When Harvard professor Clayton Christensen coined the term ‘disruptive innovation’, he had in mind technologies like the one being developed by MGX Minerals, Inc. (OTC: MGXMF) (CSE: XMG) (FRA: 1MG). This innovative company is poised to ignite a revolution in the energy sector with technology that extracts lithium from oil and gas wells. Its PetroLithium™ methodology separates valuable minerals from the salt water that typically accompanies crude oil, offering a novel way to extract lithium, an essential ingredient in the batteries of our laptops, mobile phones, and other electronic devices and, increasingly, our cars. As MGX refines its technology, it is quickly acquiring oil and gas properties, and operation of its initial Petrolithium™ borehole well is set to commence soon.

In an Emerging Theme Radar report (http://dtn.fm/ZW8b8), Goldman Sachs (GS) called lithium the ‘new gasoline’, saying its ‘unique properties make it a key enabler of the electric vehicle revolution’. Advances in battery technologies and a growing desire to avoid the hazards of fossil fuels signal a period of sustained growth for electric vehicles, which are forecast to rise from their present three percent of the automobile market to a penetration of 22 percent by 2025. Current demand for lithium runs to about 160,000 metric tons. According to GS, ‘a one-percent increase in battery electric vehicle penetration would increase lithium demand by 70,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) annually (or roughly half of current global demand for lithium).’

Lithium carbonate occurs in the salt water (brine) that accompanies petroleum (crude oil) as it’s pumped to the surface. However, petroleum brine, like gas in the early oil industry, has been treated as a waste product, and it’s either injected deep underground or stored in giant tanks after it is separated from the oil. These traditional disposal methods have resulted in environmental damage: polluting potable water supplies and causing landslides.

The PetroLithium™ process, consequently, holds the promise of killing two birds with one stone: extracting a valuable resource from material that would go to waste while offering a safer way to dispose of that waste. Extracting lithium from petroleum brine is also faster and less costly than conventional methods, like solar evaporation and hard-rock mining. In a recovery process specifically designed for the highly mineralized brine associated with petroleum, lithium brine evaporation times are expected to fall to less than one day. Traditional solar evaporation techniques take up to 18 months.

In early March, MGX reported encouraging results for tests on its latest petrolithium methodology. The extraction process was able to concentrate lithium more than 20-fold while removing contaminants in a low-energy process. Solutions of 67 mg lithium per liter of petroleum brine were concentrated to 1,600 mg lithium per liter.

MGX has significantly expanded its Alberta petrolithium portfolio through the acquisition of additional metallic and industrial mineral permits covering over 133,000 hectares, and it has acquired an additional 301 mineral claims encompassing 6,020 acres within the Paradox basin of southeastern Utah. The new claims further increase the company’s Lisbon Valley land package to 23,780 acres. The Lisbon Valley oil and gas field is located approximately 40 miles southeast of Moab, Utah, in the salt anticline belt on the southwest edge of the Paradox Basin in San Juan County. Historic lithium brine content there has been reported as high as 730 parts per million of lithium.

Last week, MGX announced it had entered into a joint operating agreement with a private vendor to act as operator and acquire a 75 percent working interest in certain oil and gas leases located contiguous to the company’s Lisbon Valley petrolithium project. Preparations to permit the petrolithium #1 borehole well will commence upon closing of the agreement.

MGX is offering a win-win combo with its PetroLithium™ technology, which promises a faster, less expensive method of lithium extraction, while disposing of oil and gas production waste in an environmentally friendly way. The company is a diversified mining company engaged in the development of large-scale industrial mineral portfolios in western Canada and the United States. MGX operates lithium, magnesium and silicon projects throughout British Columbia and Alberta, as well as petrolithium exploration in Utah.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.MGXMinerals.com

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ProBility Media Corp.’s (OTCQB: PBYA) acquisition of One Exam Prep LLC, which was completed earlier this year, is key to its growth strategy. One Exam Prep is currently specializing in exam preparation and certification in the construction industry. It offers continuing education and certification online or in a classroom setting in 20 states, with the goal of operating in all 50 states. ProBility Media reported revenue at greater than $1 million for Q1 ended January 31, 2017.

