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Namaste $N.ca $NXTTF Announces Approval of NamasteMD Android App and Accelerates Patient Acquisition in Anticipation of Sales License $VAPE $VPCO $MCIG $ABCN.ca $ACG.ca $ACB $WEED.ca $HIP.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 9:03 AM on Friday, August 24th, 2018

  • Announced that the Company has received official approval of the latest version of its NamasteMD cannabis telemedicine App for Google Android devices,
  • Live in the Google Play store as of 8 AM EST August 23rd, 2018

VANCOUVER, Aug. 24, 2018 – Namaste Technologies Inc. (“Namaste” or the “Company”) (TSXV: N) (FRANKFURT: M5BQ) (OTCMKTS: NXTTF) is pleased to announce that the Company has received official approval of the latest version of its NamasteMD (“NamasteMD.com“) cannabis telemedicine App for Google Android devices, which is live in the Google Play store as of 8 AM EST August 23rd, 2018. Approximately 50% of mobile phone users in Canada use Android devices. With the new launch of the apps on both iOS and Android platforms, NamasteMD can now facilitate online patient consultations, free of charge, within 15 minutes from sign-up on the App. The Company anticipates launching real-time consultations through NamasteMD within the next 10 days. Further to the Company’s Aug 22nd news release, NamasteMD has achieved over 14,000 registered users, representing a 130% increase over a 2-month period. The Company anticipates significant acceleration in conversion rates with additional exposure through the Google Play store.

Namaste has developed Canada’s first fully-compliant medical cannabis patient portal, available on iPhone or Android devices, which allows Namaste to acquire patients faster and at a lower cost in comparison with other Licensed Producers. Patients acquired through NamasteMD have access to purchase medical cannabis through Namaste’s cultivation partners (“Licensed Producers). Under the terms of various Educational Service Agreements (“Service Agreements”), Namaste collects between 15-20% of the gross revenue derived from patient purchasing through referrals to Licensed Producers under NamasteMD. Namaste is presently partnered with over 10 Licensed Producers.

With Namaste’s medical cannabis “sales-only” license imminent, the Company anticipates a sharp increased revenue and margin with Cannmart booking full revenue amounts from patient ordering and the Company will aim to maintain a minimum of a 50% gross margin on cannabis products sold directly on its website.

Namaste operates over 30 e-commerce sites across the globe with over 1.5 Million customers. Integration of cannabis and consumable sales including CBD products into Namaste’s platform will propel the Company to become a global leader in the online retail of all things cannabis. The Company will launch the same strategy in leveraging its consumer databases along with its innovative technology platforms to expand NamasteMD and Cannmart’s model into international markets where Namaste maintains significant market share.

Management Commentary

Sean Dollinger, President, and CEO of Namaste comments: “We’re very pleased to announce the launch of NamasteMD in the Google Play Store. We have been overwhelmed by the acceleration rate of our registered users and anticipate seeing even faster growth having now received approval from Google. With approximately 50% of mobile phone users operating on Google Android devices, we are expecting to see patient numbers accelerate even quicker than we have experienced so far. NamasteMD is a key component of our strategy in developing Canada’s largest medical cannabis patient database and in launching cannabis sales in Canada and abroad. While the process of acquiring a medical cannabis prescription and onboarding with a Licensed Producer typically can take several days or weeks, Namaste will offer a fully-integrated platform for new patients to consult with a nurse practitioner and immediately be connected with Cannmart to order their product. We believe in bringing value to our patients through technological innovation and aim to set the highest standard for patient care going forward.”

About Namaste Technologies Inc.

Namaste Technologies is Your Everything Cannabis Store™. Namaste operates the largest global cannabis e-commerce platform with over 30 websites in 20+ countries under various brands. Namaste’s product offering through its subsidiaries includes vaporizers, glassware, accessories, CBD products, and the company will soon be selling medical cannabis in the Canadian market, subject to approval by Health Canada.

Namaste has developed and acquired innovative technology platforms including NamasteMD.com, Canada’s first Health Canada compliant telemedicine application, and in May 2018 the Company acquired a leading e-commerce AI and Machine Learning Company, Findify AB. Findify uses artificial intelligence algorithms to optimize and personalize a consumer’s on-site buying experience. Namaste is focused on leveraging its cutting-edge technology to enhance the user experience throughout its platforms. Namaste will continue to develop and acquire innovative technologies which will provide value to the Company and to its shareholders as well as to the broader cannabis market.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

“Sean Dollinger”

Chief Executive Officer

Direct: +1 (786) 389 9771

Email: [email protected]

Further information on the Company and its products can be accessed through the links below:

NamasteTechnologies.com

NamasteMD.com

NamasteVapes.ca

Everyonedoesit.ca

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This press release contains forward-looking information based on current expectations. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Although such statements are based on management’s reasonable assumptions, Namaste assumes no responsibility to update or revise forward-looking information to reflect new events or circumstances unless required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks including various risk factors discussed in the Company’s disclosure documents which can be found under the Company’s profile on www.sedar.com. This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The TSXV has neither reviewed nor approved the contents of this press release.

