• PowerBand Solutions subsidiary MUSA Auto Finance, LLC, has secured an agreement with a national depository financial institution that provides the online auto leasing platform with $300 million for transactions
• PowerBand Solutions is building an innovative smart tech platform that streamlines the transfer of money and paperwork associated with financing and inventory, vehicle inspections and auction negotiations
• The remote-access tech solution provides a timely response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been responsible for governmental policies worldwide restricting in-person group gatherings
• Despite the reach of the pandemic, Americans’ desire for getting out on the country’s roads during the summer remains high, with some 700 million trips forecast during the season, 97 percent of which would be by automobile

Disruptive fintech innovator PowerBand Solutions (TSX.V: PBX) (OTCQB: PWWBF) (FRA: 1ZVA) announced July 13 that its U.S. leasing division, MUSA Auto Finance, LLC, have begun originating auto loans in Texas and Florida and will soon add California and other states’ markets after gaining $300 million in lease financing from a federally chartered U.S. depository financial institution for its online leasing platform (http://ibn.fm/O9wIq).

The $300-million funding agreement with the national financial institution opens the door for PowerBand to expand its future lending facilities, allowing customers and dealers to use their smart phones or other digital devices to buy, lease, and finance vehicles on PowerBand’s innovative new platform as easily as they buy products through web-based retailers such as Amazon.

The AAA 2020 Summer Forecast Report issued recently by the renowned auto club group predicted that Americans would take 700 million trips this summer, 97 percent of which would be by car due to low gasoline prices and lingering wariness of the shared confines inherent in plane travel. “You have that comfort of being in your own vehicle,” Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA, stated in a Tampa Bay Times report (http://ibn.fm/stndu). “You know how clean it is, and you know who you’re traveling with.”

National unemployment rates have remained in the double digits even though they have declined from their April peak of 14.7 percent, representing nearly 18 million people who may have more than the usual amount of free time on their hands while buoyed by pandemic-inspired national economic stimulus programs (http://ibn.fm/h5IV8).

The auto loans launching under PowerBand Solutions’ subsidiary are providing Americans with timely solutions for their driving and financing needs amid the pandemic as an alternative to physical in-person purchasing. MUSA’s platform calculates a lease on a loan application, uses AI functions to automatically render a decision on the application and provides approval to dealer partners when applicable, profiling the lease contract in the process. Approvals can occur in seconds.

“Our strategy is to aggregate further funding facilities in the weeks and months ahead, to offer multi-billion-dollar financing opportunities to consumers and dealers using our platform in the United States and Canada,” PowerBand CEO Kelly Jennings stated in the announcement. “We are looking forward to finally offering our products to our many partners in the automotive sector and millions of consumers in the coming months across North America.”

PowerBand Solutions’ platform streamlines not only the transfer of money and paperwork associated with financing, but also inventory paperwork, vehicle inspections and auction negotiations — all without requiring direct in-person contact that might put a buyer or seller at risk of infection while the pandemic’s transmission rate remains high.

The pandemic’s lasting effect on the economy has yet to be fully calculated, but even if infection rates continue to rise once North America descends into a colder winter season appliances and generally essential goods such as automobiles are likely to remain in demand (http://ibn.fm/1olBD).

PowerBand’s platform is a forward-thinking solution that expects to distinguish itself as an example of American innovation in business during the most difficult of market conditions. MUSA was awarded a contract by Tesla Motors to become a national leasing partner in 2018 as a show of confidence in MUSA’s proprietary technology.

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

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to PWWBF are available in the company’s newsroom at http://ibn.fm/PWWBF

• Clinical studies show serotonergic psychedelics may be effective in treating anxiety, depression, addiction and more
• Interest in serotonergic psychedelics has dramatically increased within last decade
• Cybin Corp. is focused on furthering research, development of psilocybin-based medications through Serenity Life Sciences Inc.

For decades seen as a taboo substance, psychedelics today are being viewed in a powerful new light. This significant societal switch is based, at least in part, on credible clinical studies, which have shown that serotonergic psychedelics may be effective in treating anxiety, depression, addiction and even cancer (http://ibn.fm/mSzY5). Cybin Corp., a Canada-based life sciences company focused on the pharmaceutical development of psychedelic products as well as the functional mushroom market, appears to be a strong player in this developing new space.

