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United Solar Secures IFC’s Backing for FEOC-Compliant Polysilicon, Completing $1.6 Billion Capital Raise

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The World Bank Group’s International Finance Corporation’s (“IFC”) $50 million equity investment represents the final tranche of the approximately $1.6 billion raised from global investors to complete the funding of the Middle East’s largest polysilicon manufacturing facility.

IFC has now arranged and mobilized more than 30% of the total capital raised, a strong endorsement of United Solar’s operating and commercial sustainability and its adherence to the highest international standards.

The investment reinforces United Solar’s position as FEOC-compliant supplier of fully traceable, high-purity polysilicon to the world’s tier-one solar manufacturers.

SOHAR, Oman, July 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — United Solar today announced the financial close of its previously announced $50 million equity investment from IFC, the private sector arm of the World Bank Group. The financial close completes the company’s $1.6 billion capital raise from a consortium of global investors.

United Solar’s state-of-the-art 100,000-ton-per-year polysilicon facility in Oman’s Sohar Free Zone began operations in January 2026 and is expected to ramp up to 100kT by the end of 2026. The plant represents the world’s most advanced polysilicon production facilities, the foundational material for the global solar photovoltaic (PV) value chain.

With this close, IFC has arranged and mobilized more than 30% of the total capital raised for the project. The direct equity commitment from IFC represents United Solar’s governance, environmental and social standards, traceability, and long-term commercial viability — the benchmarks that customers and regulators increasingly demand of polysilicon suppliers.

Critically for buyers in the United States and other advanced markets, United Solar is a FEOC-compliant producer of high-purity polysilicon. With production in Oman and the Oman Investment Authority (OIA) as its single-largest shareholder, United Solar provides tier-one cell and module manufacturers with a fully traceable supply—one that supports eligibility for clean-energy incentives and the diversified, resilient supply chains the industry is racing to secure.

The close builds on OIA’s anchor equity investment through its Future Fund Oman, which signaled strong sovereign confidence in United Solar. IFC’s commitment now completes a capital structure that has drawn leading global institutions to the company.

At full capacity, the facility is expected to enable the production of approximately 40 gigawatts of solar modules annually, enough to power up to 12 million homes, while avoiding an estimated 8.8 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year. The plant is set to create nearly 3,000 direct and indirect jobs and advance Oman’s economic diversification agenda.

“The closing of IFC’s investment completes our approximately $1.6 billion capital raise and is a powerful endorsement of United Solar’s standards, governance, and long-term commercial strength,” said Binyam Giorgis, Group CFO of United Solar. “With the backing of the World Bank Group, and on the foundation laid by the Oman Investment Authority, we are delivering world-class, fully traceable polysilicon that tier-one manufacturers need — and doing so as an FEOC-compliant producer they can rely on as they build resilient, diversified supply chains.”

“This equity investment completes our landmark support for the Middle East’s largest and only operational polysilicon manufacturing facility,” said Ulyana Dovbush, IFC’s Regional Industry Manager for the Manufacturing, Agribusiness, and Services in the Middle East, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. “Aligned with Oman’s vision, this investment will help create thousands of jobs, attract foreign direct investment, accelerate economic diversification, and strengthen the role of the private sector in driving sustainable growth beyond oil.”

About United Solar
United Solar is a leading producer of high-purity polysilicon — the essential material used in the manufacture of solar panels — operating one of the world’s most advanced polysilicon manufacturing facilities in Oman. The company uses cutting-edge processes and modular plant design to deliver cost-competitive polysilicon at scale, while meeting rigorous international standards for quality, traceability, and environmental responsibility. United Solar is committed to building a secure, resilient, and globally competitive solar supply chain.

Media Contacts
United Solar Media Relations
Jessi Zhang
Secretary of the Board
Jessi.Zhang@unitedsolarholding.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/united-solar-secures-ifcs-backing-for-feoc-compliant-polysilicon-completing-1-6-billion-capital-raise-302818687.html

SOURCE United Solar Holding Inc.

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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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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.

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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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

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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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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