View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/namaste-announces-approval-of-namastemd-android-app-and-accelerates-patient-acquisition-in-anticipation-of-sales-license-300701963.html

Colleges Are Betting Big On The Multimillion-Dollar #Esports Market $GMBL $ATVI $TTWO $GAME $EPY.ca $TCEHF $Game.ca $EPY.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 3:17 PM on Thursday, August 23rd, 2018
  • Nearly 20% of academic programs are out at the University of Akron but competitive gaming is in as the school plans to build the world’s largest esports facility, which college officials see as a step forward, into the future.
  • “The University of Akron and its students will benefit significantly from the creation of an esports program,” former Akron President Matthew J. Wilson stated in a 2017 university news release announcing the addition of esports. “Embracing esports allows the University to continue attracting top students while providing an innovative pathway for students to flourish academically, socially and professionally.”

Josh Moody Contributor

The plan has been met with pushback — particularly from the Ohio Conference of the American Association of University Professors, which has suggested Akron is prioritizing video games over academics.

“It is as though you are saying: Well, we are bored with education so let’s play games instead,” wrote John T. McNay, president of the Ohio AAUP chapter in a letter to the university.

“So playing games is the same as educating Ohio’s students for life and careers,” a copy of the letter obtained by the Akron Beacon Journal said. “This shows a serious lack of judgment and indicates that you are violating the trust that has been placed in your hands for protecting and enhancing the University of Akron.”

Despite the controversy, Akron is pushing ahead — and it’s not alone. With esports surging, so are plans to capitalize on its popularity.

Southern New Hampshire University Students will be able to try out for the school’s new esports program this fall.

Ashland University announced a scholarship for Fortnite players earlier this year, joining dozens of other programs offering financial aid to competitive gamers, though ESPN reported it was the first for that specific game.

Hardly outliers in higher education these three universities are among the 80-plus schools in the U.S. and Canada that offer competitive gaming programs according to the National Association of Collegiate Esports. Founded in 2016 the nascent nonprofit counts more than 1,500 student competitors in its ranks with associated colleges doling out $9 million in gaming scholarships and related financial aid.

NACE member schools compete against one another on popular PC titles such as League of Legends, Overwatch, and Fortnite.

Scrawling through the NACE website turns up numerous schools with newly minted esports programs: Marietta College, Lackawanna College, Ohio Northern University, Northern Virginia Community College, and so on.

Colleges are investing in esports programs, hoping to tap into a potential market that has mushroomed in recent years.

Alongside traditional sports, ESPN now has a section of its website devoted to compeitive gaming. In 2015, ESPN dedicated an issue of its magazine to esports, noting that the League of Legends Championship in 2013 sold out the Staples Center and brought in another 27 million viewers almost as many as the combined audience for NBA finals (15.5 million) and the MLB World Series (13.8 million).

Only the NFL Super Bowl, with 112 million viewers attracted more eyeballs than the League of Legends Championship ESPN reported. By 2018, the livestreamed League of Legends Championship drew more than 360 million viewers, according to CNN.

Not content to just write about esports, ESPN also plans to broadcast live competitions on ABC, ESPN, ESPN 2 and Disney XD.

The Chronicle of Education reported that as Akron hacks academic programs, the university will pour $750,000 into three esports facilities and spend another $400,000 into program operating costs and $70,000 for game licenses and other associated costs. According to the Akron website, more than 5,200 square feet will be dedicated to competitive gaming at the varsity, club, and recreational levels. Akron said it will stock the space “with more than 90 state-of-the-art gaming PCs and 30 next-generation consoles.”

The nerve center for competition will be in a 1,222-square foot gaming area on the first floor of the Zips football stadium complete with a viewing area for spectators and broadcast studio.

While Akron may have more total space dedicated to esports, the University of California, Irvine was the first public college to build a gaming arena, opening a 3,500-square-foot-facility in 2016.

Other schools also have opened expansive arenas, such as the 4,000-square-foot facility at Tiffin University and a 3,000-square-foot space at Hawaii Pacific University.

Not to be outdone by Akron, Boise State University is expanding its current esports space to 6,400 square feet.

Robert Morris University Illinois was the first school to launch a varsity esports team back in 2014 and develop a gaming arena.

Earlier this year, Robert Morris program founder Kurt Melcher told the Chicago Tribune that it is just a matter of time before schools are building out esports arenas to attract coveted recruits, competing in the same type of arms race that colleges have long engaged in by developing bigger and better facilities for traditional spotlight programs such as football and basketball.

“I think we’ll see over time a facilities war similar to top-end athletic departments,” Melcher said. “It’s important to high-level players. What kind of access will they have to their (gaming) system? What is the system? Do they have to share it?”

In addition to top-notch facilities, some colleges are offering significant scholarship opportunities, such as $40,000 (over four years) at Schreiner University or $60,000 at Missouri Valley College, on the high end.

So far, it’s mostly small colleges getting in on the action. Comparatively, it’s far cheaper to dive into this emerging market than to develop more expensive traditional programs. The $750,000 Akron plans to spend to develop the largest college esports facility in the country is only a sliver of the cost to build football stadiums that run into hundreds of millions of dollars. Esports offers small schools a chance to level the playing field.

“There really was no perceived differences between larger and smaller schools,” Averett University President Tiffany M. Franks told the video game website Kotaku earlier this month. “We used machines that were comparable to other schools, and with everything based on network lag times (or ping rate), we saw no deficiencies on our end.”

I began writing about education in 2013 for a community newspaper and have been hooked on the topic ever since. I’m intrigued by the potential of higher education to shape futures and improve lives, but also by the challenges of affordability and access.

