Technology

Foundation Partners Group Invests in Digital Transformation of End-of-Life Space

Published

2 years ago

October 2, 2024

The nation’s second largest provider of funeral services launches Afterall and acquires Cake to meet growing demand for end-of-life services

WINTER PARK, Fla., Oct. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Foundation Partners Group, the second largest provider of funeral services in the United States, today announced the launch of Afterall, a new digital platform that simplifies how families find and choose local funeral homes. The company is also announcing the acquisition of Cake, a trailblazer in online end-of-life planning tools and resources. These initiatives represent a significant step toward modernizing the funeral service landscape and integrating various services into a single platform.

The global end-of-life planning market is a nearly $30 billion dollar industry,* estimated to grow upwards of six percent* through 2030 as the baby boomer population ages. Unlike other industries, which have answered the consumer call for highly personalized yet streamlined experiences, end-of-life planning has largely lacked a more comprehensive solution until now.

“The launch of Afterall with the acquisition of Cake are critical first steps in streamlining and simplifying the end-of-life experience,” said Chris Blackwell, interim CEO of Foundation Partners Group. “We meet with families going through the end-of-life experience every single day and many wish they were better prepared and had easier ways to move through the process. We believe this is just the start in changing the end-of-life category for the better.”

Foundation Partners Group Launches Afterall

Afterall is launching as one of the largest online funeral service providers, featuring Foundation Partners Group’s robust portfolio of more than 250 funeral homes, cemeteries and direct-to-consumer cremation services together in one place, along with helpful online resources, free digital obituary services and a memorial store. With Afterall, instead of endless online searches and phone calls to compare funeral providers, families can visit one website to find a local funeral home they trust, as well as the right services to fit their unique needs.

“From an increase in cremation to a myriad of non-traditional celebrations of life, families are seeking choice in all facets of end-of-life care,” said Lee Senderov, chief marketing and digital officer of Foundation Partners Group. “The goal of Afterall is to make this once complicated and overwhelming process easy and simple, allowing families more space and energy to honor their loved ones.”

Foundation Partners Group Acquires Cake

In conjunction with the launch of Afterall, Foundation Partners Group has made the strategic decision to acquire Cake, a pioneer in providing online resources and digital planning tools. Since its launch, over 100,000,000 people have used Cake’s extensive catalog of more than 5,000 articles and planning tools to navigate the intricacies of end-of-life planning including wills, funeral arrangements, advance care directives, estate settlement and grief. 

“Navigating the end-of-life journey can be a fragmented and confusing experience for families during one of the most stressful and challenging times in their lives,” said Suelin Chen, Ph. D, founder of Cake. “Cake was founded with the vision that other life milestones – like having babies or getting married – had online tools to make the process easier. This just wasn’t true for the end-of-life category. We are excited to join Foundation Partners Group with the launch of Afterall to continue this mission to bridge the gap.”

Long-term growth plans for Afterall include providing more comprehensive resources and tools for all stages of the end-of-life experience and more.

For more information on Afterall, visit www.afterall.com. 
For more information on Cake, go to www.joincake.com.
*https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/end-life-planning-market-report

About Foundation Partners Group
Winter Park, Florida-based Foundation Partners Group is one of the industry’s most innovative providers of funeral services and the second-largest funeral home group in the country based on the number of families served. Foundation Partners owns and operates a network of over 250 funeral homes, cremation centers and cemeteries across 21 states. Our deep understanding of technology and customer experience-centered approach allows us to deliver truly innovative and compassionate care to the families we serve. Visit www.foundationpartners.com to learn more.

About Afterall
Afterall is a digital platform helping families to find the right funeral services for their individual needs. Developed by Foundation Partners Group in 2024, Afterall brings together local funeral homes, cemeteries and direct-to-consumer cremation providers, along with tools and resources to make the end-of-life experience as easy as possible. Visit www.afterall.com to learn more.

