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OwnersEdge Acquires Illinois-based Communications Direct

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OwnersEdge, a 100% employee-owned ESOP holding company, has a vision of growing from its current five operating companies to ten and delivering the American Dream to all of its current and future employee owners. The acquisition of Communications Direct is a significant step in advancing that plan.

WAUKESHA, Wis., July 25, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — In a strategic move to accelerate growth, OwnersEdge Inc., a 100% employee-owned ESOP holding company based in Waukesha, Wis., has acquired Communications Direct (CommDirect), an Illinois-based, mission-critical communications business that is a Motorola Solutions channel partner and a national leader in communication system rentals.

“We’re excited to welcome the employees of CommDirect to our business and are always looking to bring additional companies into OwnersEdge,” said Christine Adee, co-CEO of OwnersEdge.

This is the first acquisition for OwnersEdge in Illinois, and the first since it announced a new leadership structure in June 2023, in which Lisa Reardon, founder and CEO, transitioned to the role of executive chair, while Christine Adee and Rob Dillon were appointed as co-CEOs.

OwnersEdge has a vision of growing from its current five operating companies to ten and delivering the American Dream to all of its current and future employee owners. The acquisition of CommDirect is another significant step in advancing that plan.

CommDirect is headquartered in St. Charles and has rental offices in four key cities that host large trade shows and conventions and high-profile events – Morton Grove, Illinois (which is close to Chicago); Orlando; Carrollton, Texas (just outside of Dallas/Fort Worth); and Las Vegas. All 26 CommDirect employees are now employee owners and will benefit from the company’s employee stock ownership plan (ESOP).

“During its 30-plus years, CommDirect has established itself as a premium provider of critical communication systems with differentiated capabilities in the large system rental market. This acquisition is a strategic move that allows us to expand our geographic footprint into Illinois with a business that perfectly complements two of our existing operating companies,” said Rob Dillon, co-CEO of OwnersEdge. “CommDirect clients will now have access to additional solutions that BAYCOM and Implecho offer, including video surveillance and door access control security systems, mobile computing products, headsets and tour guide systems.”

OwnersEdge Leadership Structure

Lisa Reardon, executive chair of OwnersEdge, said the acquisition demonstrates the effectiveness of the new leadership structure, which allows her to focus on finding and acquiring high-quality businesses that align with the OwnersEdge culture and purpose.

“Our structural changes have provided the necessary capacity and focus to accelerate our vision of building sustainable businesses throughout the Midwest,” Reardon said. “By adding CommDirect to our portfolio, we are able to continue to deliver on our purpose of enabling current and future employee owners to live out their own American Dream.”

CommDirect Insight

Tim Van Hiel and Bill Chmelik, the owners of CommDirect, said they chose to partner with OwnersEdge because of its technical expertise, customer focus and commitment to employee ownership.

“Their philosophy of treating employees with respect and rewarding them with the gift of employee ownership gave us tremendous confidence that they will be great stewards of this business going forward,” Van Hiel and Chmelik said. “We are proud to join the OwnersEdge portfolio and contribute to its growth and success.”

OwnersEdge Growth

OwnersEdge was established in 2015 as an ESOP holding company to provide revenue stream diversity and greater returns for its employee owners. During the past nine years, OwnersEdge has executed nine acquisitions and expanded its workforce to more than 300 employees.

“I believe the ESOP model is one of the best ways to create a committed and engaged workforce where employees view their contributions as vital and impactful to the overall success and financial health of the business,” said Christine Adee, co-CEO of OwnersEdge. “We’re excited to welcome the employees of CommDirect to our business and are always looking to bring additional companies into OwnersEdge.”

About OwnersEdge

Based in Waukesha, Wis., OwnersEdge Inc. is a 100% employee-owned ESOP holding company that strives to invest in and build sustainable businesses throughout the Midwest. The operating companies within the OwnersEdge portfolio utilize their industry expertise to drive business growth and create value for stakeholders including customers, communities and the ESOP employee owners. The existing companies in its portfolio – Asche & Spencer, BAYCOM, CC&N, Implecho and QComp Technologies – provide diverse products and services to a variety of market segments ranging from public safety to construction to manufacturing and music production.