Read More: https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshmoody/2018/08/22/colleges-are-betting-big-on-the-multimillion-dollar-esports-market/#1c2e4bc72858

ThreeD Capital Inc. $IDK.ca Announces Completion of Oversubscribed Private Placement to Raise $1,322,000 $NSM.ca $PEEK.ca $CKR.ca $ZC.ca $PNP.ca $VQS.ca $NXJ.ca $KXS.ca $PFM.ca $HIVE.ca $BLOC.ca $CODE.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 11:23 AM on Thursday, August 23rd, 2018

Threed capital

  • Announced that it has completed a non-brokered private placement  announced on August 3, 2018, pursuant to which it has issued 13,220,000 units at a price of $0.10 per Unit, to raise aggregate gross proceeds of $1,322,000

TORONTO, Aug. 23, 2018 – ThreeD Capital Inc. (the “Company”) (CSE:IDK), a Canadian-based venture capital firm focused on investments in promising, early stage companies and ICOs with disruptive capabilities, is pleased to announce that it has completed a non-brokered private placement (the “Offering”) announced on August 3, 2018, pursuant to which it has issued 13,220,000 units (“Units”) at a price of $0.10 per Unit, to raise aggregate gross proceeds of $1,322,000.  Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company and one common share purchase warrant (a “Warrant”).  Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one additional common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.15 until August 23, 2021.

All securities issued and issuable in connection with the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period expiring on December 24, 2018.

Insiders of the Company subscribed for an aggregate of 2,350,000 Units pursuant to the Offering.  Proceeds of the Offering will be used for investment purposes and general working capital.

About ThreeD Capital Inc.

ThreeD is a publicly-traded Canadian-based venture capital firm focused on opportunistic investments in companies in the Junior Resources, Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain sectors. ThreeD seeks to invest in early stage, promising companies and ICOs where it may be the lead investor and can additionally provide investees with advisory services, mentoring and access to the Company’s ecosystem.

For further information:
Gerry Feldman, CPA, CA
Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary
[email protected]
Phone: 416-941-8900 ext 106

Tetra $TBP.ca submits multiple #cannabinoid applications to the #FDA $AERO $CBDS $CGRW $APH.ca $GBLX

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 8:22 AM on Thursday, August 23rd, 2018

Logo tetrabiopharma rgb web

  • Announced the submission of multiple applications for Orphan Drug Designation for cannabinoids to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
    • For the treatment of various forms of rare cancers and ocular diseases

OTTAWA, Aug. 23, 2018 — Tetra Bio-Pharma Inc. (“Tetra” or “TBP”), today announced the submission of multiple applications for Orphan Drug Designation for cannabinoids to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, for the treatment of various forms of rare cancers and ocular diseases. The applications align with Tetra’s strategy to develop cannabis prescription drug products for the treatment of several rare cancers and to expand its market exclusivity in the treatment of ocular diseases. If successful, the designation of cannabinoids as an Orphan Drug will open the door for fast track approval, tax credits on clinical research, and reduced registration fees, in addition to other opportunities. It further provides Tetra with a 7-year period of market exclusivity in the U.S.

Today’s announcement builds on previous milestones for Tetra in cancer, ocular disease and pain conditions.  In May 2017, Tetra announced its partnership with Panag Pharma to develop innovative cannabinoid-based prescription drugs for the treatment of ocular inflammatory and pain conditions.  The company also announced it submitted patent applications to expand its exclusivity for the development of pharmaceutical drug formulations to treat various forms of cancer and ocular disease.  This latter protection complements the intellectual property owned by Panag Pharma.

In March 2018, Tetra announced that the U.S. FDA granted an Orphan Drug Designation for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.  The company has expanded its regulatory activities in the USA to accelerate making cannabinoid-based prescription drugs accessible to patients.

“Managing rare forms of cancer presents a huge challenge for physicians,” said Dr. Guy Chamberland, M.Sc., Ph.D., interim CEO and Chief Scientific Officer of Tetra Bio-Pharma. “Our R&D team has submitted numerous Orphan Drug Designation applications to the FDA over the past 6 months, which not only holds promise to improve patient care but lines up with our corporate strategy to develop and commercialize cannabinoid prescription drug products for both rare cancers and ocular diseases in the United States.”

About Tetra Bio-Pharma
Tetra Bio-Pharma (TSX-V: TBP) (OTCQB: TBPMF) is a biopharmaceutical leader in cannabinoid-based drug discovery and development with a Health Canada approved, and FDA reviewed, clinical program aimed at bringing novel prescription drugs and treatments to patients and their healthcare providers. The Company has several subsidiaries engaged in the development of an advanced and growing pipeline of Bio Pharmaceuticals, Natural Health and Veterinary Products containing cannabis and other medicinal plant-based elements. With patients at the core of what we do, Tetra Bio-Pharma is focused on providing rigorous scientific validation and safety data required for inclusion into the existing bio pharma industry by regulators, physicians and insurance companies.

For more information visit: www.tetrabiopharma.com

Source: Tetra Bio-Pharma

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

Forward-looking statements
Some statements in this release may contain forward-looking information. All statements, other than of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future (including, without limitation, statements regarding potential acquisitions and financings) are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of the words “may”, “will”, “should”, “continue”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “believe”, “intend”, “plan” or “project” or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s ability to control or predict, that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, without limitation, the inability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing to execute the Company’s business plan; competition; regulation and anticipated and unanticipated costs and delays, the success of the Company’s research and development strategies, including the ability to obtain orphan drug status, the applicability of the discoveries made therein, the successful and timely completion and uncertainties related to the regulatory process, the timing of clinical trials, the timing and outcomes of regulatory or intellectual property decisions and other risks disclosed in the Company’s public disclosure record on file with the relevant securities regulatory authorities. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results or events not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. While no definitive documentation has yet been signed by the parties and there is no certainty that such documentation will be signed. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake an obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise unless required by applicable securities legislation.

