Latest news with #Engine
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Exclusive: $2.1B business travel startup Engine appoints a CFO
Good morning. What would make a veteran technology investor take on the role of finance chief for the first time? For Alex Melamud, it's a deep conviction in the company and its leadership. Melamud is the new CFO of Denver-based Engine, a travel technology startup backed by Telescope Partners, Blackstone, Elefund, and Permira. He's leaving the investor seat to join the executive team full time at Engine, which serves over 1 million business travelers, according to the company. It surpassed 1,000 employees—up from 700 at the start of 2025—and is expanding rapidly while strategically using AI to fuel growth. Melamud's first connection with Engine was at the board level. In 2024, while a managing director at Permira, a global investment firm specializing in private equity and credit, he decided to join Engine's board. 'In my 16 years of investing, I had never come across such an enormous TAM (total addressable market) of greenfield opportunity,' he said, referring to the many small and midsize businesses with unmanaged travel booking—those handling it themselves instead of using a third party. Melamud led Engine's Series C financing, with a $140 million Permira investment that pushed Engine's valuation to $2.1 billion in September 2024. Engine is a modern travel platform designed for small and midsize businesses, as well as groups. Its standout feature is offering both publicly available hotel rates and a wide range of exclusive, proprietary corporate rates ('closed rates') that aren't accessible to the general public, Melamud explained. These negotiated rates, with average savings of 26%, are sourced through Engine's marketplace, partnerships and wholesalers, he said. Businesses log in to access this closed ecosystem, keeping these exclusive prices confidential and separate from public hotel pricing. The platform is free to use, with no contracts, minimums, or fees. Melamud also points to Engine's Direct Bill feature, which extends companies a line of credit for one to two weeks. This lets businesses with frequent travelers settle payments twice a month, much like a biweekly paycheck cycle, he said. Before becoming a prolific investor, Melamud began his career nearly 20 years ago as an investment banking analyst at Lehman Brothers and Barclays. Taking on the CFO role at Engine, he said, was 'purely serendipitous.' 'I didn't come into this year thinking I would become a CFO in the middle of the year,' he noted. During a board meeting with Engine founder and CEO Elia Wallen, they discussed how the company didn't have a CFO at the time. And Melamud has always enjoyed diving deep into challenges. Since joining Engine, he is no longer on the company's board or with Permira. Is an IPO next for Engine? 'As long as we build a strong business tackling this market, we'll have a couple of options,' Melamud said. 'But right now, it's not something we're thinking about actively.' On the risks and opportunities ahead, he said: 'The current macro environment has much more volatility, which can challenge our customers' ability to plan. But Engine's opportunity is to alleviate that friction.' And in his spare time, Melamud focuses on his family. 'I have three young kids, and they're at the ages where everything is still new,' he said. Sheryl This story was originally featured on
Business Wire
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Priority Technology Holdings, Inc. Announces Closing of New Senior Credit Facilities with Lower Interest Rate
ALPHARETTA, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Priority Technology Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: PRTH) ("Priority" or the "Company"), the payments and banking solution that streamlines collecting, storing, lending and sending money to unlock revenue opportunities, today announced the successful closing of $1.1 billion in new senior credit facilities, consisting of a $1 billion term loan with a 7-year maturity and a $100 million revolving credit facility with a 5-year maturity. The loan proceeds will be used to refinance existing debt, to satisfy outstanding obligations related to the 2023 acquisition of Plastiq, to fund strategic growth initiatives and for general corporate purposes. As a result of the financing, the Company lowered the interest rate on the term loan by 100 basis points compared to its existing debt and extended the term loan maturity to 2032. 'This significant refinancing strengthens our balance sheet, improves our cash flow and provides Priority with enhanced financial flexibility to execute our growth strategy,' said Tim O'Leary, Chief Financial Officer of Priority. 