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Hearst Newspapers and USLege today unveiled Capitol Confidential Pro, a first-of-its-kind platform for policy and government professionals. Powered by USLege, the new product combines Capitol Confidential’s trusted statehouse reporting with the cutting-edge, AI-driven policy intelligence technology developed by USLege.

The collaboration brings together the award-winning political journalism of Capitol Confidential — the Times Union’s authoritative state government newsletter and a cornerstone of Hearst Newspapers’ political coverage — and the advanced legislative intelligence of USLege, an AI-powered platform that tracks, analyzes and explains policy activity across every level of government in real time.

Together, they redefine how government affairs professionals track, interpret and act on state and local policy developments. Capitol Confidential Pro ensures that government affairs professionals, lawmakers, lobbyists, association leaders, corporate GR teams and law firms can access both trusted political reporting and advanced legislative intelligence — all in one platform. The platform debuts in New York State today and will expand to California in 2026.

“Our Capitol Confidential subscribers already rely on our insightful, trustworthy political reporting and analysis from the statehouse,” said George Hearst, president and publisher at Times Union. “By pairing that journalism with USLege’s powerful technology, we’re creating an unparalleled blend of human-powered reporting and cutting-edge analytical tools to help professionals understand, anticipate, and act on what’s happening in state government and politics in real time.”

“Our mission has always been to make government work more transparent, and Hearst shares that commitment,” said Laura Davis, co-founder of USLege.

“With Capitol Confidential Pro, Powered by USLege, professionals won’t just know what’s happening inside the Capitol — they’ll understand why it matters, in real time,” said Eric Davis, CEO of USLege. “This partnership brings even more value to our users, who have needed news and are constantly updated as soon as it happens, combining smart technology with trusted journalism to help them stay informed, ahead, and always ready to act.”

Subscribers to the Pro product will gain exclusive access to:

• Capitol Confidential political reporting directly inside the USLege platform for New York users
• AI-powered state and local legislative tracking
• Executive Branch monitoring and instant video transcripts of government meetings
• AI-driven bill and hearing analysis
• Real-time alerts and live video search
• Integrated legislative CRM and workflow automation

The partnership builds on Hearst’s legacy of editorial excellence across a national network of newspapers and decades of statehouse reporting, combined with USLege’s industry-leading system that ingests and analyzes hundreds of thousands of hours of legislative content, turning it into actionable, real-time insights.

About USLege

USLege is an AI-powered legislative tracking platform transforming how government affairs professionals track, analyze, and act on policy at the local, state, and federal levels across the U.S. Built for the fragmented and fast-moving world of government relations, USLege unifies legislative CRM, live government video, and real-time bill tracking, powered by a customizable AI agent that delivers instant alerts, stakeholder-specific insights, and tailored content that matters. For more information, visit www.uslege.ai.

About Hearst Newspapers

Hearst Newspapers publishes 28 daily and 50 leading weekly newspapers across the United States including the Houston Chronicle, San Francisco Chronicle, and Times Union (Albany) along with a network of local digital marketing services and directories. For more information, visit www.hearst.com.

About Capitol Confidential

Capitol Confidential is the Times Union’s award-winning political newsletter, delivering real-time coverage and insight from inside New York’s statehouse. Capitol Confidential provides the reporting and context readers and policy professionals need to understand government developments as they unfold, helping them act quickly and make informed decisions. For more information, visit www.capitolconfidential.com.

Media Contact

Jess McDonald
Head of Marketing, USLege
jess@uslege.ai

Paul Luthringer
paul@hearst.com

TraceMySpace celebrates a significant milestone as it approaches its fifth year under the leadership of founder Cody Spears, marking a period defined by careful transformation, measured scaling, and consistent advancement in tool organization technology. The company originated as an early-stage concept before being purchased in 2021 when Spears saw the potential to refine its direction and establish a more deliberate foundation for growth. “I knew there was something meaningful in the idea,” he says, noting that the technology offered room for development and long-term viability.

Spears’ decision to acquire the business stemmed from recognizing areas where logistics, marketing, and production workflows could evolve with the right support. Instead of pursuing rapid expansion, TraceMySpace centered its early efforts on strengthening its processes and ensuring the technology could consistently meet customer expectations. “We always believed in improving things the right way, not the fast way,” Spears says. This intentional approach shaped the company’s early direction, focusing first on reliability, accuracy, and market validation before considering broader scaling.

Turning the original concept into a functioning, trusted product became a pivotal achievement. The team successfully implemented two large laser systems that accommodate precise cutting for their tool insert creation process. TraceMySpace is unique in allowing users to use their cell phone to photograph their entire tool drawer and obtain precise measurements for custom organization. Spears notes that early reactions were cautious; many found the idea difficult to imagine working in practice. But as orders increased, the confidence in the system grew. “Once customers saw the results firsthand, they continued coming back,” he explains, pointing to that shift as a major turning point for the company.

As TraceMySpace gained traction, Spears explains, the technology continued to evolve. The company invested in programming, automation, and process refinement to ensure that the experience matched the sophistication of the product. “The technology in this company is very high, and we want the user experience to match that,” Spears says. These improvements ranged from software advancements to production efficiencies, each aimed at enhancing accuracy, usability, and long-term customer satisfaction.

Building reliable photo-measurement technology also required a growing team. TraceMySpace expanded its resources by partnering with development, marketing, and programming specialists who strengthened the backend systems and opened the door to more advanced capabilities. “These collaborations enabled the company to scale responsibly while maintaining operational stability,” Spears says. “This evolution is steady and intentional, supported by people who understand the technical demands of refining a high-precision system.”

Throughout the past five years, Spears says the company has reinvested its profits to fund innovation and maintain financial stability. He shares that TraceMySpace has operated without debt, reinforcing its commitment to organic growth and thoughtful decision-making. “Slow and steady kind of wins it,” he says. “We have always known when to put a lid on things and when to open it up.” This disciplined approach has kept the company focused on quality rather than short-term gains.

According to Spears, the customer base has expanded in unexpected ways as well. What began with a focus on the racing industry soon drew interest from manufacturing and later aerospace. Spears credits this evolution to keeping the brand accessible rather than narrowing it to a single field. “There’s a whole different world out there that we didn’t even know about,” he says, reflecting on the organic diversification of the business.

Looking ahead, TraceMySpace is preparing a new phase of process refinement and digital improvements, including a customer portal that will simplify reorders and file storage. The company is also exploring opportunities to manufacture products for other innovators, extending its technology into new areas. Spears notes growing interest from creators seeking production support, signaling an additional avenue for long-term expansion.

