General Fusion Names Greg Twinney as Chief Executive Officer

Greg Twinney, Chief Executive Officer, General Fusion

General Fusion announced today that its Board of Directors has appointed Greg Twinney to the role of Chief Executive Officer.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — General Fusion announced today that its Board of Directors has appointed Greg Twinney to the role of Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Greg succeeds Christofer Mowry, who has resigned after serving as General Fusion’s Chief Executive Officer for more than five years, leading the company through the successful transition from research and development to technology demonstration.

“We would like to thank Chris for his commitment and service to General Fusion. During his tenure, Chris led the company through the development and siting of our Fusion Demonstration Plant and recruited a world-class management team, successfully positioning the company for its next phase of demonstration and commercialization,” said Klaas de Boer, Chairman, General Fusion. “As General Fusion continues to grow, we are confident in Greg’s ability to bring together the team, strategy, and discipline to execute the company’s plan to deliver our practical commercial fusion energy technology to the global power decarbonization market.”

“After two years working with Chris as Chief Financial Officer, I am excited to take on this opportunity to continue our work to transform the energy industry. Chris’ leadership was instrumental in helping build General Fusion into a global organization that is now widely recognized as a leader in fusion energy, cultivating the broad partnerships required to make commercialization of this technology a reality,” said Greg Twinney, Chief Executive Officer, General Fusion. “Working together with these global partners, we will continue to grow our team to demonstrate General Fusion’s game-changing Magnetized Target Fusion technology and support our commercialization efforts. It is a privilege to lead the talented team at General Fusion as we work toward providing abundant and affordable clean fusion energy by the early 2030s.”

Greg previously served as General Fusion’s Chief Financial Officer, and in 2021, led the team through a successful oversubscribed Series E financing round. Greg brings two decades of experience driving a variety of new and disruptive technologies from idea to commercialization having led multiple organizations through focused, rapid growth, both operationally and strategically. His leadership has realized strong stakeholder value creation for companies rapidly scaling to commercialization, including management of IPOs, mergers, and acquisitions. Previously, he served as the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of several world-leading technology companies, including Hootsuite, Real Matters, Kobo, Opalis, and Cyberplex.

About General Fusion
General Fusion pursues a fast, efficient, and collaborative path to practical fusion power. We are completing an aggressive development plan to deliver economical carbon-free fusion energy with our proprietary Magnetized Target Fusion technology by the 2030s. Our mission is supported by a global syndicate of leading institutional investors, venture capital firms, and technology pioneers, together with governments across North America and Europe. General Fusion collaborates with a global network of partners to create a sustainable future built on cleaner energy, better materials, and a comprehensive life cycle approach to the world’s infrastructure. Founded in 2002, we are headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, with additional centers co-located with internationally recognized fusion research laboratories near London, U.K., and in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, U.S.A. Learn more at www.generalfusion.com.

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Matterport Acquires VHT Studios to Accelerate Adoption of Digital Twins for Real Estate

The combined company expands Matterport Capture Services by bringing together the industry-best of Matterport digital twins and floor plans with professional photography, drone capture, and marketing services

SUNNYVALE, Calif., July 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Matterport, Inc. (“Matterport”) (Nasdaq: MTTR), the leading enterprise and real estate digital twin company driving the digital transformation of the built world, today announced the acquisition of VHT, Inc., known as VHT Studios, a U.S.-based real estate marketing company that offers brokerages and agents digital solutions to promote and sell properties. This transaction brings together VHT Studios’ visual media services with the immersive Matterport 3D Digital Twin platform to elevate the buying experience for home buyers while simplifying the process of creating comprehensive marketing packages for brokers and agents. With this acquisition, Matterport aims to increase adoption of digital twin technology and expand further into the real estate industry while adding marketing services for other key markets such as commercial real estate, travel and hospitality, and the retail sector.

Matterport’s acquisition of VHT Studios provides real estate brokerages and their professionals access to an expanded selection of marketing services and expertise they need to effectively market and promote properties. These include high-end photography, drone imagery, floor plans, virtual tours, and other marketing services. When combined with Matterport digital twins and collaboration tools, the newly expanded solution not only helps brokerages and agents save time with an easy-to-order and comprehensive source for their digital marketing needs but also reduces their costs with comprehensive marketing packages along with flexible, optional add-ons. This all-in-one marketing solution provides one of the richest and most compelling digital experiences for property seekers and has been proven to drive increased sales for brokerages and agents.

