Latest news with #HumanInterest
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
National Advertising Division Recommends Guideline Modify or Discontinue '#1' and 'Most Popular' 401(k) Claims
New York, NY, July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a Fast-Track SWIFT challenge brought by Human Interest Inc., BBB National Programs' National Advertising Division recommended that Guideline, Inc. modify or discontinue advertising claims that its 401(k) program is the 'Most Popular' and '#1' among Gusto, Inc. customers. Fast-Track SWIFT is an expedited process for single-issue advertising cases reviewed by the National Advertising Division (NAD). Human Interest and Guideline compete in the retirement benefits market, offering 401(k) plans to small and medium-sized businesses through partnerships with Gusto's payroll and HR platform. Human Interest challenged claims in online advertising regarding Guideline's popularity with companies that utilize Gusto's online payroll and human resources solutions. If a Gusto client wants to offer its employees a 401(k) plan through Gusto, the client has the option of selecting a provider, such as Human Interest or Guideline, that partners with Gusto. At issue was whether Guideline is currently the top choice among Gusto clients for 401(k) providers. Specifically, NAD reviewed the express claims 'We're Gusto's #1 retirement partner' and 'Most popular 401(k) with Gusto customers,' and the implied claim that more Gusto customers select Guideline for their 401(k) program than any other provider. In the context in which the challenged claims appear, NAD found that one message reasonably conveyed is that Gusto clients are currently selecting Guideline for their 401(k) plan more often than any other provider. While the record demonstrated that Guideline is the leader in the total number of active 401(k) plans among Gusto customers, Guideline did not demonstrate which 401(k) provider is currently being selected by more Gusto customers. Accordingly, NAD recommended that Guideline either discontinue the claims 'We're Gusto's #1 retirement partner' and 'Most popular 401(k) with Gusto customers,' or modify the claims to (1) include a clear and conspicuous disclosure indicating that the basis for the claims is the number of active accounts with Gusto customers; or (2) communicate as part of the main claim that they are based on the number of active accounts with Gusto customers. In its advertiser statement, Guideline stated that it 'thanks the NAD for its review.' All BBB National Programs case decision summaries can be found in the case decision library. For the full text of NAD, NARB, and CARU decisions, subscribe to the online archive. Per NAD/NARB Procedures, this release may not be used for promotional purposes. About BBB National Programs: BBB National Programs, a non-profit organization, is the home of U.S. independent industry self-regulation, currently operating more than 20 globally recognized programs that have been helping enhance consumer trust in business for more than 50 years. These programs provide third-party accountability and dispute resolution services that address existing and emerging industry issues, create fair competition for businesses and a better experience for consumers. BBB National Programs continues to evolve its work and grow its impact by providing business guidance and fostering best practices in arenas such as advertising, child-and-teen-directed marketing, data privacy, dispute resolution, automobile warranty, technology, and emerging areas. To learn more, visit About the National Advertising Division: The National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs provides independent self-regulation and dispute resolution services, guiding the truthfulness of advertising across the U.S. NAD reviews national advertising in all media and its decisions set consistent standards for advertising truth and accuracy, delivering meaningful protection to consumers and promoting fair competition for business. Name: Jennie Rosenberg Email: [email protected] Job Title: Media Relations
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How Small Businesses Can Help Employees Prepare for Retirement
MISSION, Kan., July 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- (Family Features) A comfortable retirement is something most people aspire to, and there are many paths to plan for that phase of life. While many employers offer retirement savings plans as a workplace benefit, small business owners, whose time and resources are already at a premium, often face barriers – including hours of administrative work, additional costs and compliance liabilities – when setting up these plans for their employees. Today, many small business owners understand the power of offering a retirement plan, such as a 401(k), to attract and retain top talent and provide additional financial security for their employees. In fact, a retirement plan is the benefit most wanted by workers after health insurance, according to a survey commissioned by 401(k) provider Human Interest. Many states have passed or enacted laws requiring most employers to offer retirement plans for employees. Currently, 20 states have passed legislation for state-mandated retirement programs and 13 states have active programs. Legislation is currently being considered in an additional 28 states. Employers can opt out of state-mandated retirement programs by offering a 401(k) plan, simplifying compliance for business owners. Federal regulations, such as SECURE 2.0, introduced incentives and requirements for business owners who offer 401(k)s, which make it easier for employees to save and access their funds. If you're a small business owner setting up a retirement plan, these considerations can simplify the process while helping employees save for retirement. Add Auto-Enroll to Your 401(k) PlanMany people intend to save