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GetReal Security Raises $17.5M Series A Led by Forgepoint Capital to Address Rapidly Growing Threats Associated with Generative AI and Malicious Digital Media

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New capital will support ongoing product innovation for the authentication and verification of digital content as the market continues to expand

SAN MATEO, Calif., March 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — GetReal Security, a cybersecurity leader specializing in the detection and mitigation of malicious generative AI threats including deepfakes and impersonation attacks, announced it has closed $17.5M in Series A funding led by global early-stage cybersecurity and AI investment firm Forgepoint Capital with participation from Ballistic Ventures, Evolution Equity, and K2 Access Fund as well as strategic investors In-Q-Tel (IQT), Cisco Investments and Capital One Ventures.

Joining the company’s board of directors are Forgepoint Capital Co-Founder and Managing Director Alberto Yépez and GetReal Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer Dr. Hany Farid, the preeminent digital forensics expert in the field. This new capital will fuel GetReal’s R&D, product development, and go-to-market operations as the company addresses the rapidly evolving threat environment associated with generative AI and digital content.

“Developments in foundation models and generative AI have evolved the attack surface well beyond traditional networks and infrastructures, opening up new vulnerabilities in protecting the modern digital enterprise. This means that the verification and authentication of digital content – whether text, images, audio, or video – is a critical new frontier of enterprise risk management as organizations have become prime targets for manipulation and exploitation,” said Yépez. “What sets the GetReal team apart is their combination of world-class digital forensics and deep cyber domain expertise. The team is uniquely positioned to address this challenge and equip enterprises to defend against this new attack vector.”

The proliferation and general adoption of AI have introduced both opportunities and challenges for enterprises, including the ease with which AI-generated content can be used for both legitimate and illegitimate purposes. The result is a new attack technique that targets any organization relying on digital communications to run their business – virtually every business today – undermining trust in critical information and challenging their ability to make effective business decisions. Attackers are already successfully deploying manipulated digital content to deceive employees into sharing sensitive data, executives into authorizing fraudulent transactions, and customers into trusting falsified communication.  

“We’ve reached a pivotal moment. AI-generated content is on the verge of dominating the digital landscape and bad actors are already exploiting these advancements,” said Ted Schlein, Chairman and Co-Founder of GetReal and Co-Founder and General Partner of Ballistic Ventures. “The need for solutions that can quickly and accurately verify and authenticate digital media has never been more critical. We’re happy to welcome these new investors to our syndicate, and we look forward to working together to protect enterprises and governments from the growing threats posed by AI-driven deception.”

GetReal offers a complete set of solutions designed to help organizations effectively manage risk and mitigate threats from these new types of AI-fueled attacks. All products and services are offered through GetReal’s unified platform which provides the infrastructure to accommodate all modalities (image, audio and video) for both files and real-time digital communication streams.

The company also offers enterprise-class services to help organizations train security teams, develop policy, and deploy solutions. Its newly launched incident response service, GetReal Respond, was designed to help organizations deal with complex incidents requiring the highest level of forensic analysis, and leverages GetReal’s team of digital forensics experts and investigators for advanced analysis. 

“As we’ve seen so many times before in the cybersecurity industry, when sophisticated tools become easily accessible, adversaries will strike. This time will be no different,” said Matt Moynahan, CEO of GetReal. “When people can’t trust what they see, hear, or read, it will challenge every organization’s ability to execute. GetReal’s mission is to tackle this challenge head-on, and I’m proud to be working alongside this talented team to combat it.”

“I’m heartened that these quality investors understand the profound implications that unchecked malicious generative AI can have on the greater good and are joining our cause to build GetReal into a transformative cybersecurity company,” said Farid. “I’ve dedicated my career to advancing digital forensics techniques and advising on cases where manipulated content has dire real-world consequences. Our solution set is a significant step forward in our mission to create best-in-class content verification and authentication capabilities to navigate an era where synthetic content is increasingly indistinguishable from reality.”

To learn more about GetReal and what’s ahead, read Moynahan’s blog here and visit www.getrealsecurity.com

About GetReal Security
GetReal Security is the cybersecurity leader specializing in the detection and mitigation of threats posed by malicious generative AI content including deepfakes and impersonation attacks. Its technology serves multinational corporations, financial institutions, media organizations, government agencies, and social media companies. The company was incubated by Ballistic Ventures, the venture capital firm dedicated exclusively to funding and incubating entrepreneurs and innovations in cybersecurity, and Dr. Hany Farid, the preeminent expert in media forensics. Learn more at getrealsecurity.com and follow the company on LinkedIn.