As TraceMySpace approaches its five-year milestone, the company remains focused on steady growth, evolving capabilities, and an ongoing commitment to improving the user experience. “We want this company to be around for many more years,” Spears says, emphasizing a future shaped by thoughtful progress and continued innovation.

Media Contact

Cody Spears
cspears@tracemyspace.com

Presented by Riyadh Art under the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC), the fifth edition of Noor Riyadh will illuminate the capital every night from Nov. 20 until Dec. 6, 2025.

This year’s festival is curated under the theme “In the Blink of an Eye,” referencing the rapid transformation shaping Riyadh. Large-scale artworks are grouped across six locations, positioned alongside both heritage buildings and the sleek, modern lines of Riyadh's award-winning metro system and contemporary architecture.

Curated by Mami Kataoka (curatorial advisory lead; director, Mori Art Museum, Tokyo), Riyadh-based curator Sara Almutlaq, and Li Zhenhua (curator and founder of Beijing Art Lab), the festival presents 60 artworks by 59 artists from 24 countries, with more than 35 new commissions by leading Saudi and international artists.

"Each year, Noor Riyadh grows in ambition and impact,” says Nouf Almoneef, festival director of Noor Riyadh. “I am proud that we continue to champion artists, strengthen the creative economy, and build connections between Saudi talent and the international arts community. Together, we are shaping Riyadh into a global capital for culture today and for generations to come.”

Highlight artworks on view include: 

László Zsolt Bordos (Hungary), "Astrum," 2025 — Powerful beams atop Al Faisaliah Tower become a moving planetary compass, pointing to celestial bodies in real time. With lasers beaming up to 7 kilometers, the work turns the city skyline into an astronomical stage, inviting viewers to reconnect with the cosmos above metropolitan Riyadh.

Vali Chincișan (Romania), "The Vision Grid," 2025 — The façade of KAFD Metro Station is transformed into a shifting lattice of light and sound. The oscillating patterns fracture into color, synchronized to an electronic score, featuring a precise meditation on perception in flux, where architecture seems to inhale data and geometry becomes music.

Christophe Berthonneau (France), "Synthesis," 2025 — Architecture, drone choreography, and mapping are merged into a single kinetic performance. In this collaboration with László Zsolt Bordos, the building appears to levitate, its façade a recombinant geometry while drones extend the light ballet skyward in a dialogue between art and engineering.

fuse* (Italy), "Luna Somnium," 2025 — Italian art and architecture collective transforms detailed lunar data into a multisensory cosmic experience within a towering square metal structure. Aligned with orbital rhythms, ethereal visuals oscillate between abstraction and cosmology, turning scientific observation into a meditative dream of celestial yearning.  

James Clar (Philippines and United States), "When the Sky Reaches the Ground - (a moment frozen)," 2025 — A massive sculptural bolt of frozen lightning, constructed from neon and grid scaffolding. His art captures a fleeting moment of immense speed and intense energy, symbolizing both technological mastery and the nuanced ways communication systems shape our perception of reality.

Fatma Abdulhadi (Saudi Arabia), "Keep your eyes on the light: Into Another Garden,"2025 — Suspended in ghost fabrics, an illusory shadow garden invites the viewer to flow into the room of the heart, between healing and growth. It is a space for pause and repose, where one is invited to embody their inner state of being and reflect on the subtleties of shadow, of self, and of time.

Ahmad Angawi (Saudi Arabia), "Algorithms of Light: The Falcon," 2025 — Angawi explores the intersection of heritage, motion, and transformation, drawing inspiration from Najdi Sadu patterns and the Saudi falcon, embodying sublime rhythm and geometry. Its calligraphic design elongates to inhabit space without overt declaration, expressing a quiet statement of permanence.

Alex Schweder (United States), "Clockwise Invitations," 2025 — An expansive, luminous, inflatable environment is brought to life by its visitors. Chambers expand, passages shift, and light transforms as audiences gather, turning orientation into a shared choreography between bodies and air.

Press information:

Download the full media kit here.

About Noor Riyadh

Since 2021, Noor Riyadh has attracted more than 9.6 million visitors and spectators, presenting more than 550 artworks by 500 artists from around the world. Alongside its citywide installations, the festival offers a vibrant public program of community activities, workshops, and panels that bring people together through art. The festival continues to embody Riyadh Art’s mission to enrich daily life through creativity, to develop the creative economy, and to inspire dialogue across communities.

Spanning the city from north to south, the festival locations include: Riyadh Art space at JAX District, a former industrial area that is now home to artist studios, galleries, and contemporary arts events; KAFD Metro Station, designed by Zaha Hadid architects; stc Metro Station, designed by Gerber Architekten; Al Faisaliah Tower, designed by British design practice Foster & Partners; and the heritage areas Qasr Al Hokm District and King Abdulaziz Historical Center, both in the historic heart of Riyadh.

“Noor Riyadh is defined by its artists — their ideas, their courage, and their vision,” says Nouf Almoneef, festival director of Noor Riyadh. “Each work captures the city’s momentum through light, reminding us that creativity is a universal language that connects cultures and inspires dialogue.”

For more information, visit riyadhart.sa/en/noor-riyadh.

SOFTSWISS, a global tech leader in iGaming solutions, has released its 2026 iGaming Trends Report. The fourth edition of this annual study provides a data-driven roadmap for industry stakeholders.

The report is based on a survey of over 350 iGaming professionals and the AI-driven analysis of over 120,000 media headlines, making it one of the most comprehensive overviews of the global iGaming landscape to date. It combines qualitative and quantitative research methods, including independent analytics from Kantar, the leading research agency, and internal insights from 30 SOFTSWISS experts.

Covering global key regions and industry domains, including marketing, regulation, technology, responsible gambling, cybersecurity, and AI, the 2026 iGaming Trends Report offers an in-depth look at the factors driving market transformation:

• AI goes operational: The perceived importance of AI scored 8.41/10 in 2025, up from 8.15 the previous year, with 56% of surveyed companies listing AI integration as one of their top-three business priorities.
• Brand Over Bonus: Influencer marketing dominance has dropped by 10 percentage points since 2023, while brand reputation and trust now play a bigger role than bonuses in player acquisition.
• Marketing reinvented: Operators are shifting their focus from performance-only tactics to brand-led ecosystems. iGaming Companies are now tracking brand equity metrics, such as Top of Mind and Purchase Intent, as strategic KPIs.
• Regulation reshaped: New markets, including Brazil and Finland, are transitioning to competitive licensing models, while countries such as the UK and Lithuania are introducing tighter advertising controls.
• Responsible gambling 2.0: AI-based tools are being deployed to identify at-risk player behaviour in real time, a step now expected by regulators in jurisdictions including Ontario and Greece.
• Cybersecurity as a core metric: Phishing incidents have increased by 180% since 2023, while 35% of smaller operators report inadequate cyber resilience, underscoring the growing connection between trust, compliance, and player retention.