for retirement, but don't take the necessary steps to enroll in a plan. Plans that include an automatic enrollment feature help overcome this inertia by automatically collecting deferrals from employees' compensation each pay period unless they opt out of participation. SECURE 2.0 mandates auto-enroll for most 401(k) plans established after Dec. 29, 2022. If your plan is not subject to the requirement, consider adding it voluntarily. Ultimately, auto-enroll can help contribute to a more financially secure workforce by encouraging consistent savings habits. Take Advantage of Match Contributions ProgramsWhile the primary benefit of a 401(k) plan is to help employees save for retirement, offering an employer match encourages employees to participate, as employees may consider the match "free" money. In addition, employers can take a tax deduction for their matching contributions, up to 25% of the total compensation paid to eligible employees for the year. SECURE 2.0 also introduced a tax credit for matching contributions for small employers with new plans. Employers should be aware the tax credit is an alternative to the deduction; the employer can't claim both in the same year. Pick a Platform Designed for Small BusinessesThe administrative burden of setting up retirement plans can be overwhelming for some business owners. Choosing a tech-enabled 401(k) platform like Human Interest – which offers a fast online setup in a few clicks; transparent pricing; and attentive, human support – can help employers navigate the shifting landscape of state-specific regulations and mandates. When choosing a provider, also consider the upfront fees you'll pay (both as an employer and for the employees participating in the plan), if the platform integrates with your payroll provider, customer service response times and how the 401(k) provider can help answer questions about compliance from regulatory bodies to set your employees up for long-term success. Find additional information to help provide a more secure financial future for your employees at Michael Frenchmfrench@ About Family Features Editorial SyndicateA leading source for high-quality food, lifestyle and home and garden content, Family Features provides readers with topically and seasonally relevant tips, takeaways, information, recipes, videos, infographics and more. Find additional articles and information at and View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Family Features Editorial Syndicate
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Uncork Capital Raises $300 Million to Back the Next Generation of Category-Defining Companies
Firm Raises $225M Fund VIII and $75M Plus IV Growth Fund to reinforce its long-term commitment to leading at seed and backing breakout companies through scale SAN FRANCISCO, May 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Uncork Capital, one of Silicon Valley's most established early-stage venture capital firms today announced the close of $300 million in new capital across two funds: Uncork VIII, a $225 million seed fund, and Uncork Plus IV, a $75 million growth fund. "Through more than two decades—and multiple boom-and-bust cycles—we've consistently backed new ideas that became category-defining companies while backing bold founders at the earliest stages, when others hesitate," said Andy McLoughlin, Managing Partner at Uncork Capital. "In times of volatility, founders need conviction-backed capital more than ever. We believe this is one of the most compelling moments to build—and to invest in—the foundational technologies of tomorrow. These new funds position us to do just that." Uncork VIII will invest in early-stage startups across B2B software, developer tools, and infrastructure, continuing the firm's strategy of leading 35 seed rounds while maintaining significant follow-on reserves. The firm expects to write slightly larger checks with Fund VIII and target marginally higher initial ownership, reflecting a conviction-led approach. Through the Plus IV fund, Uncork will double down on its breakout portfolio companies as they reach their inflection point and scale. Uncork's portfolio spans multiple inflection-stage companies, including: Late-Stage: Human Interest, LaunchDarkly, Carrot Scaling Fast: Tailscale, Hallow, Loft Orbital, ClassDojo, Wrapbook, Crossbeam, and Fountain AI-Native and Early-Stage: GPTZero, Nuon, Ivo, Numeral, Final Round "Uncork has proven to be the most supportive and helpful investor on our cap table," said Jeff Schneble, CEO of Human Interest. "Their ability to effectively communicate our vision and progress to potential investors has been instrumental in raising hundreds of millions of dollars in capital. In fact, many of our current investors were initially introduced to us through Uncork, significantly accelerating our company's growth. They have consistently provided support at every stage and have actively participated in all our financing rounds. We consider Uncork to be one of the top early-stage investors in today's market and highly recommend them to anyone building a high-growth company." Uncork has built its reputation by backing transformative technologies years ahead of the curve—from early bets in AI to foundational SaaS infrastructure. With over 60 years of collective investing experience, the team reviews over 3,000 startups annually and invests in only the most exceptional founders. "We seek founders solving real problems with authentic insights, invest early in exceptional teams building transformative companies, and stay the course, said Amy Saper, Partner at Uncork. "Having backed AI-native startups for nearly a decade, we see some of our most exciting portfolio companies building on generative models and creating the infrastructure for the AI economy itself." Limited partners in the new funds include top-tier university endowments, pension funds, mission-aligned institutions, and repeat backers