Latest news with #RyanSmith
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Non-league football in TURMOIL: Clubs hit out at 'unjust' punishments which have ruined title charges and RELEGATED teams... as FA admits system is built on 'outdated' tech
Non-league clubs across England are in uproar against an 'unjust' system which sees them punished for fielding ineligible players - despite being 'unaware' they're suspended. Title battles and relegation scraps have been settled by points deductions, with at least 13 clubs from the seventh to 10th tiers of English football directly impacted. Teams claim that a faulty FA admin system fails to notify them when a player is suspended for misconduct in Sunday league, which carries over into non-league. This has led to clubs fielding players who are banned while apparently unaware of it, only to be hit with points deductions and fines months down the line. The Whole Game System (WGS), the portal which deals with the admin, is being replaced next season after the FA admitted it is 'built on outdated technology which can no longer keep up the requirements of our users'. Mail Sport has spoken with insiders at multiple teams who feel let down, while sources fear other clubs have got away with the same offence not being flagged. The stance of leagues and the FA? Take more care - you're responsible for your players. The firecest battle involved Lydd Town, which is seeing lawyers wade in. Lydd are protesting a four-point deduction which will see them relegated from the Southern Counties East League Premier Division, the ninth tier of football. Relegation would mean expulsion from the FA Cup, a mass exodus of players, and a drop in attendances, the club says. Manager Ryan Smith is taking their case to an FA hearing at Wembley on June 13 to try and get it overturned. If that happens, Snodland Town would be relegated instead. 'We're being punished off the pitch for something beyond our control. This isn't just a points deduction—it's a betrayal of the game's integrity,' Smith told Mail Sport. 'The highest level we've ever reached—the FA Cup—is now at stake. We will not be silenced; we will not back down. We'll fight this injustice with everything we've got—for the players, the fans, and our club.' Lydd had played Charlie Dickens in seven matches despite the fact he was suspended from all football for a misconduct charge he picked up in Sunday league. Smith argues they were never made aware of the situation and Dickens' Sunday league side, Egerton, even wrote to the league to accept responsibility and admit they never told the player of his suspension. 'Never in 25 years have we had a charge for playing an inelegible player until now,' Smith added over the phone. 'We won 14 games out of our last 18 and were celebrating a great escape. But we only found out (about the punishment) three days before the end of the season.' The league's disciplinary commission disagreed and were 'satisfied' that the suspension would have been showing on the Whole Game System for multiple weeks. This is one of many cases, though in most the clubs have backed down. Lydd Town were the only club who would speak on the record. There is also a fear that other sides have committed the same offence but gone unpunished. An anonymous source well acquainted with football in Kent describes one situation where the league only became aware an ineligible player had featured because they were notified by a man walking his dog who recognised him. In the Combined Counties Premier League South, also the ninth tier, Jersey Bulls and Redhill have missed out on the title after points deductions. AFC Whyteleafe have been promoted on 95 points, with Jersey Bulls and Redhill being made to settle for play-off positions on 93 after being docked three each. Jersey Bulls mistakenly played Toby Ritzema in a 4-0 win against Tooting and Mitcham after misunderstanding a suspension. They voluntarily forced him to sit out for two matches beforehand after he reached 10 yellow cards, with one of those coming in the FA Vase. The FA admitted earlier this season that the Whole Game System was unfit for purpose Clubs hit with points deductions Seventh tier (non-league step three) Isthmian League - Premier Division: Cray Valley -3 Eighth tier (non-league step four): Northern Premier League East Division: Grimsby Borough -3, Brighouse Town -3 (relegated as a result) Southern League South Division: Tavistock (-1) Ninth tier (non-league step