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First-of its-Kind Loan Readiness Platform, Parlay, Raises $1.3M to Offer Inclusive Access to Financial Resources for Small Businesses

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Parlay is an embedded fintech software that helps community banks and credit unions get more small businesses approved for loans.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Parlay, the first-of-its kind small business loan readiness platform, today announces the close of $1.3 million in pre-seed financing led by Fenway Summer.

Other firms investing in the round include Hivers and Strivers Capital, Service Provider Capital, Capacity Capital, and Alumni Ventures, together with a follow-on investment from Techstars.

Parlay was founded in 2022 by entrepreneur and military spouse Alex McLeod, West Point graduate and former U.S. Special Operations Command Innovation Officer Jay Long, and West Point graduate and former Army Ranger James Cho. Parlay partners with community banks and credit unions to enable financial inclusion and capital access for the small business market — over 33 million diverse small business owners across the United States. 

“This pre-seed funding enables us to continue fulfilling our mission: partnering with community banks and credit unions to extend more loans to the small businesses that form the backbone of our economy,” said CEO of Parlay Alex Mcleod. “We’re excited to continue this important work with strategic champions like Fenway Summer by our side.”

“We are excited and proud to back Parlay. Small businesses drive the American economy; access to capital drives small businesses. Parlay’s loan readiness platform is an innovative approach to helping banks and credit unions better access and underwrite those critical small business customers” said Raj Date, managing partner of Fenway Summer, the Washington, D.C.-based venture capital firm focused on early-stage fintech investing, “But what we are most excited about is supporting a founding team that is as ambitious, talented, and passionate as this one.”

Parlay was selected to participate in The PenFed Foundation Veteran Entrepreneur Program Fall 2023 Cohort. The program exclusively supports veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs building highly scalable startup companies — ranging from the idea stage through to Series A and beyond.

For more information about Parlay visit parlay.finance.

About Parlay
Parlay Finance is an embedded fintech software that helps community banks and credit unions get more small businesses approved for loans. The company helps small businesses maximize their eligibility for loan products while increasing loan quality, throughput, and efficiency for lenders.

About PenFed Foundation Founded in 2001, The PenFed Foundation is a national nonprofit organization that supports veterans in their transition from service to success. Affiliated with PenFed Credit Union, the Foundation has provided more than $50 million in financial support to veterans, active-duty service members and military families. The credit union funds the Foundation’s personnel and most operational costs, allowing 99% of incoming donations to go directly to our programs. To learn more, please visit www.penfedfoundation.org.

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SOURCE PenFed Foundation; Parlay

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World-Famous Master Craftsman Completes First-Ever Auto Show Build in Front of Thousands

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NEW YORK, April 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In a two-day, jaw-dropping high-intensity live performance, that made international headlines and lit up social media, legendary Porsche builder Akira Nakai, completed his first-ever auto show build at the 2025 New York Auto Show. The completed vehicle is now on display and can be seen through Sunday, April 27.

Flying in from Japan, Nakai transformed a 2006 Porsche Carrera S into one of his iconic wide-body creations right on the show floor, attracting huge crowds, major media coverage, and going viral across social media. The build took place over April 23 and 24 in the R2XPO Exhibit, where visitors watched, photographed, and filmed the master craftsman in action. From the moment he started cutting to the final bolt, the atmosphere was electric.

The activation quickly went viral, racking up millions of views across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube within hours. Photos and footage of Nakai San deep in the build process spread like wildfire, turning the R2XPO Exhibit into one of the most talked-about attractions at this year’s Show.

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SOURCE New York International Auto Show

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Where the World Smiles Together: Honouring Hospitality on April 24

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International Hospitality Council and IIHM Lead Global Tribute to Hospitality’s Human Touch

LONDON and KOLKATA, India, April 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Hospitality is an industry of hope and growth. It spans snow-capped mountains, sunny beaches, forests, and deserts—where dreamers, innovators, and doers work every day to deliver comfort and happiness.

On April 24, International Hospitality Day (IHD) 2025 was celebrated globally by professionals and institutions across over 60 countries. The virtual programme was hosted by the International Hospitality Council (UK) and the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM), India’s largest and premier multi-campus institute for hospitality education.

“I realised there’s a day for every profession – except for one dedicated to those whose mission is to bring joy to others: the hospitality industry. And so, International Hospitality Day was born on April 24,” said Dr Suborno Bose, Creator of IHD, Chairman of IHC, and Chairman of IIHM & Indismart Group, Worldwide.

Established in 2016 by the International Hospitality Council (IHC) and IIHM, IHD was born out of a shared vision between Prof. David Foskett, OBE, Chairman of IHC London, and Dr Suborno Bose. It unites hospitality, travel, and tourism professionals to exchange ideas, promote excellence, and build a spirit of global solidarity.

The IHC continues to champion the hospitality sector worldwide by encouraging collaboration, shaping forward-thinking policy, and promoting education and employment. As in previous years, this year’s celebration featured the Virtual Global Hospitality Summit, where industry leaders reflected on challenges, shared insights, and honoured hospitality’s human essence.

“There was a day for everyone,” Dr Bose reiterated, “but none for hospitality. We created that day.”
“IHD stands on three pillars: Promote, Educate, Celebrate.”

He also underscored IHC and IIHM’s commitment to sustainability, youth enterprise, and initiatives like Young Chef India, which identifies and supports the country’s top culinary student to represent India at the Young Chef Olympiad, the world’s largest gathering of student chefs.

Prof. David Foskett, OBE, echoed the spirit of IHD:

“Hospitality is simple. Speak from the heart. Make people happy. Create careers and contribute to the economy. Most importantly, say thank you – especially to our students.”
“A country without hospitality is barren. A country with hospitality is fertile.”

