacy training and hosting ACP awareness events – across eastern Massachusetts: Beats by Girlz, Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center, Cape Cod Community Health Centers, Elder Services of Cape Cod, Foundation for Boston Centers for Youth and Families, Just A Start, Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs, New Hampshire Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs, Quincy Housing Authority Foundation, Save the Harbor, Tech Goes Home, Timothy Smith Network, Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts, YMCA of Greater Boston and YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard.

Additional information on how the Boston-area partner organizations will use their digital equity grants:

Tech Goes Home provides digital inclusion programs, enabling each family or individual who completes 15 hours of digital skills training to earn a new computer and, if needed, funding a home Internet connection. Comcast’s $200,000 grant will enable Tech Goes Home to expand its ACP outreach and awareness efforts in Massachusetts.Elder Services of Cape Cod offers computer training to adults over 60 years of age using the Senior Planet curriculum, which is designed to help its members overcome the barriers specific to an older population – from counterintuitive naming conventions to specific software that can enable those with tremors to use a mouse. Comcast’s $30,000 grant will fund the creation of a Digital Navigator program to help reach additional senior citizens in need of digital skills support.

“Comcast knows that connecting to the Internet is vital but also understands that building digital literacy skills to develop career pathways and opportunities are critical,” said Anthony Bowling, Senior Vice President of Comcast’s Greater Boston Region. “That is why we are proud to expand our investments with public, private and nonprofit partners to do our part to help bridge that divide and advance digital equity in the Boston area and beyond.”

These efforts are all part of Project UP, Comcast’s comprehensive initiative to help build a future of unlimited possibilities. Project UP encompasses digital equity programs such as Internet Essentials, Lift Zones and Digital Navigators. Since its inception in 2011, Comcast’s Internet Essentials has connected more than 10 million low-income Americans to broadband service at home, including more than 620,000 in Massachusetts. Additionally, Comcast has launched more than 1,250 Lift Zones in community centers nationwide – with 80 locations in Massachusetts alone – to provide students and families with free, high-speed WiFi. Comcast also has 15 Digital Navigator programs throughout Massachusetts, which include individuals affiliated with trusted community organizations who are trained to help people access the Internet, use devices and acquire digital skills. Once training is complete, these Digital Navigators educate community members in a wide range of digital awareness and literacy skills.

For additional information on Project UP and our digital equity initiatives, visit: https://corporate.comcast.com/impact/project-up. 

About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company. From the connectivity and platforms we provide, to the content and experiences we create, our businesses reach hundreds of millions of customers, viewers, and guests worldwide. We deliver world-class broadband, wireless, and video through Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky; produce, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through brands including NBC, Telemundo, Universal, Peacock, and Sky; and bring incredible theme parks and attractions to life through Universal Destinations & Experiences. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.

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SOURCE Comcast

Technology

CCBank Launches Quill Bank to Deliver Banking Expertise to Fintechs

Published

10 minutes ago

June 3, 2026

Quill Bank delivers decades of banking expertise directly to fintechs seeking a credible, consistent, and experienced bank.

PLEASANT GROVE, Utah, June 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — CCBank is excited to announce the launch of Quill Bank, a distinctive, modern brand designed to serve the fintech banking vertical and bring innovative financial products to market with efficiency and broad appeal. Quill Bank is created specifically to meet the needs of tech-forward financial companies seeking a trusted brand backed by the bank’s regulatory, operational, and relationship-banking expertise.

Quill Bank is designed around the proposition that technology with a human touch ensures the best products and services are delivered to consumers in a safe and compliant manner. The name Quill, a reference to an antique writing instrument, reflects our intention to emphasize thoughtful, relationship-driven banking within a high-tech digital fintech space. The brand’s positioning, “Your fintech, our banking backbone,” also shows our commitment to providing fintech companies with a seasoned, dependable partner standing with them.

“The fintech space is driven by innovation, but innovation without a solid banking backbone can be a liability. Quill Bank exists because the fintechs we work with deserve a brand that reflects the institution standing behind them, one with tested experience, real relationships, and know-how. We’re delivering Quill to be the type of bank that makes fintech programs not just possible but credible,” said Andrew Cusick, CCBank’s Chief Development Officer.

“We’ve always believed that banking done right is built on relationships and reputation. Quill Bank is our way of bringing that philosophy to the fintech sector,” added Mike Watson, CCBank’s Chief Executive Officer. “As we grow and evolve, Quill gives our fintech programs a dedicated identity that speaks their language while drawing on everything we’ve built over the last few decades. We’re thrilled about the future the Quill brand makes possible for us.”

