Content Checked Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB: CNCK) is interested in being the ‘top-of-mind’ source for those who are serious about maintaining a clean and healthy diet. The company endeavors to facilitate healthier and happier lives through personally-targeted information. At its cultural core, the company believes it can make a difference in people’s lives by educating consumers as to what types of ingredients are in the food they buy. The company wants people to know their food.

Content Checked offers reliable and efficient mobile apps that help its users and consumers make more informed purchasing decisions, thereby enabling a healthier life in accordance with their dietary preferences. Furthermore, the company anticipates that there will be more apps to come, serving a wider range of dietary needs complete with features to improve the efficiency of the shopping experience.

The company’s apps deliver a unique mobile experience that analyzes more than 70% of all conventional packaged food products in the United States to validate that they fit the specific dietary needs of the user. The process is not based upon algorithms alone. CNCK relies on the expertise of a dedicated team of nutritional experts who validate data against the most up-to-date research to ensure quality. The process is dynamic in that it is constantly being reviewed so that the apps can provide the most accurate information possible for the user. Apps that have been developed and marketed by the company to date include ContentChecked, MigraineChecked, and SugarChecked.

Content Checked’s applications and supporting database enable its users to scan the barcodes found on products to determine if they are suitable to consume based on their dietary preferences or restrictions. The company’s apps also offer personalized shopping lists as a tool. Headquartered in West Hollywood, California, CNCK was founded in 2013.

For more information, visit www.contentchecked.com

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It wasn’t until the middle of the twentieth century that the importance of zinc as a trace element for healthy human growth was recognized. Now, the recent Industry Guide 7 (IG7) report on the status of the Balmat Mine and its related infrastructure, commissioned by Star Mountain Resources, Inc. (OTC: SMRS), is showing that the metal is good for investor health, as well. The report, prepared by industry consultants Practical Mining LLC, concludes:

• The Balmat Mine and mill is in good condition and can be placed into production with minimal expense and time.
• The mill is capable of producing high grade zinc concentrate suitable for sale to smelters worldwide.
• The mine is well situated, being close to tide water and well connected by road and rail service.
• The mine is a low cost, fully mechanized operation.
• Mine equipment fleet has been carefully stored and is capable of exceeding the planned production rate.
• Upgrades to the mine ventilation system and modifications to the diesel equipment fleet will be required to meet more stringent Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) regulation adopted since the mine was placed on care and maintenance.

An IG7 report is a disclosure notice required by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for ‘Issuers Engaged or To Be Engaged in Significant Mining Operations’.

The IG7 report also estimated the internal rate of return (IRR) on the Balmat mine operation at 25 percent, which is a reassuring figure. The IRR is the rate at which future cash flows will have to be discounted to equal a net present value (NPV) of zero. By comparing the IRR with the cost of capital, the feasibility of a project, such as the Balmat operation, can be easily assessed. Return on Equity (ROE) data (http://dtn.fm/4SQat) published by New York University’s Stern School of Management shows the metals and mining industry with a ROE of less than negative 23 percent. The return on equity is the return required to entice investment in securities of a company and, so, is the cost of capital that company would have to pay in the securities market. What these numbers are telling us is that Star Mountain might have struck gold with its Balmat zinc mine.

Star Mountain Resources acquired the Balmat mine after entering into agreements with Northern Zinc, LLC and HudBay Minerals, Inc. that gave Star Mountain title to the Balmat Holding Corporation, including the St. Lawrence Zinc Company, LLC and its mining operations in the Balmat mining district of St. Lawrence County, New York. The Balmat mining operations cover an area of 2,699 acres of fee simple surface and mineral rights in three towns in St. Lawrence County. The majority of the property consists of the 1,754 acres in the town of Fowler, where the Balmat Mine, mill and tailings disposal facility are located. Nine parcels totaling 703 acres are owned in the town of Edwards, which includes the Edwards mine. The rest is the Pierrepont mine, which is located on four parcels totaling 242 acres.

Star Mountain Resources is said to be a junior minerals exploration company and, typically, such companies confine themselves to investigating and assessing discoveries of minerals. They focus on verifying reserves. If reserves can be proven, the property is then sold or leased to a major. However, Star Mountain Resources actually owns mines and is expecting an IRR of 25 percent from its Balmat operations. It may be time to stop calling the company junior. As Juliet says of her beloved Romeo in Shakespeare’s immortal play: A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.

