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BREAKING …. CTV News Cites #Datametrex $DM.ca For Proof That Foreign-Controlled Bot Networks Hit Canadian Election

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 10:58 AM on Tuesday, November 26th, 2019
  • Prior to the election, Canada’s electronic spy agency issued a stark warning about the potential for foreign cyber interference.
  • Datametrex (DM:TSXV) believes foreign actors not only attempted to do so — they succeeded.
  • Using Artificial Intelligence designed to follow and analyze online narratives, Datametrex published a report investigating issues related to the election.
  • The report, in collaboration with Defence Research and Development Canada, found evidence of Russian bots meddling in Twitter discussions 
  • intention was focused on boosting extreme viewpoints and creating further polarization among groups with similar political views.
  • The report was presented to NATO in mid-October.
  • Datametrex has been awarded $40,000 contract for United States Air Force (USAF)

Foreign actors tried to influence Canadian election talk, but did they succeed?

Police have revealed new details of a ‘SIM swapping scam’ that could have serious implications for victims. (iStock/Bombuscreative)

  • “It doesn’t seem that there is a political agenda. Whether it’s bots or people, they’re engaging the ‘useful idiots’ who sit around on social media and regurgitate anything that fits their social or political agenda,” Marshall Gunter, CEO of Datametrex, said during a phone interview with CTVNews.ca earlier this month.

Nicole Bogart, CTVNews.ca Writer

Published Monday, November 25, 2019 11:43AM EST

TORONTO — Despite concerns of foreign interference and disinformation, a growing epidemic of toxic political dialogue found in online echo chambers should have been at the top of Canada’s concerns going into the federal election, analysts say.

As the dust settles on Parliament Hill, research suggests that foreign-controlled bot networks tapped into growing partisanship in Canada’s online conversations, taking advantage of those dead set in their political beliefs.

“It doesn’t seem that there is a political agenda. Whether it’s bots or people, they’re engaging the ‘useful idiots’ who sit around on social media and regurgitate anything that fits their social or political agenda,” Marshall Gunter, CEO of Datametrex, said during a phone interview with CTVNews.ca earlier this month.

Prior to the election, Canada’s electronic spy agency issued a stark warning about the potential for foreign cyber interference.

The Communications Security Establishment (CSE) said it was “highly likely” that interference in Canada’s democratic process would be done using tactics similar to those used against other countries, including the amplification of polarizing political issues.

Gunter and his team believe foreign actors not only attempted to do so — they succeeded.

“It starts with a wave and turns into a tsunami,” Gunter said, referencing how foreign bad actors work to disrupt political spheres online. “That’s their way of interfering.”

Using machine-learning based technology called Nexalogy, designed to follow and analyze online narratives, Datametrex recently published a report investigating issues related to the election.

The report, in collaboration with Defence Research and Development Canada, found evidence of Russian bots meddling in Twitter discussions on political wedge issues in Canada, including ethical issues, pipelines, and climate change.

But that meddling did not seem to fit a political agenda, such as having a particular candidate elected over another. Instead researchers say its intention was focused on boosting extreme viewpoints and creating further polarization among groups with similar political views.

“Within Canada, the focus is more about distracting the population,” reads the report obtained by CTVNews.ca.

“Upsetting well-established democracies by increasing the divisions between citizens with opposing views is an effective method; while the people of that country are busy ‘fighting’ each other, Russia is able to move with greater freedom with less scrutiny.”

The report was presented to NATO in mid-October.

Although the data analyzed in the report was gathered between June and August, months before the election was officially called, Datametrex president Jeff Stevens said that his team has continued to collect and analyze Twitter conversations related to Canadian politics, including “Wexit,” flagging similar suspicious activity.

This isn’t the first allegation of foreign actors amplifying Canadian political conversations.

In September, analysis of about 34,000 tweets from approximately 4,896 accounts by researcher Marc Owen Jones revealed that 15 per cent of accounts using the hashtag #TrudeauMustGo were ones that primarily identified with U.S. right-wing politics.

Those accounts also showed evidence of spam or bot-like activity.

Speaking to CTVNews.ca in October, Jones said he continued to see this type of activity on Canadian political hashtags despite Twitter downplaying the concerns, saying its investigations found no “substantial bot activity amplifying the cited hashtag.”

When asked about both reports, a government spokesperson told CTVNews.ca by email that the Critical Election Incident Public Protocol panel — designed to respond to threats to the democratic process — did not observe any activities that “met the threshold for public announcement or affected Canada’s ability to have a free and fair election.”

Not everyone is buying the idea of foreign entities meddling in our political discourse.

“Partisanship is the real pernicious force here in the Canadian online discourse,” Taylor Owen, digital media professor, said during an interview on the Attention Control podcast in October.

“It determines who you follow, it determines the language you use, the type of policy you support. It dissuades you from being able to be fact-checked. It really is the variable that causes a lot of the problems that we’ve flagged.”

Owen, director of the Digital Democracy project, spent the course of the election looking at instances of disinformation and interference.

