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Ayan Capital Secures Shariah-Compliant Financing Facility of up to £25 Million from Partners for Growth

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New funding will be used to boost growth, scale tech-led underwriting, and expand UK access to halal finance, targeting £25m in 2025 and £100m by 2026.

LONDON, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ayan Capital, a fast-growing provider of halal vehicle financing, has secured up to £25 million in Shariah-compliant financing facility from institutional debt provider Partners for Growth (PFG), a global private credit firm with a strong 20-year track record of backing high-growth technology and fintech companies in more than 20 countries. This investment reflects the rising demand for Islamic financial products in the UK and reinforces Ayan Capital’s position as a key player in the sector.

Ayan Capital provides halal business car financing, serving private hire (Uber, Bolt, etc.) and business drivers seeking halal alternatives to purchase low-carbon emission cars. Operating in the £21.7 billion UK used car finance market – still dominated by non-tech players under regulatory scrutiny – Ayan offers a tech-led, commission-free model that puts customers first, financing them directly regardless of where they buy their car. Expanding beyond vehicle financing, the company recently launched Ayan Pay, a 0% interest, 12-month financing covering home repairs, renovations, car repairs and furniture purchases.

Ayan Capital more than doubled its financing issuance last quarter, growing 2.2x while maintaining a 0% non-performing loan rate – demonstrating the strength of its underwriting technologies and expertise. This latest funding follows Ayan Capital’s recent £3.4 million Pre-Series A round.

With this new £25 million funding, which is based on Ijara wa Iqtina principles, Ayan Capital aims to accelerate growth, enhance its technology-driven underwriting capabilities, targeting £25 million in financing this year and £100 million in 2026, broadening access to halal financial products across the UK and laying the groundwork for a long-term vision that includes a UK banking license application.

Ayan Capital is building on the success of Alif Bank, also co-founded by Abdullo Kurbanov and based in Central Asia, whose digital transactions grew by 30x over three and a half years, serving over four million customers. Now, Ayan aims to become a UK leader in Islamic banking, leveraging the country’s strong regulatory environment.

Ayan is addressing the gap in UK Islamic finance. Despite the UK’s Muslim population set to reach 10m by 2050, according to some estimates, Islamic banking remains severely underserved, with only 0.1% of total banking assets – even though 82% of UK Muslims seeking Shariah-compliant products. However, momentum is building – Islamic bank assets in the UK surged 26% in 2023 to $8.2 billion, with Fitch Ratings projecting growth to $15 billion in the medium term.

Armineh Baghoomian, Co-Head of Fintech at Partners for Growth, stated: “Ayan Capital is redefining what Islamic finance can look like in a modern, tech-enabled ecosystem. Their strong traction, disciplined underwriting, and commitment to financial inclusion closely align with PFG’s mission to support founders building next-generation financial infrastructure. We’re proud to support Ayan as they scale access to Shariah-compliant products across the UK and beyond.”

Richard Osborne, Investment Manager at PFG stated: “We are excited to support Ayan’s mission to expand access to Shariah-compliant financing throughout the UK. The team’s experience, strong underwriting expertise and technology-first approach align well with PFG’s global strategy of backing great founders building high-growth, innovative financial services businesses. We’ve been particularly impressed by Ayan’s growth trajectory and ability to achieve key milestones at a rapid pace. We look forward to seeing Ayan’s continued success and impact on the market.”

Abdullo Kurbanov, Co-founder and CEO of Ayan Capital stated: “We are grateful for the trust and support of the PFG team. Our mission is to make halal financing more accessible in every way – cost, technology, and customer experience. Choosing a halal option should not mean paying more. While we are still at the beginning of our journey, we are wholeheartedly committed to building a financial system that is open to all – one that is not only halal but also more competitive, convenient, and innovative than conventional alternatives.”

Furkat Suvhanov, COO of Ayan Capital, stated: “We’re growing rapidly while maintaining exceptional portfolio quality and customer service. Our partnership with PFG reflects the strength of our model and supports our long-term capital strategy. Building on this momentum, with PFG’s support, we’re now beginning work on our next £75–100 million Shariah-compliant debt raise.”

About Ayan Capital

Ayan Capital is a halal, technology-driven financial services provider committed to making Islamic finance accessible to millions across the UK and beyond. Founded by Abdullo Kurbanov, Firdavs Mirzoev, and Zuhursho Rahmatulloev, the company is laying the groundwork for the long-term vision of a banking license application in the UK.

About Partners for Growth

Partners for Growth (PFG) is a global private credit firm specializing in custom debt solutions for high-growth companies. For over twenty years, PFG has provided growth debt financing to tech, fintech, healthcare, and tech-enabled companies to accelerate their path to profitability or finance specific assets at pivotal stages of growth. Since inception, PFG has partnered with more than 250 companies across 20 countries.

TMT Global Advisers provided financial advice to Ayan Capital on this transaction. TMT Global Advisers is an independent mid-market advisory firm specializing in M&A and fundraising for tech, telecom, and media clients worldwide.

