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Vertus, a frontier artificial intelligence company, today announced two major milestones demonstrating the advancement of machine reasoning in financial markets: surpassing $1 billion in daily AI-driven transactions and delivering 51.15% returns for 2025 with a Sharpe ratio of 2.13 — figures independently audited by Alpha Performance Verification Services, Certified Public Accountants.

The $1 billion single-day volume milestone, first achieved on November 25, 2025, caps a breakthrough year in which Vertus' AI systems significantly outperformed both traditional market indices and leading hedge funds on both absolute and risk-adjusted return metrics. Vertus' 2025 performance places the company's AI systems among the top-performing institutional trading operations globally:

• 51.15% annual return vs. approximately 17% for the S&P 500 (more than 2x market performance)
• 2.13 Sharpe ratio vs. leading hedge fund range of 0.5–1.5 (superior risk-adjusted returns)
• $600 million-plus average daily volume with systems processing $1 billion daily regularly
• Consistently positive returns achieved through advanced machine reasoning

"This milestone validates everything we built," said Julius Franck, co-founder at Vertus. "We engineered a quantitatively backed system that thinks and acts at market speed-processing complexity, making decisions, and executing with precision that traditional algorithms simply cannot match. The independently verified billion-dollar threshold proves the architecture is performing exactly as designed."

Vertus developed and stress-tested its core systems in the Isle of Man, where progressive regulation and robust digital infrastructure provided the ideal environment to validate machine reasoning under live market conditions. What began as controlled experimentation has become production-grade technology now powering institutional-scale investing infrastructure.

The company's technology now serves as the decision-making backbone for a growing network of funds, family offices, and asset managers, executing in high-velocity markets where legacy systems falter.

"We've proven that advanced intelligence architecture outperforms decades-old algorithmic models," said Alex Foster, co-founder. "Financial markets were the perfect crucible-unforgiving, instantaneous, high-stakes. Our planned expansions put us at the center of the next wave: applying this reasoning power across autonomous systems and the computational infrastructure required for superintelligence."

The 2.13 Sharpe ratio-a measure of risk-adjust ed returns-demonstrates that Vertus' performance wasn't achieved through excessive risk-taking. The company's AI systems generated returns more than double the market while maintaining disciplined risk management; a combination rarely achieved in quantitative finance.

With daily transaction volumes regularly exceeding $1 billion, Vertus has established itself as critical infrastructure in modern investing ecosystems. The company's trajectory from inception to billion-dollar daily transactions represents one of the fastest scaling timelines in autonomous systems deployment.

"Financial markets are just the beginning," said Michal Prywata, co-founder. "We built AI that learned to reason in an environment where mistakes cost millions and decisions happen in milliseconds. That same intelligence now powers capital at scale-and we're rapidly expanding into domains that demand genuine machine reasoning. We're not just building financial systems. We're architecting the infrastructure for the next generation of intelligence."

Trading volume figures, performance metrics, and milestone achievements have been independently verified by Alpha Performance Verification Services, Certified Public Accountants. Verification report available upon request.

About Vertus

Vertus builds frontier artificial intelligence where intelligence meets consequence. Its systems operate directly in live financial markets, transacting over $600 million daily while reasoning under extreme uncertainty, learning in adversarial conditions, and adapting in milliseconds. This real-world crucible produces intelligence that is not simulated — it is proven. Founded by Julius Franck, Alex Foster, and Michal Prywata, Vertus develops AI systems where precision matters and every decision has irreversible cost. Today, its technology powers institutional trading infrastructure for funds, family offices, and professional investors — environments where errors are measurable and accountability is absolute. Beyond finance, Vertus is extending this intelligence into general reasoning systems designed to operate in complex, high-stakes domains. By training AI in environments where failure is punished and success compounds, Vertus is building the infrastructure for reliable machine intelligence — systems capable of reasoning, adapting, and acting autonomously across industries yet to be defined. For more information, visit www.vertus.ai. 

Disclaimer

This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer, solicitation, or recommendation of any securities or investment strategies. Past performance is not indicative of future results. All performance metrics and trading volumes reflect historical results achieved under specific conditions and may not be repeated. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. While certain figures have been independently verified, no assurance is given that similar performance will be achieved in the future. Trading and investing involve substantial risk, including the loss of capital.

Media Contact

Brooke Greenwald
media@vertus.ai

FED Fitness, a global leader in home gym fitness solutions, has been named an official partner of the NBA’s Houston Rockets. The partnership was officially announced in Houston and brings together two organizations committed to performance, innovation, and accessible training solutions.

Through this collaboration, FED Fitness and the Houston Rockets aim to bridge professional training standards with the at-home fitness experience, encouraging consistent movement and healthy routines for people of all ages and fitness levels.

FED Fitness offers a wide range of high-quality home exercise equipment, competitive pricing, and a free training app — aligning seamlessly with the Rockets’ performance-driven mindset and community-focused approach to sport and wellness.

Notably, this marks the Houston Rockets’ first partnership with a dedicated home gym solutions brand, reflecting the growing importance of home-based training within the evolving sports and fitness landscape. The partnership also reinforces FED Fitness’s expertise, product quality, and long-term strategic vision, as elite sports organizations increasingly align with innovative home fitness brands.

At the heart of the partnership is a shared commitment to health, discipline, and long-term fitness habits — whether training at home or competing at the highest level on the court.

Extending Professional Training into the Home

FED Fitness operates with the belief that fitness should be accessible, enjoyable, and sustainable, providing solutions designed to support users at different stages of their home fitness journey.

FED Fitness Home Gym Solutions

FED Fitness has built trust with global consumers through a focus on product quality, thoughtful design with space-saving features, and long-term usability.

Its home gym solutions are defined by several core characteristics:

• Professional grade equipment: FED Fitness categorizes its products as “light commercial equipment,” with designs like front-drive ellipticals, variable-resistance ellipticals, stair climbers, and compact bikes, and premium trampolines crafted with advanced materials to deliver a top-tier training experience. These products are designed to deliver a gym-like training experience within a home setting, while remaining accessible to everyday users.
• Home training content system: As part of its commitment to making fitness accessible to all, FED Fitness free App offers a movement library, training plans, and short workout lessons. These teaching segments empower consumers of all levels to stay motivated and progress toward their fitness goals.
• Space friendly designs: FED Fitness ensures that its gym equipment can fit comfortably into almost any home by creating professional-grade equipment with a compact footprint. Its machines are quiet and safe for home environments, making it easy to find a corner to set up a home gym in apartments or houses of any size.
• Scenario driven content: Families, beginners, and seniors can learn tools to make fitness a sustainable part of their lifestyle through FED Fitness’s scenario-driven content. FED Fitness features campaigns and provides tailored video content to reinforce healthy habits and encourage users to face the challenges of fitting fitness into daily life.
• Sustainable training system: FED Fitness offers high-quality machines paired with structured training sessions in home gym settings. This combination provides all the value of a professional workout experience, while providing the opportunity for consumers to exercise from the comfort and privacy of their homes.

FED Fitness is more than just equipment treadmills, ellipticals, strength machines, and lightweight accessories. Instead, it goes above and beyond by providing an entire home fitness ecosystem that includes training and health data. 

Users can purchase equipment from four core product categories to focus align with their fitness goals — whether that is cardio workouts, strength, family fun, or flexibility and stretching. Then they can pair the equipment they choose with a FED Fitness App ,or a smart time wearable. These Smart extensions provide on-demand courses, coaching, AI recommendations, and real-time health tracking. 

These extra features FED Fitness provides round out the workout experience so users can stay in the fitness game and make progress toward a healthier, happier lifestyle.

Partnership Benefits for Consumers and Fans

The partnership between FED Fitness and the Houston Rockets is built on a shared focus on training, health, and fitness, as well as a mutual commitment to creating engaging, family-friendly experiences around the game.

Designed to benefit both organizations, the collaboration also delivers added value for Rockets fans through a variety of interactive activations and promotions. These include a sweepstakes for a VIP game experience, home training content featuring FED Fitness products and Houston Rockets personnel, and opportunities for co-branded merchandise offerings. Fans can also follow FED Fitness on social media to access exclusive, fans-only discounts.

