• Export services under NAFTA, mainly covering transportation, travel, business, and financial services, increased from $14.7 billion in 1999 to $30.4 billion in 2021
• With the transition from NAFTA to USMCA, trade in goods and services is set to see a spike from 2022 going forward, and Fr8Tech expects to capitalize on this
• Freight Technologies Inc., with its superior freight platform for North American cross-border shipping, yielded a 45% YOY revenue growth for Q2 2022, which it looks to surpass in the subsequent quarters of the current financial year
• With trucks moving about 70% of North American surface trade by value, trucking companies, Fr8Tech included, are set to be the biggest beneficiaries with the USMCA, enjoying benefits such as reduced administrative burdens and faster shipping times
• The USMCA’s objective is to support a mutually beneficial trade that seeks to achieve more accessible markets, fairer trade, and economic growth in North America. Fr8Tech looks to capitalize on opportunities that present themselves to not only create shareholder value but also grow its brand equity and realize its short-term and long-term objectives

According to the United States Census Bureau, the export of services under the North American Free Trade Agreement (“NAFTA”), mainly covering transportation, travel, business, and financial services, increased from $14.7 billion in 1999 to $30.4 billion in 2021. The same applies to the trade of services between the U.S. and Canada. With the transition from NAFTA to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (“USMCA”), it is projected that trade in goods and services in the region will not be altered. The study projects that operations in this sector will soar as trade among the three countries grows (https://ibn.fm/2BEFI).

Freight Technologies (NASDAQ: FRGT) (“Fr8Tech”), an enterprise developing solutions to optimize and automate the supply chain process and offering a platform for B2B cross-border shipping in the NAFTA (now USCMA) region looks to capitalize not just on the smooth transition, but also the relatively unaltered trade in goods and services to grow its market share and achieve its revenue objectives. This level of focus has allowed the company to achieve a 45% year-over-year (“YOY”) revenue growth for the second quarter of the 2022 financial year, which It looks to surpass in the subsequent quarters of the current financial year (https://ibn.fm/IDih3).

The shift from NAFTA to USMCA came in the wake of proposed amendments to the initial agreement among the member countries. These changes would be founded on the basic principles of free trade provided in NAFTA but modernizing and adjusting some components. For some sectors, particularly the energy sector, the proposed changes received heavy politicization and significant proposed adjustments. However, the transport sector was set to receive more support from the member states. The primary beneficiaries would be logistics services companies and transport modes, who would enjoy a reduced administrative burden and faster shipping times, translating into more revenues and fewer overheads.

With trucks moving about 70% of North American surface trade by value, trucking companies are set to be the biggest beneficiaries with the USMCA (https://ibn.fm/nCMq0). Fr8Tech, with its Fr8App, a B2B marketplace powered by Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) and Machine learning, looks to make cross-border shipping simple, safe and affordable. With the USMCA, the company looks to scale up its operations, grow its customer base and achieve even more growth going forward.

The objective for USMCA, as was the case with NAFTA, is to support mutually beneficial trade leading to more accessible markets, fairer trade, and robust economic growth in North America. It is specifically intended to grow various regional industries and sectors, and transportation is one of this transition’s primary beneficiaries. Fr8Tech recognizes this opportunity and is looking to bank on it to create shareholder value, grow its brand equity, and realize its short-term and long-term objectives.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.Fr8Technologies.com.

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

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Alternative Products Expo has just announced its next show, which will take place on March 3-5, 2023, in the beautiful city of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This one-of-a-kind trade show promises to provide attendees with a unique experience that breaks away from the monotony of traditional events. It’s a must-attend for anyone in the smoke shop and counterculture industry.

Known for short as Alt Pro Expo, this event has its roots in the Vape and CBD world and has since expanded to include a plethora of industries. With over 200 exhibitors representing various product categories, such as Vape, CBD, Hemp, Delta-8, Nicotine Alternatives, Kratom, Extracts, Functional Beverages, tinctures, edibles, herbal products, mood enhancers, energy boosters, dietary supplements, and much more, there’s something for everyone to discover.