He says his team did not find any evidence of foreign actors driving conversations on Canadian issues.

“One of the things we really saw in our projects is real echo chambers in online debate where partisans were really just talking to each other,” Owen said.

“We didn’t see a lot of what we call formal disinformation campaigns, foreign or domestic.”

Owen suggests that banning foreign ad spending as part of bill C-76 likely decreased the potential for large-scale foreign interference attempts.

Either way, researchers on both sides agree that Canadians are becoming more divided.

“I don’t think this content affected the vote, what it did is degraded the public discourse. It entrenched partisanship and further confirmed their biases,” said Owen.

Source: https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/foreign-actors-tried-to-influence-canadian-election-talk-but-did-they-succeed-1.4701228

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Posted in All Recent Posts, Datametrex AI Limited, Featured | Comments Off on BREAKING …. CTV News Cites #Datametrex $DM.ca For Proof That Foreign-Controlled Bot Networks Hit Canadian Election

HPQ Silicon $HPQ.ca and Pyrogenesis $PYR.ca Actively Evaluating Joint Venture to Manufacture #Nanoscale Structure #Silicon Powders for Next Generation #Li-ion Batteries $FSLR $SPWR $CSIQ $PYR.ca $XMG.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 8:18 AM on Monday, November 25th, 2019
  • Actively evaluating a joint venture to manufacture Nanoscale Structure Silicon (Si) powders for next generation Li-ion Si batteries.
  • While Nanoscale Structure Silicon Powders improve Li-ion battery performance, high performance Silicon (Si) anodes are not presently commercially feasible due to high manufacturing costs. 
  • Specifically, two major issues have been identified as major impediments to commercial feasibility
  • The cost of the high purity Silicon feed material needed, and the cost of transforming Silicon into Nanoscale Structure Silicon Powders for Li-ion batteries.

MONTREAL, Nov. 25, 2019 — HPQ Silicon Resources Inc.(“HPQ” - “The Company”)TSX-V: HPQ; FWB: UGE; Other OTC : URAGF; (“HPQ”) announces that HPQ and PyroGenesis Canada Inc. (TSX-V: PYR) (“PyroGenesis”) are actively evaluating a joint venture to manufacture Nanoscale Structure Silicon (Si) powders for next generation Li-ion Si batteries.

NANOSCALE STRUCTURE SILICON POWDERS SELLING FOR US$ 30,000/Kg1

While Nanoscale Structure Silicon Powders improve Li-ion battery performance, high performance Silicon (Si) anodes are not presently commercially feasible due to high manufacturing costs.  Specifically, two (2) major issues have been identified as major impediments to commercial feasibility.  The cost of the high purity Silicon feed material needed, and the cost of transforming Silicon into Nanoscale Structure Silicon Powders for Li-ion batteries.

Combining the HPQ PUREVAP™ Quartz Reduction Reactor (“QRR”) technology with PyroGenesis Plasma Atomization knowhow to manufacture Nanoscale Structure Silicon (Si) powders, could potentially resolve these 2 issues and lead the way to full commercialization of Nanoscale Structure Silicon Powders.  If successful, that should subsequently lead to their wide scale adoption in the battery space.  If this occurs, HPQ and PyroGenesis would then be well positioned to assume a market leadership position.

THE RACE IS ON TO BUILD A BETTER BATTERY: NANOSCALE STRUCTURE SILICON POWDERS NEEDED

Presently, Silicon powders is used in a blended form with graphite but its content is typically less than 5 wt%, which reflects the infancy of Si anode technology and explains the limited performance improvement achieved to date.  Even at these levels, however, this is estimated to represent an addressable market of US $ 1B by 20222 expanding at a CAGR of 38.9% between 2019 – 2024.

The addressable market growth could be exponentially higher than projected as research suggests that replacing graphite materials with Nanoscale Structure Silicon (Si) powders in next generation Li-ion Batteries promises an almost tenfold (10x) increase in the specific capacity of the anode, inducing a 20-40% gain in the energy density of Li-ion batteries.

“PyroGenesis, the inventor of Plasma Atomization, has more than 20 years of experience manufacturing plasma atomized metal powders, so if anybody has the knowhow to use silicon materials produced from HPQ PUREVAP™QRR and manufacture Nanoscale Structure Silicon (Si) that can be used as high-capacity anode materials for next generations Li-ion batteries, it is them,” said Bernard Tourillon, President and CEO HPQ Silicon. “Silicon’s potential to meet energy storage demand is undeniable and generating massive investments, as well as, serious industry interest, so our timing could not be better.”

“We are taken by the potential of this joint venture as it checks all of the boxes we consider before evaluating a new business line:  It relates to our current activities, the market although niche is potentially massive, our expertise would be game changing, and the risk is low,” said Peter Pascali, President and CEO of PyroGenesis Canada Inc. “We are equally excited about the market drivers for this product.  The potential from the battery and energy storage markets alone is estimated, on first review, to be in the multi-billions of dollars.  I look forward to evaluating this opportunity more closely.”

