It seems that Oakridge Global Energy Solutions (OTCQB: OGES) is driven by the same energy that powers its innovative line of rechargeable lithium ion batteries. Over the past year, the company has moved at a frenetic pace and currently fulfills nearly all of the listing requirements to be admitted under Standard 3 to the New York Stock Exchange’s NYSE MKT marketplace, with the exception of a share price of $2.00. However, that may not be long in coming. Although the stock traded at $0.65 on Wednesday April 20, 2016, it has hit a high of $2.40 over the past year.

The company began its sprint to the NYSE MKT listing in January 2015 when its large format Pro Series lithium ion phosphate (LiFePO4) battery system was launched at the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) show in Orlando, Florida. When it returned to the PGA show the following year in January 2016, it received orders of more than $250,000 and follow on commitments of some $20,575,000.

Then on October 1, 2015, the production launch of the Pro Series was announced. Initially aimed at the golf car market, the Pro Series is designed for task-oriented vehicles such as maintenance vehicles, forklifts, off road vehicles, and other applications that require professional and industrial levels of power. The Pro Series comes with a special user interface and battery management system called the Range Commander that allows the user to monitor the performance of their battery system through their smartphone, tablet, or computer.

In September 2015, Oakridge announced it had reached agreements with CBX Electronics (Orlando, Florida) and BESTCREWS (Tokyo, Japan) to become major participants in the Oakridge sales and marketing team. CBX Electronics and its staff of eight will join the Oakridge in-house sales and marketing team. The BESTCREWS team brings a staff of more than 50 inside and outside sales professionals to the Oakridge sales and marketing organization. BESTCREWS is one of the leading sales and marketing organizations in Japan. CBX Electronics brings more than 30 years’ experience in the Southeast U.S. and the Caribbean.

A few days later, Oakridge announced the production launch of its Patriot Series. The Patriot Series is a line of battery systems meant for radio controlled vehicles such as drones, multi-copters, aerial vehicles, water-based vehicles and land-based vehicles that require long lasting levels of power.

In February 2016, the company announced that Maritime Tactical Systems, Inc. (MARTAC) had conducted successful field trials of systems using Oakridge batteries. MARTAC is a Melbourne, Florida, based company that designs and produces the Man-Portable Tactical Autonomous Systems (MANTAS), which are designed to be used in numerous applications such as naval fleet protection, mine warfare, port and harbor security patrol, anti-piracy, search and rescue, and many others. The Oakridge batteries employed in the test were custom-made to MARTAC specifications.

Later in February 2016, Oakridge announced that it would be supplying batteries to Freedom Trucking in Minnesota. Freedom Trucking has developed a fully electric interstate truck propulsion system that will enable interstate trucks with a gross vehicle weight of 80,000 pounds to travel more than 400 miles. By utilizing a proprietary logistical system, powered by specially designed Oakridge battery systems, Freedom Trucking can now begin to utilize its revolutionary fully electric interstate trucks to move product from Chicago to Minneapolis. Using fully electric trucks to move this cargo will save each truck in excess of $0.60 per mile over traditional diesel fuel, according to analysis for Freedom Trucking by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

In March 2016, Oakridge announced the commercial introduction of its groundbreaking Liberty Series lithium ion motorcycle batteries at the 75th anniversary of the iconic Daytona Beach Bikefest, which ran from March 4 through the 14th. Later in March, the company announced a strategic business alliance agreement with Sojitz Machinery Corporation (Sojitz) of Tokyo, Japan, to provide equipment, materials, and financing to support the planned growth of Oakridge in the lithium ion battery market. Sojitz Group is a general trading company with a worldwide network comprising approximately 400 group companies and operations in 50 countries, including the U.S. The group has over 15,000 employees worldwide. Its annual revenues exceed $35 billion. With such spirit and vigor, Oakridge may soon be ringing the opening bell.

