The SugarChecked app from Content Checked Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB: CNCK) is doing what regulators haven’t been able to do: protect us from unwanted refined sugars. Public awareness of the toxic effect of refined sugars is increasing. In the online journal LadyLux, a feature headlined How to Break the Unhealthy Snack Cycle (http://dtn.fm/6mk9H), mentions SugarChecked and quotes Victoria Brodsky, head of nutrition for SugarChecked, as she talks about maintaining a healthy lifestyle. LadyLux covers luxury lifestyle for women and features articles on high fashion, luxury travel, beauty products, green lifestyle and philanthropy. The journal is read by over 150,000 unique readers every month.

SugarChecked identifies added sugars, artificial sweeteners, natural low-calorie sweeteners and sugar alcohols and is one of a suite of dietary restriction apps created by Content Checked. The company currently has two other apps. The first to be developed was ContentChecked, a smartphone application meant for use by those who suffer from food allergies and intolerances. The second was MigraineChecked, which is designed to give alerts on migraine triggers in food products. Content Checked Holdings, Inc.’s family of apps works by allowing users to scan products’ bar codes and determine if they are suitable for their diets. The app then offers users a list of healthier alternative products that are suitable for them to consume.

Together ContentChecked, MigraineChecked and SugarChecked have had over two million downloads, and 66 percent of users utilize the apps at least five times per week. CEO Kris Finstad is confident that this figure will soon increase. Last year, he sweetened his pot by converting approximately US $1.1 million of personal funds, advanced to the company, into shares of the company’s common stock.

For more information, visit www.contentchecked.com

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School’s out for the day, but what should you do with the kids? Time to come up with some fun, creative ways to keep the kids entertained until dinnertime. Of course, homework is waiting, but is it better to have kids start on it as soon as they get home, or should they blow off a little steam before settling in? Giggles N’ Hugs, Inc. (OTCQB: GIGL) has been voted the #1 spot for indoor after-school activities in the Los Angeles area.

It’s no secret that after-school activities do wonders for a child’s development. They are linked to improved social skills, grades, overall coordination, sense-of-self and relationships with adults other than mom and dad. Los Angeles-based Giggles N’ Hugs is a first-of-its-kind, award-winning family restaurant company that combines organic gourmet food with play elements for children, including 2500-square-foot play spaces in the middle of its restaurants.

After-school programs and activities also give kids a chance to be themselves, free of the structure they face at school. “Since kids spend their day primarily sitting down and following a schedule at school, when they get home it is important for them to have time to be creative, get moving and do something they enjoy,” says Kristin Fitch, CEO and co-founder of ZiggityZoom.

The vast majority of young people believe that kids are better off when their plates are full and they don’t have too much time to just hang out. What’s more, youngsters who participate in out-of-school activities typically perform better in school, as well as outside of the classroom. At the Giggles N’ Hugs play spaces, children can expect tons of activities and games while having fun on a giant pirate ship, sliding down slides, and diving into a ball pit. There are even monkey bars, a hopscotch course, and jungle gyms to effectively tire out kids before bedtime.

Learn more by visiting www.gigglesnhugs.com

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Lithium-ion batteries are common in home electronics. They are one of the most popular types of rechargeable batteries for portable electronics, with a high energy density, tiny memory effect and low self-discharge. Beyond consumer electronics, lithium-ion batteries are also growing in popularity for military, electric vehicle and aerospace applications. For example, lithium-ion batteries are becoming a common replacement for the lead acid batteries that have been used historically for golf carts and utility vehicles. Instead of heavy lead plates and acid electrolyte, the trend is to use lightweight lithium-ion battery packs that can provide the same voltage as lead-acid batteries, so no modification to the vehicle’s drive system is required. Oakridge Global Energy Solutions, Inc. (OTCQB: OGES) is an integrated energy storage solutions company focused on the design, development and manufacture of high-quality cells, batteries and power systems.

Oakridge Global’s innovative ‘Made in the USA’ product line includes multiple lithium-ion technologies and form factors that are optimized to address three high-demand target markets – including stationary and grid storage; motive applications, such as electric and hybrid electric fleet vehicles; and specialty applications, such as military, aerospace, marine, medical and telecom backup.

Pioneer work with the lithium battery began in 1912 under G.N. Lewis, but it was not until the early 1970s when the first non-rechargeable lithium batteries became commercially available. Lithium is the lightest of all metals, has the greatest electrochemical potential and provides the largest energy density by weight. Oakridge Global works on all types of lithium-based battery power systems. With lead acid batteries being gradually phased out around the world, lithium-based batteries are the batteries of today and of the future.

