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Acquisition

ROW8 Acquires Rad to Power Its Premium Movies Streaming Service with NFTs

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ROW8 Acquires Rad to Power Its Premium Movies Streaming Service with NFTs

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 21, 2022 — ROW8, the Premium Movie Streaming service with the latest Hollywood films like Black Adam with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Ticket to Paradise with George Clooney, and Bullet Train with Brad Pitt, has acquired the metaverse and web3 streaming platform Rad. ROW8 has premium video on demand movies from every major studio on its platform, with all of its studio partners exploring NFTs in some way. Rad has been building immersive streaming technology and leveraging smart contracts for over 5 years, and has many of the same studio partners for VR and blockchain-based content. Combined, the two companies will work with major studios and the top NFT projects building for web3 and the metaverse.

“Rad’s suite of web3 creator tools alongside ROW8’s library of Hollywood films will make our platform the premier destination for both digital collectibles and your favorite movies” said Jasmina Christoph, Founder and President at ROW8.

“ROW8 is easily the best positioned company in the world to bring Hollywood into the future, with its patented technology, app footprint, and deep relationships with the biggest studios in the world”, said Tony Mugavero, CEO of Rad. “They have the highest level pipeline of content you can have in the entertainment industry, and Rad works with the same studios in web3 and XR, which means we can accelerate adoption of forward-thinking distribution from a place of trust.”

ROW8 has streaming deals in place with every major movie studio, including Disney, Universal, Warner Brothers, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and it offers over 1800 theatrical release-windowed movies.  ROW8’s patented technology includes the ability to geo-locate viewers and share revenue with nearby theater chains, dynamic “Scene Alerts” to give viewers a peek into seeing if the next scene is scary or has adult themes, and their proprietary “Movie Love Guarantee” which allows viewers to return a movie and swap it for another one if they weren’t enjoying it.

Rad has streamed innovative content with every major studio and broadcaster globally by licensing content or powering experiences in VR and web3, and has streaming apps on PlayStation 4 and 5, Android TV, iOS, and Meta Quest, and built a globally leading position in VR, distributing content to devices like PlayStation VR, HTC Vive, and Windows Mixed Reality. Rad was the first streaming service to offer an NFT subscription and is launching its full NFT Stream Pass in December 2022. Rad has done NFT releases with companies like DKNY, Hacksmith, Cinedigm, and directly with creators like Elliot Sloan and platinum rapper Calboy. Rad also worked with ConsenSys to build its cross-blockchain-based platform Ara with the ARA token, which will power ROW8’s NFT platform. Additionally, Rad has numerous studio and well known media investors like Disney, Sony Innovation Fund, A+E Networks, WWE, Warner Music Group, Gary Vaynerchuk, and more.

Tony Mugavero will become CEO of the combined companies, and Rad’s leadership team will all stay as part of the transaction.

“We couldn’t be more excited to join forces with ROW8,” said Brooklyn Earick, Chief Marketing Officer at Rad, who will be staying on as Chief Strategy Officer post-acquisition. “Combined, we’ll be the first platform to offer movies like Avatar and Top Gun alongside NFT’s from Hollywood studios and web3 creatives.”

The combined companies have secured funding in a round led by Ayre Ventures.

Ayre Ventures founder Calvin Ayre celebrated the acquisition, calling it “the perfect marriage of content and delivery, the intersection of preparation and opportunity. ROW8’s vast library of marquee content will discover new ways to reach consumers through Rad’s BSV-based NFTs. BSV is the only blockchain with the scaling capacity and ultra-low transaction fees to realize the promise that web3 holds for creators, distributors and consumers.”

Also participating in the round are Intersect VC, who are investors in Dapper Labs and Triller; former New England Patriot Super Bowl Champion and Pro Bowler Richard Seymour’s 93 Ventures; Alvin Kwan, former head of Corporate Development at Fox and Board Member at Fubo TV; Rusty Matveev, who is CSO at Calaxy and formerly a partner at MSG Ventures; Revere VC; Stacks; and Jason Campbell, former quarterback for the Washington Redskins and Oakland Raiders.

Upon completion of the acquisition, Paul Rajchgod, Managing Director, Private Equity for Ayre Ventures, will be appointed to ROW8’s board.

About Rad

Rad NFTV is the first streaming platform powered by NFTs. Rad’s suite of apps allows you to stream Live TV, Premium Video, and Live Events all unlocked through NFTs. Discover content in ESports, Music, Comedy, and Sports Entertainment from companies like Complex, Whistle, CoinDesk, DeadHeads, Knights of Degen, and Virtue Animation Studio. Rad NFTV’s library of fast and loud content, NFTs, crypto rewards, and OTT footprint creates a streaming metaverse for the next generation of creators and fans.

The platform can deliver a broad range of NFT and content experiences, with 2D, 3D, 4K, Live, 360° / 180° VR, and traditional video across devices like PlayStation 5, PSVR, Oculus Quest, iOS, Google TV, and more. Viewers can earn ARA rewards and become peers in the network powered by Ara’s blockchain and P2P networking technology, and the company’s Rad Pandas can be used to unlock lifetime subscriptions as well as get additional ARA rewards.