of the firm's prior vehicles—demonstrating sustained confidence in Uncork's disciplined strategy and founder-first ethos. "With a proven track record of identifying future tech leaders, a well-respected brand in the VC community, and a great team at its core, Uncork Capital has the vision, discipline, and founder alignment we look for," said Becky Connolly, Co-founder and Managing Partner at Tiger Iron Capital. "Their early recognition of breakthrough technologies and ongoing support for those companies make them ideal partners. We're proud to be part of their next chapter." The close of these funds marks Uncork's 21st year and ushers in a new chapter in the firm's evolution. Andy McLoughlin now steps into the role of sole managing partner, while founder Jeff Clavier steps back from day-to-day management and continues to invest in frontier tech and emerging innovation. About Uncork Capital Uncork Capital is a San Francisco-based venture capital firm that helps founders build category-defining companies from the earliest stages. For more than two decades, through multiple boom-and-bust cycles and across the tech landscape, the firm has backed over 275 companies, including Fitbit, Sendgrid, Eventbrite, Poshmark, and Postmates, as well as fast-growing startups like Human Interest, LaunchDarkly, Carrot Fertility, Tailscale, Loft Orbital, Hallow, Wrapbook, Crossbeam, Fountain, GPTZero, Nuon, Ivo, Numeral, and Final Round. Today, Uncork continues to support the next generation of builders shaping industries across AI, SaaS, infrastructure, consumer, and frontier tech. Learn more at or follow along on LinkedIn and X. Media ContactMichael Celiceo, CodePRmichaelc@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Uncork Capital
Globe and Mail
03-03-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
This Good News From Palantir Just Lifted One of the Red Flags on PLTR Stock
There are three red flags with Palantir that analysts are concerned about. First, Palantir's employee headcount expanded by just 5% in 2024 after declining by 3% in 2023. In the last two years, its net new hires totaled 98 employees. Second, CEO Alex Karp filed paperwork for prearranged share sale, spooking investors. Finally, last month, Palantir's chief accounting officer, Heather Planishek, announced her resignation. However, the good news is that Palantir just lifted one of its red flags. The company appointed Jeffrey Buckley as its new chief accounting officer, effective March 24, 2025. Buckley will replace David Glazer, who has served in the role on an interim basis since Feb. 25 following Planishek's resignation. According to a report from Street Insider, this marks a return for Buckley, who previously served as Palantir's chief accounting officer from September 2020 to February 2023. Most recently, he was chief accounting officer at Human Interest, a private financial services company. Buckley also previously worked at Zynga, holding the same title from 2017 to 2020. Glazer will continue serving as CFO and Treasurer after Buckley assumes his duties. Palantir Stock Is Down 32% From All-Time Highs Palantir was the top-performing stock in the S&P 500 Index ($SPX) in 2024, surging over 300% last year. However, the ongoing market volatility has dragged the tech stock down nearly 30% from its all-time highs, valuing the company at a market cap of $200 billion. Palantir evolved from its 2003 origins as a software provider for U.S. intelligence agencies to become a comprehensive data integration powerhouse serving both the government and commercial sectors. Its four principal software platforms — Gotham, Foundry, Apollo, and Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP) — form a powerful ecosystem that enables organizations to harness their data for critical decision-making. As of Dec. 31, 2024, Palantir had 711 customers across 90 industries worldwide. It generated $2.9 billion in revenue for the year, representing 29% growth from 2023. It achieved $310.4 million in operating income, or $1.1 billion in adjusted operating income, excluding stock-based compensation and related employer payroll taxes. Palantir's customer base is diverse, with 55% of revenue from government clients and 45% from commercial customers. U.S. customers account for 66% of revenue, generating $1.9 billion in 2024 — a 38% increase from the previous year. Palantir's top 20 customers spent an average of $64.6 million each, up 18% from 2023. A Widening Ecosystem Palantir's platforms address critical challenges in data integration and operation. Initially built for intelligence and defense agencies, Gotham enables users to identify patterns in complex datasets. Foundry is a central operating system for organizational data, allowing users to integrate and analyze information efficiently. Apollo ensures continuous delivery of software updates across various environments, while the newest offering, AIP, enables responsible AI implementation by integrating large language models with enterprise data and operations. Palantir's remaining deal value reached $5.4 billion by the end of 2024, a 40% increase from the previous year. Commercial contracts accounted for $3.1 billion, up 47%, while government contracts represented $2.3 billion, a 30% increase. This doesn't include an additional $3.7 billion in potential government indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts. Despite a challenging macroeconomic environment, Palantir continues to grow at a steady pace and is poised to benefit from AI-powered tailwinds, making it a top stock to own in 2025. Out of the 19 analysts covering PLTR stock, three recommend 'Strong Buy,' 10 recommend 'Hold,' one recommends 'Moderate Sell,' and five recommend 'Strong Sell.' The average target price for PLTR stock is $85.11, below its current trading price. On the date of publication, Aditya Raghunath did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.
