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Bougainville Ventures Inc $BOG.ca – Canada’s Cannabis Laws And 5 Burning Questions For 2019 $CROP.ca $VP.ca NF.ca $MCOA

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 10:06 AM on Tuesday, January 8th, 2019
SPONSOR:  Bougainville Ventures Inc (CSE: BOG) Converting irrigated farmland to greenhouse-equipped farmland. Bougainville does not “touch the plant” and only provides agricultural infrastructure as a landlord for licensed marijuana growers. Click here for more info.
BOG:CSE

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  • 2018 was a momentous year for cannabis advocates as Canada became the second country (after Uruguay) to legalize recreational marijuana use.
  • Canadians and cannabis companies alike eagerly awaited legalization, but the rollout hasn’t been as smooth as they would have liked.

Andre Bourque Contributor

A marijuana law breakdown by Canadian Province, and five burning industry questions for 2019.Shopify Partners

This is the initial post in what will be a five-part series on the 5 Burning Questions for Canadian Cannabis in 2019. 

2018 was a momentous year for cannabis advocates as Canada became the second country (after Uruguay) to legalize recreational marijuana use. Canadians and cannabis companies alike eagerly awaited legalization, but the rollout hasn’t been as smooth as they would have liked.

The most pressing problem facing the country’s legal weed market is the fact that, in the majority of provinces, suppliers are unable to meet demand. According to MarketWatch, the complexity of scaling up a national legal cannabis supply chain has left many retailers with just a fraction of the promised products. In many areas, the supply shortage may last well into 2019.

Some experts say the bottleneck exists in the regulatory approval by Health Canada of Licensed Processors and Cultivators. “The cultivation and processing capacity exists, but the lack of licensing is keeping that production off the shelves,” Rob McIntyre, CFO of Salvation Botanicals Ltd., told me. His Canadian extraction and formulation company recently agreed to produce cannabis products for U.S.-based Medical Marijuana, Inc. for the Canadian market.

“Health Canada has added significant resources to attempt to shorten the approval process, but the backlog is significant,” McIntyre explained. “In the coming months, we expect to see this supply shortage ease.”

A shortage of marijuana in Canada threatens to undermine one aim of legalization: to tame an illegal trade estimated at about 5.3 billion Canadian dollars annually. Angry consumers say they are returning to their illegal dealers. https://t.co/dZQogk8xGY

— New York Times World (@nytimesworld) November 7, 2018

On the opposite end of a product shortage is strong product pricing for cannabis producers and retailers. A gram of high-quality cannabis in Vancouver, Canada, for example, sold for $752 a gram in November 2018. Meanwhile, in Portland, Oregon, where an overabundance of marijuana is begging to cross state lines, you could buy an entire ounce of similar high-quality cannabis as recently as December.

These initial gains, however short-term they may be, will help Canadian cannabis companies offset their startup costs. “This will quickly help companies recoup the costs of building expensive cultivation facilities,” said Debra Borchardt, CEO of Green Market Report, and Canadian cannabis industry expert. “Once production begins to meet demand, then the prices will fall, which is great for consumers, but will come at a cost to the producers.”

Another less obvious issue is the diversity of cannabis regulations from province-to-province. Though weed is legal everywhere in Canada, for smokers and businesses, where you are in the country will have a huge impact.

Currently, the only constants from province-to-province under the federal Cannabis Act are a possession limit of up to 30g of dried flower (or an equivalent) and a ban on consumption in vehicles. Beyond that, everything from the legal age to the rules on public consumption can be different—though the provinces all share a common goal in discouraging underage use and exposure.

Nationwide, the biggest change in 2019 is the legalization of edible sales, which will occur no later than October 17, 2019—one year after marijuana legalization. Since edibles are more appealing to children, Canadian officials are being much more circumspect about rolling these products out. As Vice points out, it is unclear how the regulations around edibles will play out, since the government hasn’t ruled exactly what it means for a product not to “appeal” to a young person.

Provincial Laws

Here’s a quick breakdown of the current laws in each province, plus news on any upcoming changes in 2019:

.@liftandco produced an easy-to-digest graphic of the new Canadian marijuana laws and retailers by province. The country’s outlets include both the government and private sectors. pic.twitter.com/CDbHa6aArJ

— Andre F Bourque ♕ (@SocialMktgFella) January 8, 2019

Alberta:

You must be 18 years old to consume, buy, possess, and grow. Public consumption laws are the same as tobacco, though you can’t smoke near children. Home cultivation is allowed (up to four plants).

Though the province originally planned for 250 licensed retail stores managed by Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis, supply constraints mean it will be 6-18 months before the next stores open after the first 65 opened. The province also allows online sales controlled by the government.

British Columbia:

You must be 19 years old to consume, buy, possess, and grow. Public consumption laws are the same as tobacco, though you can’t smoke near children. Home cultivation is allowed (up to four plants), though they must be hidden from street view.

British Columbia has not put a cap on the number of retail locations, but the licensing process has been slow. The first store opened up in December in Vancouver. Like Alberta, British Columbia allows online sales controlled by the government.

Manitoba:

You must be 19 years old consume, buy, and possess. Public consumption is almost completely restricted. Unlike other provinces, you won’t be able to grow your own weed at home.

By the end of November 2018, only fourteen retailers had been granted licenses. The province will allow for private online and retail stores.

In 2019, the Safe and Responsible Retailing of Cannabis Act will take effect, adding on a 6 percent tax on revenues of licensed cannabis retailers as a “Social Responsibility Fee.”

New Brunswick:

You must be 19 to consume, buy, possess, and grow. You will only be allowed to consume it in a private residence. Up to four household plants are allowed, as long as they are locked and secured.

The province will have 20 government-run locations and permit government-controlled online sales. Like many other provinces, New Brunswick has seen a spate of store shutdowns due to a lack of supply.

Newfoundland and Labrador:

You must be 19 to consume, buy, possess, and grow. You will only be allowed to consume it in a private residence. You can grow up to four plants per household.

Newfoundland and Labrador have a hybrid retail model, with private retailers receiving licenses to sell products controlled by the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation. Online sales will go through the government-controlled NLC as well.