'The successful issuance of these credit facilities on favorable terms demonstrates the capital market's confidence in our business model and growth trajectory. We appreciate the strong support of both existing and new investors in this financing and look forward to continuing our focus on execution.' About Priority Priority is the payments and banking solution that enables businesses to collect, store, lend and send funds through a unified commerce engine. Our platform combines payables, merchant services, and banking and treasury solutions so leaders can streamline financial operations efficiently — and our innovative industry experts help businesses navigate and build momentum on the path to growth. With the Priority Commerce Engine, leaders can accelerate cash flow, optimize working capital, reduce unnecessary costs, and unlock new revenue opportunities. To learn more about Priority and its publicly traded parent, Priority Technology Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: PRTH), visit Forward Looking Statements This press release contains 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements about future financial and operating results, our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions with respect to future operations, products and services, and other statements identified by words such as 'may,' 'will,' 'should,' 'anticipates,' 'believes,' 'expects,' 'plans,' 'future,' 'intends,' 'could,' 'estimate,' 'predict,' 'projects,' 'targeting,' 'potential' or 'contingent,' 'guidance,' 'outlook' or words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the Purchase Agreement and our ability to close on the Purchase Agreement. Such forward-looking statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of our management and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, expressed, or implied by such forward-looking statements. Our actual results could differ materially, and potentially adversely, from those discussed or implied herein. We caution that it is very difficult to predict the impact of known factors, and it is impossible for us to anticipate all factors that could affect our actual results. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. You should evaluate all forward-looking statements made in this press release in the context of the risks and uncertainties disclosed in our SEC filings, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 6, 2025. These filings are available online at or We caution you that the important factors referenced above may not contain all of the factors that are important to you. In addition, we cannot assure you that we will realize the results or developments we expect or anticipate or, even if substantially realized, that they will result in the consequences we anticipate or affect us or our operations in the way we expect. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a predictor of future performance. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law. If we do update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be made that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Nifty50 September Rejig: Indigo, Max Healthcare likely to enter the index as these 2 stocks step out. Check details
The upcoming Nifty 50 rejig, effective September 30, 2025, is expected to bring significant changes, with domestic brokerage firm Nuvama Alternative & Quantitative Research forecasting the inclusion of Indigo (InterGlobe Aviation) and Max Healthcare in place of Hero MotoCorp and IndusInd Bank . The prediction follows the cut-off date for average market capitalization, which ended on July 31, 2025. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Digital Marketing Design Thinking Healthcare MCA Technology Data Science Cybersecurity PGDM Project Management MBA Degree Product Management Data Analytics Management Others Data Science Leadership others Finance healthcare Public Policy CXO Artificial Intelligence Operations Management Skills you'll gain: Digital Marketing Strategy Search Engine Optimization (SEO) & Content Marketing Social Media Marketing & Advertising Data Analytics & Measurement Duration: 24 Weeks Indian School of Business Professional Certificate Programme in Digital Marketing Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Digital Marketing Strategies Customer Journey Mapping Paid Advertising Campaign Management Emerging Technologies in Digital Marketing Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Digital Marketing and Analytics Starts on May 14, 2024 Get Details According to Nuvama, the inclusion of Indigo and Max Healthcare is anticipated to drive strong passive inflows of approximately $507 million and $423 million, respectively. On the other hand, the exclusion of Hero MotoCorp and IndusInd Bank is expected to result in passive outflows of about $251 million and $240 million, respectively. The rejig, based on finalized market-cap data and standard methodology thresholds, is likely to impact fund rebalancing across domestic and global passive investment vehicles. The official announcement regarding the index changes is expected in the second half of August 2025. In its projections, Nuvama highlighted that Indigo will contribute 7.5 million shares with an average daily volume (ADV) of 9.0, while Max Healthcare will contribute 29.8 million shares with an ADV of 16.3. Meanwhile, Hero MotoCorp and IndusInd Bank are estimated to have 5.2 million and 26.3 million shares impacted, respectively. Nifty Next 50 changes also expected While the focus remains on the Nifty 50 reshuffle, changes are also anticipated in the Nifty Next 50 index. According to Nuvama, Solar Industries , Environ, Mankind Pharma , Hindustan Zinc , and Union Bank of India are expected to be added to the index. Expected inflows for these additions include $59 million for Solar Industries, $49 million for Environ, $44 million for Mankind Pharma, $27 million for Hindustan Zinc, and $42 million for Union Bank of India. The corresponding exclusions from the Nifty Next 50 are likely to be Indigo (due to its expected move to the Nifty 50), Dabur, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, and Swiggy. These stocks may witness outflows of $183 million, $50 million, $39 million, and $25 million, respectively. Nuvama also addressed the eligibility of BSE, stating that the exchange has zero probability of inclusion in the Nifty 50 for the September 2025 review under the current methodology and thresholds. Timeline overview: Cut-off date for average market cap: July 31, 2025 (passed) Expected announcement: Second half of August 2025 Effective date of changes: September 30, 2025 However, Nuvama has flagged potential risks to its predictions, including possible changes to NSE Indices' methodology and major revisions to the free-float factor. Also read: Rekha Jhunjhunwala exits Nikhil Kamath, Madhusudan Kela-backed smallcap stock with 111% returns in 3 years ( Disclaimer : Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times)
