Technology

Maryland Organizations Invest in Growth, Education, and Community

Published

6 months ago

May 23, 2024

The Maryland Marketing Partnership, which helps drive Maryland’s branding and marketing efforts to attract businesses, create jobs, and grow the state’s economy, today shared a summary of the latest news from companies and organizations that invest in the partnership.

BALTIMORE, May 23, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The Maryland Marketing Partnership, which helps drive Maryland’s branding and marketing efforts to attract businesses, create jobs, and grow the state’s economy, today shared a summary of the latest news from companies and organizations that invest in the partnership.

“With the state’s strategic location, modern infrastructure, and leading industries, Maryland has so much to offer businesses and individuals alike.” – Maryland Department of Commerce Secretary Kevin Anderson

“With the state’s strategic location, modern infrastructure, and leading industries, Maryland has so much to offer businesses and individuals alike,” said Maryland Department of Commerce Secretary Kevin Anderson. “Our Partnership organizations are proof of this and we encourage businesses of all sizes to explore the many advantages of locating in Maryland.”

BGE, based in Baltimore and Maryland’s largest natural gas and electric utility, is upgrading 260,000 streetlights with smart technology to improve public safety and outage response. Over 45,000 smart lighting controls (also known as smart nodes) have been installed on BGE-maintained street and private area lights to date. Deployment areas for 2024-2025 include northern Baltimore City and Baltimore, Carroll and Harford Counties. “BGE is currently recognized as an industry pioneer for smart lighting,” says Eric Barger, manager of new business overseeing this program. “In addition to the deployment of intelligent field technology, we remain innovative in the ways we capture, manage, and monitor data using our smart lighting operations software, all of which provides a better lighting solution and experience for our customers.”

Peterson Companies, a longtime Maryland business, announced Rio, Gaithersburg’s most celebrated shopping and dining destination, is now home to IKEA. The second location in the Peterson Companies portfolio opened in March and is among a handful of their new “Plan & Order Point with Pick-up” concepts open nationwide. Additionally, Locally Crafted, once a temporary storefront at Rio, has reopened in a new long-term space. The local women-owned business offers an impressive collection of artisan and hand-crafted goods created by local makers from in and around Maryland.

St. John Properties, Inc., based in Baltimore and one of the nation’s largest and most successful privately held commercial real estate firms, received the prestigious 2024 NAIOP Maryland Awards of Excellence for two projects. St. John Properties celebrated a renewal with Precision for Medicine to expand at Riverside Tech Park, occupying over 116,000 square feet of the Frederick, MD facilities. Additionally, they welcome Chipotle Mexican Grill, Charleys Cheesesteaks and Wings, Hibachi Express and TropQ Pizzato restaurants to Cromwell Business Park, a 165-acre mixed-use business community.

SECU, Maryland’s largest state-chartered credit union, recognized the barrier high four-year university tuition creates for community college students wanting to earn their bachelor’s degree. SECU MD Foundation is awarding $10,000 scholarships to 12 students enrolled at any Maryland community college who are transferring to a University System of Maryland university for the 2024-2025 academic year. Students currently enrolled at a University System of Maryland school who recently transferred within the last 18 months are also eligible to apply. Apply for a $10,000 SECU MD Foundation Scholarship by May 31.

Bozzuto, based in Greenbelt, ranked 11th in the 2024 The National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) 50 largest apartment managers list. This acknowledgment came after the successful expansion of more than 100,000 apartment homes. Additionally, Bozzuto acquired Gables 12 Twenty-One in Rosslyn, its first acquisition in 15 years through the Strategic Multifamily Fund. Renamed The Alcott, the 132-unit boutique community acquisition supports Bozzuto’s larger effort to acquire more high-quality, stabilized assets across the East Coast.