About ROW8

ROW8 is a subscription-free movie only OTT service featuring both new and catalog titles and has distribution deals with all major Hollywood studios. It also features its proprietary “Movie Love Guarantee” allowing customers to return their film within the first 30 minutes and exchange it for another without any additional fees, and its patent pending “Scene Alert” monitoring system which alerts parents to inappropriate scenes before they air, giving them control over what content their children see. Visit ROW8 at

Acquisition

Digital marketplace Basic.Space acquires Design Miami/, the pre-eminent global forum for collectible design

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Basic Space- Basic Space acquires Design Miami

The announcement follows critically-acclaimed debut of Design Miami/ Paris

Today, Basic.Space – a curated marketplace that sells a blend of pre-owned/vintage and new, exclusive products – announces its acquisition of Design Miami/, a global forum that brings together collectible museum-quality 20th and 21st-century furniture, lighting, and objets d’art from leading galleries at fairs in Miami Beach, Basel, Shanghai and Paris.

In addition to creating a robust e-commerce strategy for Design Miami/ to cultivate other categories of collectible material, Basic.Space will introduce new collaborations with designers, establish creative ways to evolve the fairs’ format and explore additional locations for fairs.

Design has become the fastest-growing category within Basic.Space, and this acquisition will further expand the company’s home and art offerings at a time when Gen Z and Millennials, the largest group of consumers, are increasingly investing in collectible design across all categories.

Craig Robins, co-founder of Design Miami/ and an early seed investor in Basic.Space, will join the Basic.Space board.

“Combining Basic.Space’s digital reach, keen understanding of curated collaborations, and community of leading-edge creatives with Design Miami/’s global forum of galleries, designers and luxury brands will invigorate the brand and position it for expansion into new territories for live experiences,” says Design Miami/ co-founder, Craig Robins. “Furthermore, benefitting from Jesse’s vision, Design Miami/ will have one of the most innovative and creative thinkers in the digital space creating new and exciting strategies for growth.”

Design Miami/ will continue to run independently with Jennifer Roberts remaining as CEO to oversee all fairs. Jesse Lee, the CEO and Founder of Basic.Space, will now serve as the chairman of the Design Miami/ board. The acquisition is an all-stock transaction signaling alignment from all stakeholders of the deal’s long-term vision and potential impact.

“Our community has become passionate about products beyond fashion, spending more on collectible design and related categories, and valuing both historic and contemporary material. This is an opportunity to both meet that demand and shape how this and future generations will consume,” says Basic.Space Founder and CEO, Jesse Lee. “To us, design isn’t just a product category; it’s a mindset and a point of view that guides you through every purchase decision. We believe that everyone should have access to exceptional products from uniquely creative individuals and brands; this partnership also helps us expand globally.”

Basic.Space has offices in Los Angeles and New York, and Design Miami/ will remain headquartered in Miami.

About Basic.Space

Basic.Space is a digital marketplace with a curated blend of pre-owned/vintage items, new limited edition products and exclusive brand collaborations. Each seller is onboarded and verified by the Basic.Space team directly – sellers consist of designers, artists, musicians, photographers and athletes. Multi-hyphenate creatives such as Emily Oberg, Purienne, Justin Reed, Agnes Azria and Dr. Woo are selling their own pre-owned and vintage pieces alongside brands like Mirror Palais, Alessi, Basketcase, Saintwoods, and Aquatic Leisure Center, selling new, exclusive products. Since officially launching in 2020 with Naomi Osaka as the featured seller, Basic.Space has over 500 active verified sellers on the platform.

About Design Miami/

Design Miami/ connects the world through extraordinary collectible design, with live fairs and experiences on three continents that bring together galleries, designers’ studios, brands, experts, collectors, and enthusiasts, and designmiami.com, a content-rich digital marketplace. Each edition of Design Miami/ features museum quality 20th and 21st century furniture, lighting, and objets d’art from the world’s top, expertly vetted galleries with flagship fairs taking place alongside Art Basel in Miami, Florida, each December, Basel, Switzerland, each June and Paris, France each October.

Craig Robins and Jesse Lee / Credit: @_unfollowing

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Acquisition

Leading manufacturer of functional aftermarket accessories RealTruck, Inc. acquires Mountain Top

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realtruck acquisition

Leading supplier of premium truck accessories outside North America joins RealTruck family

RealTruck, Inc., the premier manufacturer of functional aftermarket accessories and an online destination for truck, Jeep®, Bronco® and off-road enthusiasts, has acquired Mountain Top, the leading designer and manufacturer of truck bed accessories outside North America. Based in Denmark, Mountain Top supplies major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and sells truck accessories throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, and the U.S. The acquisition accelerates RealTruck’s international expansion and complements its recent acquisition of Mexico-based brand Go Rhino.

“We’re delighted to bring Mountain Top into the RealTruck family to power our international expansion and growth,” said RealTruck CEO Carl-Martin Lindahl. “We look forward to working with the Mountain Top team to build upon their global relationships and expand the reach of our products around the world.”