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
WCL 2025: PCB imposes blanket ban following India's withdrawal from matches
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has imposed a blanket ban on Pakistan's participation in all future editions of the World Championship of Legends (WCL). This move comes in response to India's withdrawal from matches against Pakistan, citing national sentiments following public outrage. India was originally scheduled to face Pakistan in the group stage of the tournament. However, due to widespread backlash on social media and the withdrawal of players like Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina, the fixture was cancelled by the organisers. Later, India was supposed to meet Pakistan again in the semi-final, but the team pulled out just a day before the match, giving Pakistan a direct route to the final. Pakistan eventually lost the title clash to South Africa. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Digital Marketing Healthcare Technology Public Policy Product Management Data Science Artificial Intelligence PGDM Operations Management healthcare Data Science Cybersecurity MBA Management Data Analytics Others Project Management others CXO Finance Design Thinking Leadership MCA Degree Skills you'll gain: Digital Marketing Strategies Customer Journey Mapping Paid Advertising Campaign Management Emerging Technologies in Digital Marketing Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Digital Marketing and Analytics Starts on May 14, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Digital Marketing Strategy Search Engine Optimization (SEO) & Content Marketing Social Media Marketing & Advertising Data Analytics & Measurement Duration: 24 Weeks Indian School of Business Professional Certificate Programme in Digital Marketing Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details On Sunday, the PCB released an official statement, strongly criticising the WCL organisers. The board, led by Mohsin Naqvi, expressed its discontent with how the events were handled and said it had no option but to implement a ban. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 15 Most Beautiful Women in the World Undo 'The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announces that it is issuing a blanket ban from future participation in the World Championship of Legends (WCL). The PCB, during its 79th BoG meeting held virtually under the chairmanship of Mohsin Naqvi, reviewed with considerable disappointment WCL's appalling conduct of awarding points to a willfully forfeiting team, and the content of the press releases of the WCL announcing the cancellation of the scheduled India vs. Pakistan legends matches, which were tainted with hypocrisy and bias,' the PCB said in their statement. 'The contents of the said press releases highlight a duality where the narrative of 'peace through sport' is selectively applied and sporting events are held hostage to political expediency and narrow commercial interests,' it added. Live Events The backlash in India follows the deadly Pahalgam terror attack , where 26 tourists were killed. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The WCL's second edition concluded on Saturday, with South Africa defeating Pakistan by nine wickets in the final held at Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Time Business News
24-07-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
Digital Marketing Services Guide
Whether you're just starting your business or trying to grow your customer base, marketing matters. But traditional methods like flyers, billboards, or newspaper ads don't cut it anymore. Today, most customers are online and that's where your business should be too. This guide breaks down digital marketing services in simple terms. You'll learn what they are, how they work, and how they can help your small business thrive. What Are Digital Marketing Services? Digital marketing services are tools and strategies used to promote your business online. These services help you reach people through search engines, social media, email, websites, and online ads. Whether you're selling products, offering services, or trying to build brand awareness, digital marketing helps connect you with your target audience where they spend most of their time: the internet. Types of Digital Marketing Services: Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Social Media Marketing (SMM) Pay-Per-Click Advertising (PPC) Email Marketing Content Marketing Website Design & Optimization Marketing Analytics Each service plays a unique role in helping your business get found and grow online. Why Small Businesses Need Digital Marketing 1. Your Customers Are Online According to Google, 97% of people search online to find local businesses. If your business doesn't show up, you're missing out on potential sales. 2. It's Cost-Effective Unlike traditional advertising, many online marketing solutions are affordable. You can target exactly who you want and control how much you spend. 