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https://www.finextra.com/pressarticle/88069/thg-brands-to-offer-mode-as-a-payment-option-at-online-checkout
Mode Global Holdings Plc (“Mode”), the LSE-listed fintech group, is proud to announce that it has signed an MoU with THG Plc (“THG”), the proprietary technology platform specialising in taking brands direct to consumers globally, which will see THG brands offering Mode as an additional payment option for customers.
Through this partnership, Mode will leverage the power of Bitcoin and Open Banking to bring an innovative payments and rewards experience to THG’s customers, enabling them to make instant payments, earn Bitcoin rewards, and receive personalised offers, all in one app. For THG merchants, Mode’s mobile payments and loyalty solution can be a cheaper, safer and smarter alternative to card payments that caters to the needs of today’s digitally-native, modern consumer. It also helps these customers unlock the value of their digital assets in the real world.
Over the coming months, Mode and THG will work together to integrate Mode’s payments solution into THG Ingenuity, the e-commerce platform that powers the end-to-end digital commerce experience for all THG merchants. Mode will be enabled on 30+ THG brands over the next 12 months, starting from the end of Q3 2021. THG brands include Myprotein, Lookfantastic and Thehut.com.
Customers opting to pay with Mode will simply need to scan a QR code or click the “Pay with Mode” button at the checkout page and the payment will be processed instantly via the Mode app using their GBP funds. Payments will be authorised in real time through biometric security and Strong Customer Authentication. Customers will be rewarded in Bitcoin for eligible purchases, making it an attractive proposition for consumers looking to own cryptocurrencies without the risk of investing.
https://www.cityam.com/unicorn-nest-uk-hits-milestone-of-100-1bn-tech-companies-more-than-rest-of-europe-combined
"The UK tech sector has now 100 UK tech companies valued at $1bn or more, according to new data from Dealroom and Tech Nation, shared with City A.M. today."
Genuinely believe that 2 innovative tech companies listed on LSE will eventually become unicorns with a valuation of £1+ billion are DEV and MODE. Both companies are in a hot sector with disruptive tech that is scalable with clear paths to achieving high revenues.
https://www.cityam.com/unicorn-nest-uk-hits-milestone-of-100-1bn-tech-companies-more-than-rest-of-europe-combined
"The UK tech sector has now 100 UK tech companies valued at $1bn or more, according to new data from Dealroom and Tech Nation, shared with City A.M. today."
Genuinely believe that 2 innovative tech companies listed on LSE will eventually become unicorns with a valuation of £1+ billion are DEV and MODE. Both companies are in a hot sector with disruptive tech that is scalable with clear paths to achieving high revenues.
The below actually sounds like MODE who do make 1% from each Bitcoin transaction traded on their platform.
"As I keep saying, volatility in BTC is VERY GOOD for ARB as buy & selling means more BTC processing = more BTC profit for ARB - the worst thing would be for BTC to go up & not get traded - volume = profit for ARB & I wish the BTC gloom numpties could understand that - oh & Chinese miners out of action for now = more volume for ARB to process! It’s like owning a global ATM that charges for every deposit or withdrawal - doesn’t matter if people buy or sell as ARB always makes something"
https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-scottish-mail-on-sunday/20210613/284206583592881
Digital yuan and payment apps Alipay and WeChat Pay are not competitors, China’s central bank says
https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3137016/digital-yuan-and-payment-apps-alipay-and-wechat-pay-are-not
“ Alipay and WeChat Pay, defined as third-party payment service providers in China, are used by nearly all mainland Chinese smartphone users to conduct transactions on a daily basis.”
The below is not good news. However, Belluscura look like they are in a position to deliver their portable oxygen concentrators at a time when the demand will be huge.