“Scientific interest in serotonergic psychedelics . . . has dramatically increased within the last decade,” reported a recent article published by the American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics. “Clinical studies administering psychedelics with psychotherapy have shown preliminary evidence of robust efficacy in treating anxiety and depression, as well as addiction to tobacco and alcohol. Moreover, recent research has suggested that these compounds have potential efficacy against inflammatory diseases through novel mechanisms, with potential advantages over existing antiinflammatory agents. . . .

“Antiinflammatory effects may hold promise for efficacy in treatment of inflammation-related nonpsychiatric as well as potentially for psychiatric disorders,” the article, which was titled “Psychedelics as Medicines: An Emerging New Paradigm,” stated. “Serotonergic psychedelics operate through unique mechanisms that show promising effects for a variety of intractable, debilitating, and lethal disorders, and should be rigorously researched.”

This research has fueled growth in an industry based on psychedelic medication, a space where Cybin Corp. is emerging as a leader. The company is focused on furthering research and development of psilocybin-based medications through its wholly owned division, Serenity Life Sciences Inc. Psilocybin is a naturally occurring, non-habit-forming psychedelic compound produced by more than 200 species of mushrooms, collectively known as psilocybin mushrooms.

Cybin is committed to its mission of bringing “fungi-derived psychedelic and medicinal products into the world that may potentially drive the next discovery phase of life-changing medications to treat mental illness and other health conditions.” With that mission in mind, Cybin also has a wholly owned division, called Journey Inc. that offers branded, proprietary products targeting mental wellness, the immune system, detoxification and overall general health and wellness.

Cybin is a mushroom life-sciences company advancing psychedelic and nutraceutical-based products. Cybin is launching psilocybin-based products in jurisdictions where the substance is not banned. Simultaneously, Cybin is structuring and supporting clinical studies across North America and other regions through strategic academic and institutional partnerships.

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

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Cybin are available in the company’s newsroom at http://ibn.fm/Cybin

• Deltec recently released investment research concerning COVID-19-related U.S. stimulus package
• Company’s combined expertise comprises more than 150 professionals, including private bankers, certified public accountants, investment advisors, lawyers, trust officers
• Deltec recently recognized as ‘Best Private Bank in the Caribbean 2020’ by Global Banking and Finance Review

As a leading financial hub for the global investment, finance and entrepreneur community, Deltec Bank & Trust offers specialized financial solutions and institutional expertise with the primary goal of creating opportunities for its clients to enhance their wealth. As part of its service offerings, the company recently released a special report (http://ibn.fm/7Ig6O) outlining details of the U.S. government’s $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) stimulus package. The timely piece includes commentary concerning the potential effects to US personal incomes should the unemployment insurance benefits be allowed to expire at the end of the month without extension.

Besides offering specialized services that span private, corporate and merchant banking, Deltec moves beyond its core set of services by providing specialized research reports published periodically for the benefit of its clients.

Forming part of Deltec’s global financial hub is the collective experience of more than 150 professionals gleaned from a wide array of backgrounds, including private bankers, certified public accountants, investment advisors, lawyers and trust officers. With the power of their combined experience from some of the world’s largest and most prestigious financial institutions, the professionals at Deltec provide unparalleled expertise in working with complex multi-jurisdictional entities in addition to individuals and families aiming to protect their wealth. The company’s assets under management, administration and custody have risen substantially as a result of the purchase of Société Generale’s private banking business in The Bahamas, growing to over $12 billion as of late 2019 (http://ibn.fm/lZTrN).

Recognized periodically for its outstanding performance and achievements, Deltec recently won the ‘Best Private Bank in the Caribbean 2020’ award for a second time from the Global Banking and Finance Review (http://ibn.fm/s724h). Besides being recognized internationally for strong client relations and highly personalized innovative products, Deltec maintains a strong position at the forefront of the digital banking and fintech revolution with its annual conference focused on disruptive technologies within the financial services industry (http://ibn.fm/BdQSA).