For more information, visit www.starmountainresources.com

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By now, Giggles N’ Hugs, Inc. (OTCQB: GIGL), the company behind three family-friendly restaurants and playspaces in Greater Los Angeles, has made a name for itself among California adults and children alike. The company’s restaurants offer a one-of-a-kind experience for youngsters and their families by providing quality, organic food and physical play. Children love the natural food while not even noticing all of the wonderful nutrients packed within each bite. They also enjoy the many jungle gyms, play castles, ball pits, and fun-filled activities that await them with each visit. Parents can just sit back and relax while their children have the time of their young lives. Paired with cost-effective incentives and the ease of planning a party celebration, Giggles N’ Hugs doesn’t make it a hard choice for parents to return!

After the initial party experience delivered by the restaurant, parents feel confident that their children will always have a great time. Plus, Giggles N’ Hugs makes the whole party planning process a walk in the park for busy parents. Through the restaurant’s interactive website and easy, step-by-step navigation, parents can order their child’s dream birthday party in minutes. A few simple clicks will allow parents to choose the location, date and time, type, theme, and any additional opportunities for fun that would make the day even better. Giggles N’ Hugs also provides an electronic invitation service so parents can have customized invitations delivered to their guests. Then, all parents and kids have to do is eagerly count down the days. The restaurant and professional attendants see to every detail from set up to clean up. Giggles N’ Hugs truly delivers a special, stress-free day for everyone.

Once parents see how much their children loves the playspace, Giggles N’ Hugs offers membership cards for unlimited play, so the fun doesn’t have to be centered on just birthday parties. Included in the one month, three month, and six month membership cards is unlimited play for the whole family on any day of the week. Now, in addition to unlimited play, card members get 10% off all food, beverages, and retail purchases, along with 5% off birthday parties. Members also get first access to special events and monthly deals. With easy signup and great deals, it’s no wonder families keep coming back.

Giggles N’ Hugs offers plenty of simple and cost-effective opportunities that make the likelihood of return visits extremely high. The confidence and joy that families experience after the first visit plant the seeds toward making Giggles N’ Hugs a common household name. Investors can see this evidence through the company’s steady revenue streams, expansion plans, and merchandising strategies.

Learn more by visiting www.gigglesnhugs.com

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Before the opening bell, Laguna Blends, Inc. (OTC: LAGBF) announced its entry into an agreement with clinical nutritionist Robert Lamberton to provide research and development services for the creation of a new brain health and memory coffee product. Under the terms of the R&D agreement, Lamberton will cover all costs and expenses related to the development of the new beverage in exchange for a royalty of three percent on net worldwide sales of the product for eight years. Following this initial period, the royalty will be reduced to two percent of net sales, to be paid in perpetuity. Laguna will own the intellectual property and global marketing rights for the product.

Robert Lamberton is the owner of Robert Lamberton Consulting, a consulting service that helps companies develop and market nutritional products. The firm also markets its own brands of nutritional products to healthcare practitioners and the sports nutrition market.

In recent weeks, Laguna has made tremendous progress toward establishing the framework to grow its independent affiliate network. Earlier this month, the company announced that it has already attracted more than 700 affiliates from across the United States and Canada, greatly exceeding its own growth projections. Laguna built on this progress with the introduction of its second commercial product, Pro369. In line with the company’s commitment to offering unique, functional beverage products that harness the power of hemp, Pro369 is a single serving, ‘on-the-go’ hemp protein that can be mixed into nearly any beverage for an added boost of ginseng and omegas 3, 6 and 9.

While Laguna’s products target expansive global markets – the global sports nutrition market alone is expected to reach $33.6 billion in revenues by 2020, according to Allied Market Research – Pro369 and Caffe, the company’s first product offering, are just part of Laguna’s innovative approach to growth. Leveraging exciting virtual technology, Laguna is able to communicate with its affiliate network through its proprietary Laguna World platform. With this tool, the company is able to receive valuable feedback and technical data while simultaneously offering a collection of training, recruiting and sales tools in an immersive virtual community.

