Sign Up NowThis Month's Tiny Gems - July 2021

AmpliTech Group Inc. (NASDAQ: AMPG)
Energy Fuels Inc. (NYSE American: UUUU) (TSX: EFR)
FingerMotion Inc. (OTCQX: FNGR)
Infobird Co., Ltd (NASDAQ: IFBD)
Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (NASDAQ: LEXX) (CSE: LXX)
Net Element (NASDAQ: NETE)
Save Foods Inc. (NASDAQ: SVFD)
Splash Beverage Group Inc. (NYSE American: SBEV)
SRAX Inc. (NASDAQ: SRAX)
VistaGen Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: VTGN)
Vivos Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: VVOS)

 

Featured Company

Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (NASDAQ: LEXX) (CSE: LXX)

 

Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (NASDAQ: LEXX) (CSE: LXX) is a global innovator in drug delivery platforms. The company's patented technology, DehydraTECH™, improves the way active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) enter the bloodstream by promoting healthier oral ingestion methods and increasing the effectiveness of fat-soluble active molecules. DehydraTECH promotes fast-acting, less expensive and more effective oral drug delivery and has been thoroughly evaluated through in vivo, in vitro and human clinical testing.

 

DehydraTECH is covered by 19 issued and more than 50 pending patents in over 40 countries around the world. Lexaria's first patent was issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in October 2016 (US 9,474,725 B1), providing 20 years of patent protection expiring June 2034. Multiple patents have been awarded since then and are expected in the future.

 

AmpliTech Group Inc. (NASDAQ: AMPG)

AmpliTech Group Inc. (NASDAQ: AMPG) (NASDAQ: AMPGW) designs, develops and manufactures custom radio frequency (RF) components for the commercial, SATCOM, space and military markets. In addition to developing new products for the 5G/6G wireless ecosystem and infrastructure, the company has placed focus on the development of leading-edge solutions in quantum computing in support of U.S. efforts to reach the coveted position of quantum supremacy. The company maintains a commitment to R&D that allows it to remain at the forefront of emerging technologies. AmpliTech aims to use its advanced techniques and IP to provide tomorrow's technology today, improving everyone's quality of life.

AmpliTech was founded by Fawad Maqbool in 2002 to fill the need for affordable, high-quality, customized and state-of-the-art amplifiers and components. Headquartered in Bohemia, New York, the company currently has distributors and representatives available worldwide.

Product Portfolio

AmpliTech's mission is to develop quality, state-of-the-art microwave amplifiers by leveraging its experience, proven technical expertise and superior design heritage. The company's products cover a frequency range from 50 kHz to 44 GHz, with plans to eventually offer designs up to 100 GHz. Its current catalog includes:

Amplifiers

Passive Components

All the company's products come with a satisfaction guarantee, as the company is fully committed to providing only high-quality products free from manufacturing and material defects and guaranteed to perform according to applicable specifications.

Consulting Services

Leveraging more than 100 years of combined experience in microwave systems and component design ranging from active components to passive devices, AmpliTech also provides valuable consulting services and technical assistance to its customers.

With capabilities ranging from initial design to final manufacturing and delivery, the company's team also offers project management services and advice on both technical aspects and how to handle business issues such as resource allocation, customer contact, budget restraints, time limits and more.

Other key benefits of AmpliTech consulting services that can give its customers a definitive edge include:

  • Timely technical assistance
  • Little or no learning curve
  • Less long-term costs associated with full-time employees with benefits and salaries
  • Availability when necessary
  • Customer support with schedules, project management and on the job training
  • Access to technology
  • Partnering for manufacturing and/or complete turn-key product solution
  • Personal guidance from concept to development
  • Custom designs for each application

Market Outlook

The global microwave devices market was valued at $7.44 billion in 2019 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.23% and reach $9 billion by 2025 (https://nnw.fm/zqMEk). Governmental expenditures in the defense and space communications sectors are expected to expand the opportunities for growth within the industry.

AmpliTech continues to follow its strategy of identifying key elements in today's technological revolution. It is leveraging its technical expertise and experience to align product portfolios and IP with innovation (https://nnw.fm/rVzxX). The company has plans to be a catalyst in the enhancement, development and distribution of breakthroughs in the following sizeable markets:

  • High Speed Terrestrial and Satellite Terminals (SATCOM, "Internet in the Sky")
  • 5G/Wi-Fi6E and 6G wireless infrastructure (Cellular Base Stations, Small Cells, Private Wi-Fi Networks)
  • IoT (Internet of Things)
  • Cloud Farms, Big Data and MEC architecture
  • Quantum Supercomputers/Quantum Research
  • Deep Space Astronomy
  • Autonomous Self-Driving Vehicles
  • Telemedicine, AR/VR (Augmented and Virtual Reality)
  • Drones, UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles)
  • Cyber-security
  • Military/Defense ECM/EW

Management Team

Fawad Maqbool is the Founder, President, CEO and CTO of AmpliTech Group Inc. He has been in the microwave industry for over 30 years. Mr. Maqbool spent 14 years developing state-of-the-art amplifiers and components for MITEQ Inc., a leading microwave and communications equipment supplier. He founded AmpliComm in 2000, which was subsequently acquired by Aeroflex Inc. Mr. Maqbool has management and design experience, which has led to the development of microwave technology on a commercial and military level. He holds a B.S.E.E in Microwave Engineering and a B.S.E.E in Bio-Medical Engineering from CUNY and an M.S.E.E from the Polytechnic University of New York.

Louisa Sanfratello is the company's CFO. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and has worked in various industries since 1998. During this time, she held roles as an accountant for charities and schools, consisting of the preparation of official financial documents and day-to-day financial management requirements. Ms. Sanfratello began her professional career in 1987 at Holtz, Rubinstein & Co., a public accounting firm. She gathered two years of experience there before gaining her CPA and taking on more challenging roles.

Brandon Worster is the company's Director of Engineering. He joined AmpliTech at the end of 2019, bringing over 14 years of design and management experience. His specialty is Low Noise and Medium Power Amplifiers, but Mr. Worster also has vast experience with various systems, including RF/Microwave devices and systems. He holds a master's degree in electrical engineering and is an adjunct professor at Farmingdale University in New York.

John P. Pastore is AmpliTech's Director of Sales. He has worked in the microwave industry for more than 35 years, including time with some of the industry's leading names. Mr. Pastore is a hands-on professional who has experience that spans over 20 years with progressive roles that blend technical, manufacturing, customer service and management expertise. He is an extremely valuable asset to the company as it moves forward due to his business savvy approach and deep industry knowledge. He has a B.S. in Business Management.

M. Syed handles Technical Sales and is the company's Director of IT. He is an electrical engineer with more than 10 years of business experience. Since 2011, he has led Technical Sales for AmpliTech, and he recently became the President and CEO of his own company while also serving as Chief Technical Sales consultant for numerous other companies and groups in New York City. Mr. Syed has been in the IT industry for 25 years. He is a Computer Engineer by trade and a Certified Netware Engineer and Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer.

Energy Fuels Inc. (NYSE American: UUUU) (TSX: EFR)

Energy Fuels Inc. (NYSE American: UUUU) (TSX: EFR), based in Lakewood, Colorado, is the country's largest producer of uranium and the leading conventional producer of vanadium, both designated by the U.S. government as critical minerals. Energy Fuels is also making progress entering the rare earth element production business.

As the leading U.S. diversified uranium miner, Energy Fuels' uranium production portfolio stands apart in the world. Energy Fuels has more uranium production facilities, more production capacity, and more in-ground resources than any other company in the United States. In fact, the company's assets have produced over one-third of all U.S. uranium over the past 15 years and is uniquely positioned to increase production to meet new demand.