This year's edition introduces a new microtrends section, exploring early-stage shifts and emerging ideas with near-term potential. This dedicated chapter highlights the smaller signals shaping tomorrow's market opportunities.

Each microtrend is supported by real examples and regional case studies, showing how forward-looking operators and suppliers can capitalise on these movements before they reach mainstream adoption.

Ivan Montik, founder of SOFTSWISS, comments: "In recent years, the sector has moved into maturity. What now matters is disciplined profitability, operational resilience, and the ability to deliver durable player value. This fourth edition reflects that shift. We examine the macrotrends reshaping the sector, the micro-level tactics and technologies that improve performance. Taken together, these chapters provide a structured view of what will shape 2026."

Operators and industry professionals can download the 2026 iGaming Trends Report on SOFTSWISS's website.

About SOFTSWISS

SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 35,000 casino games, Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Platform, and the Jackpot Aggregator. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees. For more information, visit www.softswiss.com.

Media Contact

Alena Praskuryna
PR Manager
alena.praskuryna@softswiss.com

VERT Capital and UISA have issued Brazil’s first Agribusiness Receivables Certificate (CRA) with on-chain financial traceability on the leading blockchain XDC Network, marking a major step in the modernization of Brazil’s capital markets.

The BRL 400 million (USD 75.5 million) issuance spans four series with maturities of up to six years and is backed by UISA’s agro-industrial receivables. The move extends blockchain-based transparency from UISA’s production chain into the financial instruments that fund its operations, giving investors verifiable lifecycle tracking of the CRA.

UISA already uses blockchain to validate sustainability across its sugarcane, ethanol, energy, and bioproducts value chain. Bringing the same rigor to credit instruments links physical operations with financial transparency, creating a unified traceability framework for all stakeholders.

"This issuance is a milestone for Brazil’s capital markets and for the global XDC ecosystem. Seeing a CRA tokenized with onchain traceability on a public blockchain represents the real convergence of sustainability, financial innovation, and operational transparency. UISA and VERT are showing the world how Brazil can lead the digital transformation of traditional markets using institutional-grade infrastructure,” said Diego Consimo, head of LATAM at XDC Network.

The transaction also initiates VERT’s broader multi-chain tokenization strategy, building on prior activity and expanding access for international investors seeking exposure to Brazil’s private credit market.

“This issuance brings together two key dimensions of blockchain adoption: operational transparency and financial innovation,” said Gabriel Braga, director of digital assets at VERT. “By recording lifecycle events of a CRA directly onchain, we are increasing traceability for investors while strengthening the link between sustainable production and its financing.”

"Here at Uisa, innovation and technology are what validate the seriousness of our ESG initiatives. We were pioneers in using blockchain to track our production, from the field to the final product, and to take the next step, we needed a partner with the same pioneering spirit, forward-thinking vision, and courage to innovate — and VERT Capital is that company,” said Rodrigo Gonsalves, CTO at UISA.

“This partnership will connect our already sustainable and verifiable operations directly to the capital markets," Gonsalves added. "By combining UISA’s sustainable production with VERT’s expertise in digital securitization, we will offer full, end-to-end transparency — from our sustainable cultivation in the field to the investor in the financial market. With this partnership, we are doing more than tokenizing an asset, we are merging physical traceability with financial traceability."

The XDC Network provides an enterprise-grade blockchain infrastructure with Ethereum compatibility, low transaction costs, and hybrid connectivity — making it ideal for tokenization of regulated credit instruments. Onchain records include key issuance events, cash flow information, and lifecycle documentation, enabling daily traceability and auditability while maintaining full compliance with Brazilian securities regulation (Resolutions CVM 60 and 160).

With more than 401 structured credit transactions totaling BRL 109 billion issued and BRL 71 billion under management, VERT continues to lead the modernization of Brazil’s capital markets through blockchain technology and regulated innovation.

About XDC Network

XDC Network is a leading hybrid blockchain designed to revolutionize global trade finance and enterprise solutions. Built for scalability, interoperability, and compliance with ISO 20022 standards, XDC Network enables efficient, secure, and low-cost transactions, bridging traditional and decentralized finance. With a capacity for 2,000 transactions per second and a focus on real-world asset tokenization, XDC empowers businesses and communities worldwide to participate in the digital economy. The network has global partnerships with governments as well as financial institutions like Fidelity via Archax, VERT Capital, Deutsche Telekom, SBI Holdings Japan, among others industry leaders. For more information, visit xdc.org.

On the sidelines of HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Washington, DC, Takamol Holding, a Saudi company, finalized more than 20 strategic agreements with investments exceeding 140 million Saudi Riyals at the recent Saudi-US Investment Forum. The event also featured the launch of T-Cube, an initiative focused on supporting digital development and entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia. These actions reflect Takamol’s contribution to the Kingdom’s economic diversification and key development areas.

Dr. Ahmed Al-Yamani serves as the CEO of Takamol Holding. Under his leadership, the company has established partnerships across academia, technology, consulting, and governance, with the objective of strengthening local capabilities and addressing upcoming economic challenges.

Among Takamol’s key partnerships are educational collaborations with Georgetown University, the University of New Haven, and the University of Chicago. These partnerships will introduce stackable courses in fields such as cybersecurity, economics, and data analytics. The programs are designed to begin by the first quarter of 2026 and intend to increase the availability of advanced education for Saudi students.

Dr. Al-Yamani noted, “Today, 63% of Saudis are under 30. This generation is the largest reservoir of talent our country has ever seen. When we surround them with strong education, technology, and guidance, they have the opportunities to build the current and next Saudi economy and society.”

In the technology sector, Takamol has signed agreements with companies including Google Cloud, Napster, Teradata, and Oracle. These partnerships are centered on expanding digital infrastructure and cloud services to support the Kingdom’s growing technology markets. Industry projections anticipate the cloud market in Saudi Arabia will nearly double from 2025 to 2030, marking a significant trend that these agreements aim to support.