five): Combined Counties League Premier Division South: Jersey Bulls -3 (missed out on title), Redhill -3 (missed out on title) Northern Counties East League Premier Division: Albion Sports -3 (missed out on play-offs) Southern Counties East League Premier Division: VCD Athletic -1, Lydd Town -4* (relegated if FA appeal fails) Tenth tier (non-league step six): Northern League Division Two: Bedlington Terriers -3 (relegated anyway) Northern Counties East League Division One: Dronfield Town -3 (relegated anyway), Appleby Frodingham -3 (relegated anyway) Southern Counties East League First Division: Rochester United -6 *Seventh-tier Matlock Town have also been deducted three points and are relegated, but Mail Sport understands this was not related to the Whole Game System. But the FA Vase booking did not actually count towards his total of 10, so when he did subsequently reach that threshold, the club were unaware and played him against Tooting and Mitcham. Redhill have been punished for the same offence and therefore Whyteleafe, who finished third, have been promoted. Elsewhere, Albion Sports have missed out on the play-offs of the Northern Counties East League Premier Division, while Brighouse Town have been demoted from the Northern Premier League East Division, both after three-point deductions. Mail Sport contacted both to clarify the circumstances which have led to their docks, but neither got back. A tenth-tier club, Rochester United of Southern Counties East Division 1 (SCEFL 1), accepted a six-point deduction with 'disappointment' after twice fielding Max Morgan - despite not knowing a ban had crossed over from Sunday league. The club wrote: 'Rochester United at all times have never sought to deny that the player played, our mitigation has always been that we never knew he was suspended, a fact that was examined in detail and found credible by an independent FA Disciplinary Panel back in January. 'Sadly SCEFL declined to hear the same body of evidence despite repeated offers, gave misleading information on the appeals process, and generally thwarted all discussions on the fallibility of notification systems that are being retired at the end of this season.' Mail Sport has contacted the Kent FA for comment. An FA spokesperson told Mail Sport: 'The Whole Game System successfully administers football across over 900 leagues, 18,000 clubs, and 1.5 million players annually. 'Whilst suspensions are administered via the system, clubs are ultimately responsible for checking the status of suspensions and any cards issued are processed in accordance with FA Rules and Regulations.'
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
How This Ex-Founder Of A $300 Million Startup Is Bringing AI To Decades-Old Companies
Think this is nice? It's a version of the weekly Under 30 newsletter and would be even better in your inbox. The Mura team. In 2016, Under 30 Enterprise Technology alum Ryan Smith disrupted the cannabis industry with his software startup, LeafLink. It connected cannabis companies to weed growers, helping them order products and track deliveries, and went on to raise more than $300 million. Now Smith is making an audacious pivot for his next venture, called Mura. Far removed from the green rush, Mura is helping the service businesses that maintain our buildings, hospitals and infrastructure operate faster and smarter. The idea behind the startup is to create logistics software for companies that send out repair technicians for things like HVAC or plumbing. Instead of relying on people to handle emails, billing and scheduling across old systems, Mura uses AI to automate those tasks. The result, ideally, is less time spent on paperwork and more time on the actual repairs. It's already raised some $6 million from venture capital firms like Level One Fund and Lerer Hippeau, yet Smith's biggest advice to other founders is to not obsess over the money. 'At the end of the day, money is just a tool to do the building,' he says. 'I think we can build greater things with so much less now.' Smith started Mura with Claire DeRoberts, who was the first employee at LeafLink. This time, he says he wants to keep the team small and see how far they can go by staying lean. Convincing service industry veterans to embrace AI isn't exactly easy. Many of these companies are family-run and steeped in tradition. But he sees an opportunity: 'There's a generational shift in ownership happening,' he says. 