According to Jason Monti, the event’s co-founder, “ALT PRO Expo is more than just a trade show. It’s a platform for all counterculture professionals looking to expand or tap into this growing market.” And with thousands of registered buyers, prominent brands, and influential media partners participating, it’s an incredible opportunity for anyone looking to make new connections or showcase their products and services.

But the excitement doesn’t stop there. Florida is home to some of the most notable Alternative Product companies, and Fort Lauderdale, in particular, is a thriving hub for the counterculture industry. Attendees can take advantage of the many recreational activities in the area, such as boating, fishing, and sunbathing, making Alt Pro Expo the ideal destination for a productive and enjoyable trade show experience.

So mark your calendars and get ready to discover the latest and greatest in alternative products at the Alt Pro Expo. It’s an event you won’t want to miss!

For more information, please visit https://altproexpo.com/

Mining Journal Select Show on March 27-28th, 2023. An exclusive lineup of presenters will pitch their businesses in front of industry leaders and investors and get an opportunity for one-on-one meetings and personalized discussions with these eminent investment groups.

These mining companies presenting at Mining Journal Select are selected by the Mining Journal Research & Intelligence Team, who conduct research and analysis to shortlist a curated list of companies with exceptional potential and prospects. Investors looking for robust investment avenues can leverage this forum to discover aspiring mining businesses with exceptional qualities.

Aspiring and veteran miners and mining companies with bright and innovative ideas get to pitch their business prospects in front of an audience of over 400 institutional and retail investors. In addition, investors will be able to hold personalized meetings to analyze the mining presenting companies up close and personal. Presenting companies and other attendees associated with allied industries can participate in the 20+ pre-booked meetings to discuss their ideas directly with investors, as they connect and develop further networking ties over the two days of the event.

Mining Journal Select is one of the leading and established brands in the mining arena. Hence, attendees who are a part of the event have the opportunity to leverage the contacts and reach of Mining Journal and MiningNews.net. The company has an expansive reach with a global audience of 100,000 elite class and more than 1.5 million retail investors that were targeted via a CEO video interview.

Attendees get a chance to meet outstanding miners and come across new development projects in the mining segment. The event showcases a sophisticated audience that will get access to branded pods with screens to host the investor meets. About 800+ meetings between investors and mining companies will be hosted in the two days of the event. A dedicated concierge of experts focused on their jobs, will conduct and deliver 20+ meetings in an organized manner for each mining organization.

Some of the confirmed speakers for the upcoming event include:

• Alex Tsukernik, President & CEO Nova Royalty
• Barry Cahill, Executive Director, Cyprium Metals
• Brett Heath, President and CEO, Metalla Royalty & Streaming
• Bruce Griffin, Executive Chair, Sheffield Resources
• David Harquail, Chairman, Franco Nevada
• Mark Selby, Chairman & CEO, Canada Nickel
• … plus much more

In addition, 4 expert panel sessions will offer insights and support the communication and networking between mining companies and investors.

Join in for 14+ hours of interactive mining discussions, networking and interactions that will pave way for long-term business ties.

To learn more, please visit (https://ibn.fm/xSYj2).

• SILO issued US Patent by USPTO titled “Pharmacological Prophylactics Against Stress-Induced Affective Disorders In Females”
• Claims allowed by patent protect use of SPC-15 for treating stress-induced affective disorders, including anxiety and PTSD
• Other therapeutics in company pipeline include SPU-16 to treat multiple sclerosis, SPU-21 to treat rheumatoid arthritis, SPC-14 to treat Alzheimer’s disease
• Therapeutics developed by SILO may qualify for FDA’s streamlined 505(b)(2) regulatory drug approval pathway

Silo Pharma (NASDAQ: SILO), a developmental stage biopharmaceutical company focused on merging traditional therapeutics with psychedelic research, was recently issued US Patent 11,491,120 by the US Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) (https://ibn.fm/rMLOR). The patent, titled “Pharmacological Prophylactics Against Stress-Induced Affective Disorders in Females”, enables SILO to expand its intellectual property and technology rights for treating rare stress-related medical conditions.

SPC-15 is a targeted prophylactic ketamine formulation used in a novel protocol to treat and prevent stress-induced affective disorders, including PTSD.

