Market Newsdesk

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 16, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — chooch.ai, a computer vision AI platform, today announced their Series A round led by venture capital firm Vickers Venture Partners with additional institutional funding from 212, Streamlined Ventures, Alumni Ventures Group, Waterman Ventures and others. Chooch replicates human visual tasks and processes using a complete computer vision deployment process across a wide variety of industries. The proprietary technology has been deployed at scale for enterprise applications including geospatial, healthcare, security, media, industrial and retail. Clients include Fortune 500 companies and the US Government. This series A Growth round will serve to build out the strategic engineering team, top data scientists, and the creation of a global sales force.

Chooch AI is a member of the NVIDIA Inception and Metropolis programs and can be mass deployed on GPU-powered edge devices and PCs. Chooch AI allows remote management of AI models, devices and video streams from the Chooch AI dashboard in the cloud.

“AI startups and established players in artificial intelligence often focus on vertical applications. Chooch has a bigger vision, a horizontal AI platform that provides flexible solutions for the common demands of many companies, regardless of industry,” commented Vickers Venture Partners Chairman Dr. Finian Tan.

“Speed, accuracy and flexibility distinguish Chooch Al ultra-low latency application from all other computer vision technologies in the market today, which makes it a cutting edge investment for us. Breakthroughs and market growth numbers at Chooch AI are staggering,” commented Numan Numan, Founding Partner of 212.

“The Chooch AI platform provides extreme elasticity so that new machine learning models can be trained and deployed based on new business requirements within hours. This provides a massive competitive advantage to companies who integrate Chooch AI into their processes,” says Ullas Naik of Streamlined Ventures.

Unlike single-purpose computer vision systems, Chooch Al can rapidly ingest and process visual data from any spectrum, generating AI models in hours that can detect objects, actions, processes, coordinates, states, and more. Organizations then have the choice to deploy the Al models in the cloud or onto edge devices in minutes.

The team at Chooch Al takes the client through the entire visual AI deployment process, providing critical services and solutions all on one platform.

For more detailed information, please visit chooch.ai.

About Chooch AI

Chooch AI is the horizontal visual Al platform that replicates human visual tasks and processes by generating fast, accurate visual detection across a wide variety of industries. Chooch AI’s proprietary technology has been deployed at scale for industries including geospatial, healthcare, security, media, industrial, retail and the US government. Applications range widely from tracking surgical procedures, to mask detection and social distancing compliance, safety equipment assurance, intrusion monitoring, fire alerts, facial authentication, and image quality control. For more information or a technology demonstration, please visit www.chooch.ai or contact [email protected].

About Vickers Venture Partners

Vickers Venture Partners is a global venture capital firm focused on early-stage investments in the technological and geographical mega trends of the world. The firm’s portfolio covers life sciences, technology, media, and telecommunications as well as consumer and financial services. The partners’ track records include hits such as Baidu.com, Inc, Focus Media Holding Ltd, Kongzhong Corp, Cambridge Real Estate Investment Trust, Sunfun Info Co., Asian Food Channel (trade sale), UUCUN (trade sale), TWG Tea (trade sale), RTG Asia (trade sale), JJE (trade sale), Hillstone (trade sale, IPO), M-Daq (trade sale), Tenfen (trade sale), Kuyun (trade sale) and Mainspring (trade sale). The total market value of the companies that the partners have helped grow exceeds US$50 billion today. Vickers Venture Partners announced that they are targeting to raise US$500 million for their latest fund VI and have started investing from it after their first close in OAIct 2019. Vickers Venture Partners was founded by Dr Finian Tan together with his co-founders Dr Khalil Binebine, Dr Jeffrey Chi, Dr Damian Tan, Linda Li and Raymond Kong in 2005. It is headquartered in Singapore with offices in Shanghai, Hong Kong, New York, San Diego, Silicon Valley and London. http://vickersventure.com