'You now have more technologically progressive owners that are excited about how that can become part of how they run these businesses.' His strategy has been focusing on what the software can actually do for customers, not just the AI buzzword. 'It's like saying, 'Our software uses the internet.' Yeah, of course it does,' Smith says. 'Mura doesn't exist without AI, but the best way to sell it isn't by just talking about AI.' So far, Mura is already working with several large companies in the service industry, including those owned by private equity firms. One example is Tolin Mechanical, part of a growing group of HVAC companies under Service Logic. Unlike many software-as-a-service startups that charge per user or per license, Mura's pricing is transactional, so they're only getting paid when their tool is used. They're still in the testing phase with early customers, but Smith says eventually the goal for Mura is to become the invisible, 'dark software' that doesn't require any human interaction at all. See you next week, Alex & Zoya Featured Story Ohio State Safety Caleb Downs. Forbes unveiled its third annual 30 Under 30 Local list today, this time highlighting Ohio's state capital, Columbus. Athletes like football star (and startup founder) Caleb Downs and professional ironman (who's also a medical student) Matthew Marquardt were named. Local business leaders including comedy club owner Hannah Romich, fitness apparel cofounders Madison Hilson and Valentina Thompson, and content creator Amelia Mei also made the ranks. Read more about the young up-and-comers across Arch City here. -Hailey Bieber joined the billion-dollar-brand ranks this week with the acquisition of her beauty company, Rhode. Makeup conglomerate e.l.f. Cosmetics has agreed to buy the company for $600 million in cash, plus $200 million worth of e.l.f. stock and potentially an additional $200 million based on brand success moving forward. Three years ago, we covered the Under 30 alum just a few months following Rhode's launch: throwback to that story here. -Good Girl Snacks, founded by 30 Under 30 Food & Drink alumna Yasaman Bakhtiar and Leah Marcus, celebrated a new product this week. Their latest bread and butter pickles (the startup's third pickle flavor thus far), is launching in collaboration with New York-based smashburger hot spot Popchew. This marks another B2B partnership for the brand—other partners include alternative milk company Malk, and alcohol-free drink brand Ghia, along with their shelf space at Erewhon. -Clearspace was founded in 2022 to help users cut down on screen time by suggesting a deep breath before opening Instagram or pushups before clicking on TikTok. This week, the software company revealed a new option for users to publish their screen time on a public landing page, changing the way screen time is currently tracked—which is just on your own device, and not easily shareable. Cofounder Oliver Hill (who launched the startup with Royce Branning) says this new offering is a way for users to build community, seek encouragement, create accountability, and even track their progress over time. Courtesy of Pereira We're bringing you the scoop on a new Under 30 community member. Up this week: Crystelle Pereira, a London based 2025 Under 30 Europe Art & Culture lister who made a name for herself as a contestant on Great British Bake Off in 2021 before going on to write a best selling cookbook, judging Amazon Prime's second season of The World Cook, as well as partnering with brands like Windows, Coca Cola and more. The following has been slightly edited for length and clarity. Can you tell me about your first memory of cooking or baking? My first real memory of cooking was when my sister was home with the flu. I decided to make her a pot of my Mum's chicken soup. My Mum was still at work, and I had no recipe. So I cooked from memory, relying on the steps I'd absorbed just by watching her over the years. When she finally tasted it, even my Mum (my toughest critic) was impressed. Who did you learn to cook and bake from? My Mum for sure. Probably around the age of 6, I was known as 'Crystelle who loves her food,' and my Mum's nickname for me was 'Chutney Mary.' Not only did I love eating food, but I was also drawn to the cooking process. I used to watch my Mum in the kitchen and she'd ask me to taste her curries—eventually asking me if the food needed more salt, sugar or lemon juice, teaching me about balancing savoury foods with a pinch of sugar or