The post Phunware Partners with Wave Financial for Initial Exchange Offerings and Listings of Phun Utility Token appeared first on Phunware.
]]>Austin, Texas [June 27, 2019] (ORIGINAL: BUSINESS WIRE) – Phunware, Inc. (NASDAQ: PHUN) (the “Company”), a fully-integrated enterprise cloud platform for mobile that provides products, solutions, data and services for brands worldwide, announced today that it has partnered with Wave Financial Group for its anticipated Initial Exchange Offerings (IEOs) and subsequent exchange listings of its Phun utility token.
Phunware offers a dual token economy within its Multiscreen-as-a-Service (MaaS) platform, in which one digital asset, PhunCoin, is a compliant security token that enables consumers to monetize their digital identity, while the other digital asset, Phun, is a utility token that enables consumers to monetize their digital activity when engaging in profitable behavior with brands. These two tokens underpin the Company’s recently launched blockchain-enabled data exchange and mobile loyalty ecosystem.
“Wave Financial has been part of the Phunware journey since our first seed round investment in 2009,” said David Siemer, CEO of Wave Financial. “We have participated in most of the Company’s private financing rounds, including its PhunCoin offering, and are extremely excited about its successful Nasdaq listing at the end of last year. Phunware is one of our largest holdings across several fund vehicles and we are now actively assisting the Company with anticipated IEOs and accompanying exchange listings for Phun, internationally.”
Wave Financial has extensive experience with cryptocurrency and blockchain initiatives, including access to important companies, organizations, individuals and teams that will be critical to the successful rollout and scaling of the Company’s new platform offerings with blockchain. Given the current regulatory environment, PhunCoin is only available to accredited investors excluding New York residents pursuant to a Reg D 506(c) exemption, while Phun is currently only available to residents outside of the United States and Canada. Residents outside the United States and Canada can purchase Phun at https://buy.phuntoken.com/. For more information, visit https://www.phuntoken.com/ or email phun@127.0.0.1.
Under Rule 506(c), general solicitation of offerings is permitted. However, purchasers in a Rule 506(c) offering must be “accredited investors.” This press release does not constitute an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to purchase any securities nor shall there be any offer, sale, or solicitation of the securities referenced herein in any state or other jurisdiction in which such an offer, sale, or solicitation is not permitted. Any offers of the securities will be made only by means of a private offering memorandum.
This press release includes forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, business strategy and plans, and our objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “expose,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.
The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. Future developments affecting us may not be those that we have anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) and other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those factors described under the heading “Risk Factors” in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including our reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K and other filings that we make with the SEC from time to time. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. These risks and others described under “Risk Factors” in our SEC filings may not be exhaustive.
By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. We caution you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that our actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and developments in the industry in which we operate may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. In addition, even if our results or operations, financial condition and liquidity, and developments in the industry in which we operate are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, those results or developments may not be indicative of results or developments in subsequent periods.
Wave Financial Group is a holding company providing investment and asset management focused on the rapidly growing digital asset and blockchain ecosystem. Led by veteran investors in the venture capital, commodity and alternative asset fields, the Wave group of companies offers accredited and institutional investors a bridge between traditional asset management and the future of finance.
The Wave group of companies offer strategic products and services structured to provide liquidity and access to established cryptocurrencies, as well as rapidly growing projects. Its innovative Wave Select 20 Index, which tracks the performance of nearly the entire cryptocurrency market (excluding privacy tokens and stablecoins), is weighted by market capitalization and underpins funds available to accredited and international investors.
Wave Financial LLC is a Registered Investment Advisor (CRD#292343) and also provides treasury management services and consultation to investors and businesses in the digital asset ecosystem.
Everything You Need to Succeed on Mobile — Transforming Digital Human Experience
Phunware, Inc. (NASDAQ: PHUN), is the pioneer of Multiscreen-as-a-Service (MaaS), a fully integrated enterprise cloud platform for mobile that provides companies the products, solutions, data and services necessary to engage, manage and monetize their mobile application portfolios and audiences globally at scale. Phunware’s Software Development Kits (SDKs) include location-based services, mobile engagement, content management, messaging, advertising, loyalty (PhunCoin & Phun) and analytics, as well as a mobile application framework of pre-integrated iOS and Android software modules for building in-house or channel-based mobile application and vertical solutions. Phunware helps the world’s most respected brands create category-defining mobile experiences, with more than one billion active devices touching its platform each month. For more information about how Phunware is transforming the way consumers and brands interact with mobile in the virtual and physical worlds, visit https://www.phunware.com, https://www.phuncoin.com and follow @phunware and @phuncoin on all social media platforms.
