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AGORACOM Companies Making Big News Over Last 10 Days Despite COVID-19 $CBDT.ca $BTRU.ca $HOLL.ca $NAM.ca $MOTA.ca $PRMO.ca $DM.ca $PYR.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 8:00 PM on Sunday, April 12th, 2020

Dear AGORACOM Members, we hope this message finds your families well.  We also want to wish Happy Easter and Happy Passover to those that are celebrating.

During this turbulent time, our job now more than ever is to bring you the small cap companies that are actually thriving in order to help you discover your next great company.  Thanks to our focus on quality over quantity, AGORACOM clients have been operating exceedingly well and we are very happy to provide you with the following highlights over the last 10 days (in reverse chronological order):

* Empower Clinics (CBDT:CSE) Up 55% On 4.5M Shares Traded – Clinic Patient Visits Up 478% In Q1 (NEWS + VIDEO)

* BetterU Education (BTRU:TSXV) UP 37% On 1M Shares Traded – Closes Deal With USA Paramount For Enterprise Skills Development (NEWS + VIDEO)

* Hollister Biosciences (HOLL:CSE) Up 60% on 4M Shares – Acquisition Adds $16.4M Rev / $2.5M EBITDA (NEWS + VIDEO)

* New Age Metals (NAM:TSXV) 2.9M Ounces Of Palladium Equivalent Is Why Eric Sprott Owns 18.5% (VIDEO)

* Mota Ventures (MOTA:CSE) Acquires Over 20,000 Customers in March, Launches New Immune Support Product Line (NEWS + VIDEO)

* Primo Nutraceuticals (PRMO:CSE) Up 100% On 2.6M Shares – Signs Acquisition LOI with Celebrity brand Beauty Kitchen (NEWS)

* Datametrex A.I. (DM:TSXV) Hired By US Government Agencies On COVID-19 / Coronavirus Fake News and Disinformation (NEWS + VIDEO)

* PyroGenesis (PYR:TSXV) Receives $550K Under an Exclusive Agreement with a US Tunneling Company (NEWS)

We know that most of you have seen most of these headlines on our front page – but make sure to never miss a timely piece of news by also adding us into your social media streams on Twitter and Facebook.

Finally, look for some big news and changes coming to AGORACOM in the next 60 days.  We are going to be bigger and better than ever!

Stay Home. Stay Safe. Keep Our Heroes Healthy.

Regards,

George et al.

Where is the #CBD Market Headed? – SPONSOR: Hollister Biosciences $HOLL.ca $WEED.ca $CGC $ACB $APH $CRON.ca $OGI.ca $FAF.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 5:52 PM on Thursday, April 9th, 2020

SPONSOR: Hollister Biosciences Inc. (HOLL:CSE) A vertically integrated cannabis company with products in 220 California dispensaries and joint ventures, licensing agreement & partnerships with global brands. The company recently closed $20 MILLION deal with Venom Extracts adding $CDN 16.4 million in revenue and $CDN 2.48 million in EBITDA. Learn More

Where is the CBD Market Headed?

  • After hemp was legalized for growth and cultivation with the passing of new legislation in 2018, the CBD market erupted with new products and companies looking to take advantage of the new space
  • As of 2019, CBD sales increased by around 133%, to the tune of over $1 billion. That’s right; one billion. The market has plenty of consumer demand to back it up, and Americans are loving their CBD

By: Guest Contributor

With the last few years’ success in the CBD industry, new investors, everyday people, and seasoned investors alike are working to get their hands into one of the fastest-growing markets in the US. The CBD space is full of new providers and products, and new ones are arising each year.

As the research receives more and more funding, we’re learning all kinds of new information about CBD and its effects on the body and mind; and not much of that information is negative.

With so much demand for CBD oil and other products, it’s no surprise that people are looking to get rich by investing in the industry. But there’s still the question of whether or not it’s a good idea to invest in CBD. Let’s take a closer look at the industry, so you can decide whether or not investing in it is the right move for you.

CBD’s Benefits and Popularity

For decades, the Cannabis plant, from which CBD is derived, was outlawed, shamed, and viewed as an addictive and dangerous drug. This is mostly because THC is also derived from Cannabis, which causes the “high” that comes with smoking marijuana or ingesting THC-infused oils and edibles.