Founded in 1959, Deltec Bank & Trust Ltd. is the flagship company of the Deltec International Group, a diversified independent financial services organization that provides a wide range of financial services that include investment management and research, fund administration, merchant banking, corporate advisory, digital asset solutions and global insurance. Besides providing top-tier services for their diverse range of clientele, Deltec also actively engages with the local community in The Bahamas through its Deltec Initiatives Foundation that aims to empower youth in driving forward positive social impact through the power of the arts, entrepreneurship and education.

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

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Deltec are available in the company’s newsroom at http://ibn.fm/Deltec

• Pharmaceutical and health care services company Trxade Group has added new tools to its Bonum Health telemedicine platform that will help patients better inform themselves about their medical needs and their provider’s prescription recommendations
• Trxade Group operates a B2B pharmaceutical network that supports independent, neighborhood-based healthcare businesses with up-to-the-minute information on drug pricing
• The company also assists patients on a B2C basis through its subsidiaries that include Bonum Health’s telemedicine platform and Delivmeds’ pharmaceutical delivery service
• Trxade Group’s development of remote-access medical care during the past two years has proven timely in the face of restrictions on gatherings imposed during the novel coronavirus pandemic
• The company has been increasing its profile among investors with uplisting to the Nasdaq exchange and entry to the annual Russell’s Microcap Index

Growing health services provider Trxade Group (NASDAQ: MEDS) recently announced the expansion of its patient empowerment telehealth platform Bonum Health, which has added access to educational resources that can help better understand and direct their care management.

Trxade Group’s wholly owned mobile telehealth application will now link to the Merck Manual, a standard reference guide for physicians since 1899, according to the announcement. The company’s intent in further developing the Bonum Health app is to “encourage, enable, and empower patients” with information pertinent to their medical needs and provider’s drug recommendations.

Trxade Group has been undergoing significant portfolio development during recent months. The company’s mission is to help sustain independent, locally owned community pharmacies, and two years ago it boosted its own capacity to reach consumers directly when it acquired accredited Internet pharmaceutical Community Specialty Pharmacy, LLC (http://ibn.fm/Y0xaU) and launched its consumer-based medication delivery app Delivmeds.com.

Trxade Group has since added its Bonum Health Hub telehealth service as a means for patients and providers to consult using mobile smart tech without a need for in-office visits. The secure, privacy-enabled technology has proven particularly timely during a year when a novel coronavirus reached pandemic-level global transmission and spurred health and government leaders to enact varied restrictions against group gatherings (http://ibn.fm/lCYCQ).

Trxade Group has this year seen its operation uplisted to the Nasdaq exchange as it has gathered funding, and last month it gained inclusion on this year’s Russell’s Microcap Index.

“This marks an exciting capital markets milestone in the growth and trajectory of our company as we continue to execute upon our growth strategy and raise awareness about the Company throughout the investment community,” Trxade Chairman and CEO Suren Ajjarapu stated in a news release at the time (http://ibn.fm/7qjoH).

Trxade Group’s eBay-type B2B business model significantly lowers prescription drug costs, in part due to its emphasis on transparency. At the same time, the company’s revenues grew 94 percent during 2019 as a result of fee income for medications listed on the company’s web-based market platform (http://ibn.fm/U20h6) and 11,400 independent pharmacies became new subscribers to the company’s platform for analyzing drug pricing on an up-to-the-minute basis.

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

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to MEDS are available in the company’s newsroom at http://ibn.fm/MEDS

• SRAX’s Sequire platform has grown to 75 publicly traded companies comprising 500,000+ active investors
• Sequire’s sales exceeded $2.5 million in Q2 2020 with additional $3 million expected to close in Q3
• Platform expansion set to follow definitive securities purchase agreement worth $13 million

With the importance of big data on the rise, it should come as no surprise that the finance industry is leveraging the use of data analytics to deliver increased transparency and improve communications with stakeholders on every level. SRAX (NASDAQ: SRAX), a digital marketing and consumer data management technology company, is leveraging this trend through Sequire, its innovative investor intelligence platform. Through the use of proprietary technology, Sequire unlocks big data analytics in powerful new ways that connect public companies with traders and long-term investors for communication and marketing campaigns.