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]]>The post Phunware Announces Dual Token Structure appeared first on Phunware.
]]>Austin, Texas [May 30, 2019] (ORIGINAL: BUSINESS WIRE) – Phunware, Inc. (NASDAQ: PHUN), a fully-integrated enterprise cloud platform for mobile that provides products, solutions, data and services for brands worldwide, today announced the introduction of the Phun utility token (“Phun”) for its Multiscreen as a Service (MaaS) platform. The company’s dual token structure for MaaS ensures PhunCoin security tokens (“PhunCoin”) remain a regulated store of value, while Phun utility tokens act as a medium of exchange within the Phunware ecosystem.
Phun utility token to complement PhunCoin security token, enabling the commercial launch of Phunware’s blockchain-enabled data exchange and mobile loyalty ecosystem
Brands are able to purchase credits on the company’s blockchain-enabled data exchange to access the curated data in Phunware’s Knowledge Graph. Consumers are able to opt-in and engage with brands while maintaining full control of their digital identity. While PhunCoin captures the value of data, Phun is used in parallel to facilitate both ecosystem transactions and data collection.
“PhunCoin is a regulated investment vehicle that is available pursuant to existing securities regulations in the United States,” said Randall Crowder, Chief Operating Officer of Phunware. “However, we are excited to introduce Phun as a new utility token to not only support our ecosystem’s commercial launch worldwide, but also to enable the international community to get more actively involved as we drive towards mainstream adoption beyond our domestic borders.”
PhunCoin security token purchases afford fractional equity interests in the company’s blockchain-enabled data exchange, including ongoing monthly PhunCoin dividends to token holders totaling 2.5% of the monthly credits purchased by Phunware customers based on their respective pro rata ownership percentage. Token offerings for the United States, excluding New York residents, have been available via Reg D 506(c) and Reg CF. The Reg D 506(c) offering remains open to accredited investors, while the Reg CF offering for accredited and unaccredited investors was completed earlier this month on Republic at 350% of plan. Accredited investors can contact the company for more information about PhunCoin at phuncoin@127.0.0.1, while both accredited and unaccredited investors outside the United States can contact the company for more information about Phun at phun@127.0.0.1.
“We want to empower consumers to take control of their digital identity by decentralizing data and eliminating the need for untrustworthy intermediaries that continue to defraud brands and consumers alike,” said Alan S. Knitowski, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Phunware. “Personal data is an inalienable human right and we intend to deliver the benefits and promise of blockchain to the world’s population through the most important medium of interaction between consumers and the brands they love – a mobile device.”
A formal announcement of the company’s blockchain-enabled data exchange and mobile loyalty ecosystem launch will be provided in late June, including intermediate updates over the next several weeks as new partnerships and MaaS components are activated in support of these initiatives.
This press release includes forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, business strategy and plans, and our objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “expose,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.
The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. Future developments affecting us may not be those that we have anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) and other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those factors described under the heading “Risk Factors” in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including our reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K and other filings that we make with the SEC from time to time. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. These risks and others described under “Risk Factors” in our SEC filings may not be exhaustive.
By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. We caution you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that our actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and developments in the industry in which we operate may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. In addition, even if our results or operations, financial condition and liquidity, and developments in the industry in which we operate are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, those results or developments may not be indicative of results or developments in subsequent periods.
Everything You Need to Succeed on Mobile — Transforming Digital Human Experience
Phunware, Inc. (NASDAQ: PHUN), is the pioneer of Multiscreen-as-a-Service (MaaS), a fully integrated enterprise cloud platform for mobile that provides companies the products, solutions, data and services necessary to engage, manage and monetize their mobile application portfolios and audiences globally at scale. Phunware’s Software Development Kits (SDKs) include location-based services, mobile engagement, content management, messaging, advertising, loyalty and rewards (PhunCoin), and analytics, as well as a mobile application framework of pre-integrated iOS and Android software modules for building in-house or channel-based mobile application and vertical solutions. Phunware helps the world’s most respected brands create category-defining mobile experiences, with more than one billion active devices touching its platform each month. For more information about how Phunware is transforming the way consumers and brands interact with mobile in the virtual and physical worlds, visit https://www.phunware.com, https://www.phuncoin.com and follow @phunware and @phuncoin on all social media platforms.