jaggery. Anything you haven't tried to make yet but are particularly excited to? Every Christmas my Grandma makes the most incredible Goan-spiced roast mutton. It's a true labour of love, and no other meat has ever come close to hers. This year, I've made it my mission to visit her house and learn the recipe firsthand. It's too good not to pass down through generations. You're based in London. What's the best food spot in London? It's so hard to pick just one, but my top two are Arabica (Eastern Mediterranean) and Kolae (Southern Thai grill). There's always such an eclectic mix of flavours and textures in their dishes which are the two most important aspects of a meal for me. What's your favorite food spot of all time? Again, it's impossible to pick one so my top three are Kimika in New York (Japanese-Italian Fusion), Kaab Gluay in Phuket which completely opened my eyes to the versatility of Thai cuisine, and Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo for the best sushi I've ever had in my life. You started your career in finance. What made you interested in that field in the first place? Funnily enough, I never imagined myself working in finance. I studied French and Spanish at university simply because I loved modern languages. Unsure what direction to take in my career, I attended a number of open days to explore my options—one of which was at Goldman Sachs. After telling someone there that I loved communicating and wanted a role that involved building relationships, I got a call the next day, encouraging me to apply for their spring internship. I ended up working there for four and a half years. You applied for The Great British Bake Off while still working your finance job. Why? Was becoming a full-time chef your goal at that time? I've always been a huge fan of Bake Off, but I never imagined I'd actually be on it. That changed a few years ago, when my sisters urged me to apply. But it was ultimately a conversation with my dad that pushed me to go for it: He came to the U.K. from Kenya with almost nothing and built a life from the ground up. His advice to me was to stop waiting for the perfect moment, because it doesn't exist. So I applied, fully expecting to be rejected. Two days later, I got a call from the producers. What's a day in your life currently look like? No two days are ever the same, and that's exactly what I love about my work. Most days start with some form of recipe testing at home, whether it's for a magazine feature or a brand collaboration. From there, things can take me all over the U.K.—perhaps filming a segment for a daytime TV show or doing a podcast recording, heading into central London for meetings or industry events, or hosting a cooking demo or supper club. And, of course, there's always plenty of eating in between! What's your best advice for someone who feels stuck in their career? How can they make a pivot like you have? Don't underestimate a 'side hustle' or a 'passion project.' If there is something you genuinely love and are passionate about, there is no reason why you can't turn that into your full-time job. Of course, be practical about it, and never blindly walk into something without considering the challenges. Make sure it can grow into something commercial. Remember that if you ever want to pivot, your time spent in your previous job is never wasted. And it's important to accept that it may not be easy going from a steady job to becoming self-employed. What's your prediction for the future of the food media space? What type of content will win? What's coming up next in the industry? I really hope to see greater diversity in the industry—especially when it comes to women and South Asians, who are still so underrepresented in this space. I'd love to become someone that younger South Asian girls, whether aspiring chefs or future TV personalities, can look to and feel inspired by. More broadly, I think sustainability will continue to be a major focus in the food world. Initiatives like regenerative farming are gaining momentum, and I expect to see more big food brands shifting toward more sustainable practices in how they source and produce. As for content, it's hard to predict when trends and viral moments can shift the landscape overnight. But one thing I've loved watching is how many global cuisines are finally getting the spotlight they deserve. In recent years, we've seen more attention on Filipino, South Korean, and Sri Lankan food. I hope that continues.