Interactions between public companies, shareholders and future prospects are becoming increasingly complex, requiring innovative new strategies and creative solutions that only big data can provide. Sequire facilitates these communications through an online platform that allows public companies to monitor the activities of current investors, activate campaigns to engage existing shareholders and create marketing campaigns to attract new investment to the company.

Sequire’s success – despite the effect of COVID-19 lockdowns – has been significant so far in 2020, growing to 75 publicly-traded companies comprising 500,000+ active investors and traders with sales exceeding $2.5 million in Q2 2020 (http://ibn.fm/Z6LGF). Expansion of the platform is imminent following recent news that the Company has entered into a definitive securities purchase agreement led by existing institutional investors for the purchase and sale of $13 million senior secured convertible debentures to fund a rapid expansion of the platform (http://ibn.fm/4zZla).

“On Thursday, we announced a capital raise of $13 million, which we will use in part to fund the rapid expansion of Sequire,” said SRAX CEO and founder Christopher Miglino (http://ibn.fm/4d3g5). “Our clients have seen notable results from the platform and its related services. We’ve also seen a significant increase in the number of clients on the platform with Q2 sales hitting over $2.5 million and an additional $3 million in the pipeline, with a very high probability of closing in Q3.”

Along with Sequire, SRAX delivers a suite of specialized tools for other industries, delivering a digital competitive advantage for brands in the CPG, luxury goods and lifestyle verticals by integrating all aspects of the advertising experience into one platform. At a time when consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the value of their data, SRAX is more than several steps ahead with the company’s BIGtoken platform, comprising over 16 million users and providing them with compensation for their data while simultaneously creating reliable data sets that can be accessed by marketers for a fee.

New, innovative and creative uses of big data are increasingly being used to meet the demands of businesses looking to survive the current economic period. SRAX’s services meet this demand by giving clients the ability to target and access specific niche groups across 25,000 unique points of segmentation, providing a much-needed strategic edge to businesses of all types across almost every industry.

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

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to SRAX are available in the company’s newsroom at http://ibn.fm/SRAX

• POAI improved liquidity position, streamlined capital structure with conversion of $2.1 million convertible note
• Business highlights include continued initial study to sequence ovarian tumors, validate “reach-back”
• Company closed transaction resulting in gross cash proceeds of approximately $2.2 million

Predictive Oncology (NASDAQ: POAI), a knowledge-driven company focused on applying artificial intelligence (“AI”) to personalized medicine and drug discovery, announced Q1 2020 financial results and business highlights (http://ibn.fm/mFwpq) as well as receipt of cash proceeds of $2.2 million from exercise of warrants (http://ibn.fm/2n6x5).

“[POAI] improved our liquidity position and streamlined our capital structure with the conversion of a $2.1 million convertible note, previously held by me, to newly issued equity,” said POAI CEO Dr. Carl Schwartz. “This action demonstrates my confidence in the commercial viability of our work, and when combined with the additional capital we raised through an equity offering, provides us with the cash runway to fund key clinical, regulatory and operational milestones for the next several quarters. In addition, we have significantly reduced the corporate structure of our Skyline Medical business to enable it to operate independently as we consider strategic alternatives for this business.”

According to Predictive Oncology’s report, for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, company revenues increased to $295,943 compared with $255,241 for the first quarter of 2019. Gross margins remained strong at 69% for the same period, compared with 71% in the 2019 period. Other Q1 highlights included the following:

• Continued initial study to sequence ovarian tumors and validate “reach-back” process; study is on schedule to be completed Q3 2020
• Signed LOI to acquire Quantitative Medicine, a biomedical analytics and computational biology company; closed early July Q3 2020
• Signed a term sheet to acquire both BioDtech and Soluble Therapeutics and its HSC(TM) Technology; closed in Q2 2020

In addition, POAI announced the closing of a previously announced transaction resulting in gross cash proceeds of approximately $2.2 million paid to the company, prior to deducting placement agent fees and offering expenses, through the exercise of certain existing warrants by several holders to purchase an aggregate of up to 1,396,826 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.575 per share. The shares of common stock issued upon exercise of the existing warrants are registered for resale pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-1.