The global market for lithium ion batteries is a fast growing one that is expected to cross $30 billion by 2020, according to a report on the Market Research website (http://dtn.fm/uvKK3). Oakridge Global has indicated plans to expand its presence in a collection of markets throughout Europe and Asia as it continues to build upon its established product development and manufacturing infrastructure. The company will lean on the expertise of its proven management team – which includes well over a century of combined industry experience – as it looks to increase its share of the $12 billion domestic battery manufacturing industry.

For more information, visit www.oakridgeglobalenergy.com

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Greek yogurt, the thick, creamy, protein-packed dairy product, has stormed supermarket shelves in the U.S. The breakfast favorite’s astonishingly fast growth is epitomized by the success of Chobani — perhaps the best known brand. The company, which began selling Greek yogurt in 2007, saw its sales skyrocket from just over $3 million to more than $1.1 billion in its first five years. Today, Greek yogurt accounts for roughly half of all yogurt sales in the U.S., which is remarkable considering that it was essentially irrelevant less than a decade ago. Be Active Holdings, Inc. (OTC: JALA) is a manufacturer and marketer of Greek frozen yogurt under the Jala brand.

Be Active Holdings manufactures and sells low fat, low calorie, all natural probiotic-enriched Greek frozen yogurt under the trade name Jala. Its Greek frozen yogurt is packaged as low fat bars and pints, which are designed to appeal to both the health conscious and weight conscious consumer. Its proprietary Greek frozen yogurt is fat-free, a result of its proprietary recipe and the quality of the ingredients in the mix.

Be Active announced in a press release recently that Jala is now available at all 154 Shaw’s and Star Market locations in New England. Shaw’s is part of Albertsons, and this initial rollout is key to the company’s efforts to increase product distribution in the Northeast. Currently, there are five available product SKUs, including Jala’s chocolate and vanilla sandwiches.

In a news release, Be Active Holdings president Joseph Rienzi stated, “We are very excited to have Jala available to Shaw’s customers. Jala’s Greek frozen yogurt chocolate and vanilla sandwiches have been very well received from grocery customers throughout the northeast. We are thrilled to have penetrated into Albertsons with this initial distribution with Shaw’s in the northeast. Albertsons nationally represents an amazing potential opportunity for Jala with its diversified network of 2,230 stores and 27 distribution facilities, across 34 states. Its national banners include Safeway, Vons, Pavilions, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Carrs, Albertsons, ACME, Jewel-Osco, Lucky, Shaw’s, Star Market, Super Saver, United Supermarkets, Market Street and Amigos.”

Be Active Holdings is led by an experienced management team with a proven track record in the food and grocery space. The company’s founder and vice president, Sam Pugliese, was the founder and previous president of Skinny Cow ice cream brand, which was sold to Nestle (OTC: NSRGY) for $76 million.

Be Active Holdings has received distribution approval for five of its SKUs from Safeway, the second largest supermarket chain in North America. Be Active intends on working with Safeway to increase product distribution in the Northeast through Safeway’s 135 stores in Virginia and Maryland. Furthermore, Be Active recently expanded its existing distribution agreement with C&S Wholesale Grocers, the largest U.S. wholesale grocery distributor by revenue. C&S customers include Stop & Shop, Winn Dixie, Key Food, Foodtown, Piggly Wiggly and Giant stores. Be Active was able to achieve “crossroads” vendor status with C&S, which allows for unlimited access into C&S warehouses with no slotting fees.

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

Connecticut-based NanoViricides, Inc. (NYSE MKT: NNVC) is a development stage company working on what it considers to be the next great advance in immunotherapeutics: nanoviricide biomimetic technology.

A nanoviricide is a unique antiviral agent designed to fool a virus into attaching to it in the same way that a virus normally attaches to the receptors of a cell surface. Once the virus is attached, the nanoviricide wraps around the virus, causing the virus to lose its surface proteins, which are used to bind to cells. The nanoviricide goes on to dismantle and destroy the virus without immune system assistance. What virus a nanoviricide goes after is programmed into the nanoviricide.

The company is developing virus-specific nanoviricide drug candidates against influenza, HIV/AIDS, cold sores and herpes infection, viral eye diseases, and dengue viruses, and its candidates are demonstrating high levels of drug effectiveness. Product candidates are based on TheraCour® technology, invented and developed by company president and founder Anil R. Diwan, PhD. The company holds an exclusive, worldwide license to this technology for its antiviral drugs. The technology is protected by two broad international patent applications that cover compositions of matter, processes of manufacture, methods of use, and fields of use. Additional patent applications are expected, and NanoViricides intends to patent each drug separately, as well.

NanoViricides works with independent researchers at leading academic, private, and government laboratories, performing tests against viral targets, and providing unbiased data on drug candidates. In addition to drug development, the company has put together a world-class team to design, build, and validate a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility for the production of human clinical batches of nanoviricide drug substances.