CBD is an entirely different cannabinoid, and both CBD and THC are just two of many cannabinoids found in the Cannabis plant. Each cannabinoid interacts with the body’s cannabinoid receptors in a different way, but it would take another article entirely to explain them all.

The bottom line? CBD doesn’t get you high, and industrial hemp must contain less than 0.3% THC to even be legally grown or cultivated.

CBD has been found to offer many benefits to humans and pets alike; among these are:

  • Pain relief
  • Anti-inflammatory properties
  • Counteracts the effects of THC
  • Useful in addiction recovery
  • Managing anxiety disorders and stress
  • Calming effects on the brain
  • Increase focus and concentration

The benefits of CBD products far outweigh the minor side effects, and preliminary research has yielded promising results for the future of CBD. If you want to buy CBD to give it a try, you’ve chosen the right time to start! There are hundreds of varieties available, but not all CBD is created equal.
Quality Matters in CBD

If you’re thinking of investing in the CBD space, you’ll want to put your money towards a product that exceeds others in terms of quality. The higher the quality of the CBD extract, the more potent it is.

Lower-quality extracts aren’t as effective, and if the producer is using imported hemp, you run the risk of contaminating your CBD with pesticides and other chemicals from foreign countries. The US has some strict guidelines on growing hemp, and the top providers in the industry use only organically-grown domestic hemp to extract their CBD.

The Market So Far

After hemp was legalized for growth and cultivation with the passing of new legislation in 2018, the CBD market erupted with new products and companies looking to take advantage of the new space. As of 2019, CBD sales increased by around 133%, to the tune of over $1 billion. That’s right; one billion. The market has plenty of consumer demand to back it up, and Americans are loving their CBD.

Some estimates put the market at around $20 billion by 2022, but more conservative estimates put it somewhere around half that. It’s estimated that by 2024, the market will be worth $10 billion, and that’s not something investors can ignore.

The demand for CBD products only continues to increase as the years go by, so at this point, the only way to know for sure where CBD is headed is to wait and see.

That being said, the market shows potential for growth and continues to gain traction as more and more people try and love CBD products. This makes for an excellent investment opportunity if you know what you’re doing and where to put your money.

Among specialized dispensaries, even general retailers are starting to carry CBD. You may have noticed your local grocery stores, department stores, and even convenience stores carrying CBD oil and other CBD products.

This surge in CBD availability does present an issue, however; the producers are struggling to keep up.

The Quick-Buck Types

As with any industry, there are those looking to make a quick buck by ignoring quality standards and putting out a sub-par product just to get it on the shelves and into the hands of paying customers.

With little regulation on CBD products from government agencies, the standards in the industry are generally set by the top providers, and can’t exactly be enforced.

This leads to general flooding of the market with sub-par products, and many of those “off brands” end up on store shelves as retailers try to get their hand in the CBD market. Many CBD providers are working very hard to ensure their products meet certain standards, and those are the companies you’ll want to keep your eye on.

Where To Next?

The market seems to only be headed upward as time passes. With more money for research and much less stigma surrounding CBD and cannabis, there is the potential for massive growth as the public slowly shifts its opinion on the plant itself. With projections in the billions of dollars for the future, it’s safe to say that this market has a bright future ahead of it.

Not to mention, the better we understand CBD, the better it can be marketed. We’ve already found dozens of incredible benefits for the human body, and we’re sure to find more as our understanding of CBD evolves. We just have to be patient and wait for the research!

In the meantime, the market is flourishing and is expected to flourish well into the 2020 decade. If you’re looking to invest your money in a market that can offer significant ROI and stability, CBD might just be it. Always consult with an expert first, though. You wouldn’t want to put your money into the wrong startup!

Source: https://www.bigeasymagazine.com/2020/04/06/where-is-the-cbd-market-headed/

Indian #Edtech’s Demonetisation Moment? Online Learning Takes Off Under Quarantine – SPONSOR: BetterU Education Corp. $BTRU.ca $ARCL $CPLA $BPI $FC.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 5:23 PM on Thursday, April 9th, 2020

SPONSOR:  BetterU Education Corp. aims to provide access to quality education from around the world. The company plans to bridge the prevailing gap in the education and job industry and enhance the lives of its prospective learners by developing an integrated ecosystem. betterU / Ottolearn launch FREE COVID-19 mobile resource toolkit to fight the global crisis – Click here for more information.

