Daymond John, Star of ABC's Shark Tank, to be a Featured Member of a Who�s Who Panel That Includes Inc. Media�s Publisher, Grit Daily�s Founder and Executive Editor and Menlo Ventures Partner to Discuss How COVID Has Impacted SMBs, Startups and Entrepreneurs

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Escalon, a leading essential business services (EBS) provider, announced today that it will be holding the India COVID Relief Fundraiser at 1 p.m. ET on July 15. The online event will feature a Who's Who of panelists including Daymond John, "The People's Shark," and other leading business experts on a panel discussing the impact of COVID on small businesses, startups and entrepreneurs. The fundraiser will support the building of an oxygen plant required to address India�s COVID crisis and support causes focusing on helping young aspiring businesspeople. The online event is expected to draw over 1,000 attendees and the fundraiser is expected to raise $100,000.

The India COVID Relief Fundraiser virtual event will feature a panel of business experts and business thought leaders discussing challenges that SMBs, startups and entrepreneurs need to think about post COVID, including representatives from Inc. Media, Grit Daily and Menlo Ventures as well as Daymond John. The fundraiser portion of the event will focus on raising funds to address the COVID crisis that�s still raging in India through the American India Foundation, and for young adults embarking on business careers working through the Austin Hooper Foundation.

�We are very excited about the event because it will shed light on where SMBs are today and provide advice from experts on how to be successful in a post-COVID business environment,� said Anurag Pal, CEO of Escalon. �We have deep roots in India and some of our operations reside there. So, we are also happy to hold a fundraiser during the event to address that issue, as well as work with the Austin Hooper Foundation to advance young adults� desire to become businesspeople."

John, founder of FUBU and Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship, will be a featured member of the Summit�s panel. Given John started his FUBU clothing line as a small business, he is recognized for his relentless commitment to promoting and supporting entrepreneurs worldwide.

�Escalon is taking an exciting step in the right direction by helping small businesses and entrepreneurs think about what they need to do to be successful, particularly post-COVID,� John said. �I�m happy to be a part of this event and will work to shed light on this critical part of our economy and future of business.�

John will be a part of a Who�s Who of panelists at the event that will feature a number of experts in business, media and small business. Among them are:

• Daymond John, CEO of FUBU and celebrity star of ABC's Shark Tank
• Jordan French, Founder, CEO and Executive Editor of Grit Daily, the premiere startup news hub
• Rich Russey, SVP, Publisher, Inc. Media
• Venky Ganesan, Partner at Menlo Ventures

The funds from the India COVID Relief Fundraiser will go to two organizations. Proceeds will go to the American India Foundation to build an oxygen plant for a local hospital to help during the COVID crisis. Oxygen is in short supply in India but needed to treat COVID patients. Funds will also go to the Austin Hooper Foundation, which helps �aged out� foster care children start a career or small business to further their livelihoods. The foundation was founded by Austin Hooper, former Stanford University football star and now tight end for the Cleveland Browns.

At the virtual event, Escalon will take the opportunity to launch its new brand � Escalon. And Done. The company offers one-stop Essential Business Services to SMBs, startups and entrepreneurs. Escalon�s services are grounded in the principle that small business operators need not worry about non-core operations and have Escalon get it �done� for them when it comes to finance, accounting, HR, payroll, recruiting, insurance and other Essential Business Services -- Escalon. And Done.

�One of the biggest headaches small businesses face is addressing back-office operations,� said Ruby Sahiwal, chairman of Escalon. �Those operations are essential but small businesses are challenged when it comes to getting that work done. That�s why we�ve created the category of Essential Business Services and are introducing this new brand to say to small businesses we understand your pain and are focusing on helping relieve it.�

Early Growth Financial Services, the leading provider of CFO, accounting and tax services to venture-backed startups in the U.S. and Europe, is co-sponsoring the India COVID Relief Fundraiser. In late 2020, Escalon acquired Early Growth to significantly enhance Escalon�s product coverage for its customers.

To learn more about the SMB EBS Summit and COVID Relief Fundraiser or to sign up to attend, please go to https://info.escalon.services/fundraiser.

About Escalon Services

Since 2006, Escalon has shepherded over 5,000 companies across many verticals and in 22 countries. We have helped businesses grow from one person in the garage to IPO and beyond, and we have been named to Inc. Magazine�s Inc. 5000 list three times over the past four years. We provide a one-stop shop for the common back office needs that every business must do, including accounting, bookkeeping, insurance, benefits, and recruiting. Escalon makes sure these essential business services are running like clockwork and off your plate. So, you can have more time back in your day on delivering value to clients and moving your company forward.

About Early Growth Financial Services

Early Growth Financial Services provides accounting, CFO, tax, and valuation services, supporting 18% of privately funded, venture-backed startup companies in the United States. With operations in Silicon Valley, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin, Chicago, Boulder, Seattle, and New York City, Early Growth�s customers include Indiegogo, TechShop, Quip Inc., Live Love Polish, Japan Crate, and 400+ other small- to mid-size businesses worldwide.

Contacts

Randolph Pitzer

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630 210 1631