Governance and advisory engagements feature collaborations with entities such as ZMH Advisor, Hogan Lovells, The Clearing House, Kearney, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), and McKinsey. These partnerships will provide expertise and governance models to assist with the implementation of Takamol’s projects, including the newly introduced T-Cube initiative.

T-Cube is a digital platform that connects Saudi talent with ongoing transformation projects, aiming to build an ecosystem where youth gain practical skills through active involvement. Dr. Ahmed Al-Yamani explained that the initiative serves as a step toward developing Saudi expertise to rank among the top 5% globally. It facilitates the transfer of consulting methods and practical experience by integrating Saudi teams with international consulting firms such as McKinsey, BCG, and Kearney. This collaborative approach supports the creation of a unified system linking human capital, technology, and governance and reinforces economic policies based on data-driven analysis. Current labor market statistics indicate that Saudi Arabia’s workforce participation rate is around 51%, with female participation at approximately 36.2%. Takamol’s T-Cube and other initiatives aim to address employment and skills gaps by providing training and project experience tailored to market needs.

The work Takamol is doing falls within the broader context of Saudi Arabia’s national objectives for workforce localization and digital transformation. By investing in education, technology, governance, and workforce development, Takamol is positioning itself as a contributor to these goals. The agreements signed at the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum represent a multifaceted approach that combines international expertise with local capacity building. The partnerships cover educational advancements, digital infrastructure expansion, consultancy, and legal and governance advisory services. These sectors are targeted to support a sustainable economic environment and enhance the competitiveness of Saudi people, policies, and companies locally and globally.

In summary, Takamol Holding’s recent activities at the forum emphasize strategic collaboration and capacity building. The company’s work focuses on delivering tangible developmental projects and initiatives. While the T-Cube platform serves as a step toward engaging youth in economic transformation, the bigger spectrum of partnerships and agreements reflects the complexity and scope of the challenges Takamol aims to address. By aligning investments with the needs of a young and growing population along with a constantly changing technology landscape, Takamol seeks to contribute to the Kingdom’s ongoing economic development through practical measures and partnerships, emphasizing concrete actions.

With U.S. retailers preparing for another record-setting Black Friday and Cyber Monday season, Spider Labs warns that advertisers may face heightened exposure to invalid traffic (IVT) and automated non-human activity. According to new findings from its ad fraud prevention platform, Spider AF, increases in fraudulent behavior most consistently align with periods of accelerated budget deployment, a dynamic commonly seen during peak holiday sales cycles.

Fraud Patterns Follow Ad Demand

Spider AF’s analysis of e-commerce, travel, and service-sector advertisers shows that IVT rates frequently rose during periods of rapid budget expansion and increased competition, regardless of industry or campaign type.

“Fraudsters target moments when advertiser spend rises quickly,” said Satoko Otsuki, CEO of Spider Labs. “Events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday often lead to faster bidding cycles and reduced oversight. Those conditions create stronger economic incentives for abuse.”

Satoko noted that Spider AF’s dataset reflects the environments monitored by the platform rather than the global market as a whole, but the observed behaviors align with widely documented patterns in performance advertising.

Automation Increases Exposure to Risk

Spider AF’s 2024 dataset shows that 18.5% of all invalid interactions originated from automated sources, including 11.6% from data-center traffic across 4.15 billion measured clicks. In individual accounts, these concentrations were significantly higher; one travel advertiser saw over 80% of invalid clicks traced to data-center origins, a typical indicator of scripted, non-human execution.

Because automated interactions resemble legitimate engagement patterns, they directly influence how bidding systems interpret performance. A study of 324 companies showed that conversion rates from invalid clicks (1.29%) were roughly half those of legitimate clicks (2.54%), underscoring how automated noise weakens optimization inputs and increases cost inefficiencies.

Read the Spider AF Ad Fraud White Paper｜2025 Annual Edition.

“When interaction data becomes polluted, models start allocating spend toward patterns that never had real intent,” Satoko said. “The immediate loss is wasted spend, but the longer-term impact is mislearning. Once a model internalizes misleading signals, the performance damage continues beyond the original fraud event.”

A Broader Marketing Security Concern

Across the U.S. market, advertisers are increasingly treating fraud prevention as part of a broader marketing security strategy — protecting budgets, data quality, and automated decision systems from both non-human behavior and real-user abuse.

Spider AF’s global 2024 dataset showed an average ad fraud rate of 5.1% with some networks exceeding 46%. High-CPC verticals such as finance, telecom, real estate, and insurance showed some of the highest exposure rates.

“Protecting data quality is fundamental to protecting ad spend,” Satoko said. “Clean engagement signals are what allow marketers to make accurate decisions and maintain reliable optimization.”

About Spider Labs

Spider Labs, Inc. is the company behind Spider AF, a software platform that protects digital campaigns from invalid clicks, fake leads, bots, and other ad fraud. Spider AF provides real-time monitoring, automated blocking, and clear reporting so advertisers can safeguard budgets and trust their data. Its solutions include PPC Protection, Fake Lead Protection, SiteScan, and anti-scalping controls. For more information, visit spideraf.com.

Media Contact

Global PR
pr@spider-labs.com

Against a backdrop of rising global economic uncertainty and ongoing volatility in China’s capital markets, Guoyuan Securities has identified three emerging structural investment opportunities, highlighting the distinctive resilience of China’s economy. The firm advises that, despite short-term disruptions, investors should focus on long-term trends and seek out growth opportunities with greater certainty in key sectors such as technological innovation, consumer upgrading, and the green transition.

With China entering a critical phase in its shift from rapid economic growth to high-quality development, deep changes are taking place in market dynamics and resource allocation.

Guoyuan Securities has identified three emerging focal areas that are expected to drive future growth:

Three Key Structural Themes

• Technological self-reliance and industrial chain security: Achieving independence and control in critical technological domains has become a national strategic priority. This shift is fueling sustained policy and capital support for hard-tech sectors such as semiconductors, high-end software, industrial base equipments and artificial intelligence.
• Consumer upgrading and the rise of domestic brands: With the continuous expansion of China’s middle-income group, consumption patterns are shifting from meeting basic needs to pursuing quality, personalization, and experiential consumption. This trend is driving the vigorous development of domestic brands and high-quality products.
• Green Economy and Sustainable Development: The advancement of China’s “dual carbon” goals is reshaping the energy structure and industrial landscape. Opportunities extend well beyond solar and wind power, encompassing next-generation power systems, the new energy vehicle (NEV) supply chain, energy-efficient technologies, and the circular economy.