Indian Edtech’s Demonetisation Moment? Online Learning Takes Off Under Quarantine

  • Over 91% of the world’s student population is out of school currently
  • This has led to a surge of users on online learning platforms
  • Startups are looking to convert this temporary surge into a permanent customer base
  • As per The Future Of India’s $2 Bn Edtech Opportunity Report 2020 by DataLabs by Inc42, the Indian online education market is expected to become a $1.96 Mn opportunity

By: Kritti Bhalla

Indian education system might be one of the oldest in the world, but it is definitely not the most technologically advanced in the world. But this coronavirus outbreak has brought out a different side of learning and school education with the proliferation of edtech products and services. From local schools to colleges and universities, everyone is gunning for the new reality — online learning.

With almost 91% of the world’s student population out of school for the foreseeable future, many have said it’s time to take traditional education to another technologically advanced level. After all, for how long will the education of the students get affected by lockdowns, war, natural disasters and other such situations?

Mrinal Mohit, chief operating officer at BYJU’s, believes that learning from home has gained utmost importance more than ever before due to temporary school closure. “Students need a holistic and reliable solution that helps them continue learning from the comfort of their homes.”

Following China’s footsteps, Indian edtech startups and educational institutions have also emerged as leaders in ensuring that digital learning becomes a viable option for more students regardless of their capacity to afford online learning. In fact, edtech has ensured that education is one of the last things to get impacted by the pandemic. Whether it’s schools going online, or online classes going free, every stakeholder is doing their bit to keep the cycle of education running.

For Indian edtech startups, this means a sudden influx of online users, engagements and startups. It’s similar to what played out in the Indian market soon after demonetisation in 2016, when digital payments and the cashless economy got a major boost. Can India’s edtech startups capitalise on this momentary surge?

As per The Future Of India’s $2 Bn Edtech Opportunity Report 2020 by DataLabs by Inc42, the Indian online education market is expected to become a $1.96 Mn opportunity, rising from $247 Mn in 2017. In the financial year 2018, the gross merchandise value (GMV) of edtech startups was above $120 Mn, a surge of 48% compared to FY17.

The Numbers Behind Edtech Growth

BYJU’s, which is one of the most valued edtech startups in the world, has noted a 150% surge with 6 Mn new students on the platform in March 2020. The company has noted the hike in both metro and non-metro regions.

Meanwhile, other edtech platforms have also been noting increase, especially after school started shutting down as a precautionary measure to tackle the coronavirus pandemic. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement for a 21-day-lockdown led to another spike in the users opting for online learning platforms.

For instance, upGrad claimed that it started noting an exponential growth in usage from February 24 to March 2, with almost 34% hike compared to the previous week. Then, in the first week of March, the company’s traction went up by 75%. Moreover, the enquiries on the platform have also increased by 50% from 2,500 to 3,800 per day.

Doubtnut, which is a video-based Q&A platform, has also noted a 76% in engagement time and 72% in the questions asked and 75% between March 20 to April 5th. The company also elaborated that it has noted a 107% increase in Beetia, 52% in Muzaffarpur, 70% in Allahabad, 29% in Hyderabad and 34% in Vizag and 187% in Vijayawada.

Meanwhile, test prep startup Testbook has noted seven lakh transactions in the last 10 days and over 150x free users in the same time period. Simplilearn has also highlighted that it has witnessed a 20% increase in terms of volume and a 100% hike in usage. Whereas, Gradeup has noted an increase of 25% to 45% users, with JEE and NEET courses gaining high tractions. LidoLearning has also witnessed a 25% hike.

Khan Academy, on the other hand, 130% year-on-year (YoY) surge between March 29 to April 5. In the same time period, the company has also noted a 1000% YoY increase in parents, 700% YoY increase in teachers and 450% YoY increase in students.

Monthly learning time on the platform in March increased by 50% YoY.  The company also noted that until last year, March was the month where the company would face a drop in usage due to term-end exams, boards and schools preparing for summer holidays.

Meanwhile, Vedantu highlighted that it adds over 50K paid users on its platform annually. However, the company has added 100K new users in just 10 days. Besides this, Vedantu is also noting a 42% user stickiness on the platform, compared to 54% of paid users.