The post Phunware Announces Dual Token Structure appeared first on Phunware.
]]>The post Video: Phunware and PhunCoin – An Interview with Randall Crowder appeared first on Phunware.
]]>The post Video: Phunware and PhunCoin – An Interview with Randall Crowder appeared first on Phunware.
]]>The post Phunware Selected for Inaugural IBM Blockchain Accelerator program appeared first on Phunware.
]]>The IBM Blockchain Accelerator is an invite-only program requiring nominations from investors, customers and IBM representatives and is focused on collaborating with established, high-growth companies to develop category-defining enterprise blockchain networks.
“We’re thrilled to have been chosen for the IBM Blockchain Accelerator and believe that mainstream adoption of cryptocurrency will happen as the result of collaborations with technology leaders such as IBM,” said Phunware’s Chief Operating Officer, Randall Crowder. “The future of blockchain rests in real companies with real experience launching compliant cryptocurrencies that complement real business models.”
Phunware recently launched PhunCoin, its innovative security token designed to reimagine enterprise loyalty programs and promote data transparency. Phunware intends to use PhunCoin to transform the relationship between brands and consumers by providing individuals the opportunity to earn PhunCoin in return for their engagement, while also providing companies the opportunity to build a more transparent, authentic and engaged relationship with their audiences.
Phunware Transforms Digital Human Experience for Brands
Phunware Inc. is the pioneer of Multiscreen-as-a-Service (MaaS), a fully integrated enterprise cloud platform for mobile that provides companies the products, solutions, data and services necessary to engage, manage and monetize their mobile application portfolios and audiences globally at scale. Phunware’s Software Development Kits (SDKs) include location-based services, mobile engagement, content management, messaging, advertising, loyalty and rewards (PhunCoin), and analytics as well as a mobile application framework of pre-integrated iOS and Android software modules for building in-house or channel-based mobile application solutions and vertical solutions. Phunware helps the world’s most respected brands create category-defining mobile experiences, with more than one billion active devices touching its platform each month. For more information about how Phunware is transforming the way consumers and brands interact with mobile in the virtual and physical worlds, visit www.phunware.com, www.phuncoin.com and follow @phunware on all social media platforms.
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]]>The post Phunware Announces the PhunCoin Launch Alliance appeared first on Phunware.
]]>Through 10 years of providing brands with everything they need to succeed on mobile, Phunware has seen firsthand the frustration marketers experience around the lack of transparency from traditional data exchanges. While the black box approach to buying data and audiences has worked reasonably well up until now, increasingly companies share the same concerns around data privacy, respect and economic incentives as consumers. As organizations demand more accountability and transparency from their marketing dollars spent, and as consumers demand more visibility into how their personal data and information is used and monetized, immutable, open and fully-auditable transactions and interactions will become the new normal for all ecosystem participants. The PhunCoin ecosystem was created specifically to address these challenges and aims to solve the current market confusion and opaqueness around data transactions and interactions with full, open accountability and transparency to all parties at all times.
Phunware has architected both its data exchange and its PhunCoin ecosystem to allow brands to purchase PhunCoin using their traditional mobile marketing dollars and then use those PhunCoin to directly access audiences on Phunware’s data exchange. The PhunCoin ecosystem allows brands to eliminate intermediaries and connect directly with consumers, rewarding them economically for voluntarily participating in the sharing of their personal data and information in exchange for completing brand-specific loyalty and monetization activities and interactions on a 1:1 basis.
For January and February of 2019, PhunCoin Launch Alliance participants will receive incentive multiples on their marketing spend with Phunware through the following tiered offering:
“We’re pleased to be innovating the next level of consumer engagement for brands,” said Phunware co-founder and CEO, Alan S. Knitowski. “Increasingly, brands are tired of being embarrassed by the way external intermediary partners treat consumer data. Leveraging the blockchain to create an open, transparent and trusted relationship between brands and consumers provides the data compliance and protection that brands are looking for today, as well as identity protection and economic incentives for the voluntary participation of their consumers.”