For further information, please contact Tetra Bio-Pharma Inc.

Robert (Bob) Bechard
Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and Licensing
514-817-2514
[email protected]

Media Contact:
energi PR
Lana Power
[email protected]
514-288-8500 ext. 201
416-425-9143 ext. 201

Forrester: Video ad spending will hit $103B by 2023 #adtech $GOOD.ca $TTD $RUBI $AT.ca $TRMR $FUEL

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 11:16 AM on Wednesday, August 22nd, 2018

  • Online video viewers will exceed 200 million in 2018, while TV audiences will reach 258 million, according to Forrester’s new Video Advertising Forecast provided to Marketing Dive.
  • Video ad spending is also expected to grow from $91 billion in 2018 to $103 billion by 2023. The total share of video ad spending will increase from 21% in 2018 to 34% in 2023. The study notes that while display video will account for 82.7% of online video ad spending this year, the pace of growth for social video is fast, with a 20.8% compounded annual growth rate through 2023.
  • TV Everywhere is expected to grow from 89 million users in 2018 to 111 million in 2023, while virtual multichannel video programming distributor users will grow from 24.2 million this year to 44.3 million in 2023.

Dive Insight:

The new Forrester research underscores how marketers are continuing to shift their digital marketing budgets toward video as viewership increases. The need to diversify spending toward video has been a long time coming as people grow accustomed to watching programming on their own time and on the platforms and devices of their choice.

Online video streaming is especially popular among younger consumers like Gen Zers, as members of the generation report spending 4.2 hours per week streaming content, according to MNI Targeted Media. Gen Zers, more so than other generations, also don’t mind seeing ads to learn about new products as long as the ads are relevant, per MNI’s findings.

This sentiment is in line with another key finding of the Forrester research, which shows that two-thirds of viewers don’t mind watching video ads to access free content. Seventy-two percent of those polled said that they would rather watch shows on TV that contain ads immediately than wait for an ad-free version.

Ad-supported, free online video is booming, with nearly 194 million people watching in 2018. However, marketers may want to capture that audience now, as Forrester predicts that consumers’ tolerance for video ads will wane, while paid streaming will accelerate.

Forrester’s findings additionally help signal why marketers have been boosting their investments in channels like advanced TV. Fifty-eight percent of marketers are investing in over-the-top or connected TV, 44% in programmatic linear TV, 40% in addressable TV, 35% in data-enabled linear TV and 32% in set-top box VOD, according to Advertiser Perceptions’ 2018 Video Advertising Convergence Report.

However, Advertiser Perceptions also found that many marketers poorly blend their digital video and TV strategies: Just 53% of respondents plan the two strategies together, and only 40% buy bundles from multichannel providers.

Source: https://www.marketingdive.com/news/forrester-video-ad-spending-will-hit-103b-by-2023/530657/

#ESPN says #Esports is not a fad $GMBL $ATVI $TTWO $GAME $EPY.ca $TCEHF $Game.ca $EPY.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 10:25 AM on Wednesday, August 22nd, 2018

  • “Look, esports is not a fad,” Pitaro said to reporters in response to a question at ESPN Media Day last week in Bristol, Conn. “It’s not going anywhere. We believe it is ascending, and in the spirit of us attracting a younger audience, esports has got to be a priority of ours.”
New York Excelsior (L) play the Shanghai Dragons during the inaugural season of Overwatch League at Blizzard Arena on May 4, 2018 in Burbank, Calif. (David McNew/AFP/Getty Images)

In July, Disney signed a deal with Activision Blizzard to broadcast the Overwatch League Grand Finals on its ESPN channels. The first round of the finals aired at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 27, on ESPN — yes, primetime on the main ESPN channel. It was the first time competitive video gaming (or “esports”) aired on ESPN.

The ratings were tiny. Friday night’s first round on ESPN rated a 0.18 (and reached 215,000 households), or 20% lower than a Golden Boy Boxing lightweight bout on ESPN on the previous Friday night, and well below a typical MLS game on ESPN. Saturday night on ESPN2 rated a 0.05.

Nonetheless, ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro says ESPN is doubling down on esports.

“Look, esports is not a fad,” Pitaro said to reporters in response to a question at ESPN Media Day last week in Bristol, Conn. “It’s not going anywhere. We believe it is ascending, and in the spirit of us attracting a younger audience, esports has got to be a priority of ours.”

Indeed, broadcasting the Overwatch finals was not ESPN’s first foray into esports. In 2014, ESPN entered an agreement with esports tournament organizer Riot Games to show the League of Legends World Championship on its ESPN3 streaming network; in 2014 and 2015 ESPN3 showed the International Dota 2 Championships, plus a preview show on ESPN2; and in 2016 and 2017 ESPN2 aired the Street Fighter V World Championship, to name just a few instances.

While esports may still look niche, it has grown rapidly. In 2015, a League of Legends tournament sold out Madison Square Garden. The esports industry is expected to hit $905 million in revenue this year, a 38% increase from 2017’s $655 million, according to market research firm Newzoo.