The company also noted that there has been a high session attendance of 70% from the free users. Overall, the company has seen a surge of 52x in the number of users signing up till date, while it has noted a 10x growth since March 12.

The Bengaluru-based online tutoring startup has raised INR 96 Cr ($12.5 Mn) in an extended Series C funding round led by global investment firm Legend Capital. Vedantu’s existing investors Omidyar Ohana Holdings LLC also participated in the round.

Online open course platform Coursera, on the other hand, has noted a 325% YoY hike in new registration, 284% YoY in overall enrollment and 1747% hike in public health content in the last 30 days till April 3. Overall, the company has over 53 Mn registered learners worldwide, 2100 enterprise partnership and 4,100 active courses. In India, Coursera has 5.9 Mn registered learners.

K-12 learning startup Toppr has also noted a 100% growth in free user engagement in the last month. Meanwhile, growth in time spent on Toppr by students of senior classes (10-12) is double that of junior classes (6-9).

Read More: https://inc42.com/buzz/indian-edtechs-demonetisation-moment-online-learning-takes-off-under-quarantine/

Global News Article Featuring Datametrex $DM.ca Work For US Government on #Covid19

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 11:18 AM on Thursday, April 9th, 2020

TORONTO, April 09, 2020 — Datametrex AI Limited (the “Company” or “Datametrex”) is pleased to share a link to an article released by Global News on April 8, 2020 highlighting the important work the Company completed for the US Government to identify foreign involvement in the social media discussions surrounding COVID-19 and Coronavirus.

“It’s exciting for us as a company to attract mainstream media attention on the work we do. My team is very proud to be one of the pieces used to protect democracy from propaganda in social media. Since releasing the COVID-19 report for the US government, we have had many interviews with journalist and we look forward to continuing to share our technology and findings in this fashion,” says Marshall Gunter, CEO of the Company.

About Datametrex AI Limited

Datametrex AI Limited is a technology focused company with exposure to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning through its wholly owned subsidiary, Nexalogy (www.nexalogy.com).
Additional information on Datametrex is available at: www.datametrex.com

For further information, please contact:

Marshall Gunter – CEO
Phone: (514) 295-2300
Email: [email protected]

Jeff Stevens- Co-Founder
Phone: (647) 400-8494
Email: [email protected]

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws.  All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by words or phrases such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “likely”, “should”, “would”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “potential”, “proposed”, “estimate”, “believe” or the negative of these terms, or other similar words, expressions and grammatical variations thereof, or statements that certain events or conditions “may” or “will” happen, or by discussions of strategy.

Readers are cautioned to consider these and other factors, uncertainties and potential events carefully and not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this press release and is based on the beliefs, estimates, expectations and opinions of management on the date such forward-looking information is made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law.

Datametrex $DM.ca Provides Additional Information On Its Co-Bid To The Ministry of Health In South Korea Surrounding #Covid19

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 7:29 AM on Thursday, April 9th, 2020
  • Lotte Group was one of two companies invited to bid on a contract to provide Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) solutions to the South Korean Ministry of Health- Welfare, Food, & Drug, related to the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Lotte Group has invited Datametrex, a preferred vendor of Lotte, to participate in the bid and to provide the AI technology, should Lotte Group’s bid be successful

TORONTO, April 09, 2020 – Datametrex AI Limited (the “Company” or “Datametrex”) would like to provide additional information to our shareholders and the investment community on a joint venture with Lotte Group announced in the Company’s press release on April 6, 2020.

Lotte Group was one of two companies invited to bid on a contract to provide Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) solutions to the South Korean Ministry of Health- Welfare, Food, & Drug, related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lotte Group has invited Datametrex, a preferred vendor of Lotte, to participate in the bid and to provide the AI technology, should Lotte Group’s bid be successful. The contract is for the implementation of AI solutions to monitor search engine and SNS welfare, food, and drug beneficiaries that will allow the South Korean government to monitor potentially fraudulent activities with COVID-19 related grants. The AI solution required by the South Korean government will also filter incorrect and unreliable information allowing the Ministry of Health and Welfare to gain a better understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic and enable it to maximize efficiency of its human resources.