For more information on this program, please email alliance@127.0.0.1. For more information on PhunCoin, please visit www.phuncoin.com.
Phunware is the pioneer of Multiscreen as a Service (MaaS), a fully integrated enterprise software platform for mobile that provides companies the products, solutions, data and services necessary to engage, manage and monetize their mobile application audiences globally at scale. Phunware helps the world’s most respected brands create category-defining mobile experiences, with more than one billion active devices touching its platform each month. For more information about how Phunware is transforming the way consumers and brands interact with mobile in the virtual and physical worlds, visit www.phunware.com, www.phuncoin.com and follow @phunware on all social media platforms.
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]]>The post PhunCoin from Phunware Takes the Stage at the 13th Blockchain Symposium in Seoul, South Korea appeared first on Phunware.
]]>Austin, Texas [August 24, 2018] – Today Phunware, a leading enterprise cloud platform for mobile which provides software, solutions, data and services for brands worldwide, announced that co-founder and CEO, Alan S. Knitowski will address SYNCO’s 13th Blockchain Symposium on August 30th, 2018 in Seoul, South Korea.
PhunCoin from Phunware, an innovative cryptocurrency which will have unique global reach and distribution, will allow consumers to take back control of their data by creating a value-based exchange and a virtuous cycle of monetization.
NASDAQ-Pending Phunware decided to launch PhunCoin as a complement to their existing software and infrastructure business which averages more than 1 billion monthly active devices and more than 6 billion daily transactions worldwide and serves Fortune 5000 customers in verticals including entertainment, retail, residential and hospitality, medical and others.
Given their deep and rich base of consumer mobile data, Phunware is uniquely qualified to launch a transactional cryptocurrency designed to enable and enhance the mobile brand experience for both brands and consumers. PhunCoin will reinvent how consumers control their identities, share their personal data and get compensated for providing personal information using digital smart contracts on the blockchain, a vision Phunware believes will position PhunCoin for mainstream adoption.
SYNCO, incorporated in South Korea and Hong Kong, is Asia’s leading blockchain community network. It offers a comprehensive suite of services in media, education, investments, and blockchain centers. SYNCO has been hosting Korea Blockchain Symposiums with Key Opinion Leaders and prominent ICO projects since August 2017.
“Asia is a critical region in the launch of any global cryptocurrency, and South Korea in particular is a leader in cryptocurrency innovation,” said Knitowski. “We’re excited to share both Phunware the company and PhunCoin the project with the impressive audience of experts and investors within SYNCO’s influential community.”
Phunware is the pioneer of Multiscreen as a Service (MaaS), a fully integrated suite of platform products, solutions and data that allows brands to engage, manage and monetize their anytime, anywhere mobile application users worldwide. Phunware helps the world’s most respected brands create category-defining mobile experiences, with more than one billion active devices touching its platform each month. On February 28, 2018, Phunware also announced its intent to go public through a merger with Stellar Acquisition III, Inc. (Nasdaq: STLR), a publicly-traded blank check company, and to launch a cryptonetworking Token Generation Event (TGE) called PhunCoin. For more information about how Phunware is transforming the way consumers and brands interact with mobile in the virtual and physical worlds, visit www.phunware.com and follow @phunware on all social media platforms.
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]]>The post Video: PhunCoin at Hybrid Summit 2018 appeared first on Phunware.
]]>The post Video: PhunCoin at Hybrid Summit 2018 appeared first on Phunware.
]]>The post Phunware Launches a $100 Million PhunCoin Token Rights Sale appeared first on Phunware.
]]>Austin, Texas [June 5, 2018] – On February 28, 2018, Stellar Acquisition III, Inc. (NASDAQ: STLR), announced that it entered into a definitive agreement to combine with Phunware. Today, Phunware, a leading enterprise cloud platform for mobile that provides software, solutions, data and services for brands worldwide, announced that its subsidiary, PhunCoin, Inc., has launched an offering for a new token pursuant to Rule 506(c) of Regulation D as promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933. The PhunCoin ecosystem is intended to complement and accelerate Phunware’s core business as an enterprise cloud platform for mobile.