“After a comprehensive review by USPTO, we are pleased with the scope of the granted claims offering further protection for our novel SPC-15 technology and its market potential for anxiety, PTSD, and related disorders,” said SILO Chief Executive Officer Eric Weisblum.

SILO collaborates with first-in-class research partners at leading universities to advance research in the medical and psychedelic sectors. The company holds an option to license certain assets currently under development by Columbia University through a commercial evaluation license agreement between both parties. Other drugs in the company pipeline include SPU-16 to treat multiple sclerosis, SPU-21 to treat rheumatoid arthritis, and SPC-14 as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.

Several therapeutics developed by the company may qualify for the FDA’s streamlined 505(b)(2) regulatory drug approval pathway. Drugs that qualify under the 505(b)(2) pathway may be exempted from conducting repeat studies previously performed on tested drugs, enabling the company to reduce expenses and speed up the time to market (https://ibn.fm/BiKBw). Other benefits include lower treatment risk due to previous drug approval and the potential to qualify for 3-7 years of market exclusivity.

Silo Pharma Inc. merges traditional therapeutics with psychedelic research to develop innovative therapeutics for underserved markets, including PTSD, fibromyalgia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other rare neurological conditions. The company collaborates with top universities and research institutions to develop therapeutics that can improve patient outcomes and potentially transform the healthcare industry.

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

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

• BiondVax Pharmaceuticals is promoting preclinical results of its lead “biobetter” NanoAb drug candidate for conveniently proactively preventing COVID
• The company’s CEO recently presented the data at the annual BIO CEO & Investor Conference in New York, as well as updates on the company’s pipeline for treating autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis, asthma, psoriatic arthritis and macular degeneration
• Monoclonal antibody-based drug product Evusheld recently lost its EUA authorization as a COVID preventative after FDA findings that it insufficiently protects against the current wOmicron sub-variants, eliminating the only preventative option for vaccine-intolerant patients
• BiondVax nano-sized antibodies may provide superior responses to COVID both for current and potential future subvariants of the virus

Pioneering immunotherapy developer BiondVax Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: BVXV) is seeing convincingly positive outcomes for preventing and arresting disease in COVID patients during an ongoing preclinical in vivo study, even as continually evolving variants of the COVID virus are shutting down emergency authorization-approved (“EUA”) avenues of treatment that may no longer be effective.

Last month, drug ineffectiveness led the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) to revise its Emergency Use Authorization (“EUA”) for the monoclonal antibody prophylactic, Evusheld, removing its availability  for people who have a history of severe adverse reactions to vaccines similar to the COVID vaccine or who otherwise may not respond favorably to the COVID vaccine because of an immunocompromised condition (https://ibn.fm/AFJtC).

While Evusheld may return to EUA status in the future if the combined frequency of the extant SARS-CoV-2 variants fall back within the FDA’s standards range for susceptibility to the prophylactic (preventative) drug treatment, for now Evusheld’s sidelining essentially leaves immunocompromised people essentially “on their own against COVID-19,” as Time magazine reported, because Evusheld’s monoclonal antibody product was the only option for pre-exposure prophylaxis (https://ibn.fm/3xfTd).

However, BiondVax’s development of a nano-sized antibody (NanoAb), that to date has shown neutralization of all relevant Omicron subvariants, is generating excitement as a potential superior prophylactic approach to COVID prevention  such as Evusheld’s solution. At-risk groups, such as the elderly and people with comorbidities, may proactively be able to protect themselves through the company’s conveniently self-administered inhaled NanoAb therapy.

BiondVax enjoys exclusive agreements with the Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences (“MPI”) and the University Medical Center Göttingen (“UMG”) to collaborate on the development and commercialization of innovative COVID-fighting NanoAbs, also known as VHH-antibodies. The NanoAbs have neutralized the SARS-COV-2 virus, in-vitro, at drug concentrations about 100 times lower than those required by currently commercially available monoclonal antibodies (“mAbs”), which may lead to increased efficacy, reduced side effects, and allow production at a lower cost, according to the companies (https://ibn.fm/HD6ue).