In the event Lotte Group is awarded the contract, a joint venture will be formed between Lotte Group, Datametrex, and KT Net, a corporation owned and controlled by the South Korean government. If Lotte Group bid is successful, the parties to the proposed joint venture have agreed to establish a joint venture company (“JV Co.”) with Lotte Group owning 75% of the equity in JV Co., Datametrex owning 15% and KT Net owning 10%. Under terms agreed by the parties, Lotte Group would contribute approximately $450,000 to JV Co., Datametrex will provide its proprietary AI technology and KT Net will provide private blockchain technology. The total revenue expected to be earned from this contract is approximately $1.2M annuum, and Datametrex expects to receive its proportionate share of the revenue after payment of JV Co.’s expenses. There is no assurance that Lotte Group will be successful in its bid.

About Lotte Group

The Lotte Group is an international conglomerate consisting of over 90 business units employing 60,000 people engaged in such diverse industries as candy manufacturing, beverages, hotels, fast food, retail, financial services, heavy chemicals, electronics, IT, construction, publishing, and entertainment.

About Datametrex AI Limited

Datametrex AI Limited is a technology focused company with exposure to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning through its wholly owned subsidiary, Nexalogy (www.nexalogy.com). Additional information on Datametrex is available at: www.datametrex.com.

For further information, please contact:

Marshall Gunter – CEO
Phone: (514) 295-2300
Email: [email protected]

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by words or phrases such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “likely”, “should”, “would”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “potential”, “proposed”, “estimate”, “believe” or the negative of these terms, or other similar words, expressions and grammatical variations thereof, or statements that certain events or conditions “may” or “will” happen, or by discussions of strategy.

Readers are cautioned to consider these and other factors, uncertainties and potential events carefully and not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this press release and is based on the beliefs, estimates, expectations and opinions of management on the date such forward-looking information is made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law.

#CBD #Edibles Market to Exhibit an Astonishing CAGR of 24.30% – SPONSOR: Hollister Biosciences $HOLL.ca $WEED.ca $CGC $ACB $APH $CRON.ca $OGI.ca $FAF.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, April 8th, 2020

SPONSOR: Hollister Biosciences Inc. (HOLL:CSE) A vertically integrated cannabis company with products in 220 California dispensaries and joint ventures, licensing agreement & partnerships with global brands. The company recently closed $20 MILLION deal with Venom Extracts adding $CDN 16.4 million In revenue and $CDN 2.48 million in EBITDA. FIND OUT MORE

CBD Edibles Market to Exhibit an Astonishing CAGR of 24.30%

  • Data Bridge Market Research analyses the market to account to USD 5160 million by 2027 growing at a CAGR of 24.30% in the forecast period
  • Rising global healthcare spending is expected to enhance the market growth

By Data Bridge Market Research

The CBD Edibles Market report comprehensively studies market definition, market segmentation, competitive analysis and key developments in the market. It comprises of fundamental, secondary and advanced information related to the global status and trend, market size, sales volume, market share, growth, future trends analysis, segment and forecasts from 2020 – 2027. It includes an extensive research on the current conditions of the industry, potential of the market in the present and the future prospects from various angles. Thus, the transparent, reliable and extensive market information of this CBD Edibles report will definitely develop business and improve return on investment (ROI).

Data Bridge Market Research analyses the market to account to USD 5160 million by 2027 growing at a CAGR of 24.30% in the forecast period. Rising global healthcare spending is expected to enhance the market growth.

An Overview of the Impact of COVID-19 on Particular Market:                   

The emergence of COVID-19 has brought the world to a standstill. We understand that this health crisis has brought an unprecedented impact on businesses across industries. However, this too shall pass. Rising support from governments and several companies can help in the fight against this highly contagious disease. There are some industries that are struggling and some are thriving. Overall, almost every sector is anticipated to be impacted by the pandemic.

We are taking continuous efforts to help your business sustain and grow during COVID-19 pandemics. Based on our experience and expertise, we will offer you an impact analysis of coronavirus outbreak across industries to help you prepare for the future.

CBD Edibles Market Overview 2020-2027: Some of the factors such as rising production of hemp, increasing awareness about the health advantages of cannabis, rising demand from the healthcare industry, and legalization of cannabis in the various industries is expected to enhance the CBD edibles market in the forecast period of 2020 to 2027. High cost of the CBD products and presence of stringent regulations is expected to hamper the market growth in the mentioned forecast period.