Phunware’s nine years of business-to-business leadership has provided seamlessly integrated enterprise software, hardware and data that enables brands to have more engaging, meaningful and loyal consumer connections and experiences in their mobile applications. This success has led the company to develop PhunCoin, an innovative business-to-consumer application of blockchain technology. Once operational, PhunCoin will enable brands to not only reward their consumers, but also to empower them to retake control of both their identity and their personal data.
“We expect that blockchain technology will enable us to deliver immutable solutions to brands and consumers that fiat currency could simply never achieve at our scale,” said Phunware CEO and Co-Founder, Alan S. Knitowski. “Our ability to reach 1 in 10 mobile devices globally through our enterprise cloud platform for mobile will allow us to introduce PhunCoin first to thousands, and subsequently to millions, of people who likely have never owned a digital asset of any type in the past.”
As witnessed by recent Congressional and Parliamentary hearings both here in the United States and elsewhere, consumers, their identities and their data have long been used by corporations with little control or benefit to the individuals affected. However, with Phunware’s scale and reach to more than two and a half billion devices that have used its platform worldwide, including more than one billion unique active devices per month, the company believes that it will be well positioned through PhunCoin to enable and enhance brand experiences globally. PhunCoin intends to reimagine how consumers control their identities, share their data and get compensated for providing their information using digital smart contracts on the blockchain through which consumers can control what they receive from brands in return.
“We look to invest in projects like PhunCoin that bridge the gap between cryptocurrency and real-world users,” said Ari Paul, Chief Investment Officer and Managing Partner of BlockTower Capital.
Launched in Austin in 2009, Phunware has attracted more than $100 million in traditional financing to date from institutional and corporate strategic investors including Cisco Investments, Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Fraser McCombs Ventures, Khazanah Nasional Berhad (Malaysian Sovereign Wealth Fund), Maxima Ventures, PLDT Capital, Samsung Venture Investment Corporation (SVIC), Wavemaker Partners (Draper Venture Network Fund), World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), Wild Basin Investments, Baylor Angel Network (BAN), Central Texas Angel Network (CTAN) and Houston Angel Network (HAN), amongst others.
“Phunware is among the first of a new wave of large, late stage private and public companies launching tokens for decentralized platforms,” said David Siemer, Co-Founder and General Partner of Wavemaker Genesis. “This may mark the end of an era in crypto as it will be increasingly difficult for early crypto startups to compete with the global scale and resources of companies like Phunware. We were extremely excited to participate in Phunware’s latest investment round and are even more excited to participate with its launch of PhunCoin.”
General. Phunware is the pioneer of Multiscreen as a Service (MaaS), a fully integrated suite of platform products, solutions and data that allows brands to engage, manage and monetize their anytime, anywhere mobile application users worldwide. Phunware helps the world’s most respected brands create category-defining mobile experiences, with more than one billion active devices touching its platform each month.
Proposed Merger. On February 28, 2018, Phunware announced its intent to go public through a merger with Stellar Acquisition III, Inc. (Nasdaq: STLR), a publicly-traded blank check company, and to use commercially reasonable efforts to launch PhunCoin. For more information about how Phunware is transforming the way consumers and brands interact with mobile in the virtual and physical worlds, visit www.phunware.com and follow @phunware on all social media platforms.
https://complyapi.coinlist.co/phuncoin/
This document does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase any securities of PhunCoin. This document in not intended for distribution to, or use by, any person or entity in any jurisdiction or country where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation. Any such offer or solicitation may only be made subject to completion of a Token Rights Agreement and on the terms set forth in the PPM which will contain material information not included herein and shall supersede, amend and supplement this document in its entirety. The securities will be subject to restrictions on transferability and resale. In particular, this document is not intended for distribution in the United States or for the account of U.S. residents, except to persons who are “accredited investors” (as defined in Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act). Investors should have the financial ability and willingness to accept the financial and risk characteristics of an investment in the Rights.
