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Fire Inspect Software Raises $10M investment Round and Rebrands to Ember Software

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Fire Inspect Raises $10M, Rebrands to Ember Software

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Ember Software, formerly known as Fire Inspect Software, today announced its rebranding alongside the successful completion of a $10 million funding round led by 8VC and Menlo Ventures, with participation from additional strategic investors. The funding will enable the company to accelerate product development and expand its reach in the fire protection industry, empowering fire inspectors with the tools they need to operate effectively and ensure public safety.

“We’re focused on rapidly innovating and building solutions that empower fire protection professionals with the tools they need to work more efficiently and focus on their essential mission of keeping people and buildings safe.”

Ember Software’s all-in-one platform is purpose-built to simplify fire inspection workflows. Key features include dynamic, customizable NFPA and state-specific compliant forms that reduce manual data entry, a centralized hub for customer data and records, one-click AHJ submissions and The Compliance Engine (™) integration, team scheduling and appointment management from a single dashboard,, and professionally designed smart proposals. Together, these tools streamline processes, boost efficiency, and support the critical work of fire inspectors.

“Fire protection companies play an indispensable role in protecting our communities and supporting our economy, yet many still operate without modern technology,” said Michael Furlong, CEO and Founder of Ember Software. “We’re focused on rapidly innovating and building solutions that empower fire protection professionals with the tools they need to work more efficiently and focus on their essential mission of keeping people and buildings safe.”

Alex Kolicich, Founding Partner at 8VC, shared his enthusiasm for the partnership. “Ember Software is redefining fire protection workflows by addressing inefficiencies and unlocking new opportunities for growth,” said Kolicich. “We’re proud to support their mission to modernize this critical industry and help fire inspectors achieve even greater impact.”

The $10 million Seed funding will support ongoing customer success initiatives, led by Matt Stone, and the development of new features, spearheaded by Head of Product William Clayton. These initiatives include new ERP and accounting integrations for seamless invoicing and tools designed to enable fire protection companies to collect payments more efficiently. The company’s expansion efforts aim to bring its innovative solutions to more fire protection professionals, streamlining operations and enhancing safety.

As Ember Software embarks on this next chapter, the company remains steadfast in its mission: empowering fire protection professionals to keep buildings and people safe while simplifying the processes that matter most.

ABOUT EMBER SOFTWARE:

Ember Software empowers fire protection companies to grow by streamlining inspections from scheduling to proposals. The platform offers digital NFPA and AES-compliant forms to reduce data entry, company-wide schedule management tools, one-click proposals and AHJ submissions, and a centralized hub for data and record keeping. These solutions help companies scale operations, win more business, and keep buildings safe.

The company is led by CEO and Founder Michael Furlong, alongside key executives Matt Stone, who oversees customer success initiatives, and William Clayton, Head of Product, who drives feature development and innovation. Furlong previously co-founded Fractal Software, a venture studio that launched over 145 vertical SaaS businesses supported by over $700m in dedicated capital and was CEO and Founder of Indio Technologies, an insurance software focused on digital insurance applications, which was acquired by Applied Systems in 2019.

To learn more, visit www.embersoftware.com.

ABOUT 8VC:

8VC is a leading technology investment firm, backing visionary teams and industry-transforming companies. The partners have an extensive track record as founders, builders, and operators of companies including Palantir, Addepar, Resilience, and OpenGov. 8VC manages over $6 billion in committed capital, investing primarily in smart enterprise platforms, healthcare, logistics, life sciences, government, and defense. For more information, visit https://8vc.com.

ABOUT MENLO VENTURES:

Menlo Ventures is a leading early-stage venture capital firm. Menlo’s portfolio includes more than 80 public companies and over 165 exits through mergers and acquisitions. Currently managing more than $6 billion in assets, Menlo invests at every stage across Consumer, Enterprise, and Healthcare. Menlo’s portfolio companies include Abnormal Security, Anthropic, Benchling, Carta, Chime, Harness, Pinecone, Poshmark, Pillpack, Recursion, Roku, Rover, Siri, Typeface, Uber, and Warby Parker. Menlo Ventures strives to have a positive impact in everything it does.

Media Contact

Ken Wohl, Ember Software, 1 248-755-1105, info@embersoftware.com, www.embersoftware.com

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SOURCE Ember Software

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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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