Houston-based ProBility is an EdTech company serving 15 vertical categories in more than 60 skilled trades. It is positioned as an industrial training resource for individuals and small businesses. It offers training services as well as materials for education, advancement in careers, and testing. Virtual reality training, now operational for the crane business, will be expanded into other industries. The company said it is also beginning to investigate international expansion.

One Exam Prep, based in Coconut Creek, Florida, offers low cost yet effective exam prep courses in the construction industry. The company owns more than 70 domains related to contractor licensing and continuing education, according to One Exam’s Rob Estell, and it has created hundreds of courses offered either online or in traditional classroom settings in more than 20 states.

For the three months ended January 31, 2017, ProBility Media recorded revenues of $1,088,180, compared to $878,005 during the same period of the prior year. The recent three-month sales total represented the company’s third consecutive quarter of year-over-year revenue growth. The results of One Exam are included in the consolidated financial performance, subsequent to January 1, 2017.

ProBility Media entered into a multi-year consulting agreement with Rob Estell, the founder of One Exam, through December 31, 2020. It includes salary, an annual performance bonus based on One Exam’s revenues and profits, a signing payment, and a non-recourse secured convertible promissory note valued at $300,000.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.ProBilityMedia.com

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The legalization of cannabis across many states in the U.S. has opened doors to various innovators, leaving the tech world to rapidly adapt to this trending industry. There’s now a strong move by cannabis-oriented businesses to incorporate common technologies found in other industries, and such innovations are not just found in dispensaries. Improvements are being made on the technology surrounding the agricultural, marketing, production, and distribution channels in the marijuana market. Technology is also being used to solve challenging issues such as payment options.

Singlepoint, Inc. (OTC: SING), a publicly traded holding company, offers payment solutions to the cannabis industry through its SingleSeed subsidiary. The company offers noncash payment solutions to marijuana businesses that are legal, easy to use, and safer for both the companies using them and the customers purchasing products. However, it is not just through payment solutions that Singlepoint is sparking innovation in the cannabis technology market.

Recently, Singlepoint has made public its plan to undertake strategic acquisitions of companies that are in the cannabis industry but which do not in any way touch the plant itself. As the marijuana market in the U.S. continues to flourish, this strategy has started to unfold with SING’s acquisition of a stake in Convectium, a company that has created a unique machine that fills and packages vape cartridges and disposable vape pens at a rate of 100 per 30 seconds.

In a recent interview with Donald Baillargeon from MoneyTV (http://dtn.fm/OCAe3), Greg Lambrecht, CEO of Singlepoint, announced that the company has provided its initial round of funding to Convectium, where demand and sales have soared for this quarter compared to the same quarter of 2016. According to Lambrecht, the Convectium product is a perfect acquisition for Singlepoint, not only because of its in-demand capabilities, but because it does not require direct involvement with the plant and, therefore, does not break any state or federal regulations.

According to Lambrecht, Singlepoint has entered into an independent sales agreement with Convectium, whereby Singlepoint will be selling the machine in order to increase its revenues. He continued to emphasize the greatness of both Convectium and its product during the interview, highlighting the fact that comparative financial results of 2016 and 2017 will soon be released.

With the legal cannabis market projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 17%, according to Forbes (http://dtn.fm/UmNX8), Singlepoint aims to focus its attention on cannabis enterprises rather than cultivation, allowing it to aid investors in the cannabis market to diversify their portfolios through equipment providers and consumer product makers. Despite marijuana still being classified as a Schedule 1 drug, Singlepoint is making strides in the cannabis technology market and plans to continue to diversify its revenue streams within the industry.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.Singlepoint.com

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MeetMe, Inc. (NASDAQ: MEET) has closed on its public offering of 9.2 million shares of common stock at $5 per share. This is inclusive of the full option by underwriters for 1.2 million additional shares of common stock. Net proceeds will be used by the company for general corporate purposes and to potentially fund MeetMe’s pending acquisition of “if(we)”, a San Francisco-based social and mobile technology company, as well as other future takeovers.

MeetMe is a social network for meeting new people in the U.S. Some 80% of its one million daily user traffic comes from mobile devices, such as iPhones, iPads, and Android devices. It is becoming a gathering place for mobile users, the company said. It generates revenue from advertising, subscriptions, and virtual currency.