Nova Scotia:

You must be 19 to consume, buy, possess, and grow. You will only be allowed to consume it in designated public places. You can grow up to four plants per household, as long as they’re inside.

Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation, a government-run entity, will control online and retail stores, with 12 physical locations available at launch. Similar to other provinces, Nova Scotia faced shortages throughout 2018.

Ontario:

You must be 19 years old to consume to buy, use, posses, and grow. Public consumption laws are the same as tobacco in the province, meaning many public areas—especially ones where children may be—are off limits. There’s a four plant limit per household.

On April 1, 2019, Ontario will begin allowing private retail stores, but for now the only place to get it is through retail and online stores—the aptly names Ontario Cannabis Store—controlled by the Ontario LCBO. Thus far, the rollout has been…buggy. A questionable supply chain has been plagued by mold, mislabeled products, and mites, leading many to return to the black market in the region.

Prince Edward Island:

You must be 19 to consume, buy, possess, and grow. You will only be allowed to consume it in private residences at present. You can grow up to four plants per household, as long as they’re inside and not in reach of children.

Like many other provinces, a government-run entity, the Prince Edward Island Cannabis Management Corporation, will operate retail locations and online sales. At launch, there were four licensed retail locations. Compared to other areas, PEI’s rollout has been relatively smooth.

Quebec:

You must be 18 years old to consume, buy, and possess. Public consumption follows the same rules as tobacco, with smoking at schools and universities expressly prohibited. That may all change if newly proposed laws pass in 2019 which would raise the legal age to 21 and prohibit any smoking in public. Regardless, you cannot grow plants at home.

All online and retail sales are controlled by the Société Québécoise du Cannabis (SQDC). Since pot was legalized in October, retail locations have been closed several days of the week because of the lack of supply.

Saskatchewan:

You must be 19 years old to consume, buy, possess, and grow. Public consumption is prohibited. Four household plants are allowed per household.

Unlike many other provinces, Saskatchewan will have a private distribution system. The province handed out 51 licenses prior to Oct. 17, the day sales became legal, but as of December only a handful of those stores have opened because of supply issues. Online sales are allowed through private retailers.

5 Burning Questions for 2019

2019 marks the first full year of legal cannabis in Canada. 2018 was full of excitement for legalization, plus a whole bunch of disappointment as supply issues affected many parts of the country.

As we head into the new year, these are the biggest questions Canada’s cannabis industry will need to answer.

  1. Will There Be Enough (Legal) Pot in Canada?

It would be an understatement to say that cannabis consumers were not best of buds with the country’s suppliers.

  1. What Trends Will Dominate?

For consumers, the biggest trends for the upcoming year will be the emergence of the edibles market and the expansion of CBD products.

  1. Which IPOs Will Take Flight?

Look for even more U.S.-based companies to offer IPOs in Canada’s markets—and vice versa.

  1. Does the U.S. Legalizing Hemp Jeopardize Canada’s Industry?

In December 2018, the U.S. Congress passed the Farm Bill, an omnibus bill that, among other things, legalized the cultivation of industrial hemp and allows for interstate commerce of hemp-based products for the first time in decades. Though this brings competition to hemp production in North America for the first time, Canada has decades of research and growing experience under its belt already.

  1. How Does Legal Weed Play Out on the International Stage?

As the second country to legalize recreational cannabis-use, Canadians are reveling in their newfound freedom. But it’s unclear how cannabis use will affect international relations.

For better or worse, 2019 will be a telling year for the Canadian cannabis market. Let me know what you think’s going to happen on Twitter (@SocialMktgFella).

—

Disclaimer: I have no financial interest or positions in the aforementioned companies. This information is for educational purposes and does not constitute financial and/or legal advice.

Andre Bourque (@SocialMktgFella) is a cannabis industry media influencer, brand executive and advisor, blockchain marketer, and cannabis columnist. He specializes in cannabis industry partnerships, distribution, and funding. Andre is the managing director of the cannabis div…MORE

Andre is a cannabis connector and the VP of Bus. Dev. for Verdantis Advisors, a full-service consulting agency.

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrebourque/2019/01/08/canadas-cannabis-laws-by-province-and-5-burning-questions-for-2019/#1548c5dd4eb3

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ThreeD Capital Inc. $IDK.ca – Apple $AAPL and Tesla $TSLA shares on the #blockchain could be the next big thing in #crypto $HIVE.ca $BLOC.ca $CODE.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 9:15 AM on Tuesday, January 8th, 2019

SPONSOR: ThreeD Capital Inc. (IDK:CSE) Led by legendary financier, Sheldon Inwentash, ThreeD is a Canadian-based venture capital firm that only invests in best of breed small-cap companies which are both defensible and mass scalable. More than just lip service, Inwentash has financed many of Canada’s biggest small-cap exits. Click Here For More Information.

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  • Security tokens — digital versions of financial securities like stocks and bonds — are becoming a new buzzword in crypto.
  • Analysts and executives in the industry see security tokens as a development that could reinvigorate the cryptocurrency space.
  • A key difference setting security tokens apart from other cryptocurrencies is that they are asset-backed and fall within regulatory parameters, experts say.

The Apple logo is displayed at the Nasdaq MarketSite just before the opening bell in New York on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2011. Scott Eells | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Cryptocurrencies had a wild 2018, tumbling well below some of the record highs seen toward the end of 2017.

Bitcoin, once worth almost $20,000, plunged last year, closing out 2018 at a price below $4,000. Other major virtual currencies, including XRP and ether, also fell steeply.

Analysts and executives in the industry are increasingly pointing to a fairly new development that could reinvigorate the space: putting securities like stocks and bonds on the blockchain.

So-called security tokens are becoming a new buzzword in crypto. The term is part of a phenomenon in the industry known as “tokenization” — turning real-world assets into digital tokens.

In the case of security tokens, tradable assets like equity and fixed income are transformed into digital assets that use blockchain technology, the virtual ledger of activity that underpins cryptocurrencies like bitcoin.

Security tokens had been talked about for some time, but now one firm is looking to put them to the test.

On Monday, DX.Exchange, an Estonia-based crypto firm, launched a trading platform that lets investors buy shares of popular Nasdaq-listed companies, including Apple, Tesla, Facebook and Netflix, indirectly through security tokens.