About Forgepoint Capital
Forgepoint Capital is a leading venture capital firm that invests in transformative cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and infrastructure software companies protecting the digital future. With over $1 billion in AUM, the largest sector-focused investment team, and portfolio of more than 30 companies, the firm brings over 100 years of proven company-building experience and its Advisory Council of more than 100 industry leaders to support entrepreneurs advancing innovation globally. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area and London, Forgepoint is proud to help category-defining companies reach their market potential. Learn more at www.forgepointcap.com and on LinkedIn.

Media Contact
getrealsecurity@inkhouse.com 

SOURCE GetReal Security

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PowerReviews Launches Partner Program to Expand Reach and Value of User-Generated Content

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Partners of PowerReviews, a 1WorldSync company, to grow revenue by referring clients to  industry-leading technology, including ratings and reviews, display, syndication, social curation, product sampling and analytics tools

CHICAGO, April 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Today, PowerReviews, a leading provider of ratings, reviews and user-generated content (UGC) solutions, announced the launch of its new PowerReviews Partner Program. Designed to maximize the impact and reach of UGC, this program fosters collaboration with technology providers, agencies and strategic partners and their end-customers. 

Partners are eligible for incentives on new business referrals. Interested partners can learn more about the program during monthly informational webinars, beginning April 9.

“We are thrilled to launch the PowerReviews Partner Program as a key part of our strategy to expand the influence of user-generated content and provide our partners an additional revenue stream,” said Brandon Kiffer, President UGC Solutions at PowerReviews, a 1WorldSync company. “Partnering with leading technology providers and agencies allows us to help businesses of all sizes harness the power of UGC to drive sales, strengthen brand and retailer trust, and enhance the customer experience.”

Partners will gain access to PowerReviews’ industry-leading technology, including ratings and reviews, display, syndication, social curation, product sampling and analytics tools. Partners also receive exclusive benefits such as co-branded webinars, live events, case studies and blog collaborations. Additionally, partners will receive sales enablement resources, including training and marketing materials, along with dedicated support from PowerReviews experts for onboarding, training and ongoing assistance.

The PowerReviews Partner Program is open to technology providers, agencies, and other businesses that share PowerReviews’ mission of helping brands and retailers leverage the power of UGC.

Caddle has joined forces with PowerReviews as a referral partner. As a leading consumer rewards app, Caddle generates hundreds of thousands of reviews for top-tier brands and retailers across Canada. “We are excited to refer and collaborate with 1WorldSync’s PowerReviews to harness their world-class syndication platform,” said Ransom Hawley, CEO of Caddle. “With the combined power of PowerReviews’ tools and Caddle’s innovative solutions, this partnership will drive significant value for both companies, helping brands collect and amplify authentic consumer feedback more effectively than ever.”

To learn more about the program and how to become a partner, please visit the PowerReviews website

About PowerReviews, a 1WorldSync Company
PowerReviews is a leading provider of ratings, reviews, and user-generated content (UGC) solutions. PowerReviews helps brands and retailers collect, manage, and display high-quality UGC to drive sales and enhance the customer experience. As part of 1WorldSync, PowerReviews is committed to optimizing product detail pages (PDPs) and enhancing the digital shopping experience through authentic, impactful content. For more information, visit www.powerreviews.com.

Media Contact:
Ryan Hunt
rhunt@1worldsync.com 

Partner Program Contact:
Moses De Los Santos, Strategic Alliances Director, UGC
PowerReviews a 1Worldsync company
mdelossantos@1worldsync.com 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/powerreviews-launches-partner-program-to-expand-reach-and-value-of-user-generated-content-302422196.html

SOURCE 1WorldSync

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Woodforest Financial Group Announces Strategic Investment in Zelus Automation Platform

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THE WOODLANDS, Texas, April 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Woodforest Financial Group, Inc., the parent company of Woodforest National Bank, today announced a strategic investment in Zelus Automation Platform, LLC, a Houston-based technology firm specializing in innovative software solutions for the banking industry. This investment reflects Woodforest’s ongoing commitment to advancing technologies that improve banking operations and customer experiences.

Zelus Automation Platform’s flagship solution, SNAP (Simple New Account Platform), is an end-to-end, real-time system designed to streamline the account opening process for financial institutions. SNAP integrates directly with a bank’s core operating system, automating workflows to reduce data entry, ensure process consistency, minimize errors, and shorten customer waiting and staff training times. Banks using SNAP open new accounts in under 10 minutes with 90 % reduction in errors.

“We are excited to partner with Zelus Automation Platform and support their forward-thinking approach to banking technology,” said Robert E. Marling, Jr., Chairman and CEO of Woodforest Financial Group. “This investment aligns with our strategic focus on innovation that enhances operational efficiency and elevates customer service.”

