Latest news with #Th
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Wasted a whole trip to Palatka:' Some Blue Crab Festival guests mad about pricey food, no carnival
Many attending the Blue Crab Festival in Palatka last weekend were 'shell-shocked' and disappointed with this year's event. They said the annual three-day festival featured high food prices, fewer vendors, and no carnival like they had in previous years. The Palatka Blue Crab Festival is an annual tradition, and has been for nearly 30 years. However, this year some festival goers were left disappointed with this year's event. 'It made me feel like I wasted a whole trip to Palatka,' festival attendee Andie Dann said. 'I'm wondering if I'm going to attend, you know, next year or any years, you know, after this one.' Dann has been attending the Palatka Blue Crab Festival for 20 years. Some of the complaints she and other people had were about the high food prices. 'This is a small-town festival. We don't need big city prices,' Dann said. Larissa Ricketts-Owens owns Modern Reality in downtown Palatka. She has been attending the festival for years, and was shocked to see how expensive the food was this year. 'I got one of the lobster rolls from the one of the food trucks down by the band shell, and it was $39 for a lobster roll that literally had four pieces of lobster on it with a stale bun,' Ricketts-Owens said. Another photo sent to Action News Jax shows a King Crab leg an attendee purchased at the festival over the weekend. They said it cost them $50. For the last four years, the festival has been produced by Ancient City Entertainment. The City of Palatka is one of the festival's main sponsors. Eddie Cutwright is the Community Affairs Director for the City of Palatka. He says the city had no role in determining the prices. 'The city was not in charge of anything that had to do with the event,' Cutwright said. 'We just help her (Ancient City Entertainment) with staffing and also blocking off roads for the event. Any vendors, anything that came through that area was placed and reserved spots through her.' [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] We reached out to Ancient City Entertainment and they provided us with a statement: 'My name is Jeanetta Cebollero, I've been the director of Palatka Blue Crab Festival the past 4 years, where we have since revitalized the town's branding, marketing. I worked very hard to bring in national acts and include new amusements and vendors. 'I've worked alongside the City of Palatka for 4 years to execute this project. Each year, they have made significant funding cutbacks and had a staggering administrative employment turnover rate that had disproportionately affected the success of the event. 'This year, specifically, the City of Palatka chose to make some very distinct changes regarding the footprint of the festival to appease the merchants of St. Johns Ave. This moved paying vendors to a marina space where we had previously booked a carnival in years past. They chose not to move forward with the carnival. They also voted to not allocate any marketing dollars to the event this year from The Tourism Development Council, which has been crucial in the past for the implementation of success in driving visitors to their flagship and largest tourism event of the year. 'After trying for 8 months to get them to approve a contract, they finally decided on a minimal effort approach. 'To put it mildly, we are disappointed in the partnership renewal contract that was decided by City of Palatka commissioners, but would love to acknowledge the hard work of the sanitation workers, parks and recreation, and festival workers and organizers who are the actual boots on the ground. Best, Jeanetta Cebollero [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] In regard to the carnival and footprint changes referenced in Ancient City Entertainment's statement, Wright said that a conversation was had between them about the decision. 'Other than the foot traffic of bringing it down to 4th Street, that was a common conversation that we had early on as a group. And that was just to try to accommodate some things when we said we was not bringing, when she said, and we agreed that they was not bringing the carnival back because we had some issues with the carnival last year. But that's how that foot track got smaller. But as far as vendors and everything of that nature, that's all the coordinator's responsibility,' Cutwright said. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Mid East Info
13-05-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
The Final Pitch Dubai Unveils Powerhouse Investor-Judges - Middle East Business News and Information