Quill Bank’s launch is effective on June 30, 2026, when the Quill.Bank website will go live. Fintechs interested in learning more about Quill Bank can contact Andrew Cusick at (801) 705-4383 or andrew.cusick@ccbank.com

About CCBank –

Founded in 1993, CCBank is a community-focused financial institution with branch offices located in Salem, Provo, Orem, Pleasant Grove, Sandy, Spanish Fork, and St. George to serve the banking needs of Utah residents and businesses. The bank prides itself on being a longstanding community bank headquartered in Pleasant Grove and focused on Utah communities’ financial and social health through its industry-leading rates, personalized service, financial technology, and quick decisions made at the local level. CCBank is an Equal Housing Lender | Member FDIC. Online: https://ccbank.com.

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SOURCE Capital Community Bank

Technology

Spenn, Norwegian Reward and Strawberry Successfully Go Live on GRAVTY® to Power the Nordics’ Next-Generation Loyalty Ecosystem

Published

10 minutes ago

June 3, 2026

The launch establishes a new benchmark for loyalty ecosystems in the Nordics, connecting millions of members across leading travel, hospitality, and retail brands.

LONDON, June 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Loyalty Juggernaut, creator of GRAVTY®, the world’s leading cloud-native, enterprise growth platform, today announced at the Loyalty Summit EMEA the successful go-live of Spenn, Norwegian Reward, and Strawberry on GRAVTY®, enabling one of the most ambitious loyalty ecosystem initiatives in the Nordics. The milestone underscores GRAVTY®’s position as a leading loyalty platform in Europe’s hospitality, travel, and retail sectors.

Spenn was launched with the ambition of creating a shared loyalty points system designed to make earning and using rewards simpler, more flexible, and more relevant across brands, beginning with Norwegian and Strawberry, and expanding to additional ecosystem partners over time. Together, the programs serve millions of members across the Nordic region and reflect a broader industry shift toward interconnected loyalty ecosystems that create value for both consumers and participating brands.

Built on GRAVTY®, the platform enables real-time loyalty transactions, ecosystem-wide engagement, partner-led innovation, personalized experiences, and scalable growth across multiple brands and industries. The implementation provides the technological foundation required to support the continued expansion of the Spenn ecosystem and its growing network of partners.

“Spenn was created to challenge traditional loyalty models and give customers greater flexibility, simplicity, and value across the brands they engage with every day,” said Christoffer Sundby, CEO of Spenn. “Launching on GRAVTY® gives us a highly scalable technology foundation that enables us to accelerate innovation, expand our ecosystem, and create richer experiences for participating brands’ customers.”

“Our vision has always been to make our loyalty programme as relevant and valuable as possible for our Norwegian Reward members. By modernising our technology platform, we are taking an important step towards providing an even better and more flexible offering. This strengthens the connection between travel and everyday rewards, and gives us the flexibility needed to continue developing the experience with new benefits for the years to come,” said Cecilie Nybø Carlsen, Vice President Products & Customer Experience, Norwegian.

“Strawberry has consistently focused on creating exceptional guest experiences and building deeper relationships with our members,” said Håvard Hovdahl, VP Spenn & Partnerships, Strawberry. “With GRAVTY® powering our loyalty operations, we are well positioned to expand the possibilities of Spenn and deliver greater value, flexibility, and personalization to our guests across the Nordic region.”

“The launch of Spenn required a platform capable of supporting complex ecosystem dynamics, high transaction volumes, real-time interoperability, and rapid partner onboarding,” said Kristian Kolstad, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Spenn. “GRAVTY® provided the architectural flexibility, scalability, and modern capabilities necessary to bring our vision to life and support our future growth ambitions.”

“We are honored to partner with Spenn, Norwegian Reward, and Strawberry on one of the most innovative loyalty transformations in the industry today,” said Shyam Shah, CEO of Loyalty Juggernaut. “The future of loyalty lies in ecosystems, interoperability, intelligent engagement, and customer-centric value creation. The successful launch of these programs on GRAVTY® demonstrates the power of modern loyalty technology to enable entirely new business models and customer experiences.”

About Loyalty Juggernaut

Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, with subsidiaries in India, the UAE, China, and Canada, Loyalty Juggernaut serves leading brands across 110 countries. Its flagship platform, GRAVTY®, is an award-winning, AI-enabled, patented enterprise growth platform that powers over 80 loyalty programs across airlines, hospitality, retail, financial services, telecommunications, multi-brand business conglomerates, and other industries. Rated a Strong Performer in the Forrester Wave™ for Loyalty Technology Solutions, Q4 2025, GRAVTY® enables organizations to build, manage, scale, and monetize modern loyalty ecosystems while delivering highly personalized customer experiences.