For more information, visit www.lagunablends.com

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Before the opening bell, Halitron, Inc. (OTC: HAON) announced its engagement of QualityStocks and Hayden IR in an effort to improve communication and transparency with investors, increase awareness and enhance shareholder value. In recent months, Halitron has successfully implemented an acquisition roll-up business model and developed a low cost global operating infrastructure complete with sales, marketing and manufacturing divisions. In 2015, the company’s first year of operations under its updated business model, Halitron generated over $1 million in sales, and it has since added four additional acquisitions to its growing portfolio, including PRD Holdings Inc., a manufacturing asset based in Mexico. Following its most recent acquisition, ArchivalPhotoPages, the company’s management team stated that Halitron is on a run rate to generate over $10 million in sales over the next three years.

“Over the past year, our Halitron team has successfully taken a vision, implemented four acquisitions and created a low-cost infrastructure,” Bernard Findley, chief executive officer of Halitron, stated in this morning’s news release. “We believe now is an appropriate time to target and expand our investor audience and ensure we are communicating effectively with Wall Street. We look forward to working with the team of professionals at QualityStocks and Hayden IR to execute this important goal.”

QualityStocks has helped more than 300 public companies broaden influence, attract growth capital and improves shareholder value over the past decade. By leveraging an expansive network of partners, daily and weekly newsletters, social media channels, blogs and other outreach tools, QualityStocks will relay Halitron’s corporate message, as well as its progress and growth, to a community of more than a million active investors.

Hayden IR is a highly-recognized national investor relations firm and corporate advisor to emerging growth companies. Hayden specializes in connecting companies with institutions, independent portfolio managers, buy-side and sell-side analysts, family offices, retail brokerage firms and accredited individual investors using a comprehensive, multi-tier network. For the past 15 years, Hayden has developed a reputation for delivering expertise and professionalism in areas such as investor management, relationship building, awareness campaigns, online presence and corporate identity.

Halitron’s fully integrated business model allows it to produce and sell products at extremely favorable margins. When the company acquired www.PiecesInPlaces.com last month, its management team estimated that it will add an additional 35 percent gross profit margin through its ability to manufacture the brand’s products in-house. Moving forward, Halitron will lean on these favorable margins as it positions itself for sustainable financial growth. Look for the company to benefit from its integrated business model while continuing to use its public stock currency to build shareholder value through the evaluation and execution of potentially accretive acquisitions in the months to come.

For more information, visit www.halitroninc.com

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A publicly-traded biotech company, International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCQB: ISCO) focuses its efforts toward developing innovative solutions that advance the field of regenerative medicine. This field strives to create functional tissue to repair and replace tissue or organs that have lost their function due to damage, disease, age, and congenital defects. ISCO has contributed to regenerative science by developing its own novel stem cell technology called parthenogenesis, which uses unfertilized eggs and addresses immune-rejection among humans. Stem cells have the potential to divide and differentiate themselves into any cell type. This means that these cells can treat degenerative diseases of the eye, nervous system, and liver through rebuilding and regeneration. Technological advancement in tissue engineering and stem cell therapy is expected to drive the global market for regenerative medicine.

Parthenogenesis uniquely studies immune-rejection, cell differentiation, and DNA patterns. ISCO’s technology creates a whole new class of stem cells called human parthenogenetic stem cells (hpSC). These are created by stimulating the oocytes (unfertilized eggs) into dividing. Different oocyte activation techniques create either heterozygous human parthenogenetic stem cell lines or homozygous human parthenogenetic stem cell lines. The former cells are only compatible with their donors, while the latter could be compatible with a large portion of the population. To maximize this innovative technology, the company developed the first collection of non-embryonic histocompatible (human compatible) stem cells used for research or commercial purposes. ISCO’s cell lines have the possibility of treating millions of people around the world.

Immune-matching, histocompatible cells have the potential of treating and even preventing diseases worldwide. For example, cancer is thought to come from abnormal cell proliferation and differentiation. Using stem cells, scientists can map out the human development of cells to see how cancer starts while also discovering treatments and prevention. Other diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s could be treated using healthy cells to replace damaged ones. This is an exciting time for stem cell research because of the positive impact it could have around the globe.