In consideration for the immediate exercise of the existing warrants for cash, the exercising holders received new unregistered warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 1,396,826 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.80 per share with an exercise period of five and one-half years from the issuing date. Predictive Oncology plans to use these funds for working capital and general corporate purposes.

POAI is bringing precision medicine, or tailored medical treatment using the individual characteristics of each patient, to the treatment of cancer. Through the company’s Helomics division, the company leverages its unique, clinically validated patient derived (“PDx”) smart tumor profiling platform to provide oncologists with a road map to help individualize therapy. In addition, the company is utilizing artificial intelligence and its proprietary database of over 150,000 cancer cases tumors to build AI-driven models of tumor drug response to improve outcomes for the patients of today and tomorrow

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.Predictive-Oncology.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to POAI are available in the company’s newsroom at http://ibn.fm/POAI

• New National Gardening Survey shows Americans choosing to garden in ways that benefit environment, wildlife
• 1 million American adults converted part of their lawns to natural/wildflower landscape
• Strategic acquisition positions NSRI as “The Sustainable Green Team”

As growing numbers of people take up gardening and yard work during the worldwide pandemic (http://ibn.fm/0fLLD), a recent study shows that Americans are choosing to garden in ways that benefit the environment and wildlife. National Storm Recovery (OTC: NSRI), a leading provider of environmentally beneficial solutions for mulch products as well as tree and storm waste disposal, is committed to creating a Sustainable Green Team approach and stands to benefit from the heightened awareness of sustainability.

“The new National Gardening Survey shows people across America are purposefully planting for wildlife, making a conservation difference where they live and advancing the wildlife gardening movement,” said senior director of Garden for Wildlife Mary Phillips (http://ibn.fm/o2jET). “At the National Wildlife Federation, we hope even more people will find solace in wildlife gardening and plant with purpose, creating eco-friendly green space to relax, rejuvenate and get some much-needed outdoor time during these unprecedented times. While millions invite butterflies, birds and bees to their yards by replacing lawn with native plants, smaller habitat oases can also be created in backyards, porches, patios or even windowsills.”

According to the 2020 National Gardening Survey, conducted by the National Garden Association and the University of New Hampshire Survey Center on behalf of the National Wildlife Federation, one in four (more than 64 million American adults) purchased a plant because it was beneficial to birds, bees or butterflies; one in seven Americans (14%) purchased plants native to where they lived; and 23.1 million (9%) of American adults converted at least a portion of their lawns to natural/wildflower landscape.

This trend bodes well for NSRI. In operation for more than four decades, National Storm Recovery made a strong move into the yard and gardening space with its recent acquisition of Ohio-based Mulch Manufacturing, a 35-year-old industry leader and innovator. “This strategic acquisition has positioned us as The Sustainable Green Team,” said NSRI CEO Tony Raynor (http://ibn.fm/WMEVb), as both companies share a deep dedication to offering environmentally friendly products and services.

“This business combination has created an industry power house and, with our combined strengths, puts us in an ideal position to increase our sales and resulting margins, as our combined operations benefit from the resulting vertical integration and economies of scale,” noted Mulch Manufacturer CEO Ralph Spencer. “Not only does this transaction make good economic sense, but we both share the same vision and commitment of providing environmentally friendly products to the public. . . . The importance of our shared belief that we are ‘stewards of the environment’ should not be understated.

In addition to manufacturing, packaging and sales of next-generation, environmentally friendly mulch products, National Storm Recovery Inc. provides tree services, debris hauling and removal, and bio-mass recycling. Based in Florida, NSRI serves governmental, residential and commercial customers.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.CentralFloridaArborCare.com/storm-recovery.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to NSRI are available in the company’s newsroom at http://ibn.fm/NSRI

• Forecasts for VoD space range from $80 billion to more than $120 billion by 2025
• Video on demand becoming part of daily viewing habits for everyone, says Yahoo Finance
• MVES committed to changing the way independent motion pictures are made, distributed

With forecasts for the video on demand (“VoD”) market reaching anywhere from $80 billion (http://ibn.fm/ayjRx) to $120.91 billion (http://ibn.fm/jH9e7) by 2025, it seems clear that The Movie Studio (MVES) is in exactly the right place at the right time. The vertically integrated motion-picture production company is focused on acquiring, developing, producing and distributing independent motion-picture content for worldwide consumption via subscription and advertiser video on demand (“SVOD/AVOD”), over the top (“OTT”) platforms, foreign sales and various media devices.