For more information, visit www.oakridgeglobalenergy.com

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What started as a network marketing company quickly grew as it entered the hemp protein market. Laguna Blends, Inc. (OTC: LAGBF) tapped into the hemp protein market at the perfect time. As it launched its hemp products throughout the U.S. and Canada, Laguna’s affiliate base grew rapidly. Laguna Blends started with a product that is extremely popular in both the U.S. and Canada: coffee. The company then combined it with the nutritional values of hemp protein.

There is no denying that the popularity of protein as a supplement is growing every year, according to the BBC article: ‘The Rise of Protein Drinks for Ordinary People’ (http://dtn.fm/puyK5). The nutritional values that hemp protein hold are revolutionary. There are many benefits that come with using hemp in day-to-day life, including reducing the risk of heart disease, helping with skin disorders, and reducing symptoms of PMS and menopause. Hemp allows for a balanced diet with high quality protein.

Today, Laguna Blends offers two flagship products. Their first is “Caffe”, a product that blends the flavor of coffee with the power of hemp protein. The second is Pro369, a pure hemp protein powder supplement. These products were introduced to different audiences and have highlighted the benefits of daily hemp consumption. During the research period for the blending of hemp protein and coffee to make “Caffe”, Robert Lamberton, president and CEO of Robert Lamberton Consulting, stated: “There are a number of natural source compounds which have been proven to be of potential benefit for brain health and we intend to combine some of these ingredients with the well known health benefits of coffee to offer a great tasting coffee product with these additional benefits”.

Caffe and Pro369 are just two of many hemp products now on the market. Thanks to extensive research and refined marketing campaigns, Laguna Blends is growing. The benefits of hemp protein with the affiliate program that Laguna Blends is running creates a unique network for people. Not only are these people able to be part of the promotion of a new product, but the delivery of a more functional and healthy beverage to customers. Both Caffe and Pro369 are made with hemp protein combined with other ingredients to deliver a nutritional beverage. Last month’s spontaneous, yet impressive affiliate base growth of 105 percent in less than a week confirms that Laguna is presenting an attractive business opportunity to its partners, and that could be great news for its shareholders.

For more information, visit www.lagunablends.com

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Before the opening bell, Immune Therapeutics, Inc. (OTCQB: IMUN) announced its entry into a binding letter of intent to acquire Chinese Chimeric Super Antigen Receptor T cell (CAR-T) cocktail therapy, pending immuno-oncology patents, manufacturing technology and clinical data regarding the aforementioned therapies from Super-T Cell Cancer Company (STCC), a newly-formed corporation. The technology outlined in this letter of intent could play a key role in IMUN’s ongoing efforts to achieve commercial approval for its patented immunotherapies, as described by Christopher Pearce, the company’s chief operating officer, in this morning’s news release:

“This CAR-T cell technology licensing further accelerates IMUN’s growth in the Immuno-Oncology field as we evaluate paths to commercialization both in China and other Emerging Markets,” he stated.

CAR-T cell therapy leverages the power of the patient’s own immune cells to detect and attack cancerous tumors. Data from numerous studies has suggested that regulatory T cells act as key mediators to the development of an immunosuppressed microenvironment that would allow tumors to avoid attack from the immune system and grow unimpeded. Likewise, the CAR-T cocktail therapy has demonstrated promise in early clinical trials for the treatment of blood, renal, cervical and hepatic cancers.

“We are very impressed by the quality of the work done by Professor Shan and his team, and are excited by the safe and efficacious profile of this novel CAR-T cocktail therapy for cancerous diseases,” Noreen Griffin, chief executive officer of IMUN, added in this morning’s news release. “This is the beginning of a long-term strategic partnership between IMUN and STCC. Together, we will expeditiously continue our quest in developing more affordable, safer, and more effective cancer immunotherapy programs.”

