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WNBA Star and Las Vegas Aces Guard Jewell Loyd Acquires Help With My Loan Through Family-Owned Chicago Financial Firm, Loyd & Co.

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WNBA star and Las Vegas Aces Guard Jewell Loyd proudly announces the acquisition of Help With My Loan (HWML), through her single-family office Loyd & Co., a Chicago-based, mission-driven financial firm which she co-founded with her brother Jarryd Loyd. In addition to her acclaimed basketball career, Jewell has recently led several strategic acquisitions that have set new industry benchmarks, reinforcing her status as a visionary in both sports and finance. By acquiring HWML, Loyd & Co. will expand its offerings to help clients—especially minority small business owners—grow and scale.

CHICAGO, Feb. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — WNBA star and Las Vegas Aces Guard Jewell Loyd proudly announces the acquisition of Help With My Loan (HWML), through her single-family office Loyd & Co., a Chicago-based, mission-driven financial firm which she co-founded with her brother Jarryd Loyd. In addition to her acclaimed basketball career, Jewell has recently led several strategic acquisitions that have set new industry benchmarks, reinforcing her status as a visionary in both sports and finance. By acquiring HWML, Loyd & Co. will expand its offerings to help clients—especially minority small business owners—grow and scale.

“I’m passionate about the work we’re doing at Loyd & Co. and thrilled about the Help With My Loan acquisition, which allows us to expand our impact.”

“Growing up, I saw firsthand how access to resources can define someone’s future,” said Loyd & Co. Co-Founder Jewell Loyd. “That’s why I’m passionate about the work we’re doing at Loyd & Co. and thrilled about the Help With My Loan acquisition, which allows us to expand our impact. This company is breaking down barriers for minority entrepreneurs, providing them with the capital and technology to compete on an equal playing field. Too often, small business owners—particularly those from underserved communities—are overlooked or denied funding by traditional financial institutions. We’re here to change that.”

At Loyd & Co., our philosophy is simple: access to capital is a right, not a privilege. By harnessing cutting-edge fintech and personalized wealth management, we’re building an ecosystem where every entrepreneur can succeed, create jobs, and reinvest in their communities. This initiative goes beyond loans—it fuels economic mobility and builds generational wealth. When minority-owned businesses thrive, entire communities prosper, and that’s the legacy we’re shaping with this acquisition.

Founded in 2017 in Pasadena, California by co-founders Chris Karageuzian and Jack Artinian, HWML is a full-spectrum lending platform with a mission to transform the industry by making traditional funding accessible. HWML uses AI and proprietary underwriting to streamline loan processes, reduce loan approval times, and implement inclusive lending models. With this transition, both co-founders are managing partners of Loyd & Co.

“This acquisition marks the culmination of an eight-year journey for Jack and I,” said Karageuzian. “We are thrilled to join Loyd & Co. which have the resources and knowledge and embodies great character. When we first met back in February 2024, two things stood out to me: the $146 million funding gap for the minority community in Chicago and the staggering 40% unemployment rate among African-American youth aged 20-24.”

He added: “Our platform is poised to address these challenges head-on. By matching lending at a 95% rate and operating 80% faster than any other platform, bank, or broker, we can significantly close the financial gap. Additionally, this acquisition will create job opportunities across various sectors of our company, helping to reduce unemployment and foster economic growth in the community.”

Loyd & Co. has partnered with Male Mogul Initiative (MMI) led by Walter Mendenhall, the founder and CEO of Male Mogul Initiative and managing partner of Loyd & Co., to support young Black men on Chicago’s West and South Sides, helping them achieve lasting goals and revitalize their communities. MMI, in collaboration with Loyd & Co., have invested in HWML to develop workforce development programs offering training and certifications for wealth management and small-business entrepreneurship.

Loyd & Co. Co-Founder and Managing Partner Jarryd Loyd has already witnessed the beneficial impact of this acquisition firsthand. He shared how a small trucking company in Chicago expanded its fleet, a daycare provider secured funding to open a second location, and a minority-owned construction firm obtained working capital to bid on larger projects.