Targeted to close in 2Q2017, the “if(we)” acquisition would be made for $60 million in cash, and that company is anticipated to generate at least $9 million of adjusted EBITDA and be accretive to earnings in the first 12 months after closing, MeetMe noted in a news release.

“if(we)” had revenues of $44 million in 2016 and is the operator of TAGGED and Hi5, branded apps which enable people to meet and chat with others. The site features 10.4 million mobile chats daily, and 18,000 mobile app users are added each day. “if(we)” is available in 100 countries and 15 languages.

MeetMe said in its corporate presentation on the acquisition (http://dtn.fm/J4gAA) that the transaction is expected to generate cross-promotional opportunities. It added that there is a less than 5% overlap in user bases, and the two companies together can lower technology costs by standardizing products. Also, by utilizing MeetMe’s best practices, the company expects a convergence of certain key metrics, such as daily chats.

Funding for the acquisition will come from MeetMe’s cash on hand, cash from operations, and a new $30 million loan from J.P. Morgan. The combined company could generate revenues of $150 million annually and an EBITDA of $50 million, per MeetMe’s presentation materials.

For more information, visit www.MeetMeCorp.com

A population of over 1.2 billion people is one heck of a target market, especially when insulated by language. ChineseInvestors.com (OTCQB: CIIX) has leveraged this demographic to market a broad range of products, services and information specifically for the Chinese speaking population. The company provides real-time market commentary, analysis, and education-related services in the Chinese language and offers several types of subscription-based services. Headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in New York City and Shanghai, the company also offers consultation services to private companies seeking to go public, as well as advertising and public relations services.

Seizing opportunity, this diverse multi-faceted company recently executed a first-to-market milestone by creating the world’s only Chinese language, cannabinoid-based therapeutic health products online store, www.ChineseCBDoil.com. To supply consistently high quality products, the company entered into a wholesale agreement with a well-known CBD oil health brand manufacturer in January.

Marijuana use in China is illegal, but there are no legal strictures on the sale or use of therapeutic cannabis-based oils. Cannabidiol (CBD) oil is considered to have a broad range of medical benefits and, unlike medical marijuana products, CBD oil is non-psychoactive with low THC and high CBD content. CBD has shown varying efficacy in treating epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease and cirrhosis, as well as providing relief from anxiety and stress. CBD interacts with the body through the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system regulates the body’s homeostasis, or general state of balance, impacting such functions as mood, sleep, appetite, hormone regulation, pain and immune response. Even more benefits are expected to be uncovered upon completion of ongoing research.

Given the wide-ranging practice of holistic-based Eastern medicine, acceptance and use of CBD oils is not only a natural adjunct but also an enormous potential revenue generator for ChineseInvestors.com.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.ChineseInvestors.com

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Bollente Companies, Inc. (OTCQB: BOLC) is in the early stages of developing a diverse portfolio of companies, targeting disruptive technologies that positively impact the environment and emerging economies. Their current focus is on high-efficiency electric tankless water heaters, manufactured and sold under “trutankless”, a division of Bollente, including a line of economy tankless water heaters sold under the Vero name. Units are available for both residential and commercial application.

The primary Bollente advantage is their use of advanced technology, superior to previous tankless systems, together with a growing U.S. and global market. Traditional water heaters are one of the costliest appliances to operate. The two primary energy sources used in U.S. homes are electric and natural gas, with less than half of U.S. homes having natural gas available. In addition, there are no significant electric whole home tankless manufacturers.

The U.S. Department of Energy now requires tanks of 55 gallons or more to have efficiency levels requiring expensive heat pumps to achieve. Bollente’s trutankless electric tankless water heater employs specialized sensors for constant water temperature, solid state electronics, and proprietary software, resulting in one of the most efficient heat exchangers ever produced. The technology includes smart grid and home automation capabilities, remote control and monitoring, and even smartphone alerts. It also allows adjustable custom power management settings, so that users can further enhance energy usage and performance. It is now estimated that tankless heaters used in every home would save over $8 billion annually in the U.S. alone.

By maintaining 99 percent efficiency, Bollente’s trutankless heaters use less energy than tank heaters, while providing the convenience of always-hot water. The system only uses power when there is demand, producing water to exact temperature, within one degree, even with sudden changes to input. Wireless apps allow for remote settings, notifications, and monitoring, and models are compatible with existing home automation and energy management systems. The technology also reduces size, for easy location, and the system’s self-flushing design provides up to 20+ years of maintenance free operation, significantly reducing upkeep and replacement costs. This becomes an additional environmental benefit since roughly 8 million used water heaters are dumped in landfills every year.