A recent Yahoo Finance article reported that “video on demand is becoming a part of daily viewing habits for everyone as they can stream or download content from an online source or a traditional TV package” providing “better control over what to watch, how to watch and where to watch.” Summarizing an Infinium Global Research report, the article noted that “in 2018, there were 5.9 billion mobile subscriptions worldwide. This is set to touch 8 billion by 2025.”

The article attributed as least a portion of the spiking VoD numbers to the swiftly growing use of smartphones. “Currently, there are 5.11 billion unique mobile users in the world, which increased by 100 million from 2018,” the article states. “In addition, there were 4.39 billion internet users in 2019, with an increase of 366 million (9%) from January 2018. Countries such as China and India are at the forefront of driving the growth of mobile phones and also have the highest average monthly mobile data consumption per smartphone. Furthermore, the growing trend of binge-watching on Netflix, Prime Video, Hotstar, Eros Now, Viu, and other video streaming services among the youngsters are driving the growth of the VoD market.”

A Mordor Intelligence report noted that “VoD offers a wide array of video programs that include entertainment, films, sports, and educational programs. Although VoD was initially in demand for movie access, with the changing customer preferences boosting the demand for TV programs and other content, VoD service providers had to expand their offerings to other content programmers.”

Keenly aware of the vast potential in the VoD space, The Movie Studio is working to establish its own OTT VOD platform designed to integrate both its own and aggregated feature film projects, television programming and other media intellectual properties. The company’s growth-by-acquisition strategy includes purchasing legacy film libraries, upgrading acquired films to 4K resolution and remonetizing with “new” film content on popular VOD streaming platforms across the internet, strategic partnerships and media content alignment with other OTT platforms, and the production of its own micro-budget, motion-picture content.

Based in Florida, MVES continues to focus on changing the way independent motion pictures are made and distributed. For investors, the potential for significant ROI exists as the commercial VOD (video on demand) technology owned by the company is an efficient means of distribution. With the aim of increasing overall revenues for all parties in the motion picture production and distribution channels, the Movie Studio is disrupting traditional media content delivery systems with its digital business model of motion picture distribution.

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

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to MVES are available in the company’s newsroom at http://ibn.fm/MVES

• Domestic REEs increasingly in demand for use in critical modern technologies, to decrease reliance on China
• UUUU announced earlier this year it is preparing to enter REE sector
• Energy Fuels’ fully licensed and constructed White Mesa Mill could be key player in producing country’s own REE supply

Increasingly in demand, rare earth elements (“REEs”) — and where they come from — have becoming a hot topic recently (http://ibn.fm/0Q6is). Energy Fuels (NYSE American: UUUU) (TSX: EFR), the largest uranium producer in the United States and the leading conventional producer of vanadium, is in an ideal position to leverage that rising interest as the company prepares to enter the REE sector.

“[REEs are] an awfully hot topic right now for two reasons,” reports a recent “Forbes” article. “First, they’re increasingly in demand for critical modern technologies, ranging from computer hard drives and cell phones, to new-tech applications such as batteries for EVs and clean power storage, to critical defense items such as jet engines and lasers.

“Second,” the article continues, “supply is currently dominated by China (for mining alone, for example, China has 80% market share). China has cut off supplies to countries before, and just last year threatened to do so again, in retaliation against the trade war with America.”

The article, titled “For Near-Term U.S. Decoupling From China For Rare Earth Elements, Options Are Limited — But They’re Out There,” notes that a lot of people are focused on getting the United States in a more stable situation in terms of its supply of rare earth elements. Currently, the country relies heavily on China for its supply of the valuable elements.