Global CBD Edibles Market Scope and Market Size

CBD edibles market is segmented of the basis of source type and application. The growth amongst these segments will help you analyse meagre growth segments in the industries, and provide the users with valuable market overview and market insights to help them in making strategic decisions for identification of core market applications.

o Based on source type, the CBD edibles market is bifurcated into hemp and marijuana.

o The application segment of the CBD edibles market is segmented into personal care & cosmetics, pharmaceutical, food & beverage and others.

The Global CBD Edibles Market 2020 research provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. The market Report also calculate the market size, the report considers the revenue generated from the sales of This Report and technologies by various application segments. The data and the information regarding the CBD Edibles industry are taken from reliable sources such as websites, annual reports of the companies, journals, and others and were checked and validated by the market experts.

Global CBD Edibles Industry 2020 Market Research Report is spread across 350 pages and provides exclusive vital statistics, data, information, trends and competitive landscape details in this niche sector.

Source: https://sciencein.me/2020/04/08/cbd-edibles-market-to-exhibit-an-astonishing-cagr-of-24-30-industry-size-share-demand-growth-segmentation-and-future-insights-2020-2027/

‘Fake news’ increases consumer demands for corporate action – SPONSOR: Datametrex AI Limited $DM.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 5:20 PM on Wednesday, April 8th, 2020

SPONSOR: Datametrex AI Limited (TSX-V: DM) A revenue generating small cap A.I. company that NATO and Canadian Defence are using to fight fake news & social media threats. The company is working with US Government agencies on Covid19 and Coronavirus fake news and disinformation Click here for more info.

‘Fake news’ increases consumer demands for corporate action

  • “The strongest finding was that consumers expect corporations to take responsibility for combating fake news, even if the company in question was a victim of the fake news story,” Cheng says.
  • “Anyone can spread fake news on social media, and the expectation from consumers is that affected companies should play an active role in addressing it.”

by Matt Shipman, North Carolina State University

New research finds that “fake news” inspires consumers to demand corrective action from companies—even if the company is a victim of the fake news story. The study also supports the idea that most people feel they are better at detecting fake news than other people are—and found that fake news increases calls for improved digital media literacy.

“The idea that I am less influenced by fake news than you are is an example of something called the third-person effect,” says Yang Cheng, first author of the study and an assistant professor of communication at North Carolina State University.

“The third-person effect predicts that people tend to perceive that mass media messages have a greater effect on others than on themselves, and we found that this effect is pronounced among consumers who use social media. We also found that the third-person effect plays a significant role in how people respond to fake news online.”

For this study, the researchers enlisted 661 study participants from across the United States who identified as being Coca-Cola consumers. The researchers first gave the participants an example of a fake news story that circulated in Facebook in 2016, which (falsely) claimed that Coca-Cola had recalled bottles of its Dasani-brand water due to the presence of aquatic parasites. The researchers then asked study participants a range of questions designed to ascertain how the participants felt about fake news and what they felt should be done to address it.

“The strongest finding was that consumers expect corporations to take responsibility for combating fake news, even if the company in question was a victim of the fake news story,” Cheng says. “This is news that public relations professionals can use. It highlights the need for communication professionals to step up and take an active role in responding to fake news items. That could mean collaborating with reporters to provide them with accurate information, or making correct information directly available to the public, or both. But it suggests that simply being quiet and waiting for the crisis to blow over may be unwise.

“Anyone can spread fake news on social media, and the expectation from consumers is that affected companies should play an active role in addressing it.”

The study also found that consumers wanted more to be done to improve media literacy, and that media users should be taught how to evaluate media critically.

The researchers also found that the most powerful factor in triggering these responses from consumers appeared to be the third-party effect. In other words, the people who were most confident in their ability to detect fake news felt most strongly that other people would be influenced by fake news. And highly-confident consumers were the most likely to call for corrective action from corporations and improved media literacy efforts.

“This is an observational study, not an experimental one, so we cannot establish causal relationships,” Cheng says. “But the demand for corporate action is clear—and it is most strongly correlated with the third-person effect.”