Nearly 400,000 people still have long Covid a year after initial infection, new stats show - https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/long-covid-symptoms-coronavirus-update-b1859578.html
Official stats from Apple as of February 24, 2021 show that 86% of all devices introduced in the last four years use iOS 14. Three months on the figure should be closer to 90%+.
https://developer.apple.com/support/app-store
There will be a large percentage of people who use credit cards solely for the rewards such as cashback or loyalty points. These will be the savvy ones who pay off their credit card bill in full each month and accumulate rewards and would also be the ones that gravitate to using Mode if they are incentivized to do so.
https://modeapp.com/news/bitcoin-cashback-yes-youve-read-that-right/
We may not be the first in the UK to offer a Cashback service but we are when it comes to offering Bitcoin as Cashback. Not only does this help remove the barriers that stop people from getting involved in Bitcoin through investing their hard-earned money, our users will be able to get involved in the cryptocurrency, starting small and for free to grow their wealth. For our merchants, it’s a unique way to unlock the power of Bitcoin for their customers, in a seamless and simple way. It’s a win-win situation, you spend money at a store whilst you receive Bitcoin as a form of cashback!
Through research we have conducted, we’ve found that people want Bitcoin as a form of cashback in their day-to-day spending, and it’s no wonder why with Bitcoin being one of the most sought after assets at the moment. Some savers don’t want to invest in Bitcoin currently so it’s a great alternative to show what Bitcoin can do and get involved in the crypto space.
We won’t be making it obligatory for our partnered merchants to offer this to customers, but we think it is a fantastic opportunity for customers to begin their Bitcoin journey risk-free. Capital at risk.
The Mode payments app will be offering consumers an alternative way to pay for goods instead of using credit cards. Retailers will be incentivised as they will save money on credit card network fees. Consumers will be incentivised as they receive discounts through using the app to pay.
If you check the stats on how many credit card transactions there are each month in the U.K. - you’ll realise the potential in Mode even if Mode take a few percent of the market.
https://www.ukfinance.org.uk/sites/default/files/uploads/Data%20(XLS%20and%20PDF)/Card-Spending-Update-February-2021-final.pdf
Placing shares hit the market today. Guess some may have been sold with the big drop.
Just watching the video in the below introduction to Belluscura who listed today on the LSE and is part of the TEK portfolio. TEK are similar to RMS where their companies are are spun out from innovative university research projects.
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/paul-hill-a5994116_belluscura-management-discuss-their-successful-activity-6803928354153099264-kCh_/
After FDA approved their portable oxygen concentrator in March 2021 - Belluscura moved rapidly to raise funds by listing the company on the LSE which will be used to progress the commercialisation of their products. They've also provided a clear roadmap of releasing their products to market with the first product to be available in July.
With the speed that the Belluscura management team have moved to take advantage of the current market demand of oxygen concentrators - RMS management could do well to learn from them. The face masks are a lot simpler to manufacture compared to oxygen concentrators and there are plenty of companies out there who can do the manufacturing which is the route that Belluscura have gone down by outsourcing the manufacturing. RMS made a big mistake wasting time, cost and energy trying to manufacture the face masks themselves instead of focusing on what they are good at.
A lot of time and energy was also wasted due to TB being more focused on lining his own pockets at the expense of RMS shareholders than working cohesively with Gareth and his team to push forward the commercialisation of the antiviral face masks.
They really need to get a move on and make this a success especially with the significant funds raised for all the patient LTHs who have kept holding.
I think there will be some placees from the placing that are only invested short term and have been holding back the SP. Once they are done - we will rerate to a fair valuation considering there are more catalysts coming from the other portfolio companies.
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/paul-hill-a5994116_belluscura-management-discuss-their-successful-activity-6803928354153099264-kCh_/
There is no such thing as a ‘dead cert’ in smallcap investing. However specialist oxygen enrichment firm Belluscura may be as close as it gets. Why?