About Cake
Cake is the leading platform for end-of-life planning and navigating mortality, serving millions of people each year. With thousands of articles and innovative planning tools, Cake is a one-stop-shop for all aspects of death and end-of-life including healthcare, funerals, financial and legal concerns, making meaning in your life, and curating your digital legacy. Visit www.joincake.com to learn more.

Media Contact:
Kristin Wooten
kristin@babbitbodner.com
404-680-2524

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SOURCE Foundation Partners Group

Technology

GIGABYTE Named Official PC Monitor Sponsor of FINAL FANTASY XIV Fan Festival 2026 in Anaheim

Published

5 minutes ago

April 23, 2026

LOS ANGELES, April 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — GIGABYTE, the world’s leading computer company, today announced its role as the Official PC Monitor Sponsor of the FINAL FANTASY XIV Fan Festival 2026, taking place from April 24 to April 25 at Anaheim Convention Center in California, USA. As part of the sponsorship, GIGABYTE will power the event’s PvP tournament stage with its MO27Q2A OLED gaming monitors, delivering an immersive and competitive gameplay experience for both players and fans.

At the center of the showcase is the GIGABYTE MO27Q2A, the OLED gaming monitor engineered to elevate the experience of FINAL FANTASY XIV. From richly detailed environments and dramatic lighting effects to fast-paced raid mechanics and PvP encounters, the MO27Q2A enhances every aspect of gameplay with deep contrast, vibrant color accuracy, and ultra-fast 0.03ms response time. Its OLED panel brings Eorzea to life with true blacks and exceptional clarity, while 280Hz high refresh rates ensure smooth, responsive performance during intense battles, making it an ideal display for both competitive play and immersive exploration.

Beyond the MO27Q2A monitor, GIGABYTE’s expanding monitor lineup continues to deliver cutting-edge display technology for gamers and creators alike. Featured models include the MO27U2 and MO32U, offering high-resolution visuals and immersive performance for both competitive and cinematic experiences, as well as the GO27Q24G, designed for smooth, responsive gameplay with high refresh rates and versatile performance in the budget friendly segmentation.

To further celebrate the partnership, GIGABYTE will be hosting a special social media giveaway in collaboration with the FINAL FANTASY XIV team, featuring 30 exclusive merchandise prizes. Fans can participate via a Gleam-powered campaign by following GIGABYTE and FINAL FANTASY XIV social channels for a chance to win. The giveaway will run from April 23 to April 30, inviting the community to engage and celebrate the event together.

With its focus on OLED innovation, high refresh rates, and gamer-centric features, GIGABYTE continues to push the boundaries of display performance, empowering players to experience their favorite titles with unmatched precision and immersion.

For more information on GIGABYTE monitors and the giveaway experience, please visit the official event page to learn more.

Media Contact:
GIGABYTE USA PR Team
City of Industry, California
gbtusa_marketing@gigabyteusa.com

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SOURCE GIGABYTE

Technology

Fun Services Announces Full Integration of Cliffhanger Productions Amusements Operations Beginning 2026

Published

5 minutes ago

April 23, 2026

TOTOWA, N.J., April 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Fun Services is proud to announce the full transition and integration of Cliffhanger Productions Amusements operations under the Fun Services brand, effective January 1, 2026.

Following the acquisition of Cliffhanger Productions Amusements contracts in 2023, Fun Services has continued to operate and service events under the Cliffhanger name during a multi-year transition period. Beginning in 2026, all clients, events, and bookings will be managed directly through Fun Services.

This transition marks a significant milestone in the company’s growth, reinforcing its commitment to delivering high-quality amusement rentals, event services, and customer support across the region.

“Over the past few years, we’ve worked closely with Cliffhanger clients to ensure a seamless experience,” said Anthony Lombardi III, CEO of Fun Services. “As we move into 2026, we’re excited to officially bring all operations to Fun Services, allowing us to expand offerings, streamline service, and continue building strong relationships with our clients.”

