Apps & Software News
Built by a Lawyer, LexHelp Turns Smartphones Into Smarter Time-Tracking Tools
A lawyer's day doesn't follow a schedule. It spills across calls, court appearances, client texts, invoice chases, and late-night notes. Now, a new mobile app called LexHelp wants to bring all of it into one place — right in a lawyer's pocket. Photo Courtesy of Raffaele Basso Developed by practicing attorney Raffaele Basso after more than two decades in the legal profession, LexHelp is a free smartphone app designed specifically for lawyers who are tired of juggling too many tools and losing track of billable time in the process. "After more than 20 years working as a lawyer, I realized how important it is — for the client and for us as professionals — to understand how much time we actually dedicate to each matter," said Basso, who uses the app in his own practice. The Hidden Cost of Forgotten Minutes The problem Basso set out to solve is deceptively simple: lawyers routinely underestimate how much time a case actually takes, and so do their clients. "Even 10 minutes a day spent on a client may seem minor," Basso explains, "but over one month it becomes around 300 minutes — 5 hours — and that can easily be overlooked if it is not properly tracked." That invisible drain adds up fast, especially for solo practitioners and small firms where lost time is lost revenue. One Screen, Everything Lawyers Need LexHelp brings the essential tools of daily legal work into one simple mobile platform. The app helps lawyers track the time they spend on each client, connect their LexHelp calendar with the phone’s calendar, manage client-related tasks and reminders, and keep notes linked to their workflow. With a direct start-and-stop time tracking system, lawyers can record work as it happens, whether they are making a call, attending a meeting, preparing a document, or handling a follow-up. Lawyers can also schedule work blocks directly in the calendar, allowing planned hours to be connected to time tracking. This makes it easier to organize the day in advance, monitor the time actually spent on each matter, and maintain a clearer record of client-related activity. LexHelp also allows lawyers to generate clear downloadable reports, either by client or by day, making it easier to review workload, support billing, and show clients the time actually dedicated to their matters. The app was deliberately designed to feel intuitive from day one: no long learning curves, no overloaded features, and no complicated setup. Lawyers can track time, organize their schedule, and create client reports directly from their smartphone, without turning daily administration into a second job. Built for Lawyers on the Move Unlike desktop-first software retrofitted for mobile use, LexHelp was designed around the smartphone from the start. That reflects a practical reality: legal professionals are constantly moving — between courtrooms, client meetings, and offices — and need to capture work as it happens, not reconstruct it hours later from memory. The app is currently free and fully functional, with AI-powered automation planned as the next development phase to further streamline repetitive tasks. Basso says the team is also open to partnerships with individuals or companies interested in supporting the project's growth. LexHelp is available now at lexhelpapp.com LexHelp is a mobile practice management app built by lawyers for lawyers, designed to help legal professionals track time, manage clients, and run their practices from a single smartphone screen.
Operant Systems Reports Expansion of ABA Platform Across Multi State Therapy Providers
Graphene-Enhanced Desalination Membrane Technology Advances to XPRIZE Water Scarcity Semifinals
Push Button Trading Launches AI-Driven "Push Button Portfolio" - The Ultimate NinjaTrader 8 Bot and Strategy Automation Software for Futures Traders
- May 12, 2026Apps & Software
OrbicTrade Launches AI-Powered Trader Dashboard Built Exclusively for Commodity Trading Front Office
OrbicTrade today announced the launch of its next-generation AI-powered Trader Dashboard, a modern front-office platform designed specifically for commodity traders to capture opportunities faster, reduce admin, and stay focused on trading. Built for fast-moving commodity markets, the new OrbicTrade dashboard transforms trader conversations, emails, chat messages, and trading documents into structured trade opportunities within seconds using commodity-aware artificial intelligence. While traditional CTRM platforms were built around operational processing and complex data entry, OrbicTrade was designed for traders first, delivering a faster, cleaner, and more intuitive front-office experience. The platform gives trading desks a live AI-powered workspace to review captured opportunities, validate commercial intent, monitor trading activity, and seamlessly push deals into existing CTRM environments. Key Highlights Include: AI-generated trade capture directly from trader communications and documents Modern trader dashboard designed specifically for commodity desks Instant conversion of conversations into structured trade opportunities Less manual admin and repetitive deal entry Faster trade visibility and execution readiness Commodity-aware AI trained around real trading language and market terminology API-first architecture designed to integrate into existing CTRM platforms The launch comes at a time when commodity trading desks are under increasing pressure to manage higher market volatility, tighter margins, larger data volumes, and faster decision cycles, all while operating on aging front-office infrastructure originally designed decades ago. Industry analysts continue to highlight the growing gap between how modern commodity traders operate and the limitations of legacy trading platforms that still rely heavily on manual deal capture and fragmented communication channels. “Commodity traders move millions of dollars of exposure in markets that can change materially within seconds. Yet many are still operating with front-office tooling that belongs in the previous generation,” said Amir Soufizadeh, Director at OrbicTrade . “We built OrbicTrade specifically for trading desks, not operations teams pretending to serve traders. The market has been missing a true trader-first platform that understands how commodity deals actually happen. “Commodity markets are becoming faster, more volatile, and increasingly data-driven. The firms that modernise trader interaction and front-office intelligence earliest will have a significant competitive advantage. “OrbicTrade captures commercial intent in real time and turns fragmented conversations into structured opportunities almost instantly. Less admin. More trading.” OrbicTrade is focused exclusively on front-office commodity trading for oil, refined products, metals, concentrates, agriculture, and freight markets.