Stellar has filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 with a proxy statement containing information about the proposed transaction and the respective businesses of Phunware and Stellar. Stellar will mail a final prospectus and definitive proxy statement and other relevant documents after the SEC completes its review. Stellar and Phunware shareholders are urged to read the preliminary prospectus and proxy statement and any amendments thereto and the final prospectus and definitive proxy statement in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the special meetings to be held to approve the proposed transaction, because these documents will contain important information about Stellar, Phunware and the proposed transaction. The final prospectus and definitive proxy statement will be mailed to shareholders of Stellar and Phunware of a record date to be established for voting on the proposed transaction. Shareholders will also be able to obtain a free copy of the proxy statement, as well as other filings containing information about Stellar, without charge, at the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov) or by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. Copies of the proxy statement and other filings with the SEC can also be obtained, without charge, by directing a request to: Stellar Acquisition III Inc., 90 Kifisias Avenue, Marousi 15125, Athens, Greece. Additionally, all documents filed with the SEC can be found on Stellar’s website, www.stellaracquisition.com.
Stellar is a Republic of Marshall Islands blank check company, also commonly referred to as a Special Purpose Acquisition Company, or SPAC, formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, asset acquisition or other business combination with one or more businesses or entities. Stellar’s units, shares of common stock and warrants are currently listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbols “STLRU,” “STLR” and “STLRW”, respectively.
Stellar, Phunware and their respective directors and executive officers and other persons may be deemed to be participants in the solicitations of proxies from Stellar’s shareholders in respect of the proposed transaction. Information regarding Stellar’s directors and executive officers is available in its annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. Additional information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests will be contained in the proxy statement when it becomes available.
This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which the offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities of Stellar or Phunware shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Some of the statements in this release and in presentations by Stellar’s management relating to the matters described herein are or may constitute “forward-looking statements.” Words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “target,” “optimistic,” “intend,” “aim,” “will”, “may” and variations and similar words and expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements relating to the proposed transaction and the SEC registration statement and proxy voting process (as well as the combined company’s post-closing activities) include, but are not limited to: (i) statements about the benefits of the transaction involving Stellar and Phunware, including future financial and operating results; (ii) Stellar’s and Phunware’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions (including with respect to the future Token Sale and the use of proceeds from Stellar’s trust account); (iii) the expected timing of completion of the transaction and the SEC registration statement and proxy voting process; and (iv) other statements relating to the transaction, the SEC registration statement and proxy voting process and the combined company’s post-closing activities that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, expectations and projections and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially if not substantially from those described in the forward-looking statements.
Important risks and other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. With respect to the transaction, the SEC registration statement and proxy voting process and the combined company’s post-closing activities, such risks and uncertainties include, among many others: (i) the risks associated with Stellar’s SEC registration statement and proxy voting process, including uncertainty regarding the number of Stellar shareholders who may request redemption and whether Phunware shareholders will approve the transaction; (ii) the risk that the benefits to Stellar and its shareholders anticipated from transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; (iii) the risk that any projections, including earnings, revenues, expenses, synergies, margins or any other financial items are not realized, (iv) the risks associated with concentration of Phunware’s business with certain customers; (v) the potential for reductions in industry profit margins due to, among other factors, declining service revenues; (vi) the inability of the post-closing combined company to expand and diversify the business of Phunware; (vii) changing interpretations of generally accepted accounting principles; (viii) the combined company’s continued compliance with government regulations; changing legislation and regulatory environments; (ix) the ability of the post-closing company to meet Nasdaq’s continued listing standards; (x) the potential for lower return on investment by Phunware’s expected token sale; (xi) the inability of Phunware to manage growth; (xii) requirements or changes affecting the MaaS/SaaS industry; (xiii) the general volatility of market prices of Stellar’s securities and general economic conditions; (xiv) the combined company’s ability to implement new strategies and react to changing market conditions; (xv) risks associated with operating hazards; (xvi) risks associated with competition; (xvii) risks associated with the loss of key personnel; (xviii) unexpected costs, liabilities or delays in the proposed transaction; (xix) the outcome of any legal proceedings related to the transaction; (xx) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement, or (xxi) any of the factors in detailed in the “Risk Factors” section of Stellar’ s filings with the SEC.