United Therapeutics Corporation (UT) announced another first-ever success with the transplant of a UThymoKidneyTM, produced by UT, into a living person on April 12, 2024. Performed by surgeons at NYU Langone Health, this is the third xenotransplant using UT’s xeno organs, following two successful UHeartTM transplants at the University of Maryland Medicine in 2022 and 2023. It marks another positive step forward in the company’s aim to help address the shortage of tolerable, transplantable organs for all who need them.

Cloudforce, based in National Harbor, completed its 15,000-square-foot office expansion. It also continues to impact higher education, empowering educators nationwide to harness AI in the cloud effortlessly. Teaming up with Microsoft, Cloudforce sponsored hackathons. Cloudforce held a free 5-day Bootcamp on AI to prepare local jobseekers for success; and presented at the Maryland Education Enterprise Consortium (MEEC), Blacks at Microsoft Minority Day, and the 2024 Microsoft MWBE Innovation Forum. Founder Husein Sharaf was keynote speaker at the Mid-Atlantic Cybersecurity Capabilities and Careers Symposia (MA3CS) hosted by Prince George’s Community College. Celebrations included its third Washington Business Journal Best Places to Work award, and FSC’s First 2024 Small Business of the Year Award.

TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies, announced the appointment of the Equitech Growth Commission, federal earmarked funding for the Federal Lab Leveraging Innovation to Products (FLLIP) Pilot Program, and a successful exit of portfolio company Allovue, Inc. The organization continues to invest in Maryland-based startup companies through its Social Impact Funds, evergreen Venture Funds, and Seed Funds. These Funds have most recently invested in companies like Keep Company, Astek Diagnostics, Aquatic Circle, Aloe Therapeutics, IPGen, LASARRUS, Innate Technologies, Sonogen Medical, Dockshare, and Minnowtech. Additionally, they released new episodes of TEDCO Talks featuring Secretary of Commerce, Kevin Anderson, and BDC CEO, Colin Tarbert.

Route One Apparel, based in Towson, continues to expand its offerings – especially for local sports fans – through new collaborations and wholesale partnerships. Last month, the online retailer launched the “Brightside x Route One Home Run Collection” with Brightside Boutique, which is selling out quickly, and is now preparing to unveil its new “Boh-timore Baseball” line featuring National Bohemian. In addition to online at RouteOneApparel.com, shoppers can find large displays of Route One Apparel’s sports gear at local retailers EC Pops, King of Bling and Poor Boys. Route One Apparel’s University of Maryland collection, along with other Maryland-pride products, can also now be found at Shop Made in MD in College Park.

Warehouse Cinemas, based in Frederick and developed by HighRock, recently hosted its annual Trailer Fest at all three of its Maryland locations. The event series sold out and brought over 700 participants together to celebrate upcoming releases through exclusive trailer screenings, special guest appearances, and interactive activities.

About Maryland Marketing Partnership
The Maryland Marketing Partnership, founded in statute as the Maryland Public-Private Partnership Marketing Corporation, develops branding strategy for the state, markets the state’s assets, and encourages the location and growth of new businesses in Maryland.

Media Contact

Ellina Buettner, Abel Communications for Maryland Marketing Partnership, 4104195945, ellina@abelcommunications.com, https://marylandmarketingpartnership.com/

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SOURCE Maryland Marketing Partnership

Technology

NASA Johnson Invites Proposals to Lease Vibration Test Facility

Published

7 minutes ago

November 14, 2024

HOUSTON, Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — NASA’s Johnson Space Center is seeking proposals for the use of its historic, but underused, Vibration and Acoustic Test Facility. Prospective tenants must submit facility walk-through requests by Monday, Nov. 18.

Final proposals are due by 12 p.m. EST Monday, Dec. 16, and must promote activities that will build, expand, modernize, or operate aerospace-related capabilities at NASA Johnson and help preserve the historic and iconic building through preservation and adaptive reuse.

NASA plans to sign a National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) lease agreement for the facility, also known as Building 49, for a five-year base period and one five-year extension to be negotiated between NASA and the tenant. To request a walk-through, send an email to hq-realestate@mail.nasa.gov.