Professional Guidance Through Market Cycles

Recognizing the inherent uncertainties of the market, Guoyuan Securities emphasizes the importance of providing professional services that create lasting value for clients. Through dynamic risk assessment models, diversified asset allocation strategies, and comprehensive, cycle-spanning support, Guoyuan Securities aims to be a trusted long-term partner — helping clients navigate market challenges and steadily achieve the preservation and appreciation of wealth.

About Guoyuan Securities

Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Hefei, China, Guoyuan Securities Company Limited operates as a securities brokerage company in China and internationally. It offers wealth management, investment banking and management, credit business, financial, market making, customer asset management, custody, private equity fund, fixed income, equity investment, research and consulting, direct and alternative investment, cross-border securities financial, futures risk management and product supporting, private equity investment, and public fund management services. For more information, visit www.gyzq.com.cn.

Media Contact

Liu Siyi Selena
liusiyi@gyzq.com.cn

Following the In-Principle Approval (IPA) granted by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) for the registration of OSON (DIFC) Limited, the fintech holding company OSON has entered negotiations with three UAE banks to establish strategic partnerships in preparation for the launch of its multi-currency wallet, OSON Wallet.

The company notes that the UAE’s banking sector plays a vital role in shaping the new digital finance landscape, where collaboration between traditional institutions and fintech innovators drives accessibility and financial inclusion.

As part of its 2026 expansion roadmap, OSON plans parallel product launches across Central Asia, the MENA region, and the United States.

All these markets will be connected through a unified technology platform enabling cross-border payments, money transfers, and multi-currency operations within a single financial ecosystem.

In preparation for its U.S. market entry, OSON is finalising registration as a Money Services Business (MSB) under FinCEN (USA) and building operational links between its UAE and Central Asian entities.

These partnerships aim to strengthen the fintech bridge between MENA and Central Asia, providing users with secure, efficient, and borderless financial solutions.

Looking ahead, OSON’s goal is to make cross-border payments simpler, faster, and more accessible — connecting people and businesses worldwide through a single financial platform.

About OSON

OSON Holding was founded by Farkhod Makhmudov, an entrepreneur and investor from Uzbekistan. The company’s journey began in 2016 with the launch of OSON Wallet, one of the first digital payment solutions in the country. Today, the holding company operates in six countries, with five of them being regulated jurisdictions. The group focuses on developing fintech products for both consumers and banks, covering areas such as e-money, digital payments, agent networks, and acquiring services. In 2025, OSON expanded into the telecom sector, launching OSON eSIM, a digital connectivity service that allows users to access mobile data plans in 178 countries.

The holding company unites several companies under a single brand, operating across multiple regions — from cash-in terminal networks to digital wallets and acquiring platforms. OSON currently serves over 2.8 million users and, since 2023, has been actively expanding internationally — first across Central Asia, and from 2026, into the MENA region and North America.

Learn more at oson.com.

Terrabank has teamed up with Miami Dade College (MDC), in partnership with Grovear LLC, to roll out an intensive artificial intelligence (AI) training program for all employees, reinforcing the bank’s commitment to innovation, empowerment, and long-term career development.

The custom program, known as the AI Clinic, is designed to raise the level of AI proficiency across the bank’s workforce. The curriculum is tailored to Terrabank’s needs with modules designed for senior leadership, managers and staff.

Terrabank expects the AI Clinic to strengthen its operations across all departments, while creating measurable improvements in productivity, efficiency and customer service.

“We believe AI isn’t just a trend but a powerful tool that will help us reach the next level of sustainable, profitable growth,” said Antonio Uribe, president and CEO of Terrabank. “This bank-wide training reflects our investment in our people. Empowering them with AI knowledge is the foundation for improving our business and serving our community more effectively.”

More than 130 employees from every department are expected to complete the course, which combines online learning with in-person workshops. By the end of the program, participants will be able to program their own AI agents, apply a variety of AI tools to their daily work, and design solutions that improve efficiency and service quality.

The AI Clinic is offered through MDC’s AI Center and its School of Continuing Education & Professional Development. Employees will complete 20–25 hours of online study and then participate in up to 12 hours of workshops to apply their learning safely and ethically.

MDC is a national leader in AI education, having launched Florida’s first associate and bachelor’s degree programs in applied AI.

The instruction is led by Dr. Jose Fernandez-Calvo, a consultant, researcher, and educator specializing in AI and digital transformation. Dr. Fernandez-Calvo, who holds advanced degrees from the University of Miami, the University of Oxford, and Universidad de Buenos Aires has worked with global companies, universities, and government institutions. At MDC, he pioneered innovative AI education programs that focus on practical skills, prompting and agent development.

“AI empowers people, it doesn’t replace them,” said Pedro A. Santos, executive director of Emerging Technologies at MDC. “This program is about giving Terrabank employees the tools to grow, learn, and lead in the digital economy.”

About Terrabank

Established in 1985, Terrabank is a community bank with local vision and a strong global presence. It offers financial products to support South Florida's business sector and local economy by serving select international markets. Through its headquarters in Miami, banking centers in Doral and Coral Gables, as well as innovative digital banking services, Terrabank offers distinct financial solutions that create value for its clients. For more information, or to locate a Terrabank branch near you, please call (305) 223-7219 or visit www.terrabank.com.

Media Contact

Melisa Chantres
EvClay PR
mmchantres@evclay.com
+1 305-261-6222

Agustina Goldbaum
agoldbaum@evclay.com

Paul Diamond has spent a lifetime building, losing, and rebuilding — often far from the spotlight. Today, he is a London-based strategic investor with more than two decades of experience in property, financial services, and private equity. Through his family office, he backs what he calls high-trust ventures that deliver high-stakes returns.

“I invest in outsiders who wish to build what the culture hasn’t caught up with yet,” he says in his public biography. “Over the past 25 years, I’ve invested capital across financial services, property, aviation, and renewable energy — often before the spotlight arrives. I act where others hesitate. I enter early, think long and fast, stay quiet.”

That last phrase — stay quiet — captures the philosophy that runs through Diamond’s career. He is a man who has learned the hard way that the real game of wealth is not visibility but endurance.