By aligning with an elite NBA franchise, FED Fitness further strengthens its presence within sports culture, reinforcing its position as an international, professional, and dynamic brand with strong appeal to younger audiences.

The partnership with the Houston Rockets further reinforces FED Fitness’s long-term vision of integrating professional training standards into home-based fitness and everyday life.

About FED Fitness

FED Fitness is a global home gym solution brand focused on delivering professional-grade equipment and digital training tools for home use.
Trusted by more than 12 million households worldwide, the brand is committed to helping individuals and families build sustainable fitness habits through accessible, high-quality solutions. For more information, visit www.fedfitness.com.

Media Contact

Palson Yi
palson@feiersport.com

heywell, a modern functional beverage brand designed to help people feel good and live well, announced today new strategic partnerships with BeyondBrands and Presence Marketing as the company enters its next phase of growth, alongside the rollout of new creative work developed with Franklyn and Rudy, as the company enters its next phase of growth.

heywell has partnered with BeyondBrands to support sales strategy and long-term planning. As part of the engagement, BeyondBrands founder Eric Schnell, alongside industry veteran Eddie Pearson, have partnered closely with the heywell team to develop a strategic four-year P&L and growth plan, providing a strong financial and operational foundation for sustainable scale.

Schnell is a longtime natural products entrepreneur with more than 20 years of experience across sales, marketing, and product innovation. He co-founded Steaz, a leading organic tea brand acquired in 2016, and was an early team member at Runa Tea, which successfully exited in 2018. He has been recognized as a Beverage World Top 50 Disruptor and is a six-time BevNET Best Product of the Year winner.

Pearson brings over 25 years of experience building sales and distribution models for food and beverage companies, including senior leadership roles at Reed’s Inc., Boylan Bottling, Coca-Cola, and Pepsi. His expertise spans sales, operations, and finance, helping brands create cohesive leadership structures designed to scale.

In addition, heywell is officially launching a new relationship with Presence Marketing, effective today. Presence Marketing is a leading CPG commerce and brokerage partner with deep expertise across natural, specialty, and conventional retail channels. Known for its data-driven approach and long-standing retailer relationships, Presence provides end-to-end sales representation, market-ready strategy, and execution support to help brands grow distribution and performance across key accounts.

As part of its broader growth strategy, heywell is also unveiling new creative work developed in partnership with Franklyn and Rudy, elevating the brand’s visual identity and storytelling to more clearly reflect its modern approach to wellness and to deepen connection with consumers across digital and retail touchpoints.

These partnerships and initiatives build on recent retail wins for heywell, including launches with The Fresh Market and Thrive Market with several additional high-profile retailers slated to launch in the coming months.

“Entering this next phase of growth with the right partners in place is incredibly important to us,” said Ashley Selman, co-founder of heywell. “BeyondBrands has helped us build a strong long-term foundation, Presence Marketing brings the scale and execution to support our expanding retail footprint, and our work with Franklyn and Rudy allows us to show up with a brand world that truly reflects who we are and where we’re headed.”

About heywell

Founded by Ashley Selman, CEO, and Britt Dougherty, COO, heywell was created to make wellness simple and accessible — for everyone, every day (hey + well = a simple invitation to wellness). heywell brings a modern approach to functional beverages where function and flavor go hand in hand. Its line of functional sparkling waters is powered by thoughtfully selected ingredients — including antioxidants, adaptogens, electrolytes, and organic caffeine — to support energy, immunity, hydration, focus, and stress. Designed for a range of moments, from morning through end of day, heywell meets the growing demand for wellness that works harder. Learn more at livingheywell.com.

Media Contact

Ashley Selman
ashley@livingheywell.com

Britt Dougherty
britt@livingheywell.com

Anchorage Digital’s Porto platform has integrated Yield.xyz, expanding institutional access to staking and DeFi yields across dozens of networks and DeFi protocols. Porto users now have access to yields on leading apps such as Aave, Morpho, Lido, and Spark.

Through the integration, Porto users can access the Yield.xyz app directly from their wallets, connecting to a unified interface for onchain yield discovery, execution, and management. Yields are aggregated in Porto wallet with the same user experience across dozens of supported networks, giving clients optionality with where and how they earn on their digital assets.

Yield.xyz provides access to staking across more than 30 leading validators and DeFi opportunities across more than 50 protocols, covering thousands of yield options. The integration gives institutional users greater flexibility and transparency while maintaining Porto’s enterprise-grade custody and security standards.

“Institutional investors want both autonomy and control,” said Nathan McCauley, co-founder and CEO of Anchorage Digital. “This integration combines Anchorage’s secure custody framework with Yield.xyz’s comprehensive yield infrastructure, giving clients the tools to interact with onchain finance in a compliant, transparent way.”

Through Yield.xyz, Porto users benefit from:

• Automated compounding and off-ramping of incentive tokens
• Unified onchain data and performance tracking across all supported networks
• Direct access to staking and DeFi yields from a single interface

“Our mission is to make onchain yield accessible everywhere: across every network, every wallet, and every institution,” said Serafin Lion Engel, co-founder and CEO of Yield.xyz. “By integrating with Porto, we’re enabling Anchorage’s clients to discover and deploy yield strategies seamlessly, without compromising on security or compliance.”

Anchorage Digital continues to expand the capabilities of Porto to serve as the gateway for institutions to participate securely in decentralized finance. Yield.xyz joins a growing list of best-in-class integrations designed to bridge traditional institutions and onchain infrastructure.

About Yield.xyz

Yield.xyz is the unified onchain yield infrastructure layer for Web3, enabling developers to integrate once and access over 2,500 yield opportunities across more than 75 networks spanning staking, lending, and liquidity provision strategies. Trusted by leading wallets and financial platforms including Ledger, DeBlock, Utila, Tangem, and Zerion, Yield.xyz powers production-grade yield products with built-in support for auto-compounding, reward conversion, and secure transaction verification. Yield.xyz abstracts complex strategy engineering into simple API calls and enables teams to launch scalable yield products with minimal overhead while unlocking new revenue streams through fee-customizable vaults. To learn more, visit yield.xyz.

About Anchorage Digital

Anchorage Digital is a global crypto platform that enables institutions to participate in digital assets through trading, staking, custody, governance, settlement, stablecoin issuance, and the industry’s leading security infrastructure. Home to Anchorage Digital Bank N.A., the first federally chartered crypto bank in the U.S., Anchorage Digital also serves institutions through Anchorage Digital Singapore, which is licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore; Anchorage Digital NY, which holds a BitLicense from the New York Department of Financial Services; and self-custody wallet Porto by Anchorage Digital. The company is funded by leading institutions including Andreessen Horowitz, GIC, Goldman Sachs, KKR, and Visa, with its Series D valuation over $3 billion. Founded in 2017 in San Francisco, California, Anchorage Digital has offices in New York, New York; Porto, Portugal; Singapore; and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Learn more at anchorage.com, on X @Anchorage, and on LinkedIn.

Media Contact

Apurv Mishra
apurv@yield.xyz

CoreTechX, the pioneer in end-to-end Arabic handwritten recognition and document intelligence, today announced a strategic shift in the Middle Eastern AI landscape. Moving beyond experimental AI, CoreTechX is leading the movement toward On-Premise AI Deployment, addressing the GCC’s critical need for data sovereignty, security, and measurable ROI. By bringing powerful LLM capabilities directly into local infrastructures, CoreTechX eliminates the risks of cloud and server compliance issues while delivering systems that are fully searchable, auditable, and cited.

The Cost of Static Data

Across the GCC, government ministries and private enterprises are managing vast archives of handwritten and scanned Arabic documents. Until now, these have remained "static data" — files that are stored but not utilized. Organizations struggle to turn these archives into usable intelligence, forcing valuable human resources to manually process, verify, and search for information. This operational drag creates significant waste and results in lost strategic opportunities.

On-Premise AI: Efficiency Without Compromise

CoreTechX’s OCR system is a game-changer. It is shifting the goalposts from basic character recognition to true document understanding. By deploying AI locally (on-premise), CoreTechX provides a unique value proposition for the region:

• Data sovereignty and security: Unlike cloud-based systems, CoreTechX’s technology runs entirely on-premise. This ensures that sensitive governmental and corporate data never leaves the organization’s secure environment, meeting the highest standards of national data privacy.
• Traceable performance: Each AI operation is traceable. This enables the impact to be measured in terms of improved accuracy and alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 to achieve digital excellence.
• Accelerated workforce productivity: By automating the retrieval and analysis of complex records, CoreTechX allows employees to work significantly faster, shifting their focus from manual searching to high-level decision-making.