Energy Fuels utilizes both conventional and in-situ recovery ("ISR") technology to produce uranium from three strategic facilities:

  • White Mesa Mill in Utah (conventional) has a licensed capacity of over 8 million pounds of U3O8 per year. The highly strategic White Mesa Mill is the only conventional uranium mill in the country and is proximate to some of the largest and highest-grade uranium mines and projects in the U.S., including the Company's Canyon mine, La Sal Complex, Henry Mountains Complex and Roca Honda Project. White Mesa Mill provides Energy Fuels with significant production scalability as uranium demand increases. The White Mesa Mill also has other diverse businesses, including vanadium, rare earth elements (REE's), alternate feed materials recycling and land cleanup, all described below.
  • Nichols Ranch Plant (ISR) is located in the productive Powder River Basin district of Wyoming and has a total licensed capacity of 2 million pounds of U3O8 per year. Nichols Ranch has produced 1.2 million pounds of U3O8 since commissioning in 2014, and it has significant future expansion potential from 34 fully licensed wellfields containing significant in-ground uranium resources.
  • Alta Mesa Plant (ISR) is located on over 200,000 acres of private land in Texas. The fully licensed and constructed ISR project has a total operating capacity of 1.5 million pounds of uranium per year and produced nearly 5 million pounds of U3O8 between 2005 and 2013. This low-cost production facility is currently on standby, maintained in a state of readiness to respond to expected increases in demand.

In addition to being the largest uranium miner in the U.S., Energy Fuels' overall portfolio also includes a pipeline of high-quality, large-scale exploration and development projects that are permitted or are in advanced stages of permitting, as well as an industry-leading U.S. NI 43-101 Mineral Resource portfolio.

FACTOID: Energy Fuels has led industry efforts over the past two-plus years to get the U.S. government to recognize the importance of domestically produced uranium, including the 2018 – 2019 Uranium Section 232, the ongoing Nuclear Fuel Working Group and the recently announced creation of the U.S. strategic uranium reserve. The U.S. is by far the largest consumer of uranium in the world, yet we import almost all of our requirements; Energy Fuels aims to change that.

Nuclear Market Potential

Multiple studies in top scientific journals have shown that nuclear power is cleanest and most economical way to produce reliable electricity as worldwide demand continues to soar. Nuclear power is presently the only available and affordable low-carbon power source that can meet both current and future baseload electricity demands while simultaneously reducing air pollution and mitigating climate change. U.S. nuclear power plants currently generate nearly 20% of the nation's electricity overall and 55% of its carbon‐free electricity and even a modest increase in electricity demand would require significant new nuclear capacity by 2025. According to the World Nuclear Association (WNA), there are currently 441 operable reactors, with another 54 units under construction and 439 in various stages of planning; in addition, the WNA has identified a potentially massive supply/demand gap through 2040 of 1 billion pounds. These factors among others are expected to significantly drive increased demand for uranium.

Reasons Nuclear is Gaining Traction

  • Nuclear reactors emit no greenhouse gases during operation. Over their full lifetimes, they result in comparable emissions to renewable forms of energy such as wind and solar.
  • Unlike any other form of energy, the waste from nuclear energy is contained and managed securely. Used fuel is currently being safely stored for ultimate disposal or future reprocessing, and 96% of this waste can potentially be recycled.
  • Greater demand for clean electricity to power everything from homes to automobiles, reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

No. 1 U.S. Producer of Vanadium in 2019

Energy Fuels also produces vanadium as a byproduct of uranium production. Vanadium is designated a critical mineral, essential to the economic and national security of the United States. Energy Fuels was the largest producer of vanadium in the U.S. in 2019, and has significant high-grade, in-ground vanadium resources, as well as a separate high-purity vanadium production circuit at their White Mesa Mill, which is also the only conventional vanadium mill in the country. Crucial for use in the steel, aerospace, and chemical industries, vanadium plays a critical role in the production of high-strength and light-weight metallic alloys and demand is expected to increase across the globe.

Energy Fuels has several fully permitted and developed standby mines containing large quantities of high-grade vanadium, along with uranium, including:

  • La Sal Complex (Utah)
  • Whirlwind Mine (Colorado/Utah)
  • Rim Mine (Colorado)

Vanadium has also gained increased attention as a catalyst in next-generation high-capacity, "community-scale" batteries used for energy storage generated from renewable sources. Demand is only expected to grow as this market expands. With recent upgrades in its vanadium production operations, in 2019 Energy Fuels produced commercial levels of the highest purity (99.7%) vanadium in the mill's history and can rapidly adjust production to meet volatile market conditions. Energy Fuels is one of the very few known avenues that provides investors access the vanadium market.

Rare Earth Element (REE) Production, Alternate Feed Material Recycling, and Land Cleanup

The White Mesa Mill also provides the company with diverse cashflow generating opportunities. Security of supply for Rare Earth Elements (REEs) supporting U.S. military and defense requirements is a major issue today. Energy Fuels has been approached by a number of entities, including the U.S. government, inquiring about the potential to process certain REEs at the mill. The White Mesa Mill is currently licensed to process certain REEs, including tantalum and niobium. And, early indications are that the mill can be utilized to produce several other REEs. The White Mesa Mill is also the only facility in North America licensed and capable of recycling alternate feed materials (AFMs). AFMs are essentially low-level waste materials that contain recoverable quantities of natural (or unenriched) uranium. The Company typically generates between $5 and $15 million per year from AFM recycling. Finally, Energy Fuels is seeking to become involved in the cleanup of legacy Cold War era uranium mines in the Four Corners region of the U.S., including on the Navajo Nation. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has access to over $1.5 billion for the cleanup of just a fraction of the sites on the Navajo Nation. The White Mesa Mill is fully licensed to receive much of this material, we are one of the government's lowest cost options, and we have the ability to recycle the material and produce usable uranium from it.

Management Team

Mark S. Chalmers, President and CEO
Mark S. Chalmers is the president and chief executive officer of Energy Fuels, a position he has held since Feb. 1, 2018, following his role as chief operating officer of Energy Fuels from July 1, 2016 – Jan. 31, 2018. From 2011 to 2015, Chalmers served as executive general manager of Production for Paladin Energy Ltd., a uranium producer with assets in Australia and Africa, including the Langer Heinrich and Kayelekera mines where, as head of operations, he oversaw sustained, significant increases in production while reducing operating costs. He also possesses extensive experience in in situ recovery ("ISR") uranium production, including management of the Beverley Uranium Mine owned by General Atomics (Australia), and the Highland mine owned by Cameco Corporation (USA). Chalmers has also consulted to several of the largest players in the uranium supply sector, including BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, and Marubeni, and until recently served as the chair of the Australian Uranium Council, a position he held for 10 years. Chalmers is a registered professional engineer and holds a Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering from the University of Arizona.

W. Paul Goranson, COO
W. Paul Goranson is the chief operating officer for Energy Fuels. Goranson has 30 years of mining, processing and regulatory experience in the uranium extraction industry that includes both conventional and in-situ recovery ("ISR") mining, and he is a registered professional engineer. Prior to the acquisition by Energy Fuels of Uranerz Energy Corporation, Goranson served as president, chief operating officer and director for Uranerz, where he was responsible for operations of the Nichols Ranch ISR Uranium Project. In addition to those duties, he also managed uranium marketing, regulatory and government affairs, exploration and land. Prior to joining Uranerz, Goranson served as president of Cameco Resources, where he led the operations at the Smith Ranch-Highland, Crow Butte and North Butte ISR uranium recovery facilities. Goranson also served as vice president of Mesteña Uranium LLC, and he has served in senior positions with Rio Algom Mining, (a subsidiary of BHP Billiton), and Uranium Resource Inc. Goranson has a Bachelor of Science in Natural Gas Engineering from Texas A&I University, and a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering from Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

David C. Frydenlund, CFO, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary
David C. Frydenlund is chief financial officer, general counsel, and corporate secretary of Energy Fuels. His responsibilities include oversight of all legal matters relating to the company's activities. His expertise extends to NRC, EPA, state and federal regulatory and environmental laws and regulations. From 1997 to 2012, Frydenlund was vice president of regulatory affairs, general counsel and corporate secretary of Denison Mines Corp., and its predecessor International Uranium Corporation ("IUC"). He also served as a director of IUC from 1997 to 2006 and CFO of IUC from 2000 to 2005. From 1996 to 1997, Frydenlund was vice president of the Lundin Group of international public mining and oil and gas companies, and prior thereto was a partner with the Vancouver law firm of Ladner Downs (now Borden Ladner Gervais) where his practice focused on corporate, securities and international mining transactions law. Frydenlund holds a bachelor's degree in business and economics from Simon Fraser University, a master's degree in economics and finance from the University of Chicago and a law degree from the University of Toronto.