“These are real businesses, families, and communities benefiting from what we’re building,” Jarryd said. “Our goal is to build a sustainable ecosystem where access to capital is a right, not a privilege, for every entrepreneur with a vision.”

Loyd & Co. invites investors, philanthropists, and community leaders to join them on this transformative journey. To learn more about partnership opportunities or to discuss how you can help drive economic empowerment, please contact our investor relations team and visit http://www.theloydco.com.

About Loyd & Co.
Loyd & Co. is a conviction-based financial firm founded on the belief that we are bold builders of the future. We are a family office specializing in asset and wealth management, fintech and lending, private equity, real estate, and sports and tech investing.

Our mission is to democratize access to capital, transform wealth management, and innovate with blockchain solutions. Through our fintech lending platform, wealth advisory, and cutting-edge technology, we empower individuals, families, and businesses to build generational wealth and create lasting impact.

About HWML
Our goal is to help you reach yours. Help With My Loan was founded in 2017 to transform the industry and make traditional funding more accessible. In the first three years alone, we built a network of 300+ vetted finance partners and secured more than $850 million for our users.

Chris Karageuzian and Jack Artinian, HWML co-founders, met in the banking world and bonded over dreams of something better. With years of high-level experience in banking, lending, and business financing, both leaders knew the ins and outs of the industry. HWML puts that insight to work for you with innovative solutions and cutting-edge technology.

About the Male Mogul Initiative
The Male Mogul Initiative (MMI) is a Chicago-based nonprofit dedicated to transforming young men into community leaders through entrepreneurship, leadership development, and workforce training. Since its founding, MMI has helped young people build businesses, acquire investment properties, and gain financial independence through innovative education and mentorship programs. ###

Media Contact

Marie Lazzara, JJR Marketing, 630-400-3361, marie@jjrmarketing.com, https://jjrmarketing.com/

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SOURCE Loyd & Co.

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GLN Connects to Vietnam’s National QR Network, Enabling Nationwide QR Payments

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Direct access to Vietnam’s nationwide QR payment networkEnabling payments via partners’ home-market banking and fintech apps without currency exchange

SEOUL, South Korea, April 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — GLN International has launched a nationwide QR payment service in Vietnam in partnership with NAPAS, marking its direct integration into the country’s national QR payment infrastructure.

The service was introduced at a launch ceremony on April 23 in Vietnam, attended by the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), NAPAS, BIDV, and Hana Bank.

GLN leads the operation of the payment system connected to Vietnam’s national QR network and has driven its technical integration, as part of Hana Financial Group’s cross-border initiatives. Hana Bank participates as the only Korean financial institution designated as a settlement bank under SBV approval.

Vietnam’s payment infrastructure is built on the VietQR Global system operated by NAPAS, linking banks and merchants nationwide. Through this integration, GLN enables users of partner apps to access the network, expanding acceptance. The partnership is also expected to support inbound use cases, allowing Vietnamese users to make QR payments in Korea via their local apps.

The service is available across tourist destinations, including Da Nang, Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, and Ho Chi Minh City, across everyday merchants. Payments can be made through GLN-connected partner applications, including major Korean fintech apps such as Toss, PurpleGLN, Hana OneQ, Hana Money, and Hana Card, without currency exchange. The service is expected to expand to platforms, including Naver Pay and KB Banking App.

Seok Lee, CEO of GLN, said, “This launch marks a significant step in connecting Korea and Vietnam through a unified QR payment infrastructure. By integrating with Vietnam’s national QR network, we enable a simple payment experience for travelers using the apps they already use in their home market, without currency exchange. We will continue to lead overseas payments and cash withdrawals without physical cards.”

Meanwhile, GLN, a subsidiary of Hana Bank under Hana Financial Group, provides QR payment and QR withdrawal services across 14 countries in Asia, including Vietnam, China, Thailand, the Philippines, Laos, and Japan, with access to more than 200 million QR merchants globally. The company is a leading cross-border payment infrastructure provider in Asia, connecting users and merchants across markets. It has also established partnerships with overseas financial platforms, including Moreta Pay (North America), DeCard App (Singapore), and Taishin Bank (Taiwan).