Lesson One: Loyalty at Any Cost

Long before he entered finance, Diamond was marked for success. A star pupil and athlete, head boy in primary school, and deputy head boy in high school. Financial independence came early; by his mid-teens, he was supporting himself.

But the defining influence was personal, not professional. That quest for approval shaped what he calls his core pattern: loyalty at any cost, high tolerance for risk, and the subjugation of personal needs.

Diamond dissolved a thriving business and used his own fortune to free them. The choice nearly destroyed him financially, but it set the template for how he would live and lead.

Diamond’s instinct for fierce loyalty later translated into his approach to business partnerships. He enters ventures early, aligns with people he trusts, and stays committed long after others have stepped back. His early investments in South Africa’s Black Economic Empowerment initiatives — including the purchase of a radio station, a paper-supply business, and a pioneering Black-owned insurance company — reflected not only commercial foresight but also personal conviction.

His resume grew quickly: a bank launch, Radio Station, fashion-industry consolidations, a technology venture with the University of Pretoria, and property and finance deals that straddled continents.

But loyalty and risk are twins. Both lift and test those who practice them.

Lesson Two: Risk, Collapse, and the Quiet Rebuild

Diamond’s boldest gamble took him into Zimbabwe’s gold sector. With no mining experience, he set out to rehabilitate failing operations and, for a time, succeeded. Then politics intervened. As the country’s legal order unraveled, his investment collapsed.

His private life became the crucible for a second reinvention. What became his quiet but most powerful driver was the protection of his children’s respect and the vision of securing a future in which his children would be proud of him and his achievements. The same discipline that once fueled deal-making now turned inward: rebuilding not for acclaim, but for legacy.

The recovery was swift and strategic. He launched a property and investment firm. He built a multifamily property-development company in New York, invested in the Comair-British Airways Africa franchise, and made what would become a defining bet on renewable energy — a unicorn deal that yielded transformational wealth.

The period also revealed another side of his resilience. Diamond led a lawsuit against financier and predator Sidney Frankel, a case that led to a constitutional change in South Africa that removed time limits from survivors of sexual abuse pursuing criminal charges. Dubbed the “Frankel Eight” and later cited in the Harvard Law Review, this historic legal victory showed his capacity to turn crisis into structural reform. It was, as some describe it, a masterclass in persistence under pressure.

Lesson Three: The Power of Ethical Precision

Diamond’s present-day investments reflect a different kind of ambition — measured, ethical, and quietly global. He is now a principal backer of one of Europe’s most successful renewable-energy ventures, while operating property holdings in New York and London.

He describes his current focus in terms of “building platforms built on ethical principles, strategic precision, and cultural contribution.”

Colleagues say his influence lies not in dominance but in calibration — the ability to see strengths in others before they see them themselves. His own profile notes that he “possesses an extraordinary, intuitive ability to see latent strengths and strategic potential in people” and “never uses this insight for personal advantage.” Instead, he aligns talent so that “their natural gifts are magnified, creating shared success.”

That instinct has become the cornerstone of his leadership style. Those who work with him describe a man of contrasts: “a velvet glove over a steel fist.” Kindness and wit when it serves; precision and steel when it must.

He distills it to a single line: “I partner with founders who resonate with my vision, building platforms that generate attention, but do not chase it.”

It is a philosophy rooted in hard-won experience — the belief that sustainable power is quiet power, and that success without integrity is just noise.

The Pattern (and Secret) Behind Paul Diamond

Paul Diamond’s life, viewed across its full arc, reads like an extended study in controlled volatility. Early triumphs gave way to collapse; collapse became the catalyst for reinvention. Each chapter reflects the same underlying equation: loyalty, risk, and renewal.

Paul Diamond is the ultimate survivor and an empowered strategic leader. The description fits. Whether structuring one of South Africa’s first Black-owned insurance companies, weathering reputational attacks, or redefining renewable-energy investment in Europe, Diamond has operated from a consistent inner compass — loyalty refined by learning and resilience sharpened by loss.

Today, as he continues to expand his holdings and develop a personal platform for future writing and counsel, he remains what he has always been — a strategist who acts before the spotlight and exits long after it fades.

“I’m a private signal,” he says. “Where I stand, things shift.”

That may be the most succinct summary of Paul Diamond’s career — a reminder that in a world addicted to visibility, the most enduring influence often moves in silence.

Global storytelling nonprofit The Moth today announced its Winter/Spring 2026 season, centering on the theme "American Dreams" — a thoughtful and provocative exploration of hope, ambition, identity, and belonging at a defining moment in the nation’s history.

As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, The Moth is marking the moment by examining one of America’s most enduring and complicated ideas: the American Dream. For two and a half centuries, it has tantalized people with the possibility…of possibility.  Each of us carries some version of it — the irrepressible notion that where you begin does not necessarily determine where you end up. The belief that, in America, anything is possible.

This season, at more than 20 curated Moth Mainstage shows across the U.S., storytellers will explore the idea of the American Dream — its promises and its challenges. What happens when it’s dashed or deferred, or when it unexpectedly comes true? As audiences sit shoulder to shoulder, they will encounter a vivid mosaic of personal stories of reinvention, resilience, heartbreak, hope, survival and, yes, the enduring pull of possibility.

“At this significant moment in our country's history, we could think of no better way to honor the beautiful, complex quilt that is America than by sharing true personal stories of American Dreams,” says Christina Norman, chief creative officer of The Moth. “These fresh stories of hope, humor, and heart let us focus on the many things we share rather than the noise that pulls us apart.”

Each Moth Mainstage is a curated, theme-driven show where storytellers from all walks of life share true stories told live and without notes. The Winter/Spring 2026 season will travel from Anchorage to New York, Los Angeles to Boston — in cities and small towns alike — creating a collective portrait of what it means to dream in America today.