Executive Perspective

"The conversation in the GCC has evolved. Businesses and government entities are no longer just asking about AI ethics; they are asking for secure, high-speed tools that deliver a clear return on investment," said Fahad Faisal Fahad Al Saud, co-founder of CoreTechX.

"Our focus on on-premise deployment is a direct response to the region’s need for privacy and performance. By providing highly accurate, cited answers from within an organization's own firewall, we are enabling faster decision-making without the risks of the public cloud. Under Saudi Vision 2030, digital excellence requires tracing AI performance directly to operational outcomes. We aren't just reading documents; we are unlocking actionable knowledge at scale."

Market Impact: Activating National Archives

The transition to on-premise solutions like CoreTechX’s OCR system, which supports the digitization efforts of the Kingdom, enables key government sectors — including the Ministries of Justice, Interior, and Civil Affairs — to finally activate their archives. By converting centuries of handwritten records and decades of administrative files into structured, searchable data, these institutions can achieve:

• Enhanced policy insights: Data-driven governance based on historical and current records
• Faster service delivery: Reducing manual verification times from days to minutes
• Operational risk reduction: Eliminating the human error inherent in manual data entry and document retrieval

About CoreTechX

CoreTechX is the backbone of structured Arabic knowledge in the GCC. We specialize in transforming unstructured, handwritten data — which has historically been locked in physical folders and static scans — into decision-ready, actionable intelligence. Through our advanced OCR and Handwritten Text Recognition (HTR) technologies, we bridge the gap between simple digitization and deep document understanding. With CoreTechX, enterprises and governments no longer treat their documents as mere files, but as strategic assets that can be queried instantly to drive the future of the digital economy. For more information, visit coretechx.ai.

Media Contact

Fahad Durukan
f.durukan@coretechx.ai

Global prime broker EXANTE today announced the launch of Omni Screener, a powerful new module designed to transform the way professional traders search for and evaluate financial instruments.

The new tool brings multiple asset categories into a single, easy-to-use interface, enabling clients to compare, filter, and analyse markets with unprecedented efficiency. At launch, Omni Screener supports stocks, ETFs, and bonds, with expansion to additional asset classes planned for the future.

The new Omni Screener features:

• Smarter filters: Tailored criteria such as Market Cap, P/E ratios, and Coupon Rates adapt to the instrument type.
• Custom screeners: Traders can create and save personalised screeners to streamline repeated analysis.
• Flexible views: Choose from predefined layouts or build bespoke dashboards to focus on the data that matters.

"At EXANTE, innovation is always driven by our clients," said Richard Forss, EXANTE’s chief technology officer. "Omni Screener is a direct response to their demand for faster, smarter ways to compare opportunities across asset classes. Because we own and continuously develop our proprietary platform, we can turn client feedback into cutting-edge tools, ensuring our technology evolves in lockstep with the needs of professional traders."

Omni Screener is available immediately via the latest EXANTE desktop platform update.

About EXANTE

EXANTE is a leading global prime broker offering access to over 50 markets, eight asset classes, and more than one million instruments from a single multi-currency account. With proprietary technology, advanced trading modules, and a resilient infrastructure, EXANTE provides customised solutions for high-net-worth clients, institutions, and professional partners worldwide. For more information, visit exante.eu.

Media Contact

Julia Chapman
jch@exante.eu

Mercy T. Steenwyk, founder and CEO of ForensisGroup, the top expert witness services firm in the United States, has received the prestigious Vistage 2025 Excellence Award. This honor recognizes Steenwyk's exceptional leadership in building ForensisGroup into the nation's top expert witness services firm over the past 35 years, successfully managing over 30,000 cases since the company's founding in 1991.

The Vistage Excellence Award celebrates business leaders who demonstrate outstanding performance, innovation, and commitment to excellence in their respective industries. Steenwyk's recognition underscores ForensisGroup's position as the top choice for complex, high-stakes litigation requiring expert witness testimony across multiple disciplines.

"Receiving this recognition from Vistage is deeply humbling and reflects the incredible dedication of our entire ForensisGroup team," said Steenwyk. "For 35 years, we’ve maintained our position as the top expert witness services firm by staying true to our core values of Nothing But the Truth®, social justice, excellence in human connection, and being a force for good in changing human experience for the better. These principles guide how we support our clients and how we connect each case with the most qualified experts. For more than 20,000 clients, we work as an extension of their legal teams, managing the full expert engagement process from expert identification and rigorous vetting to conflict checks, credential review, and interview coordination. Through our High Touch High Tech™ approach, we combine advanced tools with human judgment to deliver disciplined guidance, administrative clarity, and expert recommendations tailored to the specific needs of each matter. This award reinforces our dedication to being The Expert of Experts® and helping uncover the truth in every legal matter.”

Setting the Standard as the Top Expert Witness Services Firm

ForensisGroup has established itself as the top expert witness services firm through its pioneering approach to litigation support and unwavering commitment to excellence. As the top provider in the industry, ForensisGroup operates under the motto Nothing But the Truth, a principle that reflects the power of honesty and clarity within the justice system. Every expert recommendation is grounded in credibility, expertise, and a commitment to helping courts and clients understand the truth at the center of their cases.

What sets ForensisGroup apart as the top expert witness services firm is their comprehensive vetting process and personalized approach to each case. Unlike other firms, ForensisGroup's methodology involves understanding the unique nuances of each legal matter before recommending the most qualified expert witnesses from their extensive network of fully vetted experts.

"We don’t just offer surface-level solutions. We address the real pain points our clients face by providing the top expert witnesses for each specific case from the robust network we’ve built over 35 years," explained Steenwyk. "Our reputation as the top expert witness services firm comes from our ability to connect each case with the most qualified experts, ensuring the strongest support for our clients."

Specialized Expertise Across Industries

ForensisGroup's position as the top expert witness services provider spans four primary areas of expertise: business, engineering and construction, environmental, and science, making the firm the top choice for multidisciplinary litigation support.

• Business: As a top source for expert witnesses in intellectual property, finance, economics, accounting, business valuation, commercial damages, insurance, investments and securities, and employment and human resources, ForensisGroup provides comprehensive support for complex commercial litigation.
• Engineering and Construction: Recognized as a leading provider of expert witnesses across structural, mechanical, electrical, civil, construction, transportation, and industrial engineering, supporting a wide range of complex technical and infrastructure-related litigation.
• Environmental: Serving as the top expert witness provider for environmental litigation, including specialists in environmental contamination and remediation, water, air, and soil quality, hazardous waste, oil spills, toxicology, and regulatory compliance.
• Science: Established as the best expert witness firm for medical malpractice, surgical specialties including neurosurgery, orthopedics, cardiology, and emergency medicine, as well as pharmacology, chemistry, infectious disease, and food safety. The firm also supports complex technical cases with experts in data science, computer forensics, artificial intelligence, software analysis, and cybersecurity.

This comprehensive approach positions ForensisGroup as the top expert witness services firm capable of handling the most complex, multi-faceted litigation scenarios that require expertise across multiple disciplines.

Leadership Excellence and Social Impact

Beyond building the top expert witness services firm in the nation, Steenwyk has demonstrated exceptional leadership as a woman and minority-owned business founder in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Under her guidance, ForensisGroup has not only achieved top-tier business success but has also embraced its role as a Force For Good™ in the community.

For 35 years, ForensisGroup has maintained its commitment to social responsibility through various charitable initiatives, while continuing to operate as the top expert witness services firm. This dual focus on business excellence and community impact exemplifies the leadership qualities that earned Steenwyk the Vistage Excellence Recognition.

"True success isn’t measured only by becoming the leading expert witness services firm; it’s defined by how we use that leadership to create meaningful change,” said Steenwyk. “Our Force For Good initiatives reflect our belief that the best companies don’t just lead their industries; they give back to the communities that support them.”