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gln-connects-to-vietnams-national-qr-network-enabling-nationwide-qr-payments-302753730.html

SOURCE GLN International

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VARON Celebrates 5 Years Supporting Easier Breathing for Customers Worldwide

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NEW YORK, April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — VARON is celebrating a meaningful milestone, its 5th anniversary, and is taking this moment to thank customers around the world who have trusted its oxygen therapy solutions over the years. What started as a mission to make breathing support more accessible has grown into a global community of users relying on VARON’s advanced oxygen machines in their daily lives.

This anniversary is not just about the company’s growth, but about the people behind it—the individuals and families who have chosen VARON for comfort, independence, and peace of mind.

Five Years of Supporting Easier Breathing and Everyday Living

Over the past five years, VARON has focused on one simple idea: making oxygen therapy easier to use, easier to move with, and easier to trust. From home use to travel needs, the brand has continued improving its range of oxygen machines to support different lifestyles and health needs.

Today, VARON offers a full lineup that includes compact portable oxygen concentrator models and reliable at home oxygen concentrator systems designed for long-term use. Many users also prefer VARON’s lightweight oxygen concentrator options, which allow more freedom of movement without sacrificing performance.

“Our customers are at the center of everything we do,” VARON CEO shared in a message marking the anniversary. “We are deeply grateful for the trust placed in us over the past five years. Every device we create is built with real people and real daily needs in mind.”

Designed for Real Life: Home and On-the-Go Oxygen Support

VARON’s oxygen solutions are designed to fit into everyday routines—whether at home, during travel, or while staying active.

At home users continue to rely on models like the Serene 5 Home Oxygen Concentrator, which delivers steady medical-grade oxygen with quiet operation and simple controls. The Serene 3 offers a compact option for those who want efficient oxygen support in a smaller footprint.

For users needing flexibility, the VH-2 Pro Home Oxygen Concentrator provides adjustable flow settings and added features like nebulization support, making it a practical choice for daily home use.

On the portable side, VARON continues to expand independence for users who need oxygen on the move. The VP-8G Ultra Portable Oxygen Concentrator stands out for its ultra-lightweight design at just 4.37 lbs, making it easy to carry while traveling or running errands. The VP-6 Continuous Portable Oxygen Concentrator and VP-2 Portable Oxygen Concentrator offer additional options with adjustable flow settings and dependable oxygen delivery.

Each portable oxygen concentrator is designed with user comfort in mind—lightweight, easy to operate, and built for mobility without stress.

A Simple Way to Say Thank You: Anniversary Discounts and Free Gifts

To celebrate its 5th year, VARON is launching a limited-time global appreciation event with special savings across its entire product range.

Customers can enjoy featured anniversary offers:

18% OFF sitewide across all oxygen machinesFree VARON gifts, including a $30 store gift card and extra nasal cannulas with every machine purchaseUp to 40% OFF selected featured productsAutomatic discounts applied at checkout—no codes needed

Customers can also save more with bundle options such as the VP-8G Super Bundle and extra battery packages for VP-6 and VP-2 models.

“These anniversary offers are our way of saying thank you,” VARON CEO shared. “We want to make it easier for more people to access reliable oxygen support at home and on the go.”

Looking Ahead with Customers at the Center

As VARON moves into its sixth year, the company remains focused on improving its oxygen therapy technology and expanding accessibility worldwide. Future development will continue to focus on making portable oxygen concentrator devices lighter, more efficient, and easier to use in everyday life.

The goal remains simple: to help more people breathe easier and live with greater confidence and independence.

About VARON

VARON is a trusted provider of oxygen therapy solutions, offering a wide range of at home oxygen concentrator systems, portable oxygen concentrator devices, and advanced oxygen machines designed for home, travel, and personal use. The company is committed to creating lightweight oxygen concentrator technology that supports comfort, mobility, and better quality of life.

For more information on VARON’s 5th anniversary offers and full product lineup, customers are encouraged to visit the official VARON website.