And according to a Citi research note, total prize money for all esports events held in 2017 topped $100 million for the first time. The 2017 International eSports tournament had a total prize pool of $24.7 million, which Citi points out was twice as big as the total purse for golf’s 2017 Masters.

Pitaro also quibbled with the common definition of esports. “I think it’s helpful to look at esports as just a category within games,” he said. “My 15-year-old son spends a ton of time watching Ninja play Fortnite on Twitch. That’s not esports. People say it’s esports, but that’s not. That is a gaming influencer demonstrating his performance within a specific game. All of that is interesting to us. We’re not looking solely through the lens of esports. We’re looking through the games lens as an opportunity for us to do something that is relevant to a sports audience on ESPN.”

Source: https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/espn-says-esports-not-fad-124537864.html

Namaste $N.ca $NXTTF announces supply agreement with #Bonify and acquisition of over 14,000 registered users with #NamasteMD $VAPE $VPCO $MCIG $ABCN.ca $ACG.ca $ACB $WEED.ca $HIP.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 9:14 AM on Wednesday, August 22nd, 2018

  • Signed a wholesale supply agreement with Manitoba-based ACMPR Licensed producer, Bonify Inc.
  • Under the terms of the Supply Agreement, Namaste will purchase bulk cannabis products through the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Cannmart Inc

VANCOUVER, Aug. 22, 2018 – Namaste Technologies Inc. (“Namaste” or the “Company”) (TSXV: N) (FRANKFURT: M5BQ) (OTCMKTS: NXTTF) is pleased to announce that the Company has signed a wholesale supply agreement (the “Supply Agreement”) with Manitoba-based ACMPR Licensed producer, Bonify Inc. (“Bonify”). Under the terms of the Supply Agreement, Namaste will purchase bulk cannabis products through the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Cannmart Inc. (“Cannmart”).  Bonify operates a large-scale cultivation facility and will expand capacity to over 350,000 square-foot that will accommodate Namaste’s growth trajectory. Namaste will work with Bonify to develop private-label strains of cannabis for the medical and recreational markets as well as in offering the full selection of Bonify products.

Further to the Company’s August 13th news release, Cannmart completed its Health Canada Pre-Sales inspection on July 31st, 2018 and the receipt of its “sales-only” license will represent a major milestone for the Company. With Cannmart’s “sales-only” license imminent, and in order to accommodate the acceleration of NamasteMD’s (NamasteMD.com) database and with the launch of Canadian recreational cannabis sales pending, the Supply Agreement with Bonify will guarantee adequate supply to support Namaste’s demand.

Namaste is also pleased to announce that it has registered over 14,000 users in its online patient portal and mobile app, NamasteMD representing a 130% increase in registered users in approximately 2 months. With the latest launch of the NamasetMD app, the Company has streamlined the on-boarding process, improved conversion rates and has opened the app’s scheduling to accommodate appointments within 15 minutes from sign-up. The accelerated growth in patient acquisition which has taken place over the past two and a half months is extremely encouraging. Namaste anticipates seeing further acceleration once Cannmart’s sales license is received and cannabis sales are integrated within the platform.

The Company is also pleased with initial results from the launch of its patient feedback app, Uppy Strain Journal (“Uppy”), with over 11,000 downloads from its launch one month ago. Data collection through Uppy will drive machine learning algorithms that will be used in tandem with cannabis strain data to provide better strain recommendations for medical patients. By adding value for medical patients in an online environment, Namaste will achieve lower cost per patient acquisition, higher conversion rates, increased revenue and provide a better user experience.

Namaste’s e-commerce platform and technology will continue to drive innovation that will have a major impact on the way in which patients can access medical cannabis online. Namaste’s goal is to create the most comprehensive user experience possible by personalizing product and strain recommendations through integration of its AI technology, providing convenient access to healthcare practitioners through its patient portal, NamasteMD, and to drive cannabis sales through Cannmart.

Management Commentary

Dalbir Bains, President and CEO of Bonify comments: “We are thrilled to be partnering with the leading cannabis technology company in Canada.  We have witnessed firsthand the impact Namaste MD is having on patients by providing the most convenient and accessible health care experience regardless of whether you live in an urban or rural market thanks to its telehealth capabilities.  The addition of Cannmart, which is coming shortly, will truly complete the patient experience from symptom to diagnosis, from a health care practioner, to receiving a product that will improve the quality of the patient’s life.  This aligns with Bonify’s mission of improving the lives of our patients”.

Sean Dollinger, President and CEO of Namaste comments: “We’re very excited to be working with Bonify and their team. I was personally on-site at their facility in Winnipeg and was very impressed with their operations and the quality of their products. Bonify will be a strong supply partner for Namaste as they understand our vision and have significant capacity to support our growing patient network. We’re in a key position now where many of our efforts are coming together with our anticipated sales license at Cannmart. We’re looking forward to expanding on our relationship with Bonify in the future and are very excited to be seeing all of these pieces now coming together. The Agreement with Bonify will ensure supply availability for Namaste during a period going in to recreational legalization where many producers anticipate a supply shortage.

I’m very happy to see incredible results in our progress with NamasteMD and Uppy. These platforms will provide Namaste with long term value in domestic and international markets. We will continue to focus on developing our e-commerce platform to encompass everything cannabis. We’re very excited for the future, looking forward to receiving our sales license soon and in rolling-out Cannmart’s platform. We believe that Namaste will emerge as the dominant leader in cannabis e-commerce sales globally and have already established the infrastructure to achieve this goal.”