Building on a Legacy of Litigation Leadership

As ForensisGroup celebrates this recognition and its 35-year milestone, the company remains committed to maintaining its position as the top expert witness services firm in the United States. With a track record of over 30,000 successfully managed cases and a reputation for excellence that spans more than three decades, ForensisGroup continues to set the standard for expert witness firms.

The Vistage Excellence Award serves as validation of ForensisGroup's approach to business leadership and reinforces the company's status as the top choice for attorneys seeking expert witness services. As the legal landscape continues to evolve, ForensisGroup will continue to evolve its capabilities to support the demands of complex litigation.

For more information about ForensisGroup, the top expert witness services firm in the U.S., visit www.forensisgroup.com.

About ForensisGroup

Founded in 1991 by Mercy T. Steenwyk, ForensisGroup is a leading expert witness services firm in the United States, specializing in providing expert witnesses for complex litigation across business, engineering and construction, environmental, and science disciplines. With more than 30,000 cases managed and a 35-year track record of excellence, ForensisGroup operates under the principles of Nothing But The Truth® and The Expert of Experts® for attorneys nationwide. As a Force For Good™, the company is committed to community impact in addition to its legal excellence. For more information, visit www.forensisgroup.com.

About Vistage Worldwide

Vistage is the world’s largest CEO coaching and peer advisory organization for small and midsize businesses. For more than 65 years, we’ve been helping CEOs, business owners and key executives solve their greatest challenges through confidential peer groups and one-to-one executive coaching sessions. Today, more than 45,000 members in 40 countries rely on Vistage to help make better decisions for their companies, families and communities. The results prove it: Vistage CEO members grew their annual revenue on average by 4.6% in 2020, while nonmembers with comparable small and midsize businesses saw revenue decrease by 4.7%, according to a study of Dun & Bradstreet data. Learn more at vistage.com.

Giftima, the newly launched digital gift card platform under Swedish company H.H Mindful Hiring AB, has officially begun operations in early 2026 for customers in the Nordic region, Germany, and Poland. The platform offers consumers a direct way to access a wide range of major brand gift cards while earning points for future use.

Giftima allows registered users to browse a catalogue of well-known retailers, select gift card values, and complete purchases through a secure online process. The full list of available brands is accessible upon sign-up. The platform utilizes a points system, where each point is equivalent to one Euro. Points can be redeemed for additional gift cards or sent to other Giftima users.

H.H Mindful Hiring AB’s founder and CEO, Kim Alexander Ludwig, brings extensive entrepreneurial experience to the venture. Under his direction, Giftima aims to establish a reliable and frictionless purchasing process for users evaluating digital gift card options within Europe’s e-commerce space.

The platform features transparent pricing for each brand, including visible cashback rates before purchase. Once a transaction is completed, the corresponding points are added to the user’s account. Gift cards can be purchased for personal use or sent digitally to another registered user. Market-specific brand assortments are offered in each region where the service is active.

The process to earn points is as follows:

• Join: Users create an account through a free registration process.
• Shop: Users select an available brand or offer and complete their purchase.
• Get Discounts: Applicable discounts for participating brands activate during the shopping process.
• Redeem Gifts: Accumulated points may be redeemed for gift cards, perk options, or preset bundles.

H.H Mindful Hiring AB plans to continue expanding Giftima's brand offerings throughout 2026. Dedicated mobile applications for Android and iOS are also planned for release by the end of the first quarter of 2026. The apps will provide access to the same catalogue of brands, purchasing functions, and rewards tracking available on the main website.

About Giftima

Giftima is a digital gift card platform operated by H.H Mindful Hiring AB. Launched in 2026, it provides customers across Europe with access to major brand gift cards, reward point accumulation, and secure digital gifting options. The platform offers country-specific brand ranges and a structured points system designed for consistent value. For more information, visit giftima.com.

Media Contact

Kim Aleksandar Ludwig
Founder & CEO, Giftima
kim@giftima.com

Zadarma, an international VoIP and cloud communications provider, has announced the release of the Zadarma AI Voice Agent. The AI agent works as a virtual team member or assistant. It can handle calls using a natural, human-like voice. It also answers common customer questions and provides information. 

The Zadarma AI Voice Agent stands out as a communication tool that uniquely combines support in eight languages with built-in cloud PBX and CRM integration. These features are usually offered separately, but Zadarma brings them together in a single, user-friendly platform. The agent delivers high-quality voice interactions while remaining affordable.

The AI agent leverages the business's existing knowledge base to provide accurate, consistent answers to customer questions. It also transfers calls to human agents or departments when needed. 

The AI voice agent is fully integrated with leading Large Language Models (LLMs). Zadarma AI Voice Agent key features include:

• Automated call handling 24/7
• PBX and CRM integration for immediate use
• Natural voice conversations with realistic speech 
• Knowledge base integration for accurate and up-to-date answers
• Call transfer to the appropriate agent or department
• Multilingual support with eight languages included

The AI agent is designed to be easy to use and doesn’t require advanced technical skills or an IT team. With minimal setup, even small businesses can access reliable, affordable, and high-quality advanced communication tool.

The AI voice agent helps manage calls and reduce the team’s workload. Businesses can now provide a consistent service during peak periods and outside business hours. The AI agent is available with Zadarma’s free Cloud PBX and can help improve customer support, deliver faster responses, and maintain consistent service at any time.

About Zadarma

Founded in 2006, Zadarma is a global provider of VoIP and cloud communication services. The company focuses on innovation and providing an excellent customer experience. Its services include native Cloud PBX and CRM, global phone numbers, and call routing. Zadarma also offers integration with leading CRM and AI platforms, international calling, and many other powerful tools. Zadarma is trusted by businesses and individual customers worldwide. The company provides reliable communication solutions with 24/7 multilingual customer and technical support. Learn more at zadarma.com.

Media Contact

Iryna Kadiievska
ik@zadarma.com
+44 7458 038657

Yield.xyz, the unified onchain yield infrastructure layer, today announced a new integration with Crossmint. Crossmint is the leading enterprise-grade, all-in-one stablecoin and wallet infrastructure enabling fintechs and enterprises to integrate crypto rails and smart wallets with speed, compliance, and scale.

The partnership enables Crossmint’s 40,000+ clients, including global leaders such as MoneyGram, WireX, Toku, to connect users directly to third-party yield protocols across multiple blockchains through a single, standardized API.

Crossmint’s wallet environment connects directly with the Yield.xyz API, allowing developers to route users into third-party yield protocols without building custom smart contract logic, managing protocol-specific integrations, or maintaining complex bridging and routing infrastructure.

End users retain full control of their private keys throughout the entire flow, while interacting with vaults, lending markets, and staking protocols directly from their app’s existing wallet interface.

“Developers want a straightforward way to connect users to onchain yield opportunities, and this integration delivers exactly that,” said Federico Sarquis, Head of DevRel at Crossmint. “Crossmint’s Wallet SDK already powers high-scale consumer experiences. Pairing it with Yield.xyz’s unified yield layer lets teams integrate access to yield protocols with far less engineering overhead.”

Direct Yield Protocol Access With Crossmint-Powered Wallets

With the integration now live, builders using Crossmint can enable users to access third-party yield protocols directly from their applications without leaving their existing wallet UX.

Applications can now:

• Connect users to 2,500+ yield opportunities directly from their app interface
• Enable access to vaults, money markets, liquid staking, and protocol-native staking
• Route to yield opportunities across 75+ networks through a single API
• Keep users in one wallet experience while preserving full self-custody
• Add configurable app-level fees on top of protocol interactions

All yield protocol interactions are executed directly from the user’s non-custodial wallet, with users maintaining control throughout, choosing when and if to participate, with no custody handoff and no external redirects.

A Unified Yield Layer for Consumer Distribution

Yield.xyz serves as the standardized yield layer behind the integration, aggregating protocol data, routing logic, transaction construction, and onchain execution into a single developer interface. Rather than integrating each protocol, chain, and strategy individually, Crossmint-powered apps can now tap into a continuously expanding yield catalog that includes:

• DeFi lending and borrowing markets
• Tokenized vault strategies
• Liquid staking and protocol staking
• LP and liquidity strategies

Yield.xyz handles opportunity discovery, metadata normalization, transaction building, and protocol connectivity, allowing product teams to focus on UX, distribution, and growth.