Diverse panel will bring deep expertise across real estate, Web3, sustainability, digital economy, and venture capital to business reality TV show Dubai, UAE, May 2025: Four of Dubai's industry leaders have been named as investor-judges on the upcoming business reality TV show The Final Pitch Dubai. Bringing decades of entrepreneurial and investment expertise to the table, the panel of investor-judges represents some of the region's most accomplished trailblazers across sectors, including digital transformation, real estate, fintech, clean tech, sustainability, and early to growth stage venture capital. The lineup features Cypher Capital Founding Partner and Phoenix Group PLC Co-Founder Bijan Alizadeh; 'The Wolf of Real Estate' CEO and Managing Partner of Harbor Real Estate Dr. Mohanad Alwadiya; 'Entrepreneur turned investor turned entrepreneur' Founding Partner of Incubayt Investments Ltd. Sami Khoreibi; visionary investor and strategic government advisor Founder & Managing Partner of Triliv Holdings Jigar Sagar. The Final Pitch, Asia's longest-running business reality TV show, is making its Middle East debut in Dubai. The series introduces a proven format that empowers ambitious founders through targeted mentorship by domain experts, an all-access personal tour of the investor-judges' businesses, and funding and collaboration opportunities. Tasked with evaluating high-potential pitches, the investor-judge panel will challenge founders to refine their ideas, while offering access to markets, strategic resources, and smart capital Now open for Applications: UAE Startups Invited to Pitch: Applications are now open for UAE based and non-UAE based international entrepreneurs looking to pitch their business to the panel of investor-judges. Selected startup founders will gain a unique opportunity to showcase their ventures, receive hands-on mentorship and potentially secure investment. The Final Pitch 's format introduces high-caliber mentors that come in to give practical and strategic guidance to the entrepreneur contestants, while each investor-judge gets to engage directly with their shortlisted entrepreneurs by inviting them to their businesses, giving them special access to their world and inner circle. The founders receive invaluable feedback and insights from the investors themselves as they prepare to pitch in a high-stakes finale. Applications can be submitted at the show's website, Deadline for submissions is on May 27, 2025. The show, produced by award-winning production company Dragon's Nest, and supported in the UAE by its local production partner Ti22 Films – led by its CEO Reim El Houni who joins as Co-Executive Producer – will be filmed entirely in Dubai and is set to go into production in June 2025 across key locations in the city. It will exclusively air on OSN and OSN+ in Q4. 'Dubai is one of the most exciting places in the world to build and grow a business right now,' said John Aguilar, creator and host of The Final Pitch and Founder of Dragon's Nest, LLC FZ, the business and media investment firm bringing the show to the region. 'Our mission has always been to spotlight visionary founders and connect them with real opportunities for investment and mentorship. With this first UAE edition in Dubai, we aim to contribute meaningfully to the country's vision of fostering entrepreneurship, innovation and a knowledge-based economy – by helping build the next generation of business leaders.' About The Final Pitch: The Final Pitch is a business reality TV show produced by leading Asian production house Dragon's Nest (now Dragon's Nest LLC FZ in Dubai), where aspiring entrepreneurs pitch their innovative ideas to top investors and industry experts. Launched in 2017, the show has empowered the next generation of entrepreneurs by connecting emerging founders with strategic mentorship and funding opportunities – over 350 start-ups have participated, generating millions of US dollars in funding and strategic partnerships. Following its success, The Final Pitch is expanding beyond borders with The Final Pitch: Dubai , its inaugural edition in the Middle East. The series furthers its mission to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in the region. Future UAE editions are being planned for Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, and for Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Bahrain.
Mint
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Viral video: Lancashire batter drops mobile phone while running between wickets in County match; watch
Far away from the glitz and glamour of the Indian Premier League, cricket witnessed a bizarre moment in the ongoing County Championship in England. Lancashire's number 10 batsman Tom Bailey had a cricket's version of a wardrobe malfunction while batting as a mobile phone slipped out of his pockets while running between the wickets. The game was at Lancashire's home ground of Old Trafford and the funny incident happened during the first innings of the match against Gloucestershire. The 34-year-old veteran seamer, who has nearly 400 scalps to his name in First Class cricket, was attempting a second run when his phone decided to exit his trouser pocket. The video of the incident quickly went viral as cricket fans chimed in with hilarious responses to the clip. Watch