“We’re thrilled to welcome the VHT Studios team to Matterport along with the talent and industry expertise they bring,” said RJ Pittman, Chief Executive Officer at Matterport. “When we looked at VHT Studios and the work they do, it was a natural fit to unite our efforts to reimagine the fragmented process that was in place for brokers and agents to list properties, and prospective buyers to view them. We are not only excited for how we can transform the customer experience in the real estate industry, but also how we can apply VHT Studios’ expertise to our growing enterprise business as demand for digital twin technology continues to surge.”

“We are excited to welcome VHT Studios, a market leader in real estate digital marketing technologies, to Matterport today. While we make strategic investments to expand our business, we remain committed to conscientiously managing our balance sheet of approximately $600 million in cash and short- and long-term investments as of March 31, 2022. Further, having integrated the Enview acquisition earlier this year, our team is looking forward to what we expect will be another successful integration,” said JD Fay, Chief Financial Officer of Matterport.

“What makes this acquisition unique is how complementary our services are to one another,” said Brian Balduf, CEO of VHT Studios. “In today’s market, buyers need to move quickly on a property and often only have one opportunity, or less, to view it in person. A listing that features high-quality digital content and immersive 3D technology is a transformative experience that empowers buyers to make more confident decisions, faster. Together we believe our services can help move more purchase decisions online by combining rich property information and the ability to virtually inspect, measure, and experience a space from anywhere, anytime, as many times as needed.”

The all-in-one marketing solution that brings together VHT Studios’ and Matterport’s services is expected to be available through Matterport’s Capture Services during the third quarter this year. The acquisition will enable more data to be trained on the machine learning systems acquired through Enview and whose data insights will be incorporated into Matterport’s Cortex Artificial Intelligence engine.

VHT Studios has helped more than 200,000 real estate professionals sell more than $200 billion in properties since the company’s founding in 1998. Seven of the top 10 brokers1 in the United States are customers of VHT Studios, including Baird & Warner, Coldwell Banker, Compass, Corcoran Group, Douglas Elliman, and more.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Canaccord Genuity served as the exclusive financial advisor to VHT Studios.

About Matterport
Matterport, Inc. (Nasdaq: MTTR) is leading the digital transformation of the built world. Our groundbreaking spatial data platform turns buildings into data to make nearly every space more valuable and accessible. Millions of buildings in more than 177 countries have been transformed into immersive Matterport digital twins to improve every part of the building lifecycle from planning, construction, and operations to documentation, appraisal and marketing. Learn more at Matterport.com and visit our Discover page to browse a collection of digital twins captured by our customers.

©2022 Matterport, Inc. All rights reserved. Matterport is a registered trademark and the Matterport logo is a trademark of Matterport, Inc. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

Media Contact:
Patrick Santucci
Communications
press@matterport.com

Investor Contact:
Soohwan Kim, CFA
VP, Investor Relations
ir@matterport.com

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding the services and products offered by Matterport and VHT Studios, and the markets in which Matterport and VHT Studiosoperate, their respective business strategies, expected synergies related to Matterport’s acquisition of VHT Studios, current and potential customers, and industry environment. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “forecast,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions (including the negative versions of such words or expressions).

Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this document, including the expected impacts and benefits of Matterport’s acquisition of VHT Studios, including any accelerated datafication of Matterport’s platform, the capabilities and performance of VHT Studios visual media services and their use by existing and future customers, and Matterport’s ability to integrate VHT Studios’ visual media services and business into Matterport’s existing business and operations. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in documents filed by Matterport from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward looking statements.  Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Matterport assumes no obligation and, except as required by law, does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Matterport does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations.

1  Reference source used for this statement is www.RealTrends.com in relation to brokerage sales volume for 2021.

Heavy rain, thunderstorms expected due to low-pressure weather system

KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 (Bernama) — The low-pressure weather system in the western Philippines is expected to move towards eastern Vietnam in the period from July 9 to 13, according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia).

MetMalaysia said that the situation has the potential to bring strong westerly winds, and could cause squall line incidents.

“This in turn could result in heavy rain, with thunderstorms and strong winds, in northern Sarawak (Bintulu, Miri and Limbang), western Sabah and Labuan from July 9 to 10 and the northern states of the Peninsula from July 11 to 13.

“Strong winds and rough seas (Category One and Two) warnings have also been issued in the South China Sea, effective from July 9 until the end of the forecast period,” it said in a statement today.