RENEWABLE AND EV DEMAND INDICATE GLOBAL ENERGY STORAGE MARKET READY TO EXPLODE

At current growth rates of 2% per year, global energy consumption will be an estimated 125,000 Terawatt-hours 2020, which is 800,000 times more than the estimated storage capacity.A recent report by Wood Mackenzie Power projects that energy storage deployments are estimated to grow 1,300% from a 12 Gigawatt-hour market in 2018 to a 158 Gigawatt-hour market in 2024.  An estimated US$71 billion in investments will be made into storage systems where batteries will make up the lion’s share of capital deployment.

As reported by CNBC, private Venture Capital backed firms are also exploring the use of silicon in batteries and are positioning to provide the auto industry with the solutions needed to substantially improve vehicle performance.

About Silicon

Silicon (Si) is one of today’s strategic materials needed to fulfil the renewable energy revolution presently under way. Silicon does not exist in its pure state; it must be extracted from quartz, one of the most abundant minerals of the earth’s crust and other expensive raw materials in a carbothermic process.

About HPQ Silicon

HPQ Silicon Resources Inc. is a TSX-V listed company developing, in collaboration with industry leader PyroGenesis (TSX-V: PYR) the innovative PUREVAPTM “Quartz Reduction Reactors” (QRR), a truly 2.0 Carbothermic process (patent pending), which will permit the transformation and purification of quartz (SiO2) into Metallurgical Grade Silicon (Mg-Si) at prices that will propagate its significant renewable energy potential.

HPQ is also working with industry leader Apollon Solar to develop: Porous silicon wafers manufacturing using PUREVAP™ Silicon (PVAP Si) that can be used as anode for all-solid-state and Li-ion batteries; and a metallurgical pathway of producing Solar Grade Silicon Metal (SoG Si) that will take full advantage of the PUREVAPTM QRR one-step production of high purity silicon (Si) and significantly reduce the Capex and Opex associated with the transformation of quartz (SiO2) into SoG-Si.

HPQ focus is becoming the lowest cost producer of Silicon (Si), High Purity Silicon (Si), Porous Silicon Wafers and Solar Grade Silicon Metal (SoG-Si). The pilot plant equipment that will validate the commercial potential of the process is on schedule to start in 2019.

This News Release is available on the company’s CEO Verified Discussion Forum, a moderated social media platform that enables civilized discussion and Q&A between Management and Shareholders. 

Disclaimers:

The Corporation’s interest in developing the PUREVAP™ QRR and any projected capital or operating cost savings associated with its development should not be construed as being related to the establishing the economic viability or technical feasibility of the Company’s Roncevaux Quartz Project, Matapedia Area, in the Gaspe Region, Province of Quebec.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words “may”, “plan”, “will”, “estimate”, “continue”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “expect”, “in the process” and other similar expressions which constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current expectation and assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, our expectations regarding the acceptance of our products by the market, our strategy to develop new products and enhance the capabilities of existing products, our strategy with respect to research and development, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product development, and uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process. Such statements reflect the current views of the Company with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and other risks detailed from time-to-time in the Company’s on-going filings with the security’s regulatory authorities, which filings can be found at www.sedar.com. Actual results, events, and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements either as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

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.

For further information contact
Bernard J. Tourillon, Chairman, President and CEO Tel (514) 907-1011
Patrick Levasseur, Vice-President and COO Tel: (514) 262-9239
http://www.hpqsilicon.com Email: [email protected]

____________________
1 Source: Quotation from a producer (Confidential), Media article
2 Source Marketandmakerts.com

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Posted in Featured, HPQ-Silicon Resources Inc., PyroGenesis Canada Inc. | Comments Off on HPQ Silicon $HPQ.ca and Pyrogenesis $PYR.ca Actively Evaluating Joint Venture to Manufacture #Nanoscale Structure #Silicon Powders for Next Generation #Li-ion Batteries $FSLR $SPWR $CSIQ $PYR.ca $XMG.ca

INTERVIEW: American Creek $AMK.ca Attracting Attention Of Majors As #Sprott Hopes For 20 Million Ounces $TUD.ca $SII.ca $GTT.ca $AFF.ca $SEA.ca $SA $PVG.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 9:18 AM on Thursday, November 21st, 2019

There is a lot we could say about American Creek’s Treaty Creek Project … But we’ll let the words of 4 much smarter and wealthier people do all the talking:

Walter Storm, CEO Tudor Gold (JV Partner; Funded Startup Of Osisko Mining Until Sold For $4.5 Billion)

“The Goldstorm (System On Treaty Creek) now has the attention of several major industry players and we expect that future results will continue to impress as we further define this potential world-class deposit“.”