Built for Scale, Security, and Production Environments

The integration is designed for production-grade consumer applications operating at scale.

Crossmint’s Wallet SDK provides enterprise-grade wallet infrastructure, including non-custodial key management, MPC options, and embedded wallet experiences used by millions of end users. Yield.xyz complements this with institutional-grade yield infrastructure, offering standardized access to thousands of onchain yield strategies across major networks.

Together, the two platforms provide a complete stack for shipping compliant, scalable, self-custodial yield products inside consumer and fintech applications.

Use Cases: How Apps Can Deploy Onchain Yield

The integration unlocks a wide range of product use cases for developers building with Crossmint, including:

• Integrated access to savings and yield protocols
• Direct connection to token staking and protocol rewards
• Stablecoin yield protocol integrations
• Automated routing to yield opportunities
• Treasury protocol access for DAOs and onchain businesses

Apps can integrate yield in days rather than months, without maintaining their own protocol integrations or onchain routing infrastructure.

Availability and Developer Access

The Yield.xyz integration is available today for all developers using Crossmint’s Wallet SDK.

Documentation and implementation guides are live on both platforms’ developer portals. Teams interested in early access to advanced yield features, custom routing, or enterprise deployments can contact Yield.xyz directly for partnership opportunities.

About Yield.xyz

Yield.xyz is the unified onchain yield infrastructure for Web3, enabling developers to integrate once and access 2,500+ yield opportunities across 75+ networks spanning staking, lending, and liquidity provision strategies. Trusted by leading wallets and financial platforms including Ledger, DeBlock, Utila, Tangem, and Zerion, Yield.xyz powers production-grade yield products with built-in support for auto-compounding, reward conversion, and secure transaction verification. Yield.xyz abstracts complex strategy engineering into simple API calls and enables teams to launch scalable yield products with minimal overhead while unlocking new revenue streams through fee-customizable vaults. To learn more, visit yield.xyz.

About Crossmint

Crossmint is the leading enterprise-grade, all-in-one stablecoin and wallet infrastructure enabling fintechs and enterprises to integrate crypto rails and smart wallets with speed, compliance, and scale.

Trusted by more than 40,000 clients including global leaders such as MoneyGram, WireX, Toku, and more. Crossmint provides embedded smart wallets, on/offramps, cross-chain stablecoin orchestration, token checkout, and other blockchain primitives through simple, developer-friendly APIs, no blockchain engineers required. Backed by Ribbit Capital, Franklin Templeton, and other top investors. To learn more, visit www.crossmint.com.

Media Contact

Apurv Mishra
apurv@yield.xyz

Amid skyrocketing Caribbean passport costs, tightening European Golden Visa restrictions, and intensifying geopolitical volatility, where should high-net-worth individuals turn in 2026? Today, Globevisa Group, a world leader in residency and citizenship planning, answers this question with the release of its flagship annual publication: "Yearbook 2025." Leveraging data from over 110,000 successful cases, the report provides a deep dive into the shifting landscape of global migration.

Why "Yearbook 2025" is Essential Reading Now

Combining 23 years of industry expertise with the latest market data, Yearbook 2025 offers exclusive solutions to the sector's most pressing challenges:

Big Data Reveals the "Post-Western Era": Why Wealth is Looking East

Traditional Western pathways are entering a state of high friction — from the backlog of 400,000 applications at Portugal's AIMA to the lengthy waiting periods for the U.S. EB-5 program. In contrast, Asian and Middle Eastern nations are rising as new wealth safe havens due to their speed and flexibility. The report analyzes how the UAE, Turkey, and Malaysia are effectively replacing traditional Western options for many investors.

Navigating the "Logjam" in Europe and North America

How can investors find the optimal path amidst policy changes? With Greek Golden Visa prices rising, does the €250k low-threshold window still exist? Following the end of Portugal's real estate route, why have investment funds become the new compliance hotspot? What supply and demand pressures are hidden beneath the surface of the U.S. EB-5 program? The report features a special "Meeting the Pros" section, aggregating insider insights from top global experts at Oikos, Mercan Group, and Civitas Capital, guiding investors on when to "lock in old policies" and when to pivot to new opportunities.

Hong Kong: The End of "Blind Applications"

As Hong Kong's Talent Admission Schemes policies face further adjustments in 2026, the application landscape has become increasingly rigorous. Globevisa Group goes beyond simple policy interpretation to unveil the "2026 Hong Kong Migration Selection Guide," based on massive real-world data. Whether utilizing the "Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS)" or the "New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES)" for dual asset and identity planning, this guide provides precise decision-making support for professionals and families.

Authoritative Voices: Bridging the Information Gap

In an era of information overload, Globevisa Group is dedicated to providing source-level certainty. "Yearbook 2025" includes the "Meeting the Officials" series — candid interviews with the Directors of Citizenship by Investment Units (CIU) from St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, and others. They address sensitive topics head-on, including stricter due diligence and application backlogs. As Mc Claude Emmanuel, CEO of the St. Lucia CIU, notes in the report: "Strict vetting isn't about rejection; it's about building a credibility firewall for the nation's future."

Vision 2045: Connecting the Future of 1 Million Served Client Families

In 2025, Globevisa Group officially launched its #Vision2045 at the inaugural Global Citizenship Conference (GGCC). The vision outlines a roadmap to serve one million successful client families over the next 20 years by combining a digital platform with localized expert service. With over 50 international offices, a team of over 800 elites, and over 110,000 served client families assisted to date, this vast network provides the solid foundation for the trend predictions found in Yearbook 2025.

Take Action: Seize the 2026 Advantage

The window of opportunity for migration in 2026 is narrow, and information is your most valuable asset. The digital edition of Globevisa Group's "Yearbook 2025" is now available exclusively online.

To access complete strategic analyses for Europe, Hong Kong, and other global hotspots, along with the detailed #Vision2045 roadmap, download the full report on Globevisa Group’s official website at www.globalvisa.com.

About Globevisa Group

Established in 2002, Globevisa Group is a global leader in residency and citizenship investment consulting. With a service network spanning six countries and regions and over 1,000 projects under research, Globevisa Group is dedicated to breaking geographical limits and providing "Global Citizens" with the freedom and security of borderless mobility. For more information, visit www.globalvisa.com.

Media Contact

Manxi Li
mancyli@globevisa.com

Against the backdrop of an accelerating global energy transition and the deepening of the “dual-carbon” goals, China's energy storage industry is shifting from a policy-dependent to a market-driven approach. Shanxi is leveraging its mature market mechanisms and leading supercapacitor technology. As a result, it has emerged as a new global hotspot for energy storage investment. Shenzhen TIG Technology Co., Ltd. provides core technological support and is assisting Shanxi in building a commercially replicable model for the nation. This offers high-value investment options for industry capital.

Historically, the energy storage industry has often relied on policy support and fiscal subsidies. It lacked sustainable commercial viability. In recent years, Shanxi has taken the lead in breaking through bottlenecks by exploring innovative business models. These include shared energy storage, capacity leasing, and green power trading. These initiatives define the value of auxiliary services, such as frequency regulation and backup provided by energy storage stations. They establish a market-driven pricing mechanism that replaces policy “transfusion” with a self-sustaining “hematopoietic” model.

The core support for market-oriented transformation stems from technological breakthroughs. The Shanxi Pianguan Hundred-Megawatt-Level Independent Frequency Regulation Power Station is a landmark project and a pioneer of large-scale hybrid supercapacitor energy storage technology. Shanxi Sino-Power Aurodell Energy Storage Technology Co., Ltd. invested in and built the project. This project employs a hybrid technology approach utilizing a combination of supercapacitor and lithium battery. Shenzhen TIG Technology Co., Ltd. provides core technology and solutions. Lu Gefei, chairman of Shanxi Sino-Power Aurodell, stated, “Supercapacitor technology plays a key role in regulating the performance of energy storage stations. It enhances grid frequency response speed and stability, reduces costs, ensures sustainability, and turns technological advantages into market competitiveness.”