Curtis H. Moore, Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Development
Curtis H. Moore is the vice president of Marketing and Corporate Development for Energy Fuels. He oversees product marketing for Energy Fuels, and is closely involved in mergers & acquisitions, investor relations, public relations, and corporate legal. He has been with Energy Fuels for over 12 years, holding various roles of increasing responsibility. Prior to joining Energy Fuels, Moore worked in multi-family real estate development, government relations and public affairs, production homebuilding, and private law practice. Moore is a licensed attorney in the State of Colorado. He holds Juris Doctor and MBA degrees from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and a Bachelor of Arts dual degree in Economics-Government from Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California.

FingerMotion Inc. (OTCQX: FNGR)

FingerMotion Inc. (OTCQX: FNGR) is an evolving technological company with core competencies in mobile payment and recharge platform solutions in China. FingerMotion is in the process of developing additional value-added technologies to market to users.

Founded in 2016, FingerMotion's goal is to serve over a billion users in the Chinese market and expand its model to other regional markets. The company has offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai and New York City.

Current Offerings

FingerMotion is analyzing and transforming mobile data to improve the lifestyle of the public through technology and innovation. The company's current offerings include:

  • Telecommunications Products and Services – FingerMotion's proprietary universal exchange platform, 'PigeonHole Integration System (PIS)', offers seamless integration between telecom operators and online stores. The service platform's offerings include top up and recharge, data plan, mobile phone, loyalty points redemption and subscription plans. The platform offers reliable and secure transactions, real-time reconciliation, simple integration for partners and efficient settlements.
  • SMS and MMS Services – The integrated platform is registered as FingerMotion's IP in China and provides a robust back-end control panel for corporate partners to manage their own messaging settings. FingerMotion's clients range from insurance to financial industries, ecommerce firms, airlines and more. The platform offers competitive pricing for partners and provides quick and efficient review to meet timely marketing initiatives.
  • Big Data Insights – FingerMotion brings Big Data-enabled insurance solutions through its Big Data Insights arm, Sapientus. The company's strategic partnerships with the largest Chinese telecommunications giants allow access to uncover behavior insights through geolocation and mobile data usage. Its Big Data offerings include risk scoring, precise marketing, simplified underwriting and customized products.
  • Rich Communication Services (RCS) – FingerMotion's RCS platform will be a proprietary business messaging solution that enables businesses and brands to communicate their services to customers via 5G infrastructure. The company expects its RCS platform to offer a better user experience, more efficiency and cost-effectiveness when compared to other solutions.

Telecommunications and Insurtech Markets

The global telecommunications market was valued at $1.74 trillion in 2019 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5% from 2020 to 2027. The steady increase is expected to be driven by the adoption of 5G and the increased popularity of Internet of Things (IoT) applications.

The Chinese telecom market was valued at $254.1 billion in 2017 and is also constantly expanding. The current Chinese telecom market is dominated by three mobile operators – China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom, which together are responsible for around 1.6 billion active subscribers (https://ibn.fm/zfwy9).

In addition, the insurtech (insurance technology) market was valued at $2.72 billion globally in 2020 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 48.8% from 2021 to 2028. The large increase is attributed to the rising use of technology solutions for everyday activities like acquiring insurance coverage (https://ibn.fm/TGo7D).

Through its proprietary platforms and technologies, FingerMotion is uniquely positioned to capitalize on the telecom and insurtech markets' growth and opportunities.

Management Team

Martin J. Shen is the Chief Executive Officer of FingerMotion Inc. He has over 15 years of experience in senior management roles within entrepreneurial startups and large multinational corporations. He has acquired a wide range of corporate management, financial oversight and operation administration expertise through these roles. In his most recent role, he founded Imperial Distributors (formerly known as AP Martin Pharmaceutical Supplies Ltd.), establishing the company as the preferred choice for distributional support to regional pharmacies throughout Western Canada. Before founding Imperial, Mr. Shen served as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at Wales and Son Industrial (formerly Weir Minerals), a firm specializing in global delivery and support for mining slurry equipment. He began his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Vancouver, with work tours in the tax department in Singapore and the tax audit and advisory group in Hong Kong. Mr. Shen is a U.S. Certified Public Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of British Columbia.

Lee Yew Hon is the company's Chief Financial Officer. From 2006 until November 2020, he was the Chief Financial Officer of Cubinet Interactive Group of Companies, and he also took on the Chief Operating Officer role in 2011. During his tenure, he was instrumental in leading Cubinet and building teams across the Southeast Asia region, setting up financial processes within a short time. Mr. Lee spearheaded the growth of Cubinet to other regions, including Europe, the Middle East and Russia. He received his diploma from Tunku Abdul Rahman College in 1996. He is a Chartered Accountant, a member of the Malaysia Institute of Accountants (MIA) and an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, UK (ACMA).

Li Li is the Senior Vice President of FingerMotion. She recently served as Advisor to Shenzhen WuYiKa Technology Co. Ltd., a comprehensive service platform dedicated to online service distribution and payment. The company has become a fast and efficient provider of new media marketing solutions for the mobile internet. She has held high-level management positions with multiple industry names, including Hangzhou JiuYue Information Technology Co. Ltd. and Hangzhou LingXuan Information Technology. Ms. Li started her career in 2004, founding Shanghai ChuangYeZZ Network Technology Co. Ltd. and serving as its Vice President. With the close cooperation of local operators, the company launched SMS, MMS, WAP, mobile JAVA games, Hunan Satellite TV e-magazine and other wireless internet services to meet the rapid development of wireless internet and application requirements. She received her degree from Nanjing Academy of Engineering.

Infobird Co., Ltd (NASDAQ: IFBD)

Infobird Co., Ltd (NASDAQ: IFBD) is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider of AI-powered customer engagement solutions in China. Infobird leverages a self-developed cloud computing structure, AI and machine learning capabilities, patented Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) application technologies, a no-code development platform and in-depth industry expertise to best serve its growing client base.

Founded in October 2001, Infobird empowers clients with value-driven business solutions designed to increase revenue, reduce costs and enhance service quality and customer satisfaction. The company currently specializes in corporate clients in finance and a broad array of ancillary industries.

Infobird is headquartered in Beijing, China, and began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market on April 20, 2021, following an initial public offering of 6.25 million ordinary shares at a public offering price of $4.00 per share, before underwriting discounts and commissions.

Product Offering

Infobird's flagship customer engagement software can handle both AI Customer Engagement and AI Salesforce Management.

  • AI Customer Engagement
    • Intelligent Omni-Channel Customer Service – This offering allows clients to connect with their customers anytime and anywhere through a comprehensive suite of cloud-based tools.
    • Cloud Call Center – This service puts Infobird's years of technical and operational experience to work for clients, with options including intelligent IVR technology, call monitoring, routing strategy and ticketing systems, all supported by multi-dimensional data reports.
    • Intelligent Telemarketing – Infobird's AI bots can help clients navigate "never-ending lists" of potential customers, filter out the most promising leads and increase the working efficiency of agents, keeping agents focused on high-value tasks.
    • AI Voice Chatbot and AI Text Chatbot – This technology allows clients to create human-like interactions offering 24/7 availability and multi-round dialogue capabilities, decreasing labor costs by up to 80% while greatly improving efficiency.
  • AI Salesforce Management
    • Intelligent Quality Inspection – Infobird's platform aims to improve quality inspection rates and service levels through the use of real-time smart monitoring with comprehensive coverage.
    • Intelligent Training – Interactive training programs allow clients to ensure and continuously improve the performance level of their agents, lessening the impact of high turnover rates common throughout the customer service industry.