Eric Sprott, Billionaire Investor and 2X PP Investor In American Creek Resources

“What we’re shooting for is to define a 10 or 20-million-ounce discovery“

Ken Konkin , Tudor Gold Exploration Manager (Credited With Discovering Brucejack Mine Just South Of Treaty Creek) 

“The Goldstorm System shows no signs of weakening to the northeast and several more drill holes will be needed to find the length and depth of this huge gold system.“
“2020 is going to be a breakout year.”
Darren Blaney, President & CEO American Creek Resources

“Ken Konkin, the geologist credited for the discovery and development of Pretium’s neighbouring Brucejack Mine is advancing the Goldstorm zone to potentially becoming a world-class deposit with far better logistics than the neighbouring KSM deposits.”

“Clearly, we have a massive, world-class gold system that still shows no signs of weakening to the northeast nor at depth.”

To find out why world renowned gold mine finders are so bullish on Treaty Creek, grab your favourite beverage, grab a seat and watch this interview with  American Creek Resources.

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Posted in AGORACOM Via Satellite, All Recent Posts, American Creek Resources Ltd., Featured | Comments Off on INTERVIEW: American Creek $AMK.ca Attracting Attention Of Majors As #Sprott Hopes For 20 Million Ounces $TUD.ca $SII.ca $GTT.ca $AFF.ca $SEA.ca $SA $PVG.ca

AGORACOM INTERVIEW … WHY SMALL CAP COMPANIES ARE FAILING AT SOCIAL MEDIA & LOSING THE ATTENTION WAR

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 9:11 AM on Thursday, November 21st, 2019

If you are a small cap CEO, Director or Investor Relations Officer in North America, my 23 minute interview with James Black of the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) is the most important podcast you will listen to in 2019. Not because I am the guest but because of what I have to say.

Why does what I say matter? AGORACOM surpassed 600 million page views this year, we’re averaging over 4.5M views per month on Twitter and we’ve served over 300 clients. As such, the powerful information in this podcast comes from a deep understanding of both social media, why small cap companies are failing at it and what the serious implications are of that failure.

Make no mistake about it, this isn’t some generic social media discussion. James and I go deep and I hit hard because that is what good friends do. I’m sounding the alarm because of the massive implications if I don’t.

The good news is that, if you are not an AGORACOM client, you can turn this ship around but you have to do it now and that can only be done by understanding why small caps are failing today.

I suggest that your entire management team listens to it and discusses it. Then let’s have a call to discuss what can be done.

The beauty of this audio format is you can listen to it at work or in your car / subway to and from work. I’ve done the hard work presenting this powerful information, all you have to do is press play.

Thank-you and I look forward to discussing this with you and potentially working together in 2020. Our cashless and fully compliant shares for services program should make the decision an easy one.

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Posted in AGORACOM In The Press, AGORACOM Via Satellite, All Recent Posts, Featured | Comments Off on AGORACOM INTERVIEW … WHY SMALL CAP COMPANIES ARE FAILING AT SOCIAL MEDIA & LOSING THE ATTENTION WAR

CLIENT FEATURE: Labrador Gold $LAB.ca: Sean Ryan Looking to Repeat Discovery Process with Labrador Gold $RIO.ca $WHM.ca $SIC.ca $NXS.ca

Posted by AGORACOM at 10:48 AM on Wednesday, November 20th, 2019
http://www.smallcapepicenter.com/LAB%20square.png
  • Labrador Gold is aggressively pursuing the under explored gold potential of Labrador.
  • 2 large, separate, under-explored land packages that demonstrate potential for district scale gold discoveries.
  • Two successful gold explorers lead the way in the Labrador gold rush: Shawn Ryan and Roger Moss.
  • 2 Key Exploration Properties: Hopedale and Ashuanipi

Hopedale:

The Hopedale property covers much of the Hunt River and Florence Lake greenstone belts that stretch over 80 km. The belts are typical of greenstone belts around the world but have been underexplored by comparison. Initial work by Labrador Gold during 2017 show gold anomalies in soils and lake sediments over a 3 kilometre section of the northern portion of the Florence Lake greenstone belt in the vicinity of the known Thurber Dog gold showing where grab samples assayed up to 7.8g/t gold. In addition, anomalous gold in soil and lake sediment samples occur over approximately 40 kilometres along the southern section of the greenstone belt (see news release dated January 25th 2018 for more details). Labrador Gold now controls approximately 57km strike length of the Florence Lake Greenstone Belt.

Ashuanipi:

  • Two district scale gold anomalies outlined by soil and lake sediment survey: 15x3km north south anomaly and a 14 x 3km east west anomaly
  • 2018 Soil Sampling identified: 164 samples with over 50 ppb gold, 67 samples over 100 ppb (0.1g/t) gold and a high of 8,973 ppb (8.97 g/t) Au

The Ashuanipi gold project is located just 35 km from the historical iron ore mining community of Schefferville, which is linked by rail to the port of Sept Iles, Quebec in the south. The claim blocks cover large lake sediment gold anomalies that, with the exception of local prospecting, have not seen a systematic modern day exploration program. Results of the 2017 reconnaissance exploration program following up the lake sediment anomalies show gold anomalies in soils and lake sediments over a 15 kilometre long by 2 to 6 kilometre wide north-south trend and over a 14 kilometre long by 2 to 4 kilometre wide east-west trend. The anomalies appear to be broadly associated with magnetic highs and do not show any correlation with specific rock types on a regional scale (see news release dated January 18th 2018). This suggests a possible structural control on the localization of the gold anomalies.