Calgary Herald
4 days ago
- Business
- Calgary Herald
The 50-year nest: How Calgary's oldest, independent bookstore has weathered a half-century of changes
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The new co-owners of Owl's Nest Books are young and savvy about social media, but still follow a half-century of traditions Ryan Smith, co-owner of Owl's Nest Books, is celebrating its 50th anniversary in Calgary. Darren Makowichuk/Postmedia Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. When Ryan Smith walked into Owl's Nest Books in 2020 and asked for a job, Susan Hare made a surprising prediction to her husband, Michael. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Calgary Herald ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Calgary Herald ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Michael Hare had co-owned Calgary's oldest independent bookstore since the mid-1990s, having taken it over from legendary bookseller Evelyn de Mille 20 years after it opened. After chatting with Smith, Susan told her husband that the bookish young man would likely own the store one day. To be clear, this was not an ambition that Smith had shared with Susan, nor was it one that he thought was particularly realistic at the time. But Susan had a feeling about him. Your weekday lunchtime roundup of curated links, news highlights, analysis and features. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again 'I think some time last year they finally told me that,' says Smith, who has co-owned the store since 2022. 'It was that first interview. They had a pretty good inkling of me, which was super wonderful to learn about.' Certainly, Smith's passion for books and literature was unquestionable. While studying at the University of Lethbridge, he served as editor-in-chief of the school's biannual, 53-year-old literary arts publication, Whetstone Magazine. While he initially planned to be a teacher, after graduating from the U of L, he studied publishing at Ryerson University and wrote his honours thesis on young adult dystopian and utopian literature. He returned to Calgary and spent two years working at Calgary-based Weigl Educational Publishers Limited. Michael and Susan Hare in their Britannia bookstore, Owl's Nest Books, in 2015. Postmedia file photo But when he first met the Hares, he was in his mid-20s and knew nothing about running a business. It wasn't until Michael sat him down one day in 2021 and floated the idea that he take over as co-owner of the bookstore that it seemed like a reachable goal. 'I tell people owning a bookstore wasn't a dream, it was a fantasy,' says Smith, who turned 30 in February. 'It was one of those things where you're like, 'Oh, wouldn't it be great. A little cat on the shelf like it is in the movies.' And then for the opportunity to actually show up, it was 'Wow, everybody talks about it, but I can actually do it.' I couldn't say no, and it's been a dream come true every day since.' Smith bought out Michael's shares. Susan still works at the store, but her shares were eventually bought by Judith Duthie, who had served as general manager of Owl's Nest from 2008 to 2019. Duthie and Smith are among a small group of owners who have overseen the bookstore since it first opened in 1975, part of a continuum that has ensured Owl's Nest maintains its community-minded approach and passion for books and book lovers that de Mille established when she opened it with James Highborough-Ross as a 450-square foot shop on Bow Trail. This advertisement has not loaded yet. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. From June 6 to 8, Smith and Duthie and their staff will hold various events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Owl's Nest. One of them will be called Michael Hare: It's Been A Hoot, a June 7 chat between Smith and his predecessor about the colourful history of the store that Hare has written as a memoir. Hare took over from de Mille in 1996 with then partner Brenda Mackie. It was moved to its current location at Britannia Plaza early on in its tenure. Susan, who married Hare not long after he took over from de Mille, eventually bought out Mackie's shares and the couple ran the bookstore together as both a labour of love and a tribute to de Mille's initial vision. De Mille, who died in 2013 at the age of 94, was a towering figure and pioneer in Canadian bookselling. She opened her first bookstore in Calgary in 1956 and became the first woman in Canada to create a bookstore chain. It eventually grew to five locations, which included Vancouver. She sold the stores in 1973 and helped open Owl's Nest a few years later as a silent partner due to a non-compete clause in the sale. Hare was groomed to run the business by de Mille, who showed him the ropes for a few years before agreeing to let him take over the reins. Still, it's doubtful either of them foresaw the changes that were coming for booksellers. Susan Hare, school and corporate order specialist and Ryan Smith, co-owner of Owl's Nest Books, are celebrating its 50th anniversary in Calgary. Darren Makowichuk/Postmedia As co-owners, the Hares and Mackie weathered the arrival of big-box book retailers, Amazon and eReaders such as Kobo and Kindle. Their history involves an expansion in 2002 to include Owlets, which was focused on children's literature and gifts, and then a reduction in 2019 to remove it when running a store of that size was no longer economically feasible. Owl's Nest has