The foregoing listing of risks is not exhaustive. These risks, as well as other risks associated with the transaction, will be more fully discussed in Stellar’s registration statement to be filed with the SEC in connection with the transaction. Additional risks and uncertainties are identified and discussed in Stellar’s reports filed or to be filed with the SEC and available at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Forward-looking statements included in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. Stellar undertakes and assumes no obligation, and does not intend, to update Stellar’s forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
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]]>The post GDPR, PhunCoin and the Evolution of Data Protection appeared first on Phunware.
]]>In addition to establishing rules and expectations for businesses, GDPR codifies a set of rights for “data subjects”—i.e., you and me, the people whose personal data is used by Facebook and many other publishers, marketers and advertisers. This “Bill of Rights” for data subjects / people includes things like the right to access your data, the right to restrict data processing and even the right to be forgotten and have your data deleted.
Because Phunware is of a certain size and does business in the EU, we are required to update our policies and procedures to comply with GDPR. For us, however, going through the process of becoming GDPR-compliant was not just about avoiding fines. It was one step in a much larger data-focused strategic initiative that encompasses our policies, products and company culture—and that we hope will one day impact the way all consumer data is accessed, consumed and managed.
Here’s a look at what we’ve done for GDPR and how it fits into our strategic vision.
Knowing that GDPR was on the horizon, our team began working towards GDPR compliance in the second half of 2017. We partnered with TrustArc, an industry leader in privacy compliance and risk management solutions, to proactively audit policies and procedures companywide and make recommendations to help us achieve compliance. As a result of that monumental integrated effort, all of our processes and systems will be GDPR compliant as scheduled.
Here are some examples of just a few of the changes we made through this process:
To learn more about this initiative, visit https://www.phunware.com/trust.
While complying with GDPR is important for obvious reasons, the spirit of the law is driving more than privacy policy updates. At its core, GDPR is about giving consumers the right to have a say in how—or whether—their data is stored, accessed and used.
At Phunware, this same core idea forms the foundation for PhunCoin, the cryptonetworking token we are preparing to launch later this year. And in addition to the right to know how your data is being used and the right to be forgotten, we believe you are entitled to an additional, very important right—the right to be compensated for the use of your data.
Blockchain technology makes direct microtransactions (like exchanging cryptocurrency for the use of individual data) possible and affordable. Built on blockchain, PhunCoin will enable consumers to be compensated for the use of their data by brands, publishers or marketers. PhunCoin tokens will be redeemable for digital goods and services within the PhunCoin publisher ecosystem, and users will be able to opt out of the use of their data at any time.
Digital business is growing up. We now have the technology and the systems in place to give brands and application developers access to the user data they need to deliver more personalized and more relevant experiences. And we can do it all while giving end users control of their personal data and fair compensation for its use.
We can’t wait to bring it to you.
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]]>At this year’s SXSW Interactive conference, the question of where our data travels and for what purpose took center stage. A two-day programming block called The Blockchain Rises was the centerpiece of the Interactive track, featuring dozens of blockchain-focused sessions and who-knows-how-many parties.
This focus on distributed ledger technology is evidence that as a society, we are reckoning with an unforeseen scale of globalization. We generate an unprecedented amount of data and feel collective fear and distrust of far-reaching global powers. The result is a climate where solutions like blockchain are born and applied in impressively creative ways. Here are some of the most interesting blockchain applications from SXSW Interactive 2018.
We spent as much time as possible at SXSW 2018 hearing from experts and innovators in the blockchain space. From a discussion on rights management at “What Blockchain Means for Media & Entertainment” to an example of P2P solar energy distribution courtesy of Sandra Ro of Power Ledger, the use cases of distributed ledger technology explored at the Interactive sessions ran the gamut. Here are a few of the most compelling:
The next era of the web is taking shape, and data is its cornerstone. As Dustin Byington noted in Austin Blockchain Collective’s SXSW session, blockchain-powered data democratization can be a perfect balm for a world struggling to keep up with the pace of its own innovation and consumers grappling with just how much of ourselves we expose to algorithms.
Blockchain technology is far more than a buzzword within the cryptocurrency hype machine: it’s a sleeping dragon. As we begin to reassess how we want to interact with our governments, brands and world via the internet, we’ll establish new paradigms. The value of decentralized personal data is the potential to take back control of our data, our identities and ultimately our world.
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