Source: https://phys.org/news/2020-04-fake-news-consumer-demands-corporate.html

#Edtech startup closes $7.5m series B round led by Ant Financial-backed BAce – SPONSOR: BetterU Education Corp. $BTRU.ca $ARCL $CPLA $BPI $FC.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 4:40 PM on Wednesday, April 8th, 2020

SPONSOR:  BetterU Education Corp. aims to provide access to quality education from around the world. The company plans to bridge the prevailing gap in the education and job industry and enhance the lives of its prospective learners by developing an integrated ecosystem. betterU / Ottolearn launch FREE COVID-19 mobile resource toolkit to fight the global crisis – Click here for more information.

Edtech startup closes $7.5m series B round led by Ant Financial-backed BAce

Miguel Cordon

  • Following a string of investments in Indian education startups this year, local edtech firm Lido Learning has announced the close of its series B round at US$7.5 million
  • The round pushes its total capital raised to US$10.5 million.

The capital injection was led by Ant Financial-backed BAce Capital, while new investors including Picus Capital and Paytm president Madhur Deora, along with several existing investors in Lido, also participated in the round.

Photo credit: primagefactory / 123RF

Launched in April 2019, Lido aims to provide a one-size-fits-all solution to education in India through interactive online tutorials. Every session has a maximum of six students to ensure that each child receives attention and personalized feedback.

Students are also given customized homework, remedial help, and challenges based on class performance. AD. Remove this ad space by subscribing. Support independent journalism.

With the new funds, Lido aims to extend its reach into the less populated towns in India and expand into more curriculum-focused subjects. Right now, its online coaching sessions are focused on math and science for Class 5 to Class 9 students – typically children who are 10 to 15 years old – across all major cities.

According to Lido’s founder and CEO Sahil Sheth, online tutorials are set to take off in India, owing to the country’s high-speed internet penetration. “And as more students and parents experiment with online learning in the current pandemic, the customer mindset is ready,” he added.

Lido is BAce Capital’s first edtech investment in India, and the move is part of the latter’s strategy to invest in early-stage companies in emerging economies, focusing on India and Southeast Asia.

Several other edtech companies have raised funds this year.

In January, Bengaluru-based InterviewBit secured US$20 million in a series A raise led by Sequoia India and Tiger Global. In contrast to Lido, InterviewBit offers computer science courses aimed at creating job-ready professionals. AD. Remove this ad space by subscribing. Support independent journalism.

WizKlub, another startup from Bengaluru, also raised nearly US$1 million in seed funding this year and looks to further enhance its AI-based product and expand to other markets.

More recently, Vedantu in February secured US$24 million in an extended series C round led by GGV Capital, pushing its total funding to US$85 million to date.

Source: https://www.techinasia.com/lido-closes-7m-bace

VIDEO – BetterU Education $BTRU.ca Emerges Out Of Trade Halt Stronger Than Ever $ARCL $CPLA $BPI $FC.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 9:23 AM on Wednesday, April 8th, 2020

When a company’s trading gets halted for a prolonged period of time, it is more than likely a death knell.  For BTRU, it was a resurrection.  

Under intense scrutiny of its business by regulators already, CEO Brad Loiselle and his team undertook their own serious evaluation of the Company’s powerful but faltering B2C online education platform.  They realized they were in the right space and had superior technology to deliver online education ….. but they were in the wrong target market.  B2C quite frankly, has massive upside but it involves an enormous amount of heavy lifting to target and attract enough individual customers to become viable.  

As such, the Company decided to take its offering and really focus in on B2B instead.  And they didn’t just make the decision, they used the halt to tweak their software and reach out to hundreds of companies about how their superior offering could skill, reskill and upskill their workforces.  Before coming out of halt, they were already having serious conversations with serious organizations.  

And it doesn’t hurt when your existing clients include McDonald’s India, Central Bank of India and Indian Oil Corporation.  