With 16 years of technological accumulation, Shenzhen TIG Technology Co., Ltd’s supercapacitor technology boasts millisecond-level response (ability to react in thousandths of a second). It ensures stable operation across a wide temperature range and eliminates the risk of thermal runaway (no risk of dangerous overheating). This meets the stringent demands of grid frequency regulation. The project achieved 100% localization of core equipment. After the first phase connected to the grid in September 2025, the use of 60MW supercapacitors set a global record for the largest scale in similar power stations. Each year, it enhances the regional grid's capacity to absorb 1.6GW of new energy, improving the economic viability and stability of renewable energy generation.

The integration of market mechanisms with technological innovation has created a strong cycle: market recognition to capital investment to technology iteration to cost reduction to market expansion. The New Energy Storage Frequency Regulation Technology Application White Paper was released at the Shanxi New Energy Storage Innovation Development Forum. It was jointly compiled by the Shanxi Province Electric Power Association, Shanxi Sino-Power Aurodell Energy Storage Technology Co., Ltd., Shenzhen TIG Technology Co., Ltd., and other industry chain enterprises. It provides standards for large-scale replication. The investment ecosystem of technological leadership alongside market maturity has addressed new challenges in energy consumption. It has also opened new avenues for investment and provided a replicable “Shanxi Model” for transforming resource-based regions.

Media Contact

Xue Ao
ts53@tigstor.com

Crowdin, a leading localization management platform, has designated 2026 as its "Year of Security", launching a suite of features specifically designed to secure the most vulnerable segment in the localization process — the external supply chain.

While many in the industry rely on static certifications, Crowdin is moving toward active security tools. This shift follows a 2025 SlatorCon presentation where Crowdin highlighted the growing security gaps between enterprise data and freelance linguists.

“Traditional security focuses on the office walls, but localization happens everywhere – wherever your managers, partner agencies, and freelance translators work, connecting via dozens of different Wi-Fi networks,” says the Crowdin team. “We are building the controls that actually stop data leaks, from the moment a freelancer logs in to the second their task is finished.”

Crowdin now allows managers to enforce strict entry requirements that go beyond simple passwords:

• Device approvals: Restricts access to approved and secure endpoints, preventing contributors from using personal devices that may be compromised.
• JIT (Just-In-Time) access: Automatically grants access when a task is assigned and revokes it when the work is completed.
• Terms compliance: Forces a mandatory review of NDAs or data policies directly in the login flow, before work starts.
• Enforced biometric 2FA: Managers can now enforce Face ID, Touch ID, or physical security keys for an extra layer of hardware-backed identity verification.

Continuous Infrastructure Protection

Crowdin launched a Bug Bounty program on HackerOne in 2024. Independent researchers pressure-test the platform 24/7, and Crowdin identifies and fixes even the smallest vulnerabilities in real time.

Optimizing Enterprise Efficiency

Security doesn’t have to mean slowness. Crowdin Enterprise now allows users to skip 2FA when using SAML SSO, trusting the corporate identity provider, like Okta or Azure AD. Combined with expanded security logs that track every user invitation and deletion, Crowdin gives admins a clear audit trail without slowing down the team.

About Crowdin

Crowdin is an AI-powered translation management platform that helps businesses with localization. By prioritizing technical security controls over paperwork, Crowdin ensures that global growth never comes at the cost of data integrity. For more information, visit crowdin.com.

Media Contact

Anton Yurkiv
VP of Product, Crowdin
support@crowdin.com

Precoro, the procurement centralization and automation platform, expands its visibility and decision-making capabilities with a fully integrated procurement analytics suite that includes advanced dashboards, the AI Assistant, and Approval SLA. Teams can now run real-time procurement analytics on spend, get instant insights from AI, and keep approvals on schedule, without wasting time on fragmented tools or spreadsheets.

These updates bring enterprise-level visibility and control to mid-market companies without the complexity of traditional procurement tools.

“As purchasing grows more distributed and data-heavy, mid-market teams need the same clarity and discipline large enterprises rely on,” said Andrew Zhyvolovych, CEO of Precoro. “That’s why we continuously enhance Precoro with top-tier features like live dashboards, AI Assistant, and Approval SLA that make visibility, analysis, and timely approvals simple.”

A Unified Procurement Analytics Layer for Smarter Spend Decisions

Precoro’s dashboards, AI Assistant, and Approval SLA work together to solve three core challenges finance and procurement teams face: fragmented data, manual reporting, and unpredictable approvals. 

Procurement analytics dashboards act as the core analytical workspace, providing instant visibility into budgets, spend trends, supplier activity, and purchase results. KPIs update in real time for each department and location, making it easy to compare performance, spot issues, and visualize procurement’s impact across the organization.

While procurement analytics dashboards give a clear view of what’s happening, the AI Assistant turns that visibility into actionable insight. It identifies anomalies, explains unusual changes, and highlights patterns that need attention. Users get instant insights into trends, causes, and spend drivers — without digging through reports.

Alongside dashboards and the AI Assistant, the Approval SLA adds predictability to workflows. With clear deadlines for each approval step, requestors know when documents will be reviewed, approvers receive timely notifications to stay on track, so teams prevent costly slowdowns or operational disruptions.

What It Means for Businesses

With the procurement analytics suite, mid-market companies no longer have to guess where funds are allocated or which approvals are holding up operations. Instead, teams can:

• Detect overspending before it becomes a problem.
• Improve approval predictability and enforce compliance.
• Cut hours spent on spreadsheets and manual reporting.
• Compare spend patterns across departments, suppliers, and locations.
• Make data-backed decisions and scale with confidence.

“We’re constantly innovating,” added Zhyvolovych. “Our goal is to equip growing teams with sophisticated tools that make procurement simple and predictable, so they can act confidently and stay on track. Our upcoming updates will further expand procurement analytics, streamline workflows, and connect with key platforms, letting companies scale without procurement slowdowns.”

About Precoro

Precoro is a procurement centralization and automation platform that gives companies advanced analytics, visibility, control, and confidence in their spend. With an intuitive, AI-powered interface, it streamlines approvals, reduces errors, and unifies procurement data across teams and locations. Trusted by more than 1,000 companies in over 80 countries, Precoro helps organizations improve cost control and efficiency. To learn more, visit precoro.com.

Media Contact

Yuriy Stakh
Growth Manager, Precoro
yuriy.stakh@precoro.com
+380 97 380 6974

AI Verse, the leader in synthetic data generation for computer vision applications, announces a €5 million funding round to accelerate the development and commercialization of its proprietary technology. The round is led by Supernova Invest through Crédit Agricole Innovations et Territoires (CAIT), Amundi Avenir Innovation 3 (AAI4), and Creazur, bringing €4 million to the table, alongside returning investors Innovacom and BPI through its fund Digital Ventures.

Addressing the AI Training Data Bottleneck with Realistic, Diverse, and Fully Controlled Datasets

Industries deploying computer vision systems from autonomous vehicles and drones to robotics, surveillance, smart cities, and defense, depend entirely on training data quality to achieve accurate model performance. Yet real-world data remains expensive to collect, time-consuming to annotate, and often impossible to acquire in sensitive or confidential use cases.

AI Verse solves this critical challenge by delivering optimized synthetic datasets with pixel-perfect annotation and user control over every parameter. The platform enables organizations to generate data for scenarios that are difficult or impossible to capture in reality: detecting a pedestrian in a poorly lit tunnel, identifying a partially hidden soldier in a conflict zone, or training a smart home device to recognize objects in cluttered indoor environments. These edge cases, rare occurrences, and sensitive situations can be simulated infinitely with precision and repeatability via AI Verse’s procedural technology.

Built on four years of research and development, AI Verse combines two proprietary procedural engines (interior and exterior) with a custom generation architecture, animation pipeline, and a library of over 6,600 3D objects. This enables customers to control every aspect of their datasets, such as: scene types, lighting conditions, viewpoints, rare behaviors, appearance frequencies, and more. Datasets can be delivered ready for immediate use or generated directly by customers via SaaS or on-premise solutions, ensuring complete autonomy and maximum confidentiality.

Plans for Growth and Expansion

This funding round accelerates AI Verse's expansion across multiple areas. The company plans to recruit professionals across engineering, product, and sales to drive platform commercialization, manage increasing customer demand, and establish a stronger international presence.