For more information, visit www.NanoViricides.com

Arizona-based startup company Elio Motors Inc. (OTCQX: ELIO) represents a refreshingly different take on the changing American automotive market. Instead of wrestling with untested, high-priced technologies aimed at elite consumer markets, Elio is focused on the essential consumer basics of price and operational efficiency, taken to the extreme. It’s a bit like the approach of Henry Ford, who was smart enough to recognize the potential of a mass automotive market while other car makers produced expensive toys for the rich.

To Elio, the key to the marketplace is a set of parameters that, in spite of what the industry says, have not been fully respected or explored:

• Price (forget the $15,000 – $20,000 subcompact)
• Fuel Efficiency (forget 39 mpg)
• Style (forget “they all look alike”)

Elio is out to produce a truly modern commuter vehicle for the urban masses; a sleek hyper-efficient car that is safe, fun, and amazingly affordable to purchase and operate. The company realized that much of the driving being done today doesn’t require the family minivan or SUV. It’s about one or two people getting to work. Once the Elio team had fully accepted that fact, their research led them to the shocking conclusion that, using the latest and most sophisticated design and material capabilities, together with advanced organizational efficiencies, they could now produce a vehicle filling that very large market niche in a better way; a car that could get an unheard-of 84 miles to the gallon, while still only costing $6,800 to buy retail.

None of this revolution came easy. The company emphasizes that nothing is too small for engineering innovation. But the result is the potential to tap a vast market that has until now been improperly served. Elio is still in the startup stage, offering both investors and consumers a unique opportunity.

For more information, visit www.ElioMotors.com

Overstock.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: OSTK) is an online retailer based in Salt Lake City, Utah, that sells a wide variety of products at low prices. Originally founded in early 1999, the company’s goal was to be the premier seller of excess inventory on the web. Today, Overstock.com has expanded beyond selling surplus inventory to offer a huge selection of consumer goods ranging from furniture and home décor to cars. In an effort to better represent this shift in business strategy, the company acquired the O.co URL in January 2011 and began incorporating it into parts of its brand, including, most notably, its international and mobile businesses.

In the past, Overstock.com has proven itself adept at adapting to evolving market trends, as demonstrated by its success in the mobile space. Earlier this year, the company’s mobile app was named the Web Marketing Association’s Best Shopping Mobile Application at the 2015 Mobile Web Awards. This was the fourth consecutive year in which the company’s mobile app has been honored. In total, the Overstock.com app has been downloaded more than five million times, with 76 percent of mobile users becoming repeat customers.

Capitalizing on the sustained growth of the digital commerce space, Overstock.com has achieved profitable results for the past four years. In 2015, the company reported total revenues of $1.7 billion, marking an increase of 11 percent over the previous year. Overstock.com’s net income for the fiscal year totaled $2.4 million. As of December 31, 2015, the company reported cash and cash equivalents of $170.3 million.

In recent weeks, Overstock.com has made considerable progress toward building on its strong financial growth. For more than two years, the company has been involved with the crypto currency Bitcoin in an effort to gain familiarity with the highly disruptive potential of blockchain technology. At the 41st Annual International Futures Industry Conference, Overstock.com, through majority-owned subsidiary t0.com, demonstrated the results of these efforts when it announced plans to complete the world’s first public offering using proprietary blockchain technology. The company previously issued the world’s first private blockchain crypto-bond in June 2015.

For more information, visit http://dtn.fm/6IroP

International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCQB: ISCO) is a company focused on the therapeutic applications of human parthenogenetic stem cells (hpSCs) and the development of cell-based research and cosmetic products leading to commercialization. ISCO’s core technology, parthenogenesis, is achieved through the creation of pluripotent human stem cells from unfertilized oocytes (eggs). hpSCs avoid the ethical issues associated with the use or destruction of viable human embryos. Company scientists have created the first parthenogenetic, homozygous stem cell line that can be a source of therapeutic cells for hundreds of millions of individuals of both genders and all ages and racial background with minimal risk of immune rejection after transplantation. hpSCs deliver the potential to create the first true stem cell bank, UniStemCell™.

The company’s resolve to be a leader in the field of restorative medicine is seen in its partnership with The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, a globally-recognized brain research center. The agreement drives both parties to launch phase I/IIa clinical trials on the effects of human parthenogenetic stem cells in individuals living with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

The Florey Institute’s credibility is undeniable. The institute employs a staff of over 500, with its scientists comprising the largest neuroscience research team in Australia. Work is conducted on a range of serious diseases, including epilepsy, stroke, PD, Alzheimer’s, traumatic brain and spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, depression, Huntington’s disease, motor neuron disease, schizophrenia, mental illness and a variety of addictions.

