Connect with us

Technology

JEGI CLARITY and Leonis Partners Announce Strategic Combination to Form Elite Global M&A Advisory Firm

Published

on

NEW YORK and LONDON, March 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — JEGI CLARITY, a leading M&A advisory firm with a 37-year history serving the media, marketing, information, and legal market sectors, and Leonis Partners, a premier 12-year-old advisory firm specializing in software, fintech, and technology transactions, announced today the signing of a definitive agreement to combine the two companies in a strategic transaction (the “Transaction”). Upon closing, the combined firm, JEGI CLARITY LEONIS (“JCL”), will create a powerhouse platform for M&A and private capital markets capabilities, serving the dynamic and evolving global economy.

The Transaction unites two firms with complementary strengths, expanding sector coverage, deepening transaction expertise, and enhancing global reach. JCL will be headquartered in New York and London, with a team of 100 professionals worldwide, including a substantial presence in Sydney and Boston. Collectively, the firms closed 35 transactions in 2024, approaching $5 billion in deal volume with six transactions closed YTD through February 28, 2025.

In North America, JCL will be co-led by Robert Koven, Founder & Managing Partner of Leonis Partners, and Scott Mozarsky, a Managing Director at JEGI CLARITY, as Co-CEOs, with Doug Stowe serving as President & COO. Wilma Jordan, Founder & CEO of JEGI CLARITY, will assume the role of Executive Chair, North America.  In Europe, JCL will be co-led by Marcus Anselm, San Datta, Jonathan Davis, Robert Koven and Richard Vaughan and Asia Pacific will be led by Ben Tolley.

The global leadership team is dedicated to maintaining the client- centric, best-practice approach that has defined both firms’ legacies. “This transaction brings together two firms with exceptional reputations, complementary expertise, and a shared commitment to delivering outstanding results for our clients,” said Wilma Jordan. “We are grateful to the clients we’ve had the privilege to serve, whose trust has fueled our success. By blending our firm’s deep-rooted experience with Leonis’ fresh, innovative perspective and its strength in software and technology, we are future-proofing our business for the decades ahead, with the combined scale, sector depth, and global reach to deliver an unparalleled advisory platform.”

Robert Koven added, “JEGI CLARITY’s legacy and industry leadership are second to none. Over months of planning, it became evident that our firms share a culture of excellence, integrity, and client-first values. By combining our expertise, we create an even stronger platform with broader industry coverage and deeper market insights, ensuring superior outcomes for our clients.”

JCL will focus on transactions ranging from $50 million to $500 million, while maintaining the capacity to manage deals that fall outside of this spectrum. The firm’s expanded sector expertise includes tech-enabled business services, legal tech and services, information, marketing, media, software, payments, telecom, and technology, reflecting the growing convergence of technology and services across many of these industries.

The Transaction diversifies the firm’s talent pool, blending deep experience with emerging perspectives, ensuring continued innovation and relevance in the market. Furthermore, the firms’ strong cultural alignment, shared management philosophies, and focus on delivering blue- chip advisory services reinforce JCL’s position as a premier M&A advisory firm.

The Transaction is expected to close in the second or third quarter of 2025, subject to regulatory approvals from FINRA and the FCA, and other customary closing conditions.

For further information, please contact Kelsey Kovachik Haar at kkovachik@jegiclarity-us.com or visit jegiclarity.com and leonispartners.com.

About JEGI CLARITY

JEGI CLARITY is a pre-eminent M&A advisory firm for the media, events, marketing, information and technology industries. With a global reach from New York, London, Boston, and Sydney, we have closed more than 800 transactions during our 35+ year history. For more information, visit www.jegiclarity.com.

About Leonis Partners

Leonis Partners is a full- service advisory firm dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs and their businesses. Leveraging decades of experience from leading global financial  institutions, Leonis delivers tailored solutions in M&A, Capital Raising, Fairness & Valuation Opinions, and other Special Situations. Known for its results-driven approach, the firm consistently achieves superior outcomes for its clients. Headquartered in New York, Leonis Partners continues to drive value for its clients across the Technology landscape and beyond. For more information on Leonis Partners, please visit: www.leonispartners.com.