Media Contact:
VARON Oxygen Concentrator
Email: support@varoninc.com
Website: https://varoninc.com/

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/varon-celebrates-5-years-supporting-easier-breathing-for-customers-worldwide-302753790.html

SOURCE Varon oxygen concentrator

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Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair Students Win Big at the 75th California Science and Engineering Fair

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SAN DIEGO, April 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The 75th California Science and Engineering Fair (CSEF) took place April 11–12 at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, bringing together 900 of the best of 1st place winners from regional competitions covering 58 counties across the state, including the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair (GSDSEF). GSDSEF students earned 40 awards at the event, including two of only six highly coveted spots to the prestigious Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Seven students earned 1st Place awards in the categories of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Cognitive Science, Microbiology, Physics and Astronomy, and Zoology. In addition, one student won the Saban Family Foundation Scholar Prize, while another won the South Coast AQMD Air Quality Award and A&WMA Environmental Leadership Award. CSEF is the oldest science fair west of the Mississippi River and the highest level competition in the state.

Top winners were:

Arya Bhatt, Grade 7, Oak Valley Middle School, South Coast AQMD Air Quality Award, A&WMA Environmental Leadership Award, “Context Aware Real Time Air Quality Prediction Using Machine Learning”.

Joie Green, Grade 8, Muirlands Middle School, 1st Place, “Soon I will be Invisible: How to Direct Energy with Topological Metamaterials”.

Maggie Hao, Grade 10, The Bishop’s School, 1st Place, “Harnessing Tardigrade Genes to Enhance Bacterial Biosensors for Heavy Metal Pollutant Detection”.

Uma Kattamuri, Grade 7, Oak Valley Middle School, 1st Place, “Elevated CO2 During Kalanchoe pinnata Growth Reveals Enhanced Antiproliferative and Synergistic Therapies”.

Sonika Dhenuva Konda, Grade 11, Del Norte High School, Saban Family Foundation Scholar Prize, “Adaptive Swarm Coordination for Wildfire Control via Q-Learning Tuned PSO with Quantum-Inspired Coupling”.

Emma Liu, Grade 11, The Bishop’s School, ISEF Finalist, 1st Place, “Defining 3D Phenotypic Cell States of Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils via Novel Computational Pipeline”.

Sharvi Mahajan, Grade 8, Bernardo Heights Middle School, 1st Place, “Evaluating Predictive EEG Theta/Beta Features in Adult ADHD via Machine Learning”.

Sydney O’Donnell, Grade 8, The Rhoades School, 1st Place, TFJIC, “Effects of Marigold Versus Chlorella Supplementation on Yolk Lutein Content”.

Ihan Sung, Grade 11, Eastlake High School, ISEF Finalist, 1st Place, “Renewable Ammonia Electrochemical Synthesis by Glow Discharge with an Iron Based Catalyst”.

Full results and project showcase available online.

About the GSDSEF

Since 1955, the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair (GSDSEF) has provided an inspiring experience in science and engineering for tens of thousands of San Diego and Imperial County students, motivating them to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This regional competition challenges students to go beyond classroom studies to do independent research – to ask compelling questions, to design and implement innovative solutions, and to present and defend results to judges who are professionals in their fields. The GSDSEF brings together 800 of the best middle and high school students, 400+ judges who are professionals in their fields and over 60 professional societies and organizations, with $40k in prizes awarded.

The GSDSEF fosters creativity and innovation through inquiry, celebrates students’ STEM achievements, and showcases how young minds can make an impact in the present and future. Many of these student scientists are conducting world-class research and conducting groundbreaking experiments in fields ranging from Astronomy to Zoology, such as the discovery of cures for diseases, formulations of new vaccines, cancer research, applying AI to enhance medical diagnoses, using biomimicry for water conservation, novel drone technology, advances in micro robotics and autonomous driving technology. The GSDSEF is the highest-level STEM competition in the region and one of the oldest, most respected and competitive in the world. The GSDSEF is a 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at gsdsef.org and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Copyright © 2026 Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair. All rights reserved.

Media Contact:
Sany Zakharia
sany.zakharia@gsdsef.org

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/greater-san-diego-science-and-engineering-fair-students-win-big-at-the-75th-california-science-and-engineering-fair-302753744.html

SOURCE Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair

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