About 212

212 is a venture capital firm that invests in growth stage tech companies across Turkey, CEE, and MENA. Currently, their fund manages €75 million of committed capital, and 19 investments. 212’s strategy is to invest in B2B tech solutions that have demonstrated traction, a clear product-market fit, and are ready to scale internationally. ‘Test local, go global’ is 212’s guiding principal. In addition to investing in startups, 212 puts significant effort into mentoring, supporting and advising their portfolio companies. 212’s Fund I, US$30 million, invested in 12 companies with US$490 million value created. Celebrated winners from Fund I include Iyzico and Insider. Iyzico exited in 2019 with a US$168 million valuation, returning the entire invested capital. Insider is a Sequoia-backed company, having recently closed another round of investment with a US$200 million valuation. Fund II is invested in 7 companies to date: AppSamurai, Chooch, Meddy, MallIQ, Marti, OMMA, and SmartMessage. Final close ended in August 2020 with the fund size at €49 million. 212 was founded by Numan Numan and Ali Karabey in 2012. Their team is based out of Istanbul, Turkey and the region. http://212.vc 

New York, Nov. 16, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG) announced today that the company has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) North America, in recognition of its commitment to sustainable business practices. 

The DJSI North America tracks the performance of leading companies in terms of economic, environmental and social criteria. The ranking provides stakeholders, including investors, insight into corporate sustainability practices considered critical for generating long-term societal and shareholder value. This index recognizes the top 20% sustainability performers among the 600 largest U.S. and Canadian companies. IPG is the only U.S.-based advertising holding company named to this prestigious list.

“IPG’s focus on sustainability and purpose has never been more important,” noted Michael Roth, Chairman and CEO, Interpublic Group. “The role of business in society is evolving and we understand that our ESG goals are critical to our success as a company and corporate citizen.  We are very proud to be included on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index North America,” he continued.

IPG has made its ESG efforts a priority for many years, with a focus on measuring and reducing its carbon footprint, ensuring diversity, equity and inclusion at all of its offices, and being the first U.S.-based advertising holding company to join the U.N. Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative. 

“We congratulate IPG for being included in the DJSI North America. A DJSI distinction is a reflection of being a sustainability leader in its industry,” commented Manjit Jus, Global Head of ESG Research and Data, S&P Global. “With a record number of companies participating in the 2020 Corporate Sustainability Assessment and more stringent rules for inclusion this year, this sets IPG apart and rewards its continued commitment to people and planet,” he continued.

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About Interpublic

Interpublic is values-based, data-fueled, and creatively-driven. Major global brands include Acxiom, Craft, FCB (Foote, Cone & Belding), FutureBrand, Golin, Huge, Initiative, Jack Morton, Kinesso, MAGNA, McCann, Mediahub, Momentum, MRM, MullenLowe Group, Octagon, R/GA, UM and Weber Shandwick. Other leading brands include Avrett Free Ginsberg, Campbell Ewald, Carmichael Lynch, Deutsch, Hill Holliday, ID Media and The Martin Agency. For more information, please visit www.interpublic.com.

# # #

Contact Information

Tom Cunningham
(Press)
(212) 704-1326

Jerry Leshne
(Analysts, Investors)
(212) 704-1439

Washington, D.C., Nov. 16, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The American organic produce sector is big and complex. It accounts for more sales than any other organic sector, and its production regions stretch across the United States reaping a dizzying array of fruits and vegetables. The issues facing organic produce growers, processors and distributors are equally wide-ranging: food safety, labor issues, labeling/packaging issues, climate change.
 
Driven by the desire for the sector to collaboratively work together to address its most urgent challenges, inspired by the success of other sector councils at the Organic Trade Association, and wanting to take advantage of the association’s deep knowledge and expertise in organic, leading produce members initiated a drive earlier this year that has resulted in the trade association’s Board of Directors’ official approval to establish an Organic Produce Council.