3. You Can Measure Your Results With tools like Google Analytics, Facebook Insights, and email open rates, you can track what's working and improve what's not. 4. It Builds Trust When people find your business on search engines, see you active on social media, and read helpful blogs, they start to trust you. Real-World Example: A local bakery in San Francisco used Instagram and Google My Business to grow from 200 to over 2,000 customers in just 6 months by sharing photos of their treats and optimizing their website for local search. The Main Types of Digital Marketing Services Let's take a closer look at the most common services and how they help small businesses. Types of Digital Marketing Services What it is: Making your website more visible on Google. How it helps: SEO improves your chances of showing up when someone searches for your product or service. Example: A plumber in New York appears on the first page of Google when someone searches 'emergency plumber near me.' 2. Social Media Marketing (SMM) What it is: Using platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to engage with your audience. How it helps: Social media builds brand awareness, customer loyalty, and drives traffic to your website. 3. Pay-Per-Click Advertising (PPC) What it is: Running paid ads on platforms like Google Ads or Facebook. How it helps: You only pay when someone clicks your ad. It's great for quick results and targeted reach. 4. Email Marketing What it is: Sending emails to your customers and subscribers. How it helps: Email keeps your audience informed about offers, events, or new products. It's personal and cost-effective. 5. Content Marketing What it is: Creating helpful blog posts, videos, or guides. How it helps: Content builds trust and improves your SEO. People come for the info and stay for your service. 6. Website Design and Optimization What it is: Creating a mobile-friendly, fast, and easy-to-use website. How it helps: Your website is your online storefront. A well-designed site keeps people engaged and drives conversions. Building a Digital Marketing Strategy for Beginners Starting with digital marketing doesn't have to be overwhelming. Here's a simple 5-step approach: Step 1: Define Your Goals What do you want to achieve? More traffic, more leads, more sales? Be specific. Step 2: Know Your Audience Who are your ideal customers? What problems do they have that you can solve? Step 3: Choose the Right Channels Start with one or two channels like SEO and email. Don't try to do everything at once. Step 4: Create a Content Plan Plan blog posts, emails, or social media content that speaks to your audience. Step 5: Track and Improve Use tools like Google Analytics and social media insights to monitor results. Tweak what isn't working. Tip: Many small businesses partner with a digital marketing specialist or marketing consultant to help them set up a solid strategy. Benefits of Digital Marketing for Small Businesses Benefits of Digital Marketing Increased Visibility: More people discover your brand online More people discover your brand online Lead Generation: Attract potential customers through targeted ads and SEO Attract potential customers through targeted ads and SEO Customer Engagement: Build lasting relationships via email and social media Build lasting relationships via email and social media Brand Authority: Become a trusted voice in your industry with helpful content Become a trusted voice in your industry with helpful content Flexibility & Control: Set your budget, track results, and scale your efforts Real-World Example: A freelance graphic designer used a simple content marketing strategy (blog + LinkedIn posts) to go from 2 clients to a full client list within 90 days. Common Questions About Digital Marketing Services How much do digital marketing services cost? It depends. You can start with a few hundred dollars/month for basic services or invest more for a full-service agency. The key is ROI, not just cost. Do I need a website first? Yes. Your website is the foundation of all your digital marketing efforts. Should I hire someone or do it myself? If you're short on time or experience, hiring a digital marketing consultant or specialist can save time and boost results. How to Get Started with Online Marketing Solutions 1. Audit Your Current Online Presence Use free tools like Google Search Console, Google Business Profile, and social media insights to see where you stand. 2. Set SMART Goals Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound goals help keep your marketing on track. 3. Consider Hiring Help Many small businesses start with freelancers or agencies that offer small business marketing services tailored to their budget and needs. 4. Start Small and Grow Don't try to master every platform at once. Start with SEO or social media, and grow as you learn. Conclusion: Digital Marketing Is a Must-Have Tool Digital marketing isn't just a trend, it's essential for small business growth in 2025 and beyond. Whether you want more traffic, better visibility, or stronger customer relationships, digital marketing services provide the tools to make it happen. You don't need to do everything at once. Start small, be consistent, and get help when needed. With the right digital marketing strategy, your small business can thrive online. Need Help Getting Started? Reach out to our team of digital marketing specialists today. Whether you're building your first campaign or looking to scale, we can guide you with practical, affordable solutions. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
