Latest news with #WALL-E
Toronto Star
2 days ago
- Business
- Toronto Star
AVANTE ANNOUNCES ANNUAL RESULTS FOR FISCAL 2025 RESULTS WITH 35% REVENUE GROWTH AND 20% ADJUSTED EBITDA GROWTH
Avante Corp. achieved 35% year-over-year revenue growth in fiscal 2025 with Recurring Monthly Revenues improving by 21%. The Company achieved Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations of $1.76 million in fiscal 2025, an increase of 20% as compared to the prior fiscal year. The Company provides a positive outlook for fiscal 2026, driven by organic growth across its services including NSSG, Avante Black, Halo, Avante Verified, and WALL-E. TORONTO, Ontario, July 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Avante Corp. (TSX.V: XX) (OTC: ALXXF) ('Avante' or the 'Company') is pleased to announce its financial results for fiscal 2025, representing the three and twelve months ended March 31, 2025 (all amounts in Canadian dollars thousands, unless otherwise indicated).
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
AVANTE ANNOUNCES ANNUAL RESULTS FOR FISCAL 2025 RESULTS WITH 35% REVENUE GROWTH AND 20% ADJUSTED EBITDA GROWTH
TORONTO, Ontario, July 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Avante Corp. (TSX.V: XX) (OTC: ALXXF) ('Avante' or the 'Company') is pleased to announce its financial results for fiscal 2025, representing the three and twelve months ended March 31, 2025 (all amounts in Canadian dollars thousands, unless otherwise indicated). Manny Mounouchos, Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Board Chair of Avante, commented, 'Fiscal 2025 was a year of strong financial performance and focused execution across all divisions, each of which met or exceeded our internal expectations. Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA increased by 35% and 20% year-over-year, respectively, driven by strong performance in our Protective Services and Avante Black divisions, as well as a full year of revenue contribution from NSSG. Recurring Monthly Revenue grew by 21%, driven by an increase in monitoring customers and the rollout of new recurring services across our client base. Our elite Avante Black division achieved impressive year-over-year revenue growth of 118%, and we continue to see strong demand for its specialized investigation services. Looking ahead, we are excited by the potential scale of our tech-enabled platforms. WALL-E is ramping up in production and gaining interest from clients operating in remote and high-risk environments. Meanwhile, Avante Verified is building momentum as schools and institutions seek next-generation safety solutions. As we move into Fiscal 2026, we remain focused on innovation, expanding our recurring revenue base, and delivering world-class tech-enabled security solutions globally.' Raj Kapoor, Avante's Chief Financial Officer, added, 'Our fiscal 2025 performance reflects continued operational discipline, improved scalability, and stronger fundamentals across all divisions. The Company remains bank-debt free, with $4.7 million in cash and access to $12 million in unused credit facilities. Avante has delivered positive Adjusted EBITDA in every quarter for the past two fiscal years, reflecting improving profitability. Growth in higher-margin segments such as NSSG, Avante Black, and Monitoring continues to be a key driver of performance. Throughout the year, we prioritized cost control and strategic investments in the commercialization of WALL-E and expansion of Avante Verified. Our balance sheet remains strong, and we continue to assess capital allocation opportunities that will drive shareholder value.' ANNUAL FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE FISCAL 2025 ENDED MARCH 31, 2025: QUARTERLY FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE FOURTH FISCAL QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2025: OUTLOOK Management looks forward to continuing revenue and adjusted EBITDA growth in Fiscal 2026. The Company's long-term financials serve as a guide to developing and executing long-term corporate strategy. Management is pleased to reiterate the Company's long-term financial objectives: SUMMARY FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE FISCAL 2025 ENDED MARCH 31, 2025: Readers should refer to the Company's audited financial statements and MD&A in respect of its fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, for additional risk factors, accounting policies, detailed financial disclosures, reconciliation of non-IFRS financial measures to the most directly comparable IFRS financial measures, related party transactions, contingencies, and reporting of subsequent events. Such financial statements and MD&A are incorporated by reference into this news release and will be filed electronically through the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval ('SEDAR+'), which can be accessed at . (1)Adjusted EBITDA and Recurring Monthly Revenues ('RMR') are non-IFRS financial measures that have no standard meaning under IFRS and as a result may not be comparable to the calculation of similar measures by other companies. See Description of Non-IFRS Financial Measures. Reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA and RMR to Net Income or Revenues, as applicable, are provided in the Company's Management Discussion & Analysis ('MD&A'). The Company's ('RMR') from continuing operations during the last eight quarters are summarized below. Gross profit margins over the last eight quarters ranged between 37.7% and 44.2%, and were 41.0% on a trailing twelve-month basis to December 31, 2024: (1)The Company's fiscal year end is on March 31 of each year. 