Upon completion, acquisition of the Super CAR-T cocktail therapy and its related clinical data is expected to strategically position IMUN to capitalize on the huge demand for affordable cancer therapies in China. Industry data suggests that roughly 4.3 million cases of invasive cancers will be diagnosed in 2016, breaking down to nearly 12,000 new cancer diagnoses with each passing day. According to a study by leading market researcher Research and Markets (http://dtn.fm/I24nc), the oncology market in China is expected to climb to $2.2 billion in 2017, up from just $830 million in 2009.

Despite the rapid growth of the Chinese oncology market, competition in the cancer therapeutics space has remained highly fragmented. The top five players in the space, which is currently led by big pharmaceutical firms of the U.S. and Europe such as Roche/Genentech (OTCQX: RHHBY) and AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN), occupy less than 30 percent of total market share. IMUN’s management team believes that, upon clinical approval of the CAR-T cocktail therapy, the company could capture as much as five percent of China’s total market share within the first year.

Learn more by visiting www.immunetherapeutics.com

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Before the opening bell, Content Checked Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB: CNCK) announced the addition of Dr. Göran Rune Skog to its board of directors. Skog brings more than 35 years of experience in the field of medicine to the Content Checked team, during which time he has specialized in orthopedic medicine, physical medicine, research and surgery, invasive pain management and rehabilitation. He currently serves as the head of the spine treatment unit at the NIMI Hospital in Oslo, Norway, and as the associate professor at Cedarcrest Hospitals in Abuja, Nigeria. Additionally, Skog maintains his own private practice in central Stockholm, Sweden.

“We were determined to find a board member with all of the attributes that Göran embodies and we are proud to welcome such an outstanding individual and leading medical authority to our board,” Kris Finstad, president and chief executive officer of Content Checked, stated in this morning’s news release. “I am confident that Göran is going to make a significant and positive impact on our Company.”

Skog received a bachelor of science in psychology from the University of Stockholm, a bachelor of science in Zoology from the University of Tulsa and a doctor of medicine from Oklahoma State University. Leaning on these qualifications, he has served in a number of high profile positions over the years. Notably, Skog served as the physician for the Swedish National Alpine Ski and Winter Olympic teams, as well as the medical director for the Swedish Ski Areas Organization, Alpine Search & Rescue of Sweden and Sea Search & Rescue of Sweden. He’s currently a member of the board of directors of Active Life Foundation, SEB (Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken).

“I have a long-term interest in nutritional, dietary, medical technology and the process of guiding innovative companies to make a positive impact in people’s lives, hit business milestones and expand into new markets,” Dr. Skog stated in this morning’s news release. “I am excited by what Content Checked has accomplished and I am honored to be joining their board.”

In addition to adding a wealth of medical and nutritional experience to its board of directors, the appointment of Skog represents another step toward Content Checked’s planned uplisting to the NASDAQ exchange. Earlier this month, the company engaged Bonwick Capital Partners LLC as its financial and corporate advisor in an effort to better position itself for uplisting later this fiscal year. Among the corporate governance standards to which Content Checked will be required to adhere in order to qualify for uplisting, the company needs to appoint independent directors to its board. Additional requirements include the engagement of an audit committee and adherence to defined management and officer compensation requirements.

For more information, visit www.contentchecked.com

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With numerous pundits currently raving about the bullish undercurrent for zinc, as a looming supply shortfall is predicted on the horizon amid ebbing China slowdown fears, it makes a great deal of sense to look at domestic producers in low-risk jurisdictions. Producers who can act as a profit vehicle for investors over the medium- to long-term price appreciation currently projected for this increasingly widely used metal, whose primary industrial consumption comes in the form of being used as an anti-corrosive galvanizing agent for iron and steel coatings. Given the recent closure of the Century mine in Australia by Melbourne-headquartered MMG, Ltd., whose majority shareholder is the state-owned corporation, China Minmetals, as well as big production cutbacks by the likes of Glencore (OTC: GLNCY) and Nyrstar (OTC: NYRSY), overall global production is off by around 10 percent, according to Haywood Securities’ mid-cap base metals guy, Stefan Ioannou.