Each token is backed by one share of the company traders want to invest in and entitles them to the same cash dividends.

“The crypto community has been talking about security tokens for well over a year now without much progress, so we think the impact will be huge,” Amedeo Moscato, DX’s chief operating officer, told CNBC by email over the weekend.

“By tokenizing stocks of some of the biggest publicly-traded companies like Google, Amazon, Facebook and more, we are opening an untapped market of millions of old and new traders around the globe cutting out the middleman. ”

watch now VIDEO02:40 What is a security token?

Investors will be able to trade the digital stocks round-the-clock, even after markets close, DX says.

“The ability to trade around the clock, with a range of currencies, offers investors both convenience and liquidity,” Dan Doney, co-founder and chief executive of fintech firm Securrency told CNBC by email over the weekend.

But Doney questioned whether DX’s exchange was sound on the regulatory front.

“We’re unsure and even skeptical of DX.Exchange’s model because we don’t think that it’s acceptable to list tokenized shares of a company without shareholder consent,” he said.

“However, we do think that the model can meet regulatory standards if executed properly.”

DX stressed that its digital stocks are classed as derivatives — with the underlying asset being equity of 10 Nasdaq-listed firms — and that its platform is regulated under the European Union’s Mifid II directive. Mifid II, a set of reforms to EU investment services regulation, aims to protect investors and increase transparency and confidence in the industry post-crisis.

Cyprus-licensed firm MPS MarketPlace Securities is holding the stocks in a segregated account. DX built the platform on top of Nasdaq’s Matching Engine technology, which is used across more than 70 international markets.

Experts are pointing to the model as one that could provide a solid form of investment for traders — versus cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, which have proven at times to be highly volatile — as well as a new potential source of fundraising for start-ups and large firms alike. ‘STO’

New security tokens can be issued and sold to investors, similar to how new digital tokens are sold through a crowdfunding method known as an initial coin offering (ICO). This is what’s known as a security token offering (STO).

ICOs were a source of much controversy in the crypto sphere in both 2017 and 2018, with China and South Korea banning the practice and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rapping a number of ventures and founders over alleged illegal activities.

One supposed cryptocurrency start-up called Giza made off with more than $2 million through a fake ICO scam, a CNBC investigation last year showed.

Dubious as the murky world of ICOs is, the funding method at one point eclipsed early-stage venture capital funding. ICO projects raked in almost $6.6 billion in 2017 and $21.5 billion in 2018, according to data provided by ICO listing site CoinSchedule.

The difference with STOs, experts say, is that security tokens are asset-backed and fall within regulatory parameters.

“Security tokens use blockchain to allow for efficient transactions like cryptocurrencies, but are different in all other ways,” Securrency’s Doney said.

”(They) emphasize regulatory compliance, automated regulatory reporting, and represent share interest in value-producing assets. This ultimately provides stable value versus the volatility of crypto.”

Crowdfunding site Indiegogo delved into the world of STOs last year, hosting a platform that let investors indirectly own shares of a luxury ski resort by buying security tokens. That token sale brought in $18 million, according to VentureBeat.

Security tokens and STOs have been compared to “stablecoins,” cryptocurrencies pegged 1:1 to government-backed currencies to avoid the volatility typically seen in the cryptocurrency market. Stablecoins are seen as another potential area for growth in the crypto industry.

Goldman Sachs-backed fintech start-up Circle launched a stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar last year, and Chief Executive Jeremy Allaire has told CNBC he thinks “all fiat currency will be crypto” one day.

“Cryptocurrencies and STOs will continue to evolve, and digital stocks are another step in that process,” Daniel Skowronski, DX’s chief executive, told CNBC by email. STOs to ‘ramp into the market’ by mid-2019

Advocates also say that security tokens could reduce the cost of listing a company on the stock market and that they will make it easier to trade less liquid assets like private equity.

And though it may be early days, one expert thinks the trend of tokenizing securities will become a major theme by mid-2019.

“In terms of timing, we hear that mid-2019 is the time-frame when most STOs will be able to ramp into the market,” Lex Soklin, partner and global director of fintech strategy at Autonomous Research, told CNBC by email.

“Given a longer regulatory approval process for these assets (rather than none for ICOs), entrepreneurs have a slower path to market. But perhaps a more stable one.”

Some even believe that, eventually, everything from artwork to real estate will be transformed into digital tokens.

“Over the next decade, we could very well see the tokenization of the entire financial markets,” Mati Greenspan, senior market analyst at eToro, said in a note last week.

“Essentially, anything that has value and can be traded can also be represented as a digital token and traded on a blockchain.”

Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/07/bitcoin-security-token-and-sto-explained.html

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Posted in All Recent Posts, Bitcoin, Blockchain stocks, Canadian Blockchain Stocks, ThreeD, ThreeD Capital | Comments Off on ThreeD Capital Inc. $IDK.ca – Apple $AAPL and Tesla $TSLA shares on the #blockchain could be the next big thing in #crypto $HIVE.ca $BLOC.ca $CODE.ca

Peeks Social $PEEK.ca Provides an Update on the Launch of Personas Social Network

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 8:24 AM on Tuesday, January 8th, 2019
  • Personas’ ChatCash service allows users to provide (and charge for) one-on-one private tutorials, consulting services, help desk services and any other service that is typically delivered through one-on-one chat

TORONTO, Jan. 08, 2019 – Peeks Social Ltd. (TSXV:PEEK) (OTCQB:PKSLF) (“Peeks Social” or “the Company”) is pleased to provide an update on the pending launch of the Personas social network (“Personas”).


Personas is an ecommerce enabled video and image sharing social network that provides users with a video chat based payments system (ChatCash). Personas’ ChatCash service allows users to provide (and charge for) one-on-one private tutorials, consulting services, help desk services and any other service that is typically delivered through one-on-one chat

Personas technology and policies are purpose designed to satisfy user demands for a “Hate Free Space” on the internet where personal privacy is protected. Personas provides greater privacy in a variety of ways; for one, by allowing users to segment their social media following into several profiles: friends, family and followers. In addition, as a policy Personas does not sell user data. Future releases of Personas will allow users to create additional profiles on demand.