About Bonify Inc.

Bonify is a Canadian-owned Licensed Producer and leading provider of medical cannabis. By maximizing research findings and strictly adhering to best-in-class practices, quality standards and procedures, Bonify produces medical cannabis products to help individuals get the most out of life each and every day. With over 1,000,000 square feet of potential productive capacity at its present site in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, when at full scale, Bonify will be capable of growing over 100,000 kg of cannabis annually. For more information, visit www.bonify.com.

About Namaste Technologies Inc.

Namaste Technologies is Your Everything Cannabis Store™. Namaste operates the largest global cannabis e-commerce platform with over 30 websites in 20+ countries under various brands. Namaste’s product offering through its subsidiaries includes vaporizers, glassware, accessories, CBD products, and the company will soon be selling medical cannabis in the Canadian market, subject to approval by Health Canada.

Namaste has developed and acquired innovative technology platforms including NamasteMD.com, Canada’s first Health Canada compliant telemedicine application, and in May 2018 the Company acquired a leading e-commerce AI and Machine Learning Company, Findify AB. Findify uses artificial intelligence algorithms to optimize and personalize a consumer’s on-site buying experience. Namaste is focused on leveraging its cutting-edge technology to enhance the user experience throughout its platforms. Namaste will continue to develop and acquire innovative technologies which will provide value to the Company and to its shareholders as well as to the broader cannabis market.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

“Sean Dollinger”

Chief Executive Officer

Direct: +1 (604) 355 6100

Email: [email protected]

Further information on the Company and its products can be accessed through the links below:

NamasteTechnologies.com

NamasteMD.com

NamasteVapes.ca

Everyonedoesit.ca

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This press release contains forward-looking information based on current expectations. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Although such statements are based on management’s reasonable assumptions, Namaste assumes no responsibility to update or revise forward-looking information to reflect new events or circumstances unless required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks including various risk factors discussed in the Company’s disclosure documents which can be found under the Company’s profile on www.sedar.com. This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The TSXV has neither reviewed nor approved the contents of this press release.

View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/namaste-announces-supply-agreement-with-bonify-and-acquisition-of-over-14-000-registered-users-with-namastemd-300700862.html

#HPQ Closes $ 5,250,000 Financing $FSLR $SPWR $CSIQ $PYR.ca $XMG.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 3:33 PM on Tuesday, August 21st, 2018

Hpq large

  • Announced the closing of the previously announced financings totalling $ 5,250,000 with participation of the Quebec government
  • “Créativité Québec” program, via Investissement Québec (IQ), has subscribed to an unsecured Convertible Debenture for gross proceeds of $1,800,000
  • Net proceeds of  $1,713,622 was received by HPQ on August 20, 2018,

MONTREAL, Aug. 21, 2018 – HPQ Silicon Resources Inc (“HPQ”) (TSX Venture: HPQ) is pleased to announce the closing of the previously announced financings totalling $ 5,250,000 with participation of the Quebec government, via its “Créativité Québec” program, and PyroGenesis Canada Inc. (“PyroGenesis”).

Bernard J. Tourillon, Chairman and CEO of HPQ Silicon stated, “Closing these financings, at more than a 40% premium to present market price, is a tangible validation that both the Quebec Government and PyroGenesis believe in the innovative potential of our PUREVAPtm QRR process.  With these financings earmarked for the completion of our pilot equipment project closed, our objective going forward will be delivering on the Gen3 PUREVAP™ Pilot Plant phase with our “Solar Silicon Team” as well as building market awareness of our progress, plans and success.”

$5,250,000 FINANCING SALIENT POINTS

The Quebec government, through its “Créativité Québec” program, via Investissement Québec (IQ), has subscribed to an unsecured Convertible Debenture for gross proceeds of $1,800,000.  Net proceeds of  $1,713,622 was received by HPQ on August 20, 2018, after deductions of filing studies fees and legal fees emanating from IQ lawyers for the due diligence review.

The 5-year Convertible Debenture matures on August 20, 2023 and bears interest at a rate of 5% per annum. The interest payment can be accrued, at the Company’s option, up to the term of the Debenture.  IQ will have the right, at anytime, to convert the Debenture into common shares of HPQ at a price of $0.12 per share.  IQ may also, at the date of the conversion of the capital into shares, convert the accrued interest payable in shares of HPQ, subject to the approval of the TSX-Venture and the conversion price for the payment of the accrued interest will be established in accordance with the policies of the TSX-Venture.

HPQ will be allowed to proceed with an early repayment of the Debenture, capital and accrued interest, 36 months after the issuance of the debenture, subject to the payment to IQ by HPQ of a redemption premium equal to a compounded annual return of 20% on the capital of the Debenture.

Concurrent to the issuance of the Debenture, HPQ issued to IQ 15,000,000 Warrants, each Warrant entitling IQ to purchase one common share of the capital stock of HPQ at an exercise price of $ 0.17, for a period of 36 months from the close.  The Debenture, the warrants and any stock issuance emanating from the Debenture and or warrant exercise will be subject to a holding period until December 20, 2018.