Increased real-estate activity and infrastructural investment rebounding in China on the back of broad-based credit easing further underscores a supply equation shift that is apparent from the International Lead and Zinc Study Group (ILZSG) data, which shows how inventories went from a surplus of 183k tons at the outset of 2015, to a 60k ton deficit at the end of the year – even as total global inventories fell by 55k tons. Conservative estimates from the likes of JPM and Macquarie Research further confirm this bullish outlook for zinc, with mine output forecasts for 2016 falling 4.5 percent and 3.3 percent, respectively.

All of this throws a bright spotlight on a domestic zinc producer like Star Mountain Resources (OTC: SMRS), whose Balmat Mine is in upstate New York near the St. Lawrence River and the border with Canada. The IG7 report on Balmat (http://dtn.fm/4P3eK) out early this February roundly confirmed initial reserve estimates for the property (which was acquired back in November of 2015), showing some 585k tons of proven and probable reserves at a 9.2 percent grade. Given an estimated initial 2.5-year mine plan haul of some $80.8 million in revenues, as well as a broader 8.5-year mine plan that would consume similar-grade/adjacent reserves, Star Mountain Resources is the very portrait of a small, domestic producer, in an ideal jurisdiction, with the massive sulfide zinc mineralization digs needed to profit off this looming zinc shortage.

The noteworthy commitment to site safety and environmental stewardship for which SMRS is known should help to stave off any potential impediments for the company as it wraps up plans to finish the minimal overhaul needed at Balmat before the onsite mill can be shipping out high grade zinc concentrate to a hungry global market. Described as a low-cost, mechanized operation, with the mine equipment fleet in excellent condition, Star Mountain has every intent to, and seems capable of, actually exceed the planned production rate for Balmat, and SMRS has brought in the heavy guns to make sure its well-timed play pans out with maximum upside, retaining 30-year geological guru Dr. Mark Osterberg as the company’s new president and COO.

Zinc is only about a hundred bucks shy right now of the Capital Economics target price of $2,000 a ton by year’s end, and with the April 19 price around $0.86 a pound, the Haywood Securities per pound number for 2016 of $0.80 being exceeded speaks volumes. Especially when one considers Ioannou’s recent comment to Streetwise Reports’ The Gold Report, where he explained the Haywood Securities projection for 2017 is around $1.00 a pound.

For more information, visit www.starmountainresources.com

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It is generally accepted that the first successful organ transplant was the one performed by Dr. Joseph E. Murray at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston in 1954. Dr. Murray, who won the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1990, and his team transplanted a kidney from one identical twin to another. Later, in 1967, Dr. Christian Bernard, a South African heart surgeon, garnered international acclaim after he performed the first human heart transplant at Groote Schur Hospital in Cape Town. Since then, the field of organ transplantation has grown. Data (http://dtn.fm/QMlg0) published by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, shows that ‘each day, an average of 79 people receive organ transplants’. Some estimates (http://dtn.fm/OgPb3) are even higher. The Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation (MTF) states ‘it is estimated that approximately 600,000 Americans benefit from some form of transplant each year ’.

Yet the same U.S. government data shows that is not enough to satisfy the need and so ‘an average of 22 people die each day waiting for transplants that can’t take place because of the shortage of donated organs’. This is why professionals in the health care industry are increasingly turning to companies like the International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCQB: ISCO) and their regenerative technologies that augment or replace organ transplants.

The International Stem Cell Corporation’s human parthenogenetic stem cell (hpSC) technology holds out a life-saving promise to those with end-stage organ failure in two ways. First, it circumvents the problem that arises when the immune system attempts to reject the transplanted organ, which it perceives as an alien thing. In early transplant operations, medications were administered to suppress the immune system, but such an approach leaves the body, essentially, defenseless against other even minor threats.