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Real-World Study of Over 185,000 Users Finds Engagement with UpLife Digital Mental Health App Yields Significant Reductions in Depression and Anxiety

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Five-year evaluation shows a clear “dose–response” link between deeper engagement with UpLife’s CBT-based ‘Journeys’ programs and greater depression and anxiety symptom improvement

LEESBURG, Va., July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — UpLife Inc, a digital mental health and self-therapy platform, today announced a set of research findings from a large real-world evaluation of its app, showing that people who engaged with the platform reported statistically significant reductions in symptoms of depression and anxiety over time. The evaluation drew on five years of real-world data from an engaged user base of more than 185,000 people across the United States and 197 other countries worldwide.

“These results reflect what we hear from users every day, now backed by data at real-world scale. What stands out is the dose–response signal where the people who lean into the work by completing their Journeys and doing the exercises are the ones who get the most out of it.” Jeff Musa, CEO, UpLife

The research analysis examined anonymized data collected between 2021 and 2026 using three validated clinical outcome measures: the PHQ-9 (depression), the GAD-7 (anxiety), and the WHO-5 (well-being). Among UpLife users who completed assessments at baseline and follow-up, depression and anxiety scores decreased significantly over time.

In the fully adjusted analysis, average depression scores (PHQ-9) fell by approximately 3.7 points; moving the typical UpLife user from the “moderately severe” range toward the “moderate” range. Anxiety scores (GAD-7) showed comparable significant reductions over time.

A clear dose–response relationship

One of the study’s central findings was a consistent dose–response pattern regarding the relationship between engagement and outcomes. Users who completed UpLife’s CBT-based ‘Journeys’ experienced a reduction in their symptoms. The study also found that the completion of additional Journeys were associated with a further measurable decrease in their assessment scores, even after accounting for subscription type and other factors. Notably, depth of engagement with therapeutic content was a stronger predictor of improvement than simply the amount of time spent in the app.

“These results reflect what we hear from users every day, now backed by data at real-world scale. What stands out most is the dose–response signal where the people who lean into the work by completing their Journeys and doing the exercises are the ones who get the most out of it. That tells us our job is to keep building an experience that helps people stay engaged, because engagement is where the clinical value lives.” — Jeff Musa, Chief Executive Officer, UpLife

Built on cognitive behavioral therapy

UpLife delivers evidence-based psychological education and interventions grounded in the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) through five core features: structured Journeys, a Daily Plan, a Mood Tracker, journaling, and an AI assistant (“Lila”) that recommends relevant content from the platform. The app does not provide AI-generated therapy; its assistant only directs users to content that has been created, curated, and reviewed by clinicians.

For clinicians, UpLife also offers a HIPAA-compliant therapist portal that supports a Blended Care model, allowing providers to extend therapeutic support between sessions through structured digital programs, progress tracking, and shared assessments.

The platform has also been extensively used in humanitarian settings. Through UpLife’s Ukraine Humanitarian Gift Program, tens of thousands of users in Ukraine have received full, free access to a localized version of the app through UpLife’s Ukraine Humanitarian Gift Program.

About the evaluation

The study used an observational pre–post design based on real-world data and was conducted in accordance with the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. As an observational evaluation without a control group, it demonstrates associations between app engagement and symptom improvement rather than establishing causation, and well-being scores (WHO-5) did not change significantly over the study period. The findings add to a growing body of research suggesting that CBT-based digital interventions can be associated with meaningful symptom reduction, while underscoring the central role of sustained user engagement.

About UpLife

Founded in 2019, UpLife is a digital mental health and self-guided therapy platform that is designed to help people improve their emotional well-being, build healthier thinking patterns, and develop positive daily habits through structured, evidence-based psychological programs. UpLife also provides a secure, HIPAA-compliant portal to help therapists and health systems to extend care beyond the through a Blended Care Therapy model. Learn more at www.uplifecare.com.

Media Contact

Matt Landry, UpLife, 1 617-699-7205, matt@thesecondrow.net, https://www.uplifecare.com/ 

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SOURCE UpLife

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TruHeight Joins Nordstrom and JCPenney Marketplaces as Wellness Brands Reshape the Department Store

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Family nutrition brand’s newest retail partnerships reflect a broader shift: health and wellness products are becoming a staple of platforms once reserved for fashion and apparel

LAS VEGAS, July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TruHeight, the family nutrition brand, today announced it is joining the Nordstrom Marketplace and the JCPenney Marketplace, bringing its lineup of clean-label vitamins, gummies, protein shakes, and everyday nutrition products to two of America’s most iconic department store names.

The partnerships place TruHeight at the center of one of retail’s most notable shifts. Department stores and fashion-first marketplaces, long defined by clothing, shoes, and accessories, are rapidly expanding into health and wellness as consumers increasingly treat wellness as part of their everyday lifestyle rather than a separate shopping trip. For a generation of shoppers, the same platforms where they buy back-to-school outfits and activewear are becoming destinations for the products that fuel those activities.