HPQ has closed the 16,250,000 units (“Unit”) at $0.12 per Unit private placement with PyroGenesis for a gross and net proceeds of $1,950,000.  Each Unit is comprised of one (1) common share and one (1) common share purchase warrant (“Warrant”) of the Company.  Each Warrant will entitle Pyrogenesis to purchase one common share of the capital stock of the Company at an exercise price of $ 0.17 for a period of 36 months from the date of closing of the placement. Each share issued pursuant to the placement will be subject to a holding period until December 20, 2018.

The TSX venture exchange (TSX-V) has conditionally approved the $ 1,500,000 Equity Line of credit PyroGenesis has granted to HPQ.  The equity line of credit can only be used to cover unexpected project cost overruns that could potentially occur after then end of planned test period in 2019 until December 31, 2020.

To be acceptable under the terms of the Equity Line of Credit, Cost Overruns shall be considered as such by both Parties and approved before they are incurred.  Upon approval, HPQ must send a written thirty days (30) notice of it’s intent to drawdown the Equity Line of Credit to pay for the Cost Overruns.  Once the approved work is completed, PyroGenesis shall remit to HPQ an invoice covering the completed work and HPQ will organize the payment of the invoice by means of issuance of common shares of its capital stock, as prescribed by TSX Venture Exchange policies, for a number of shares totalling the amount of the applicable invoice at an issuance price equal to the share quote on the invoice date, less a ten percent (10%) discount.

This Press Release Is Available On The Company’s CEO Verified Discussion Forum, A Moderated Social Media Platform That Enables Civilized Discussion and Q&A Between Management and Shareholders.    https://agoracom.com/ir/HPQ-SiliconResources/forums/discussion

About HPQ Silicon

HPQ Silicon Resources Inc. is a TSX-V listed resource company planning to become a vertically integrated and diversified High Purity, Solar Grade Silicon Metal (SoG Si) producer and a manufacturer of multi and monocrystalline solar cells of the P and N types, required for production of high performance photovoltaic conversion.

HPQ goal is to develop, in collaboration with industry leaders that are experts in their fields of interest, the innovative metallurgical PUREVAPTM “Quartz Reduction Reactors (QRR)” process (patent pending), which will permit the transformation and purification of quartz (SiO2) into high purity silicon metal (Si) in one step and reduce by a factor of at least two-third (2/3) the steps required to transform quartz (SiO2) into SoG Si. The pilot plant equipment that will validate the commercial potential of the process is on schedule for an end 2018 start.

Disclaimers:

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words “may”, “plan”, “will”, “estimate”, “continue”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “expect”, “in the process” and other similar expressions which constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current expectation and assumptions, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, our expectations regarding the acceptance of our products by the market, our strategy to develop new products and enhance the capabilities of existing products, our strategy with respect to research and development, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product development, and uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process. Such statements reflect the current views of the Company with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and other risks detailed from time-to-time in the Company’s on-going filings with the securities regulatory authorities, which filings can be found at www.sedar.com. Actual results, events, and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements either as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information contact
Bernard J. Tourillon, Chairman, President and CEO Tel (514) 907-1011
Patrick Levasseur, COO Tel: (514) 262-9239
www.HPQSilicon.com

Jaro Education CEO asserts #India needs a dedicated framework for online #education $BTRU.ca $ARCL $CPLA $BPI $FC.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 10:11 AM on Tuesday, August 21st, 2018
  • Online education made its debut in the early-to-mid-2000s
  • It is still evolving, as education technology companies are connecting schools and students from all over the country onto a single platform

by Sanjay Verma in Education News

The education sector of India is currently an amalgamation of maximas and minimas. Somewhere in a remote Indian village, a 10-year-old paathshala student is struggling to learn about the Mauryan Empire through tattered NCERT books. On the other hand, a private school student in Delhi has an encyclopedia and a projector at his disposal to look up the Mauryan Empire in-depth. These maximas and minimas can be normalized through online education. It is needed especially in higher studies, suggests Jaro Education CEO, Sanjay Salunkhe.

Luckily, online education made its debut in the early-to-mid-2000s. It is still evolving, as education technology companies are connecting schools and students from all over the country onto a single platform. Courses that you once had to enroll in a distant campus, in a different state, are now available online.

The Jaro Education CEO, and Sarvesh Agarwal (Internshala CEO) agree that it’s boosting higher studies the most. The cost of traditional education has gone up more than 175% of what it was in 2008. The costs of online courses are much lower and the curriculum is more expanded. In some of the courses, students get to question experts themselves.

There’s also the factor of flexibility. A working professional can opt for online classes on weekends that saves him/her time. In some cases, like Jaro Education’s International Executive MBA, students can join a course from a foreign university and avail its valuable degree. Skype sessions and online classrooms are helpful for the teachers as they have flexible teaching timings and can earn more per day than teaching in a classroom. Students who sign up for the online classes are serious about their education too.

Online education is still not widespread, majorly due to the attitude of both the students and parents. They see it as a risky channel for learning. You can blame it on the lack of infrastructure that poorly manages virtual classrooms and educative online platforms.

Although India has over 409 million internet users, the average bandwidth of India is only 6.5 Mbps. This is lower than the global average of 7.2 Mbps. Hence, students will always find problems streaming hour long videos. To compensate the video speed, low settings are applied, garbling information in the process.

Imagine management professionals from tribal areas of Chhattisgarh that are usually disconnected from the outside world. “Sure, the Digital India movement is making things easier, but the country needs a dedicated framework to push online learning”, suggests Sanjay Salunkhe. The government needs to take a special interest in establishing virtual classrooms and promoting online education. No village should be left behind.

