The entry on International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCQB: ISCO) in the SAGE Encyclopedia tells a bit of the company’s story. At first, the researchers at ISCO were working on finding a stem cell treatment for diabetes, but ‘in the process (they) discovered parthenogenetic stem cells.’ ‘Today, ISCO is focused on using human parthenogenetic stem cells (hpSCs) to develop clinical applications to treat diseases of the liver, nervous system and eye.’ ISCO’s hpSCs are similar to human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) in that they have the potential to be differentiated into many different cells in the human body. The derivation of hpSCs does not, however, require the use of fertilized eggs or the destruction of viable human embryos and so avoids many of the controversies and ethical quandaries surrounding stem cell research. HpSCs also offer the potential for the creation of immune-matched cells and tissues that are less likely to be rejected following transplantation. Scientists at ISCO have been able to create the first parthenogenetic homozygous stem cell line that can be a source of therapeutic cells with minimal immune rejection after transplantation.

It may appear as a sign of weakness that ISCO started out looking for a diabetes treatment but is now focusing on Parkinson’s disease and other areas, but that is actually a sign of strength because it signals the company is driven by a management team that is versatile and adaptive. An insightful article in Bioentrepreneur with the eye-catching title ‘Six secrets to success — how to build a sustainable biotech business’ (http://dtn.fm/TuX3j) talks, first, about the importance of ‘having a strong, experienced and stable management team’ and ‘investing in the people at the top rather than the assets, technology or product.’ Its second takeaway is adaptability. ‘One of the main reasons biotech companies fail is because they believe they have the best potential drug and that the world will adapt to accommodate their business… (but) very few companies got their drug right the first time… the majority of the world’s top biotech companies are very different today compared with their formative years.’

International Stem Cell Corporation is certainly adaptive and strong on the first factor as well. Its entry in the SAGE Encyclopedia makes mention of its CEO, Andrey Semechkin, PhD, and his son, Russell Kern, PhD. Dr. Andrey Semechkin is a member of the Russian Academy of Sciences and has been deputy director of the Institute of System Analysis since 2004. Professor Semechkin was awarded a Russian Government Award in Science and Technology in 2006. He is the author of several scientific papers. In 2012, for example, ‘Derivation of high-purity definitive endoderm from human parthenogenetic stem cells using an in vitro analog of the primitive streak’ (http://dtn.fm/lqr3J) was published, which discussed the potential of hpSCs as sources for cell-based therapies and their advantage over hESCs on histocompatibilty issues. Semechkin has over 20 years’ experience creating and managing businesses across different industries and scientific sectors.

Mahnaz Ebrahimi is the chief financial officer at ISCO. She has over 25 years’ experience in executive and senior level positions in financial management, accounting and SEC reporting matters, and has worked with numerous publicly traded and privately held biotechnology, life science, and technology companies. Prior to joining ISCO, she served as a consultant to the company as well as to Flux Power Holdings, Polaris Pharmaceutical, and Ocera Therapeutics. From October 2010 to July 2012, Ebrahimi served as director, financial planning and analysis and treasury at eBioscience, where she was instrumental in the successful merger with Affymatrix in June 2012.

Russell Kern, PhD is the executive vice president and chief scientific officer at ISCO. Dr. Kern was trained in medical genetics, stem cell biology and international business administration, and holds an M.S. degree from the Faculty of Fundamental Medicine of Moscow State University. He earned his PhD in Physiology from Anokhin Research Institute of Normal Physiology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences. Kern is a well-known speaker on stem cell biology, including the use of stem cells for neurology and skin regeneration. He has publications in the field of clinical and molecular biology, and is the author of various patent applications.

Sofya Bakalova, J.D., is vice president, legal affairs & operations at ISCO. Bakalova received her law degree from the University of Miami’s School of Law and has experience in various aspects of corporate and biotechnology law, regulatory affairs, project management, and business operations. After joining ISCO in March 2011, she has held a variety of business and legal roles, including in-house counsel, advisor to the CEO, and vice chairman of the board of directors for Lifeline Skin Care. Bakalova holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from San Francisco State University and has worked in the banking and finance industries prior to beginning her legal career.