LAB Agoracom Hub

FULL DISCLOSURE: Labrador Gold is an advertising client of AGORA Internet Relations Corp.

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Posted in AGORACOM Client Feature, All Recent Posts, Featured, Labrador Gold | Comments Off on CLIENT FEATURE: Labrador Gold $LAB.ca: Sean Ryan Looking to Repeat Discovery Process with Labrador Gold $RIO.ca $WHM.ca $SIC.ca $NXS.ca

North Bud Farms $NBUD.ca Enters U.S. Market with the Signing of the Definitive Agreement to Acquire Nevada Botanical Science Located in Reno, Nevada $CGC $ACB $APH $CRON.ca $HEXO.ca $TRST.ca $OGI.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 8:59 AM on Tuesday, November 19th, 2019
  • Signed a definitive asset purchase agreement to acquire all assets of Nevada Botanical Science, Inc.
  • Transaction valued at USD$7.5 million
  • NBS currently operates a 5,000 sq. ft. indoor cultivation facility and has been approved for expansion of up to 60,000 sq. ft of greenhouse space.
  • Property also includes an operating extraction facility and licensed and approved commercial kitchen.
  • This infrastructure is capable of manufacturing and bottling beverages and edibles and is currently used by NBS for both white label and branded product manufacturing.

TORONTO, Nov. 19, 2019 — North Bud Farms Inc. (CSE: NBUD) (OTCQB: NOBDF) (“NORTHBUD” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that Bonfire Brands USA, a wholly owned subsidiary of NORTHBUD, has signed a definitive asset purchase agreement to acquire all assets of Nevada Botanical Science, Inc. (“NBS”) (see June 25, 2019 press release) in a transaction valued at USD$7.5 million.

Nevada Botanical Science (NBS) is located in Reno, Nevada. NBS holds Nevada State medical and adult use licenses for cultivation, extraction and distribution. NBS operates an integrated cannabis operation located on 3.2 acres of land within the Reno green zone industrial park. NBS currently operates a 5,000 sq. ft. indoor cultivation facility and has been approved for expansion of up to 60,000 sq. ft of greenhouse space. The property also includes an operating extraction facility and licensed and approved commercial kitchen. This infrastructure is capable of manufacturing and bottling beverages and edibles and is currently used by NBS for both white label and branded product manufacturing. Operated by healthcare professionals, NBS has been primarily focused on the Nevada State medical cannabis market. NBS currently manufactures and sells award winning (Jack Herer Cup 2018) topical pain creams, balms and lotions under the Trichomic medical brand.

This past year NBS launched a trial release of cannabis infused cocktails under the brand “Happiest Hour”. Collaborating with local craft beverage manufactures NBS released a variety of beverages including Margarita, Pina Colada, Bloody Mary, Long Island Ice Tea and Lemonade to select retailers in the state. To date retailer adoption and reordering has been 100% and based on customer feedback, NBS will increase production and distribution including additional retailers in Las Vegas in 2020. NBS has also finished a successful trial launch of its energy shot 1oz beverage containing 25mg of THC and 50mg of Caffeine. The Company plans to run a second branded trial in early 2020. Over the past three months NBS and NORTHBUD have been working together in preparation for the release of NORTHBUD branded dried flower products in Q4 2019 and a variety of infused and non-infused pre rolls. 

“Subject to the finalizing of the previously announced acquisition of the Qlora Group in California, the Company plans to establish a unified product manufacturing and distribution platform within these two important states,” said Justin Braune, President of Bonfire Brands USA. “The license classes in California and Nevada allow for identical activities and the Company has been in negotiation with multiple potential JV partners who wish to leverage this unique platform. Being one of the few multi state operators with operations in both states will allow us to offer turnkey solutions to prospective partners moving forward.”

Transaction Terms

The transaction (the “Transaction”) is structured as an asset purchase agreement whereby in exchange for the purchase of all of the securities and assets of NBS, NORTHBUD is paying a total of USD$7,500,000 as follows:

  • Cash payment of USD$500,000 (paid in full);
  • Approximately USD$1 million in convertible shares of Bonfire Brands USA (6,500,000 “convertible shares”); and
  • A USD$6,000,000 interest bearing promissory note.

The convertible shares may be exchanged on a 1-1 basis with common shares of NBUD at the discretion of the shareholder. At the time of signing, the converted value of these securities was equal to USD$1,000,000. All applicable U.S. and Canadian regulatory holds shall apply upon conversion.

As per the terms of the agreement NBS will allocate pro rated ownership of assets in NBS and all associated licenses to Bonfire Brands USA throughout the re-payment period, subject to state approval.

Bonfire Brands and NBS have agreed to an operations and management arrangement allowing Bonfire to assume operational control, begin integration and driving revenue immediately.  