Safe Harbor Statement
Leonis Principal, Inc. (d/b/a “Leonis Partners”) and The Jordan Edmiston Group, Inc. (d/b/a “JEGI CLARITY,” and together with Leonis Partners, the “Parties”) have entered into a proposed combination agreement (the “Transaction”). The Transaction is subject to approval by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”). The Parties will continue to be two distinct entities and businesses until the Parties obtain FINRA’s and the CA’s approval of, and close, the Transaction. The Parties anticipate the Transaction will close in the second or third quarter of 2025. Leonis Partners presently offers securities through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Leonis Securities, LLC. Leonis Securities LLC is a broker-ealer registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), member of FINRA, and member of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”). JEGI CLARITY presently offers securities through its wholly-owned subsidiary, JEGI, LLC. JEGI, LLC currently is a broker-ealer registered with the SEC, member of FINRA, and member of SIPC. JEGI, LLC filed to withdraw its broker-ealer registration in the first quarter of 2025 and JEGI CLARITY anticipates that withdrawal will be effective by the end of the first quarter 2025.

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including without limitation those relating to the plans, objectives, opportunities, future performance and business of the combined company JCL. Words such as “will”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “continue” and other variations of such words and similar words also identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of JEGI Clarity and Leonis Partners and their respective representatives. These statements are forward-looking in nature and involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from any potential future results expressed or implied by the forward- looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include without limitation the risk in obtaining approval from FINRA or the FCA and risk that the operating results of JCL do not meet the expectations expressed or implied herein. There can be no assurance that any expectations, express or implied, in a forward-looking statement will prove correct or that the contemplated Transaction will occur as anticipated. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements included in this press release. JEGI CLARITY and Leonis Partners assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, subsequent events or any other circumstances. Such statements speak only as of the date of this press release.

Contact: Kelsey Kovachik, Vice President of Marketing
+1 212 754 0710 | kkovachik@jegiclarity-us.com | www.jegiclarity.com/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jegi-clarity-and-leonis-partners-announce-strategic-combination-to-form-elite-global-ma-advisory-firm-302396933.html

SOURCE JEGI CLARITY

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

VYLIT OPENS ITS CREATOR ADVISORY BOARD, GIVING CREATORS EQUITY IN THE PLATFORM

Published

on

By

Reality star & chef Dom DeAngelis, model & creator Cydney Moreau, and creator-entrepreneur Crystal Jackson named as founding members, with applications now open for creators who want a voice in how the platform is shaped

MIAMI, July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Vylit, the 18+ creator-first social platform co-founded by Ami Gan, former CEO of OnlyFans, and seasoned entrepreneur Kailey Magder, is opening applications for its Creator Advisory Board, which will include a select group of creators that will have a strong voice in shaping the platform they use and earn on.

Vylit is inviting creators not just to join the platform, but to help build it, with real shares in the company reserved for those who contribute to its growth, culture and direction. The Creator Advisory Board will give creators a direct voice in building Vylit’s community, the platform’s development and creator tools, along with ownership in the business they’re helping grow.

Applications are now open. Creators can apply by emailing vylit@vylitworld.com with their name, bio and social handles.

Vylit is launching the board with three founding members who show the range of creators it’s built for.

Dominic DeAngelis, known from YouTube and Vanderpump Villa, where his culinary skills earned recognition from viewers around the world, has been using the platform to share behind-the-scenes and day-in-the-life content with his subscribers — the kind of direct, monetized relationship with fans that Vylit is designed around.

“Social media sucks right now. The algorithms are negative, you don’t even see the people you follow anymore, and creators are struggling to find real connections with their fans,” said DeAngelis. “I’m thrilled to be part of a platform that’s doing it differently. Vylit is actually listening to creators and building with us, not just for us.”

Cydney Moreau, a Louisiana-born former track athlete turned model and creator with a following across fitness, fashion and lifestyle, balances her work with life as a mom. Vylit is where she’s turning that following into a business for the first time, on her own terms.

“As someone who is monetizing my content for the first time, knowing that I will have a say in how the platform treats other creators means everything,” said Moreau. “It’s not every day a platform actually wants creators in the room while they’re building it. Knowing Vylit is making decisions with our interests at heart gives me the confidence to build here, and I’m excited to help shape where this goes.”