A significant market opportunity has emerged as a result of rising user concerns over social media privacy, trolling, fake news and misuse of private data. These concerns are reflected in a recent Pew Research Center poll, that reported; “42% of US adult Facebook users have taken a break from the site in the past 12 months for several weeks or more, 54% adjusting their privacy settings and 26% deleting the app from their phone entirely”.  

Major development of release 1.0 of the Personas is complete and is currently in beta testing. Personas will be submitted for approval to the Apple and Google app stores in the coming weeks and subsequently available for download. 

The Peeks Social App can be downloaded in either the Google or Apple app stores, or by visiting www.peeks.social

For further information, please contact:

Peeks Social Ltd. 
Mark Itwaru 
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer 
416-635-5339 
[email protected]

David Vinokurov 
Director Investor Relations 
416-716-9281 
[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) has reviewed or accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this Release.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/eb32c8af-92e5-4fee-9b45-fb5785f17907
http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a9091444-6880-4313-a5ac-c5be3d9e2ee9
http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9ddcb784-8335-449c-b6be-55d228d031a6
http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/357956b2-ad13-44da-a0a4-b1eff97885e5

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PyroGenesis $PYR.ca Signs Mutually Exclusive Partnership Agreement with Aubert & Duval to Supply Plasma Atomized Titanium Powder to European Union Additive Manufacturing/3D Printing Market

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 8:19 AM on Tuesday, January 8th, 2019
  • Announced today that it has signed a mutually exclusive Partnership Agreement with Aubert & Duval, together the “Parties”, a subsidiary of the ERAMET Group (2017: Sales: > Can$5.4 Billion; Assets: > Can$4.9 billion; Paris Stock Exchange: ERA.PA).
  • Agreement outlines a multi-step strategy between the Parties to supply plasma atomized titanium powder, on a mutually exclusive basis, to the Additive Manufacturing Market in Europe

MONTREAL, Jan. 08, 2019 – PyroGenesis Canada Inc. (http://pyrogenesis.com) (TSX-V: PYR) (OTCQB: PYRNF) (Frankfurt: 8PY: FRA)  a TSX Venture 50® high-tech company, (the “Company”, the “Corporation” or “PyroGenesis”) a Company that designs, develops, manufactures and commercializes plasma atomized metal powder, plasma waste-to-energy systems and plasma torch products, is pleased to announce today that it has signed a mutually exclusive Partnership Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Aubert & Duval, together the “Parties”), a subsidiary of the ERAMET Group (2017: Sales: > Can$5.4 Billion; Assets: > Can$4.9 billion; Paris Stock Exchange: ERA.PA). The Agreement outlines a multi-step strategy between the Parties to supply plasma atomized titanium powder, on a mutually exclusive basis, to the Additive Manufacturing (“AM”) Market in Europe (the “Market”). The Agreement envisions establishing production capability in the Market on mutually agreeable terms.

Aubert & Duval is a world leader in industrializing high-performance steel, super alloy, aluminum and titanium alloys for over a century. More specifically, they are a recognized supplier of metal powders for additive manufacturing, serving the Aerospace, Energy, Transport, Medical, Defense, Automotive and other large scale, demanding markets.

“Aubert & Duval, founded in 1907, is a recognized supplier of fine metallic powders for AM in demanding markets such as aerospace, energy, medical, defense and automotive,” said Mr. Massimo Dattilo, Vice President of PyroGenesis Additive. “They have a strong metallurgical expertise, and a long history in powder atomization. The addition of PyroGenesis’ capabilities complements their current product offerings in a field in which they are an established supplier. Aubert & Duval has a history of supporting their customers in AM, from the development of product to mass production, and we are happy to partner with them.”

“This Agreement establishes the framework within which Aubert & Duval and PyroGenesis shall work together to distribute the titanium powders manufactured by PyroGenesis to the Market. There are provisions for the expansion of the Market upon mutual agreement by the Parties,” said Mr. P. Peter Pascali, President and CEO of PyroGenesis. “This relationship will undoubtably accelerate our growth in our AM business line and complements our corporate strategy to team up with established players who have an impeccable reputation and a strong balance sheet, to accelerate our growth.  This is a very significant milestone not only for PyroGenesis and Aubert & Duval, but for the industry as a whole.  This strategic partnership speaks to the Parties’ complementary strengths: PyroGenesis’ extensive plasma expertise as the inventor of Plasma Atomization, and Aubert & Duval’s large network of customers, strong balance sheet, and extensive knowledge of the market.”

In a press release issued January 8th, 2019, Jérôme Fabre, Eramet Group’s Deputy CEO in charge of the Alloys division, described the benefits of the partnership as follows: “With our metallurgical expertise for demanding markets such as aeronautics and energy, this partnership with PyroGenesis allows us to complete our offer of metal powders for additive manufacturing, including 3D printing, a growing market of the industry of the future.”

About PyroGenesis Canada Inc.

PyroGenesis Canada Inc., a TSX Venture 50® high-tech company, is the world leader in the design, development, manufacture and commercialization of advanced plasma processes and products. We provide engineering and manufacturing expertise, cutting-edge contract research, as well as turnkey process equipment packages to the defense, metallurgical, mining, advanced materials (including 3D printing), oil & gas, and environmental industries. With a team of experienced engineers, scientists and technicians working out of our Montreal office and our 3,800 m2 manufacturing facility, PyroGenesis maintains its competitive advantage by remaining at the forefront of technology development and commercialization. Our core competencies allow PyroGenesis to lead the way in providing innovative plasma torches, plasma waste processes, high-temperature metallurgical processes, and engineering services to the global marketplace. Our operations are ISO 9001:2015 certified and have been since 1997. PyroGenesis is a publicly-traded Canadian Corporation on the TSX Venture Exchange (Ticker Symbol: PYR) and on the OTCQB Marketplace. For more information, please visit www.pyrogenesis.com

About Eramet:

Eramet is one of the world’s leading producers of:
Manganese and nickel, used to improve the properties of steels, and mineral sands (titanium dioxide and zircon), parts and semi-finished products in alloys and high-performance special steels used by industries such as aerospace, power generation, and tooling.