“NanoAb therapeutics have the potential to quickly and effectively address new variants,” BiondVax CEO Amir Reichman told shareholders in December (https://ibn.fm/NxXuO). “Our collaborators at MPI and UMG have generated libraries each with (about) 300 million COVID-19 NanoAb candidates, as compared to mAb libraries that contain only thousands of options. Thus, as new variants emerge, we would expect to be in a position to rapidly develop a new neutralizing NanoAb.”

The nanoparticle nature of the company’s leading candidate has made possible administration through an innovative, inhaled treatment that may provide a desirable alternative to available therapies for treating patients after they have become ill with the virus, as well as a preventative prophylactic providing protection prior to exposure. Reichman provided a presentation on BiondVax’s successful preclinical results this month at the annual BIO CEO & Investor Conference in New York, including discussion of the company’s “biobetter” NanoAb R&D pipeline for developing novel treatments for autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis, asthma, psoriatic arthritis and macular degeneration.

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

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

Investors, small-cap and micro-cap businesses are invited to attend the virtual edition of the MicroCap Rodeo’s 3rd Annual Winter Wonderland Best Ideas Conference. The event, being organized in association with Issuer Direct, will be held Feb. 21-24, 2023. The conference format is designed based on the successful implementation of the last eight conferences which were a mix of in-person as well as virtual events.

The MicroCap Rodeo, a leading conference production in the microcap space, has pioneered several networking sessions that feature keynote speakers and offers a robust platform for company presentations for company management and marquee investors. Issuer Direct is a top communications and compliance company, that provides solutions for both public and investor relations professionals.

The conference will span 4 days featuring company presentations from more than 35 publicly traded microcap and small-cap companies. In these 25-minute presentations that will be held on Feb. 21-22, leading industry leaders and veterans will offer their valuable insightful views and vision for their respective companies. They will also discuss their strategies, the future course of action, key business challenges and current market scenario.

On Feb. 23-24, 2023, 1-on-1 meetings will be held among qualified institutional investors and the leadership of presenting companies where they get the opportunity to build lasting relationships, explore synergies, and discuss business collaborations.

The main agenda of the conference is to offer business opportunities to the microcap spectrum industries while directing investors to discover new business avenues.  These conferences boost business productivity and foster growth and expansion in targeted markets. There is lucrative exchange of views and knowledge-sharing among the seasoned attendees, businesses and industry leaders.

The MicroCap Rodeo conferences offer a forum where microcap companies and investors can engage in the critical interaction that can be so evasive in the sector. As the event is being conducted on a virtual forum, the conference can have a greater outreach.

Stalwarts and experts from far and wide can join the conference to impart their knowledge and ideas to the attendees. Also, as the conference will be attended by a wide gamut of participants, it will offer greater sales and trading support to the microcap community.  Executives and managers of futuristic microcap companies will be duly recognized on this forum. Attendees can leverage the high-quality networking that will strengthen their networking ties and offer new business opportunities.

To learn more, please visit https://ibn.fm/6Uh0h.

• Adoption of zero-emission vehicles accelerated across almost all markets and vehicle segments in 2022 and will continue on the back of increasing government regulation and incentives
• Power inverters, irreplaceable power conversion tech, has received a meaningful upgrade with Hillcrest’s ZVS inverter technology that improves operating power and efficiency
• Hillcrest anticipates commitments for commercial revenue this year from its inverter as it expands into multiple other areas where the technology is highly applicable

New technologies are always accompanied by unforeseen challenges, especially for the EV space as it is becoming more and more pronounced. There was a time when people thought the idea of a horseless carriage moving around was impossible. Ironically, electric vehicles came about before those powered by gasoline. At the time, gasoline was cleaner and more reliable, so electrics disappeared from the market. With the outset of the new electric vehicle revolution, questions have abounded about a slew of topics, such as safety, range anxiety, and charging infrastructure. Experts are still trying to square circles regarding who will pay for electric grid upgrades, while others like Hillcrest Energy Technologies (CSE: HEAT) (OTCQB: HLRTF) emerge on the scene with innovations tackling heat and power issues that sap efficiency from EVs.

Whether or not the world reaches its net-zero-emission targets for vehicles in the next dozen years or not is up for debate, but there is no doubt that the day of electrification is upon us. According to strategic research provider BloombergNEF, adoption of ZEVs (zero-emission vehicles) accelerated across almost all markets and vehicle segments in 2022. The result? 1.7 million fewer barrels of oil used each day.