The rejection problem arises because embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are heterozygous. i.e., they generally have different forms of genes (alleles) at each genetic position of the paternal and maternal chromosomes. Alleles contain the mechanism that determines between domestic and foreign bodies in the form of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes. ‘Since hESCs are derived from fertilized embryos, they carry the genes of a unique individual, thus the therapeutic cells derived from hESCs will carry alleles that can be recognized as foreign and be rejected by most patients unless they receive immunosuppressive therapy. Such therapy is costly, has significant side effects, and often is disabling in the long term.’

‘In contrast, the hpSCs developed by ISCO are derived from unfertilized eggs (oocytes) that have been shown in peer-reviewed journals to exhibit unlimited proliferation potential and are pluripotent (can become cells from all three germ layers that form a human being). Most significantly, hpSCs can be created in a ‘homozygous’ state in which the alleles, including the HLA alleles, are the same at each genetic position. When these HLA alleles are also found with a high frequency in a population, these ‘HLA-homozygous’ stem cells and their therapeutic derivatives have the potential to be immune-matched to millions of people. For example, ISCO’s first homozygous stem cell line with high-frequency HLA alleles has the potential to be immune-matched to an estimated 75 million people worldwide.’

Back in 2010, ISCO added two world-leading immuno-geneticists to its scientific advisory board to study the immune-matching properties of its human parthenogenetic stem cell technology and the potential for each hpSC-derived therapeutic cell to be an immune match for millions of people. Dr. Hans-Dieter Volk, Professor of Immunology and Chair of the Institute of Medical Immunology and Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT) at Charité Universitätsmedizin in Berlin, and Dr. Matthias von Herrath, Professor at the La Jolla Institute of Allergy and Immunology at University of San Diego, are both highly regarded immuno-genetics experts internationally.

Second, hpSCs may obviate the need for an organ transplant. ISCO’s hpSCs are similar to human embryonic stem cells in that they have the potential to be differentiated into many different cells in the human body. Thus, they may replace diseased or malfunctioning cells in the liver, the eye, and in the nervous system before a full transplant operation is required.

For more information, visit www.internationalstemcell.com

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Earlier this week, Content Checked Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB: CNCK) took another great stride toward getting the word out about the tremendous benefits of its SugarChecked app when it was featured in an exclusive segment on Las Vegas’s local Fox affiliate, KVVU. According to data from Nielsen, KVVU is currently one of the top two stations servicing Las Vegas and its surrounding areas, particularly among individuals aged between 25 and 54.

“Now there’s an app out there called SugarChecked,” the presenter stated in the segment. “It is touted as the easiest and most reliable way to help you find the real truth behind the sugar and how much your food contains.”

To view the full KVVU segment, visit http://dtn.fm/kRLp5

In recent months, Content Checked’s suite of dietary apps has been featured in a wide variety of publications, including Yahoo! Travel, SheKnows.com, Z Living, Bustle, #LatinaGeeks, Simplemost and SELF, reaching millions of potential customers and gaining invaluable brand recognition. The company has built on this progress through entry into strategic partnerships with synergistic businesses, such as Kitchology, Inc., a mobile platform that provides tailored recipes to consumers with special dietary needs, and Leaner Creamer, the only all-natural powdered coffee creamer that promotes weight loss and appetite suppression.

Earlier this week, Content Checked set the stage to fully capitalize on this increased exposure when it engaged Bonwick Capital Partners LLC as its financial and corporate advisor. In addition to assisting with the company’s financial, corporate and mergers and acquisitions strategies, Bonwick will advise Content Checked on its planned application submission for uplisting to the NASDAQ exchange later this year. Ahead of this planned uplisting, the company will be required to adhere to a number of corporate governance standards outlined by NASDAQ, including the appointment of an auditing committee and independent directors.