'F24' means the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024; and 'F25' means the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025. ABOUT AVANTE CORP.: Avante Corp Inc. is a Toronto based leading provider of security operatives and technology enabled security solutions to residential and commercial clients. Avante's mission is to deliver an elevated level of security globally, with white-glove mentality to high- net-worth families and corporations alike, through advanced solutions and methods of detecting conditions that require immediate response. The Company has developed a diversified security platform that leverages advanced technology solutions to provide a superior level of security services. With an experienced team and proven track record of solid growth, Avante is taking steps to establish a broad portfolio of security businesses and solutions for its customers through organic growth complemented by strategic acquisitions. Avante acquires, manages and builds industry leading businesses which provide specialized, mission-critical solutions that address the security risks of its clients. Avante is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the ticker 'XX'. For more information, please visit and consider joining our investor email list. Emmanuel Mounouchos Founder, CEO & Board Chair, Avante Corp. 416-923-6984 manny@ This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities described herein in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. This news release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The securities described herein have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States absent registration under U.S. federal and state securities laws or an applicable exemption from such U.S. registration requirements. Non-IFRS Financial Measures This press release includes certain measures which have not been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRS') such as EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Recurring Monthly Revenue ('RMR'). These non-IFRS measures are not recognized under IFRS and and do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. Accordingly, users are cautioned that these measures should not be construed as alternatives to net income determined in accordance with IFRS. The non-IFRS measures presented are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. References to EBITDA are to net income before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. References to Adjusted EBITDA are to net income before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization of intangibles & capitalized commissions, share-based payments, acquisition, integration and / or reorganization costs, deferred financing costs, loss (gain) in fair value of derivative liability and expensing of fair value adjustments per IFRS. Recurring Monthly Revenues, or RMR, represent revenue during the fiscal period that benefited from contractual periodic billing to customers, typically monthly, quarterly or annually. Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA and Recurring Monthly Revenues are appropriate additional measures for evaluating Avante's performance. Readers are cautioned that neither EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA nor Recurring Monthly Revenues should be construed as an alternative to net income or revenues (as such financial measures are determined under IFRS), as an indicator of financial performance or to cash flow from operating activities (as determined under IFRS) or as a measure of liquidity and cash flow. Avante's method of calculating EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Recurring Monthly Revenues may differ from methods used by other issuers and, accordingly, Avante's reported Non-IFRS measures may not be comparable to similar measures used by other issuers. Forward-Looking Information This news release may contain forward-looking statements (within the meaning of applicable securities laws) relating to the business of the Company and the environment in which it operates. Forward-looking statements are identified by words such as 'believe', 'anticipate', 'project', 'expect', 'intend', 'plan', 'will', 'may' 'estimate', 'pro-forma' and other similar expressions. These statements are based on the Company's expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections. The forward-looking statements in this news release are based on certain assumptions. They are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to control or predict. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the Company's ability to achieve the benefits expected as a result of the sale of Logixx Security Inc., anticipated growth from acquisitions, new service offerings and from development and deployment of new technologies and the list of risk factors identified in the Company's Management Discussion & Analysis (MD&A), Annual Information Form (AIF) and other continuous disclosure documents available at . There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate as actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Readers, therefore, should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Further, these forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, except as expressly required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update any such statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Japan Today
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
These tips from experts can help your teenager navigate AI companions
Bruce Perry, 17, demonstrates Character AI, an artificial intelligence chatbot software that allows users to chat with popular characters such as EVE from Disney's 2008 animated film, WALL-E, Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Russellville, Ark. (AP Photo/Katie Adkins) By JOCELYN GECKER As artificial intelligence technology becomes part of daily life, adolescents are turning to chatbots for advice, guidance and conversation. The appeal is clear: Chatbots are patient, never judgmental, supportive and always available. That worries experts who say the booming AI industry is largely unregulated and that many parents have no idea about how their kids are using AI tools or the extent of personal information they are sharing with chatbots. New research shows more than 70% of American teenagers have used AI companions and more than half converse with them regularly. The study by Common Sense Media focused on 'AI companions,' like Character. AI, Nomi and Replika, which it defines as 'digital friends or characters you can text or talk with whenever you want,' versus AI assistants or tools like ChatGPT, though it notes they can be used the same way. It's important that parents understand the technology. Experts suggest some things parents can do to help protect their kids: — Start a conversation, without judgment, says Michael Robb, head researcher at Common Sense Media. Approach your teen with curiosity and basic questions: 'Have you heard of AI companions?' 