Crystal Jackson, known to millions of followers as Mrs. Poindexter, is the co-founder of EssentL, a company building business infrastructure and benefits for creators. A former engineer turned multi-platform creator and entrepreneur, she brings an operator’s understanding of what creators actually need from the platforms they build on.

“I’ve spent years building an audience and a business across platforms that weren’t built for today’s creator ecosystem,” said Jackson. “What drew me to Vylit is that they’re handing creators actual ownership and a real say in the decisions that affect us. That’s not something I’ve seen anyone else do, and I want to help build it right.”

Since launching, Vylit has positioned itself as the “HBO of social media,” a space between traditional social media and adult subscription platforms, where creators can be expressive, marketable and in control. The Creator Advisory Board takes that further. Rather than building the platform for creators and handing it over, Vylit is building it with them, giving them direct ownership and a say in its direction.

“The users driving value should have a say in the business,” said Ami Gan, Co-Founder and CEO of Vylit. “Creators understand culture and digital monetization better than anyone. At Vylit, that expertise earns them a real seat at the table.”

“We didn’t want to build another platform where creators show up after the fact,” added Kailey Magder, Co-Founder and COO of Vylit. “We want them involved from day one, shaping the product, the community and the direction of the business.”

Vylit truly puts creators in charge, giving them real ownership and a direct say in how the platform evolves. The Creator Advisory Board is just the start.

To learn more, visit https://vylitworld.com/ 

To access the media kit, click here.

ABOUT VYLIT
Vylit is an 18+ creator-first social platform redefining how adults share, discover and monetize content. Co-founded by Amrapali (Ami) Gan and Kailey Magder, Vylit was created to fill the gap between traditional social media and creator platforms, offering a premium digital experience for expression. Built as “the HBO of social media,” the platform allows topless content while prohibiting explicit material, giving creators greater freedom. Vylit combines social connectivity with built-in monetization, interest-based discovery through its Vybe Matching Engine, and in-house AI Image Generation and Chat tools designed for its users. Learn more at www.vylitworld.com.

FOR PRESS INQUIRIES
pr@vylitworld.com 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vylit-opens-its-creator-advisory-board-giving-creators-equity-in-the-platform-302833733.html

SOURCE Vylit World

Continue Reading

Technology

CNBC Names PayJoy one of the World’s Top FinTech Companies of 2026

Published

on

By

Recognition highlights PayJoy’s leadership in emerging market consumer finance

SAN FRANCISCO, July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — CNBC and Statista have named PayJoy to the “World’s Top Fintech Companies 2026,” which honors companies providing digital funding and bank-independent lending solutions for individuals and businesses. PayJoy is a leading financial services provider for underserved consumers across emerging markets.

Now in its fourth edition, the ranking identifies 500 leading companies across eight fintech market segments worldwide, including Payments, Neobanking, Wealth Technology, Digital Assets, Enterprise Fintech, Insurtech, Regtech, and Alternative Financing. Companies were evaluated using an aggregated scoring model built on both general and segment-specific KPIs, drawing on desk research from publicly available sources alongside company self-reports submitted through an open application process.

PayJoy’s inclusion reflects its work bringing credit access to the emerging middle class in Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Panama, Peru, Ecuador, South Africa, the Philippines, and Indonesia, nine countries where traditional financial infrastructure has long excluded first-time borrowers.

“This recognition from CNBC and Statista is a meaningful validation of the work our team does every day,” said Doug Ricket, PayJoy CEO and Co-Founder. “Millions of people across the markets we serve are building credit for the first time through PayJoy. Being named among the world’s top fintech companies reflects the scale and impact of that work.”

For more information on the full ranking, visit https://www.cnbc.com/worlds-top-fintech-companies-2026/ 

About PayJoy
PayJoy expands credit access across emerging markets through point-of-sale financing and card offerings. Its proprietary secured-credit technology enables first-time borrowers to responsibly build financial stability and participate fully in the modern economy. Through its cutting-edge machine learning, data science, and anti-fraud AI, PayJoy has financed over $3.5 billion of loans to more than 20 million people and employs over 1,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit https://www.payjoy.com/ 

Contact
payjoy@thekeypr.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cnbc-names-payjoy-one-of-the-worlds-top-fintech-companies-of-2026-302833730.html

SOURCE PayJoy

Continue Reading

Technology

Youngstown Innovation Hub Breaks Ground at YBI’s 107 Building

Published

on

By

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio, July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As the United States works to strengthen its aerospace and defense manufacturing base, the Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace & Defense broke ground today on YBI‘s 107 Building in downtown Youngstown, positioning the region as a national proving ground for advanced and additive manufacturing. The Hub is managed by the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM).

Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace & Defense breaks ground at YBI’s 107 Building.

The Hub is one of four Innovation Hubs established across Ohio as part of a statewide initiative to strengthen innovation-driven economic growth. Once complete, it is projected to generate approximately $161.6 million in economic impact, create 450 new jobs, and produce 185 new STEM credential opportunities and 40 internship opportunities by 2029.

The groundbreaking comes as Ohio was recently ranked the No. 1 state for business in America by CNBC’s 2026 America’s Top States for Business rankings, up from No. 5 in 2025.

Ohio Lt. Governor Jim Tressel attended and delivered remarks at the ceremony.

“Today is about more than renovating a building. It’s about building opportunity for Ohioans,” said Lt. Governor Tressel. “The Mahoning Valley has always been defined by the people who make things, solve problems, and never stop working toward a better future. This Innovation Hub builds on that proud tradition while preparing the next generation for in-demand careers in manufacturing.”

Hub and YBI leadership also spoke at the ceremony.

“Today’s groundbreaking of the Youngstown Innovation Hub represents much more than the start of a building renovation. It reflects what can happen when state, regional, industry, academic, and community partners come together around a shared vision for the future of manufacturing, aerospace and defense innovation,” said Megan Malara, Ph.D., director of the Youngstown Innovation Hub.

The renovation is made possible in part by a $750,000 state capital investment. Ohio State Sen. Al Cutrona and state Rep. Lauren McNally were credited with helping advance the funding request through the legislative process. YBI also recognized the broader Lake to River legislative delegation, including state Reps. Nick Santucci, Tex Fischer, Monica Robb Blasdel, Dave Thomas, and Sarah Fowler Arthur, for their support, as well as U.S. Sens. Jon Husted and Bernie Moreno for their support of the project in the U.S. Senate.

Speakers at the ceremony included Ohio Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel; Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development; Mary Mertz, director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources; Julius Oliver, 1st Ward Councilman for the City of Youngstown; State Sen. Al Cutrona; State Rep. Nick Santucci; State Rep. Lauren McNally; and Megan Malara, Ph.D., director of the Youngstown Innovation Hub. Barb Ewing, CEO of YBI, served as master of ceremonies.

The City of Youngstown, which committed $1.35 million in local matching funds to the project, was represented at the ceremony. John Wilczynski, executive director of America Makes, attended, and Barb Ewing recognized Kimberly Gibson and Alexander Steeb of America Makes for their roles in advancing the project.

Upon completion, the five-story, 130,000-square-foot concrete-framed building will offer flexible space for offices, workspaces, and display areas, along with robust power capacity to support multiple high-demand tenants. The building’s security features, including limited access points and naturally separated manufacturing bays, are designed to meet U.S. Department of War contracting criteria, positioning tenants to compete directly for federal defense work.

“It’s great to finally be transitioning from talking about this project to actually working on it. We appreciate all the support we’ve had from our political leaders and the community. YBI is proud to be a part of the project team that’s changing the trajectory of the Mahoning Valley,” said Barb Ewing, CEO of YBI.

Companies looking to expand, relocate, or enter the aerospace and defense manufacturing sector are encouraged to visit the Youngstown Innovation Hub website at youngstownhub.us.

About the Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace & Defense

Managed by the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM), the Youngstown Innovation Hub is a national proving ground for advanced and additive manufacturing, strengthening U.S. aerospace and defense supply chains and workforce development. Learn more at youngstownhub.us.

About YBI

YBI is a globally recognized economic development nonprofit, advancing innovation and growth across Ohio and beyond. Through a flexible suite of high-quality entrepreneurial services and resources, YBI supports startups, small businesses, and manufacturers at every stage of development. For more information, visit ybi.org.

Media Contact:
Jessica Sprowl, Marketing and Communications Director, YBI
jsprowl@ybi.org

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/youngstown-innovation-hub-breaks-ground-at-ybis-107-building-302833734.html

SOURCE YBI

Continue Reading

Trending