Media Contact

Monica G Baer, OwnersEdge, 1 4148815053, mbaer@baercarlson.com, https://www.ownersedge.com/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/ownersedge-acquires-illinois-based-communications-direct-302205012.html

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Solo Celebrates Its Anniversary With Debt Payoff Giveaway and AI Advancements

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SAN FRANCISCO, May 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — To celebrate seven years of helping consumers resolve debt, Solo is giving one customer the ultimate anniversary gift: a chance to have their debt paid off.

Solo, the platform that connects everyday Americans with collectors to pay off debt, is turning seven—and giving back. To celebrate its 7th anniversary, the fintech startup is hosting Solo’s Debt Payoff Giveaway. One lucky participant will receive $4,700—the average amount of a debt lawsuit according to Solo data aggregated from over 200,000 accounts.

The giveaway shines a spotlight on a difficult financial reality. Based on Solo’s latest financial analysis, the average debtor is sued for more than 11x their bank account balance. This comes out to roughly 80% of their monthly income, so it’s no wonder so many people struggle to respond to debt lawsuits, negotiate settlements, or pay off their debts. Solo’s latest features are designed to flip the script and empower consumers to get out of debt fast.

Everything Solo builds is designed to help people take control of their financial future. “Debt can feel hopeless. We’re here to prove there’s a solution,” said George Simons, Solo’s CEO and founder. “This giveaway is our way of celebrating progress—and helping one more person move forward.”

Solo is now an AI-first experience. Consumers talk for free with its powerful AI, which scores in the top 10% on the bar exam, top 20% on the CPA exam, and is built on OpenAI’s GPT-4o. Users can discover tips to build credit, budget better, and pay down debts. With SoloSettle, consumers can get debt resolution deals based on their actual financial circumstance and collaborate with collectors to achieve instant settlements. 

“Thanks to Solo, getting sued for debt is no longer a dead end,” said Simons. “Instead, for hundreds of thousands of Americans, it’s the pivot point towards a brighter future and greater financial prosperity.”

About Solo
Solo simplifies debt resolution for both consumers and collectors. Since its launch in 2018, Solo has helped more than 290,000 consumers manage $1.92 billion in debt, offering tools that simplify and accelerate resolution. Roughly 10 million US consumers are sued for debt yearly, and many use Solo to respond to lawsuits, engage with collectors for the first time, and negotiate debt digitally, often reaching a resolution in just days.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/solo-celebrates-its-anniversary-with-debt-payoff-giveaway-and-ai-advancements-302445524.html

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Bybit Showcased Innovative Payments and Crypto Solutions at Web Summit Rio 2025

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DUBAI, UAE, May 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, is excited to have been a part of this year’s Web Summit in Rio. From April 27 to 30, the world’s largest technology event took place in Brazil’s startup city, Rio de Janeiro, where Bybit presented its future-ready crypto offering and innovative payments solutions. 

Crypto integration into traditional payments is rapidly becoming part of everyday life for millions of users around the world, especially in emerging markets, and Bybit is at the forefront of the revolution with unmatched crypto-native solutions. Bybit—The Crypto Ark—caters to all of the crypto community’s needs — from trading, custody, on and off-ramping, payments, and more — and is fast becoming the ultimate crypto lifestyle brand. 

Through local partnerships and product innovation, Bybit’s LATAM chapter aspires to become the lifestyle partner of the crypto community. In 2025, Bybit officially launched Bybit Pay in Brazil powered by Transfero, offering a blockchain-based payment gateway and seamless crypto-to-fiat experience. This new product solution simplifies crypto payments and settlement for users in LATAM’s largest economy. 

Bybit Pay Key Features

QR Code support – scan to pay with fiat or crypto via PIX in BrazilUnified crypto and fiat wallet management all in one placeSupports multiple currencies including BRL, USDT, USDC, BTC, and ETH Secure transactions protected by blockchain encryptionUnlocking merchants access to Bybit’s 60+ million global users

At Web Summit Rio, the Bybit booth welcomed hundreds of attendees who experienced Bybit Pay in person. Visitors and the Bybit team exchanged insights on the future of crypto and how institutions, merchants, and retail users can pivot into the digital economy with on-chain solutions. 

Web Summit Rio also featured the Transfero x Bybit Happy Hour, presented by Bybit Pay at the Transfero booth. Visitors got their hands on Bybit’s innovative payments solutions built for crypto over a free beer and additional perks — experiencing a Bybit Pay transaction in seconds and taking home free Bybit-branded merchandise.