'Do you use apps that talk to you like a friend?' Listen and understand what appeals to your teen before being dismissive or saying you're worried about it. — Help teens recognize that AI companions are programmed to be agreeable and validating. Explain that's not how real relationships work and that real friends with their own points of view can help navigate difficult situations in ways that AI companions cannot. 'One of the things that's really concerning is not only what's happening on screen but how much time it's taking kids away from relationships in real life,' says Mitch Prinstein, chief of psychology at the American Psychological Association. 'We need to teach kids that this is a form of entertainment. It's not real, and it's really important they distinguish it from reality and should not have it replace relationships in your actual life.' The APA recently put out a health advisory on AI and adolescent well-being, and tips for parents. — Parents should watch for signs of unhealthy attachments. 'If your teen is preferring AI interactions over real relationships or spending hours talking to AI companions, or showing that they are becoming emotionally distressed when separated from them — those are patterns that suggest AI companions might be replacing rather than complementing human connection,' Robb says. — Parents can set rules about AI use, just like they do for screen time and social media. Have discussions about when and how AI tools can and cannot be used. Many AI companions are designed for adult use and can mimic romantic, intimate and role-playing scenarios. While AI companions may feel supportive, children should understand the tools are not equipped to handle a real crisis or provide genuine mental health support. If kids are struggling with depression, anxiety, loneliness, an eating disorder or other mental health challenges, they need human support — whether it is family, friends or a mental health professional. — Get informed. The more parents know about AI, the better. 'I don't think people quite get what AI can do, how many teens are using it and why it's starting to get a little scary,' says Prinstein, one of many experts calling for regulations to ensure safety guardrails for children. 'A lot of us throw our hands up and say, 'I don't know what this is!' This sounds crazy!' Unfortunately, that tells kids if you have a problem with this, don't come to me because I am going to diminish it and belittle it.' Older teenagers have advice, too, for parents and kids. Banning AI tools is not a solution because the technology is becoming ubiquitous, says Ganesh Nair, 18. 'Trying not to use AI is like trying to not use social media today. It is too ingrained in everything we do,' says Nair, who is trying to step back from using AI companions after seeing them affect real-life friendships in his high school. 'The best way you can try to regulate it is to embrace being challenged.' 'Anything that is difficult, AI can make easy. But that is a problem,' says Nair. 'Actively seek out challenges, whether academic or personal. If you fall for the idea that easier is better, then you are the most vulnerable to being absorbed into this newly artificial world.' The Associated Press' education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
The Star
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
These tips from experts can help your teenager navigate AI companions
Bruce Perry, 17, demonstrates Character AI, an artificial intelligence chatbot software that allows users to chat with popular characters such as EVE from Disney's 2008 animated film WALL-E in Russellville, Arkansas. — AP As artificial intelligence technology becomes part of daily life, adolescents are turning to chatbots for advice, guidance and conversation. The appeal is clear: Chatbots are patient, never judgmental, supportive and always available. That worries experts who say the booming AI industry is largely unregulated and that many parents have no idea about how their kids are using AI tools or the extent of personal information they are sharing with chatbots. New research shows more than 70% of American teenagers have used AI companions and more than half converse with them regularly. The study by Common Sense Media focused on "AI companions,' like Character. AI, Nomi and Replika, which it defines as "digital friends or characters you can text or talk with whenever you want,' versus AI assistants or tools like ChatGPT, though it notes they can be used the same way. It's important that parents understand the technology. Experts suggest some things parents can do to help protect their kids: – Start a conversation, without judgment, says Michael Robb, head researcher at Common Sense Media. Approach your teen with curiosity and basic questions: "Have you heard of AI companions?' "Do you use apps that talk to you like a friend?' Listen and understand what appeals to your teen before being dismissive or saying you're worried about it. – Help teens recognise that AI companions are programmed to be agreeable and validating. Explain that's not how real relationships work and that real friends with their own points of view can help navigate difficult situations in ways that AI companions cannot. "One of the things that's really concerning is not only what's happening on screen but how much time it's taking kids away from relationships in real life,' says Mitch Prinstein, chief of psychology at the American Psychological Association. "We need to teach kids that this is a form of entertainment. It's not real, and it's really important they distinguish it from reality and should not have it replace relationships in your actual