weathered Calgary's 2013 flood, which greatly impacted business at the store, as did the economic woes that came when oil prices crashed in 2014. The most recent threat to the store's new owners has been the impact of a potential trade war with the U.S. under President Donald Trump, which could have a devastating effect on independent booksellers since many books are printed or stored in the United States. It has led to a campaign spearheaded by the Canadian Independent Booksellers Association to keep books exempt from tariffs. It's all a reminder that selling books can be a precarious business and a bit of a rollercoaster ride. While Owl's Nest has not been immune, it seems to have been better equipped than some to weather the storms. In 1997, just a year after Hare took over Owl's Nest, Chapters and Indigo began opening in Calgary. According to a 2002 Postmedia column by David Parker that quoted Hare, Calgary lost 11 independent bookstores after these juggernauts arrived in the city. But Hare says he never feared the big box stores because of the community and type of service Owl's Nest had established under de Mille. There was just no comparison. 'I said, I don't care if Chapter's opens 10 or 12 bookstores, it doesn't matter, we're OK,' says Hare in a recent interview. 'We're going to be OK always because we provide a different type of experience, a different kind of customer service.' Hare, who sold his shares to Smith in 2022 but had stepped away from day-to-day operations in 2017, credits the loyal customer base for taking the lead in establishing Owl's Nest as a hub for book lovers. The local author readings? The book clubs? Those midnight openings in the early aughts to celebrate new Harry Potter titles? They were all driven by patrons who had built up a lengthy relationship with the store. 'Brenda and I had no concept of running an author event or book readings or signings or book clubs, we just wanted a frigging book store,' Hare says. 'All that stuff came from customers. I was just the face of the store out there, talking to people all the time. I would just pick up on all this stuff. One thing leads to another. It was never 'Michael's brilliant idea.' ' These days, the community is strong and growing. Some of that is thanks to the new owners and staff bolstering the store's social media presence in the past few years. Owl's Nest has a particularly lively Instagram account with thousands of followers. Posts cover everything from staff picks to new releases, information about book clubs and goofy videos starring the staff. It's all overseen by social media co-ordinator Jen Fedorowich, who was hired three years ago to help capture a new digital community of book lovers. A few years back, they started flocking to BookTok, a subset of TikTok that has users posting videos about their passion for books, and Bookstagram, a community with the same focus on Instagram. 'We wanted to be sure we were better participating in that side of things, reaching a younger audience and that BookTok, Bookstagram audience,' Smith says. 'She handles all that. She is interacting with people on there. That was the big thing for us to be able to more actively engage, responding to people's questions and comments and the fun trends. She does a really good job of getting us involved in the goofier trends that are going on out there and shooting some videos. We now see some very dedicated customers that we have found through social media.' That said, there is still an emphasis on community-building within the walls of Owl's Nest. The store holds three Book Club Discussion Nights in May, where each staff member makes multiple recommendations of books they have discovered that year and invites customers into the store to hear them pontificate about them 'for hours,' Smith says. There is a book club dedicated to mysteries called Hootdunnit, which began in 1997, and QUEEReads YYC – a monthly meeting that focuses on books connected to the LGBTQQIP2SAA community. Meanwhile, the store offers book fairs that they bring into Calgary schools on massive rolling shelves. It's all about securing its future by reaching out to younger, more diverse communities. As for the near future, Smith admits the threat of tariffs and counter-tariffs became a major concern in April. The majority of books sold in Canadian bookstores, even those by Canadian authors, often rely on U.S. printers and warehouses for distribution. Smith says he is satisfied that books are 'out of the line of fire at the moment.' One of the specific upsides of the 'elbows up' movement against Trump's bumbling attempts at a trade war has been an increased interest in Canadian and local authors, Smith says. Not that this is new. Loyalty, whether to local or Canadian authors or the store itself, has been a 40-year hallmark of the Owl's Nest community. Understanding that community has always been a prerequisite for owning the store that hosts it. 'It was great to see the parallels to how Michael took over the store, in that it wasn't just show up and sign on the dotted line, and Mrs. de Mille called it a day,' Smith says. 'Mrs. de Mille worked with Michael to make sure he was comfortable with the store, knew what was going on and the clientele. Michael did the same for me in that I spent those first two years getting to know the store and how it works and the clientele and the community of the store before we were all comfortable with me starting to take on the reins.'