Fun Services will continue to provide the same popular attractions and event equipment that clients have come to expect, including:

Mechanical ridesCarnival game trailersInflatablesFull-service event setups

Clients can expect enhanced booking processes, expanded inventory options, and continued reliability backed by the Fun Services team.

Anthony Lombardi, Owner of Fun Services, added, “This transition allows us to grow while maintaining the quality and consistency that Cliffhanger clients are used to. Our focus remains on making every event successful, safe, and memorable.”

All existing contracts and relationships will be honored, with no disruption to scheduled events. Clients will now work directly with Fun Services for all future bookings, inquiries, and event planning needs.

For more information or to book an event, please contact:

Fun Services
(973) 450-9610
info@njfunservices.com
https://eventsbyfunservices.com

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SOURCE Events by Fun Services

Technology

Alchemy Technology Group Acquires IOvations to Grow Its Northeast Presence

Published

5 minutes ago

April 23, 2026

HOUSTON, April 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Alchemy Technology Group, an IT advisory, consulting, and reseller firm and a portfolio company of Avance Investment Management, has acquired IOvations, a Burlington, Massachusetts-based cybersecurity solution provider.

The acquisition expands Alchemy’s cybersecurity portfolio and further extends its geographic reach into the Northeast, giving customers access to deeper expertise in cloud security, advanced threat detection, and Zero Trust architectures. IOvations brings long-standing customer relationships and proven experience helping organizations build modern security strategies.

“IOvations is a perfect fit in our acquisition strategy,” said Wes Davis, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Alchemy Technology Group. “They have a terrific, longstanding customer base in a dynamic growth market for us. We love quality businesses built on the same core principals as Alchemy: trusted relationships, elite domain expertise, and a history of execution.”

For IOvations’ customers and partners, joining Alchemy provides access to a broader set of capabilities while preserving the specialized security focus they rely on today.

“Becoming part of Alchemy strengthens our ability to support our clients and their evolving needs,” said Jim Sacco, CEO and Founder at IOvations. “Our clients will gain access to expanded expertise in cloud, data, digital workspace, AI, and application development, while continuing to work with the same IOvations team they know and trust. Culturally, there is a strong alignment around our client-first approach, focusing on positive outcomes, investing in technical talent, and building long-term relationships.”

This transaction marks Alchemy’s second acquisition in as many months. With the support of Avance, Alchemy intends to continue its strategy of building a national platform through targeted acquisitions that complement its strong organic growth.

About Alchemy Technology Group

Alchemy Technology Group is an award-winning reseller of next-generation technology solutions and a provider of high-touch consulting and advisory services. Focused on critical software solutions such as cybersecurity, digital workspace, data, cloud, application development, and AI, Alchemy was purpose-built to go beyond the offerings of a traditional VAR and take a truly client- and vendor-centric approach. For more information, visit www.alchemytechgroup.com.

About IOvations

IOvations is a Burlington, Massachusetts-based cybersecurity solutions provider focused on helping customers protect critical systems, data, and users. The company specializes in modern security architectures with a focus on Zero Trust strategies and protecting critical infrastructure. IOvations works closely with customers to design and operate practical, resilient security programs that keep pace with evolving risks and regulatory requirements. For more information, please visit www.iovations.com.

About Avance Investment Management

Avance Investment Management is a private equity firm with a passion for building great businesses in partnership with talented founders and management teams. Avance focuses primarily on thematic investments within the Services, Technology, and Consumer areas in the U.S., seeking attractive opportunities with catalysts for growth and fragmented spaces with consolidation opportunities. Avance’s team has a long history of partnering with founder-owned businesses, industry executives, and management teams and aims to add value to each investment through the application of its STAGE™ value creation framework. Avance has offices in New York and Miami. For more information, please visit www.avanceinv.com.

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SOURCE Alchemy Technology Group, LLC