For more information, visit www.internationalstemcell.com

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Earlier today, eXp Realty International Corporation (OTCQB: EXPI) announced that it has changed its corporate name to eXp World Holdings, Inc. in order to better reflect its commitment to utilizing cloud-based technologies to create opportunities for entrepreneurial professionals across a number of industries including and beyond real estate brokerage. This name change will have no impact on EXPI’s trading symbol.

“This name change will allow us to continue to focus on the tremendous growth and achievements happening within our real estate brokerage division while delivering innovation and opportunity to other service industries without causing confusion among the investing public,” Glenn Sanford, founder and chief executive officer of EXPI, stated in this morning’s news release.

Driven by its progress within its real estate brokerage division, EXPI will continue to search out viable opportunities to leverage cloud technology in order to create and deliver new opportunities beyond the bounds of the real estate industry. Earlier this week, the company took a significant step toward achieving this goal when it announced an agreement with VirBELA, LLC, one of the leading developers of 3D, avatar-based, immersive online worlds. Since 2009, EXPI has utilized VirBELA’s cloud-based technologies to house, build and run its real estate brokerage operations. Now, the company maintains exclusive rights to the platform within the real estate industry, as well as an option to exclusive rights within a number of vertical industries, including mortgage origination, mortgage lending, title and escrow and title insurance.

“Our achievements within our real estate brokerage division have demonstrated to us in a compelling way that entrepreneurial professionals are willing and eager to embrace the cloud to transform business, ownership, and collaboration and to avail themselves of new opportunities to earn, learn and grow that otherwise wouldn’t be feasible,” added Sanford.

After welcoming its 1,000th agent in February, EXPI’s Agent-Owned Cloud Brokerage™, eXp Realty, is currently positioned among the top 50 real estate brokerages in the United States based on agent count. Launched in 2009 with an aggressive revenue sharing program, eXp Realty entered a period of accelerated growth and retention in 2014 when it introduced an equity sharing initiative for its agents and brokers. Since the end of 2014, the company has more than doubled its number of agents while developing a strategic foothold in 35 U.S. states, as well as Alberta, Canada. This growth has positioned eXp Realty among the fastest growing brokerages in a number of cities around the country, including major markets such as Austin, San Antonio, Lafayette and Atlanta.

For more information, visit the company’s website at http://investors.exprealty.com

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Before the opening bell, Agora Holdings, Inc. (OTC: AGHI), parent company of Geegle Media, announced that it has signed an engagement letter with BF Borgers CPA PC, an independent accounting and auditing firm. With this agreement in place, Agora will begin posting audited financial statements and periodic reports to its file on the OTC exchange as soon as the end of this month, with BF Borgers agreeing to complete future audits using PCAOB and US GAAP auditing standards. Through the execution of this engagement letter, Agora Holdings has taken a significant step toward becoming a fully reporting entity. The company expects the agreement to play a key role in improving its operations and decision making capabilities as it seeks to continue expanding its presence in the online entertainment and marketing space.

In recent weeks, Agora has made tremendous progress toward setting the stage for sustainable growth. In late February, the company unveiled an enhanced version of its FRAME social media management software for business use. Using the FRAME platform, businesses are able to build social media campaigns more efficiently across a number of services – including Twitter (NYSE: TWTR), Facebook (NASDAQ: FB) and Instagram. FRAME also features several advanced functions, such as engagement and customer care tools, measurement of campaign success via social media performance and comprehensive reporting, which offers valuable insight into the reach of posted content.

Agora Holdings is a holding company with interests in media and software applications. Through wholly-owned subsidiary Geegle Media, Agora is dedicated to delivering media products that fulfill the growing needs for social, TV on demand, data storage applications and other optimizing software solutions. Geegle’s in-development web platforms include GeegleTV, 1000Salads, RealtyTV and LobbyTV, as well as social media management platform FRAME. Leveraging a multi-dimensional approach, Agora aims to deliver innovative and high-quality business solution products and video content from around the world.