“This historic facility has been used for decades to ensure the success and safety of all human spaceflight missions by putting engineering designs and hardware to the ultimate stress tests,” said NASA Johnson Director Vanessa Wyche. “For more than 60 years, NASA Johnson has been the hub of human space exploration and this agreement will be a vital part of the center’s efforts to develop a robust and durable space economy that refines our understanding of the solar system and space exploration.”

All proposals must adhere to the guidelines detailed in the Agency Announcement for Proposals describing concept plans for development of the property, including any modifications proposed to the building; a statement of financial capability to successfully achieve and sustain operations, demonstrated experience with aerospace-related services or other space-related activities, and a detailed approach to propelling the space economy.

The nine-story building complex has a gross square footage of 62,737 square feet and consists of a north wing measuring 62 feet long, 268 feet wide and 106 feet tall, and a central wing about 64 feet long and 115 feet wide. Building 49 currently houses five laboratories, including the General Vibration Laboratory, Modal Operations Laboratory, Sonic Fatigue Laboratory, Spacecraft Acoustic Laboratory, and Spacecraft Vibration Laboratory. The south administrative portion of the building is not included in the property offered for lease.

As the home of Mission Control Center for the agency’s human space missions, astronaut training, robotics, human health and space medicine, NASA Johnson leads the way for the human exploration. Leveraging its unique role and location, the center is developing multiple lease agreements, including the recently announced Exploration Park, to sustain its key role in helping the human spaceflight community foster a robust space.

In the coming years, NASA and its academic, commercial, and international partners will see the completion of the International Space Station Program, the commercial development of low Earth orbit, and the first human Artemis campaign missions establishing sustainable human presence on the Moon in preparation for human missions to Mars.

Johnson already is leading the commercialization of space with the commercial cargo and crew programs and private astronaut missions to the space station. The center also is supporting the development of commercial space stations in low Earth orbit, and lunar-capable commercial spacesuits and lunar landers that will be provided as services to both NASA and the private sector to accelerate human access to space. Through the development of Exploration Park, the center will broaden the scope of the human spaceflight community that is tackling the many difficult challenges ahead.

Learn more about NASA Johnson’s efforts to collaborate with industry partners:

https://www.nasa.gov/johnson/frontdoor/

NASA Johnson Space Center news releases and other information are available automatically by sending an Internet electronic mail message to listserv@listserver.jsc.nasa.gov. In the body of the message (not the subject line) users should type “subscribe hsfnews” (no quotes). This will add the email address that sent the subscribe message to the news release distribution list. The system will reply with a confirmation via E-mail of each subscription. Once you have subscribed you will receive future news releases via e-mail.

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SOURCE NASA

Technology

Cabana Partners with Virginia Department of Veterans Services to Provide Comprehensive, Free Mental Health Support for Veterans, Guard/Reserve Members, and Their Families

Published

7 minutes ago

November 14, 2024

RICHMOND, Va., Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Cabana, a modern mental health provider offering confidential, tech-enabled support, has partnered with the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) to provide free, comprehensive mental health resources to Virginia’s veterans, Guard and Reserve members, as well as their spouses and caregivers. This collaboration expands access to Cabana’s digital mental health services, including live peer support groups moderated by Virginia-certified Veteran Peer Specialists.

Originally developed through research and development initiatives with the U.S. Air Force, Cabana’s services are designed to meet the unique needs of military and veteran communities. With this partnership, eligible Virginia users gain full access to Cabana’s digital suite, which includes the full range of virtual, professionally facilitated groups offered by Cabana, as well as dedicated Virginia Veteran peer-led support groups. Participants can connect discreetly on topics such as transitioning to civilian life, managing family relationships, and coping with stress, all within a secure and confidential environment accessible from any device.

David Black, Founder and CEO of Cabana, underscored the mission behind the partnership: “We’re honored to work with the Virginia Department of Veterans Services to offer a holistic mental health solution for Virginia’s military-connected community. With Virginia-certified Veteran Peer Specialists and our full array of live support groups, we’re providing a powerful, confidential resource that veterans and military families can rely on, whenever and wherever they need it.”

