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Best-in-class UK market entry support programme opens for applications

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West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC) launches the West Midlands Global Growth Programme – a free package of support for Indian technology companies looking to make their mark in the region. Programme to be delivered in partnership with Bruntwood SciTech, STEAMhouse, University of Wolverhampton Science Park and the University of Warwick Science Park, significantly expanding on WMGC’s existing investor support offering. WMGC inviting applications from eligible Indian businesses, with 40 spaces available for 2024. 

BIRMINGHAM, England, Feb. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The West Midlands’ official investment promotion agency has launched its 2024 Global Growth Programme – a unique, nine-month package of free market entry support, providing Indian companies with a springboard to success in the region. 

Developed by the West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC), the programme aims to boost investment in the West Midlands from overseas tech businesses through access to the ultimate suite of support, designed to accelerate their growth journey at the heart of the UK. Through new partnerships with Bruntwood SciTech – the UK’s largest dedicated property platform serving the growth of the nation’s knowledge economy, STEAMhouse, University of Wolverhampton Science Park and the University of Warwick Science Park, the programme significantly expands on WMGC’s previous support offering for new investors. 

The West Midlands Global Growth Programme has been designed to address the key challenges faced by ambitious, innovative companies at every stage of development – from scale-ups to large corporates – when entering the UK market for the first time. Its free package of support includes sponsored innovation centre workspace, access to sector specific programmes and bespoke professional services assistance, covering areas such as UK subsidiary set-up, introductions to local networks, UK VISA assistance and marketing amplification.  

Building on the overwhelming success of the pilot programme, which was based at Bruntwood SciTech’s Innovation Birmingham campus and focused on supporting international tech companies, the 2024 Global Growth Programme will be delivered across a larger network of landing hubs. Five hubs located across Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Coventry create an expanded offering with tailored support for a broader range of sectors, including Future Mobility, Digital Tech, Health Tech and Clean Tech. Indian companies that have successfully expanded into the UK as a result of the Global Growth Programme include The Disposal Company, Oxyloans, Cargosol Logistics Ltd, Mind & Matter, Skillveri and Identisafe.
 
During the 2022/23 financial year, India overtook the US to become the West Midlands’ leading source of FDI, with tech-led investments into the region representing a prominent trend.The region saw the greatest growth in FDI projects in the UK, surpassing London and outstripping the country’s average by fivefold. Following the recently agreed Deeper Devolution Deal, the region’s drive to attract more FDI into the region will be supported by WMGC’s co-development of an international strategy, along with the UK Government’s Department for Business and Trade. 

With only 40 places available on the West Midlands Global Growth Programme for 2024, WMGC is now accepting applications. Businesses can find out whether they’re eligible to apply and register their interest here.

Neil Rami, Chief Executive at the West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC), said: 

“To date, our Global Growth Programme has proven a resounding success, helping a number of international companies to kickstart their growth journeys in the West Midlands. The launch of the Global Growth Programme 2024, which is bigger and better than ever before, will enable us to use our best-in-class expertise to support businesses across a wider range of sectors, from new hubs right across the region. We look forward to working with this year’s cohort to help them reach new heights, strengthening the West Midlands’ world-class innovation ecosystem.” 

Sabarinath C. Nair, CEO at Skillveri, said: 

“With our target customers spread widely across England and Scotland, it made perfect sense to position ourselves in the West Midlands – right at the heart of the UK. As well as being extremely well connected to other major UK cities by road and rail, Birmingham was a much more cost-competitive option than the likes of London.  

“Being part of the West Midlands Global Growth Programme gave us a real head-start on our UK growth journey. In particular, having access to free desk space at Innovation Birmingham – where we had dedicated consultancy and networking opportunities on our doorstep – has helped us to hit the ground running and thrive in the region from day one.” 

Kai-Tse Lin, Co-Founder at Bellwether Industries, said: 

“The West Midlands’ unique combination of an established manufacturing heritage and world-class strengths in emerging technologies made it the obvious location for us to test and scale our innovative eVTOL solutions. 

“The best thing about being part of the West Midlands Global Growth Programme was having around-the-clock access to bespoke consultancy, from our base at Bruntwood SciTech’s innovation hub. These conversations enabled us to quickly add value to our business model by identifying partnership and networking opportunities in the local ecosystem. In particular, a key highlight of the Programme was being invited to attend the Future Mobility event at Commonwealth Games business conference, UK House, where we made valuable connections with local universities and key players in the global Clean Tech industry.” 

Notes to editors: 

West Midlands Growth Company 

The West Midlands Growth Company helps the region make its mark nationally and internationally. Its primary purpose is to attract investment, jobs, visitors and businesses to the West Midlands. The West Midlands Growth Company focuses on the WMCA geography of Greater Birmingham and Solihull, Coventry and Warwickshire, and the Black Country. 