Eramet is also developing activities with strong growth potential, such as lithium extraction and recycling, called to play a key role in the energy transition and the mobility of the future.

The Group employs around 12,600 people in 20 countries. www.eramet.com

About Aubert & Duval:        

Aubert & Duval, a subsidiary of the Alloys division of the Eramet group, is a metallurgist expert and one of the world leaders in high-performance steels, superalloys, titanium and aluminum. Aubert & Duval designs and develops advanced metallurgical solutions in the form of closed-die forged or forged parts, long products or metal powders for projects in the most demanding industries: aeronautics, energy, defense, nuclear, medical. www.aubertduval.com

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 Corporation’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 Corporation with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and other risks detailed from time-to-time in the Corporation’s ongoing filings with the securities regulatory authorities, which filings can be found at www.sedar.com, or at www.otcmarkets.com. Actual results, events, and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Corporation 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, its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) nor the OTCQB accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

SOURCE PyroGenesis Canada Inc.

For further information please contact: Clémence Bertrand-Bourlaud, Marketing Manager/Investor Relations, Phone: (514) 937-0002, E-mail: [email protected]

RELATED LINKS: http://www.pyrogenesis.com/

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INTERVIEW: NORTHBUD $NBUD.ca Discusses Amendment of Licence Application to Add 500K SQ. FT. of Outdoor Cultivation Area

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 5:04 PM on Monday, January 7th, 2019

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Esports Entertainment Group $GMBL – Twitch Sees Significant Growth From In Real Life Streaming in 2018 $ATVI $TTWO $GAME $EPY.ca $TCEHF

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 10:41 AM on Monday, January 7th, 2019
SPONSOR: Esports Entertainment $GMBL – Esports audience is 350M, growing to 590M, Esports wagering is projected at $23 BILLION by 2020. The company has launched VIE.gg esports betting platform and has accelerated affiliate marketing agreements with an additional 42 Esports teams, bringing total to 176 Esports teams. Click here for more information
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Twitch Sees Significant Growth From In Real Life Streaming in 2018

By The Numbers

  • Total Hours Watched in 2018: 540M (IRL and Just Chatting).
  • Total Hours Watched in 2017: 207.96.
  • Most-Watched Day: June 3 with 2.43M hours watched.
  • Peak CCV: 159.69K on May 29 when Bethesda released a Fallout teaser on its official channel.
  • Most-Watched IRL Channel: Chance “Sodapoppin” Morris with 49.85M hours watched.
  • Most-Watched Just Chatting Channel: Chance “Sodapoppin” Morris with 8.26M hours watched.

Max Miceli

Twitch’s  “In Real Life” or “IRL” category experienced a huge re-work in the fall of 2018 as the platform realized that more streamers were not only using it, but using for a plethora of different reasons.

At the end of September, the category was divided into several new categories including “Just Chatting,” “Sports and Fitness,” “Special Events,” “Food & Drink,” and “Talk Shows & Podcasts.” Before that point, IRL content on Twitch consistently drew some of the strongest viewership week-to-week in 2018 and regularly competed with some of the most-watched games on the platform.

Despite the division of one of Twitch’s most-watched categories, the momentum of IRL wasn’t stalled. If anything it served as a catalyst for its growth. As soon as IRL was divided, “Just Chatting” emerged as one of the most popular forms of content. Streamers regularly began streams by “Just Chatting” with their viewers before they started to get into whatever game they were playing.

Some streamers like Chance “Sodapoppin” Morris even began to expand the scope of what the category could be, and despite just three months of existence, the Just Chatting category on Twitch managed to sneak into rankings as one of the top 10 most-watched types of content for all of 2018. When combined with the success of IRL prior to it’s extinction, the two personality-driven forms of content made up 540M hours watched on Twitch, enough to be the third most-watched category on the platform.  

It wasn’t solely Just Chatting that saw use on the platform either. While Just Chatting was by far the most used subcategory, the other 12 categories that were born from IRL elicited airtime from streamers.

Year-Over-Year

Even though IRL was removed from Twitch on Sept. 26, its 388M hours watched was enough to deliver a massive year-over-year net positive for the category. Without even existing the last three months of the year, IRL had around 180M more hours watched in 2018 than it did in 2017 (207.96M). In just three months, the Just Chatting category alone drew 151.17M hours watched.

The exponential growth of IRL justified its division into sub-categories, but even after the split, Just Chatting averaged more hours watched per month than IRL. As more streamers look to grow their viewership by maintaining interactive communities, the necessity to “just chat” with subscribers and fans has become increasingly important.

Unlike many forms of entertainment, Twitch is most known for its game-driven content and its interactive interfaces. The maturation of Just Chatting and IRL is the most tangible sign of Twitch’s continued growth. Despite its short life, viewership for Just Chatting notably increased in 2018. That was paired with a significant increase in total airtime as well—a sign that influencers are aware of the trend.

Influencer Impact 

IRL is all about the influencer; there isn’t much in the way of esports that comes with “real life” content unless its a Twitch personality giving their thoughts about a recent gaming tournament. Morris seems to have mastered the art of interacting with his viewers in a unique and personal way that keeps them coming back. Not only was he the most-watched IRL streamer, but he led the Just Chatting category once it came into existence. In fact, his channel accounts for eight of the top ten IRL or Just Chatting sessions in 2018.  

As more streamers continue to use Just Chatting—as well as Twitch’s other non-game specific channels—as a way to interact with their chatroom and grow a sense of community among viewers, the opportunity for personal growth and increased sponsorships will proliferate throughout the platform.

While the battle royale craze and Fortnite  have dominated Twitch in 2018, the life of any specific game as a form of personality streaming content is historically limited. As Twitch evolves, the personalities that thrive are the ones that are able to adapt and maintain viewership with their personality—not just their skill at a specific game. This new category’s success and rapid growth are an indication that streamers are becoming privy to the opportunities that are associated with…well…just chatting.