To showcase increasing interest in their groundbreaking developments, ISCO recently announced that negotiations between two healthcare institutes and the company’s management have begun surrounding private placement of $6.3 million of the company’s convertible preferred stock and common stock purchase warrants to purchase $25.7 million of the company’s common stock. With exposure and interest surrounding regenerative medicine steadily increasing worldwide, ISCO is strongly poised to further its scientific studies as successful contributors in the field.

For more information, visit www.internationalstemcell.com

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Laguna Blends, Inc. (OTC: LAGBF) is tapping into the benefits derived from hemp in more ways than one. The company offers a high quality product experience with an emphasis on the plant’s health benefits while coupling it with turn-key online marketing campaigns for the entrepreneur at heart. With the hemp industry delivering promising business metrics worldwide, Laguna’s unique business model is as intriguing as it is potentially lucrative.

The first product category that Laguna has introduced are one-of-a kind, instant, functional beverage products that contain hemp protein, omegas and other efficacious ingredients. “Caffe,” the first product currently being offered for sale is a protein coffee beverage offering.

In a recent news release, Stuart Gray, Laguna’s president and CEO noted, “Laguna has launched its business with a high level of interest from independent affiliates residing in the USA and Canada. The demand for high quality, functional beverage products throughout the United States and Canada, coupled with a viable business opportunity has attributed to the spike in affiliate interest. In addition, the positive feedback on Laguna’s first product to market, “Caffe” has been fantastic.”

In the beginning of March 2016, the company disclosed a non-brokered private placement of 1,750,000 units at $0.20 per unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $350,000. LAGBF has since closed the first tranche of this private placement consisting of 1,175,000 units for gross proceeds of $235,000. Each unit is made up of one common share and one share purchase warrant, with each warrant entitling the holder to gain one additional common share of the company at a price of $0.25 per warrant share until March 10, 2018. The units hold period expires on July 11, 2016.

Leveraging a network marketing business model, Laguna generates retail sales through independent affiliates. These affiliates use technology that enables them to build an international business from their home or wherever their travels may take them. The company is currently focused on the nutritional health benefits derived from hemp. Laguna’s first product category as an entry to market are functional beverage products that contain hemp and other efficacious ingredients.

For more information, visit www.lagunablends.com

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The company behind three award-winning restaurants and playspaces, Giggles N’ Hugs, Inc. (OTCQB: GIGL) offers everything a family could want. The first-of-its-kind restaurant chain delivers both healthy food and play that turns an otherwise stressful dinner out into a magical experience. Kids and parents enjoy themselves so much that they keep coming back for more, resulting in steady success for the company. Giggles N’ Hugs currently situates itself within three California mall locations in Greater Los Angeles, including Westfield Century City, Westfield Topanga and the Glendale Galleria. Families can stop by for after-school and weekend fun or be wowed by detailed birthday party celebrations. Giggles N’ Hugs promises the opportunity for kids to be kids while nurturing their imaginations and creativity.

Sitting at a computer, playing video games, and watching television offer only passive participation for children, as they are created by someone else. Kids need a chance to develop and grow their imaginations while young, so they have healthy critical thinking skills and creative problem solving capabilities as they mature. According to an article in The Wall Street Journal, imagination is important for learning about people and events that we don’t experience firsthand. Imagination is vital to understanding and contemplating history, events in the world, and even the future. Children should be able to visualize past cultures, like the ancient Egyptians, or even what other children look like across the world.

In preschool, children with imaginary friends are more creative, have better social skills, and can take on the perspectives of others. Even role playing aids in a child’s ability to see through another’s eyes. Imaginary games and storytelling also help kids develop learning habits, communication skills, and vocabulary. All of these creative outlets encourage kids to use all of their senses and bodies while developing muscles and neurological connections.

Giggles N’ Hugs offers a magical place where children can be whoever they want. The playspaces have monkey bars, jungle gyms, castles, and even a big dragon for kids to play on. Professional attendants also guide active games, storytelling, arts and crafts, and sing-a-longs. There’s karaoke, face painting, dance parties, scavenger hunts, magicians, puppet shows and more to get kids to actively participate. Themed parties even give children the chance to become dazzling princesses, fierce pirates, famous rock stars, brave superheroes, and everything in between. The creative possibilities are endless with the accommodating staff at Giggles N’ Hugs.