For more information, visit www.agoraholdingsinc.com

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Content Checked Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB: CNCK), with its suite of food allergy and dietary restriction apps, including ContentChecked, MigraineChecked and SugarChecked, is carrying the torch for those who strive to eat healthy and make more informed dietary purchasing decisions, broadcasting its message of hope through media waves in print, audio and video.

Recently, Tory Tedrow, a registered dietitian at the company, was quoted on The Daily Meal, a website covering food and drink founded by Jim Spanfeller, a former CEO of Forbes.com. In The Daily Meal article, titled ‘Nutritionists Suggest Cooking With These 12 Ingredients to Boost Energy’ (http://dtn.fm/VGi7u), Tedrow, who is a Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC), talked about the nutritional value of lentils, saying:

“Lentils are a protein-packed, iron-rich food. Iron is needed to create the oxygen-transporting protein hemoglobin. When people don’t eat enough iron, they develop iron deficiency anemia and experience symptoms such as general fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath due to the lack of oxygen in their body. Combine iron-rich foods, such as lentils, with foods high in vitamin C, such as oranges, to maximize iron absorption.”

Tedrow can also be found on YouTube talking about the SugarChecked app and the pros and cons of low-carb diets. As she pointed out, carbohydrates are essential for the body to function normally. For example, the brain uses carbs as its source of fuel and requires about 100 grams daily to support cognitive function throughout the day. It cannot use fats or proteins. Grains, rice and potatoes are often included in any discussion of a low-carb diet, however, it must be noted that carbs can be found in dairy, legumes (beans), vegetables and fruits. Fruits especially high in carbs include bananas, oranges, apples, grapefruit and blueberries.

Tedrow explained that, more often than not, a low-carb diet simply reduces water weight. Carbohydrates are stored as glycogen in the muscles and liver, and roughly three to four grams of water are required for the body to retain one molecule of glycogen. When the level of glycogen falls, the water is shed and weight is lost. A low-carb diet will generally not affect levels of protein and fat.

For more information, visit www.contentchecked.com

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Every kid’s birthday is an occasion that calls for a celebration. However, there are certain years that mark special milestones in a child’s life, such as the first, fifth and 10th birthdays. These milestone birthdays should be planned carefully and resourcefully to create lasting memories. Giggles N’ Hugs, Inc. (OTCQB: GIGL) proudly offers Los Angeles’s top rated, hugely popular birthday party packages for families that want to do something special for their kids.

A baby’s first birthday party is also your first anniversary of becoming a parent. While this is a great cause for celebration, there is no need to break the bank just to give your baby a festive party. You only have to come up with a party that will make your baby the center of attention. When you throw a party at Giggles N’ Hugs, the company takes care of every single detail so you can enjoy the day, secure in the knowledge that its award-winning, professional staff is handling setup, cleanup, and everything in between. Giggles N’ Hugs has everything you want at the best price in town.

Birthday parties for 5-year-olds should be planned well, because this is the age when children can already have fun with the event. Whatever the theme, Giggles N’ Hugs has you covered. Check out its superhero themes for both boys and girls, princess themes, pirate and mermaid themes, cartoon pups themes, jungle themes, dinosaur themes, candy land themes, rock star themes, and so much more.

When preparing for your child’s 10th birthday party, keep in mind that this is the time when most kids think that they are not babies anymore. This is also the period when they already have definite ideas about the party they want. Therefore, it is very vital that you listen to their requests. Giggles N’ Hugs has been voted the number one family restaurant, number one birthday party place, and the number one indoor play space in all of Los Angeles.

Learn more by visiting www.gigglesnhugs.com

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With the world growing more and more dependent on technological conveniences, Alternet Systems, Inc. (OTCQB: ALYI) seized the opportunity to focus on investing in companies that have innovative ways of managing digital commerce, information, and payment solutions. Since 2010, the company has placed value on mobile finance services and mobile security. In 2014, Alternet Systems added the digital commerce space to its vertical portfolio. Now, the company offers payment technology solutions that manage a variety of payment channels along with financial technology services that provide digital currency payment and banking solutions. Alternet Systems also offers important data analytics solutions that help companies better understand their markets.