Source: https://esportsobserver.com/twitch-irl-2018/

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CLIENT FEATURE: CardioComm Solutions, Inc. $EKG.ca – The heartbeat of Cardiovascular Medicine and Telemedicine

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 10:01 AM on Monday, January 7th, 2019

The heartbeat of cardiovascular medicine and telemedicine

  • Specializing in the software engineering of computer based electrocardiogram (heart monitoring) management and reporting software
  • Software permits physician interpretations of ECGs and supports private and public payer fee-for-service billings
  • ECGs are electrical recordings of the heart and performing an ECG is one of the most common diagnostic tests performed
  • Successfully launched technologies that enable the use of new medical devices and communication portals utilizing internet and cellular based technologies for the recording, transmission and viewing of ECGs

Recent Highlights

CardioComm Solutions’ HeartCheck(TM) CardiBeat and Smart Phone App Enter Final Stage of FDA 510(k) Review Read More

  • Market Release of HeartCheck(TM) CardiBeat and GEMS(TM) Mobile Application Set For Early 2019
  • Completed its response to the USA Food and Drug Administration for additional information following the Company’s filing of its premarket notification 510(k)
    • Class II medical device clearance application for the HeartCheck™ CardiBeat and GEMS™ Mobile Application
  • HeartCheck™ CardiBeat is the second of several planned Bluetooth-enabled ECG recording devices to be marketed by the Company

Launched 12-Lead ECG Smart Wearable Garment Monitoring Solution Read More

  • Announced joint partnership sales plans for the commercial launch of its newest software release designed to support an innovative and easy to use wireless, 12 lead ECG, vital signs, arrhythmia and ischemia monitoring wearable smart garment manufactured by Israel-based HealthWatch Technologies Ltd.

Company to Receive Royalty Payments from Biotricity Read More

  • Confirmed progress on a royalty licencing agreement with Biotricty Inc.
  • Royalty payment phase became active following confirmation that all necessary clearance and software development pre-conditions have been achieved
  • Royalty fees are due from the use of the ECG software Cardiocomm developed, or any derivative products, on a per patient monitored basis

First Company to Receive Approval for ECG Product Sales Direct to Consumers Read More

  • CardioComm was the first company to be approved to sell an ECG product directly to consumers in North America as evidenced by OTC Class II medical device clearances by both the United States Food and Drug Adminstration and Health Canada in 2012
  • HeartCheck ECG PEN is currently available for OTC sales on the shelves of Canadian pharmacy chain Shoppers Drug Mart.

Completed HeartCheck(TM) Clinical Validation for Long-Term, Self-Managed, Remote Monitoring of Atrial Fibrillation Patients Post-Ablation Read More

  • Moved into routine clinical use following completion of a long-term, remote arrhythmia monitoring pilot in high risk patients.
  • PACE cardiologists have been prescribing use of the HeartCheck™ ECG PEN and ECG Handheld Monitor to their patients to provide up to one year of enhanced remote patient monitoring for arrhythmias in addition to use of conventional but term-limited Holter and event monitoring.

Products

HeartCheck™ Pen

The HeartCheck™ PEN handheld ECG device is the only device of its kind cleared by the FDA for consumer use.


✓ Monitor For Arrhythmias Anywhere
✓ Web Access to a Qualified Physician
✓ No Prescription Required

 
The pocket-sized PEN allows you to take heart readings from anywhere, the moment symptoms appear.

The HeartCheck™ ECG Device

The FDA-cleared HeartCheck™ ECG device is portable, easy to use and can store up to 200 thirty second ECG readings.

Whether at home, the gym or at the office, the HeartCheck™ ECG Device with SMART Monitoring can help detect and monitor arrhythmias from wherever you are.  

  Features & Benefits
✓ SMART Monitoring ECG Interpretations
✓ Cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
✓ Easy to use
✓ Accurate heart readings in only 30 seconds
✓ Store up to 200 ECGs

Company Accolades

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PyroGenesis $PYR.ca Announces Winning Tender (>CAD $1MM) for 900 kW Plasma Torch System Sale

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 8:40 AM on Monday, January 7th, 2019
  • Announced today that it has been awarded a contract for a 900 kW plasma torch system for more than CAD $1MM.
  • This contract was won in a competitive bid put out by RISE Energy Technology Center AB of Sweden

MONTREAL, Jan. 07, 2019 — PyroGenesis Canada Inc. (http://pyrogenesis.com) (TSX-V: PYR) (OTCQB: PYRNF), a TSX Venture 50® high-tech company, (the “Company”, the “Corporation” or “PyroGenesis”) a Company that designs, develops, manufactures and commercializes plasma atomized metal powder, plasma waste-to-energy systems and plasma torch products, is pleased to announce today that it has been awarded a contract for a 900 kW plasma torch system for more than CAD $1MM. This contract was won in a competitive bid put out by RISE Energy Technology Center AB of Sweden (the “Client” or “RISE”).

The invitation to participate was announced on November 11th, 2018 and the deadline for submitting applications was December 12th, 2018. Technical and commercial discussions took place in Sweden December 18-21st, 2018. The competition was narrowed down to two other companies besides PyroGenesis. The 10-day standstill period, in which participants could contest the decision based on procedure, expired January 2nd, 2019, and as such the contract was awarded to PyroGenesis. The Client and PyroGenesis are now in the process of finalizing contract terms. The torch is scheduled to be delivered by Q3 2019.

Mr. P. Peter Pascali, President and CEO of PyroGenesis, provides further information in the following Q&A format:

Q. You announced today a 900KW torch system sale. What does this mean for the Company exactly?

A. This is a giant step forward for PyroGenesis and its torch sale strategy, for three reasons.

First, we won this contract against stiff competition. One was a European powerhouse, and the other was a local company. Being the only non-European competitor did not help either. We were determined to win this contract, and not sacrifice our margins, and we did.

Second, as you know, we are plasma torch experts, and have sold plasma torches in the past. Our main lines of business typically use torches between 10-550 kW so that is what we typically sell as well. However, there is a significant market for high powered plasma torches ( ~ 1 MW range), and one we have targeted for some time now. Notwithstanding the fact that our businesses do not use 1 MW torches, we developed this capability in-house, with support from the Canadian National Research Council, with our eyes set on addressing this market. This announcement today is the first step in that direction.

Third, we announced on October 26, 2017 that we were granted two US patents, one of which was a torch patent targeting this exact application.