the moment here: Former England pacer Alex Tudor was too lost for words to react to the incident as he replied to the video with a simple 'facepalm' emoji. Meanwhle, another user, presumably a Lancashire fan, said, 'Just about sums Lancs up these days - blow the lot up and start again.' One fan said, 'Should'e just listened to Baz and hit sixes' while the Cleadon Cricket Club wrote, 'He must run their social media accounts because admin has nearly walked out with phone in pocket a few times.' The best comment to the video has to be Dan's (@Dan1290_), who wrote: 'It's an Apple (Th)i(gh)Pad.' Interestingly, according to his profile Dan plys for Cleadon Cricket Club. However, not everyone saw the humour in the incident as many called for a fine and ban for the Lancashire player. In many competitions, playing rules state that it is illegal for a player or member of staff to use a mobile phone in the dressing room during the match. This is to prevent any form of illegal communication or assistance that could affect the game's fairness and potentially lead to match fixing. So, it remains to be seen if Tom Bailey will cop a fine or a ban, or potentially both. Bailey remained not out 22 from 31 balls as Lancashire posted 450 all out in their first innings. Stay updated on all the action from the IPL 2025. Check the IPL 2025 Schedule, track the latest IPL 2025 Points Table, and follow the top performers with the Orange Cap and Purple Cap. First Published: 4 May 2025, 05:21 PM IST
Telegraph
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Rare Bram Stoker letter reveals what he really thought about Dracula
Bram Stoker's Dracula was not the immediate success one might have expected for such a haunting gothic horror. While critics gave the novel positive reviews at the time, it was not until after Stoker's death in 1912 that it became a bestseller, and has never been out of print since. The discovery of a rare letter has revealed Stoker himself was confident his novel would grab the public's attention and go on to stand the test of time. The letter was recently discovered by a rare books dealer among a private collection acquired from a buyer in the United States. It was written by Stoker to a friend weeks after its initial publication in 1897. In it, he describes his confidence that Dracula will be regarded as 'high' literature and not just a piece of pulp horror. Writing to the friend, referred to only as Mr Williams, Stoker states: 'I send you Dracula & have honoured myself by writing your name in it.' He adds: 'How is enclosed for high? Lord forgive me. I am quite shameless. Yours ever, Bram Stoker.' Letters by Stoker are rare and, according to experts, those in which he mentions his novel Dracula by name are virtually unheard of. Fewer than a handful are known to exist, and those are typically formal acknowledgements. By contrast, this letter is informal and prescient, making it one of the earliest and most candid authorial commentaries on the novel, according to Oliver Bayliss, the rare book dealer who acquired it. 'This letter gives us something we've never really had before: Stoker's own voice, responding to Dracula around the moment it entered the world, not as an icon of horror but as a new, uncertain work,' he said. 'Stoker clearly, and with just cause, felt it was a high watermark in his writing. However, early reviews were mixed and Dracula didn't become the legend it is for many, many years thereafter.' Stoker's letter is expected to fetch thousands when it goes on sale in the next few weeks. In the world of literary collecting, letters by authors commenting on their most significant works, especially so close to publication, are among the most sought-after artefacts. When those letters contain the title itself, in the author's own hand, and offer some flavour of personality or insight, they are considered exceptionally rare, says Mr Bayliss. 'Stoker's humorous aside – 'Lord forgive me. I am quite shameless' – has the ring of an artist knowingly pushing the boundaries of the gothic and enjoying it. It's theatrical, cheeky, and utterly authentic. That tone simply doesn't appear in his other known correspondence on the subject,' he adds. Mr Bayliss said Mr Williams was probably a friend or colleague in the London theatre world, where Dublin-born Stoker worked at the time. 'It's rather special for me to bring the letter back to London, the city where Dracula was first published and where the letter was, in all likelihood, written while Stoker was managing the Lyceum Theatre,' Mr Bayliss said. Dracula was published while Stoker worked at The Daily Telegraph in London as one of this newspaper's literary staff. In 1890, he had travelled to Whitby, where the North Yorkshire coastal town provided him with the setting for Count Dracula's arrival in England. After coming ashore at Whitby, the Count, transmogrified into the shape of a black dog, runs up the 199 steps to the graveyard of St Mary's Church in the shadow of Whitby Abbey's ruins.