Data analytics is the process of viewing raw data then developing conclusions that can help companies make better marketing decisions. Analytics allow companies to profile their customers to see where their interests lie. Companies can see what products similar consumers have already purchased, along with the likelihood that they’ll purchase those products again. Analytics also give businesses indicators on how consumers view their products and ways to increase efficiency. Companies who use data analysis can keep pace with market trends and, therefore, take immediate action if customers or suppliers are defaulting. About 67% of companies say they see an advantageous opportunity in using data analytics solutions for their businesses. These tools in the right hands can become an important asset to any company.

Alternet Systems offers organizations data analytics and automated market research operations to better understand their markets. Companies can view and assess data across a variety of sources, which then enables them to create marketing decision matrices. Alternet Systems gives these businesses a unique view of their audiences and micro-segments which are automatically quantified with generated recommendations.

Organizations need the right tools, processes, and people who can successfully work within a comprehensible data analytical framework to achieve desired results. Alternet Systems offers this framework, which showcases patterns emerging across various industries so businesses can fully understand how to market their operations. With 46% of companies admitting they have made bad decisions from poor or outdated data, these tools are becoming more and more necessary.

Alternet Systems stands to gain from the ever-increasing collective recognition of the importance of using data analytics for successful marketing endeavors. Not only that, but the company will also maintain its interest in investments with innovative solutions in the digital commerce space.

For more information, visit www.alternetsystems.com

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Earlier today, eXp Realty International Corporation (OTCQB: EXPI) announced that it has entered into an agreement with VirBELA, LLC, one of the leading developers of 3-D, avatar-based, immersive online worlds. As part of this agreement, EXPI gains exclusive rights to the VirBELA platform within the real estate industry, as well as an option to exclusive rights within a number of related industry verticals, such as mortgage origination, mortgage lending, title and escrow and title insurance.

“Since our inception, we have built a family of more than 1,100 professionals across 35 states and parts of Canada whose office, workplace, and world is and has been 3-D, avatar-based online environments,” Glenn Sanford, founder and chief executive officer of EXPI, stated in this morning’s news release. “VirBELA represents the next generation of these environments and recognizes their potential impact on business, collaboration, and community.”

VirBELA was originally developed at the University of California San Diego’s Rady School of Management using a $1.7 million grant from the Graduate Management Admission Council. With this capital, VirBELA, LLC successfully developed and demonstrated an immersive, 3D virtual-reality campus environment that hosted a global business-simulation competition for management students at top universities across three continents. Using the same tools, VirBELA is able to create custom 3D simulations in order to support the training and development needs of its partner organizations, which will allow EXPI to offer a more collaborative platform to its growing base of agents and brokers.

“No company has come close to leveraging immersive online environments to the degree or in the ways that eXp has for the benefit of its agents, brokers and shareholders,” Dr. Alex Howland, chief executive officer of VirBELA, stated in the news release. “We believe firmly in the company’s mission, management and growth and look forward to being an integral part of its continued success going forward.”

Leveraging VirBELA’s innovative technology, EXPI, through eXp Realty LLC, is able to provide 24/7 access to collaborative tools, training and socialization features for real estate brokers and agents in a fully-immersive, cloud office environment. To date, this platform has shown effective in reducing agents’ overhead costs, increasing their profits and improving the service value they are able to provide to clients. With these benefits in mind, it’s little wonder that EXPI’s network of agents has experienced such strong growth since its launch in October 2009. In early March, the company welcomed the 1,000th real estate professional into its family of agent-owners, positioning itself among the top 50 real estate brokerages in the United States based on agent count.

EXPI offers an aggressive revenue sharing program that pays agents a percentage of gross commission earned by fellow real estate professionals whom they attract to the company. In 2014, EXPI launched its initiative of sharing equity with its agents and brokers, effectively catapulting the company into a period of accelerated growth and improved retention that’s still underway.