With Easter just a couple of days away, add this resurrection story to your must watch list this weekend.

betterU $BTRU.ca closes deal with USA Paramount Staffing for their newly launched Ready-To-Go SaaS Enterprise skills development $ARCL $CPLA $BPI $FC.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 9:14 AM on Wednesday, April 8th, 2020
  • Entered into an annual Software as a Service Enterprise agreement with one of the largest staffing firms in the USA, Paramount Staffing
  • Paramount, is a $200+ Million USD Staffing Firm, with over 300 employees across the USA and Canada
  • betterU, supported by many of their global education and assessment partners has been able to curate and integrate a Ready-To-Go content library across top subjects so that HR managers could provide simple access to their entire organization

OTTAWA, April 08, 2020 – betterU Education Corp. (TSX VENTURE: BTRU, Frankfurt: 5OGA) (the “Company” or “betterU“) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an annual Software as a Service (“SaaS” or “Ready-To-Go”) Enterprise agreement with one of the largest staffing firms in the USA, Paramount Staffing (“Paramount”).

Earlier this year, betterU’s CEO Brad Loiselle met in Chicago with Paramount’s VP of Sales Anthony Hegarty and President Matthew Schubert to demo the Company’s SaaS Enterprise Ready-To-Go platform. Paramount, is a $200+ Million USD Staffing Firm, with over 300 employees across the USA and Canada and, like many organizations, were in search of learning and development resources and skills development tools that was cost effective, agile, mobile and scalable to help support their employees’ learning on the go. Many company’s Learning and Development managers often do not have the ability or bandwidth to bring together the content required to support all their departments and teams. betterU, supported by many of their global education and assessment partners has been able to curate and integrate a Ready-To-Go content library across top subjects so that HR managers could provide simple access to their entire organization.

“With betterU’s Ready-To-Go platform offering so much value-add for a very appealing monthly subscription cost per employee, it was a no brainer for us to work together as we train and develop our rapidly growing sales teams. Brad and his team have been incredible with their development work, turnaround time and innovative thinking on how to support us during these unprecedented times. We are excited about the many great things we will do together over the coming years,” said Tony Hegarty, Vice President Paramount Staffing.

Ready-To-Go, launched early 2020 and was developed to support corporate needs -in delivering and managing effective skills development. The base program, for only $19.95 per employee per month includes an assessment of an employee’s current skills and up to 4 learning paths per month per employee, broken into microlearning programs to support and reinforce on-demand learning. Each month the employee is reassessed to determine their improvements in their skills gap and their learning path is adjusted accordingly. In addition, employers can use Ready-To-Go to support orientation programs, onboarding, policy and procedure updates and more customized solutions to meet their unique needs and challenges.

“Our team has been working closely with our global education partners to build a solution that focuses on employee’s skills development rather then simply selling courses. With Ready-To-Go we are focused on providing only what an employee needs to support their corporate requirements. This approach creates better results, while saving money and time,” said Brad Loiselle, President, CEO betterU.

About betterU Education Corp.

betterU is an education-to-employment technology company offering an end-to-end solution leveraging business intelligence to automate skilling, reskilling and upskilling for companies operating on domestic and global scales. If you are looking for support in regards to COVID-19, please visit https://readytogo.betteru.ca/ to download your free COVID-19 Resource Toolkit.

betterU has integrated into its platform the content, technology and support for tailored skills assessments, learning pathways and training modules from 100+ of the world’s leading online education providers. betterU’s eco-system includes detailed job, skill, employer, and educational profiles spanning 3,000+ standardized jobs. betterU’s integrated platform is the most efficient solution to address evolving skilling challenges for employers and employees through the employment lifecycle from entry level to executive. We don’t sell content, we help build better people. 

About Paramount Staffing

Paramount Staffing has created a strong reputation providing industrial staffing services for a wide variety of businesses. Their success is their ability to incorporate top performancing teams at their locations with a focus on the industrial sector of the market.

Paramount Staffing believes in working closely with clients, learning their long-term vision and long-term strategies. These strategic relationships allow Paramount Staffing to take full responsibility for both short and long-term staffing needs. The company’s complete focus on the industrial client makes them different from other companies who do not specialize. This focus allows Paramount Staffing to have dedicated team members who are trained, knowledgeable, and fully prepared to assist you in your recruiting needs.

For more information, please visit https://corporate.betteru.ca/corporate-gov/

For more information about betterU’s Enterprise SaaS Program please visit https://readytogo.betteru.ca/

Contact:

Brad Loiselle, CEO
1-613-695-4100

betterU Education Corp.
Investor Relations
Email: [email protected]

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.