Source: https://newshour.press/education-news/jaro-education-ceo-asserts-india-needs-dedicated-framework-online-education/

‘It’s absolutely electric’: #Dota 2’s The International brings elite #Esports spectacle to Vancouver $GMBL $ATVI $TTWO $GAME $EPY.ca $TCEHF $Game.ca $EPY.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 9:42 AM on Tuesday, August 21st, 2018

Tournament draws best pro Dota 2 teams from around the world for a $30M-plus esports event

Matthew Black · CBC News

Members of Team Liquid celebrate with the Aegis trophy after winning the 2017 edition of The International and more than $10 million US in prize money. (Valve / Flickr)

  • Rock stars, a struggling hockey club and plenty of entertainers have found out the hard way that filling Rogers Arena isn’t easy for one night, let alone six.
  • But on Monday, the Canucks’ home will open its doors and usher in thousands of raucous fans of the video game Dota 2, an event akin to the Super Bowl of esports.

They’ll be there for the main event of The International: a six-day, all-day professional esports event pitting 16 teams of the world’s best Dota 2 players against each other in a $30-plus million tournament that will draw thousands of viewers in person and millions more online.

It’s the pinnacle of competition for a video game with an estimated 10 million active players worldwide, drawn by the game’s blend of fantasy, strategy, and teamwork.

The game has a rabid fanbase that invests hours of time and millions of dollars, crowdfunding almost all of the big money prize pool. ​​

Vancouver’s Kurtis ‘Aui_2000’ Ling is former winner of The International, capturing the 2015 title and with it, a cut of the $6.6 million US first place prize money.

Fans filled Seattle’s Key Arena for the 2015 edition of The International. This week’s event is expected to draw six days worth of similar crowds to Vancouver’s Rogers Arena. (Jason Redmond / Reuters)

Dota is an incredibly hard game to get into. But once you get down to understanding it, the strategical depth of the game is so high, and it’s incredibly exciting to watch,” he said.

“But at the same time, if I was a new spectator I wouldn’t have any idea what was going on either.”

If you’re one of those new fans, here’s some of what you need to know about The International and Dota 2.

Announcers, referred to as casters, provide commentary and analysis during game play. (Jason Redmond / Reuters)

What is Dota 2?

Here come the acronyms.

Dota 2 is a multiplayer online battle arena game, or MOBA. In the game, two teams of five players each select characters and battle across a virtual landscape in an effort to destroy each other’s base, referred to as an ancient.

Characters from the video game Dota 2 developed by Valve Corporation. Vancouver will play host to the game’s top tournament, The International, for the first time this month. (Valve Corporation)

Dota itself is an acronym for Defense of the Ancients, and as the name implies, Dota 2 was launched as a sequel to the original Dota.

One more: The International is the event’s formal name, but most there will call simply call it TI. Vancouver is hosting the eighth edition of the tournament, so this one is known informally as TI8.

“It’s absolutely electric,” said Ling of The International. “There’s so many people from all over the world who are just there to watch you play video games. It’s insane.”

Fans holding the flag of the People’s Republic of China cheer for CDEC Gaming during the 2015 grand finals at The International. (Jason Redmond / Reuters)

Isn’t it boring watching other people play video games?

In your living room, it probably is. But, at a tournament setting inside a NHL arena, it’s a true sporting spectacle.

“The crowd is really nice. Everyone in that arena wants to see good Dota so if you display good Dota, people are going to be happy about it,”  said Artour ‘Arteezy’ Babaev, a Vancouver-raised TI veteran at just 22 years old.

Matches play out with teams each sheltered in transparent soundproof booths positioned roughly where centre ice would be at a hockey game.

Fans watch and react as the action unfolds live on the view screens above.

“The only thing you can really hear is the vibration of the crowd,” said Babaev of playing amid the pressure-packed TI atmosphere.

“It’s muffled a bit, but you hear the vibration.”

“The audience’s energy actually shakes the booth. It’s crazy,” said Kurtis ‘Aui_2000’ Ling of competing at TI. (Jason Redmond / Reuters)

Most matches at TI’s main event will be best of three games, with Saturday’s grand finals between the final two teams contested as a best of five.

No one has won The International twice, meaning a TI victory carries with it a singular prestige in the gaming world.

Cosplayers dressed as Dota 2 characters are part of the spectacle at The International. (Valve / Flickr)

Who will local fans be cheering for in this?

Some teams are made up of players solely from one country or region, so national flags are a common sight in the stands.

Some players have massive social media followings and are the rock stars of the tournament.

For hometown fans, there will be five Canadians at TI’s main event this week — two players and three coaches — including B.C.’s Ling and Babaev.

  • Artour ‘Arteezy’ Babaev — raised in Vancouver’s West End, Babaev will be competing in his fifth TI, this time with Evil Geniuses.
  • Kurtis ‘Aui_2000’ Ling — winner of TI5, he’s at this year’s tournament as a coach for Fnatic.
  • Jacky ‘EternaLEnVy’ Mao — an Ontario player competing for Fnatic who’s playing in his fifth trip TI.
  • Aaron ​’Clairvoyance’ Kim — a Korean-born, Toronto-raised coach who will be at his second TI, this time working for VGJ.Storm.
  • Sivatheeban “1437” Sivanathapillai  — a Toronto-based gamer who’s a veteran of five TIs as player and will be coaching TNC Predator

Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/theinternational2018-ti8-comes-to-vancouver-1.4774658