Associated Press
09-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Exclusive Interview by CorporateAds with Leandro Iglesias, CEO of IQSTEL, Inc. (Symbol: IQST) Regarding the Company's Strong Revenue Growth on Track to $1 Billion by 2027
IQSTEL Inc. (OTC QX: IQST) is a U.S.-based multinational technology company in the final stages of becoming listed on Nasdaq. IQSTEL's mission is to empower lives by delivering essential, technology-driven solutions that meet modern human needs. IQSTEL believes that in today's interconnected world, basic human aspirations—such as security, connection, opportunity, and growth—depend on reliable access to communication, financial tools, sustainable mobility, and intelligent services. Through its growing portfolio in telecommunications, fintech, cybersecurity, and AI services, IQSTEL is building a platform that bridges the gap between innovation and inclusion, enabling people everywhere to thrive. IQSTEL is strategically positioned to achieve $1 billion in revenue by 2027, driven by organic growth, targeted acquisitions, and the commercialization of innovative technology offerings. iQSTEL Divisions and Offerings Telecommunications Services Division (Communications): Delivers robust solutions including VoIP, SMS, International Fiber-Optic Connectivity, and new telecommunications technologies. Fintech Division (Financial Freedom): Enables inclusive financial access with remittance services, mobile top-ups, a MasterCard debit card, U.S. bank accounts without SSN, and a secure mobile app designed for unbanked and underbanked populations. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Services Division (Information and Content): Provides next-generation AI engagement tools ( including a white-label 3D virtual assistant interface that supports customer service, entertainment, and transactional experiences across web and voice platforms. Cybersecurity Services: In partnership with Cycurion, iQSTEL now offers enterprise-grade cybersecurity, including 24/7 monitoring, threat detection, incident response, vulnerability assessments, and regulatory compliance solutions—supporting telecom and enterprise customers alike. Strategic Developments GlobeTopper MOU – Fintech Expansion: In March 2025, IQSTEL signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to acquire a 51% stake in GlobeTopper, a profitable fintech company specializing in enhanced B2B top-up services. The acquisition is expected to push IQSTEL toward a $400 million revenue run rate and expand its fintech-driven profitability, accelerating the company's transition to a high-margin 80/20 Telecom-Fintech revenue mix. ItsBchain MOU – Value Creation for Shareholders: IQSTEL also signed an MOU to sell its blockchain-focused subsidiary ItsBchain to Accredited Solutions, Inc. (ASII). As part of this transaction, $500,000 worth of ASII shares will be distributed directly to IQSTEL shareholders, reinforcing the company's commitment to delivering tangible value and strategic returns to its investor base. March 31 Shareholders Letter – Strong Financial Results & Shareholder Value Growth: On March 31, IQSTEL published its 2024 Shareholders Letter, highlighting a year of exceptional financial performance and strategic progress. The company reported $283.2 million in revenue, reflecting a 95.9% year-over-year increase, and a revenue per share of $1.40, marking a 66.7% improvement from the prior year. Total assets surged to $79 million, a 257% increase, and stockholders' equity rose to $11.9 million, up 48% year-over-year. Most notably, stockholders' equity per share increased by 25.4%, reflecting IQSTEL's strong commitment to building long-term shareholder value. These milestones reinforce the company's scalable growth model and clear trajectory toward becoming a profitable, $1 billion revenue company by 2027. On April 3rd, 2025 iQSTEL CEO Leandro Iglesias sat down with Corporate Ads to conduct the following detailed interview for the benefit of IQST shareholders and other investors. This transcript is exclusive to the distribution of the Corporate Ads awareness program. Corporate Ads: Starting in April, 2025 President Donald Trump has officially launched his US Tariff program, imposing high cost increases for foreign made products and components across a wide range of countries and business sectors. Can you tell us if and how this major development will impact iQSTEL business going forward? Leandro Iglesias: Thank you for giving us the chance to talk about IQSTEL in depth and without time limitations. IQSTEL's core business model is service-based, primarily focused on telecommunications, fintech, cybersecurity, and AI technologies. As such, our operations do not rely heavily on the import or export of physical goods or components that would be directly affected by tariff increases. Most of our revenue is generated from digital services delivered over existing infrastructure, and our subsidiaries operate in a cloud-based, software-driven environment. Therefore, the newly introduced U.S. tariff program is not expected to have a material impact on our cost structure or service delivery. We remain attentive to the evolving global trade environment, and as always, we are committed to maintaining operational flexibility while continuing to scale our high-margin service offerings worldwide. Corporate Ads: On March 31st IQST Reported $1.40 revenue per share and $283.2 million in revenue for an impressive 95.9% Year Over Year growth. This very successful year expands the company's $79 million asset base helping to drive your expansion into Fintech, AI-driven services and other cutting-edge technologies. Please tell us more about how the current IQST financial intake is powering IQST expansion and increasing earnings ability for 2025 and