Bollente has also announced the formation of Bollente International, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary, for the international production and sale of trutankless systems. Taking advantage of growing interest in their technology, Bollente International is working with an international manufacturing firm for the production and distribution of trutankless systems throughout Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, with the first step being the testing and certification necessary to meet the various international standards.

Bollente has made electric tankless water heating compelling to a major consumer market, both in and outside the U.S., offering economic as well as operational efficiency and convenience, attractive to builders as well as to end consumers.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.BollenteCompanies.com

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Most vehicles across the United States are powered by either gasoline or diesel, but this is changing. Sales of cars, especially fleet vehicles, that operate on alternative fuels are growing, and, according to the U.S. Department Of Energy, natural gas now powers more than 150,000 vehicles across the country and over 15 million vehicles worldwide (http://dtn.fm/LF8Zg).

Because natural gas as a transportation fuel is widely distributed, domestically available, more cost efficient, and better for the environment, these new vehicles are expected to become increasingly popular for the foreseeable future, and, thanks to Greenkraft, Inc. (OTCQB: GKIT), they will soon be making their way across the U.S.

Greenkraft, a company that manufactures and markets alternative fuel systems to convert petrol-based vehicles and engines to function on natural gas and propane fuels, offers a variety of trucks and engines to suit various modern-day business needs. In fact, all of its products are built to suit companies in the food, electric, construction, and landscaping markets, among others.

Greenkraft prides itself on offering fuel efficient trucks that not only save businesses money, but are also better for the environment. These vehicles meet EPA and CARB emission standards and use only alternative fuels for power. To top it off, the company works closely with the government to encourage businesses to switch to more eco-friendly automobiles through tax incentives and rebates.

Most recently, Greenkraft announced that it will be launching a widespread national marketing campaign to include printed advertisements, trade shows, and targeted campaigns that will showcase its trucks and engines to the majority of the U.S. market. In addition to bringing in new customers, GKIT wants to educate companies about the positive environmental impact they could have by changing their transportation methods.

A month prior to this press release, the company announced that, due to increased demand for its products, it will be expanding to a bigger factory in 2017 and introduce new, larger-sized trucks in weights of 26,000 and 33,000 pounds, respectively. The combination of this new nationwide marketing campaign and its plans to expand to a bigger factory will enable GKIT to meet customer needs while having a serious positive impact on the environment.

For more information, visit www.GreenkraftInc.com

The sales profession is known for sales cycle stress, pressures to meet quotas and the debilitating psychological impact of constant rejection. Combined, these factors are known contributors to the sales industry’s exceptionally high turnover rates and lost productivity. The satisfaction level of salespeople may not seem to correlate directly with business objectives, but it substantially impacts an organization’s bottom line. Happy sales people are consistently more resourceful and productive. Sales can obviously be a tough job, with the daily grind of prospecting and repeated rejection. Even top producers can be pulled down by deals that linger but never seem to go through.

Research has proven that happiness is contagious, especially in sales. When salespeople truly enjoys their environment and what they’re doing, it leads to a more natural selling proposition and, ultimately, more success. They convert more leads and are generally more successful, because prospects are engaged and gravitate toward them. Happy salespeople are less stressed, undeterred by rejection, and consistently more productive.

More money can help enhance a sales person’s happiness, but more money alone does not directly equate to more happiness. More money helps, but well-researched psychological principles show that top salespeople want more. These principles show that sales producers are motivated by new challenges and responsibilities. They also want to continue to learn and hone their skills, an essential element of what makes them successful. More than most people, top sales performers need appreciation and recognition for their achievements, and they produce more in an environment that promotes relationships and provides meaning.

Few industries are more sales driven than residential real estate. Success is contingent upon attracting and keeping productive sales agents. Adding agents, reducing turn over, and increasing sales productivity makes or breaks agencies. eXp World Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB: EXPI) is changing the paradigm of real estate sales by using an advanced-technology online system to provide the tools, motivation, and support needed to attract and keep agents. eXp World Holdings is the publicly-traded holding company of eXp Realty, an agent-owned cloud-based residential brokerage. The company nearly tripled its agent count last year, with over 1,500 new real estate professionals joining eXp Realty in 2016. The dramatic increase in agents and revenues reflects the environment built by the company’s unique business model. eXp Realty believes the greatest asset of any real estate brokerage is the team of agents and brokers who create the revenues of the company.