BNEF estimated that EV sales increased from 6.6 million units in 2021 to top 10 million for the first time. In  2022, the total value of global EV sales surpassed the $1 trillion mark. The rise in adoption is supported nearly universally by governments aiming to slash carbon emissions, including the Canadian government officially getting on board late in 2022, launching regulations that will phase out sales of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles that emit emissions starting in 2035.

The good thing for consumers is that innovation is making electric cars and trucks better at the engineering level. Vancouver-based Hillcrest raised the bar in the EV power inverter industry, eliminating traditional trade-offs regarding heat generation and electromagnetic compatibility (“EMC”) that have plagued engineers for years. The company uses a combination of hardware and software to unlock higher switching frequencies resulting in improved power system performance and reliability without compromising efficiency.

This is the type of technology that the average driver won’t understand except for if it didn’t exist. Batteries in electric vehicles store energy as direct current (“DC”). While DC may be ideal for powering certain things, it absolutely is not ideal for the motors in EVs. As a matter of science, DC is incapable of the smoothness and predictability of a motor under rapid changes in voltage. AC (alternative current) is required, and the traction inverter is what converts the energy from DC to AC.

Conventional traction inverters are a staple of EVs. Hillcrest has developed a flexible, single-inverter architecture that can be applied at nearly every stage of the electrification ecosystem, from renewable energy generation through the charging and operation of an EV, to provide full-cycle efficiency and performance improvements. Hillcrest’s flagship commercial prototype is a 250 kW|800V Hillcrest SiC high efficiency traction inverter that is ideal for electrification. While EVs are the low hanging fruit and a massive market opportunity, Hillcrest’s inverters have applications across an array of motors, generators, and throughout the renewable energy space.

An inverter is part-and-parcel to grid connected wind and solar power systems, energy storage, and EV chargers. In this case, the inverter converts the AC input from the grid/charging station to the DC output needed by the EV’s battery, which then, in turn, converts the energy again to power the vehicle. Against this backdrop, it is not hard to understand why the global inverter market is expected to reach $95 billion by 2028.

With its flagship inverter setting a new standard for traction inverters, Hillcrest is forecasting a transformational 2023 for the company, including proof-of-concept testing for an enhanced powertrain solution and a novel multi-level inverter technology. Furthermore, proof-of-concept testing is expected to be completed on a grid-tied inverter, as the company pushes for both horizontal and vertical expansion of its proprietary technology.

“Our near-term objective is to engage up to two additional EV customers and ramp up new customer agreements for our grid-tied renewable energy generation and Energy Storage System (‘ESS’) segments,” said Don Currie, Hillcrest CEO in a recent PR. “Combined, we believe these development and commercialization activities will position us well to secure commitments for commercial revenues by the end of the year,” he concluded.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.HillcrestEnergy.tech.

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

• President Biden proclaims February as American Heart Month
• Annual tradition provides opportunity to focus on nationwide problem of heart and blood-vessel diseases
• HeartBeam is committed to being part of the solution for identifying, treating heart attacks

Following a decades-long tradition, President Joseph Biden issued a proclamation from the White House declaring February as American Heart Month (https://ibn.fm/6Z9Iq). This nationwide focus on heart health is fully supported by HeartBeam (NASDAQ: BEAT), a cardiac technology company dedicated to leading the way in finding effective ways to detect heart attacks earlier than ever before.

“During American Heart Month, we recommit to supporting the more than 120 million Americans living with a cardiovascular condition; advancing groundbreaking and lifesaving research; and expanding access to affordable health care, prescription drugs, and healthy lifestyles,” the White House proclamation stated. “Heart disease has long been the leading cause of death in the United States, claiming nearly 700,000 lives a year.

“Nearly half of all American adults have at least one major risk factor for cardiovascular disease,” the statement continued. “From heart attacks and strokes to high blood pressure, the threat of cardiovascular disease touches almost every family in our nation. But while heart conditions can be costly and deadly, they are also often preventable with access to affordable health care, advancements in technology and lifestyle changes.”