“The NORTHBUD and Bonfire Brands USA team are extremely proud to have finalized this agreement making the state of Nevada our strategic entry point into the U.S. legal cannabis market,” said Ryan Brown, CEO of NORTHBUD. “We are equally proud of the structure of the deal and how it minimizes shareholder dilution while allowing our team to begin integration and operations with a focus on immediate revenue growth in one of the most sought-after adult use markets in North America. Our team has been looking at acquisitions in Nevada for over two years before finding the right fit.  The Nevada market is considered one of the largest and most profitable in North America with recreational sales of USD$580 million in the first full year of legalization* (2017 Nevada Dept. of Taxation).”

The securities of the Company have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”) or any state securities laws. Accordingly, the securities of the Company may not be offered or sold within the United States unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities of the Company in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

The Transaction is a significant acquisition but will not result in a “Fundamental Change” pursuant to the policies of the CSE. NORTHBUD will be preparing the necessary corporate and securities filings in order to secure the required approvals for the Transaction.

The parties have agreed to pay USD$187,500 in broker/finder fees to arm’s length parties on a prorated basis connection with the closing of the Transaction.

The closing of the Transaction is conditional on the receipt by the parties of applicable corporate and regulatory approvals, including that of the CSE.

About Nevada Botanical Science, Inc.

Founded by a group of northern Nevada physicians and healthcare professionals who believe in the promise of medical cannabis, Nevada Botanical Science has developed a world class cannabis production, research and development facility in Reno’s Washoe County. Its work and commitment are fully in compliance with the Hippocratic Oath as well as Nevada statute. Nevada Botanical Science is dedicated to ensuring the highest measure of safety, governance and stewardship for its patients, employees and the community it serves.

For more information visit: www.nevadabotanicalscience.com

About North Bud Farms Inc.

North Bud Farms Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiary GrowPros MMP Inc., is pursuing a licence under The Cannabis Act.  The Company has built a state-of-the-art purpose-built cannabis production facility located on 135 acres of Agricultural Land in Low, Quebec, Canada. NORTHBUD through its wholly owned U.S. subsidiary, Bonfire Brands USA has acquired Nevada Botanical Science, Inc. a world class cannabis production, research and development facility with 5,000 sq. ft. of indoor cultivation in Reno’s Washoe County. Nevada Botanical Science holds medical and adult use licenses for cultivation, extraction and distribution. Bonfire Brands USA has entered into an agreement to acquire assets in Salinas, California.

For more information visit: www.northbud.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (the “CSE”) nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking statements
Certain statements and information included in this press release that, to the extent they are not historical fact, constitute forward-looking information or statements (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities legislation.  Forward-looking statements, including those identified by the expressions “anticipate”, “believe”, “plan”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “may”, “should” and similar expressions to the extent they relate to the Company or its management. This press release contains forward- looking statements including those relating to the entering into of the Definitive Agreement and closing of the Transaction with Nevada Botanical Science, Inc. Forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, but which may prove to be incorrect.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.  Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the risk factors included in the Company’s final long form prospectus dated August 21, 2018, which is available under the Company’s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company’s management to predict all of such factors and to assess in advance the impact of each such factor on the Company’s business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect information, events, results, circumstances or otherwise after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law including securities laws. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy any securities of the Company.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
North Bud Farms Inc.
Edward Miller
VP, IR & Communications
Office: (855) 628-3420 ext. 3
[email protected]

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Posted in All Recent Posts, Featured, North Bud Farms Inc | Comments Off on North Bud Farms $NBUD.ca Enters U.S. Market with the Signing of the Definitive Agreement to Acquire Nevada Botanical Science Located in Reno, Nevada $CGC $ACB $APH $CRON.ca $HEXO.ca $TRST.ca $OGI.ca

INTERVIEW: $ZEN.ca Graphene Results For Graphene Aerogel Batteries Beat The Best & Receive Federal Funding $LLG.ca $FMS.ca $NGC.ca $CVE.ca $DNI.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 8:01 PM on Sunday, November 10th, 2019

ZEN Graphene Solutions (ZEN:TSXV) and its partner “DLR” (The German Aerospace Center) reported more good news pertaining to their battery development program.

The results were very technical in nature but CEO Francis Dube sat down with AGORACOM to explain their meaning in layman’s terms, as well as, how good these results are relative to tests by other companies.  Hint – they’re better by a wide margin.

The results were so good that DLR applied for and received federal funding to create a new Innovation Lab (the Center for Aerogels) to work with industrial partners on the development of Aerogels and other graphene-based products.

This is a significant interview and well worth the time to watch it.

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Posted in AGORACOM Via Satellite, All Recent Posts, Featured, Zen Graphene Solutions | Comments Off on INTERVIEW: $ZEN.ca Graphene Results For Graphene Aerogel Batteries Beat The Best & Receive Federal Funding $LLG.ca $FMS.ca $NGC.ca $CVE.ca $DNI.ca

INTERVIEW: $HPQ.ca Enters Into Discussions With Li-ion Battery Manufacturer $FSLR $SPWR $CSIQ $PYR.ca $XMG.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 4:10 PM on Thursday, November 7th, 2019

The headline pretty much says it all.  Though HPQ has stated the discussions are preliminary, this doesn’t hide the fact that HPQ has moved incredibly fast from deciding to use its world-changing silicon manufacturing process to enter the battery market.