Mountain Top has state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Denmark, Thailand and the U.S. and is the only European truck bed cover supplier of scale certified by the International Automotive Task Force (IATF), ensuring quality products to automotive consumers worldwide. Mountain Top’s advanced manufacturing capabilities and footprint provide RealTruck with more capacity to support global operations and accelerate sales into attractive markets such as Australia, Thailand and across the European continent. Mountain Top’s flagship product line is the premium retractable truck bed cover that comes in both electronic and manual versions.

“Our entire team is excited to join the RealTruck family,” said Mountain Top CEO Henrik Støwer Petersen. “Now we can provide even more value to our business partners with access to a broader range of product offerings for a wider audience. Our strong international sales, product, and manufacturing teams will make RealTruck products available for truck, Jeep, Bronco and off-road enthusiasts throughout the world.”

In August, RealTruck acquired IDDEA (Industria Diseñadora De Autopartes, S.A. De C.V.), which goes to market under the well-known Go Rhino brand. Go Rhino holds 40 issued and pending patents for the innovative premium products it develops and manufactures for truck, Jeep and SUV owners. The acquisition strengthens RealTruck’s existing portfolio of brands spanning truck bed covers, truck bed liners, steps, floor liners, fender flares, vent visors and cargo management.

RealTruck’s acquisition of Mountain Top, the leader in the OEM-focused European truck bed accessories market, further expands RealTruck’s global footprint and supply base.

About RealTruck
RealTruck is the premier manufacturer of functional aftermarket accessories and digital destination for truck, Jeep®, Bronco® and off-road enthusiasts. Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich. with over 5,000 associates across 47 locations throughout North America, RealTruck continuously designs, develops, manufactures and sells industry-defining products with more than 630 patents and growing. RealTruck’s extensive product offering is a leader in each of its primary categories. The company’s omni-channel approach makes it easy for people to find the right products to transform their vehicle, gain expert advice and secure professional installation whether they’re shopping for products online at RealTruck.com or through the more than 12,000 dealer locations and automotive (OEM) partnerships who sell their products. RealTruck is engineered to deliver a seamless consumer experience from idea to installation. For more information, visit RealTruck.com.

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Acquisition

ALP Overseas acquires SoffSeal International Inc, in USA

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ALP-Group-SoffSeal

NEW DELHI, Oct. 9, 2023 — ALP Overseas (I) Pvt Ltd, a part of the Rs 2000 Cr ALP Group, today announced that its 100% USA subsidiary ALP USA Inc has acquired SoffSeal, a US based manufacturer of rubber seals and molded auto parts for leading US automotive brands. This second acquisition, will strengthen ALP Overseas’ offering in US market and its distribution. ALP Group is a market leader in manufacturing weather seals in India, and has its presence in USA, Europe, Australia, and Africa as well. Speaking of the quick acquisition, Mr Tejbir Singh Anand, Managing Director of ALP Overseas, said, “The opportunity was good for us as we have mastered the art of manufacturing weather seals in India and can apply the same manufacturing and distribution acumen in SoffSeal to gain rapid growth.This will help USA auto parts industry and will help ALP Overseas to export SoffSeal products in other geographies.”

SoffSeal Weatherstripping and Rubber Details

Founded in 1980, SoffSeal, Inc., is the industry leader in manufacturing quality weatherstripping and rubber detail items. The company carries the widest selection of weatherstripping products for Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick, Cadillac, GMC, Mopar and Ford applications from the 1920’s to the early 2000’s. The product line spans across full-size cars, street rods, muscle cars and trucks.

The company’s product range includes door seals, roof rail seals, convertible and t-top kits, gaskets and of course complete weatherstripping kits for Restoration applications.

SoffSeal – manufacturing capabilities include rubber transfer molding, injection molding and die cutting. The focus is in Automotive Restoration, however, the company does offer capabilities as a service; for manufacture of rubber products for the ‘Specialty Vehicle’ market segment. SoffSeal specializes in short run custom molded rubber products, with the manufacturing know-how to help all industries.

About ALP Group

ALP Group is a leading manufacturer of Rubber, EPDM, Polymer,and Silicon products for Automotive, Railways and Aerospace industries. It also has a range of Thermal & Acoustic Insulation products for HVAC, Construction industries, and packaging applications. The company manufactures several household products as well, e.g anti-skid bathroom mats, yoga mats, window and door seals, shower seals, door stoppers and anti-fatigue kitchen mats. The group turnover is US$ 240 million, while the capital employed is close to US$ 100 million. The Group, founded in 1985, has, at present, seven state of the art manufacturing units, located in India & across South Africa and Australia. It also has its presence in Europe, USA, Middle East and South East Asia with a total of 11 companies across the world and employs over 4000 trained workforce.

ALP Overseas (I) Private Limited

ALP Overseas,leverages the group’s strength in Polymer Technology to cater to various International customers. The Company utilizes manufacturing facilities in Australia, India, and South Africa and has distribution network in Europe, USA, Middle East, and Africa.The company already has a strong presence in USA, in auto glass replacement market.

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