Season highlights include:

• Four New York City shows — each offering a distinct perspective on the season’s theme, all presented in The Moth’s hometown.
• A double-header in Los Angeles and Orange County, presented as part of an exciting new partnership with LAist.
• Back by popular demand: The Moth returns to the Mandel Opera & Humanities Festival in Cleveland, Ohio

Tickets for The Moth’s complete Winter/Spring 2026 Mainstage season (see full list below) are available at themoth.org/mainstage:

• Anchorage, Alaska — Atwood Concert Hall — Feb. 4, 2026
• New York, N.Y. — Aaron Davis Hall — Feb. 20, 2026 (with additional NYC dates to be announced)
• Iowa City, Iowa — The Englert Theatre — Feb. 26, 2026
• Fairfield, Conn. — Sacred Heart University — Feb. 28, 2026
• Bellingham, Wash. — Mount Baker Theatre — March 7, 2026
• New Bedford, Mass. — Zeiterion Performing Arts Center — March 19, 2026
• New York, N.Y. — Skirball Cultural Center — March 20, 2026 (with additional NYC dates to be announced)
• Charlottesville, Va. — The Paramount Theater — March 27, 2026
• Princeton, N.J. — McCarter Theatre Center — April 10, 2026
• Morristown, N.J. — Mayo Performing Arts Center — April 11, 2026
• Troy, N.Y. — Troy Savings Bank Music Hall — April 11, 2026
• Los Angeles — The Orpheum Theatre — April 15, 2026 (Double-header — night 1)
• Orange County, Calif. — Irvine Barclay Theatre — April 16, 2026 (Double-header — night 2)
• Lincoln, Neb. — Lied Center for Performing Arts — April 17, 2026
• Tarrytown, N.Y. — Tarrytown Music Hall — May 8, 2026
• Traverse City, Mich. — City Opera House — May 13, 2026
• Cleveland — Severance Music Center — May 2026
• Boston — Somerville Theatre — June 4, 2026
• Portsmouth, N.H. — The Music Hall — June 5, 2026
• New York, N.Y. — Green-Wood Cemetery — June 11, 2026 (with additional NYC dates to be announced)

With The Moth’s 30th anniversary approaching in 2027, the 2026 season builds momentum toward the next chapter in the organization’s ongoing work highlighting the art and power of storytelling.

The 2026 Winter/Spring season also marks the publication of"My Life in Stories: A Guided Journal from The Moth"(Penguin Random House, $22.99), slated for release on February 17, 2026.  This special keepsake journal is filled with prompts to help people uncover, reflect on and share the stories that make them who they are. With over 150 insightful prompts, The Moth’s storytelling experts help you not only identify important milestones and details from your life, but also shape them into stories. "My Life In Stories" is currently available for pre-order from your favorite bookseller.

Then, in Summer 2026,The Moth will launch a multi-city live tour experience that serves up beloved listener favorites from "The Moth Radio Hour" and "The Moth Podcast" all in one evening. It’s a chance for new audiences and avid fans alike to experience those hilarious, devastating, chill-inducing, dumbfounding Moth classics live on stage like never before. Cities and dates to be announced.

About The Moth

The Moth is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the art and craft of storytelling through live events, education programs, and media. Since its founding in 1997, The Moth has presented more than 65,000 true stories, told live and without notes, to standing-room-only audiences worldwide.

Its core programs include The Moth Mainstage, a global tour featuring diverse storytellers; The Moth StorySLAM, an open-mic competition held in 28 cities; and The Moth Community Engagement Program, which offers workshops to marginalized adults. The Moth Education Program brings personal storytelling to schools and colleges, while The Moth Global Community Program highlights voices from the global south.

“The Moth Podcast,” a Webby Award-winning series, has tens of millions of downloads annually, and “The Moth Radio Hour,” a Peabody Award-winning show, airs weekly on more than 540 public radio stations. The organization also offers MothWorks, a program that uses storytelling to foster empathetic communication, and has published five books, including The New York Times bestseller “The Moth: 50 True Stories” and its most recent release, “A Point of Beauty: True Stories of Holding On and Letting Go” (2024).

Learn more at themoth.org.

Media Contact

Meryl Cooper
meryl@thecooperationinc.com

Unlisted, a groundbreaking digital real estate community focused on the 98% of homes that aren’t for sale — yet, today announced that Brian Caluori of Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty has joined the platform as a Local Expert for buyers and homeowners in Boston, representing the 02118 ZIP code.

Unlisted’s technology is designed to open up possibilities for everyone in the real estate ecosystem: buyers, homeowners, and agents alike. Buyers gain new ways to discover homes they love beyond what’s listed on the MLS. Homeowners gain tools to better understand interest in their property and connect with potential buyers. Real estate professionals gain a program that elevates their expertise and brings more possibilities into view for their clients.

Unlisted uses publicly available data to create a digital property profile for every home in the country. These records can be quickly searched and organized into curated lists of homes that meet a buyer’s criteria. Though not for sale, buyers can join a Waitlist for their favorite homes, creating new possibilities for buyers and agents to connect and giving homeowners options they may not have considered.

Each vetted real estate professional that partners with Unlisted receives an agent profile linked to every home in their ZIP code. Only one agent is selected per ZIP, highlighting their expertise and credibility in that market. As Unlisted continues to expand this network nationwide, the goal remains the same: to provide buyers, homeowners, and agents with a platform built on connection, expertise, and meaningful insights.

Brian Caluori has been involved with Unlisted since the early days and brings deep expertise in Boston’s real estate market. Based in the South End, Brian manages over 85 transactions annually, representing investors, developers, and homebuyers with unmatched service and results. Known for his work ethic, market knowledge, and commitment to lasting client relationships, he continues to be a trusted resource for those navigating opportunities across Boston.

“I see every transaction as a privilege, and Unlisted gives me another way to deliver value for my clients,” says Caluori. “Whether you’re buying, selling, or simply exploring your options in Boston, I want to be a trusted resource.”

“We’re honored to have Brian Caluori continuing to grow with us in Boston,” said Katie Hill, founder and CEO of Unlisted. “From the beginning, Brian has stood out as a trusted voice for his clients and his market. His leadership in Boston is a reflection of the professionalism and insight we look for in every Local Expert we welcome to the platform.”

To learn more about Unlisted, visit UnlistedHomes.com. For Unlisted for Agents, visit UnlistedHomes.com/Agents.

To learn more about Brian Caluori, visit his Unlisted Profile or his website.

About Unlisted

Unlisted unlocks the potential in homes that aren’t for sale — yet. The company empowers home buyers to join the Waitlist for homes they love that aren’t for sale — in other words, unlisted. At the same time, homeowners collect a Waitlist of interested buyers for whenever the time comes to sell, giving everyone a head start. Unlisted also allows homeowners to control how their home is presented online; they can create a stunning up-to-date property profile that shows off the home’s best features and attracts more interest. With more time and more connection, Unlisted is a more human way to explore real estate that drives better outcomes for all. Selected to TechCrunch’s 2025 Startup Battlefield 200 as one of the top tech startups globally, and backed by HearstLab, Hearst Newspapers, VC414, StageNext Fund, and prominent angel investors, Unlisted gives buyers a competitive edge in today’s challenging housing market. For more information, visit UnlistedHomes.com.