About Spenn Group

Spenn Group is a technology company building and operating a loyalty platform with flexible points, jointly owned by Norwegian Air Shuttle, Strawberry Hotel Group and Reitan Retail. Spenn Group provides shared, flexible points that flow freely across a range of leading consumer brands, including Norwegian, Strawberry Hotels, Uno-X, 7-Eleven, Narvesen, and REMA 1000, enabling cross-brand earn and redemption while preserving each brand’s individual loyalty program. Spenn Group’s founding partners collectively represent over $20 billion in Nordic turnover.

About Norwegian Reward

Norwegian Reward is the loyalty program of Norwegian, a leading Nordic aviation company. The group includes two prominent airlines in the Nordics: Norwegian Air Shuttle (Norwegian) and Widerøe’s Flyveselskap (Widerøe). Members of Norwegian Reward earn benefits when flying with either Norwegian or Widerøe, and also from a growing ecosystem of lifestyle and travel partners. The Norwegian Group operates an extensive network of domestic routes across the Nordic countries, in addition to connecting the region with key destinations all over Europe.

About Strawberry

Strawberry is one of the largest hotel groups in the Nordic countries, operating more than 250 hotels across the Nordics under brands including Clarion, Quality, Comfort, Stopover and Home Hotels, in addition to a portfolio of independent brands. Strawberry’s loyalty program rewards members for stays, dining, and experiences across its portfolio, with a vision to build lasting relationships that extend far beyond the hotel stay.

Media Contact:

media@lji.io

www.lji.io

#FFP #TravelLoyalty #LoyaltyEcosystems #CustomerLoyalty #Spenn #LoyaltyJuggernaut #GRAVTY

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Technology

BlockBooster Digital Venture Fund I Invests $10 Million as Anchor Investor in SignalPlus’ $50 Million Series B1 Round

Published

10 minutes ago

June 3, 2026

ROAD TOWN, British Virgin Islands, June 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — BlockBooster, a full-stack alternative asset management firm, announced today that its Digital Venture Fund I invested $10 million in SignalPlus, an institutional-grade crypto derivatives infrastructure platform, anchoring the company’s $50 million Series B1 financing round, with Goldman Sachs serving as sole financial advisor.

SignalPlus operates the industry’s leading trading terminal for institutional digital asset options and derivatives, trusted by the largest market makers, exchanges, and trading institutions worldwide. The company is now extending its institutional-grade infrastructure into traditional finance and preparing to launch SignalPlus 2.0, a platform upgrade that brings agentic AI into the trading workflow.

“This investment reflects our conviction that institutional capital will flow into digital assets through credible, institutional-grade infrastructure,” said Samuel Gu, Founder and CEO of BlockBooster. “SignalPlus is one of the most established teams in digital asset derivatives, and we are excited to support their next stage of growth.”

The investment in SignalPlus is aligned with BlockBooster’s strategy of backing category-defining infrastructure at the intersection of AI and digital asset markets, with a focus on trading, asset management, and tokenization primitives that can scale across both crypto-native and traditional financial institutions.

“SignalPlus has built the leading institutional infrastructure for digital asset derivatives, and we are now expanding globally and into traditional finance. We’re pleased to welcome BlockBooster, a full-stack alternative asset manager with deep institutional reach and expertise across tokenization and on-chain finance, and we look forward to working closely as we enter our next phase,” said Chris Yu, Co-Founder and CEO of SignalPlus.

BlockBooster is investing from its first fund, a $50 million Digital Venture Fund I focused on four core verticals: AI infrastructure, on-chain trading ecosystems, on-chain asset management, and real-world asset (RWA) tokenization.

About BlockBooster

BlockBooster is a next-era alternative asset management firm for the digital age. The firm leverages blockchain technology to invest in, incubate, and manage the core assets of this new era, from Web3-native projects to real-world assets (RWA). As value co-creators, BlockBooster is dedicated to unlocking the long-term potential of these assets, capturing exceptional value for its partners and investors in the digital economy.

About SignalPlus

Headquartered in Hong Kong, SignalPlus builds institutional-grade derivatives trading infrastructure for the converging capital markets. Its platform provides professional options analytics, real-time risk management, and execution tools to hedge funds, market makers, proprietary trading desks, and asset managers across digital and traditional financial markets. The company partners with the industry’s leading exchanges and trading institutions, and is backed by HashKey Capital, AppWorks, Tencent, and other prominent technology and financial investors.

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SOURCE BlockBooster