life.' The APA recently put out a health advisory on AI and adolescent well-being, and tips for parents. – Parents should watch for signs of unhealthy attachments. "If your teen is preferring AI interactions over real relationships or spending hours talking to AI companions, or showing that they are becoming emotionally distressed when separated from them – those are patterns that suggest AI companions might be replacing rather than complementing human connection,' Robb says. – Parents can set rules about AI use, just like they do for screen time and social media. Have discussions about when and how AI tools can and cannot be used. Many AI companions are designed for adult use and can mimic romantic, intimate and role-playing scenarios. While AI companions may feel supportive, children should understand the tools are not equipped to handle a real crisis or provide genuine mental health support. If kids are struggling with depression, anxiety, loneliness, an eating disorder or other mental health challenges, they need human support – whether it is family, friends or a mental health professional. – Get informed. The more parents know about AI, the better. "I don't think people quite get what AI can do, how many teens are using it and why it's starting to get a little scary,' says Prinstein, one of many experts calling for regulations to ensure safety guardrails for children. "A lot of us throw our hands up and say, 'I don't know what this is!' This sounds crazy!' Unfortunately, that tells kids if you have a problem with this, don't come to me because I am going to diminish it and belittle it.' Older teenagers have advice, too, for parents and kids. Banning AI tools is not a solution because the technology is becoming ubiquitous, says Ganesh Nair, 18. "Trying not to use AI is like trying to not use social media today. It is too ingrained in everything we do,' says Nair, who is trying to step back from using AI companions after seeing them affect real-life friendships in his high school. "The best way you can try to regulate it is to embrace being challenged.' "Anything that is difficult, AI can make easy. But that is a problem,' says Nair. "Actively seek out challenges, whether academic or personal. If you fall for the idea that easier is better, then you are the most vulnerable to being absorbed into this newly artificial world.' – AP
Indian Express
15-07-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Save Our Samosa
Could outlawing all that is delicious be the only way to ensure that we eat healthy? This thought that popped into my head for a second and took another couple of seconds to articulate out loud left me wondering: Where did my relationship with food go so wrong? That we should all eat our food as pills or suck it through a straw, as the humans in the 2008 Pixar film WALL-E do, has always struck me as one of the most needlessly cruel and utterly stupid science fiction tropes. Food reduced to mere nourishment: That's not efficiency, that's joylessness. So what made me argue to myself that ridding the world of tasty food might be any kind of solution? The answer is all around us, in our diet-obsessed, fat-shaming, hunger-guilting culture. It's in the fact that we are now sold food based not on what it has, but what it doesn't have. We are in the age, as the meme goes, of the 'super easy, two ingredient, low calorie, no bake, no refrigerate, no flour, no sugar, no gluten, no egg, no carb, no fat, no woman, no cry, no beans, no greens, no tomatoes, no lambs, no rams, no hogs, no dogs, no chicken, no turkey, no rabbits, you name it, high protein peanut butter banana oat bars.' A relationship with food that is so broken that it is easier to mock than fix. Amidst this comes the Health Ministry instruction to schools, offices and public institutions to put up display boards in canteens that warn people about the fat and sugar content of the food available. So, samosas, with their crisp, flaky crusts and steaming, spicy fillings, will be judged by how much trans fats they contain, and tea, that mid-afternoon rejuvenator of spirits, by how much sugar it has. Where is the overworked official, the underpaid clerk, the overburdened student to find solace? True happiness may not be found inside a samosa, but pleasure certainly is. It is foolish to measure the nourishment that food provides just in terms of its protein, fat or fibre content: One of the few purely sensual pleasures available to most, food is also a source of comfort and quiet joy. It offers affirmation and security, and defines the tenor of our days. How can this vast, capacious vessel — which carries us through good times and bad, through memories and daydreams, forging connections and deepening our understanding of our differences and similarities — be reduced to mere calories? This is the cross that we in the 21st century have to bear. Food has never been more plentiful in the history of humanity, and yet never has it been so burdened with our complicated feelings about ourselves and our bodies. We tell ourselves that we don't 'deserve' another spoonful of ice cream because we didn't get our 10,000 steps that day. We 'cheat' on our diets with pizza and cake, and we feel smug about eating no more than a tablespoon of rice with baked fish and steamed broccoli. Hunger is no longer a biological imperative, it is a calculation — of macros and micronutrients, of 'empty' calories, 'good' fats and 'bad'. Just like food, there is plenty of blame to go around too — towards the content overload of the age, the half- or misinformed advice peddled by wellness influencers, and the global food processing and health and fitness industries that have turned food and all our complexes about it into a source of profit. When what should be instinct — how much to eat and when to stop — is repackaged and sold to us as advice about 'mindful eating', it is time to stop and consider our own part in what is, after all, a crisis of overconsumption. But as we strive to be better and eat better, let pleasure not become collateral damage. It is time to send an SOS: Spare Our Samosas. Let Our Jalebis….Just Be.