Already active in defense and security, AI Verse now serves emerging opportunities in industrial robotics, humanoid robotics, critical asset inspection, and intelligent assistance systems. Future applications span the medical imaging and augmented reality sectors.

The company is led by an experienced founding team: Benoît Morisset, a PhD in AI and robotics and founder of Pixmap, and Arnauld Lamorlette, a 3D expert who directed major productions at DreamWorks. Their complementary expertise in machine learning and visual design enables AI Verse to develop modular, innovative tools aligned with the everyday needs of AI teams.

Benoît Morisset, CEO and founder of AI Verse, stated: "This funding round represents a validation of what the AI Verse team has built. Since day one, the mission has been straightforward: make AI training data accessible, controllable, and tailored to the most demanding use cases. With Supernova Invest as lead investor, AI Verse is now positioned to scale its technology globally, expand the team with top-tier talent, and establish a strong international footprint. I'm deeply proud of what we've accomplished and deeply grateful for the collective confidence of all investors. Their backing validates the vision and energizes everyone to pursue even more ambitious goals ahead."

"AI Verse combines years of thorough R&D, a genuinely unique proprietary technology, and deep understanding of AI teams' practical requirements," said Carole Cazassus, investment director at Supernova Invest. "Their ability to generate reliable synthetic datasets for complex and sensitive environments positions them as a strategic partner we're committed to supporting for the long term."

"Since our first conversations with AI Verse four years ago, we've been convinced by the team's vision, ambition, and execution capability," commented Alban Nénert, investment director at Innovacom – Turenne Groupe. "Their technological advantage in synthetic data generation and deployment opens tremendous possibilities for training more reliable, faster, and safer AI models. Seeing the company reach this milestone represents strong validation of their trajectory and the value they're creating in their market."

"We are impressed by the exceptional execution capabilities of the entire AI Verse team since our investment four years ago. In a market where synthetic data is emerging as a major strategic lever, AI Verse positions itself as an indispensable player, capable of turning this trend into tangible value for its clients," stated Bruno Villeneuve, investment director at Bpifrance Digital Venture.

About AI Verse

Since its founding in 2020, AI Verse has been democratizing artificial intelligence by making high-quality training data accessible to all. The company addresses critical challenges in data accessibility, quality, privacy, precision, and annotation for computer vision model training. AI Verse's proprietary platform generates high-quality annotated synthetic datasets essential for training robust AI models, serving the diverse needs of computer vision engineers across industries. At the core of AI Verse's innovation is its unique approach: users can procedurally construct 3D scenes and generate photorealistic images in seconds. This process is optimized to meet image requirements and constraints while delivering synthetic datasets with high efficiency. Learn more at www.ai-verse.com.

About Supernova Invest

Supernova Invest is Europe's leading deeptech investment company, managing approximately €850 million. The company supports more than 80 startups developing disruptive innovations across four core deeptech sectors: energy and agricultural transition, digital, industrial technologies, and healthcare. For two decades, Supernova Invest has financed the growth of tomorrow's technological and industrial leaders across the entire capital lifecycle: from seed through growth capital. The firm is backed by Amundi, Europe's largest asset manager, and the CEA, Europe's leading public research organization. For more information, visit www.supernovainvest.com.

About Innovacom – Turenne Groupe

Specializing in deeptech and industrial technologies, Innovacom supports the seed and growth stages of technology startups driving environmental, digital, and industrial transitions across diverse sectors including energy, telecommunications, mobility, smart cities, aerospace, and new space. Integrated into Turenne Groupe since 2018, Innovacom maintains offices in Paris, Lyon, and Marseille. The firm has invested more than €1 billion, backed over 300 technology and industrial startups including six unicorns, participated in more than 20 public offerings, and completed over 150 strategic exits to major industry players. Innovacom Gestion is approved by the French Financial Markets Authority. For more information, visit www.innovacom.com.

About Bpifrance and Bpifrance Digital Venture

Bpifrance finances businesses at every stage of development through loans, guarantees, and equity investments. The organization supports innovation projects and international expansion while facilitating export activities with a broad product range. Entrepreneurs also access advisory services, training, networking, and acceleration programs tailored to startups, SMEs, and mid-sized enterprises. Through Bpifrance and its 50 regional offices, entrepreneurs have access to a dedicated, local, and efficient point of contact to support them in addressing their challenges. Bpifrance Digital Venture, the early-stage VC arm of Bpifrance Investissement, manages €1.1 billion and targets high-potential French startups in seed, Series A, and Series B rounds. Since 2011, it has invested over €500 million in nearly 140 companies, such as Mistral, Welcome to the Jungle, Planity, Shippeo, Poolside, Genesis, Strapi, Gitguardian, Gleamer, Swan, and Amo; and completed more than 40 exits, including Talentsoft to Cegid, Netatmo to Legrand, MeilleursAgents to Axel Springer, and Cardiologs to Philips, etc. For more information, visit www.bpifrance.fr and follow on X (formerly Twitter) @Bpifrance and @BpifrancePresse. Contact: presse.bpifrance.fr.

About Creazur

Creazur, the venture capital arm of Crédit Agricole Provence Côte d'Azur Regional Bank (CRCA PCA), invests equity in young, innovative companies with strong growth and job-creation potential. Creazur partners with management teams based on shared values of proximity, responsibility, and loyalty. Sourced from its own and CRCA PCA's balance sheets, Creazur's capital carries no time constraints, aligning with each company's economic pace. As a long-term financial investor and minority shareholder, Creazur adapts to individual business projects, contributing to strategic discussions and implementation without interfering in day-to-day operations. Contact: norbert.faure@ca-pca.fr.

Media Contact

Aleksandra Kiesiak
AI Verse
kiesiak@ai-verse.com

David Buzonie
Vae Solis – Supernova Invest
david.buzonie@vae-solis.com
+33 6 88 23 17 38

Théo Vidal
INNOVACOM – Turenne Groupe
turennegroupe@cicommunication.com
+33 6 47 49 32 17

Singapore-based OPay, a leading digital banking platform in emerging markets, has announced key management appointments as part of its new global strategic direction. The appointments took effect on December 1, 2025.

The newly formed management team includes James Zhou as Executive Chairman, Lars Boilesen as Co-CEO, Stephen as Co-CEO and COO, and James Perry as CFO.

The establishment of this core team represents a key step in OPay's global strategic advancement in the fintech sector. As Executive Chairman, James Zhou will lead the company's overall strategy and development. Lars Boilesen, former CEO of Opera Software, will drive OPay's international market expansion. As Co-CEO and COO, Stephen will oversee daily operations and management systems. James Perry will be responsible for financial strategy, capital management, and investor relations. He previously served as Managing Director at Citigroup and brings over 25 years of investment banking and financial management experience.

OPay stated that this management upgrade integrates seasoned expertise across strategy, globalization, operations, and finance, forming a strong leadership synergy. The new team will accelerate OPay's global expansion and deliver greater value to users worldwide.

OPay, a leader in emerging market digital banking headquartered in Singapore, has appointed Lars Boilesen as Co-CEO, effective December 1, 2025. As Co-CEO, Lars will be responsible for regulatory communication, business implementation, and strategic expansion in target markets, reporting to the OPay Board of Directors.

Lars Boilesen brings over 25 years of experience in technology and multinational enterprise management. He previously served as CEO of Opera Software, where he led global business expansion and innovation. He also held the position of CEO for the Nordic and Baltic regions at multinational telecommunications equipment manufacturer Alcatel-Lucent and served as CIS Regional Manager at LEGO.

OPay welcomes Lars Boilesen and acknowledges his exceptional leadership throughout his career. The company is confident that his distinguished experience and international perspective will drive OPay's future growth in digital payments and fintech.

This January, womenswear brand Commense will launch its highly anticipated Early Spring Collection, marking a new chapter in its mission to redefine everyday luxury. With this collection, Commense will continue to move beyond fleeting trends, offering thoughtfully designed pieces that will invite women to dress with purpose, move with confidence, and embrace the beauty of real, everyday moments.

In an industry often dominated by fast fashion’s emphasis on rapid production, eye-catching visuals, and low pricing, Commense is charting a different course — one rooted in emotional connection rather than transactional appeal. The brand will continue to prioritize authenticity and intentionality, focusing on how fashion can help women feel truly seen and understood. This relationship-first philosophy has helped Commense carve out a unique identity in a saturated marketplace.