beyond. Leandro Iglesias: Yes, our 2024 performance was a defining moment for IQSTEL. With $283.2 million in revenue, $1.40 revenue per share, and 95.9% year-over-year growth, we've significantly strengthened our financial foundation—most notably expanding our asset base to $79 million, a 257% increase compared to the previous year, and increasing our stockholders' equity by 48%, reaching $11.9 million. In addition, our stockholders' equity per share increased by 25.4%, further demonstrating the value we're building for our shareholders. These results reflect the scalability and strength of our business model as we continue advancing toward our long-term objectives. This momentum is not only a reflection of our robust telecom operations but also a strategic enabler for what comes next. Our reinforced balance sheet now allow us to confidently accelerate investment in high-margin, high-tech areas such as Fintech, AI-driven services, Cybersecurity, and next-gen telecom solutions. In 2025, this financial strength is powering: • The acquisition of Globetopper, expected to elevate our revenue run rate toward $400 million and expand our Fintech footprint. • Continued investment in AI-based platforms for customer engagement and automation. • A growing pipeline of strategic M&A focused on adding EBITDA-positive businesses. • Execution of a plan to generate up to $1 million in annual savings through operational efficiencies and technology integration. Together, these initiatives will enhance earnings capacity, strengthen profitability, and bring us even closer to our goal of becoming a profitable $1 billion revenue company. Corporate Ads: IQST has announced an MOU for the sale of 100% of its stake in subsidiary ItsBchain LLC, representing 75% of the company's total share capital to Accredited Solutions, Inc. (OTC: ASII). This transaction includesplans to distribute the common stock in ASII to IQST shareholders as a dividend. When do you think IQST shareholders might expect to receive this reward in their portfolios? Leandro Iglesias: Thank you for the question and for your interest in the ItsBchain transaction. Yes, we're very excited about the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with Accredited Solutions, Inc. (OTC: ASII) for the sale of 100% of our stake in ItsBchain LLC, representing 75% of ItsBchain's share capital. As part of this agreement, $500,000 worth of ASII common stock is planned to be distributed directly to IQSTEL shareholders, reinforcing our ongoing commitment to delivering value. While the MOU outlines the structure and intention, the transaction must proceed through final due diligence, definitive agreements, and regulatory compliance steps. Once these steps are completed and the shares are issued to IQSTEL, we will initiate the process to distribute them as a dividend to our shareholders. Although we are unable to provide an exact date at this time, our team is working diligently to move the process forward. We expect to update shareholders with a more precise timeline in the coming weeks, and we will make all necessary announcements via official filings and press releases. Corporate Ads: iQSTEL has completed 11 successful venture and acquisition events as a leader in the technology and telecommunications industries. The most recent acquisition of QXTEL brings a lot of financial value, generating $85 million in net revenue during 2024. Can you expand on your M&A strategy and the asset value it is bringing in for IQST shareholders? Leandro Iglesias: Thank you for your question and for recognizing the importance of our M&A achievements. Since 2018, iQSTEL has completed 11 strategic ventures and acquisitions, each carefully selected to strengthen our service offerings, expand our global reach, and increase shareholder value. Our most recent acquisition, QXTEL, has indeed been a transformational milestone, contributing $85 million in net revenue in 2024. Beyond the strong financial impact, QXTEL has expanded our international footprint, enriched our customer base, and added new service capabilities that align with our long-term strategy. However, it's important to emphasize that our growth story is not based solely on acquisitions. In 2024, iQSTEL achieved $52.7 million in organic revenue growth, excluding the QXTEL contribution. This came primarily from high-performing subsidiaries like Etelix, Swisslink, and IoT Labs, which continue to scale efficiently and profitably. In fact, our organic growth represented more than 36% of total revenue for the year—an essential proof point of the strength and sustainability of our business platform. Our M&A strategy is focused on acquiring businesses that not only add revenue and positive EBITDA, but also create cross-selling synergies across telecom, fintech, AI, and cybersecurity. In parallel, we continue to prioritize internal growth, ensuring that acquired and existing subsidiaries are fully integrated and aligned under a unified technology and operations platform. This dual approach—scaling both organically and through acquisitions—is core to our strategy to become a profitable $1 billion revenue, and we believe it will continue to deliver increasing asset value and long-term returns for our shareholders. Corporate Ads: iQSTEL has announced plans to acquire a company within the Telecom, Fintech, Cybersecurity, or AI services sectors, generating tens of millions of dollars in revenue and contributing over $1 million EBITDA annually. How close is this plan to being executed in 2025? Leandro Iglesias: In addition to the two MOUs we have already disclosed—the GlobeTopper acquisition in the fintech space and the divestiture of ItsBchain with a shareholder dividend component—we have been actively exploring several additional acquisition targets across our