Well, not only is the company launching its break-through ultra-lightweight, portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) at a time of potentially enormous demand (re pandemic). But also it IPO’d this morning in an oversubscribed placing at 45p raising £17.5m. More than sufficient to commercialise its patented technology, with the funds primarily earmarked for investment in S&M, supply chain & growth – ie before becoming cashflow positive sometime in the next 2-3 years.
Here the $1.3bn global POC market is set to expand at 10%+ pa over the next 5 years, driven by the need to treat patients with severe respiratory conditions, such as COPD, pneumonia & coronavirus.
Indeed in this fascinating interview, CEO Bob Rauker & CFO Tony Dyer kindly walk me through Belluscura ’s commercialisation strategy, its best-in-class products & the huge runway ahead.
Additionally as a special treat for investors, there’s a short 2-minute product video towards the start that perfectly brings the technology to life.
https://www.**********.co.uk/articles/-belluscura-management-discuss-their-successful-ipo-and-17m-fundraise-e60f77d
https://twitter.com/**********/status/1398159643587842048?s=20
Many of us have been following the development of @Belluscura through holdings in @tekcapital. Great to see the launch onto the mkt as a stand alone entity and prove out the #TEK business model with a successful Spin-Out!
Great to see that there is a lock-in period of 12 months for the Belluscura shares that TEK hold. Can see BELL doing very well in the coming year.
"Tekcapital holds 17.1m shares of Belluscura plc. At the IPO Price of 45 pence per Belluscura share, Tekcapital's holding is worth ~ US$10.8m, which represents an uplift of ~US$8.8m, on the book value of the Company's holding in Belluscura (as at 30 November 2020). As part of the IPO process, TekCapital's shares are subject to a 12 month lock-in period as required by AIM Rule 7."
https://www.londonstockexchange.com/news-article/BELL/admission-to-trading-on-aim-first-day-of-dealings/14995395
Manufacturing
With FDA clearance received, the Group is now pressing ahead with developing the manufacturing capability. Belluscura is outsourcing manufacturing of the X-PLO2R to two separate US companies that have expertise in producing medical device products. The battery manufacturer is a leading provider of advanced battery and power systems for global Original Equipment Manufacturers ("OEMs"). The unit and zeolite cartridge manufacturer is a full service electronics manufacturing and custom material solutions provider with a proven track record of supplying state-of-the-art solutions to a diverse group of OEMs. These manufacturers are established US companies, which removes concerns on cross-border supply chain issues. The companies are certified to ISO 13485 and ISO 9001 standards.
The production process is advancing well and the Directors do not envisage any issues in the scaling up of production as demand builds. Further, as the level of demand increases the Group will be able to optimise the production process, thereby increasing gross margin.
Commercialisation Strategy
The Directors have adopted a five-phase process for the commercialisation of the X-PLO2R portfolio.
Phase 1
The X-PLO2R will launch in July 2021 with online distributors. The X-PLO2R CX is targeted for launch in December 2021 and expected to be available in the market from January 2022 onwards.
Phase 2
The Company expects that the X-PLO2R will launch with MediCare providers in November 2021 and in the market via this route from December 2021 onwards. It is also expected that the X-PLO2R CX will launch with various providers in January 2022 and in the market from February 2022 onwards
Phase 3
The Company expects to begin the marketing and manufacturing with medical companies that may produce the X-PLO2R portfolio under a private label as early as the second half of 2021.
Phase 4
The Directors intend to develop the Web E-Commerce to sell directly to consumers in December 2021, and launch these sales in February/March 2022.
Phase 5
The X-PLO2R DX is expected to launch in March 2022
Robert Rauker, CEO of Belluscura, said:
"The Belluscura team is excited to be trading on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. We are pleased to welcome new shareholders and thank them for their support in the Company. We are an oxygen enrichment company dedicated to improving the quality of life for those patients requiring supplemental oxygen.
"We believe our patented X-PLO2R range of small and discreet portable oxygen concentrators, delivering more oxygen by weight than any other device in their class, will be well-received in the large, expanding supplemental oxygen market."