Infobird's client base includes roughly 10,000 paid user accounts representing 358 customers in the industries of finance, education, public services, consumer products and health care – as reported on June 30, 2020.

Market Outlook

Cloud infrastructure services spending in China increased by 32% ($39.9 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2020. For all of 2020, total services grew to $142 billion, up from the reported $107 billion in 2019. This growth can be attributed to rising demand for cloud infrastructure over physical software solutions (https://ibn.fm/rHZUh). China is the second-largest market for cloud infrastructure solutions after the U.S., accounting for roughly 14% of the global industry.

Likewise, SaaS has demonstrated considerable growth potential in recent years. In 2020, the SaaS industry in China was valued at $3.3 billion, representing an increase of 43.5% over 2019, as companies continue to leverage artificial intelligence and Big Data technologies to increase efficiencies and promote expansion.

As one of the leading and longest standing providers of domestic SaaS solutions and with a comprehensive portfolio of intelligent, customizable and scalable solutions, Infobird is uniquely positioned to capitalize on the market's expansion and resulting opportunities for corporate growth.

Management Team

Yimin Wu is the CEO and Founder of Infobird. He has served as the Chairman of the board of directors and Chief Executive Officer of the company since it was founded. From August 1990 to March 1993, Mr. Wu was a software engineer for the Software Center of Tsinghua University and was sent to the U.S. to co-develop the HP_UX operating system at HP Inc. From April 1993 to May 2000, he served as the general manager for Beijing Jing Zhou Computers Co. Ltd., a company responsible for marketing and developing interactive voice response systems. From July 2000 to October 2001, Mr. Wu was the general manager for Beijing Jing Zhou Rong Hua Internet Technology Co. Ltd, a company responsible for developing middleware for call center establishments. He received a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in computer sciences from Tsinghua University.

Hsiaochien Tseng is the EVP of Infobird and has held the title since January 2020. From March 2010 to September 2018, he served as a sales director for the Credit Card Center of China Guangfa Bank, where he was responsible for integrating and managing online and offline sales channels, establishing overall and regional sales strategies and creating training systems to increase the client base. From October 2018 to January 2020, Mr. Tseng served as SVP of Hua Tuo Digital Technology Group Co. Ltd., a financial information technology company. He received a bachelor's degree in information management from Fu Jen Catholic University and a master's degree in business administration from San Diego State University.

Chunhsiang Chen is the VP of Infobird, a position he has held since April 2012. From June 1990 to February 1993, he served as an advisory programmer of International Business Machine Corp. (IBM). During that time, he participated in the design and development of the Multiple Protocol Transport Network. From February 1993 to September 1996, Mr. Chen served as an associate professor in the Information Education Department of National Taiwan Normal University. He founded GenNet Technology Co. Ltd., an information technology company, in 1993 and served as the president until joining Infobird in 2012. Mr. Chen has a bachelor's degree in computer sciences from the National Chiao Tung University and a master's degree and doctoral degree in computer sciences from Northwestern University.

Lianfang Zhou is the CFO of Infobird and has been with the company for over 10 years. From September 2004 to July 2008, she served as the head of accounting at Beijing Saishuo Technology Co. Ltd., a software development company specializing in port services. From August 2008 to December 2009, Mrs. Zhou served as the head of accounting for Beijing Lianhe Lida Investment Co. Ltd., a property management services company. She holds an intermediate accounting qualification certificate issued by the Ministry of Finance of the PRC. Mrs. Zhou also has a bachelor's degree in accounting from the Renmin University of China.

Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (NASDAQ: LEXX) (CSE: LXX)

Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (NASDAQ: LEXX) (CSE: LXX) is a global innovator in drug delivery platforms. The company's patented technology, DehydraTECH™, improves the way active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) enter the bloodstream by promoting healthier oral ingestion methods and increasing the effectiveness of fat-soluble active molecules. DehydraTECH promotes fast-acting, less expensive and more effective oral drug delivery and has been thoroughly evaluated through in vivo, in vitro and human clinical testing.

DehydraTECH is covered by 19 issued and more than 50 pending patents in over 40 countries around the world. Lexaria's first patent was issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in October 2016 (US 9,474,725 B1), providing 20 years of patent protection expiring June 2034. Multiple patents have been awarded since then and are expected in the future.

Lexaria has a collaborative research agreement with the National Research Council (NRC), the Canadian government's premier research and technology organization. The company has filed for patent protection for specific delivery of nicotine, vitamins, NSAIDs, testosterone, estrogen, cannabinoids, terpenes, PDE5 inhibitors (with brand names like Viagra), tobacco and more.

Lexaria began developing DehydraTECH in 2014 and has since continued to strengthen and broaden the technology. The company has no plans to create or sell Lexaria-branded products containing controlled substances. Instead, Lexaria licenses its technology to other companies around the world to offer consumers the best possible performance across an array of ingestible product formats.

The company's technology is best thought of as an additional layer that providers of consumer supplements, prescription and non-prescription drugs, nicotine and CBD products can utilize to improve the effectiveness of their own existing or planned new offerings. Lexaria has licensed DehydraTECH to multiple companies, including a world-leading tobacco producer for the research and development of smokeless, oral-based nicotine products, and for use in industries that produce cannabinoid beverages, edibles and oral products.

DehydraTECH is suitable for use with a wide range of product formats including pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, consumer packaged goods and over-the-counter capsules, pills, tablets and oral suspensions.

DehydraTECH Technology

Lexaria's DehydraTECH is designed specifically for formulating and delivering lipophilic (fat-soluble) drugs and active ingredients. DehydraTECH increases their effectiveness and improves the way active pharmaceutical ingredients enter the bloodstream. The major benefits to a subject ingesting a DehydraTECH-enabled drug or consumer product can be summarized by the following:

  • Speeds up delivery – the effects of the product are felt by the subject in just minutes.
  • Increases bioavailability – the technology is much more effective at delivering a drug or product into the bloodstream.
  • Increases brain absorption – animal testing suggests significant improvement in the quantity of drug delivered across the blood-brain barrier.
  • Improves drug potency – more of the ingested product is made available to the body, so lower doses are required to achieve the desired effect.
  • Reduces drug administration cost – lower doses mean lower overall drug costs.
  • Masks unwanted taste – the technology eliminates or reduces the need for sweeteners.

Lexaria has demonstrated in animal studies a propensity for DehydraTECH technology to elevate the quantity of drug delivered across the blood-brain barrier by as much as 1,900 percent, initiating additional new patent applications and opening possibilities for improved drug delivery.

Since 2016, DehydraTECH has repeatedly demonstrated, with cannabinoids and nicotine, the ability to increase bio-absorption by up to five to 10 times, reduce time of onset from one to two hours to just minutes, and mask unwanted tastes. The technology is to be further evaluated for additional orally administered bioactive molecules, including antivirals, cannabinoids, vitamins, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and nicotine.

Market Outlook

Lexaria's ongoing research and development efforts are mainly focused on development of product candidates across several key segments:

  • Oral Cannabinoids – a market estimated to be worth $18.4 billion in 2021 and expected to reach $46.2 billion by 2025.
  • Antivirals – an estimated $52.1 billion market in 2021 that's expected to grow to $66.7 billion by 2025.
  • Oral Mucosal Nicotine – smokeless tobacco products, a $13.6 billion market in 2018, is forecast to grow at 7.2 percent annually through 2025.
  • Human Hormones – estrogen and testosterone replacement therapies represented a $21.9 billion market in 2019, with a forecast CAGR of 7.7 percent through 2027.
  • Ibuprofen and Naproxen – NSAID sales totaled $15.6 billion globally in 2019 and are projected to reach $24.4 billion by 2027.
  • Vitamin D3 – the global market size was $1.1 billion in 2021, growing at 7 percent per year and expected to reach $1.7 billion in 2026.