In a news release announcing Content Checked’s engagement of Bonwick, Kris Finstad, the company’s president and chief executive officer, stated, “Bonwick Capital has assembled a specialized team of experienced financial and industry professionals who will play an essential role in our overall strategy of increasing shareholder value. Our planned uplisting to NASDAQ will allow us to tap into much broader capital market resources and further solidify our short- and long-term goals of successfully executing our business strategy.”

Content Checked’s revolutionary suite of mobile apps – including ContentChecked, MigraineChecked and SugarChecked – caters to the specific needs of people living with dietary restrictions. To date, the company has created a robust database featuring definitions for more than 70 percent of conventional U.S. food products, enabling it to address the needs of the more than 15 million people across the country suffering from food allergies, as well as the roughly 38 million who suffer from migraines and chronic headaches.

For more information, visit www.contentchecked.com

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At the forefront of digital commerce technology stands Alternet Systems, Inc. (OTC: ALYI). The company invests in verticals within the digital commerce space that have the potential to transform the global electronic payment infrastructure. Alternet also develops payment technology solutions that offer a wide range of payment channels along with financial technology that centers on digital currency, payment solutions and services, and banking solutions. The company has further expanded its technological interests by strengthening its digital analytics department. Digital analytics allows companies to examine raw data with the purpose of making more informed marketing decisions and is currently one of the fastest growing business industries in the world.

The IDIC forecasts that the “big data technology and services market will grow at 26.4% compound annual growth rate to $41.5 billion through 2018.” The many benefits of using data analytics are becoming clear to businesses worldwide as more and more incorporate this technology into their infrastructures. First, data analytics can predict possible outcomes from altering variables while forecasting the probable consequences of these variables. This technology also monitors current marketing trends so companies can keep pace with their competitors and thus quicken reaction time. Lastly, digital analytics can easily find relationships between different variables which lead to further links and possibilities. Overall, data analytics remains a powerful tool for companies because it allows them to view the interests and dislikes of their customers while staying up to date on market trends.

An example of how data analytics fits in with current needs comes from the recently exposed Panama Papers. Over 11 million documents hacked from a Panamanian law firm were recently revealed that contained illicit information related to offshore accounts of powerful people throughout the world. Journalists needed a way to sift through this impossible amount of information, so they used data analytics, which extracted all text and metadata. This data was then indexed to easily search for names, credit card information, and patterns. These documents show evidence of money laundering, bribery, sanction dodging, tax evasion, and involvement with organized crime. Without data analytics, siphoning through this information would have taken years.

Alternet Systems has been developing and perfecting its own data analytics system. The company offers businesses a cloud based solution that includes predictive analysis, visual tools, and marketing automation. Clients can view data sources across a variety of fields while studying unique marketing trends among audiences and micro segments. The software also generates recommendations. Using Alternet’s software guarantees clients the immediate discovery of new segments and activities of functional areas for better marketing decisions. Alternet Systems intends to continue developing its innovative digital commerce and analytics technology in a world that relies on convenience and reliability.

For more information, visit www.alternetsystems.com

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Monaker Group, Inc. is a technology driven travel company focused on leveraging resources to become a significant presence in the fastest growing sector of the $1.3 trillion travel and tourism market. The company’s flagship brand, NextTrip.com, is the industry’s first and only real-time booking engine that features alternative lodging (vacation home rentals, resort residences and unused timeshare inventory), as well as a full selection of airlines, hotels, cruises, rental cars, tours and concierge services. These features are combined into a single, easy-to-use platform that gives travelers complete real-time control when planning and booking their vacations.

NextTrip.com takes an integrated approach to the needs of travelers by combining multiple booking solutions into a highly intuitive real-time booking platform. Since its launch in February 2016, NextTrip has already grown to more than 250,000 units of vacation rental inventory. Monaker currently has roughly 1 million additional alternative lodging units under contract that will soon be added to the platform. This will place NextTrip among the top three largest vacation rental inventories and rival industry peers, Airbnb and HomeAway, in the rapidly expanding alternative lodging market. Unlike the competition, which book by request which can take hours or days before a lodging owner confirms, NextTrip’s platform books in real-time, similar to online hotel bookings.