- May 12, 2026Apps & Software
CHANEL Official Flagship Store Debuts on JD.com with Exclusive Beauty Launches for Gifting Season
As demand for premium beauty and luxury gifting continues to grow in China, JD.com is further expanding its portfolio of global prestige beauty partners through a new partnership with CHANEL. On May 11, the official CHANEL Fragrance & Beauty flagship store officially launched on JD.com, bringing consumers access to the brand’s iconic fragrance, makeup and skincare collections through a trusted and premium online shopping experience. The opening comes during China’s peak gifting season surrounding Mother’s Day and May 20th Internet Valentine’s Day in China. To mark the launch, CHANEL is introducing several JD.com-exclusive beauty offerings, including the LES BEIGES HEALTHY GLOW SUMMER ESSENTIALS and the HYDRA BEAUTY Micro Sérum Lèvres, providing consumers with elevated gifting choices and limited-edition luxury experiences. The partnership also highlights JD.com’s growing momentum in the imported high-end beauty category. Since 2025, JD Beauty has continued to deliver industry-leading growth rate in premium international beauty, supported by JD.com’s longstanding strengths in authentic product assurance, fast delivery and customer service excellence. Increasingly, international luxury beauty brands are choosing JD.com as a strategic platform for reaching Chinese consumers online. Looking ahead, JD.com and CHANEL will further expand collaboration by bringing more new launches, exclusive collections and limited-edition products to its 700 million+ consumers in China, while continuing to elevate the online luxury beauty experience through trusted service and refined customer engagement.
- May 12, 2026Apps & Software
UDRN Expands in the Middle East as Cybersecurity and AI Fraud Risks Reshape Global Markets
UDRN is accelerating its expansion across the Middle East at a time when governments, financial institutions, and investors in the region are placing increasing emphasis on cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, and trusted data systems. The move comes amid growing concern over the economic impact of AI-enabled fraud and the vulnerability of fragmented global record systems. According to figures cited by The National News in the Middle East, fraud detection rates currently stand at approximately 24.5%, contributing to an estimated $1 trillion in global losses during 2024, with projections suggesting detection rates could deteriorate further as synthetic identity systems and generative AI tools become more sophisticated. (Source: figures as cited by UDRN - Keepnet via Bright Defence Deepfake Statistics 2025) Against that backdrop, UDRN states that it is positioning itself as a sovereign, public-neutral infrastructure layer designed to provide verifiable and interoperable records for institutions, businesses, and governments. The company says its objective is to establish a new global standard for trusted records and digital verification systems capable of operating across jurisdictions and industries. The company's Middle East expansion is being led by founder and chief executive Luke Robin Wetherill, who has been developing strategic relationships across the region, including with members of the Al Nahyan family. The initiative reflects a broader regional push toward resilient digital infrastructure and cyber-focused investment strategies. The National News has reported that geopolitical instability and the rapid evolution of AI technologies are driving Gulf governments and enterprises to increase spending on cybersecurity and digital resilience. The company's regional expansion is being structured through Sultan Special Systems Establishment, a UAE-based licensed entity associated with members of the Al Nahyan family, reflecting UDRN's push to establish long-term institutional infrastructure partnerships in the Gulf. Kevin Iwanaga Appointed Managing Director for MENA As part of its regional expansion, UDRN has appointed Kevin Iwanaga as Managing Director for the Middle East and North Africa. Iwanaga brings more than three decades of experience across global financial institutions, including Goldman Sachs, UBS, Citigroup, Bloomberg, and NYSE ICE. His background spans electronic trading infrastructure, market development, and digital finance systems across commodities, foreign exchange, equities, fixed income, and carbon markets. Prior to joining UDRN, Iwanaga served in leadership roles including CEO of HorizenDigital, with work focused on climate technology and sustainable finance initiatives. His appointment reflects UDRN's stated intention to deepen engagement with both public and private sector stakeholders across the Gulf and wider MENA region. Addressing Structural Weaknesses in Global Verification Systems The company's strategy centres on addressing structural weaknesses in how records and verification systems are managed globally. UDRN argues that fragmented databases and siloed verification frameworks are becoming increasingly vulnerable in an era where AI-generated fraud can mimic legitimate users, documents, and transactions at scale. By creating a shared, interoperable infrastructure model, the company aims to provide institutions with a system capable of improving trust, verification, and transparency without relying on fragmented centralised databases. The Middle East has emerged as a natural