Management Team

Chris Bunka is Chairman and CEO of Lexaria Bioscience Corp. He is a serial entrepreneur who has been involved in several private and public companies since the late 1980s. He has extensive experience in the capital markets, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, as well as corporate finance. He is named as an inventor on multiple patent innovations.

John Docherty, M.Sc., is the President of Lexaria. He is a pharmacologist and toxicologist, and a specialist in the development of drug delivery technologies. He is the former president and COO of Helix BioPharma Corp. (TSX: HBP). He is named as an inventor on multiple issued and pending patents.

Greg Downey is Lexaria's CFO. He has more than 35 years of diverse financial experience in the mining, oil and gas, manufacturing, and construction industries, and in the public sector. He served for eight years as CFO for several public companies and has provided business advisory and financial accounting services to many large organizations.

Gregg Smith is a strategic advisor to Lexaria. He is a founder and private investor with Evolution VC Partners. He is a member of the Sand Hill Angels and held previous investment banking roles with Cowen and Company and Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Dr. Philip Ainslie serves as a scientific and medical advisor to Lexaria. He is co-director for the Centre for Heart, Lung and Vascular Health, Canada. He is also Research Chair in Cerebrovascular Physiology and Professor at the School of Health and Exercise Sciences, Faculty of Health and Social Development at the University of British Columbia.

Net Element (NASDAQ: NETE)

On August 5, 2020, Net Element announced the execution of a definitive agreement to merge with privately-held Mullen Technologies Inc., a Southern California-based electric vehicle company, in a stock-for-stock reverse merger in which Mullen's stockholders will receive a majority of the outstanding stock in the post-merger company. The completion of the merger is subject to shareholder and NASDAQ approval, as well as other conditions referenced in the merger agreement.

Net Element (NASDAQ: NETE) is a global financial technology and value-added solutions group that supports electronic payments acceptance in an omni-channel environment spanning across point-of-sale, e-commerce and mobile devices. The company operates a payments-as-a-service transactional model and value-added services platform for small to medium enterprises in the U.S. and selected emerging markets.

Net Element believes the future of global commerce is being revolutionized as consumers quickly migrate toward omni-channel shopping utilizing mobile devices, desktop, and online services. The company's all-in-one payment solutions support and unify a whole range of applications through a single, robust platform, allowing global onboarding and support for multiple payment methods.

Net Element has also launched a blockchain-focused business unit that will develop and deploy blockchain technology-based solutions. Net Element expects the new division to create a decentralized crypto-based ecosystem that will act as a framework for an unlimited number of value-added services, connecting merchants and consumers in a seamless, economically efficient transaction. This new business unit intends to also identify and invest in unique projects that decentralize and disrupt the payment processing industry by combining blockchain technology and real-world applications with talented development teams, strong fundamentals and addressable markets large in size.

"We believe that we're at the dawn of a new evolution where additional digital payment methods are being introduced," Net Element chairman and CEO Oleg Firer, says. "Introduction of our division focused on blockchain as part of the NASDAQ-listed entity will add transparency and compliance assurance to our investors as well as provide access to deploy value-added services to over 20 million electronic commerce clients that are currently part of Net Element's growing network."

Net Element clients are treated to customized solutions that provide the flexibility needed to keep up with customers. Among the services offered are mobile payment apps that accept payments anywhere, anytime; cloud-based solutions built to increase productivity and enhance revenue for clients and partners; marketing solutions that turn lookers into buyers; and business analytics that make it easy for clients to monitor business metrics, engage with customers and compare the competition. Its multi-channel platform combines e-commerce, offline, point-of-sale, comprehensive back office tools, mobile point-of-sale, credit scoring and customer interaction in one powerful platform-as-a-service technology.

Net Element owns and operates a global mobile payments and transactional processing provider, TOT Group, Inc., with the following subsidiaries:

  • Unified Payments – An award-winning, customized mobile billing and payments solution, recognized by Inc. Magazine as the No. 1 Fastest Growing Company in America in 2012.
  • Aptito – A next-generation, all-in-one, cloud-based restaurant management and point-of-sale payments platform using wireless technology.
  • Payonline – A fully integrated, processor agnostic electronic commerce platform.

Net Element is ranked on Deloitte's Technology Fast 500™ list of North America's 500 fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies in both 2017 and 2018, during which the company grew 190 percent and 183 percent, respectively. The company credits its progression to organic growth in its North America Transactions Segment, specifically the success of its Unified Payments brand, which focuses on value-added payment acceptance solutions for small to medium enterprises in the United States.

Net Element was also listed among South Florida Business Journal's 2016 fastest growing technology companies.

Leveraging its suite of application performing interfaces (APIs) and connectors, Net Element powers commerce for businesses of all sizes through multi-channel platforms, all-in-one digital solutions, and end-to-end encryption of cardholder data utilizing tamper resistant hardware that ensures integrity and simplifies security.

Leading this innovation is chairman and CEO Oleg Firer, who is responsible for the overall vision, strategy and execution of the company's mission of powering global commerce. He is joined by CFO Jeffrey Ginsburg, CPA, and Steven Wolberg, the company's chief legal officer and secretary. Each corporate officer brings a unique blend of leadership, vision, experience and creative energy to the company.

From mobile payments and value-added transactional innovations like Aptito to e-commerce and retail payment transaction processing brands like Payonline and Unified Payments, Net Element is transforming the online and mobile experience.

Save Foods Inc. (NASDAQ: SVFD)

Save Foods Inc. (NASDAQ: SVFD) is an agri-food tech company focused on developing and selling eco-friendly products specifically designed to ensure food safety and extend the shelf life of fresh fruits and vegetables. The company is focused on addressing two of the most significant challenges faced by the industry: (1) food waste and loss, and (2) food safety.

Fungi like mold and yeast, as well as foodborne pathogens, are typically responsible for fresh produce spoilage and foodborne illness. Save Foods' integrated solutions improve safety, freshness and quality every step of the way, from field to fork. The company's natural products control human and plant pathogens, allowing growers, packers and food retailers to reduce waste and boost revenues. More food ends up on consumers' plates, and less ends up in landfills.

Save Foods' products use all-natural ingredients to protect fresh produce from microbial spoilage and pathogens with zero toxicity. The company's treatments leave no harmful residues on produce or in the environment and maintain product freshness over time. Fresh produce treated with Save Foods' products can already be found in supermarket chains across the U.S. Those chains have reported that the company's products are reducing fruit spoilage by 50% on average at the retail level. With no need for additional steps in the treatment process nor special equipment, Save Foods' products are easy to implement and come in versatile applications suitable for the different stakeholders along the food supply chain.

Initial applications for the company's offerings include post-harvest treatments in fruit and vegetable packing houses that process citrus, avocados, pears, bell peppers and mangos. By controlling and preventing pathogen contamination and significantly reducing the use of chemicals and their residues, Save Foods' products not only prolong shelf life; they also ensure safe, natural and healthy food. Save Foods has the first green products that could realistically replace the different chemicals used today in food treatment while controlling waste and food safety.

Products & Technology

  • SavePROTECT or PeroStar, a processing aid added to fruit and vegetable wash water and used in post-harvest treatment;
  • SF3HS and SF3H, post-harvest treartment solutions to control both plant and foodborne pathogens;
  • SpuDefender, for controlling post-harvest potato sprouts; and
  • FreshPROTECT, for controlling spoilage microorganisms on post-harvest citrus.

Save Foods' products are based on a proprietary blend of food acids which have a synergistic effect when combined with certain types of sanitizers and fungicides at low concentrations in a non-organic setting. The combination eliminates fungicide residues or reduces them to levels below the established Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs). The company's fruit and vegetable wash is odorless and does not irritate human eyes, skin or airways. Save Foods' blend does not leave any residues of toxicological concern on the treated surface of produce, and all its ingredients are classified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS). There are 7 patent families related to Save Foods' technology.