By eliminating the high cost of brick and mortar locations, the company offers among the highest payouts in the industry. Agents and brokers receive exceptional support and continued education through eXp Realty’s innovative 24/7 cloud-based system of collaborative tools and training. Its 3-D, fully-immersive, cloud office environment also promotes agent socialization, relationship enhancement, and agent recognition. Proof of eXp’s pioneering approach is borne out not only by the striking increase in agents last year, but also by the myriad of positive online reviews posted by agents.

By surreptitiously abetting sales agent happiness with tangible and intangible support systems, eXp is poised to not only continue adding legions of agents, but also to dramatically exceed revenue expectations.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.eXpWorldHoldings.com

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India Globalization Capital, Inc. (NYSE MKT: IGC) has set a long-term goal for itself in the U.S. of becoming a leading provider of cannabis-based pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products. This is a transition away from its earlier short-term strategy, including the sale of electronics and development of a hotel site in Malaysia. To this end, the company has jettisoned its electronics business. IGC is now fully focused on building a portfolio of patents and starting clinical and pre-clinical trials for a series of pain-reducing and other cannabis-based therapies. These therapies are designed to treat neuropathic pain, seizures, Parkinson’s, anorexia/cachexia, Alzheimer’s, and PTSD.

Ram Mukunda, CEO of the company, indicated that IGC’s 2017 goals are focused on its progression toward commencement of clinical trials for these combination therapies. The Journal of Pain, in September 2012, reported that between $560 billion and $635 billion is spent annually in the U.S. for pain management, making it a significant part of the American health care system. In response, IGC has developed a series of drugs for pain and other disorders, including IGC-501 for neuropathic pain, IGC-502 for the treatment of seizures, and IGC-504 and IGC-506 for eating disorders and cachexia.

The company recently filed for issuance of a provisional patent for IGC-506, a combination of cannabis-based extracts and other compounds. It should be noted that a provisional patent does not assure the issuance of a patent in the future.

Mukunda explained that IGC is starting a review of international medical sites as the company seeks preclinical and clinical trials of its patent portfolio. He described the marketplace that IGC is entering as large, indicating that trials, patents and seeking approval from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration is seen as cost-effective.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.IGCinc.us

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Using mobile devices to make purchases is becoming commonplace. An estimated $37 billion in mobile transactions occurred in 2015, and that total is expected to explode to over $800 billion by 2019. User payments with mobile devices are expected to exceed 70 percent this year. Like the mobile phones and devices themselves, mobile transactions and payments will soon be ubiquitous.

First conceptualized in the 1990s, paying for transactions with mobile devices has now taken off as a convenient and beneficial option for both consumers and merchants. Consumers find it easier to ditch credit cards all together and rely solely on their phones for payments. Mobile point-of-sale transactions give merchants the ability to integrate loyalty and incentive programs into mobile payment applications, track customer trends and inventory, increase check-out speed and save money on credit card fees.

Net Element (NASDAQ: NETE) has been at the vanguard of facilitating this mobile point-of-sale boom, providing speed, security, accuracy, value-add, and the convenience of mobile transactions. Net Element owns and operates a global mobile payments and transactional processing provider, TOT Group. TOT Group companies include Aptito, Digital Provider, Restoactive, PayOnline and Unified Payments, which was named the fastest-growing private company in America in 2012 by Inc. Magazine.

Through its wholly-owned group of companies, Net Element prides itself on delivering tailored turnkey solutions that fit each merchant’s specific needs. The company’s online and offline payment capabilities allow merchants to transact business anywhere, any way, and at any time. Simultaneously, Net Element’s mobile payments and value-added transactional platforms deliver speed and convenience to mobile customers, giving them the ability to make purchases with just a few clicks on their mobile devices, and provide an alternative to cash payments.

Net Element delivers solutions for the complex web interactions triggered by each mobile point-of-sale transaction.

For more information, visit www.NetElement.com