growth market for that proposition. Governments across the Gulf are investing heavily in digital transformation initiatives, sovereign technology capabilities, and cyber resilience programmes as part of broader economic diversification agendas. For UDRN, the expansion represents more than geographic growth. It is, in the company's stated view, an attempt to position itself at the centre of a rapidly developing conversation around digital trust, AI-era infrastructure, and the future integrity of financial and institutional systems. Under Wetherill's leadership, UDRN is seeking to establish long-term partnerships across the region while scaling its infrastructure model internationally as concerns around AI fraud and data integrity continue to intensify. Kevin Iwanaga, Managing Director of MENA and founder of UDRN, Luke Wetherill About UDRN UDRN is a global digital infrastructure company founded by Luke Robin Wetherill, developing sovereign, interoperable record and verification systems for governments, financial institutions, and enterprises. The company is currently expanding across the Middle East and North Africa through a strategic partnership with Sultan Special Systems Establishment. For more information, contact UDRN at https://www.udrn.co.uk/
- May 11, 2026Apps & Software
AI Made Individuals Productive. WorkLLM Wants to Make Companies Intelligent.
The first wave of AI adoption changed how individuals work. Employees now use tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini to write faster, summarize information, analyze data, and complete daily tasks more efficiently. But inside companies, a bigger challenge is emerging: AI usage is growing quickly, yet it remains fragmented across personal accounts, isolated chats, and disconnected workflows. WorkLLM gives teams a shared AI environment connected to organizational knowledge, work applications, AI tools, AI assistants, AI agents, and 200+ AI models. Instead of treating AI as a personal productivity tool for isolated employees, WorkLLM helps teams use AI from the same context, with the same memory and guardrails. “We gave everyone AI superpowers, but most companies are still using them in isolation,” said Dhimant Bhundia , CEO of WorkLLM. “The real opportunity is not just faster individual work. It’s transforming how the entire company operates — where AI becomes part of your organizational DNA, not just another tool in the toolbox.” The Problem With Today’s AI Adoption Most companies are not starting from zero. Their employees are already using AI for writing, research, sales, support, product work, marketing, and operations. The problem is that this usage is usually unmanaged and disconnected from the broader organization. The result is a new set of challenges: Repeated context sharing: Employees keep explaining the same company background, product details, and brand guidelines to AI tools that do not retain organizational knowledge. Fragmented knowledge: AI-generated insights and decisions often stay inside individual chats or personal accounts. The company loses valuable work that could have helped other teams. Inconsistent outputs: Different team members use different prompts and approaches. This leads to uneven quality across sales emails, support replies, and marketing content. Duplicated work: Without shared visibility, multiple people often solve the same problem independently. Disconnected workflows: AI often sits outside the tools where work actually happens, forcing employees to copy, paste, switch tabs, and manually move information between systems. This slows teams down and makes AI harder to adopt consistently. These problems prevent companies from becoming truly AI-Native — organizations where AI is embedded into every workflow, decision, and process. The WorkLLM Approach WorkLLM brings together the core building blocks companies need to use AI as a team capability rather than a collection of individual experiments. At the center is a shared AI workspace where teams can collaborate, preserve important context, and build on previous work. The platform focuses on five key areas: Organization Memory: Teams can store and reuse important company knowledge such as product information, customer insights, brand guidelines, and sales material. This allows AI to respond with company-specific context instead of generic answers. Team AI Workspace: Teams can work together with AI through shared threads, comments, and collaborative discussions. This helps knowledge move across people, projects, and departments instead of staying locked in one person’s account. 200+ AI Models: WorkLLM gives teams access to 200+ AI models in one place, allowing companies to choose the right model for different tasks without locking their workflows into a single provider. AI Tools and Assistants: Companies can create reusable AI tools for common tasks such as blog writing, social media posts, sales emails, and customer responses. Custom assistants can be created for specific departments like marketing, sales, or support. AI Agents: Teams can create AI agents that connect with work applications, fetch relevant information, monitor updates, and run recurring tasks. This helps companies move from asking AI questions manually to having AI actively support workflows across the organization. To make this concrete, a support team can use WorkLLM to turn every resolved ticket into reusable knowledge, while a