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Riverside Partners Rebrands as RS2 Healthcare Partners; Closes Continuation Vehicle for Loftware

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6 months ago

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Rebrand reflects strategic decision to focus exclusively on healthcare investing

Craig Stern appointed Co-Managing Partner of RS2 Healthcare Partners alongside David Belluck

AKKR Strategic Capital served as lead investor in Loftware Continuation Vehicle in a transaction that provides additional committed funding to support Loftware’s future growth and enables new platform investments

BOSTON, May 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Riverside Partners, a private equity firm headquartered in Boston, is pleased to announce its rebrand to RS2 Healthcare Partners (the “Firm”), reflecting the Firm’s exclusive focus going forward on healthcare investing in the lower middle market. The new brand underscores the Firm’s longstanding and deepening commitment to investing in pharma services, medical device contract manufacturing, technology-enabled healthcare, and other high-growth healthcare subsectors.

RS2 Healthcare Partners builds on over 30 years of experience and formalizes the strategic decision to exclusively pursue investments with a healthcare orientation going forward. RS2 Healthcare Partners’ specialized strategy is supported by a highly experienced team of investment professionals alongside Healthcare, Clinical, and AI Advisory Boards comprising over 30 executives, clinicians, and technology experts from leading healthcare organizations.

David Belluck, Co-Managing Partner at RS2 Healthcare Partners, said, “RS2 Healthcare Partners reflects the investment strategy and sector specialization we have cultivated over three decades of focused lower middle market healthcare investing. Our dedicated healthcare platform — anchored by established industry relationships, an experienced investment team, and veteran Advisory Boards — creates a differentiated ability to partner with founders and management teams to build market-leading businesses. The rebrand reinforces our commitment to being the partner of choice to founders and management teams in the lower middle market and marks an important milestone in the evolution of our firm.”

The Firm also announced the appointment of Craig Stern as Co-Managing Partner, joining David Belluck in leading RS2 Healthcare Partners. Having worked alongside Mr. Belluck for 14 years with an exclusive focus on healthcare investing, Mr. Stern’s new role reflects both the depth of their partnership and the Firm’s dedication to building a world-class healthcare-focused investment platform.

Mr. Belluck added, “I am pleased to announce Craig Stern’s appointment as Co-Managing Partner of RS2 Healthcare Partners. Craig and I have worked side by side to build our healthcare investment platform, and his elevated role is a natural next step that is a testament to both the strength of our partnership and our shared commitment to the Firm’s continued growth.”

“We have been focused on creating a firm with a differentiated approach to healthcare investing, grounded in extensive sector expertise, a collaborative and values-driven culture, and trusted partnerships with founders and management teams,” said Craig Stern, Co-Managing Partner at RS2 Healthcare Partners. “We have deep conviction and a shared vision for the opportunity ahead and I am excited to co-lead the Firm going forward with David as we build on the strong foundation already in place.”

RS2 Healthcare Partners also completed a single-asset continuation vehicle (the “Continuation Vehicle”) for Loftware, Inc. (“Loftware” or the “Company”), a leading global enterprise labeling and artwork management provider of cloud-based software solutions. The transaction highlights the Firm’s healthcare expertise, as evidenced by Loftware’s life sciences vertical growing from a nascent business into Loftware’s largest and fastest-growing end-market and a key area for future growth. Accel-KKR’s (“AKKR”) dedicated secondary fund, AKKR Strategic Capital, served as lead investor of the Continuation Vehicle. The Continuation Vehicle provides Loftware with dedicated capital to support future growth. The transaction also provides RS2 Healthcare Partners with additional committed funding to pursue new platform investments.

RS2 Healthcare Partners originally acquired Loftware in 2014. Over the course of the investment, the Firm has supported the Company’s transformation from a US-focused labeling provider into the leading independent global platform offering mission-critical software and applications enabling its customers to design, deliver and trace labels across complex supply chains with significant regulatory and compliance requirements. During this period, Loftware completed four strategic add-on acquisitions that expanded its products and capabilities to establish an end-to-end, highly-integrated solution serving global supply chains. Loftware generates approximately $125 million in revenue and serves more than 10,000 customers across over 100 countries.

AKKR has been an investor in Loftware since March 2023, when the Firm sold a partial stake in the Company to AKKR. The Continuation Vehicle deepens this existing partnership and delivers meaningful benefits to all stakeholders. The transaction offered existing limited partners the options to maintain their existing investments or to receive liquidity or roll over their interests into the Continuation Vehicle with new unfunded capital commitments to support the Company’s growth plans.

Atlantic-Pacific Capital, Inc. served as exclusive financial advisor and placement agent, and Choate Hall & Stewart LLP served as legal counsel to RS2 Healthcare Partners.

About RS2 Healthcare Partners

Founded in 1989, RS2 Healthcare Partners (formerly Riverside Partners) is a Boston-based private equity firm with total capital commitments of $1.6 billion raised since inception. The Firm exclusively focuses on healthcare investing in the lower middle market. RS2 Healthcare Partners combines a disciplined investment strategy, specialized sector expertise, a highly experienced team of investment professionals and healthcare advisors, and a collaborative approach to partnering with founders and management teams. For more information, visit www.rs2healthcare.com.

About Loftware

Loftware is the global leader in product identification. Loftware’s cloud-based solutions power real-time collaboration, ensure compliance, improve authenticity, and deliver supply chain traceability from product development to consumer engagement. Loftware provides scalable, data-driven labeling and packaging technologies that help companies boost speed to market, enhance efficiency, and connect physical products to digital experiences. Trusted by global brands and backed by over 40 years of innovation, Loftware supports customers across industries with offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Slovenia, China, and Singapore. For more information, visit www.loftware.com.

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SOURCE Riverside Partners

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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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39 minutes ago

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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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2 hours ago

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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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2 hours ago

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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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