Applications

The company's products have been commercially validated on citrus, mangos, avocados, pears, bell peppers, microgreens and various fresh cut vegetables. Save Foods is in the validation process for bananas, apples, figs, berries, lettuce, papayas and more. The company is also validating the efficacy of its products for pre-harvest treatment, starting with citrus trees.

Market Outlook

The world population is expected to grow to almost 10 billion by 2050, boosting current agricultural demand by some 50%. Providing healthy and safe food for the world's population is one of the biggest challenges of the 21st century.

Globally, around 664 million tons of fresh fruits and vegetables are lost every year from field to fork, wasted by spoilage, and almost one in 10 people globally falls ill every year from eating contaminated food, with an estimated resulting cost around $90 billion.

Disposing of all that wasted food requires additional expense and harms the environment with resulting greenhouse gas emissions. The post-harvest food treatment market was valued at $1.5 billion in 2019 and is expected to grow to $2.3 billion by 2026, achieving a CAGR of 6.5%.

Management Team

David Palach is CEO of Save Foods. He spent over a decade with Intel Israel, where his last position was Manager of Business Development for Israel and Europe. Prior to that, he served as a controller of two of Intel's largest factories in Israel, where he supervised a budget of over $1 billion. He also served as the CEO of B-Pure Corporation Ltd., a management and maintenance company involved in protecting and improving the environment. During his tenure, he helped turn around several struggling subsidiaries and made them profitable.

Vered Raz Avayo is the company's CFO. Before joining SaveFoods in 2018, she spent more than 10 years as CFO at LGC, the Leviev Group of Companies. She has operated her own financial and business consultancy and has served as a director for a number of public companies in Israel.

Dan Sztybel is CEO of SaveFoods Ltd., the Israeli subsidiary of Save Foods Inc. He previously led the Life Sciences Advisory at EY Israel and early on recognized the potential of Israel as a center of innovation in the digital health space. He has been an adviser on digital health strategy to large pharmaceutical companies and is a cofounder of MyndYou, a digital health start-up focusing on cognitive impairment. He is also a co-founder of the DigitalHealth.il conference, the largest digital health conference in Israel.

Dr. Neta Matis is Vice President of R&D at Save Foods Ltd the Israeli subsidiary of Save Foods Inc . She holds a Ph.D. in organic chemistry and an MBA from Tel Aviv University. Prior to joining Save Foods in 2019, she held multiple research chemist and product development roles at Verdia Inc. and its parent company, Helsinki-based Stora Enso Oyj.

Nimrod Ben Yehuda is the founder and CTO of Save Foods Ltd. He was previously the CEO/CTO of Swissteril Water Purifications Ltd. He has also been CEO at Nir Ecology Ltd., and was Joint-CEO at NitroJet Ltd.

Dr. Art Dawson is the U.S. Business Manager for SaveFoods Inc. He has been president of The Dawson Company, which focuses on creating sales opportunities for new agricultural technologies, previously Dr. Dawson held senior industry positions like General Manager Worldwide of the Decco , the Post Harvest Division for Elf Atochem. He holds a Ph.D. in Plant Physiology from UC Riverside and is licensed in California as an agricultural Pest Control Advisor.

Splash Beverage Group Inc. (NYSE American: SBEV)

Splash Beverage Group Inc. (NYSE American: SBEV) is a portfolio company of successful beverage brands with the objective of driving value through superior production, supply chain efficiency and global distribution capabilities.

Specializing in manufacturing, distributing, sales & marketing of various beverages across multiple channels, the company operates in both the alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage segments, allowing it to leverage efficiencies and dilute risk. The company's business strategy is to quickly develop and/or accelerate pre-existing brands to exit for cash events. Led by a highly successful management team, the company only works with brands it perceives to have highly visible preexisting brand awareness or pure category innovation, thus breaking through the clutter. Splash seeks out brands offering products that:

  • Deliver natural quality, health benefits, freshness and refreshment within their beverages;
  • Are on trend with consumers;
  • Have a high level of brand awareness;
  • Maintain highest performance standards and focus on execution;
  • Help distributors and retail partners achieve and exceed all goals; and
  • Offer unapologetic support for members of the U.S. armed forces, first responders and health care professionals.

Splash was founded in 2013 and is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Splash Portfolio

The current Splash portfolio includes four unique beverage brands. Each of these brands offers one or more of the qualities that the company specifically seeks in an acquisition.

  • TapouT Performance is a natural isotonic hydration & recovery sport drink featuring a 3-in-1 advanced formula. TapouT Performance restores what the body loses through physical exertion, delivering hydration and cellular recovery. Perfectly balanced with key vitamins & minerals and all five necessary electrolytes, TapouT increases nutrient absorption, allowing the body to recover quickly and more efficiently. TapouT is the official training partner of the WWE (NYSE: WWE).
  • Salt Naturally Flavored Tequila is a 100% blanco agave 80 proof tequila that offers a clean and delicate taste. Salt is grown, distilled and bottled in the Jalisco region of Mexico. Every bottle of Salt Tequila is the result of hard work, determination and numerous blends. The brand offers a line of tequila flavors for enhanced refreshment, including berry, citrus and salted chocolate.
  • Copa Di Vino is the leading producer of premium "wine by the glass" in the U.S. Produced in the Columbia Valley, Copa di Vino is readily available on the go without the requirement of a bottle, corkscrew or glass. Open, drink and enjoy.
  • Pulpoloco Sangria is a premium crafted sangria imported from Spain. Its flavor is light-bodied, fruity and refreshing, offering the best blend of Spanish ingredients. The product is filled and packed in a unique eco-friendly biodegradable catocan, allowing Pulpoloco to extend the shelf life of the sangria without the use of preservatives.

Market Outlook

The global beverage industry was valued at $1.5 trillion in 2018 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.1%, reaching a market size of $1.9 trillion by 2024 (https://nnw.fm/w1Cx9). The push for non-alcoholic beverages that are healthier and contain zero sugar is expected to be a driving force in the forecast period and beyond.

With a seasoned management team and sufficient capital to fuel sustained growth, Splash is uniquely positioned to capitalize on this market growth. The company is currently preparing a secondary offering and has engaged Kingswood Capital Markets as lead underwriter in order to uplist to the Nasdaq or NYSE in the near future.

Management Team

Robert Nistico is the Chairman and CEO of Splash Beverage Group. He has 28 years of experience in the beverage industry and was the fifth employee and SVP/General Manager of Red Bull North America. In this role, he led the start-up from zero sales to $1.65 billion in annual sales. Mr. Nistico was a founder and President of Marley Beverages and was responsible for framing the company's long-term vision. Mr. Nistico held executive positions at DIAGEO, Republic National Distributing Company and the Gallo Wine Company resulting in decades of successful experience in the 'Three Tier Beverage System'. In the spirit of his true entrepreneurial nature, he is a motivated, results-driven, creative and passionate leader.

William Meissner is the company's President and CMO. He boasts over 20 years of success in growing consumer brand companies with large and medium-sized entrepreneurial organizations, both locally and internationally. His résumé includes multiple CEO roles, leading efforts to revamp both healthy and distressed companies. Before joining Splash, Mr. Meissner was the President and CEO of Sweet Leaf and Tradewinds Tea. He has held multiple positions with leading companies in the beverage sector, including Sparkling Ice, Jones Soda, SoBe Beverages, Fuze & NOS (Coca-Cola) and many others.

Sanjeev Javia is the Vice President of Product Development for Splash. He is the founder and President of Javia Wellness Group, a firm focusing on the innovation, research, formulation and design of healthy exercise and wellness initiatives. Mr. Javia is a sports nutrition expert, allowing him the advantage of developing innovative functional beverages that include health benefits for consumers. Since 2000, he has advised and written nutritional plans for hundreds of the world's most famous athletes, including Tom Brady, Kurt Warner, Curt Schilling and more.