It was only back on August 19th when Company CEO, Bernard Tourillon, stated HPQ would “start meeting with end users” but few would have expected NDA based discussions with a Li-ion battery manufacturer so soon.  Ironically, Tourillon says he expected something like this “sooner” … now that is confidence.

In a small cap market full of companies claiming the holy grail of supplying the battery market, it wasn’t hard to understand why investors may have dismissed the Company’s OCT 31 statement that “HPQ fully intends to use its Gen3 to produce and market silicon materials for batteries”.

With discussions under NDA now started with a battery manufacturer, HPQ has now set itself far apart from the pack and has earned the right to be taken very seriously.  Investors who have been waiting for ANY company to move from theoretical to the actual boardroom, HPQ offers a very compelling story.

Grab your favourite beverage and watch this interview with CEO Bernard Tourillon.

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Posted in AGORACOM Via Satellite, All Recent Posts, Featured, HPQ-Silicon Resources Inc. | Comments Off on INTERVIEW: $HPQ.ca Enters Into Discussions With Li-ion Battery Manufacturer $FSLR $SPWR $CSIQ $PYR.ca $XMG.ca

New Report Says #CBD Sales Could Surpass $1B In 2019, $10B By 2024 SPONSOR: Empower Clinics $CBDT $WEED.ca $CGC $ACB $APH $CRON.ca $HEXO.ca $OGI.ca $FAF.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 10:47 AM on Thursday, November 7th, 2019

SPONSOR:

Why Empower Clinics

  • A leading owner/operator of physician staffed health and pain management clinics
  • Patient database of over 165,000 patients 
  • Platform generating $4MM USD in revenue annually (2019)
  • Proprietary technology platforms including Electronic Health Records portal and e-Commerce for CBD product distribution
  • Launching CBD extraction facility
  • First extraction system capacity = 6,000 Kg per year.

————————-

New Report Says CBD Sales Could Surpass $1B In 2019, $10B By 2024

Javier Hasse

A new report produced by the editors of Hemp Industry Daily says retail sales of CBD in the United States are on track to surpassing $1 billion in 2019. This would imply 133% growth over 2018 sales.

Even more interestingly, the newly released 2019 Hemp & CBD Industry Factbook says CBD retail sales in the U.S. may eclipse $10 billion by 2024.

“The recent surge of consumer demand for CBD, coupled with increasingly easy access to CBD products, is expected to drive retail sales to about $1.1 billion-$1.3 billion in 2019,” said Kristen Nichols, editor of the Second Annual Hemp & CBD Industry Factbook. “We project retail CBD sales will increase to $10.3 billion by 2024, a five-year compound annual growth rate of 54%.”

Seeking to fill the gap left by the lack of federal agencies tracking hemp as a commodity, the 2019 Annual Hemp & CBD Industry Factbook seeks to provide understanding of the current and future challenges needed to make the most accurate and informed business decisions. Research-driven insights, will help business professionals understand economic, agricultural and regulatory developments impacting their positions and growth in the industry.

“Imagine running a race with brand-new shoes and a burst of energy but no idea what the course looks like. That’s somewhat the position in which today’s hempy industry finds itself,” Nichols said. “Relying on deeply researched data points along the way could make the difference between hitting the finish line and running off course.”

Source: https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/19/10/14614694/new-report-says-cbd-sales-could-surpass-1b-in-2019-10b-by-2024

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Posted in All Recent Posts, Empower Clinics Inc., Featured | Comments Off on New Report Says #CBD Sales Could Surpass $1B In 2019, $10B By 2024 SPONSOR: Empower Clinics $CBDT $WEED.ca $CGC $ACB $APH $CRON.ca $HEXO.ca $OGI.ca $FAF.ca

Empower Clinics $CBDT.ca Announces Record Preliminary Unaudited Q3 2019 Revenue with 138% year over year increase and Details for Release of Financial Statements $WEED.ca $CGC $ACB $APH $CRON.ca $HEXO.ca $OGI.ca $FAF.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 7:25 AM on Thursday, November 7th, 2019
  • Empowers’ Q3 2019 preliminary unaudited revenue saw a year over year growth of approximately 138%
  • Company’s Q3 preliminary total direct clinic expenses have been reduced by approximately 40% even with the addition of the six Sun Valley clinic locations.
  • Company also has patient visits in corporate clinics increase by triple digits, with October 2019 patients seen increasing by 336% to 1,847 versus October 2018 with 550 patients seen.       
  • Earnings results are set to be released on November 14, 2019 at 9:00 am Eastern Time

VANCOUVER, Nov. 7, 2019 – EMPOWER CLINICS INC. (CSE: CBDT) (OTC: EPWCF) (Frankfurt 8EC) (“Empower” or the “Company“), a vertically integrated and growth-oriented CBD life sciences company, a multi-state operator of medical health & wellness clinics, a CBD product producer and operator of an extraction facility in Oregon, is pleased to announce preliminary unaudited year over year revenue growth of 138% for the three months ended September 30, 2019. The company also decreased total direct clinic expenses by approximately 40%, while adding six new clinics as a result of the Sun Valley clinics acquisition.