American Heart Month is a longstanding tradition. President Lyndon B. Johnson established the tradition when he issued Presidential Proclamation 3566 in December 1963, 10 days after Congress issued a joint resolution requesting the president to issue an annual proclamation (https://ibn.fm/v2Sv2). In announcing February 1964 as the first American Heart Month, President Johnson urged “the people of the United States to give heed to the nationwide problem of the heart and blood-vessel diseases, and to support the programs required to bring about its solution.”

HeartBeam is committed to being part of the solution for identifying and treating heart attacks.

The company has two patented products in development: HeartBeam AIMI(TM), software for acute care settings that provides a 3D comparison of baseline and symptomatic 12-lead ECG to identify a heart attack more accurately; and HeartBeam AIMIGo(TM), the first and only credit-card-sized 12-lead output ECG device coupled with a smart phone app and cloud-based diagnostic software system to facilitate remote heart attack detection.

Noting that every 40 seconds someone in the United States has a heart attack, or myocardial infarction (“MI”), HeartBeam points out that many people second-guess their heart-attack symptoms (https://ibn.fm/FmgJa). “Unfortunately, there is no way for patients to tell if the symptoms they are experiencing are due to an MI. As a result, patients often ignore symptoms and delay seeking care, which leads to worse outcomes and increased mortality.”

HeartBeam is developing a personal, portable and easy-to-use heart-attack detection solution. People will be able to use the system anytime, anywhere to help their clinicians determine if chest pain is the result of a heart attack, leading to faster identification and treatment. “For the first time outside of a medical setting, physicians can determine with a patient-friendly device if chest pains are due to a heart attack,” the company reports.

Although HeartBeam AIMI and HeartBeam AIMIGo have not yet been cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”), the company is “on track with our HeartBeam AIMIGo 3D vector ECG first-generation product, which we expect will be ready for FDA submission in Q1 2023, and the anticipated FDA clearance for our HeartBeam AIMI system,” wrote HeartBeam founder and CEO Branislav Vajdic, PhD, in a recent shareholder report (https://ibn.fm/zRZA7).

“We are leveraging our strategic partnerships with multiple industry leaders to move toward production and commercialization of our products, with plans to broaden our product portfolio pipeline with smartwatch connectivity,” Vajdic continued. “Our commercial team has continued to engage in productive discussions with strategic healthcare institutions, including academic centers, regional systems, and regional community hospital systems. We enter 2023 with tremendous momentum and look forward to sharing our accomplishments in the coming year as we strive to create value for our customers, shareholders, employees, and communities.”

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

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

• Coyuchi, the gold standard in sustainable luxury home goods, has not only pushed the sustainability conversation forward but also lived it in all of its operations
• Its unique market positioning has seen its net income grow by 26% YOY between 2020 and 2021, with a return customer rate of 35% over 24 months
• The company’s management is optimistic that 2023 will be a great year, with the foundations laid so far playing a pivotal role in its growth. One of the critical areas to be explored will be partnerships with retailers
• Coyuchi’s commitment to sustainability and circular design will also continue to play a role in the company’s growth in 2023. Its management is confident that its current positioning will take advantage of the growth within the global organic cotton market, allowing Coyuchi to stamp its position and continue playing a key role in its space

Coyuchi, the gold standard in sustainable luxury home goods, is entering a new phase of growth in the wake of the increasing consideration of and investment in sustainability at scale. As a company that has built its brand around offering sustainably-produced luxury organic bedding, sheets, towels, apparel, and other home goods for the environmentally conscious home, Coyuchi has not only pushed the sustainability conversation forward but also lived it through its operations.

The company’s unique market positioning has seen its net income grow by 26% year-over-year (“YOY”) between 2020 and 2021, with a return customer rate of 35% over 24 months (https://ibn.fm/OjG77). According to its management, this was contributed mainly by the company’s commitment to sustainability, being vocal about it, and actively bringing its products closer to the consumers, as evidenced by the opening of the second retail location in Palo Alto, California (https://ibn.fm/SCTES).

Circular design has also informed and shaped Coyuchi’s commitment to sustainability. As the first home textiles brand to launch a resale business in 2017, the company has come to use post-consumer waste, which is recycled into new cotton yarns for the new product. This is further accentuated by the company’s transparent approach to its operations, going beyond declaring the company’s day-to-day activities to tracing fibers to organic farms, an integral step when developing and marketing new products.