“Five years ago, you wouldn’t expect to find a family nutrition brand next to denim and sneakers,” said Justin Rapoport, Co-CEO of TruHeight. “Today, wellness is part of how families shop for everything. Nordstrom and JCPenney recognize that, and we’re proud to bring family nutrition to their marketplaces.”

The move extends a period of rapid retail growth for TruHeight, which launched in 5,000 CVS stores nationwide in June following its national debut at Target earlier this year, and is also available at iHerb and on Amazon. With the addition of Nordstrom and JCPenney, TruHeight’s products will reach shoppers across drug, mass, e-commerce, and department store channels.

“Every retailer we add is a signal of the trust families place in our brand,” said Eden Stelmach, Co-Founder of TruHeight. “Department stores are where families have shopped together for generations. Meeting them there with simple, clean nutrition products is a natural next step.”

TruHeight products will be available on the Nordstrom and JCPenney marketplaces in the coming weeks, joining the brand’s existing availability at CVS, Target, iHerb, Amazon, and truheightvitamins.com.

About TruHeight
TruHeight is a family nutrition brand offering clean-label vitamins, gummies, protein shakes, and everyday nutrition products for kids, teens, and active families. Founded with a commitment to simple ingredients and convenient formats, TruHeight products are available at major retailers nationwide and online at truheightvitamins.com.

Media Contact
TruHeight Vitamins
Kim Brown
419189@email4pr.com
4704265920
truheightvitamins.com

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TrendyMinds Founder Trevor Yager Returns as CEO to Lead Agency’s Next Phase of Growth

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Veteran agency leader returns to accelerate TrendyMinds’ AI capabilities and advance the firm’s evolution as a strategic partner helping organizations drive growth, strengthen reputation, and navigate transformation.

INDIANAPOLIS, July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Trevor Yager has returned as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TrendyMinds, the Indianapolis-based agency he founded in 1995, while continuing to serve as Chairman. In this dual role, Yager has resumed direct involvement in day-to-day leadership, working alongside account and delivery teams on client work in addition to setting the agency’s strategic direction. As CEO, he is leading the company’s next phase of growth by advancing the firm’s artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities while strengthening its position as a strategic partner to organizations navigating growth and change.

Yager previously transitioned from CEO to Chairman as part of a planned leadership evolution that reflected both the agency’s maturity and his own exploration of future ownership opportunities. As AI has accelerated the pace of change across the industry, reshaping how organizations operate and compete, he made the decision to step back into the CEO role and lead TrendyMinds through its next chapter directly.

“Moving into the Chairman role was the right decision at the time because the Board, including myself, believed TrendyMinds needed to demonstrate it could thrive beyond its founder,” said Yager. “But after more than 30 years of leading through every major technology shift, I believe artificial intelligence represents one of the greatest opportunities our industry has ever seen. The environment shifted fast enough that it made sense for me to step back in and lead it personally, continuing to build the capabilities our clients will need and position the agency for what’s next.”

Beginning in 2019, TrendyMinds became increasingly intentional about optimizing the artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automation capabilities already embedded within the technologies used across the agency. Following a comprehensive assessment of AI-enabled tools and workflows, the agency integrated AI across strategy, research, creative development, marketing operations, and internal business processes while establishing governance, security, and data protection standards to support responsible implementation.

By transforming its own business first, TrendyMinds refined its methodologies, validated new approaches, and built the operational discipline that now informs how it evaluates AI opportunities with clients. Today, TrendyMinds continues to expand its internal AI capabilities through a dedicated team of AI transformation specialists, developing proprietary workflows, audience intelligence tools, and implementation frameworks. Drawing on that experience, the agency helps clients responsibly evaluate and implement AI in ways that align with their business objectives, regulatory requirements, and governance standards.

That experience also enables TrendyMinds to support clients developing innovative AI technologies, including a leading healthcare AI innovator. By combining firsthand AI transformation experience with strategic consulting, communications, and market positioning expertise, the agency helps organizations communicate complex technologies, build trust with stakeholders, and accelerate market adoption.

Founded as a traditional marketing agency more than 30 years ago, TrendyMinds has continually evolved alongside the changing needs of its clients, bringing together strategic consulting, integrated marketing, communications, creative, thought leadership, media relations, digital strategy and development, research, analytics, and emerging technologies.

About TrendyMinds

TrendyMinds is the Agency of Preference®, a multidisciplinary consulting partner helping organizations accelerate growth, strengthen and protect reputation, and navigate transformation. Founded in Indianapolis in 1995, the firm has spent more than 30 years uniting strategic consulting, communications, marketing, creative, technology, and data-driven insight into a single integrated practice built to solve complex business challenges.

Learn more at TrendyMinds.com.

Media Contact:
Claire Gregory
419095@email4pr.com | 317.902.6973

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