Dean Huge is the company's Chief Financial Officer. He brings 35 years of public and private sector accounting and finance experience to the Splash Beverage team. Mr. Huge has led four public offerings as CFO and guided the growth efforts of numerous companies, including Catalyst Energy Corp., which was named Inc. Magazine's 'Fastest Growing Company' within 36 months of his joining. His expertise spans financial services, manufacturing, distribution and SAAS-type programs.

Aida Aragon is the company's Senior Vice President of National Accounts. She is a sales, marketing and brand management executive with years of experience working in the sports supplement and beverage industry. In her previous positions, Ms. Aragon was vital in leading successful store rollouts for brands including Muscle Milk. Her passion for brand development comes as second nature, but her true passion has always been focused on increasing sales for brands in the sports nutrition industry.

SRAX Inc. (NASDAQ: SRAX)

SRAX Inc. (NASDAQ: SRAX) is a digital marketing and consumer data management technology company. SRAX's technology unlocks data to reveal brands' core consumers and their characteristics across marketing channels.

Through its BIGtoken platform, SRAX has developed a consumer-managed data marketplace where people can own and earn from their data, thereby providing everyone in the internet ecosystem choice, transparency and compensation.

SRAX's tools deliver a digital competitive advantage for brands in the CPG, automotive, investor relations, luxury and lifestyle verticals by integrating all aspects of the advertising experience, including verified consumer participation, into one platform.

SRAX Verticals

  • SRAX Core: SRAX Core is a custom digital media management platform that enables brands and agencies to surpass the challenges of omnichannel marketing campaigns. It offers one comprehensive dashboard to manage digital media campaigns, inventory and reporting.
  • SRAX Social: SRAX Social is a free social media management tool that makes it easy for brands, agencies and individuals to grow their digital presence. It offers free and unlimited users, Facebook auto boosting, and a custom analytics dashboard. Its managed services team can also build and execute marketing plans for your unique specific needs.
  • SRAX IR: SRAX IR unlocks stock buyers' behaviors and trends for issuers of publicly traded companies. The platform provides insights on shareholders and market makers, investor relations management, shareholder outreach tools and data-driven marketing.
  • SRAX Auto: SRAX Auto unlocks auto intenders' data to create measurable connected experiences on the road to purchase. It offers proprietary auto intender profiles, multi touchpoint communication and custom location-based ads.
  • SRAX Shopper: SRAX Shopper delivers a cross channel, premium digital experience at scale to high value shopper audiences. It offers proprietary shopper profiles, cost per click pricing, and custom text and add to cart ad units.
  • SRAX Lux: Launched in June 2019, the SRAX Lux platform targets and reaches luxury consumers at luxury retail stores, high-end art, music, film, fashion and sports events, across all consumer devices.

International Expansion

BIGtoken is formally launching into several international markets and partnering to foster local support. SRAX recently signed a joint venture with the Yash Birla Group to launch BIGtoken in India. Based in Mumbai, the Yash Birla Group, one of India's largest conglomerates, has diversified interests in consumer and industrial products.

The partnership will bring BIGtoken's platform to India, which has a digital population of 627 million. The India digital advertising market is $3.6 billion and is set to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 32%, making it one of the largest growing digital ad markets in the world.

SRAX Mexico is led by Moe Avitia, who has more than 18 years of experience in business development and building high-tech teams. SRAX Mexico includes a team of 90 employees, including 70 engineers.

BIGtoken Europe is currently evaluating data centers in individual countries for privacy laws.

Leadership

Christopher Miglino is CEO and founder of SRAX. He has spent the past 20 years working in the digital advertising space and has successfully launched and sold two internet companies. Both of these companies were sold to publicly traded companies on the NASDAQ. He has a detailed understanding of how technology interacts with brands.

Kristoffer Nelson is COO of SRAX and a founding member of BIGtoken. With over 15 years of technology and creative business experience, Nelson has been a guest speaker for Loyola Marymount University among other academic institutions, the National Association of Broadcasters, the IAB and numerous other professional and media organizations.

VistaGen Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: VTGN)

VistaGen Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: VTGN) is a biopharmaceutical company committed to developing and commercializing a new generation of medications that go beyond the standard of care for anxiety, depression and other central nervous system (CNS) disorders.

The company is headquartered in South San Francisco, California, the "Birthplace of Biotechnology," among the largest cluster of biotechnology companies in the world.

New Generation Medications

VistaGen currently has three innovative CNS drug candidates in its pipeline: PH94B, PH10 and AV-101. With a differentiated mechanism of action and an exceptional safety profile in all clinical studies to date, each of VistaGen's three drug candidates offers significant commercialization potential in multiple large CNS markets.

PH94B

Fast-acting (10-15 minutes), non-systemic and non-sedating in Phase 2 clinical studies, PH94B is a first-in-class neuroactive nasal spray that, administered in microgram doses, binds to chemosensory receptors in the nasal passage that trigger neural circuits responsible for suppressing fear and anxiety caused by stressful social or performance situations.

PH94B is currently being developed as an acute treatment of anxiety in adults with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). In December 2019, PH94B became the first drug candidate to be granted Fast Track designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for development of a treatment for SAD, positioning it to potentially become the first FDA-approved fast-acting acute treatment for adults with the anxiety disorder, if planned Phase 3 studies are successful.

A successful Phase 2 program has been completed, and, after achieving consensus with the FDA in mid-2020 that the design of its Phase 3 studies of PH94B in SAD may mirror the design of the highly statistically significant (p=0.002) Phase 2 public speaking study of PH94B in SAD, the company's preparations for pivotal Phase 3 clinical development of PH94B are underway.

To support Phase 3 development and commercialization of PH94B for anxiety disorders in large anxiety disorder markets in Asia, VistaGen recently entered into a strategic licensing and collaboration agreement with EverInsight Therapeutics, a company formed and currently funded by a large global venture capital firm, CBC Group. The company received a $5 million non-dilutive upfront license payment from EverInsight in August 2020. If Phase 3 development is successful, VistaGen is eligible to receive additional development and commercial milestone payments of up to $172 million, plus tiered royalties on sales of PH94B in Greater China, South Korea and Southeast Asia. VistaGen retains exclusive rights to develop and commercialize PH94B in all other markets.

VistaGen is also assessing potential Phase 2A clinical development opportunities to evaluate PH94B in a range of other anxiety disorders, including:

  • Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety
  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder
  • Postpartum Anxiety
  • Perioperative Anxiety
  • Panic Disorder
  • PTSD

PH10

PH10 is an investigational fast-acting synthetic neuroactive nasal spray with therapeutic potential in a wide range of neuropsychiatric indications involving depression and suicidal ideation. VistaGen is initially developing PH10 as a potential fast-acting, non-sedating, non-addictive new generation treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD).

Upon self-administration, a microgram-level dose of PH10 sprayed into the nose binds to nasal chemosensory receptors that, in turn, activate neural circuits in the brain that lead to rapid-onset antidepressant effects, without side effects, systemic exposure or safety concerns that may be caused by FDA-approved drug treatments for MDD, including oral antidepressants and intranasal esketamine.

In a published exploratory Phase 2A MDD study, PH10 demonstrated rapid-onset and sustained antidepressant effects without the serious psychological side effects and safety concerns of ketamine-based therapy.

Following successfully completed Phase 2A development of PH10 for MDD, the company is currently preparing for a Phase 2B program in MDD.

VistaGen is also assessing the potential for Phase 2A clinical development of PH10 in a range of other depression-related indications, including:

  • Postpartum Depression
  • Treatment-resistant Depression
  • Suicidal Ideation

AV-101

Part of a class of new generation investigational medicine in neurology and neuropsychiatry known as N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) modulators, AV-101 is an oral prodrug of 7-chloro-kynurenic acid (7-Cl-KYNA), a potent and selective NMDAR glycine site antagonist. This drug candidate has the potential to serve as an innovative treatment for MDD and multiple neurological indications where current therapies are unsatisfactory.