Coyuchi’s management is optimistic that 2023 will be a great year for the company. It is confident that the foundations laid down so far will contribute to the company’s growth, with one of the key areas to be explored being partnerships with retailers.

“We’re really interested in partnerships with other retailers,” noted Mockus.

“70% of bedding purchases are made through department stores. We’re an online business, and we want to show up with other retailers,” she added.

The company’s commitment to sustainability will also play an integral role in this growth, particularly with the company having pledged itself to achieve net zero emissions by 2025 and net positive emissions by 2030. With the global organic cotton market estimated to reach $6.7 billion by 2028, up from $518.7 million in 2020, Coyuchi’s management is confident that the company is well positioned to take advantage of this growth, and be an instrumental player in its space as time progresses (https://ibn.fm/SM0Hj).

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

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

• REZYFi is a real estate-oriented mortgage company servicing the needs of licensed and permitted cannabis companies and owners of real estate who lease to cannabis companies
• The average rate on a 30-year-fixed-rate mortgage, measured weekly, has been declining gradually since October last year, increasing the market for new and refinanced mortgages
• Mortgage refinancing can be a source of capital, presenting an important financing opportunity for business operators in the cannabis space who struggle to access money from traditional banks

In the months since the US average rate on a 30-year-fixed-rate mortgage peaked at more than 7.10% in October last year, the value has been gradually declining. According to Freddie Mac’s weekly mortgage rate survey, the average rate stood at 6.12% as of February 9, 2023, a slight increase from the 6.09% average recorded a week earlier on February 2, 2023 (https://ibn.fm/RIiPO). This general softening has had a ripple effect.

Data from the Mortgage Bankers Association (“MBA”) shows that the decrease in average mortgage rates resulted in a week-over-week increase in mortgage applications for the week ending February 3 (https://ibn.fm/Cp55x). According to the trade group, the Market Composite Index, a measure of the mortgage loan application volume, grew 7.4% on a seasonally adjusted basis and 8% on an unadjusted basis. In addition, the Refinance Index increased 18% from the previous week, while the seasonally adjusted Purchase Index rose 3% from a week earlier (https://ibn.fm/6zcDK).

To put it more concisely, both the purchase and refinance applications increased over this period. In addition, per the MBA, both showed gains in three of the four foregoing weeks because of lower rates. And with experts projecting that the downtrend will continue, the ripple may eventually turn into a large wave. Mike Fratantoni, MBA’s Chief Economist, is quoted in an ABC article as saying that the mortgage rates are expected to end the year closer to 5% rather than the current 6% (https://ibn.fm/uGNQO).

Refinancing at lower mortgage rates presents several obvious benefits to any real estate owners. It helps them lower their monthly payments. For instance, a consumer purchasing a $400,000 home at a 30-year fixed mortgage rate of 6.12% will pay roughly $290 less in monthly mortgage payments than they would have if they had purchased the home in October last year. Additionally, by taking a larger mortgage, owners can access the difference in cash (cash-out refinancing) and direct it to any purpose (https://ibn.fm/Wo4y9). For businesses, the cash-out referencing option can be a source of much-needed capital. And nowhere is this more befitting than in the cannabis space.

Operators within the cannabis industry have long struggled with access to capital in the form of mortgages and loans. This is because most traditional banks and financial institutions, which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), are prohibited from offering financial services or loans to cannabis companies. So, the declining average mortgage rates are a boon for business owners in this space, and companies like REZYFi are on standby to help such proprietors.

REZYFi is a growth mortgage origination and specialized financing company in the United States. It provides a variety of real estate-related first and additional mortgage-based financing and project-specific financings, primarily targeting licensed and permitted cannabis companies and owners of real estate who lease to cannabis companies. By leveraging a network of independent brokers and licensed loan officers as well as proprietary loan processing technology, REZYFi is keen on efficiently serving as many clients as possible.

Licensed in 36 states, REZYFi operates through its subsidiaries REZYFi Lending, which addresses emerging real estate-related financing opportunities, and ResMac, Inc, a traditional mortgage origination, correspondent, and servicing business.

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

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