“We whole-heartedly welcome the formation of this sector council and look forward to problem-solving and collaborating with our colleagues throughout the organic produce supply chain,” said Board member Ben Diesl of Grimmway Farms. “This council will give Organic Trade Association member companies that are involved in the organic industry an organized opportunity to benefit from the association’s expertise, to network with diverse stakeholders and to influence the overall agenda of the association. We invite other produce members to join.”
 
“The new Produce Council, as with all of our sector councils, will be supported by the Organic Trade Association’s expert staff,” said Laura Batcha, CEO and Executive Director of the trade association. “Our staff has deep expertise in organic standards, food safety, farm policy, government advocacy and international marketing. Today’s organic produce sector is robust and thriving, but it faces many challenges. We are thrilled that our produce members are coming together and tapping into their association’s bank of knowledge to help them deal with those challenges.”
 
Organic produce sales hold the top position in the U.S. marketplace. In 2019, organic fruit and vegetable sales reached $18 billion, as the category continued to be the star of the organic sector. Organic produce currently makes up almost a third of all organic food sales, and organic fruits and vegetables, including fresh, frozen, canned and dried, have now captured 15 percent of the total fruits and vegetable market in the U.S.
 
The produce sector has been profoundly tested by COVID-19 as it has struggled to keep its workers in the fields, plants and trucks safe, and at the same time meet exploding demand. Wanting to hear how the pandemic was affecting their businesses, Organic Trade Association’s Farm Policy Director Johanna Mirenda and Diesl of Grimmway Farms earlier this year convened produce members for a COVID-19 listening session. Everything from how to keep workers safely socially distanced and maintain planting and harvesting schedules to keeping processing lines filled and store deliveries on time were discussed.

Working together to address challenges

“Our members taking part in this discussion found it very valuable to connect with other of our produce members” said Mirenda, who is staff liaison for the new council. “Since then, individual members have come forward with other organic produce issues–such as food safety–that could serve as work plan projects for the new council to take on.” The interest from members was significant enough that the trade association hosted an exploratory meeting in early September to highlight the opportunity for a new sector council among all Organic Trade Association produce members. Nearly two dozen members attended. 
 
Produce stakeholders said that besides food safety, they are interested in working together, with the support of the trade association’s regulatory and legislative staff, to advance outcomes relating to other key issues in organic produce, such as: implementing the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new rule on strengthening organic enforcement, guaranteeing workforce safety and availability, supporting development of organic seeds and planting stock, and identifying tools for measuring and promoting biodiversity. Establishing organic labeling and packaging best practices, adapting to and mitigating climate change and developing resources on market data and research information were also identified as key needs.
 
Members also indicated the following priorities for their engagement:

• Amplifying the needs of the produce community within the trade association
• Developing and sharing information resources among those in the organic produce industry
• Learning about emerging regulatory issues that impact organic produce
• Networking with other organic produce businesses across the value chain
• Creating opportunities for leadership development opportunities

Sector Councils within the trade association build community among groups of like members to provide ongoing opportunities for networking, leadership development, education, information development, and sharing. They are not policy-setting groups. The trade association previously has established such entities as its Farmers Advisory Council, Dairy Council, Dietary Supplements Council, Fiber Council, Grains Council, and Retailer Council.
 
Initial companies signing up for this council include Ag. Valles del Sur SpA, Awe Sum Organics, Bolthouse Farms, Bridges Organic Produce, Cal-Organic/Grimmway Farms, Charlie’s Produce, Columbia Marketing International/CMI Orchards, Duncan Family Farm, Earl’s Organic Produce, Heath & Lejeune, Homegrown Organic Farms, Jacobs Farm/Del Cabo, Munger Farms, Naturesweet, Naturipe, Organically Grown Company, Organic Produce Network, Page’s Organics, Taylor Farms, Thermiculture Management, Vitalis Organic Seeds and Wholesum Family Farms.
 
The first meeting of the council is scheduled for December 8.
 
Other members of the trade association in this sector are encouraged to join. The council’s membership will be diverse. The technical scope of membership for the council will be very inclusive – vegetables, fruit, mushroom, herbs, tree nuts, floriculture and other horticultural crops.
 