Q. And what application is that?

A. Iron ore pelletization.

It is a process in which fossil fuel burners are typically used in abundance. Fossil fuel burners are naturally bad for the environment in that they generate greenhouse gases. Amongst its many advantages, PyroGenesis’ Plasma torches do not.

We are extremely happy to be working with RISE on this project as we share many of their views and values. Sweden is committed to becoming a zero-carbon dioxide emission society and, as such, is developing fossil free technologies across all sectors. This contract is aimed at developing fossil-free energy-mining-iron-steel value chains and thereby provide a basis for governance and industrial strategies for transformative change across all of Sweden.

We are proud to be part of this initiative by providing our patented torch technology (US patent #9,752,206 entitled Plasma heated furnace for iron ore pellet induration) as a basis for this change.

Q. When do you think you will conclude the contract?

A. Within the next six weeks.

Q. Any risk it won’t be signed?

A. There are always risks, but we are highly confident it will be signed. Maybe even sooner than what we expect.

Q. Last but not least, what is your goal for this market?

A. We have one of the largest concentrations of plasma expertise under one roof. We make some of the most unique plasma torches in the world. We run torches on air, oxygen, argon, helium, and even water which is quite uncommon. Our torches are compact, lightweight, easy to operate, fully-automated, with high levels of safety, and impressive reliability. PyroGenesis torches can operate for extremely long periods without maintenance, and they can easily restart without manual intervention.

Winning this public tender not only speaks to our capability of meeting existing needs, but also to our ability to develop new plasma torches for unique and demanding situations.

We have effectively expanded our plasma torch offerings to now include high powered plasma torches and, as such, we expect to very quickly become a significant player in this market segment.

About PyroGenesis Canada Inc.

PyroGenesis Canada Inc., a TSX Venture 50® high-tech company, is the world leader in the design, development, manufacture and commercialization of advanced plasma processes and products. We provide engineering and manufacturing expertise, cutting-edge contract research, as well as turnkey process equipment packages to the defense, metallurgical, mining, advanced materials (including 3D printing), oil & gas, and environmental industries. With a team of experienced engineers, scientists and technicians working out of our Montreal office and our 3,800 m2 manufacturing facility, PyroGenesis maintains its competitive advantage by remaining at the forefront of technology development and commercialization. Our core competencies allow PyroGenesis to lead the way in providing innovative plasma torches, plasma waste processes, high-temperature metallurgical processes, and engineering services to the global marketplace. Our operations are ISO 9001:2015 certified, and have been since 1997. PyroGenesis is a publicly-traded Canadian Corporation on the TSX Venture Exchange (Ticker Symbol: PYR) and on the OTCQB Marketplace. For more information, please visit www.pyrogenesis.com

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 Corporation’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 Corporation with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and other risks detailed from time-to-time in the Corporation’s ongoing filings with the securities regulatory authorities, which filings can be found at www.sedar.com, or at www.otcmarkets.com. Actual results, events, and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Corporation 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, its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) nor the OTCQB accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

SOURCE PyroGenesis Canada Inc.

For further information please contact: Clémence Bertrand-Bourlaud, Marketing Manager/Investor Relations, Phone: (514) 937-0002, E-mail: [email protected]

RELATED LINKS: http://www.pyrogenesis.com/

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Esports Entertainment Group $GMBL – Five predictions for the #esports industry in 2019 $ATVI $TTWO $GAME $EPY.ca $TCEHF

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 3:46 PM on Friday, January 4th, 2019
SPONSOR: Esports Entertainment $GMBL Connecting global leading educators to the mass population of India. BetterU Education has ability to reach 100 MILLION potential learners each week. Click here for more information

Mobile esports on the rise

  • These days, you can pick up your mobile phone and play against other people in real time – all you need is a decent internet connection.
  • This is a major part of why mobile esports is on the rise and why many predict it will take off in a huge way in the not-so-distant future.

Five predictions for the esports industry in 2019

By Adam Fitch -January 4, 2019

2018 is over, and nobody will deny that it was a ridiculous year for the esports industry. Celebrity investors, new competitions, almost-unbelievable organisation valuations, and a plethora of incredible game play have all made it a year to remember, but what’s to be expected in 2019?

Here at Esports Insider we cover the business side of esports so, naturally, our predictions will be based on such. Of course, we’d love to speculate on how Astralis will fare in CS:GO in the new year and whether the FGC will ever stop squabbling or not, but business is what we live and breathe.

Let’s get into our five predictions for the esports industry in 2019!

Overwatch League troubles?

Activision Blizzard has brought in eight new investors to own expansion teams in the Overwatch League at $30-60 million a piece, but things aren’t perfect. A vocal portion of esports fans think the game is too hectic to follow (which could well make the game less accessible to new viewers), average viewership – excluding China and potential bots – declined steadily over the course of the inaugural season, and the developer is fully in control of everything that happens in the competition which is a scary prospect.

Overwatch League

A slew of inappropriate behaviour and, subsequently, suspensions were present in the first season of the premier Overwatch competition, which isn’t attractive to sponsors. The OWL has acquired a roster of prominent sponsors and secured a ludicrous amount of money at the same time – but what happens if they decide to drop out? How easy will it be to acquire new sponsors if everything isn’t as great as it’s being portrayed?

The second season of the Overwatch League kicks off on February 14th, and we feel as if it’ll be pivotal. If the aforementioned problems are addressed as much as possible and faith in the game is restored in those who have become disillusioned in it, then things could be OK for the foreseeable future. If not, then franchise owners could well start to feel a little iffy about the future of their trusty investments.

Battle Royale remains relevant

2018 was undoubtedly the year of the Battle Royale genre. With PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds and Fortnite both having their fair share of the limelight in terms of player base and viewing figures, the genre was truly put on the map in a casual basis; it’s had a harder time from a competitive viewpoint, however. From H1Z1 Pro League coming and going, PUBG’s dwindling popularity, and Epic Games’ questionable esports efforts, there’s plenty of room for the genre to grow when competition is involved.