core focus areas: Telecom, Fintech, Cybersecurity, and AI services. We are in advanced discussions with some of these potential targets, which are generating tens of millions in revenue and contributing over seven digits in adjusted EBITDA annually, and we are moving forward with due diligence. As is our standard practice, we will formally disclose each opportunity once an MOU is signed and both parties are aligned on the terms. These acquisitions are fully aligned with our strategic goal of increasing profitability and reaching $1 billion in revenue, and we remain committed to acquiring businesses that are not only financially accretive, but also offer synergistic value across our divisions. Corporate Ads: iQSTEL also has plans to enhance IQST shareholder value with an uplisting to the Nasdaq exchange. What is your projected time frame to file for Nasdaq listing? Leandro Iglesias: Thank you for this question. An uplisting to the Nasdaq exchange is indeed an important milestone for iQSTEL and a key part of our long-term strategy to enhance shareholder value. However, it's equally important for us to emphasize that we are not in a hurry—we believe in doing things the right way, at the right time and with a purpose that serves our short, medium or long-term vision. We've been building something truly valuable. Our Telecom Division alone generated $2.5 million in adjusted EBITDA in 2024 and $1.7 million in Net Income, and we continue to grow through a mix of organic expansion and strategic acquisitions. We are not just chasing a listing—we are focused on building a solid, scalable, and profitable company that will stand out once we are listed. We believe that once we do uplist, iQSTEL's full value and potential will be widely recognized, and we will be even better positioned to attract long-term investors. Corporate Ads: iQSTEL Revenue Per Share since 2020 has risen steadily as we have seen in the IQST filings. Do you see the rate of revenue gains holding this steady growth rate in the years immediately ahead or accelerating? Leandro Iglesias: Thank you for highlighting one of the key indicators of our progress—Revenue Per Share (RPS). Since 2020, iQSTEL has demonstrated consistent and meaningful growth in RPS, reflecting not only our expanding top line but also our disciplined approach to building and protecting long-term shareholder value. In 2024, we reported $1.40 in revenue per share, a 65.4% increase over the previous year. Just as importantly, our stockholders' equity per share increased by 25.4%, underscoring the strength of our balance sheet and the tangible value we are delivering to shareholders as we scale the business. Looking ahead, we believe our revenue growth will not only remain steady—but accelerate. Our Telecom Division continues to scale efficiently, and our expansion into high-margin verticals such as Fintech, AI, and Cybersecurity is expected to contribute even more meaningfully to both revenue and profitability in the coming years. With upcoming opportunities like the Globetopper acquisition, further cost-efficiency initiatives, and a strong M&A pipeline, we are confident that iQSTEL is entering a new phase of accelerated revenue and margin expansion—delivering even greater value per share to our investors. Corporate Ads: What Revenue Forecasts are you now in a position to give for 2025? Leandro Iglesias: For 2025, iQSTEL has forecasted $340 million in revenue, driven by continued growth across our telecom subsidiaries and supported by strong organic performance from high-impact units like QXtel, Etelix, Swisslink, and IoT Labs. However, if we complete the acquisition of GlobeTopper as planned, we expect to reach a revenue run rate of approximately $400 million. GlobeTopper brings significant fintech capabilities and is aligned with our strategy to increase exposure to high-margin verticals. We remain focused on scaling efficiently and expanding our share in telecom, fintech, AI, and cybersecurity sectors—delivering sustainable, long-term value to our shareholders. Corporate Ads: Is iQSTEL still comfortable with its stated projection of becoming a $1 billionrevenue company with eight-digit positive EBITDA by 2027? Leandro Iglesias: Yes, we are absolutely comfortable and confident with our stated projection of becoming a $1 billion revenue company with eight-digit positive adjusted EBITDA by 2027. Our business model is highly scalable. We've built a robust business platform—particularly in our Telecom Division—that can triple its current revenue with almost no proportional increase in operating expenses. That means future revenue growth will have a direct and amplified impact on the bottom line, significantly enhancing profitability as we scale. With our current momentum—$283.2 million in revenue reported for 2024, $340 million forecasted for 2025, and a $400 million revenue run rate expected upon completion of the Globetopper acquisition—we are well on track. We're also pursuing additional strategic acquisitions and operational efficiencies that will help us accelerate both top-line and adjusted EBITDA growth, making the $1 billion revenue and strong EBITDA target by 2027 a realistic and achievable goal. Corporate Ads: iQSTEL has laid out key objectives to achieving its stated goals. One of these has been a rebranding effort with partner company ONAR. What does this cooperative effort do for both companies involved? Leandro Iglesias: Our rebranding effort with our strategic partner ONAR (Ticker: ONAR) has been an important step in aligning our visual identity and messaging with the company we've become—and the company we are building for the future. This collaboration is helping iQSTEL refresh its brand to reflect our evolution from a telecom-focused operation into a diversified, tech-driven