VistaGen is currently evaluating AV-101, in combination with FDA-approved probenecid, in a range of neuropsychiatric and neurological indications, with both MDD and Neuropathic Pain already granted Fast Track designation by the FDA. The company is assessing the combination for a potential Phase 1B study to support a potential Phase 2A program in one or more of the following indications:

  • Major Depressive Disorder
  • Neuropathic Pain
  • Levodopa-induced dyskinesia associated with Parkinson's disease therapy
  • Epilepsy
  • Suicidal Ideation

CNS Therapeutics Market Outlook

The global CNS therapeutics market is estimated to reach $130 billion by 2025. The market was valued at approximately $82.3 billion in 2017 and is anticipated to grow at a healthy CAGR of more than 5.93% from 2018 to 2025. Even before the onset of the anxiety- and depression-provoking stressors from the COVID-19 pandemic, this growth was expected to be driven by a rise in mental illnesses and increased awareness of psychiatric disorders (https://nnw.fm/K2m0s) – all likely to be amplified by the diverse impacts of the pandemic.

The two most common mental health conditions – anxiety and depression – cost the global economy an estimated $1 trillion each year. The impact of these conditions is particularly devastating among the young. Industry data suggest that approximately 20% of the world's children and teens are affected by mental health conditions, and suicide is the leading cause of death among 15- to 29-year-olds (https://nnw.fm/oftNb).

VistaGen's mission is to help address the unmet needs of patients suffering from CNS disorders whose current treatments are either inadequate or generate debilitating side effects and serious safety concerns, including risk of abuse and death.

"Now more than ever, the new generation anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications we are developing at VistaGen – PH94B, PH10 and AV-101 – are relevant, necessary and demand the highly-focused and passionate efforts of our team and partners, with the support of our stockholders, to advance them to patients whose lives are disrupted by anxiety and depression disorders," VistaGen CEO and Director Shawn K. Singh said in his closing remarks at the company's 2020 Annual Meeting of stockholders.

Management Team

Shawn K. Singh, J.D. is the Chief Executive Officer and a Director of VistaGen. He has served on the company's board of directors since 2000. He has nearly 30 years of experience serving in numerous senior management roles across multiple industries, including private and public biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, venture capital, contract research and development, and law. Singh has a B.A. with honors from the University of California – Berkley. He has a J.D. degree from the University of Maryland Carey School of Law. He is also a member of the State Bar of California.

H. Ralph Snodgrass, Ph.D., is the Founder, Chief Scientific Officer and Director of the company. Snodgrass has more than 20 years of experience in the biotechnology field as a senior manager. He is recognized as an expert in stem cell biology, with over 28 years of experience using stem cells as biological research tools to promote development and drug discovery. He received a Ph.D. in immunology from the University of Pennsylvania. Snodgrass has published over 50 scientific papers with more than 17 patents and a number of patent applications.

Mark A. Smith, M.D., Ph.D., is VistaGen's Chief Medical Officer He has over 20 years of pharmaceutical industry experience, primarily with CNS drug development. Smith has been a successful leader in the discovery and development of approximately 20 investigational new drugs. He has been a part of numerous CNS-related clinical trials. Smith received a bachelor's and Master of Science from Yale University and a Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy in Physiology and Pharmacology from the University of California – San Diego. He completed his residency in the psychiatry department at Duke University Medical Center.

Jerrold D. Dotson, CPA, is the Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of VistaGen. He has over 25 years of experience in senior management positions in finance and administration at both public and private companies. Dotson is a licensed CPA in California and received his B.S. degree (Cum Laude) in business administration with a concentration in accounting from Abilene Christian College.

Mark A. McPartland is the company's Vice President of Corporate Development and Investor Relations. He has over 20 years of experience in senior management roles in corporate development and investor relations at both public and private companies. McPartland received his Bachelor's in business administration and marketing from Coastal Carolina University.

Vivos Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: VVOS)

Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Vivos Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: VVOS) is an emerging global leader in the treatment of mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a debilitating condition affecting nearly 1 billion people worldwide. The company utilizes proprietary, ground-breaking technology, a proven go-to-market strategy, and a powerful executive team dedicated to changing the face of health care by helping people of all ages properly breathe and sleep.

At the core of Vivos' mission to rid the world of mild-to-moderate OSA is the Vivos System®, a revolutionary clinical breakthrough in the treatment of mild-to-moderate sleep apnea often caused by craniofacial anatomy development. The Vivos System® multidisciplinary treatment protocol involves collaboration between physicians, specially-trained dentists who have completed advanced training in craniofacial sleep medicine, and other ancillary health care providers.

In support of its growth strategy, Vivos has established contract manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Canada and Asia.

Market & Technology Overview

Craniofacial developmental deficiencies, such as underdeveloped upper and lower jaws, are among the leading causes of OSA. According to a 2019 analysis from researchers at the University of California, San Diego, an estimated 81 million adults in North and South America suffer from moderate to severe OSA. The United States has the highest amount of these patients, with approximately 54 million adults affected, according to the report.

Registered with the FDA as a Specification Developer, Vivos develops and markets a number of oral appliances. Its technology represents the first non-surgical, non-invasive and cost-effective treatment for the estimated hundreds of millions of people globally who suffer from mild-to-moderate OSA.

Vivos integrates its specially designed, customized appliances into a patient-specific, multi-disciplinary clinical protocol, giving trained dental and medical providers the tools and roadmap needed to address certain craniofacial conditions that studies have shown to be associated with sleep-disordered breathing—including mild-to-moderate OSA.

The system's treatment protocol involves collaboration between physicians, specially trained dentists who have received advanced training in craniofacial sleep medicine, and additional health care providers. Vivos-trained clinicians can be found in almost every major city in the U.S. and in many countries throughout the world. The company's oral appliances have shown to be effective in over 15,000 patients successfully treated worldwide by approximately 1,200 trained dentists.

A New Paradigm in Sleep Medicine

Vivos' proprietary system poses the potential to be the biggest breakthrough in the treatment of mild-to-moderate OSA since CPAP.

The Vivos System has been specifically designed to promote the proper growth and development of the hard and soft tissues surrounding and comprising the oral cavity, nasal cavity, upper and lower jaws, and other tissues which together form and shape the upper airway. As these areas develop more fully using the Vivos System, a patient's airway typically widens and expands, enabling them to breathe properly through their nose. With a more open and less obstructed airway, and easier nocturnal breathing, the symptoms of SDB tend to diminish over time, and patients often report they no longer suffer from the adverse effects of SDB or OSA.

Use of the Vivos System is variable and case dependent, but typically recommended to be worn daily for 12 to 16 hours starting in the early evening and continuing overnight. The total treatment time typically ranges from 12 to 24 months, with 18 months being the approximate mean treatment time.

Biomimetic Oral Appliance

Vivos Therapeutics believes that the Vivos System technology represents the first non-surgical, non-invasive and cost-effective treatment for people with mild-to-moderate OSA.

Combining technologies and protocols that can alter the size, shape and position of the tissues of a patient's upper airway, the Vivos System opens airway space and can significantly reduce symptoms and conditions associated with mild-to-moderate OSA.

The Vivos System treatment is typically less than $10,000 and is often reimbursable by medical insurance as an out-of-network benefit.

A potentially serious medical problem with an alternative treatment therapy available in the dental office.

Hard and soft tissues of the craniofacial complex can be non-surgically enhanced using the proprietary Vivos® System devices and clinical protocols.

Leadership

R. Kirk Huntsman – CEO, Director
With experience in strategic development, technology acquisition and product planning, key talent recruitment, and target market prioritization, Huntsman brings a broad vision paired with leadership and strategic planning skills. He has significant start-up experience in a diverse range of market sectors, including medical devices, dental management, dental practice valuations and transitions, multi-location retail, financial and capital formation, consulting, outsourced services, imports and exports (China), medical services, and software and technology.

Dr. Dave Singh – Founder, Director
A doctor three times over in dental medicine, craniofacial development, and orthodontics, Dr. Singh was educated primarily in England and has lectured in North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. The Global Summits Institute recently named Dr. Singh as one of the Top 100 Doctors in Dentistry.