Key Features of the Partnership:

Comprehensive Access to Support: Virginia veterans, Guard/Reserve members, and their families will have unrestricted access to all live virtual groups available through Cabana, in addition to specialized peer-led groups run by Virginia-certified Veteran Peer Specialists.Support for Families and Caregivers: The initiative includes spouses and caregivers, addressing the unique mental health needs of military-connected families through sessions tailored to issues like family dynamics, stress management, and the transition to civilian life.Confidential and Flexible Access: Cabana’s services are available on mobile and desktop devices, providing Virginia’s veterans and their families with an easily accessible, cost-free solution for mental health support.

This collaboration highlights Cabana’s commitment to supporting the mental well-being of those who serve and their families. By joining forces with the Virginia Department of Veterans Services, Cabana seeks to strengthen the resilience and wellness of Virginia’s military community.

For more information on the partnership between Cabana and the Virginia Department of Veterans Services, please contact:

Nick Armstrong, Ph.D.
Head of Public Sector, Cabana
nick@cabanahealth.org

About Cabana™
Cabana is a leading, modern mental health provider offering confidential, tech-enabled support solutions tailored to the needs of diverse communities. Through live, professionally moderated group sessions, evidence-based content, and adaptable wellness tools, Cabana helps individuals proactively manage their mental health. Our mission is clear: to make mental health care more accessible through technology and human connection.

About the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS)

The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) is a state government agency with more than 50 locations across the Commonwealth of Virginia. DVS traces its history to 1928 and the establishment of the Virginia War Service Bureau to assist Virginia’s World War I veterans. Today, DVS assists veterans and their families in filing claims for federal veterans benefits; provides veterans and family members with linkages to services including behavioral health, housing, employment, education, and other programs. The agency operates long-term care facilities offering in-patient skilled nursing care, dementia/memory care, and short-term rehabilitation for veterans; and provides an honored final resting place for veterans and their families at three state veterans cemeteries. It operates the Virginia War Memorial, the Commonwealth’s tribute to Virginia’s men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice from World War II to the present. For more information, please visit www.dvs.virginia.gov.

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SOURCE Cabana

Technology

East Side Games Group Reports Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Published

7 minutes ago

November 14, 2024

Revenue of $21.4M in Q3 2024 and $62.8M Year to DateA-EBITDA of $2.56M in Q3 2024 and $9.2M Year to DatePOWER RANGERS: MIGHTY FORCE launched globally

VANCOUVER, BC, Nov. 14, 2024 /CNW/ – East Side Games Group (TSX: EAGR) (OTC: EAGRF) (“ESGG” or the “Company”), is pleased to announce its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024. All amounts are stated in Canadian dollars on an IFRS basis unless otherwise indicated. Building on the momentum from Q2, the company achieved its first growth quarter of the year, reporting a top-line revenue of $21.4 million, a 4% increase quarter-over-quarter and a 3% increase year-over-year.

The company’s adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $2.56 million, representing a 12% margin and marking the eighth consecutive profitable quarter above $2.5 million. East Side Games Group continues to demonstrate strong performance metrics across its core portfolio, with an average daily user count (DAU) of 236,000, a stickiness rate of 24%, and an average revenue per daily active user (ARPDAU) of $0.99.

“Our focus on profitability within our existing portfolio has paid off, and we are excited to further enhance our user acquisition strategies,” said Jason Bailey, CEO of East Side Games Group. “With $8.3 million in cash—our highest balance since Q2 2022—we are well-positioned to invest in our future game launches and bolster our share buyback program.”

One of the key drivers of growth this quarter was the launch of POWER RANGERS: MIGHTY FORCE in August, which quickly garnered nearly 30,000 daily active users and demonstrated impressive return on advertising spend (ROAS) figures.