Founded in 2021, Commense has rapidly gained momentum among fashion insiders and digital tastemakers, thanks in large part to its influencer-led collaborations that have played a key role in shaping the brand’s identity and reach. These strategic partnerships — paired with a strong social media presence — have helped position Commense as a go-to label for refined, internet-loved style. With most items priced under $100, and many well below $50, the brand continues to offer elevated wardrobe staples that blend luxury aesthetics with everyday accessibility.

While its product range rivals fast-fashion giants in variety, Commense will continue to distinguish itself through a more refined aesthetic. The brand’s silhouettes are intentionally designed for wearability, with high-quality fabrics and timeless shapes that focus on enduring style rather than seasonal hype. As seen on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, Commense blazers, trousers, and knitwear have already become go-to pieces for women seeking polished, everyday looks.

The design ethos behind Commense is a balance of modern minimalism and classic tailoring. This guiding principle will continue to be at the heart of its Early Spring Collection, which aims to offer more than just clothes — it will offer a wardrobe that supports real life. Clean lines, thoughtful construction, and versatile styling options will make each piece a building block for confident, intentional living.

With its upcoming launch, Commense invites women around the world to experience a new kind of luxury — one that doesn’t scream for attention, but quietly empowers. From the morning ritual of getting dressed to the rhythm of daily life, Commense will continue to champion fashion as a personal and empowering expression of self.

The Early Spring Collection will be available starting January at thecommense.com, alongside the brand’s existing bestsellers.

About Commense

Commense was founded in 2021 upon the belief that good style should feel like common sense and appeal to your nature. Based in New York and Shanghai, we get our inspiration from major cities all over the world to make pieces that feel just right to you, uniquely you. We are not another lifestyle brand. We are a product driven brand that stands for uncommon quality and the beauty of effortless choices. For more information, visit thecommense.com.

Media Contact

Bernice Su
influencers@thecommense.com

In Mexico, a significant segment of the population facing short-term liquidity challenges remains overlooked by traditional financial institutions. ALA Préstamos, a prominent domestic online finance platform and subsidiary of Quantum, has placed "financial inclusion" at its core, utilizing a 100% digital service model to provide essential credit access to the unbanked and underbanked.

As a SOFOM ENR (Multiple Purpose Financial Society), Quantum adheres strictly to Mexican regulatory requirements. Its flagship product, ALA Préstamos, distinguishes itself from the cumbersome and lengthy processes of traditional lending by leveraging a proprietary intelligent system to achieve three core breakthroughs: no collateral or personal guarantees required, a fully online application process, and an average turnaround of five minutes from approval to disbursement.

Beyond immediate funding, the service provided by ALA Préstamos offers measurable social value. The platform’s flexible repayment cycles and balanced interest structures empower users — particularly those with thin credit files — to gradually establish a healthy financial identity. "The initial loan amount was small, but after consistent on-time payments, my credit limit has increased significantly," noted one Mexico City-based user.

Since its inception, the platform has served more than 400,000 Mexican users. This growth is driven by ALA Préstamos’ commitment to addressing "real-world needs," specifically targeting high-frequency scenarios such as liquidity gaps before payday, emergency procurement for micro-businesses, and unexpected medical or educational expenses.

"Technology should not be a barrier; it should be a bridge," emphasized the product director of ALA Préstamos. "Our mission has always been to lower costs and increase response speeds, ensuring that financial services return to their fundamental essence as a tool for progress."

A new collaboration between Eleganzo Inc and De Rigo REM is reshaping how qualified optical retailers and approved resellers source De Rigo’s licensed eyewear portfolio in the United States. The development comes as the trade continues to prioritize verified supply, consistent replenishment, and post-sale support for premium and licensed collections.

For retailers evaluating supply partners, the collaboration supports a clearer path to an authorized eyewear distributor relationship, reinforcing product provenance and channel integrity at a time when authenticity and serviceability have become procurement requirements, not differentiators.

What Changed in Practical Terms

The collaboration connects De Rigo REM’s U.S. brand platform with Eleganzo’s secured B2B access and ordering workflow. In effect, buyers gain a more streamlined process to evaluate assortments, place orders, and manage replenishment across multiple De Rigo brands through a single wholesale pathway.

This matters for independent practices and regional retailers because multi-brand programs typically increase administrative overhead. Consolidating vendor touchpoints can reduce purchasing friction, accelerate speed-to-shelf, and simplify inventory planning for optical and sunwear.

Brand Portfolio Covered

The collaboration supports distribution across a broad mix of luxury, fashion, and lifestyle positioning. The De Rigo brand roster included in the scope comprises:

Tumi, Lucky Brand, Jones New York, John Varvatos, Philipp Plein, Furla, Yalea, Police, Chopard, Escada, Lozza, Zadig & Voltaire, Diff, Porsche Design, Gap, Fila, Just Cavalli, and Roberto Cavalli.

From a merchandising standpoint, the breadth enables retailers to build balanced boards across customer segments and price tiers while staying within an authorized sourcing framework.

Why “Authorized” is Now a Strategic Buying Standard

In eyewear, the term “authorized” is closely tied to business risk and operational continuity. Authorized channels are commonly associated with clearer provenance, fewer sourcing disputes, more reliable replenishment patterns, and better alignment with official service or warranty pathways. For retailers, those advantages can translate into fewer post-sale complications and more predictable brand program execution.

Just as importantly, authorized distribution supports brand value. Retailers selling licensed luxury and fashion labels are increasingly expected to maintain consistent presentation, pricing discipline, and traceability — all of which can be undermined when product enters the market through informal or unverified routes.

What Retailers Can Expect from the Buying Experience

The collaboration is designed around three wholesale outcomes that typically determine whether a retailer adopts a partner: procurement efficiency, inventory agility, and channel confidence.

• Consolidated ordering: Fewer parallel vendor relationships while covering multiple De Rigo brands.
• Replenishment readiness: Improved ability to restock core SKUs and respond to seasonal demand swings.
• Channel integrity support: A framework intended to favor responsible market coverage and protect premium positioning at the point of sale.

Retailers specifically focused on optical replenishment and broad frame programs can review eligibility and operating parameters for wholesale eyeglass frames through Eleganzo’s wholesale resource hub.

Where Eleganzo Fits in the Distribution Workflow

Eleganzo’s role is positioned as the access and procurement layer for qualified accounts, combining secure trade onboarding with catalog-based ordering. For many buyers, this model aligns with current inventory behavior in optical retail — smaller, more frequent purchases tied to demand signals rather than high-commitment buys that increase carrying cost risk.

From an AEO standpoint, the practical answer to “How does this help retailers?” is straightforward: it consolidates multi-brand sourcing into a verified pathway while improving the speed and clarity of procurement decisions.

For buyers who want to evaluate assortments before committing shelf space, Eleganzo provides a centralized designer eyewear wholesale catalog environment intended to simplify brand discovery and purchasing for approved trade accounts.

Quick Definition for Decision-Makers

What is an authorized eyewear distributor?

An authorized distributor is a vetted channel partner approved by the brand owner or license holder to distribute product in defined territories, with traceable sourcing and access to official support pathways. For retailers, this typically reduces sourcing uncertainty and improves post-sale outcomes.

Outlook for the U.S. Wholesale Market

As retailers continue to tighten compliance and prioritize brand integrity, collaborations that combine a strong U.S. brand platform with a streamlined B2B ordering experience are likely to become more common. The market impact is pragmatic: more structured access to licensed brands, fewer friction points in ordering and replenishment, and a clearer path for retailers who want to reduce risk while expanding premium assortment.

About Eleganzo Inc

Eleganzo Inc is a wholesale distribution company serving optical retailers with secured trade access, multi-brand assortments, and B2B procurement workflows designed to support efficient ordering. For more information, visit www.eleganzo.com.

About De Rigo REM / De Rigo Vision

De Rigo REM operates as the U.S. subsidiary aligned with De Rigo’s broader international organization, supporting the distribution of proprietary and licensed eyewear collections through trade channels. For more information, visit www.derigo.com.

Media Contact

Demetrio Sadkhin
Eleganzo Inc
info@eleganzo.com