Associated Press
23-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
SBA Central Emerges as the Leading Digital Resource for SBA Loan Success
Entrepreneurs and acquisition professionals turn to SBA Central for expert tools, guidance, and clarity amid 2025's evolving lending landscape. TX, UNITED STATES, May 23, 2025 / / -- As SBA financing becomes increasingly complex in 2025, one online platform continues to stand out for those navigating the process: SBA Central, the internet's #1 SBA resource library. Founded by former commercial lender and SBA specialist Ryan Smith, SBA Central was created to simplify the path to funding for entrepreneurs and business acquirers by offering the most comprehensive suite of tools, expert insights, and support available anywhere online. Originally built to address the lack of centralized, high-quality information about SBA loans, SBA Central has grown into a trusted digital hub for everyone from first-time borrowers to seasoned ETA (Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition) professionals. Today, it offers regularly updated guides, loan calculators, expert videos, and on-demand concierge support—tailored to meet the evolving needs of business buyers, franchisees, and real estate investors. 'Our mission has always been to bring clarity and confidence to the SBA process,' said Ryan Smith. 'What sets SBA Central apart is the depth of insight we offer, the practicality of our tools, and the commitment to empowering entrepreneurs to make strong, informed decisions.' Among the platform's most popular tools are its Acquisition Loan Calculator, which enables users to quickly assess deal feasibility, and a growing video library covering everything from SBA 7(a) vs. 504 loan strategies to tips for navigating closings. Each piece of content is produced or curated by experienced SBA practitioners, ensuring that users receive both technical accuracy and real-world relevance. SBA Central's impact is already being felt across the U.S. In recent months alone, the platform has supported small businesses in securing millions in SBA funding—including a $5.0M loan for a manufacturing acquisition, a $1.8M deal in electrical contracting, and the expansion of a franchise location with another $5.0M SBA-backed investment. To help small business owners keep pace with lending changes in 2025, SBA Central has released new expert video episodes, introduced updated guides on industry-specific financing, and launched tools to model debt coverage and compare SBA vs. conventional lending—all designed to help users stay proactive in an uncertain economic environment. Looking ahead, the platform is set to roll out enhanced personalization features, expanded financial calculators, and live Q&A formats—bringing even more accessibility and customization to its growing community of users. 'Whether someone is buying a business, investing in property, or planning their next move, we want to be their first—and most trusted—resource,' Smith added. About SBA Central SBA Central is the most complete SBA resource library online, offering expert-led content, financial tools, and strategic guidance for entrepreneurs, ETA professionals, and small business owners. Through its calculators, in-depth articles, videos, and concierge support, SBA Central helps users confidently navigate SBA loan options and make smarter financial decisions. Sam Preston Unlimited Content +44 7799 180194 email us here Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Reuters
20-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Employee-rewards company Awardco secures $1 billion valuation after latest funding round
May 20 (Reuters) - Employee-rewards platform Awardco said on Tuesday it has raised $165 million in a funding round led by investment firms Sixth Street Growth and Spectrum Equity, pushing its valuation to more than $1 billion. Existing investors General Catalyst and Qualtrics' co-founder Ryan Smith also participated in the series B round. The investment marks a step up from the Utah-based company's $900 million valuation in 2021, when it had raised $65 million in one of the largest series A rounds in the HR software as a service (SaaS) sector. With the fresh capital infusion, Awardco aims to broaden its rewards and recognition platform with additional solutions for employee engagement and performance, leverage AI to gain deeper workforce insights and automation, improve integration with HR information systems and scale its global infrastructure. Awardco allows companies to move beyond traditional compensation by offering recognition, rewards and professional development options to employees. Its clients include U.S. telecom giant AT&T (T.N), opens new tab and Photoshop maker Adobe (ADBE.O), opens new tab. The company has grown to more than six million users across 163 countries and offers over 300 million reward options.
