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YWCA Chicago’s Breedlove Accelerator Opens Applications, Addressing $146 Million Funding Gap for Women of Color Entrepreneurs

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10-Week Program Kicks Off September 6, Aiming to Generate Millions in New Revenue for Chicago-Area Businesses

CHICAGO, July 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ – Applications are now open for the Fall 2024 cohort of YWCA Metropolitan Chicago’s Breedlove Accelerator program. The program, which begins September 6, 2024, aims to address the staggering $146 million funding gap faced by women of color entrepreneurs in Chicago.

This initiative offers crucial support to later-stage women of color entrepreneurs, providing resources, mentorship, and funding opportunities to scale their businesses and build generational wealth.

The Breedlove Accelerator, a cornerstone of YWCA’s Women’s Entrepreneurship Center, targets women of color business owners with at least 2 years of experience and $100,000+ in annual revenue.

Running bi-yearly, the program has supported 60 women-owned businesses since its inception, generating more than $10 million in new revenue and creating dozens of jobs in the Chicago area.

Participants in the Fall 2024 cohort will receive:

10 weeks of intensive instruction on financial management, marketing strategies, and operational scalingOne-on-one mentorship from industry leaders and successful entrepreneursIntroductions to potential funders, including venture capitalists and angel investorsOngoing support to implement growth strategiesAccess to a powerful network of fellow entrepreneurs and program alumni

“The Breedlove Accelerator is a crucial component of Chicago’s economic development strategy,” says Cheryl Hudson-Jackson, Director of Breedlove Entrepreneurship Center at YWCA Metropolitan Chicago. “By empowering women of color entrepreneurs, we’re not just changing individual lives – we’re building stronger communities and fostering innovation across our city.”

The program is supported by key partners including BMO, the Coleman Foundation, Mightyhum and Tether. Eligible applicants include women of color business owners in the Chicago area meeting the program’s criteria.

Interested entrepreneurs can apply online, https://bit.ly/BreedloveApplication, before the August 12 deadline.

About Breedlove Entrepreneurship Center

The YWCA’s Breedlove Entrepreneurship Center is named for Madam C.J. Walker, America’s first self-made female millionaire. Born to formerly enslaved parents as Sarah Breedlove, and orphaned at the age of six, she rose to success with sheer determination and grit. Breedlove built a hair care empire which employed 3,000 workers and trained 20,000 “Walker’s Agents,” creating sales jobs and a pathway to the middle class for many Black women. In that spirit, we are empowering women of color to “open their own shops,” grow their own empires, and endow the next generation of Madam C.J. Walkers.

Entrepreneurs interested in the next Breedlove Entrepreneurship Center cohort can visit https://ywcachicago.org/our-work/economic-empowerment/breedlove/ to apply and learn more about the program.

About YWCA Metropolitan Chicago

Founded in 1876, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago is a social enterprise committed to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. As a leading association among a national network of more than 200 YWCAs, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago touches tens of thousands of women and families annually through comprehensive human services provided across the region. YWCA Metropolitan Chicago is a leader in the areas of sexual violence support, early childhood and child care provider services, family support, youth STEM programming and economic empowerment. A commitment to racial justice, equity and inclusion is foundational to all YWCA programs and services. Learn more at www.ywcachicago.org and follow @ywcachicago on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ywca-chicagos-breedlove-accelerator-opens-applications-addressing-146-million-funding-gap-for-women-of-color-entrepreneurs-302204735.html

SOURCE YWCA Metropolitan Chicago

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Waters Corporation to Host Investor Day on March 5, 2025

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MILFORD, Mass., Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT) announced that it will host an Investor Day on Wednesday, March 5th, 2025, in New York City, starting at 8:30 AM ET.

The event will feature presentations by members of the senior management team, who will discuss business initiative achievements, new strategic priorities, and our vision for future shareholder value creation. A Q&A session will follow.

In-Person Attendance
To request in-person attendance at this event, please click here or visit the Waters Investor Relations website at https://ir.waters.com, under ‘Events’.

Webcast
A live webcast will be available the day of the event. To register for the webcast, please click here or visit the Waters Investor Relations website at https://ir.waters.com, under ‘Events’. A replay of the webcast will be available shortly after the event concludes.

About Waters Corporation
Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT), a global leader in analytical instruments and software, has pioneered chromatography, mass spectrometry, and thermal analysis innovations serving the life, materials, food, and environmental sciences for more than 65 years. With approximately 7,500 employees worldwide, Waters operates directly in 35 countries, including 15 manufacturing facilities, and with products available in more than 100 countries.