Russell Bond, CEO of Zelus Automation Platform, shared his perspective on the new partnership: “Woodforest’s investment is a powerful endorsement of our mission to transform banking operations and the customer experience through intelligent automation. With their support, we are positioned to accelerate the development and adoption of SNAP, bringing greater efficiency and consistency to account opening processes across the industry.”

This strategic collaboration exemplifies Woodforest’s dedication to fostering innovation and supporting companies that are driving technological change in the financial services sector. Through its investment in Zelus, Woodforest aims to play a key role in shaping the future of digital banking.

About Woodforest Financial Group, Inc.
Woodforest Financial Group, Inc. is the parent company of Woodforest National Bank, a community bank established in 1980 and headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas. With more than 760 branches across 17 states, Woodforest National Bank is dedicated to delivering high-quality financial services and supporting community growth initiatives. For more information about Woodforest Financial Group and Woodforest National Bank, please visit Woodforest.com.

About Zelus Automation Platform, LLC
Founded in 2020 and based in Houston, Texas, Zelus Automation Platform, LLC is a technology innovation company providing advanced software solutions to banks. Its flagship product, SNAP, revolutionizes the account opening process by seamlessly integrating with core banking systems to drive efficiency, reduce operational errors, and enhance customer satisfaction. For more information about SNAP and Zelus Automation Platform, please visit zap-llc.com.

For more information contact Russell Bond, CEO, Zelus Automation Platform (972) 841-8007, russell.bond@zap-llc.com

CONTACT: James Dreibelbis, President, Woodforest Financial Group (832) 375-2023, JDreibelbis@woodforest.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/woodforest-financial-group-announces-strategic-investment-in-zelus-automation-platform-302422348.html

SOURCE Woodforest Financial Group, Inc.

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Older Pittsburgh Voters to Play Decisive Role in 2025 Mayoral Election

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PITTSBURGH, April 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A new survey from AARP Pennsylvania reveals that Pittsburgh voters 50+ will be the deciding factor in determining the city’s next leader.

According to the survey, Democratic challenger Corey O’Connor leads incumbent Mayor Ed Gainey, 58 percent to 24 percent, with 16 percent undecided. Tony Moreno leads with voters 50+ on the Republican side, with a 40 percent lead over challenger Thomas West

Pittsburgh voters aged 50 and older constitute a significant voting bloc that candidates cannot afford to ignore. In the 2021 mayoral primary, voters over 50 made up 57 percent of all voters, and 60 percent of all in the general election.

The survey also found that a large majority of voters 50-plus are engaged and intend to participate in the upcoming primary election. Their priorities include economic stability, public safety, and access to essential services—issues that will shape their choice at the ballot box. 

Among other issues Pittsburgh voters 50-plus are looking for the next mayor to address: 

83 percent say the candidates’ positions on access to quality health care will affect their vote

51 percent Pittsburgh’s economy is getting weaker

80 percent support a change in city ordinances to make it easier for owners to create accessory dwelling units, a residential unit built on the same lot as an existing single-family home and can be attached or detached to the home. 

“Candidates running for mayor must address the concerns of Pittsburgh’s older residents, like economic stability, affordable housing options, and access to essential services, if they hope to secure victory,” said Bill Johnston-Walsh, State Director of AARP Pennsylvania. “This demographic votes consistently and expects elected officials to prioritize their needs.” 

With the election approaching, these results suggest that candidates who focus on policies that support older residents—such as affordable housing, transportation, and healthcare access—will be more likely to gain their support. 

AARP commissioned American Directions Research Group to conduct a survey of 805 voters 50 and older living in Pittsburgh, PA from March 12 to March 19, 2025. The interviews were conducted by phone and online, with 650 live phone interviews (80.75%) and 155 (19.25%) from an opt-in panel sample list of registered voters age 50+ living in Pittsburgh. The data was weighted by age and gender to reflect registered voters in Pittsburgh age 50 or older, based on the population of registered voters 50+ from the sample source. The margin of sampling error at the 95% confidence level for the 805 citywide sample is ±3.4 

View the full survey results at www.aarp.org/pittsburghmayorpoll2025 

About AARP 

AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation’s largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org, www.aarp.org/espanol or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspanol and @AARPadvocates, @AliadosAdelante on social media.

CONTACT: Randy LoBasso, rlobasso@aarp.org, 267-964-8001 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/older-pittsburgh-voters-to-play-decisive-role-in-2025-mayoral-election-302422349.html

SOURCE AARP Pennsylvania

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