For more information on the council, contact Johanna Mirenda.

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the membership-based business association for organic agriculture and products in North America. OTA is the leading voice for the organic trade in the United States, representing over 9,500 organic businesses across 50 states. Its members include growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmers’ associations, distributors, importers, exporters, consultants, retailers and others. OTA’s Board of Directors is democratically elected by its members. OTA’s mission is to promote and protect ORGANIC with a unifying voice that serves and engages its diverse members from farm to marketplace. The Organic Trade Association does not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, national origin or ancestry, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation or military status. Persons with disabilities who require alternate means for communication of program information can contact us at [email protected].

Attachment

• Copy of Climate Action Virtual Fly-In (1)

NEW YORK, Nov. 16, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Progyny, Inc. (Nasdaq: PGNY), a leading benefits management company specializing in fertility and family building benefits solutions in the United States, today announced that David Schlanger, Progyny’s Chief Executive Officer, will participate in a fireside chat at the Piper Sandler 32^nd Annual Virtual Healthcare Conference.

Beginning November 23^rd, Mr. Schlanger’s pre-recorded fireside chat will be available for viewing anytime from the Events and Presentations section of Progyny’s website at http://investors.progyny.com, or by accessing the recording library on the Piper Sandler conference site (www.pipersandler.com/healthcare2020).

In addition, the company will be participating in one-on-one meetings on Tuesday, December 1^st. Interested investors can request meetings exclusively via Piper Sandler.

About Progyny
Progyny (Nasdaq: PGNY) is a leading fertility benefits management company in the US. We are redefining fertility and family building benefits, proving that a comprehensive and inclusive fertility solution can simultaneously benefit employers, patients, and physicians.  

Our benefits solution empowers patients with education and guidance from a dedicated Patient Care Advocate (PCA), provides access to a premier network of fertility specialists using the latest science and technologies, reduces healthcare costs for the nation’s leading employers, and drives optimal clinical outcomes. We envision a world where anyone who wants to have a child can do so. 

Headquartered in New York City, Progyny has been recognized for its leadership and growth by CNBC Disruptor 50, Modern Healthcare’s Best Places to Work in Healthcare, Financial Times, INC. 5000, and Crain’s Fast 50 for NYC. For more information, visit www.progyny.com.

For Further Information, Please Contact:


Investors:
James Hart
[email protected]

Media:
Selena Yang
[email protected]

CINCINNATI, Nov. 16, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Meridian Bioscience, Inc. (NASDAQ: VIVO) announced today that Jack Kenny, Chief Executive Officer, and Bryan Baldasare, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will participate in a live stream fireside chat at the Canaccord Genuity Virtual MedTech & Diagnostics Forum on Thursday, November 19, 2020 at 12:30pm ET.

To access the live stream, go to the Events & Presentations section of the Company’s Investor Relations website at https://investor.meridianbioscience.com/. Participants should register several minutes in advance of the event’s start time by following the link provided for the event. A webcast recording will be available for a year following the conclusion of the live event.

About Meridian Bioscience, Inc.

Meridian is a fully integrated life science company that develops, manufactures, markets and distributes a broad range of innovative diagnostic products. We are dedicated to developing and delivering better solutions that give answers with speed, accuracy and simplicity that are redefining the possibilities of life from discovery to diagnosis. Through discovery and development, we provide critical life science raw materials used in immunological and molecular tests for human, animal, plant, and environmental applications. Through diagnosis, we provide diagnostic solutions in areas including gastrointestinal and upper respiratory infections and blood lead level testing. We build relationships and provide solutions to hospitals, reference laboratories, research centers, veterinary testing centers, physician offices, diagnostics manufacturers, and biotech companies in more than 70 countries around the world.

Meridian’s shares are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, symbol VIVO. Meridian’s website address is www.meridianbioscience.com.

Contact:

Charlie Wood
Vice President – Investor Relations
Meridian Bioscience, Inc.
Phone: +1 513.271.3700
Email: [email protected]