Technology

Infobase Named to TIME’s World’s Top EdTech Companies of 2026

Published

1 hour ago

July 30, 2026

NEW YORK, July 30, 2026 /CNW/ — Infobase today announced it has been named to TIME’s World’s Top EdTech Companies of 2026, produced in partnership with Statista. The list scored more than 6,500 education technology companies worldwide on financial strength and industry impact, and recognized the top 500. Infobase ranked in the top half globally.

“Being named among TIME’s top EdTech companies, on a global stage, means something to me because of where I’ve been before. Years ago, I watched technology take something teachers were already doing well and make it possible at a scale no teacher could manage alone. I think we’re at the same moment with libraries. I see the absence of information literacy constantly, in smart, confident people who can’t back up an opinion with anything real. Librarians know how. They’ve quietly mastered this skill for generations, and what Infobase is building is a way to scale that mastery within reach of every classroom.”

— Bill Rieders, Chief Executive Officer, Infobase

TIME opens its coverage of the list on an optimistic note, citing a 2025 UNESCO report that shows global literacy rates climbing steadily over the past decade. However, UNESCO measures basic literacy skills–reading and writing–and admits its statistics “do not include the numeracy and specific literacy skills required in digital societies.”

While basic literacy is on the rise, information literacy–which requires more complex cognitive skills–is under strain. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) 2023 Survey of Adult Skills, 26% of adults across OECD countries scored at or below Level 1 in literacy — meaning they struggle with basic comprehension of written information.

Infobase’s product line is built around that gap: subject databases, streaming video, and research skill-building tools designed to extend what a librarian can do for the learners they support.

“Libraries have always been the infrastructure of human knowledge — ensuring that those who need it can find it, evaluate it, and use it wisely. That mission hasn’t changed, and Infobase has been proud to support this work for 85 years,” Rieders said. “Every university, school district and library system demonstrates that this mission is worth continuing.”

TIME and Statista built the list by scoring companies on two factors: financial strength and industry impact. Statista gathered data through desk research, direct submissions from companies, and its own data partnerships, then scored each company against those two dimensions to arrive at a final ranking. More than 6,500 companies worldwide were evaluated.

The list of the World’s Top EdTech Companies draws from a broad cross-section of the sector: consumer learning apps, adaptive tutoring platforms, workforce training software, and K-12 curriculum providers, among others. Within that field, library-facing companies are a small minority — Infobase is one of the only two companies on the list built specifically to serve libraries. Of the two, Infobase is the only one organized specifically around information literacy.

About Infobase

Infobase is an information literacy solutions provider serving K–12 schools and districts, colleges and universities, public libraries, and employers. Through an integrated suite of databases, streaming video, eBook collections, and educator tools, Infobase helps students, patrons, and professionals build the durable skills needed to discover, evaluate, and apply knowledge with confidence. Eighty-five years of editorial excellence inform trusted brands — including Facts on File, Learn360, Credo Reference, Films on Demand, The Mailbox®, The World Almanac, Vault, and Bloom’s — through modern, curriculum-aligned platforms. For more information, visit infobase.com.

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SOURCE Infobase

Technology

1 in 5 Small Businesses Will Hit a Cash Crunch in the Next 90 Days, New Clockwork.ai Data Finds

Published

19 minutes ago

July 30, 2026

The first forward-looking analysis of 3,000+ real small businesses reveals a wave of cash shortfalls forming this quarter, and most owners don’t see it coming

CHICAGO, July 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — One in five U.S. small and medium businesses is on track to run short on cash within the next 90 days, according to new data released today by Clockwork.ai, the AI-native financial planning and analysis (FP&A) platform. The finding comes from an analysis of anonymized, aggregated forecasts across more than 3,000 businesses, a rare forward-looking view of small and medium sized business finances at a moment when most warning signs only appear after the money is already gone.

The analysis found that 20% of small and medium sized businesses that make less than $30M in annual revenue are projected to dip below a safe operating cash threshold in Q4, many of them profitable on paper.

“Most small businesses don’t fail because they’re unprofitable. They fail because they run out of cash while waiting for the profit to show up,” said Fady Hawatmeh, Founder/CEO, Clockwork.ai. “The scary part isn’t the shortfall, it’s that owners typically can’t see it until it’s weeks away and confirms the stat that 82% of business failures are due to simply running out of cash. Our data lets us see it forming months ahead.”

What the data shows
Most of the businesses heading for a cash crunch are profitable right now.

Clockwork’s analysis found that 72% of the at-risk businesses are currently profitable, proof that a healthy income statement is no guarantee of survival. These owners are watching a strong P&L while their cash quietly drains toward zero, which is exactly why the shortfall blindsides them.

The headline finding holds beneath it: 1 in 5 businesses are projected to hit a cash crunch within 90 days, defined as cash balance projected to fall below one payroll cycle’s worth of expenses.

Why owners can’t see it coming
Traditional accounting tells businesses what already happened. By the time a cash problem shows up in the books, the runway to fix it has often disappeared. Clockwork’s data is built the other way around: it forecasts forward from a company’s own transactional data, projecting where cash is heading rather than reporting where it’s been.

That forward view is the same engine behind Mira, Clockwork’s agentic FP&A analyst launched earlier this month, which runs forecasts, builds scenarios, and explains the story behind every number straight from a business’s accounting and payroll data. Where the study shows the problem at scale, Mira gives an individual business owner a CFO-level answer to “what happens to my cash next quarter?” in plain language, in minutes.

“The businesses that make it through a cash crunch are the ones that saw it early enough to act,” said Hawatmeh. “That’s the entire reason we built Mira, to put that foresight in the hands of owners who could never afford a CFO.”

