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November 20, 2018 — Walnut Creek, CA.— ����ý announced today that it has donated $10,000 to the International Association of Firefighters ().

With California’s tragic fires still taking a terrible toll in the state, ����ý wanted to find a way, however small, to thank and support firefighters and first responders for their selfless service to humanity.

“Most of us flee when fires burn,” said Payam Zamani, ����ý’s CEO, “but the brave men and women who fight those fires run toward danger. They do it courageously, out of a deep inner conviction that humanity is one—that every life deserves to be saved. Their service needs to be recognized, commended and supported.”

As just one example, Northern California’s Camp Fire has burned 151,000 acres, destroyed more than 15,000 structures and taken at least 77 lives with over 1,000 still missing. In recent years, the IAFF reports, these kinds of wildland fires have increased in both frequency and intensity, posing a significant threat to life and property across much of the United States. From 2003–2012, in excess of 17 million acres have been scorched by wildfires, fires which claimed the lives of over 300 civilians and firefighters, destroyed over 34,000 homes and resulted in insurance claims in excess of $70 billion. Changes in climate, population growth and development into the wildland-urban interface contribute to this growing problem.

The IAFF is the driving force behind nearly every advance in the fire and emergency services in the 21st century. With headquarters in Washington, DC, and Ottawa, Ontario, the IAFF represents more than 313,000 full-time professional fire fighters and paramedics in more than 3,200 affiliates. IAFF members protect more than 85 percent of the population in communities throughout the United States and Canada.

About ����ý:

The hybrid tech firm ����ý operates several large online businesses, and also makes investments that cover a broad spectrum across the tech world and beyond. ����ý’s largest operating business is , formerly Reply.com, the leading online marketplace for the acquisition of locally-targeted consumer demand in the automotive, real estate, and home improvement industries. The company also owns and operates MerchantCircle.com, Contractors.com and will soon launch California.com.

The ����ý portfolio of investments include companies lik/e BestMile, Volans-i, The Real Real, Gro Intelligence, SoulPancake, IronClad and more. ����ý’s founder and CEO Payam Zamani co-founded in 1994, the first online car-buying service. Its successful 1999 IPO helped the company reach a market cap of $1.2B.

����ý has a unique business model—with each investment it makes and every entrepreneurial company it creates, it attempts to build a powerful combination of business success and social good, of Innovation+Intention.