marketing team can share AI tools for brand-safe copy across channels without every marketer writing prompts from scratch. Becoming an AI-Native Company The difference between companies that use AI and AI-Native companies is fundamental. Companies that use AI have employees with ChatGPT accounts. AI-Native companies have AI embedded into their organizational DNA — their workflows, knowledge systems, and decision-making processes. AI-Native companies share several characteristics: AI is part of standard operating procedures, not an experiment. Company knowledge flows into AI systems. Teams work from shared AI context and memory. AI outputs become organizational assets, not individual work. Every department has AI-powered workflows. To build an AI-Native company, organizations need infrastructure designed for teams, not individuals. That is exactly what WorkLLM provides. Why Team AI Matters The value of AI inside companies is not only about helping one person complete one task faster. The bigger opportunity is helping the entire organization improve productivity, reduce repetitive work, retain knowledge, and make better decisions with shared context. For growing teams, this can create practical benefits: New employees can ramp up faster by accessing existing company knowledge. Marketing, sales, and support teams can produce more consistent customer-facing content. Product and leadership teams can preserve important decisions and strategic context. Teams can save hours every week by reducing repeated prompts, duplicated research, and manual context sharing. Companies can build reusable AI workflows instead of depending on individual prompt-writing skills. “The ROI calculation changes when companies stop looking at AI only as an individual productivity tool,” said Dhimant. “The real value comes when AI helps teams work from the same context, reuse what has already been created, and build intelligence that compounds over time. That is when you become AI-Native.” Building Organizational Intelligence WorkLLM is based on a simple belief: company knowledge should not reset with every AI conversation. When teams use AI today, much of the value is temporary. A useful answer is generated, copied, sent, and often forgotten. WorkLLM is designed to preserve that value so future work can build on it. This is the shift WorkLLM is focused on. The first wave of AI made individuals faster. The next wave will create AI-Native companies — organizations that are more intelligent, more consistent, and more connected. WorkLLM is now available for companies looking to build AI-Native teams and turn scattered AI usage into shared organizational intelligence. Companies can book a demo to see how Team AI can transform their organization here . About WorkLLM WorkLLM is an enterprise AI workspace that helps teams build AI-Native companies. The platform combines organization memory, team AI workspace, reusable AI tools, custom AI assistants, AI agents, work application integrations, and access to 200+ AI models. WorkLLM helps companies turn scattered AI usage into shared organizational intelligence so teams can work from the same context, preserve knowledge, improve consistency, and embed AI into daily workflows. To learn more, visit WorkLLM.io .
- May 11, 2026Apps & Software
NetEmulator (R) Debuts as dti Publishing’s Solution to the IT Skills Gap
dti Publishing Corporation, the educational technology firm led by IT certification pioneer Pierre Askmo, has officially launched NetEmulator®, a network simulation platform built to address one of the most persistent challenges in American technology education: the widening gap between classroom instruction and real-world workforce readiness. The IT skills gap is not simply a shortage of workers. It is a shortage of workers with the practical, applied skills that employers need on day one. Cloud, networking, and cybersecurity roles are among the hardest to fill, and hiring timelines for IT positions consistently run longer than almost any other sector. Out of an estimated 3.5 million IT workers in the U.S. (U.S. Department of Labor), up to 700,000 positions remain unfilled (CompTIA). This represents a 20% workforce shortfall, resulting in an estimated $150B–$200B annual economic impact on the U.S. economy (Korn Ferry, Deloitte, McKinsey). Pierre Askmo says institutions must train the next generation of technology professionals and equip them with tools to close this gap, and quickly . NetEmulator® was built for exactly that purpose. Pierre Askmo: Three Decades Building the Standards Behind IT Certification NetEmulator® is the work of Pierre Askmo, a figure whose fingerprints are on the frameworks that define technical competency across the US workforce. A Cornerstone Funding Member of CompTIA's A+ Certification programme, a panel member of the US Department of Labor IT Skills Group, and an Executive Committee member for both Network+ and Server+ certifications, Askmo has spent more than three decades shaping how IT skills are defined, tested, and recognised. He is also the software architect behind the LabConnection® lab simulation platform and the CertBlaster® exam simulators, and the author or co-author of four widely adopted certification texts published by Pearson, Cengage, and Thomson. When Askmo identifies a gap in how IT skills are developed, he has both the authority and the tools to address it. A Network Simulation Platform