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Blue Orca Marine & VALO Join Forces to Propel Hydrofoil Innovation

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VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 28, 2024 /CNW/ – Blue Orca Marine (“Blue Orca”), a Canadian pioneer in zero-emission sustainable marine solutions, proudly announces a strategic partnership with San Francisco based VALO (“VALO”), a leading provider of innovative hydrofoil systems. This collaboration marks a significant step towards revolutionizing eco-friendly maritime transportation.

Blue Orca Marine, announces partnership with San Francisco based VALO, a leading provider of innovative hydrofoil systems

Under this partnership, VALO will provide Blue Orca with high-powered industrial hydrofoilling systems tailored to the ORCA vessel, an innovative 36-metre versatile commercial workboat powered by zero-emission hydrogen technology. VALO will contribute hydrofoil design expertise and proprietary foil stabilization software for the anticipated construction of 50 ORCA vessels by Blue Orca over the next decade.

ORCA sets new standards for utility workboat platforms, boasting a range of 1,000 NM, cruising speeds of 40 knots, a 375 square metre work deck, and a 300 metric ton payload. Designed as the “pick-up” truck chassis for mid-size marine workboats, ORCA’s customizable deck can play a pivotal role in decarbonizing numerous coastal maritime sectors, including ferry/personnel transportation, short-haul high-speed freight, marine service & support, eco-tourism, and offshore energy operations.

Rich Robillard, CEO of Blue Orca Marine, remarked, “Our partnership with VALO will drive us closer to our vision of a sustainable and decarbonized maritime industry. Hydrofoils are integral to ORCA, making our long-term collaboration with VALO crucial.”

This collaboration leverages VALO’s expertise in hydrofoil technology, known for its efficiency, performance, and delivering a quieter, smoother, and wake-free experience. By combining the power of hydrogen technology with hydrofoil efficiency, performance, and low wake disturbance, ORCA eliminates harmful emissions and reduces erosion in sensitive maritime ecosystems, contributing to a cleaner and greener future for marine transportation.

“We are excited to join forces with Blue Orca Marine to advance our hydrofoil technology in sustainable commercial marine workboats and transportation,” said Ed Kearney, CEO of VALO. “Together, we aspire to redefine the possibilities of zero-emission hydrofoilling commercial vessels.”

The partnership between VALO and Blue Orca Marine embodies a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability, and pushing the boundaries of marine transportation. Together, they aim to pioneer a new era of zero-emissions hydrofoil vessels, setting a precedent for a cleaner and more efficient maritime future.

About VALO

VALO (formally known as Boundary Layer Technologies) is a hardware technology company based in Alameda, California, that specializes in building hydrofoil vessels and hydrofoil systems for recreational and industrial vessel OEMs. VALO’s mission is to enable all segments of the marine industry to harness the massive benefits hydrofoil technology can bring. VALO is backed by the accelerator Y Combinator, as well as Lower Carbon Capital and Fifty Years VC.

About Blue Orca Marine

Blue Orca Marine is a pioneering Canadian Indigenous-owned marine technology company at the forefront of environmentally responsible and sustainable marine solutions. We are dedicated to leveraging leading technologies and fostering innovation within the marine industry through partnerships and collaboration. Our flagship vessel, ORCA, represents a ground-breaking advancement in commercial mid-size marine workboats, utilizing efficient hydrofoilling technology and powered by zero-emission hydrogen technology.

SOURCE Blue Orca Marine

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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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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.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/leap-group-relaunches-humanview-a-growth-intelligence-system-built-to-explain-why-customers-behave-the-way-they-do-302918557.html

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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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

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stephen-a-smith-addresses-white-house-dinner-attendance-reaffirms-commitment-to-hbcus-and-protecting-corporate-investment-in-black-education-302918547.html

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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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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