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LEAP Group Relaunches HumanView, a Growth Intelligence System Built to Explain Why Customers Behave the Way They Do

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October 24, 2026

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Reimagined from the ground up, HumanView pairs statistical modeling with expert analysts to turn millions of real-world customer signals into business decisions

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LEAP Group today announced the relaunch of HumanView, its growth intelligence service. The new version has been rebuilt from the ground up and now has a dedicated home at leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

HumanView analyzes what customers say and do across social platforms, e-commerce sites, review platforms, search behavior and user-generated content, including signals from Reddit, TikTok, YouTube, Meta, Amazon and Walmart+ that general AI tools cannot always access. Because the data reflects unprompted, real-world behavior, it avoids the response bias built into surveys and focus groups.

The service works in three layers. HumanView captures signals at scale, decodes millions of records through validated statistical models such as regression, correlation and clustering, and then relies on experienced analysts to interpret the patterns. Clients receive clear, human-validated insights instead of another dashboard.

“Machines find the patterns. Humans find the point,” said Alan Gilleo, CEO at LEAP Group. “The first version of HumanView showed us how much customers reveal when nobody is asking them questions. This version is built to explain why they act the way they do, and to put those answers in front of everyone making decisions, from product to service to marketing.”

HumanView focuses on three areas:

Growth Intelligence: customer motivations and how people perceive a brand and its competitors

Market and Category Intelligence: product pain points, service friction, unmet needs and competitive gaps

Audience Intelligence: new segments, positioning opportunities and gaps in the market

Every model is designed and validated by data scientists and benchmarked before it informs a recommendation.

To learn more about HumanView, visit leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

About LEAP Group
LEAP Group is a boutique marketing agency holding company with offices in Louisville, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Chicago. Guided by the belief that brands should “Market Less. Matter More.,” LEAP gives clients access to specialized experts across its entire network. Learn more at leapgroupnetwork.com.

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SOURCE LEAP Group

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STEPHEN A. SMITH ADDRESSES WHITE HOUSE DINNER ATTENDANCE, REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO HBCUs AND PROTECTING CORPORATE INVESTMENT IN BLACK EDUCATION

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October 24, 2026

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NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Stephen A. Smith, media mogul, New York Times bestselling author, and proud 1991 graduate of Winston-Salem State University, is addressing the public discussion surrounding his decision to attend a White House dinner with President Donald Trump, emphasizing his commitment to the long-term financial stability of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

For Smith, the decision was rooted in a commitment to institutions that have educated generations of Black leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and public servants.

“I will always advocate for HBCUs and the students whose futures depend on them,” Smith said. “My reason for attending the White House dinner was to discuss the challenges these institutions face in securing long-term funding and to make the case that corporate America must continue to invest in them.”

Smith acknowledged federal support through the FUTURE Act while expressing concern that political tensions surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) could discourage private companies from supporting HBCUs. He maintains that these institutions deserve sustained corporate partnerships, philanthropic contributions, and public investment.

“If we truly believe in free-market capitalism, businesses should be able to support educational institutions and charitable causes without fear of criticism or repercussions,” Smith said. “HBCUs have made extraordinary contributions to this country. They deserve sustained public and private investment.”

Ashley Christopher, Esq., Founder and CEO of the HBCU Week Foundation, recognized Smith’s advocacy and decision to engage with the administration.

“Stephen A. Smith has been a powerful advocate for HBCUs, using his platform and influence to shine a national spotlight on our institutions,” expressed Christopher, “His continued support of HBCU Week helps advance our mission of connecting students with life-changing educational opportunities, and we are proud to have him as our ambassador.”

Since Smith became an HBCU Week Ambassador in 2019, the initiative has facilitated more than 15,000 on-the-spot college acceptances and raised and awarded more than $150 million in scholarships, according to the HBCU Week Foundation.

As public discussion continues, Smith is emphasizing the importance of ensuring HBCUs have the resources and partnerships needed to educate future generations and expand opportunities for students.

CLICK HERE to watch Smith’s full response to his White House visit.

MEDIA CONTACT:

media@mrsasinc.com

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SOURCE Straight Shooter Media

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Advantex Announces Completion of Financing and Extension of Maturity Date of Previously Issued Debentures

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October 24, 2026

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TORONTO, Oct. 23, 2026 /CNW/ — Advantex Marketing International Inc. (CSE: ADX) (“Advantex”), a leader in the merchant cash advance and loyalty marketing products for merchants, today announced the completion of a $250,000 secured debt financing. Advantex issued a $250,000 non-convertible debenture which bears an interest rate at 12% per annum and matures December 15, 2027. The proceeds raised from this issuance of the Debenture will be used for working capital purposes.

Advantex has also extended the maturity of its existing $700,000 in 12% secured debentures from October 10, 2026 to December 15, 2027.

About Advantex Marketing International Inc.

Advantex provides working capital to merchants. Advantex also provides specialized marketing programs that enable members of Aeroplan to earn Aeroplan points at participating merchants.

Advantex shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol ADX. For more information go to Advantex’s profile on www.sedar.com

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the future business and operations of Advantex. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The business and operations of Advantex described herein is dependent on a number of factors and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ material include, but are not limited to, changes in Advantex’s economic and competitive conditions including but not limited to the industry sectors in which Advantex operates.

The statements in this news release are made of the date of this release. Forward-looking statements are made based on management’s beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date the statements are made and Advantex undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable law.

SOURCE Advantex Marketing International Inc.

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