For more information, visit the company’s website at http://investors.exprealty.com

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Content Checked Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB: CNCK) is the company behind the innovative ContentChecked, MigraineChecked, and SugarChecked mobile applications. Its SugarChecked app identifies the four main types of sugars in products with a quick and easy barcode scanner. The app offers comprehensive sugar content information that is fact-checked by a team of nutritionists. It’s like having a nutritionist in your pocket.

Content Checked’s vision is to be the go-to source for people seeking to maintain a clean and healthy diet. The company’s goals are to educate consumers about what is in their food and improve the way they shop for packaged food and beverage products.

Content Checked’s mission is to offer fast, reliable, and efficient mobile apps that help consumers make more informed purchasing decisions and live healthier lives in accordance with their dietary preferences. Across SugarChecked’s social media channels, the company recently began releasing video advertisements illustrating the harmful effects of sugar, alerting consumers to its potentially detrimental effects.

To view the video advertisements, visit the following link: http://dtn.fm/S5aNj

While the mission and story of Content Checked are inspirational and uplifting, Wall Street tends to focus on the numbers and figures. For the six months ended September 30, 2015, the company’s revenues were $657,850, net of reserves, as compared to no revenues for the six months ended September 30, 2014. The company had cash and equivalents of $5,509,532, as of September 30, 2015. Generating considerable revenues is a significant accomplishment for a company founded in July 2013.

To view the company’s full financials, visit the following link: http://dtn.fm/sIJ7M

For more information, visit www.contentchecked.com

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Star Mountain Resources, Inc. (OTC: SMRS), a junior exploration and mining company, acquires and consolidates mining claims, mineral leases, producing mines and historic mines in the U.S. Through its minerals exploration efforts, the Tempe, Arizona-based company identifies claims, leases and mines with future growth and production promise.

Star Mountain explores for gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, silica and zircon deposits. Its active operations are fixed on base metal and precious metal mining acquisitions in North America. Originally incorporated in September 2009, the company was renamed Star Mountain Resources in December 2014 to better reflect its focus on its holdings in the Star Mountain mining district of southern Utah. Around the same time, management made a strategic decision to pursue the acquisition of developed mining assets with a clear path to early production.

With its acquired mineral resources in Beaver County, Utah, and West Ogden, Utah, the company means to focus on the initiation, production and expansion of these resources in order to turn them into producing assets. It is also in the process of re-commencing its mining activities in the Balmat mining district in upstate New York.

In the Star Mountain Mining District in Beaver County, approximately five miles west of Milford, Utah, the company holds interests in the Chopar project, which consists of 116 lode-mining claims and four metalliferous mineral lease sections covering an estimated 3,730 acres. The Star Mountain project involves a total area of 2,320 acres and the company has already conducted a geological analysis, magnetometry studies and a limited reverse circulation and core drilling exploration program on it.

In West Ogden, Utah, the company’s attentions are in the Ogden Bay Minerals project, and in the Balmat mining district of St. Lawrence County, New York, the company holds interests in the Balmat Zinc Mine. The company gained title to the Balmat zinc mine in November 2015 when it acquired Northern Zinc, a private company, and closed on the acquisition of the Balmat Holding Corporation from Hudbay Minerals. This three-way transaction brought the company a high quality mining asset and added seasoned, experienced mining professionals to its existing board of directors and senior management.

For more information, visit www.starmountainresources.com

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On Wednesday, March 30, 2016, Stuart Gray, the president and CEO of recently-launched consumer beverage company Laguna Blends (OTC: LAGBF), was interviewed by Ray Grimm, the company’s Chief Corporate Consultant, in an audio call.

The call began with the introduction of Ray W. Grimm Jr, a direct selling and multi-level marketing expert, and co-founder of some of the top nutritional and weight loss companies. Mr. Grimm is knowledgeable in all things network marketing, and recently became a member of the advisory board and Chief Corporate Consultant at Laguna Blends. Mr. Grimm has what many consider to be the Midas touch in identifying and building multimillion dollar companies, three of which exceeded $50 million in sales within their first five years.