Built for Scale NetEmulator ® operates entirely within a browser. Students build, configure, and troubleshoot networks from anywhere, without physical lab equipment, local installation, or complex technical setup. Full network configuration, real-time packet visualisation, and guided troubleshooting are integrated into a single environment, giving students an experience that mirrors live infrastructure work rather than approximating it. Unlike traditional emulators, NetEmulator® combines labs, assessment, and feedback in one place. Its guided exercises and visual feedback reinforce learning through direct experience, the kind of browser-based network training that produces graduates ready to perform from their first day in a role. The platform is built to scale. Large numbers of students can work simultaneously, making it practical for community colleges, technical institutes, and corporate IT workforce development programmes to deploy at volume without compromising quality or consistency. Built for Institutions, Ready Immediately For institutions, NetEmulator ®'s LTI-as-a-service capability enables seamless integration with existing learning management systems. Single sign-on access, streamlined assignment delivery, and immediate deployment require no additional technical infrastructure. Programmes can be live within days of adoption. For the educators and administrators responsible for producing job-ready graduates in a market that is not waiting, that matters. About dti Publishing Corporation dti Publishing Corporation is a US-based educational technology company founded by Pierre Askmo, specialising in IT certification, assessment, and simulation tools for educational institutions and workforce training programmes. For more information visit dtipublishing.com, explore NetEmulator ® at NetEmulator.com, and review the platform's full capabilities at NetEmulator.com/capabilities
- May 11, 2026Apps & Software
HardwareNotice.com Announces Expansion of English Tech News Coverage for Hardware and Webmaster Topics
HardwareNotice.com , an English-language hardware blog and tech blog , has announced the expansion of its editorial coverage to include broader reporting on computer hardware, software tools, artificial intelligence developments, and webmaster-related topics. The expansion reflects the publication’s updated editorial strategy for 2026, focusing on concise reporting and structured technology coverage intended to improve accessibility for readers following fast-changing digital industries. According to the publication, the updated content structure has been developed to support readers seeking practical context alongside daily tech news and technology reporting. The platform organizes articles around hardware launches, software updates, AI platforms, web publishing tools, and digital services while maintaining a concise editorial format. “HardwareNotice.com was developed as a technology publication focused on clarity and practical reporting,” said a spokesperson for the website. “The editorial direction centers on hardware, software, AI, and webmaster topics presented in an organized and accessible format.” The publication stated that its editorial model prioritizes readable reporting without excessive technical language or promotional presentation. Coverage categories currently include processors, graphics cards, storage devices, peripherals, AI systems, webmaster tools, and publishing-related services. In addition to daily reporting, HardwareNotice.com also publishes structured guides intended to help readers understand specifications, platform updates, feature differences, and practical technology use cases. Articles may also include performance context, product comparisons, and digital publishing insights relevant to technology enthusiasts and website operators. The platform indicated that the expanded coverage is intended to support a broad audience that includes PC builders, digital marketers, content publishers, and readers seeking organized technology information presented in a clear format. “A technology article should explain what changed, why it matters, and how readers can better understand the topic,” the spokesperson added. “The objective is to provide useful information through a consistent editorial structure rather than overwhelming visitors with unnecessary complexity.” HardwareNotice.com also confirmed plans to continue expanding coverage connected to webmaster-focused topics, including online publishing, digital tools, content management systems, and internet-based services. This broader editorial direction allows the platform to maintain its connection to the hardware market while also addressing developments relevant to digital publishing and online operations. The company stated that the editorial expansion will continue throughout 2026 as demand grows for structured and accessible technology reporting across English-speaking audiences. About Hardware Notice HardwareNotice.com is an English-language technology blog covering hardware news, software updates, AI developments, and webmaster-related topics. The publication focuses on structured reporting designed to provide concise and practical technology information. For more information, visit: https://hardwarenotice.com
- May 8, 2026Apps & Software
LuvKaizen Marks Milestone, Reports Growth Across 100+ Web3 Projects as Demand for Blockchain Marketing Services Expands.