Most NextTrip listings are in desirable locations in the U.S., the EU and the Caribbean with about 20% exclusive listings. Monaker expects rapid exclusive listing growth because, unlike the competition, Monaker doesn’t charge a sign-up fee, just a commission upon booking. The competition charges both. Monaker even has a proprietary solution to unlock Timeshare and Fractional Share properties as rental inventory.

Through strategic partnerships and acquisitions Monaker is now positioned to be a major player in the travel and alternative lodging sector. In addition Monaker is also the parent to Maupintour and Voyage TV.

In business for 65 years, Maupintour still leads the tour industry in the creation of outstanding, unique itineraries and has the highest repeat rate in the tour industry. Maupintour’s upscale luxury services create a unique blend with the various product offerings of NextTrip. Voyage TV has thousands of hours of travel footage shot in over 30 countries worldwide. These 15,000 video clips of hotels, resorts, cruise, and destination activities are a treasure trove for vacation travel marketing.

With an established portfolio of travel brands, and a proven record acquiring, consolidating and integrating companies, Monaker is building a diverse and exciting foundation to drive the company’s future. According to data from the U.S. Travel Association, direct spending on leisure travel by domestic and international travelers topped $650 billion in 2015. When combined with the fact that roughly 64 percent of travel companies are still considered small businesses, Monaker’s all-inclusive approach to vacation booking through NextTrip and Maupintour strategically positions it for sustainable growth moving forward.

Monaker is headquartered in South Florida with offices in California. The company is led by a seasoned management team with decades of applicable industry experience. Monaker’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bill Kerby has over 18 years of experience in the media and travel industries, as well as 10 years of experience in the financial industry.

Key Investment Highlights

> Diverse portfolio of travel brands and companies
> More than 60 years of operation in the leisure travel industry
> Travel industry’s first comprehensive platform featuring real-time alternative lodging booking functionality
> Proven management team with well over a century of combined industry experience

For more information, visit www.monakergroup.com

On the rare occasion when it rains in the Los Angeles area, people tend to escape indoors. Parents with kids in tow tend to head home, or to places like Giggles N’ Hugs (OTCQB: GIGL), a trio of award-winning restaurants in Southern California.

At Giggles N’ Hugs, fun and fare create a fitting pair. The restaurant operator brings together high-end, organic food for adults and active, cutting-edge entertainment for children in order to create a kid-friendly, adult-friendly and family-friendly atmosphere at its restaurants in the Westfield Mall on Santa Monica Boulevard, the Westfield Topanga Shopping Center in Woodland Hills, and the Glendale Galleria in Glendale.

Birthday parties are a very high-margin business for Giggles N’ Hugs, and when these parties fall on rainy days, the company experiences a notable amount of bookings. Parents who can no longer hold their kids’ parties in their backyards or an outdoor park often head to Giggles N’ Hugs on rainy days, creating a substantial sales spike for the company.

Giggles N’ Hugs’ restaurants are a draw for numerous reasons, weather-aside. At each of its restaurants, the company has created a pleasant environment where parents can relax and enjoy delicious, healthy food while their kids play to their hearts’ content. Along with high-quality menus made from fresh, local ingredients and filled with items like gourmet paninis, signature salads, thin crust pizzas and specialty coffees and smoothies, the company offers massive play spaces and endless activities for kids who are 10 years and younger. Among other offerings, the company’s restaurants also feature nightly entertainment (e.g. magic shows, concerts, puppet shows and face painting), premium children’s entertainers and hugely popular, themed party packages for parents who want to do something special for their kids.

Learn more by visiting www.gigglesnhugs.com

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