In Q3, the company also enhanced its revenue generation through innovative strategies. The introduction of bi-monthly season passes for popular titles like Trailer Park Boys: Greasy Money and Cheech and Chong: Bud Farm resulted in a remarkable 40% increase in season pass revenue.

In a major collaboration, East Side Games Group partnered with BBC and Paramount to create the Intergalactic Friendship Day crossover event between Star Trek Lower Decks: The Badgey Directive and Doctor Who: Lost in Time, generating substantial organic traffic and setting new ARPDAU records.

Looking forward to Q4, East Side Games Group is excited to introduce team-based cooperative and competitive play features into titles such as Trailer Park Boys: Greasy Money and RuPaul’s Drag Race Superstar , anticipating a significant boost in player engagement and monetization.

Moreover, the company is preparing to launch Trailer Park Boys: Greasy Money on the Epic Games Store, expanding its reach in a new mobile marketplace with favorable revenue-sharing terms. This is a very exciting opportunity, only being afforded to a few game studios.

Finally, East Side Games Group is thrilled to announce our upcoming title, RuPaul’s Drag Race Match Queen, developed in partnership with Funkitron and World of Wonder. Slated for a 2025 release, this hybrid match-3 game combines beloved gameplay elements with captivating fashion and character features, catering to the passionate fanbase of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Mike Edwards will be stepping down from the ESGG Board of Directors to focus on other pursuits, effective immediately. ESGG thanks him for his invaluable guidance over the past 12 years and is currently in discussions with several highly qualified candidates for his replacement.

Three Months Ended Sep 30, 2024 Financial highlights

For the quarter ended September 30th, 2024, revenue was $21.4M.Q3 2024 a-EBITDA of $2.56M and 12% a-EBITDA margin.Cashflow for the Company for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 increased by $700k, ending at $8.3M.Daily Active Users in Q3 were 236k, with an ARPDAU of $0.99On November 14, 2023, the Company announced a renewal of its Normal Course Issuer Bid (“NCIB”) authorizing the Company to purchase 4,076,819 of its shares. Through September 30, 2024, the Company purchased 1,540,719 shares at an average price of $0.76. The company continues to buy back stock as restrictions allow.

Certain information provided in this news release is extracted from the consolidated financial statements (the “Financial Statements”) and Management’s Discussion & Analysis (“MD&A”) of the Company for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, and should be read in conjunction with them. It is only in the context of the fulsome information and disclosures contained in the Financial Statements and MD&A that an investor can properly analyze this information. The Financial Statements and MD&A can be found under the Company’s profile on SEDAR and EDGAR.

Earnings Call Video

ESGG will release its third-quarter 2024 financial results and business outlook on its investor relations website https://eastsidegamesgroup.com/investors/financial-information on Thursday, November 14th, 2024, at approximately 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time.

ABOUT EAST SIDE GAMES GROUP

East Side Games Group is a leading free-to-play mobile game group, creating engaging games that produce enduring player loyalty. Our studio groups entrepreneurial culture is anchored in creativity, execution, and growth through licensing of our proprietary Game Kit software platform that enables professional game developers to greatly increase the efficiency and effectiveness of game creation in addition to organic growth through a diverse portfolio of original and licensed IP mobile games that include: The Office: Somehow We Manage, Star Trek: Lower Decks – The Badgey Directive, Bud Farm Idle Tycoon, Doctor Who: Lost in Time, RuPaul’s Drag Race Superstar, AEW: Rise to The Top, Cheech and Chong Bud Farm, and Trailer Park Boys: Grea$y Money.

We are headquartered in Vancouver, Canada and our games are available worldwide on the App Store and Google Play. Additional information about the Company continues to be available under its legal name, East Side Games Group Inc., at www.sedar.com.

Forward-looking Information

Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding the proposed transactions described herein. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. These forward-looking statements reflect management’s current views and are based on certain expectations, estimates and assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including factors beyond the Company’s control. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release.

SOURCE East Side Games Group Inc.