Mr. Grimm talked about first meeting the Laguna Blends CEO, Stuart Gray, and asking him many key questions about the company in evaluating its potential, and how he felt positive about all of the answers he received. He went on to introduce Mr. Gray, providing some important background information, describing how Mr. Gray has had over 20 years’ experience in business and marketing, founding several highly successful media and promotional related companies, showing special talents in network marketing and MLM, in addition to providing consulting to over 120 public and private companies in both the U.S. and Canada.

Mr. Gray began by describing why he decided to pursue a network marketing and hemp-based product orientation for Laguna Blends. His lengthy and positive experience with network marketing, together with his realization that there is so much confusion and misunderstanding relating to the benefits of hemp, suggested to him a major opportunity. Mr. Gray has worked to position Laguna Blends to take full advantage of a fast growing trend, the recognition of the nutritional benefits of hemp. And he sees MLM as the perfect marketing method to communicate a positive message about the real health benefits of hemp.

It’s an open opportunity because there are still many people that are not aware of the many health benefits of hemp. This is a great chance for Laguna Blends to cultivate this relatively young market by educating consumers, and to do it through an affiliate base model that is already expanding very rapidly.

Mr. Gray went on to talk about his vision for Laguna Blends for the next few years. He emphasized that, over the past couple of years, and together with his dedicated management team and consultants, he has constructed a sound business foundation for the company that should last for generations. The idea has always been to develop a non-hype approach that represents a genuine success engine for all participants. This action-versus-hype orientation is in contrast to many other companies in the network marketing industry. The difference is to have unmatched high-quality product offerings, tapping the best technology in the industry. Over the next five years, Mr. Gray sees Laguna Blends becoming a household name throughout North America, with a number of hot product categories, and growing throughout many countries of the world.

In particular, the company’s use of 3D immersive technology is exceptional. It’s a technology that Mr. Gray first brought to a real estate company, making it the fastest growing real estate brokerage company in history. Last year the company did $900 million in transactional revenue, and it represents a good comparison to the way the Laguna Blends model is being set up, though customized for the needs of Laguna. It’s a truly game-changing technology for this industry, allowing far greater efficiencies in communication throughout the network, reducing dependence upon traditional time-consuming hotel meetings and in-home parties.

Mr. Gray also described the importance of the Laguna Blends management team in creating an organization that will work and grow quickly. He emphasized the importance of trusted long-term relationships, which he has developed over his years of previous work in the network marketing industry. Mr. Gray has worked with some of the top leaders in the industry, and these contacts have allowed him to put together “the best of the best” for his management team, from tech to marketing to manufacturing and in all other aspects of the business. You only attract this kind of talent by offering a clearly unique opportunity. It’s why Laguna Blends has made so much progress is such a very short time.

As a network marketer that has been in the trenches, and understands what it takes to be successful, it’s absolutely critical that everyone on the management team respects the field leadership. They need to know that management is in constant communication with them, knows what’s going on, and is devoted to their success, being very generous in the way they are rewarded. This is what spurs real growth.

Mr. Gray then talked about the products being introduced, the first of which is Caffe, Laguna’s hemp coffee beverage that contains both whey and hemp protein, which is already getting rave reviews, and Pro369, Laguna’s flavored single serving hemp protein packs that can be added to cold beverages, which was just introduced. Consumables in general, and the functional beverage market in particular, has a record of being extremely positive for direct selling companies. In the case of Laguna’s Caffe product, coffee is the second most consumed beverage on the planet, while the Pro369 product is easily combined with any beverage. Together with the newly appreciated benefits of hemp protein, such products represent a perfect opportunity combination for network marketing. Laguna will be the first network marketing company that efficiently markets nutritional functional beverages containing hemp, and the company expects explosive growth in sales even when viewed conservatively. In the future, Laguna Blends will be expanding its product line, both in the hemp and non-hemp areas.

In summary, Mr. Gray expressed his confidence that Laguna Blends has all of the right ingredients in place, including the right manufacturing and shipping partners, the right technologies and marketing orientation, and the right products at the right time, and all with a financial structure that gives Laguna the ability to scale. Even though Laguna Blends is newly launched, the feedback has been overwhelming.

For more information, visit www.lagunablends.com

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