LuvKaizen , a marketing agency focused on blockchain-based platforms, said it has now worked with more than 100 Web3 projects since its founding, a signal of how demand for niche expertise in the space continues to rise. The company’s growth mirrors broader shifts across the industry. As decentralized finance (DeFi), token ecosystems and Layer 1 and Layer 2 networks mature, projects are facing greater pressure to differentiate themselves, not just technologically, but also in how they communicate with users, investors and global communities. LuvKaizen said its work spans a wide range of blockchain initiatives, from early-stage token launches to more established protocols looking to expand their reach. Its services include campaign strategy, community building and market positioning, areas that have become increasingly complex as Web3 audiences grow more sophisticated. “Crossing the 100-project mark says less about volume and more about where the industry is headed,” said Matt Cepulis of LuvKaizen. “ Web3 teams are starting to understand that traditional marketing playbooks don’t always apply in decentralized environments, where community trust and technical understanding are critical.” That shift is happening alongside continued investment in blockchain infrastructure and rising global participation in decentralized platforms. As a result, marketing strategies in the sector are evolving. Influencer-led campaigns, token-based incentives and community-first messaging have become standard tools, replacing more conventional approaches that often fall flat in crypto-native audiences. “Key opinion leaders and influencers play a critical role in shaping trust and visibility in the Web3 space,” Cepulis added. “We collaborate with Tier 1 projects to source crypto influencers and KOLs that help drive meaningful engagement and achieve strong mindshare across the ecosystem.” LuvKaizen said it has executed more than 200 campaigns to date, working with a network of media partners and key opinion leaders (KOLs) across the crypto ecosystem. The company attributes its expansion to an integrated model that combines strategy, execution and ongoing optimization rather than one-off campaign work. “Our role has increasingly been to translate complex ideas into something people can connect with,” Cepulis said. “The technology can be difficult to grasp, but adoption depends on how well those ideas are communicated.” Demand appears especially strong among projects approaching token generation events, where visibility and credibility can significantly influence early traction. At the same time, more established platforms are investing in structured growth strategies to compete for users in an increasingly crowded market. Industry observers note that marketing budgets in the blockchain sector have grown alongside user adoption. Companies are allocating more resources toward brand development, community management and global outreach, areas where specialized agencies are positioning themselves as long-term partners rather than short-term vendors. LuvKaizen’s milestone underscores that shift. As Web3 continues to evolve, marketing is no longer treated as an afterthought but as a core component of a project’s success. About LuvKaizen LuvKaizen is a Web3 marketing agency offering end-to-end services for blockchain-based projects, including branding, community management, influencer partnerships and go-to-market strategy. The company works with clients across decentralized finance, NFTs and blockchain infrastructure, focusing on data-driven execution and sustained community engagement. Founded to address the unique demands of decentralized ecosystems, LuvKaizen supports global teams in building visibility, credibility and long-term growth in the Web3 space.
- May 8, 2026Apps & Software
Good Hope Advisors Named to 2026 Axial Advisor 100
Good Hope Advisors, an M&A advisor for HVAC contractors, plumbers, electricians, roofers, landscapers, and paving operators across the trades, has been named to the 2026 Axial Advisor 100 — a distinction awarded to the most highly regarded lower middle market sell-side M&A advisors in North America. The Axial Advisor 100 is published annually by Axial, the leading deal network for the lower middle market, and recognizes advisory firms that have earned the highest levels of trust and recommendation from business owners navigating the sale of their companies. Selection is based on peer nominations, transaction activity, and platform engagement — not paid placement. The 2026 Advisor 100 recognition follows the firm’s Q1 2025 ranking among Axial’s Top 25 Lower Middle Market Investment Banks — placing #18 out of 25 firms during a quarter in which 3,049 deals were marketed on the Axial platform, the second-highest deal volume in Axial history. Together, the two recognitions represent back-to-back acknowledgment from the platform that tracks more lower middle market M&A activity than any other in North America. Good Hope Advisors specializes exclusively in the trades — working with founders of HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roofing, landscaping, and paving businesses who are considering a sale or ownership transition. The firm has helped create more than $7 billion in platform value across HVAC and home-service businesses founded by operators like its clients, including advising on transactions involving Sila Services, which grew from a $30 million regional business to a $1.7 billion national platform across multiple private equity ownership cycles. “This recognition reflects something we hear from clients every day: they trust us because we keep it real. We tell founders what their business is actually worth before we go to market — not after. In contractor M&A, that honesty is rare. This is a firm built on it.” — Gregg Lerman, COO and Partner, Good Hope Advisors “Contractor founders are building something real. When they’re ready to sell, they deserve advisors who understand their business — not just the deal mechanics. Being named to the Axial Advisor 100 is a reflection of the relationships we build and the outcomes we deliver.” — Josh Gladtke, Managing Director and Partner, Good Hope Advisors The firm is led by Founder and Managing Partner Eric Seifert, COO and Partner Gregg Lerman, and Managing Director and Partner Josh Gladtke. Good Hope Advisors operates from Tenafly, New Jersey, and works with contractors nationally. The full 2026 Axial Advisor 100 list and accompanying eBook are available at axial.net. About Good Hope Advisors Good Hope Advisors is a contractor M&A advisory firm that works exclusively with founders and operators in the trades. The firm specializes in sourcing, positioning, and closing deals for business owners in HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roofing, landscaping, and paving — bringing decades of deal advisory, capital markets, and operational experience to every engagement, with a commitment to honest valuations from day one. Learn more at goodhopeadvisors.com.