The Company also has patient visits in corporate clinics increase by triple digits, with October 2019 patients seen increasing by 336% to 1,847 versus October 2018 with 550 patients seen.       

“The Company is starting to feel the positive impact that the Sun Valley clinics acquisition has provided with their strong operational performance in Arizona, in conjunction with continued cost cutting measures with operations in Oregon and Washington State,” said Steven McAuley, CEO of Empower. “We have also been able to integrate key back office, admin, payroll & human resource functions from the Pacific Northwest into the operational controls of Sun Valley, bringing improved productivity to the organization.”

As part of the Company’s continued expansion of our health & wellness clinic model, we have already set up retail CBD product sales in-clinic, and now we have launched expanded physician based services starting with key Arizona clinics.

New Modalities and Services

  • Physician’s CBD Enhanced Massage, Acupuncture, or Cupping Sessions

  • CBD-Cannabis-Supplement Consumption & Coaching Consultation

  • Introduction to Alternative Health and Cannabinoid Therapies by a Physician

  • Comprehensive Naturopathic Patient Analysis & Consultation

  • Dietary Antigen Testing, Physician Consultation/Action Plan, & Concierge Blood Draw

  • Neurotransmitter (urine) Profile & Physician Consultation/Action Plan

  • Spectracell Micronutrient Test & Physician Consultation/Action Plan

Empower plans to release its third quarter results ending September 30th, 2019 on November 14, 2019 at 9:00AM Eastern time.

Financial Measures

This news release makes reference to certain non-IFRS measures, including certain industry metrics. These metrics and measures are not recognized measures under IFRS do not have meanings prescribed under IFRS and are as a result unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. These measures are provided as information complimentary to those IFRS measures by providing a further understanding of our operating results from the perspective of management. As such, these measures should not be considered in isolation or in lieu of review of our financial information reported under IFRS. These non-IFRS measures, including the industry measures, are used to provide investors with supplementary measures of our operating performance that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on IFRS metrics.

ABOUT EMPOWER

Empower is a vertically-integrated health & wellness brand with it’s first hemp-derived CBD extraction facility under development, the Company produces its proprietary line of cannabidiol (CBD) based products and distributes products through company owned and franchised clinics, with wholesale partnerships, online channels and with new retail opportunities nationwide in the U.S. The company is a leading multi-state operator of a network of physician-staffed wellness clinics, focused on helping patients improve and protect their health, through innovative physician recommended treatment options. The company has commenced activity on how to connect its significant data, to the potential of the efficacy of alternative treatment options related to hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) therapies.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Steven McAuley
Chief Executive Officer

DISCLAIMER FOR FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain “forward-looking statements” or “forward-looking information” (collectively “forward looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements can frequently be identified by words such as “plans”, “continues”, “expects”, “projects”, “intends”, “believes”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, “may”, “will”, “potential”, “proposed” and other similar words, or information that certain events or conditions “may” or “will” occur. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding; the Company’s intention to open a hemp-based CBD extraction facility, the expected benefits to the Company and its shareholders as a result of the proposed acquisitions and partnerships; the terms of the proposed acquisitions and partnerships; the effectiveness of the extraction technology; the expected benefits for Empower’s patient base and customers; the benefits of CBD based products; the effect of the approval of the Farm Bill; the growth of the Company’s patient list and that the Company will be positioned to be a market-leading service provider for complex patient requirements in 2019 and beyond. Such statements are only projections, are based on assumptions known to management at this time, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including; that the Company may not open a hemp-based CBD extraction facility; that legislative changes may have an adverse effect on the Company’s business and product development; that the Company may not be able to obtain adequate financing to pursue its business plan; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; failure to obtain any necessary approvals in connection with the proposed acquisitions and partnerships; and other factors beyond the Company’s control. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements in this release, which are qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The Company is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements in this release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable laws.

SOURCE Empower Clinics Inc.

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/November2019/07/c9142.html

Investors: Steve Low, Boom Capital Markets, [email protected], 647-620-5101; Investors: Steven McAuley, CEO, [email protected], 604-789-2146; For French inquiries: Remy Scalabrini, Maricom Inc., E: [email protected], T: (888) 585-MARICopyright CNW Group 2019

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Posted in All Recent Posts, Empower Clinics Inc., Featured | Comments Off on Empower Clinics $CBDT.ca Announces Record Preliminary Unaudited Q3 2019 Revenue with 138% year over year increase and Details for Release of Financial Statements $WEED.ca $CGC $ACB $APH $CRON.ca $HEXO.ca $OGI.ca $FAF.ca

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