Two key panel discussions were held during the summit:

Hospitality in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
Moderated by Prof. Neil Rippington (International Director, IIHM), with speakers:Ms Riya Mittal, Product Manager and MSc Engineering Management, USCMr Michael Grove, CEO – HotstatsMs Alexandra Janosek, Instructional Designer, Worldwide Curriculum DesignProf. Sandip Mukherjee, Professor Emeritus – IIHM

While technology is revolutionising efficiency and guest experience, the panel agreed that the essence of hospitality—its heart and human touch—remains irreplaceable.

Hospitality: India’s New Growth Story
Moderated by Diwan Gautam Anand, President of the IIHM International College of Distinguished Fellows, the panel featured:Mr K Mohan Chandran, Sr Vice President Operations, Taj HotelsMichelin-starred Chef Chris GalvinMr Yogendra Agnihotri, Sr Regional Director (North and East), Radisson HotelsMs Jyoti Mayal, Chairperson, THSC & President, TAAIMr Rajiv Kapoor, GM, Fairmont Mumbai

The consensus: India is setting a global example by listening, innovating, and serving from the heart—because, as noted, “an unhappy customer doesn’t complain, she simply leaves.”

The celebration paused for a moment of silence in memory of those lost in the Pahalgam tragedy.

Diwan Gautam Anand, iconic hospitality leader and President of FIIHM, closed the summit with a poignant message:

“Thank you for being present on such a landmark day. It is dedicated to all of us who know that time doesn’t erase, it transforms.”

This year’s IHD also witnessed the induction of 65 new Esteemed Fellows into the IIHM International College of Distinguished Fellows (FIIHM). Guided by the motto Fiat Lux (Let there be light), FIIHM is committed to mentoring and shaping future hospitality leaders.

The selection panel included:

Prof. David Foskett, OBE, Chairman – IHC LondonDr Suborno Bose, Chairman – IHC & IIHMMr Ron Scott FIH, International Director, Indismart Group; Director/Secretary, IHC Foundation; Director, APIU Global Limited, UKMr Nakul Anand, Former Executive Director, ITC LtdDiwan Gautam Anand, President, IIHM International College of Distinguished Fellows

Special awards were presented to honour excellence and dedication in the industry. Icons from around the globe extended their wishes.

“This is to express gratitude to Suborno Bose for coining today as International Hospitality Day,” said Mr Puneet Baijal, General Manager, Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad (FIIHM). “IIHM has become an integral part of the industry, and its students are among the best.”

Mr K Mohan Chandran, Sr Vice President Operations, IHCL (FIIHM 2025), stated, “This day honours the global fraternity of hospitality professionals and acknowledges the dedication of team members who make guests feel at home.”

Chef Garry Mclean, the first National Chef of Scotland (FIIHM), added, “Let’s raise a glass to the dedication and resilience of those who make this industry what it is – from chefs to servers to housekeeping staff.”

The World’s Warmest Industry truly had its day. But hospitality is not just about one day—it’s about every day. IHD has become one of the largest global celebrations of unity and inclusivity – a tribute to the human spirit in a world that needs many helpings of kindness to be satiated and at peace.

Contact: Mr. Sujay Gupta, +91 9923057937

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2673903/World_Smiles_Together.jpg

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ARBOR Technology to Showcase Latest Automation Solutions at Automate 2025, Powering Machine Vision, AMR, and Smart Retail Applications

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DETROIT, April 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — ARBOR Technology, a leading provider of industrial-grade embedded computing solutions, is excited to announce its participation in Automate 2025, taking place in Detroit, USA, from May 12–15. Located in Hall E, Booth #9126.

Engineered for advanced automation tasks, the FPC-5211 supports powerful edge computing for real-time data processing and AI inference. Ideal for machine vision and smart city applications, it handles data from multiple sources—LiDAR, industrial cameras, traffic sensors—with low latency and high efficiency. This platform recently earned the Best in Show award from Embedded Computing Design at Embedded World 2025.

Designed for flexible industrial deployment, the ARES-1983H series features a din-rail mount and EzIO modular I/O system, allowing customers to easily customize configurations for factory automation, process control, and machine interfacing.

ARBOR introduces the ARTS-1670 and SB-244-RPLU for autonomous mobile robots (AMR) and automated guided vehicles (AGV). Engineered for performance and durability, these systems meet the rigorous demands of real-time navigation, sensor integration, and operational control in dynamic environments.

Built for real-time video and language model (VLM) applications, the AEC-6100 delivers top-tier AI performance at the edge. Ideal for smart surveillance, automated inspection, and robotics, it reduces latency and enhances on-site processing without compromising security.

Powered by Intel® Core™ Ultra processors, the IEC-3714 delivers 34 TOPS of AI performance in NUC size. It supports real-time video analytics for age, gender, and object recognition, enabling automated decision-making for promotions, restocking, and customer engagement.

With its MediaTek MT8781 processor and Android 14 OS, the Ruby 10 is built for mobility, featuring Wi-Fi 6E, 4G connectivity, and hot-swappable batteries for 24/7 operation. Designed for retail and logistics, it supports NFC payments, and has IP65 and 1.2m drop certifications for dependable performance in harsh environments.

ARBOR will also unveil its latest Computer-on-Module solution, offering exceptional computing scalability based on Intel’s Core Ultra and Arrow Lake platforms. These modules are optimized for embedded applications requiring compact, high-performance solutions with broad customization options.

Stanley, General Manager of ARBOR Solution, commented: “We are proud to return to Automate 2025 with a strong lineup of automation-focused solutions. Our innovations not only address the needs of traditional industrial applications but also support emerging technologies like AI and edge computing.”

Automate 2025
Detroit, Huntington Place
May 12-15
Hall E – #9126

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SOURCE ARBOR Technology

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