- May 8, 2026Apps & Software
Operant Systems Reports Expansion of ABA Platform Across Multi-State Therapy Providers
The technology firm Operant Systems Inc., providing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) providers, announced its clinical and practice management platform expansion to therapy organizations across various U.S. states. The company indicated more uptake of its system by the early intervention programs, school-based services, and home-based therapy providers. The growth is indicative of the increased need for structured data systems in behavioral health, where providers are dealing with increased caseloads and more complicated documentation and reporting needs. According to Operant Systems, its platform is meant to unify clinical data collection and administrative processes under one system to aid operational consistency. The platform allows therapists to capture behavioral data during the sessions and to give supervisors the tools to view the performance trends and generate reports that can be used to conduct clinical oversight and payer documentation. Operant systems state that the system has known ABA data collection techniques, such as frequency, duration, interval recording, and antecedent-behavior-consequence tracking. Platform Functionality and Clinical Workflows The autism behavior tracking software of the company will be designed in a way that it facilitates the real-time data entry in the treatment sessions with the application of the tablet gadgets and web-based connectivity. Offline support enables therapists to keep on data collection in low connectivity environments, and the data is synchronized when connectivity is regained. Besides tracking at a session level, there are also tools to design and manage skill acquisition programs within the platform, such as defining targets, mastery criteria, and tracking progress over time. The supervisors are able to access session notes and behavioral trends and produce documentation needed to evaluate internally and report to the external environment. The Operant Systems also offer a larger behavior management software for therapists , combining scheduling, attendance, and administrative records. The system will help minimize the use of multiple tools that are not connected and will enable the maintenance of uniform record keeping in therapy settings by combining all these functions into one platform. The platform is designed for use across clinics, schools, and home-based therapy settings, reflecting the varied conditions in which ABA services are delivered. Market Context Utilization of digital systems in behavioral health has been on the rise as the demand for the services keeps rising. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that a significant proportion of children in the United States, approximately 1 in 36, have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, and this has led to a long-term need for therapy services and infrastructure. According to industry statistics released by Grand View Research, the behavioral health software market is growing, with providers taking up tools that are geared towards enhancing data accuracy and efficiency in operations. Organizations that aim to streamline clinical workflow processes with documentation considerations are evaluating technology platforms that can help facilitate real-time data collection and centralized reporting. A Message from the Founder “The platform is structured to align with clinical workflows where accurate data collection and consistent review are essential to service delivery,” said by Barry Katz. “The focus remains on supporting structured documentation that enables clinicians to interpret behavioral data within the context of ongoing treatment.” Availability Operant Systems reported that its platform is available to ABA providers across the United States through subscription-based licensing. The company offers demonstrations for organizations evaluating software for clinical and operational use. About Operant Systems Inc. Operant Systems Inc. is a clinician-founded technology company headquartered in Jackson, New Jersey. The company develops software solutions for Applied Behavior Analysis providers, including tools for data collection, reporting, scheduling, and practice management. Its platform is used by therapists, schools, and organizations delivering behavioral health services.
- May 7, 2026Apps & Software
Reliability in Every Fiber: The Rise of Needle Punch Nonwovens and the Manufacturer Behind the Trend
Across industries, from geotextile to personal hygiene, nonwoven fabrics are now among the fastest-growing material categories in global manufacturing. At the center of this shift is a technology that has proven itself across decades of demanding applications: needle punch nonwoven fabric manufacturing. Why Nonwovens Are Replacing Traditional Materials The global nonwoven fabrics market is expanding rapidly. Nonwovens can be engineered to be water-permeable or water-repellent, biodegradable or highly durable, ultra-soft or abrasion-resistant, all without the constraints of traditional weaving processes. For manufacturers, this translates to lower production costs, greater design flexibility, and faster time-to-market. From single-use hygiene products to heavy-duty geotextile membranes, brands and procurement teams are turning to nonwovens to solve problems that conventional fabrics cannot. The Case for Needle Punch Technology Within the nonwoven family, needle punched felt stands in a category of its own. Unlike thermally or chemically bonded nonwovens, needle punch nonwoven fabric is produced through a mainly mechanical process: thousands of barbed needles interlock fibers together at high speed, creating a dense, resilient structure with no need for adhesives, binders, or heat fusion. This technology uses far less energy than other methods, making it a more sustainable method of production which has even greater impact at scale. Additionally, there are a host of benefits in the material result as well, including: Structural integrity across a wide range of temperatures and conditions Breathability and porosity that can be precisely engineered Compatibility with virtually any fiber type - natural, synthetic, or recycled Durability - performs well in demanding environments Customizability in weight, thickness, texture, and