The all-in-one crypto powerhouse is also dedicated to enriching customer experience beyond transactions. Bybit recently announced its strategic partnership with Tomorrowland Brasil, making crypto a key highlight at this iconic music festival hosting hundreds of thousands of music fans every year. The upcoming rendition is set for October 10 to 12 in Itu, São Paulo. As the exclusive Payment Partner for Tomorrowland, Bybit’s sponsorship is a world-first — bridging music and the crypto savvy generation. 

“For the younger generation in Latin America, crypto is becoming a way of life. We want to help create a world where paying, sending, and investing in crypto becomes instant and borderless for everyday users. What we are building now will enable millions of customers to benefit from the rapidly emerging digital asset class both on-chain and in real life with increasing ease,” said Israel Buzaym, Country Manager of Brazil.

Local customers can explore Bybit Pay Brazil and the ultra-rewarding Bybit Card with up to 10% cashback in Brazil and Argentina.  

#Bybit / #TheCryptoArk  

About Bybit

Bybit is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 60 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open, and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.

For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press

For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com 

For updates, please follow: Bybit’s Communities and Social Media

Discord | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X | Youtube

Contact

Head of PR
Tony Au
Bybit
tony.au@bybit.com

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Vitalchat Launches Hardware Leasing Option to Make Virtual Care More Predictable and Affordable for Hospitals

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New hardware leasing program bundles high-definition cameras, audio equipment, and other essential components with software, maintenance, support, and ongoing feature updates, all under a single, predictable monthly expense.

NEW ORLEANS, La., May 4, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Vitalchat, a leader in AI-powered ambient solutions for inpatient virtual nursing and procedural telehealth, today announced a new leasing program that enables hospitals to access camera and audio hardware through a flexible monthly subscription, transforming large upfront capital expenses (CapEx) into more manageable operating expenses (OpEx).

“This option removes large upfront working capital barriers and allows hospitals to predictably spend their money over time. It eliminates surprises and provides the budget predictability that finance leaders need.” Wes Stewart, Chief Financial Officer, Vitalchat

While hardware leasing models exist in healthcare, Vitalchat’s program is specifically designed to address the unique requirements of virtual nursing and procedural telehealth deployments. Vitalchat’s approach combines all the necessary hardware and software, maintenance, support and regular application feature and functionality updates into a single, predictable monthly expense. The program includes high-definition cameras with zoom capabilities, night vision features, audio equipment, and other essential components needed for virtual nursing and telehealth deployments. Vitalchat also offers multiple configuration options to meet various clinical needs across in-patient settings and procedural environments.

“As a CFO, I understand the value this model brings to healthcare financial planning,” said Wes Stewart, Chief Financial Officer at Vitalchat. “It removes large upfront working capital barriers and allows hospitals to predictably spend their money over time. If a camera breaks, they don’t have to purchase a new one, it’s simply swapped out while maintaining the same monthly rate. It eliminates surprises and provides the budget predictability that finance leaders need.”

The leasing program is part of Vitalchat’s ongoing mission to reduce barriers to adoption in healthcare environments where technology needs evolve rapidly. This approach allows hospitals to scale their virtual care infrastructure up or down as needed, without being locked into outdated equipment or face unexpected replacement costs. As hospitals continue to prioritize virtual nursing, virtual sitting, and hybrid care models, this offering helps care teams deploy innovative technology faster, with fewer operational hurdles and a more sustainable financial model.

The new program is available immediately.

About Vitalchat

Vitalchat delivers a flexible audio and video platform designed to transform healthcare delivery by addressing critical challenges like nursing shortages, procedural telehealth and care coordination with clinical teams, patients and their family members. Our technology utilizes AI to perform continuous real-time analysis of video, audio, and sensory data collected in the care setting to identify trends, predict risks, and flag anomalies that are then turned into meaningful alerts and automated actions that support the clinical teams in delivering efficient, safe and coordinated care. For more information about Vitalchat, visit www.Vitalchat.com

Media Contact

Jennifer Haas, Vitalchat, 1 9786973921, info@vitalchat.com, Vitalchat.com

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/vitalchat-launches-hardware-leasing-option-to-make-virtual-care-more-predictable-and-affordable-for-hospitals-302445256.html

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