The ability to think outside the box stems from a strong imagination. To create human beings with imagination, opportunities should be abundant while they’re young. The perfect creative outlet can be found simply by playing. Fortunately, Giggles N’ Hugs encourages young children to step away from technology and into a world of their own making using the creative tools and activities happily provided.

Learn more by visiting www.gigglesnhugs.com

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It has often been said that if only the data possessed by today’s companies could talk, the secrets of sustainable revenue growth would be known. Through data analytics, the science of examining raw data with the purpose of drawing conclusions about that information, industries worldwide are able to make better business decisions and verify or disprove existing models or theories. Data analytics is different from data mining in that its purpose and focus is rooted in analysis. Data miners sort through enormous data sets using software to identify undiscovered patterns and establish hidden relationships. Data analytics focuses on the process of deriving a conclusion based solely on what is already known.

As our world is increasingly connected at the hip to technological conveniences, Alternet Systems, Inc. (OTCQB: ALYI) understands the opportunity at hand. Much of the company’s energy has been centered on investing in businesses that have innovative ways of managing information in the digital commerce and payment solutions space. For the last six years, ALYI has had its business eye on mobile finance services and mobile security. Two years ago, Alternet Systems added the digital commerce space to its product portfolio and now offers payment technology solutions designed to manage payment channels and financial technology services aimed at providing digital currency payment and banking solutions.

Data analytics is viewed as a tool designed to help companies make better marketing decisions through the ability to profile their customers to see where their interests lie. Companies are able to identify the buying tendencies of similar consumers, as well as the likelihood that they will purchase the same products again. The science of data analytics can also be credited with delivering business indicators on how consumers view a particular product and the best ways to increase efficiency. Companies view this new-found information as a way to keep up with market trends.

With strategic investments in these high-growth markets, Alternet is accelerating the future of money in the digital age. The company is guided by a team of executives specializing in entrepreneurial mindsets rooted in innovation, financial and executive management of multi-national organizations and expansive networks of industry resources.

For more information, visit www.alternetsystems.com

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Digital advertisers will shell out $8.2 billion each year as they wrangle online fraud, according to the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB). As digital marketing continues to grow at unprecedented rates, so too does “click fraud.” With carefully plotted ad budgets on the line, averting costly online security threats is a requirement for any pay-per-click ad campaign. Enter Grey Cloak Tech, Inc. (OTC: GRCK), a Las Vegas-based company with a powerful suite of advanced filters to detect hundreds of variations of digital advertising fraud.

When Grey Cloak lays its artillery on the table, it presents powerful, advanced software called Fraudlytic. Fraudlytic identifies fraud patterns at the earliest onset, helping to curtail fraud and its financial repercussions. Full understanding of the value of this technology requires a look at the background of pay-per-click ad campaigns, which hit the advertising scene in 1996.

By 1997, more than 400 major brands were paying between $0.005 and $0.25 per click. In the next 15 years, the industry exploded and earned its badge as the most effective targeted advertising medium in history, but opportunity of this magnitude often attracts adversary.

In 2000, the first malicious programs were detected. The primary method perpetrators used for delivering the attacks were bots (web software robots) designed to carry out cookie stuffing, click fraud, impression fraud, URL masking, IP spoofing and other mechanisms that lowered conversion rates and a company’s return on investment.

Without an adequate method of defense, the malicious activity went unchallenged. That is, until technicians – including founders of Grey Cloak Tech – developed game-changing counter technology that could effectively detect and eliminate click fraud.

After years of testing and responding to customer feedback, Grey Cloak Tech unveiled Fraudlytic as a secure cloud-based platform that stops click fraud and permanently blocks the offenders while allowing legitimate consumers to view the advertisement and make a purchase.

With deep roots in the digital marketing industry, Grey Cloak Tech’s founders have long been on the front lines of anti-click fraud efforts, and, as the only publicly-traded digital advertising fraud-protection company in the United States, Grey Cloak Tech’s management team is demonstrating its ability to take an industry-leading position in more than one way.

For more information, visit www.greycloaktech.com