Caspar Tudor, Head of Investor Relations
investor_relations@waters.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/waters-corporation-to-host-investor-day-on-march-5-2025-302348226.html

SOURCE Waters Corporation

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As Retail Cybercrime Surges, Plank Road Ventures To Present Technology Solutions At NRF 2025 Big Show

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HOBOKEN, N.J., Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Credit cards and other non-cash payment methods now account for some 80% of purchasing activity, according to some reports. It’s convenient for consumers, but each retail transaction may expose vital shopper information to nation-state and other cybercriminals. Consumers are inconvenienced, while retailers may suffer reputational and financial damage.

To combat the upsurge in digital incursions, Plank Road Ventures — an eMazzanti Technologies company — will present artificial intelligence, cybersecurity best-practice and other retail solutions at the NRF (National Retail Federation) 2025 Retail’s Big Show at Booth 2306, in the Startup Hub of New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center from January 12 through January 14, 2025.

“The rise in credit card, digital and other payment methods have made retailers a rich target for cyberthieves,” warns eMazzanti Technologies President Carl Mazzanti. “POS systems, for example, can store customer information and purchase history, enabling retailers to capture the information they need to inform targeted marking campaigns and personalized shopping experiences. But POS transactions also pose an attractive target for cybercriminals, and a successful data breach will have far-reaching consequences.”

Plank Road Ventures, a global managed services provider, partners with leading companies like Microsoft, Watchguard, HP, and I3 Communications to help retailers deploy technology that improve and secure their operations and store strategies, while enhancing customer experience and engagement. Retailers can meet with trained professionals from Plank Road Ventures at the NRF 2025 Retail’s Big Show, and learn about leading-edge POS and other solutions.

About eMazzanti Technologies
eMazzanti’s team of trained, certified IT experts deliver rapid response, increased revenue growth, data security, and productivity for organizations of all sizes. The firm offers cloud and mobile solutions, multi-site technology implementations, outsourced network management, 24 x 7 support, digital marketing services, and cyber security assessments and protection services.

About Plank Road Ventures
Our team of experienced retail experts works with clients to understand their specific requirements and recommend the best options. Specializing in store operations and support, the team is available 24x7x 365.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/as-retail-cybercrime-surges-plank-road-ventures-to-present-technology-solutions-at-nrf-2025-big-show-302348181.html

SOURCE Plank Road Ventures

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Kevin Lanouette Named Senior Vice President and General Counsel

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BEDFORD, Mass., Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — iRobot Corp. (NASDAQ: IRBT), a leader in consumer robots, today announced that Kevin Lanouette has been named Senior Vice President and General Counsel, effective January 17, 2025. Tonya Drake, the Company’s Executive Vice President and General Counsel, will transition to an advisory role ending March 7, 2025.

“I’d like to thank Tonya for her many years of service to iRobot,” said Gary Cohen, iRobot CEO. “Her legacy of tenacity and rigor in protecting the iRobot Company and our brand has been exemplary.”

“Kevin is a seasoned and highly skilled attorney whose experience in advising on complex corporate and securities, commercial, M&A and IP protection matters will be invaluable as we execute our strategic initiatives and work toward a return to profitable growth,” said Cohen.

Formerly, Mr. Lanouette was a Partner at OutsideGC, a Boston-based law firm, where he specialized in providing strategic legal counsel to clients at all stages of development and across a broad range of industries, including technology development, software and services and healthcare. Previously, he served as Assistant General Counsel at Analog Devices, Inc., a leading global semiconductor manufacturer, from 2006 to 2020, where he had responsibility for several critical legal functions, including corporate, SEC and securities matters, IP licensing and technology transfers, M&A and investments, global commercial transactions, and governance and compliance issues.

He is a graduate of the University of Maine and Harvard Law School.

About iRobot Corp.
iRobot is a global consumer robot company that designs and builds thoughtful robots and intelligent home innovations that make life better. iRobot introduced the first Roomba robot vacuum in 2002. Today, iRobot is a global enterprise that has sold more than 50 million robots worldwide. iRobot’s product portfolio features technologies and advanced concepts in cleaning, mapping and navigation. Working from this portfolio, iRobot engineers are building robots and smart home devices to help consumers make their homes easier to maintain and healthier places to live. For more information about iRobot, please visit www.irobot.com

For iRobot Investors
Certain statements made in this press release that are not based on historical information are forward-looking statements which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This press release contains express or implied forward-looking statements relating to iRobot Corporation’s expectations concerning executive transitions and execution of the company’s strategy. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. iRobot undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise. For additional disclosure regarding these and other risks faced by iRobot, see the disclosure contained in our public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including, without limitation, our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kevin-lanouette-named-senior-vice-president-and-general-counsel-302348314.html

SOURCE iRobot Corporation

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