Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 12:09 PM on Tuesday, January 8th, 2019
SPONSOR: Monarques Gold Corp. produced 4,695 ounces of gold in the recent quarter with revenues of $10 million. Monarques owns close to 300 km² of gold properties, including the Wasamac deposit (measured and indicated resource of 2.6 million ounces of gold), the Beaufor Mine, the Croinor Gold, McKenzie Break and Swanson advanced projects and the Camflo and Beacon mills. Click here for more information.
MQR: TSX-V
—————-
Gold price likely buoyed by safe haven demand: HSBC
Gold price gains will likely be driven by fresh safe haven demand on equity concerns, higher financial volatility and economic uncertainty, said HSBC, leading the bank to lift its 2019 average dollar price for the yellow metal to $1,314/oz Tuesday.
London — Gold price gains will likely be driven by fresh safe haven demand on equity concerns, higher financial volatility and economic uncertainty, said HSBC, leading the bank to lift its 2019 average dollar price for the yellow metal to $1,314/oz Tuesday.
The original estimate was $1,292/oz, according to HSBC’s chief precious metals analyst James Steel.
“Gold prices are recovering from heavy investor liquidation and
losses throughout much of 2018. Recent equity market declines, higher
financial market volatility and other risks are triggering renewed
investor demand for bullion,” Steel said. “Geopolitical and trade risks,
which unusually did not lift gold last year (due to the strong US
dollar), also appear to be turning positive. We believe gold is set to
move higher in 2019, especially if the global economic outlook remains
uncertain.”
Gold has been toying with the $1,300/oz marker so far in 2019,
although for now that target has alluded bullion. Gold was spot bid at
$1,284/oz as of 1420 GMT Tuesday.
“Our FX view is for a stronger USD, which may present the greatest
threat to gold and will at the least limit rallies. Gold is inversely
related to US equities, and we believe an important price driver in 2019
will be equity direction and volatility. Recent equity weakness has
buoyed gold,” Steel added.
Looking at positioning, Steel noted that COMEX was net short in 2018
for the first time since 2001, which has since been scaled back.
“Further short-covering and builds in longs are likely in 2019,” the
analyst said.
Industry lobby group the World Gold Council said Tuesday that
gold-backed ETFs continued to rally in December against a backdrop of
market volatility, marking the third consecutive month of inflows.
Global ETFs increased 3%. or by $3.1 billion, driven by North American
and European fund activity, WGC said.
Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 11:18 AM on Tuesday, January 8th, 2019
SPONSOR: Good Life Networks (GOOD:TSX-V)
Video advertising is the future! Company’s A.I. makes 80,000
calculations / second, targeting 750 million users to deliver higher
prices and volume. Revenue was $10,000,650 for the nine months ended
September 30th, 2018, a 142% increase from $4,133,231 reported for the
six months ended September 30th, 2017. Click here for more information.
Innovid will use a $30 million investment from Goldman Sachs Private Capital Investing to further its interests in the connected TV sector by building what it claims will be the industry’s only “end-to-end CTV platform†and further its global footprint.
Innovid will use a $30 million investment from Goldman Sachs Private
Capital Investing to further its interests in the connected TV sector by
building what it claims will be the industry’s only “end-to-end CTV
platform†and further its global footprint.
Innovid was unable to provide insight on when any potential IPO might
take place, or which stock exchange it could choose to list on, by the
time of publication. Any such listing would buck the trend of ad-tech
outfits coming off the public markets, such as when Taptica purchased the buy-side of Tremor Video and Sizmek acquired Rocket Fuel in 2017.
In a statement, Zvika Netter, Innovid CEO, said, “With this funding,
Innovid will complete the development of the first end-to-end CTV
platform creating a more efficient workflow, while solving industry
measurement challenges and expanding its global footprint to meet the
evolving needs of its international client base for brands, media and
creative agencies, and publishers.â€
Innovid works with advertisers including Bank of America, Campbell’s
and L’Oreal to help deliver video ads across a host of different
platforms including Amazon Fire, Apple TV, Roku and Samsung TV, with an
emphasis on interactive ad units.
In particular, it also works with the industry to help advertisers
scale how they create, deliver and measure ads across different
platforms, with Innovid hoping to use the $30 million to further its
footprint in the fast-emerging connected TV space.
Hillel Moerman, head of Goldman Sachs’ Private Capital Investing
group, added, “Innovid has differentiated video advertising software and
technology, and has the scale and the reach to succeed, with access to
significant supply beyond CTV, including platforms such as Facebook,
Instagram, YouTube, Snap and others.â€
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
—————————————
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.
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.â€
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
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 ofGreen 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.â€
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
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.â€
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.
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.
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.
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.
Which IPOs Will Take Flight?
Look for even more U.S.-based companies to offer IPOs in Canada’s markets—and vice versa.
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.
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.
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.
———————–
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. â€
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.â€
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,â€
Securrency’s Doney said.
â€(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.â€
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,â€
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.
“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.â€
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.â€
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 Companyâ€) is pleased to provide an update on the pending launch of the Personas social network (“Personasâ€).
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 entirelyâ€.
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
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 “Partiesâ€, 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 “Agreementâ€) with Aubert & Duval, together the “Partiesâ€), 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 (“AMâ€) Market in Europe (the “Marketâ€). 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.â€
“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,â€
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.â€
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.
Tags: 3D Printing, tsx-v Posted in All Recent Posts, PyroGenesis Canada Inc. | Comments Off on 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 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
—————-
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.
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,â€
“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 lifeâ€
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.
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
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 “RISEâ€).
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 announcedtoday a 900KW torch systemsale. What doesthis mean for theCompanyexactly?
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.Andwhatapplication 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 thinkyou will conclude the contract?
A. Within the next six weeks.
Q. Anyrisk itwon’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.Lastbutnotleast,what is yourgoalfor 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.
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,oratwww.otcmarkets.com.Actualresults,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.