We predict that Battle Royale titles will continue to thrive in 2019 – with games similar to Call of Duty’s Blackout being released and making a wave in the market, albeit briefly – but people will still argue over the genre’s status as a legitimate competitive format. PUBG Corp. is launching six Pro Leagues with three additional pro circuits and Epic Games still has millions of dollars to give out over the course of the year, so it’s an interesting time for the industry.

Traditional sports clubs continue to invest

Over the last couple of years there have been a number of trends in the esports industry, many of which aren’t as significant as traditional sports clubs and their involvements in video games. Whether it’s straight-up acquiring majority shares in organisations (such as OpTic Gaming and compLexity Gaming), investing and partnering with local companies (Pittsburgh Knights and the Pittsburgh Steelers, most recently), or entering the scene through a safe route (football teams expanding into FIFA, for example), there’s been an abundance of instances in recent times.

Pittsburgh Knights joins forces with Pittsburgh Steelers

It’s hard to imagine this will slow down. With that being said, if a bunch of clubs that have already invested decide to back out of esports now as is hasn’t been immediately fruitful monetarily, then it may heed a warning for those looking for a quick cash-grab. This isn’t a bad thing for the esports industry at all, though. In 2019, we expect to see more and more crossover between traditional sports and esports when it comes to ownership of organisations and teams.

Mobile esports on the rise

These days, you can pick up your mobile phone and play against other people in real time – all you need is a decent internet connection. This is a major part of why mobile esports is on the rise and why many predict it will take off in a huge way in the not-so-distant future.

When we attended the Clash Royale League World Finals in Tokyo, Japan, we saw a potential glimpse into the future. Not too different from esports as we currently know it, the arena was filled with impassioned fans that were happy to pay to see the best players in the world compete.

Accessibility is a huge factor in the attractiveness of mobile esports, but titles such as Clash Royale have proven that mobile games don’t need to merely be a portable version of PC titles. MOBAs such as Dota 2 and League of Legends are undeniably popular and so it’s understandable that mobile versions of the genre are flooding the scene, but originality may well trump all. We truly think we’ll find out more in regards to this theory in 2019.

Course corrections

Even as valuations for organisations and companies continue to rise, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing in 2018. Echo Fox announced that it would undergo an organisational restructure in October to better position itself for profitable and sustainability in the future – releasing its Call of Duty and Gears of War rosters, as well as fighting game competitors and other select players.

On a bigger scale, Infinite Esports and Entertainment – the parent company of OpTic Gaming, Obey Alliance, the now-defunct Allegiance and a host of supporting companies – released a whole host of staff members around the same time as Echo Fox. Growing too fast was where blame was placed, following a rapid expansion and a suite of acquisitions following the majority share sale of OpTic Gaming in November 2017.

We wouldn’t be surprised to see this happen at other prominent companies and organisations in the upcoming year, too. Spend is ridiculously high when you occupy spots in League of Legends and the Overwatch League, player demands are ever-growing, and contract buyouts are nearing unfathomable heights. Sometimes you have to take a step backwards to move forward in a stronger state, and it should be expected as the industry edges towards a potential bubble.

Source: https://esportsinsider.com/2019/01/5-predictions-esports-2019/

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Betteru Education Corp. $BTRU.ca – 3 Reasons Why #India Will Be A Leader in the #EdTech Industry in the 21st Century $ARCL $CPLA $BPI $FC.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 3:04 PM on Friday, January 4th, 2019
SPONSOR:  Betteru Education Corp. Connecting global leading educators to the mass population of India. BetterU Education has ability to reach 100 MILLION potential learners each week. Click here for more information.
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3 Reasons Why India Will Be A Leader in the EdTech Industry in the 21st Century

  • According to a joint report by KPMG and Google, the online education industry is expected to grow at a healthy rate of 8 times to become a $1.96B industry by 2021
  • Five categories of education in India have been cited as the ones with great potential for considerable online adoption

By Matthew Lynch

According to a joint report by KPMG and Google, the online education industry is expected to grow at a healthy rate of 8 times to become a $1.96B industry by 2021. Five categories of education in India have been cited as the ones with great potential for considerable online adoption. These include primary and secondary supplemental education, test preparation, reskilling and online certification, higher education, and language and casual learning.

The important question here is – what’s driving the considerable growth of education technology in India? Well, the following are the 3 key reasons why India will be a leader in EdTech in the 21st century:

  1. E-learning Boost via the Digital India Initiative

With an aim to transform the country into a digitally empowered society, the Indian government launched The Digital India Initiative. This was a huge move that had a substantial impact on the country’s technology industry, bringing a wave of revolution in every aspect. The education sector is one of the sectors that are benefiting from this initiative.

To boost e-education, all schools and universities are set to be connected with broadband and free Wi-Fi.  Also to be put in place is a Digital Literacy Program, as well as the development of pilot Massive Online Open Courses. Once the goals of the Digital India Initiative are realized, India will certainly be ahead in the EdTech game.

  1. Vast User Base of Mobile Device Use

There are more than 850 million mobile phone subscribers in India. According to a report by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), mobile internet is largely used by youngsters. With an increase rate of over 10M users a month, there’s no doubt that mobile devices are the classrooms of tomorrow. Current user base for e-learning predominantly consists of school students and working professionals.

Not only are Indians realizing the potential for mobile learning, but major technology and publishing companies are also increasingly becoming aware of the potential of the education services delivered through mobile services. So, it’s only a matter of time and there will be a gold rush into the Indian mobile education market that will put the country at the top as far as EdTech is concerned.

  1. Low Cost Alternative to Offline Learning

Even though the average tuition for online courses varies from one program to another, it’s clear like night and day that online courses are much cheaper compared to the ones offered in classroom settings. Online skill enhancement courses are estimated to be about 53% cheaper compared to offline alternatives. Larger student base and lower infrastructure cost help leverage on the economies of scale, thus the reduced costs via the online channel.

It’s apparent that the EdTech industry in India is one of the blooming sectors with a lot to offer to stakeholders. There’s no doubt that edtech will undergo an evolution and set the stage for the momentous growth that will be witnessed in the forthcoming years not just in India, but all around the world.

Source: https://www.thetechedvocate.org/3-reasons-why-india-will-be-a-leader-of-the-edtech-industry-in-the-21st-century/

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