Methodology
Findings are based on anonymized, aggregated forecast data from more than 3,000 small and medium sized businesses using the Clockwork.ai platform, analyzed in July 2026 for a period covering 2026. Typical companies using the Clockwork platform have 5-50 employees with $1M to $30M in gross revenue. Cash crunch is defined as cash balance projected to fall below one payroll cycle’s worth of expenses.

About Clockwork.ai
Founded in 2018, Clockwork pioneered AI forecasting for small and medium-sized businesses. The AI-native FP&A platform delivers real-time forecasting, weekly cash flow projections, and AI-powered scenario modeling, and is the official FP&A partner of Thomson Reuters. Clockwork supports more than 3,000 businesses. Learn more at clockwork.ai.

Instagram: @clockwork.ai | LinkedIn: /company/clockworkai

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SOURCE Clockwork.ai

Technology

Building Communities Strong in British Columbia with 54 new infrastructure projects

Published

19 minutes ago

July 30, 2026

VICTORIA, BC, July 30, 2026 /CNW/ — More than $152 million is being invested in 54 new infrastructure projects across British Columbia through the Strategic Priorities Fund. This federally funded program supports infrastructure projects that are beyond the financial capacity of a single local government, under the Build Communities Strong Fund (BCSF) Community stream in B.C.

This was announced by Will Greaves, Member of Parliament for Victoria; Darlene Rotchford, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Esquimalt-Colwood; Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) First Vice President Jenna Stoner; and Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith, Board Chair of the Capital Regional District.

The Capital Regional District (CRD) has received $7 million towards an innovative project to transform biosolids leftover from wastewater treatment into biochar using new carbonization technology. This project is the first of its kind in Canada and will help lower greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the volume of material, destroying contaminants of concern, and permanently storing carbon, while also creating a valuable, carbon-rich product with potential applications across construction, industrial, agriculture and forestry sectors.

In addition, 53 other projects have been funded across British Columbia including a new fire hall in Metchosin, a new turf multi-sport field in Prince George and over a dozen water and wastewater projects. A portion of the funding is being used in capacity-building projects that will strengthen the ability of local governments to make long term infrastructure plans, integrated community sustainability planning and improve asset management practices.

The BCSF Community stream is a transfer-based program that provides $2.5 billion per year in funding to communities across Canada. The Province of British Columbia will receive over $326 million for the 2026-27 fiscal year, which is administered by the UBCM and distributed to local governments through the Community Works Fund, Strategic Priorities Fund, and Metro Vancouver Regional Fund.

Quotes

“For local governments across British Columbia, the right investment can support housing, foster connection and build strong communities. These projects will make a lasting impact and reinforce our commitment to building bold, building strong, and building together.”

The Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada

“Strong communities depend on strong infrastructure. As British Columbia grows, our government’s priority is helping municipalities plan for the future and meet changing needs. Thanks to partnerships with the Government of Canada, UBCM and local governments, these 55 projects will help communities build the infrastructure they need to deliver reliable services and create a more resilient future.”

The Honourable Christine Boyle, B.C. Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs 

“On behalf of the CRD, I would like to thank the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia and UBCM for their commitment to building stronger, more resilient communities through investments in innovative infrastructure. This biochar project will position the CRD as a national leader in biosolids management, carbon reduction and resource recovery. We are proud to advance an initiative that will provide lasting environmental and community benefits while further establishing our region as a leader in sustainable wastewater management.”

Cliff McNeil-Smith, Capital Regional District Chair

“The Build Communities Strong Fund is improving the quality of life across British Columbia by investing directly into communities. UBCM is pleased to administer this fund that empowers local governments to address critical infrastructure priorities and refine asset management. We are grateful for the long-term commitment that Canada and BC have provided for this program.”

Jenna Stoner, First Vice President, Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM)

Technology

Filevine Launches LOIS Explore: Professional-Grade Legal AI Now Free to Use

Published

19 minutes ago

July 30, 2026

SALT LAKE CITY, July 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Filevine has announced the launch of LOIS Explore, a new way for legal teams to access its Legal Operating Intelligence System. LOIS is now free to use with no credit card and no commitment, allowing firms to be up and running in just 10-15 minutes.

LOIS Explore handles the massive legal documents that generic AI tools cannot, processing files up to 5 GB and 15,000 pages while providing verified citations for every answer. Built on structured legal data from 40 million matters, LOIS functions as an active operator for the legal team, verifying citations against case law, analyzing case files, and flagging privilege issues.

This free access provides a secure environment for legal research, drafting, and semantic search across uploaded materials. Filevine maintains strict data protocols for LOIS Explore: it does not train AI models on uploaded documents, and accounts, uploaded documents, and chat history will be permanently deleted at the end of each free access period.

“We know many legal professionals are trying out multiple legal AI tools; often in parallel,” said Michael Anderson, Chief Product Officer of Filevine. “We want them to take the LOIS challenge and see what it is capable of when it comes to rich source verification and legal research that includes novel citator analysis. It’s a practical, secure way to experience AI purpose-built for the scale and complexity of legal work.”

To get started, users select a tailored practice track — litigation, transactional, or advisory — to align the experience with their specific needs. Free access requires full, verifiable contact information from a law firm or legal business.

To move beyond the trial’s sandboxed environment — including connecting LOIS to live case data, enabling team collaboration, and accessing firm-saved prompts — firms are directed to contact a Filevine sales representative. Get started today at filevine.com/lois.

About Filevine

Filevine is the system of record for the modern law firm. Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Filevine connects contracts, matters, documents, and workflows into a unified platform. Thousands of organizations rely on Filevine to manage complex legal work with precision and control. Recognized as a leader in Legal AI, Filevine has been honored by the LegalTech Breakthrough Awards, the SaaS Awards, Deloitte Technology Fast 500, and the Business Intelligence AI Excellence Award.

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SOURCE Filevine