METMalaysia also advises the public always to refer to the department’s website and social media as well as to download the myCuaca application for the latest authentic information.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

MAFI guarantees imported cattle for Aidiladha free from LSD, FMD

JASIN, July 8 (Bernama) — The government has given its assurance that cattle imported from Thailand for the Aidiladha sacrificial rites are free from lumpy skin disease (LSD) and foot and mouth disease (FMD).

Agriculture and Food Industries Deputy Minister I Datuk Seri Ahmad Hamzah said the health status of the animals also needs to be certified by the Thai government before being brought into Malaysia.

“The cattle also have to undergo inspection and quarantine in stages in the country of origin and also in this country, including being vaccinated. The final inspection will be done by the Veterinary Services Department before the animals are released for distribution and sale.

“This year, about 12,000 heads of cattle have been imported from the neighbouring country to meet the needs of Muslims to perform the ritual,” he told reporters after attending the sales programme dubbed ‘Jualan Kasih Aidiladha’ in Merlimau here today.

The programme offers various essential goods at a special price, including fresh chicken, MD2 pineapples, cooking oil, frozen meat, vegetables and so on.

Elaborating, Ahmad said last year, the government decided to suspend the import of ruminants from Thailand due to LSD. However, the ban has been lifted and importing cattle from the country would be subject to strict conditions.

“No complaints have been received so far and we give assurance that the supply of cattle for Hari Raya Aidiladha celebration is adequate and consumers do not have to worry,” he said.

In the meantime, he said, the supply of chicken in July was also sufficient and stable to meet the needs of consumers, adding that about 70 million chickens were produced last month, exceeding consumer demand of 69 million.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

Baling flood victims advised to stay at PPS

BALING, July 8 (Bernama) — Residents near Sungai Kupang here who were affected by the recent floods and water surge phenomenon are advised to move to other locations or stay at the flood relief centres f(PPS) for the time being.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said the move was to avoid any risk of a similar incident happening following a warning from the Malaysian Meteorological Department which forecast rainy weather and thunderstorms in the district within the next few days.

“During my discussion with the Baling District Police Chief (Supt Shamsuddin Mamat), and I told him that if possible, all the villagers residing near the river to be moved out to safer locations,” he told a press conference here today.

Earlier, he visited the flood victims at the PPS at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Jerai and also areas affected by the disaster in Kampung Iboi here.

Hamzah said more than 700 members and officers from various agencies under the Home Ministry had been deployed to the flood affected help the affected residents.

He said residents who lost their personal documents, like identity cards, birth certificates and passports in the floods could apply for free replacement of the documents.

The floods and water surge phenomena which occurred last Monday affected a total of 805 houses in 12 villages and also claimed the lives of three family members, including a pregnant woman.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

Italy’s COVID-19 incidence soars

ROME, July 8 (Bernama) — Italy’s COVID-19 incidence soared to 1,071 cases for every 100,000 inhabitants in the July 1 to 7 period, up from an incidence of 763 last week, Italian news agency (ANSA) reported.

According to the latest weekly coronavirus monitoring report of the health ministry and the Higher Health Institute (ISS), Italy’s COVID-19 Rt transmission number has risen significantly too, climbing to 1.40 in the June 15 to 28 period, up from 1.30 last week.

An Rt number over 1 indicates that the epidemic is in a phase of expansion.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

MAIWP presents education aid totalling RM51,000 to 100 poor students

KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 (Bernama) — The Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) today presented education aid amounting RM51,000 from funds endowed by the late Ahmad Dawjee Dadabhoy, to 100 tithe recipients and B40 students.

Its chairman, Tan Sri Dr Mohd Daud Bakar, said each student from primary school to degree level, will receive one-off payment of between RM300 and RM1,000 according to their level of education.

“This is in line with the wishes of the late Ahmad Dawjee Dadabhoy, who had given his properties to MAIWP for educational purposes.”

“We will see that this is carried out annually and look into ways to generate more income from the deceased’s properties so that more could benefit,” he said at the presentation ceremony here today.

Meanwhile, Muhd Hazim Mat Johan, 21, a Universiti Kuala Lumpur student pursuing a tourism degree, said the assistance would ease his financial burden.

“Alhamdulillah and thank you to MAIWP for the contribution. I hope the community and other people will also follow the footsteps of the late Ahmad Dawjee Dadabhoy,” he added.

In the meantime, Dr Mohd Daud also launched the Federal Territory level Islamic Social Finance Tour programme, in strategic cooperation with the Association of Islamic Banking and Financial Institution Malaysia (AIBIM), MAIWP, the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (JAWI), MAIWP Waqf Centre and Zakat Collection Centre of the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (PPZ-MAIWP).

Source: BERNAMA News Agency