In part, that desire has been sparked because of a recent warning Chinese President Xi Jinping that he might ban exports of REEs to the U.S. And second, the current COVID-19 pandemic has caused many companies to take a closer look at ways to decrease their reliance on China for essential items, not just REEs, in their global supply chains.

Earlier this year, Energy Fuels announced its entry into the REE space. The company is confident that its fully licensed and constructed White Mesa Mill, which is the only uranium and vanadium mill in operation in the country today, could be a key player in re-establishing the country’s ability to produce its own supply of REEs.

UUUU chose to enter the REE industry after an intense, months-long review and testing period. The intense due diligence process included discussions with technical experts and the U.S. government, which is actively seeking a domestic source of REE minerals, which it uses for national defense. As part of this effort, President Donald J. Trump issued a series of five presidential determinations declaring domestic REE production essential to national defense.

Based in Lakewood, Colorado, Energy Fuels holds three of America’s key uranium production centers: the Nichols Ranch (“ISR”) project in Wyoming, the Alta Mesa ISR Project in Texas and the White Mesa Mill in Utah – the only conventional uranium mill operating in the United States today with a licensed capacity of more than 8 million pounds of U3O8 per year. With an asset portfolio that boasts more uranium production facilities, in-ground resources, production capacity and experienced personnel than any other producer, Energy Fuels is in a unique position to maintain its position as the leading producer of uranium in an era of viable transformation of the U.S. nuclear industry.

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

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to UUUU are available in the company’s newsroom at http://ibn.fm/UUUU

• Secures a 5,000-square-foot facility with potential for 250 pounds output per month
• Seeing month-over-month growth with BudCars across all metrics
• Submitted application to expand BudCars into cannabis cultivation

Sugarmade (OTCQB: SGMD), a product and branding marketing company investing in operations and technologies with disruptive potential, recently secured a 5,000-square-foot indoor premium cannabis cultivation facility. Located near its Sacramento Budcars Cannabis Delivery Service hub, this new facility has production potential for as much as 250 pounds of premium dried cannabis flower per month. Based on current local averages the facility has the potential of producing as much a $1.6 million in new BudCars sales per month. As a vertical farm-to-door operation the company would also experience significant savings in cost.

BudCars is a top-shelf cannabis retail business that offers same-day delivery of top-quality product. Customers can choose from edibles, flower, pre-rolls, vapes, tinctures and concentrate from dozens of premium brands. Once the selection is made and the purchase completed online. BudCars delivers to a customer’s front door, same day.

SGMD acquired the Sacramento-based BudCars in February 2020. Since that time, the company has expanded the service geographically; it currently reaches into the communities of Granite Bay, Folsom, Arden Arcade, Carmichael, Citrus Heights, Orangevale and Roseville/Rocklin (http://ibn.fm/vWrTl). Sugarmade has seen dramatic growth and is working on expanding even further into Southern California.

“The growth has been so dramatic that we have had to drastically revise our expectations to the upside, which demands expansion, both in terms of staff and fleet in Sacramento, and in terms of regional expansion into Southern California,” said Sugarmade CEO Jimmy Chan. “As a result, we are acquiring two distribution hub locations in the LA area with cannabis licenses included so we can hit the ground running” (http://ibn.fm/jnoOO).

That growth hasn’t slowed down as the company continues to experience record growth in every metric. In June BudCars achieved total sales of $502,903, representing a 30% month-over-month growth for three consecutive months. The company is seeing an average daily sales increase of 41% month over month along with an average customer order increase of 2% per order (http://ibn.fm/pgxrC).

“Our pricing improved. Our average order improved. We did more business with more people and booked a significant jump in gross profits while holding our 47% gross margin level as volume increased,” Chan reported (http://ibn.fm/ooCeN). “We look forward to continued breakout growth in July.”

SGMD has submitted an application to expand into cannabis cultivation. The company is looking to strategically grow BudCars through verticalization. Through the expansion into cultivation, once approved by the California Bureau of Cannabis Control, the move would connect the dots and form a solid product and supply line from farm to delivery that would further cut costs and increase the profit margins (http://ibn.fm/lTl4R).

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

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to SGMD are available in the company’s newsroom at http://ibn.fm/SUGAR