ISCO’s human cell culture products are made up of adult stem cells and reagents for regenerative medicine integral in the study of human renal and bladder diseases and prostate disease, as well as human corneal cells present in corneal disease and other cell culture reagents and supplements for the growth and freezing of human cells. International Stem Cell Corp. promotes and sells skincare products through its website and distribution channels and human cell culture products through its sales force, OEM partners, and brand distributors. The company is headquartered in Carlsbad, California, and was founded in 2001.

For more information, visit www.internationalstemcell.com

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Divestitures are a way for a company to manage its portfolio of assets. As companies grow, they may find they are trying to focus on too many lines of business and that they must close some operational business units in order to focus on more profitable lines. This is a problem that conglomerates may face. Companies may also sell off business lines if they are under financial duress. For example, an automobile manufacturer that sees a significant and prolonged drop in competitiveness may sell off its financing division in order to pay for the development of a new line of vehicles. Elephant Talk Communications Corp. (NYSE MKT: ETAK) announced, in a press release, an update on its divestiture of wholly-owned subsidiary, ValidSoft Limited (together with its wholly-owned subsidiary ValidSoft Limited UK, “ValidSoft”).

On March 22, 2016, Elephant Talk provided Cross River Initiatives LLC with a notice of default on the binding letter agreement dated February 17, 2016, between Cross River and the company concerning the proposed purchase of ValidSoft and governing certain important matters relating to the interim financing of ValidSoft’s business and operations. While Elephant Talk will not totally foreclose consummating the ValidSoft sale transaction with Cross River as originally contemplated, the company will no longer give preference or exclusivity to the buyer. The Elephant Talk team is working with an investment bank to evaluate strategic options regarding the planned divestiture of ValidSoft.

Hal Turner, executive chairman of the board of Elephant Talk, commented in a press release, “While we continue to have ongoing discussions with Cross River concerning the proposed purchase of ValidSoft, in the best interest of our shareholders, we cannot extend Cross River preference or exclusivity. We are working with an investment bank to evaluate strategic alternatives for the asset and remain optimistic that a transaction will be consummated in line with the company’s stated restructuring activities. Despite the setback in the divestiture of ValidSoft, the company’s restructuring plan is otherwise progressing on track and further details will be forthcoming on our earnings release and conference call later this month.”

Elephant Talk has developed a proprietary software and telecoms platform to provide cloud-based mobile network solutions to communications services providers (MNOs, MVNOs); enterprise and government/education organizations; and application/content and retail providers.

ValidSoft secures transactions using personal authentication and device assurance. ValidSoft enables its customers to enhance their security while improving their user experience, utilizing its multi-factor authentication platform, Voice Biometric engine and Device Trust technology, all of which may be used as ‘stand-alone’ services or integrated into multi-vendor solutions. ValidSoft serves multiple clients across the financial services, government and enterprise sectors and is the only company to have been granted four European Privacy Seals, reflecting its commitment to strong data privacy.

For more information, visit the company’s website: www.elephanttalk.com

From drug discovery to price optimization, across virtually every industry, more companies are using predictive analytics to increase revenue, reduce costs, and modernize the way they do business. Alternet Systems, Inc. (OTCQB: ALYI) revolutionizes how leading organizations optimize data analytics and automate marketing research operations. The company’s integrated analytics, micro segmentation and marketing automation technologies empower marketing organizations to create and develop critical marketing decision matrixes. The company’s solutions give clients proprietary market view across diverse data sources; allow discovery of unique audience and location microsegments; automate data management; and generate recommendations at micro level P&L-oriented yield optimization, across products, price and promotion investment.

Predictive analytics is gaining momentum in virtually every industry. Using predictive analytics, businesses are able to approach opportunities, risks, business partners, and customers differently, because they have foresight they previously lacked. For example, airlines are using predictive analytics to improve profitability and provide customers with better traveling experiences. Using their own and third-party data, they are able to understand seat-assignment and legroom preferences, how often their customers fly, and how price sensitive they are, as well as what customers are doing at the airport.

“Historical data can only show you so much,” said Arvid Tchivzhel, director of revenue and pricing strategy at consulting firm Mather Economics. “If you’re always looking at your historical revenue-to-date data, you’re not really seeing where your future customers will be coming from and how much value they’ll deliver to you in the long term.”

The global predictive analytics market is expected to grow from $2.74 billion in 2015 to $9.2 billion by 2020, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.4 percent during the forecast period, according to a report by MarketsandMarkets (http://dtn.fm/t5vNQ). The predictive analytics market is growing rapidly because of the transformation from traditional business intelligence (BI) techniques to advanced analytics techniques and the massive surge of structured and unstructured data.

Alternet plans to offer software that integrates analytics, micro-segments, and automated marketing technology. Clients will be able to view data across diverse sources about their unique audiences, which can help them develop micro-targeting tactics to push business forward. The software could even provide marketing recommendations.

For more information, visit www.alternetsystems.com

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