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R.J. O’Brien, Phlo Systems Announce Strategic Partnership, Equity Investment

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2 years ago

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Move Marks First Investment from RJO Technology Partnership Initiative Launched Last Year

CHICAGO and LONDON, Feb. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — R.J. O’Brien & Associates (RJO), the oldest independent futures brokerage and clearing firm in the United States, and Phlo Systems, a leading provider of digital solutions for commodity trading, trade finance and international trade compliance, today announced that the firms have entered into a strategic technology partnership, which includes an equity investment by an affiliate of RJO in London-based Phlo Systems. Terms of the investment were not disclosed.

The move is the first strategic partnership and investment emanating from the Technology Partnership Initiative RJO launched last year. Long-time financial markets technology executive Tim Geannopulos has served as a consultant to the RJO Executive Committee and Board on the initiative. RJO hosted its inaugural Technology Partnership Forum in February 2024, inviting multiple technology solutions providers to participate, with the goal of fostering collaboration and innovation within the technology sector that serves the financial and commodity markets for the benefit of the industry as well as the firm and its core constituencies. Its second forum will take place later this month.

Over the past year, RJO has identified numerous key areas for collaboration, with Phlo Systems as the first in a series of expected partnerships that will further expand and diversify RJO’s business. RJO will be integrating Phlo Systems with its Hrvyst agricultural technology (ag tech) solution.

Phlo Systems, with its software platforms such as tradePhlo, opsPhlo and finPhlo, is recognized for empowering commodity traders to manage complex workflows, compliance and financing. Leveraging emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain, Phlo Systems is pioneering cloud-native, multitenant solutions that are transforming the future of commodity trading. These technologies allow Phlo Systems to provide more secure, efficient and scalable platforms tailored specifically for the commodity trading industry.

Brad Giemza, RJO Managing Director and Chief Risk Officer, said: “Our Technology Partnership Initiative reflects RJO’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to drive value and enhance offerings for our brokers and clients. As the global commodity markets continue to evolve, technology plays a more critical role than ever. Our investment in, and partnership with, Phlo Systems – the first of many partnerships to come – will enable us to bring modern, scalable solutions to our clients, such as within our Hrvyst business unit and the commodity trading sector. Phlo Systems’ advanced platform aligns with our vision of providing innovative solutions that enhance decision-making, streamline compliance and reduce operational costs. We look forward to integrating the platform with Hrvyst as an important enhancement to our solution.” 

Saurabh Goyal, CEO of Phlo Systems, said: “We are thrilled to welcome R.J. O’Brien as both a strategic partner and an investor. This partnership not only enhances our credibility in the marketplace but also provides the capital needed to accelerate our growth and realize our vision of becoming a global leader in the digitization of commodity trading, trade finance and international trade compliance. RJO’s deep expertise in commodity markets, combined with our technology, will unlock tremendous value for both of our customer bases.” 

Hrvyst is RJO’s grain marketing profit solution, enabling users in the commercial grain industry to manage their cash and basis grain ownership risk in real time and automatically convert cash grain contract management into futures hedging orders. The cloud-based, scalable Hrvyst solution enables users to digitally streamline grain origination, merchandising and automated hedging. Hrvyst electronically links offers, purchases and sales to the futures market and to a grain company’s accounting software system and mobile app, seamlessly and efficiently. Broker-agnostic, the solution can be used by cooperatives and processors with a link to their existing brokerage firms.

About R.J. O’Brien & Associates

Founded in 1914, R.J. O’Brien & Associates is the oldest independent futures brokerage and clearing firm in the United States, serving more than 80,000 institutional, commercial and individual clients globally, in addition to a network of approximately 300 introducing brokers (IBs). RJO services the industry’s most expansive global network of IBs, a vast array of middle market firms and many of the world’s largest financial, industrial and agricultural institutions. The firm offers state-of-the-art electronic trading and 24-hour trade execution on every major futures exchange worldwide. RJO received the FOW International Award for Non-Bank FCM of the Year for five consecutive years, and the firm and its UK affiliate have earned eight honors from the HFM Global publications in recent years.

About Phlo Systems 

Phlo Systems is a fast-growing provider of SaaS solutions for commodity trading, trade finance and international trade compliance. Using emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain, Phlo Systems delivers cloud-native, multitenant platforms such as tradePhlo, opsPhlo and finPhlo, transforming how businesses handle complex trade processes, regulatory compliance and financial management.

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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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2 hours ago

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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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3 hours ago

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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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