surface finish These properties have made needle punch fabric output the material of choice for geotextile engineers stabilizing roads and embankments, automotive OEMs specifying interior liners and trunk floors, and consumer goods companies demanding consistent, skin-safe cleaning materials. As sustainability needs increase, needle punch technology gains another advantage: it is inherently compatible with recycled and natural fiber inputs, making it a natural fit for brands committed to circular manufacturing. Noam Urim - Reliability in Every Fiber For global brands seeking a non woven fabric manufacturer that can deliver across all of these demands, Kibbutz Urim, Israel-based Noam Urim has emerged as a trusted name. Founded on an "End-to-End" philosophy, managing the full material lifecycle from fiber selection and R&D through to mass production, the company has built a reputation for technical depth and supply chain stability that is increasingly rare in today's volatile global market. Noam Urim's manufacturing expertise spans some of the most demanding end-use sectors: Geotextiles for infrastructure projects, Automotive interior components requiring precision tolerances, and high-performance retail and industrial cleaning solutions. In each category, the company's mastery of needle punch nonwoven fabric production gives its clients a decisive advantage: materials engineered to specification, backed by decades of expert knowledge. According to the marketing leadership at Noam Urim, clients are looking for a partner who understands the technical nuances of their industry. “Whether it is a custom-engineered industrial layer or a consumer-facing hygiene product, our focus remains on bringing quality, custom solutions” Innovation in Action: Products That Define the Range Noam Urim's versatility as a needle punch fabric manufacturer is best illustrated by the range of their portfolio. Two products in particular demonstrate how the same core technology can be adapted for entirely different markets: Noam Urim manufactures ‘Diniclean’ rinse free bath wipes . These pre-soaped, no-rinse bathing wipes, commonly referred to as ‘shower wipes’, are designed to provide a portable, thorough and gentle sponge bath with only a small amount of water. Ideal for healthcare, elderly care, childcare, outdoor, and fitness markets, the Diniclean bath wipes provide a practical and innovative solution for brands serving people on the move or with limited mobility. Furthermore, as a leading compostable cleaning cloths manufacturer , Noam Urim has developed a line that meets the growing market demand for sustainable solutions. Their ecological cloths combine the proven performance of needle punch nonwoven construction with natural and biodegradable fibers, offering brands and retailers a responsible cleaning solution that does not compromise on efficacy or shelf appeal. A Partner Built for Global Supply Chains With decades of export experience and a continuous investment in advanced needle punching technology, Noam Urim is designed for the demands of international sourcing. Strict adherence to international quality standards ensures that every roll of fabric leaving the facility meets the durability, safety, and consistency benchmarks that global brands depend on. For procurement teams and product developers seeking to reduce supply chain risk without sacrificing innovation or quality, Noam Urim offers something increasingly valuable: a manufacturer that has seen it all, engineered for it all, and delivered reliably for decades. About Noam Urim Noam Urim is an Israel-based needle punch nonwoven fabric manufacturer serving global markets across geotextiles, automotive, household, and personal care sectors. The company's End-to-End approach covers R&D, fiber selection, and full-scale production. For more information, visit noam-urim.com.
- May 7, 2026Apps & Software
TripWaffle Builds Complete Itineraries From Forwarded Booking Emails
TripWaffle announced a software service that generates complete travel itineraries from forwarded booking emails, removing the need for manual trip planning across flights, hotels, and ground transport. The platform extracts key details from confirmation emails and organizes them into a single view enhanced with real-time updates, alerts, and travel insights for users in markets including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Norway, and Canada. TripWaffle reports 669 users, 7,965 trips, and 41,804 events created to date, growth achieved through organic word-of-mouth rather than paid acquisition. The service currently attracts two primary groups: frequent and business travelers moving from older tools, and leisure travelers seeking an alternative to tracking trips through emails and spreadsheets. The product focuses on speed and minimal setup, requiring only that users forward booking confirmations for the system to structure and present itineraries. TripWaffle also provides additional information such as visa requirements, lost luggage risk, packing lists based on weather forecasts, and jetlag forecasts, presenting only the details needed at each stage of the trip. "Travel planning has traditionally required people to manage scattered emails, spreadsheets, and multiple apps just to keep track of where they need to be," said Guy K., founder of TripWaffle. "TripWaffle allows itineraries to come together automatically from booking emails, so travelers can monitor their plans in one place without extra work." Organic traction for TripWaffle is beginning to increase as more users share the service within their networks. The company positions its use of artificial intelligence as a practical application focused on processing existing booking data and structuring it into a format that is easier for travelers to use. About TripWaffle is a travel software company that converts booking emails into organized itineraries. The company’s core product extracts trip details from forwarded confirmations and presents flights, accommodation, transport, updates, and related travel information in a single itinerary view, with a stated goal of reducing the stress and manual work involved in trip organization. iOS app: https://apps.apple.com/app/tripwaffle/id6758685185 Android app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tripwaffle.com
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