multinational with growing presence in Fintech, AI, and Cybersecurity. ONAR brings world-class branding expertise to the table, and together, we've been crafting a modern and impactful brand that resonates across global markets and investor audiences alike. In Q2 2025, we will officially launch our new website and unveil our full brand book, starting with our presence at major telecom industry events. This will strengthen our positioning, enhance visibility, and better communicate our value proposition to customers, partners, and shareholders. Ultimately, this rebranding is more than a visual update—it's about reinforcing trust, credibility, and market leadership Corporate Ads: IQST also has put in place a strategic partnership with Cycurion (CYCU) for vital cybersecurity products in 2025. This collaboration grants Cycurion exclusive rights to deliver its cybersecurity products to the U.S. telecommunications industry through iQSTEL's vast network while also expanding its reach internationally. Do you see the Cycurion agreement as a significant avenue to expanding your reach more domestically or internationally or both? Leandro Iglesias: Yes, we absolutely see the partnership with Cycurion (Ticker: CYCU) as a significant strategic step for iQSTEL—both domestically and internationally. Cybersecurity is a new and important area of growth for us, and through this partnership, we're unlocking new business opportunities that complement our existing telecom and tech offerings. With our presence in over 20 countries and strong relationships with leading global telecom operators, we are in a unique position to help Cycurion scale both the U.S. telecommunications market and international markets where we already have deep customer trust. We have already identified multiple areas of cooperation and potential client engagements, and we expect to begin rolling out these initiatives in the near future. We plan to share exciting updates related to this partnership in Q2 and Q3 as we begin converting this alliance into new revenue streams and added value for our clients and shareholders. This partnership is just one more example of how iQSTEL is using its business platform to introduce high-tech, high-margin services that align with global market demand. Corporate Ads: The IQSTEL AI platform, ( continues to gain customers and partners. How is the company planning to expand on the application of AI in 2025 and beyond? Leandro Iglesias: AI is a central pillar of IQSTEL's future, and is one of our most innovative and exciting developments to date. We've built a powerful AI-driven platform designed for customer service, technical support, and sales lead generation, with a dual-interface experience: it works seamlessly both through a company's website and via a dedicated phone number. Users can switch between channels effortlessly, with the AI maintaining context and continuity—something very few platforms in the market can offer. Technologically, we're currently testing outbound call capabilities, which will unlock use cases such as: • Payment reminders • Appointment confirmations • Customer follow-ups • Proactive sales outreach These features make a versatile, scalable, and intelligent assistant that can reduce support costs, enhance customer satisfaction, and generate new revenue opportunities. On the commercial front, we continue to gain customers and expand partnerships. We recently showcased at the ASLAN tech event in Madrid, where the response was overwhelmingly positive. Businesses clearly see the value of implementing AI for real-time engagement and automation. Looking ahead, we plan to announce exciting new updates and client integrations in Q2, as we continue scaling across industries. Our vision is to make AI a practical, high-impact tool that transforms how companies interact with their customers—across every channel. How much of a stake to iQSTEL management have in IQST shareholder value? What equity positions do you hold yourselves? And what other financial commitments are you making to support the company's operations and business plans? Leandro Iglesias: The iQSTEL management team is deeply committed to the long-term success of the company and that commitment is reflected both in our equity position and our governance responsibilities. Currently, management holds the equivalent of approximately 40 million common shares in the form of preferred shares, which are subject to lock-up and leak-out agreements. This structure aligns our interests directly with those of our shareholders, as our ability to benefit from these shares depends entirely on the long-term value we help create for the company. In addition, Alvaro Quintana and I hold 51% of the voting rights of the company, giving us the ability to protect the strategic direction of the company and ensure that all key decisions are made in the best interest of IQSTEL and its stakeholders. It's also important to note that we started IQSTEL in 2018 by contributing 100% of Etelix, a fully operational telecom company valued at $4 million at the time. That founding contribution was the cornerstone of IQSTEL's early growth, and we have continued to invest our time, energy, and resources to build what has become a diversified, fast-growing multinational. We are not just executives—we are founders, long-term stakeholders, and fully aligned with our shareholders. We believe in the future we're building, and we're here for the long run. Corporate Ads: Thank you, Leandro Iglesias, President and CEO of iQSTEL. This has been a very informative interview. We look forward to speaking with you again in the future as all of your initiatives and plans progress towards the very impressive IQST goal of becoming a $1 billion company by 2027. About IQSTEL Inc. IQSTEL Inc. (OTCQX: IQST) is a multinational technology company offering cutting-edge solutions in Telecom, Fintech, Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Cybersecurity. Operating in 21 countries, iQSTEL delivers high-value, high-margin services to its extensive global customer base. iQSTEL projects $340 million in revenue for FY-2025, building on its strong business platform. Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures: The Company uses certain financial calculations such as Adjusted EBITDA, Return on Assets and Return on Equity as factors in the measurement and evaluation of the Company's operating performance and period-over-period growth. The Company derives these financial calculations on the basis of methodologies other than generally accepted accounting principles ('GAAP'), primarily by excluding from a comparable GAAP measure certain items the Company does not consider to be representative of its actual operating performance. These financial calculations are 'non-GAAP financial measures' as defined under the SEC rules. The Company uses these non-GAAP financial measures in operating its business because management believes they are less susceptible to variances in actual operating performance that can result from the excluded items, other infrequent charges and currency fluctuations. The Company presents these financial measures to investors because management believes they are useful to investors in evaluating the primary factors that drive the Company's core operating performance and provide greater transparency into the Company's results of operations. However, items that are excluded and other adjustments and assumptions that are made in calculating these non-GAAP financial measures are significant components in understanding and assessing the Company's financial performance. These non-GAAP financial measures should be evaluated in conjunction with, and are not a substitute for, the Company's GAAP financial measures. Further, because these non-GAAP financial measures are not determined in accordance with GAAP, and are thus susceptible to varying calculations, the non-GAAP financial measures, as presented, may not be comparable to other similarly-titled measures of other companies. Adjusted EBITDA is not a recognized accounting measurement under GAAP; it should not be considered as an alternative to net income, as a measure of operating results, or as an alternative to cash flow as a measure of liquidity. It is presented here not as an alternative to net income, but rather as a measure of the Company's operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA excludes, in addition to non-operational expenses like interest expenses, taxes, depreciation and amortization; items that we believe are not indicative of our operating performance, such as: Change in Fair Value of Derivative Liabilities: These adjustments reflect unrealized gains or losses that are non-operational and subject to market volatility. Loss on Settlement of Debt: This represents non-recurring expenses associated with specific financing activities and does not impact ongoing business operations. Stock-Based Compensation: As a non-cash expense, this adjustment eliminates variability caused by equity-based incentives. The Company believes Adjusted EBITDA offers a clearer view of the cash-generating potential of its business, excluding non-recurring, non-cash, and non-operational impacts. Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA is useful in evaluating the Company's operating performance compared to that of other companies in its industry because the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA generally eliminates the effects of financing, income taxes, non-cash and certain other items that may vary for different companies for reasons unrelated to overall operating performance and also believes this information is useful to investors. Safe Harbor Statement: Statements in this news release may be 'forward-looking statements'. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that express our intentions, beliefs, expectations, strategies, predictions, or any other information relating to our future activities or other future events or conditions. Words such as 'anticipate,' 'believe,' 'estimate,' 'expect,' 'intend', 'could' and similar expressions, as they relate to the company or its management, identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, and projections about our business based partly on assumptions made by management. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: our ability to successfully market our products and services; our continued ability to pay operating costs and ability to meet demand for our products and services; the amount and nature of competition from other telecom products and services; the effects of changes in the cybersecurity and telecom markets; our ability to successfully develop new products and services; our ability to complete complementary acquisitions and dispositions that benefit our company; our success establishing and maintaining collaborative, strategic alliance agreements with our industry partners; our ability to comply with applicable regulations; our ability to secure capital when needed; and the other risks and uncertainties described in our prior filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may and are likely to differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release, and iQSTEL Inc. undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news release. IQSTEL Inc. 300 Aragon Avenue, Suite 375, Coral Gables, FL 33134 Media Contact Company Name: IQSTEL Inc. Contact Person: Leandro Jose Iglesias, President and CEO Email: Send Email Phone: +1 954-951-8191 Address:300 Aragon Avenue Suite 375 City: Coral Gables State: Florida 33134