Media Contact

Sophia Jacomet
sophia@unlistedinc.com

The Netty Awards, a leading global program recognizing excellence in the digital age, announced Celtra as the winner of "Best Marketing Automation Software in Tech." The award reflects a broad industry shift toward solving the creative supply bottleneck that has constrained digital marketing for years. While media automation has accelerated rapidly, creative production has struggled to keep pace, leaving brands unable to fully capitalize on their media investments. Celtra’s win signals a new market expectation; creative production must scale with media for performance to follow.

A Turning Point for Creative Production

Celtra’s recognition underscores a fundamental change in how modern brands operate. Traditional methods of scaling creative output — larger teams, more manual versioning, or fragmented workflows — are no longer viable in an environment that demands constant personalization and global consistency. Celtra has proven that creative automation is the only approach capable of meeting these demands at enterprise scale. By closing the gap between creative and media, the platform enables marketers to move faster, reduce waste, and unlock performance opportunities that manual workflows cannot reach.

Innovation That Redefines the Creative Lifecycle

Celtra’s Creative Automation platform modernizes the entire creative lifecycle, enabling teams to develop modular assets, generate automated variations, and optimize concepts using AI-driven capabilities. A standout example is Celtra’s predictive creative scoring to identify which concepts are most likely to perform. This predictive layer ensures teams focus production on assets with the strongest impact potential — eliminating unnecessary work and preventing underperforming creative from entering the market. By bringing intelligence to every step of production, Celtra transforms creative and media operations into a smarter, data-backed system that consistently delivers measurable business results.

Proven Results for Leading Global Brands

Some of the world’s largest advertisers rely on Celtra to scale creativity while improving efficiency. Nike used Celtra to produce more than 17,000 localized assets with a 19.5x increase in production efficiency. Spotify generated over 14,000 brand-safe creatives across 111 markets and improved workflow performance by more than 25%. Lyft achieved a 10x efficiency gain and a 45% CPA reduction by using Celtra to produce personalized video ads in multiple languages. These results highlight how creative automation strengthens both storytelling and performance at scale.

A Word From Celtra

“Creative automation has moved from a nice-to-have to an operational necessity for global brands, and we’re proud that the Netty Awards recognized the scale and performance impact our platform delivers. This award reflects our belief that creative must keep pace with media if brands want to unlock their full potential,” said Miha Mikek, CEO at Celtra.

Industry Leadership and Expanding Influence

Celtra’s platform now supports more than 400 enterprise brands, producing over 16 million ads annually and powering more than 119 billion impressions across the global digital ecosystem. With integrations spanning over 100 ad servers and media platforms, as well as connections to tools like Figma, Adobe Workfront, Slack, and Photoshop, Celtra embeds directly into the workflows that large teams already rely on. The company has also earned recognition from the MarTech Awards and Digiday, further cementing its position as a leader shaping the future of creative automation.

About Celtra

Celtra is a global leader and pioneer in creative automation, helping the world’s biggest brands transform how they produce, deliver, and optimize digital advertising. Its cloud-based platform enables marketing, creative, and media teams to drive efficiency and performance across every channel. Trusted by enterprise leaders like Spotify, adidas, and Unilever, Celtra empowers organizations to scale creative excellence and accelerate marketing impact like never before. To learn more, visit celtra.com.

Businesses continue to seek services that reduce complexity, improve efficiency, and support growth across transport, travel, healthcare, and infrastructure. StartupMafia has selected a list of companies offering practical solutions that address these needs with clear value and operational reliability.

8Rental

8Rental provides professional group transportation services, offering private cars, minibuses, and coaches for corporate travel, tourism, and long-distance routes. The company operates across major travel regions and focuses on structured service delivery for airport transfers, event mobility, and tailored itineraries.

It stands out for its emphasis on safety, punctuality, and transparent pricing. Its fleet is modern and well-maintained, and drivers undergo professional training. This combination of customer-first practices and operational reliability makes 8Rental a trusted mobility provider for both businesses and individual travelers.

Rent From Locals

Rent From Locals brings verified Albanian and Greek car-rental providers into one platform where travelers compare real pricing, deposits, and insurance before booking. The system standardizes check-in and check-out with guided, time-stamped photo uploads to protect both renters and providers.

Its distinguishing features include no credit card requirement, transparent third-party insurance options, and an AI-supported help desk that answers routine questions instantly. Human agents remain available for complex requests. This design keeps the experience simple, fast, and aligned with what modern travelers expect.

12 Knots

12 Knots provides access to more than 22,000 professionally managed yachts and catamarans available for charter across the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Southeast Asia. Travelers can compare prices, real-time availability, and choose from bareboat, skippered, or fully crewed options.

By-the-cabin charters are available for newcomers, while private charters accommodate experienced sailors. The platform also offers sample itineraries and expert guidance to help make planning a sailing holiday smooth, trustworthy, and inspiring.

BookingAuto

BookingAuto is a global platform that compares car-rental offers from leading providers in 186 countries. Travelers can filter vehicle types, review clear pricing, and reserve online with free cancellation up to 48 hours before pickup.

The service stands out for 24/7 multilingual support and simple booking flows designed to minimize uncertainty. Its international scope allows users to access consistent information across regions, which helps travelers avoid hidden charges and secure rentals based on transparent criteria.

Excurzilla

Excurzilla aggregates guided tours, museum tickets, and attraction experiences from major operators in more than 120 countries. Its multilingual interface allows travelers to compare tour formats, durations, and prices in a single place.

The platform’s value lies in its broad inventory and consistent presentation of options. Users can switch between cities and categories without navigating multiple provider websites. This meta-search approach brings clarity to a fragmented tours market and simplifies the process of selecting reliable local experiences.

OKDERMO

OKDERMO is an online retailer specializing in dermatologist-approved skincare, including retinoids, peels, and targeted serums. It sources professional-grade formulations globally and provides clear guidance to support informed use.

The store distinguishes itself by curating evidence-based products and offering worldwide shipping. Its catalog includes multiple strengths and formats of retinol and tretinoin creams, enabling customers to select treatments suited to their routines. The focus on transparency and ingredient quality helps users build consistent, results-driven skincare plans.

You Glow Aesthetics

You Glow Aesthetics operates a fast-growing network of clinics across Canada and the United States, offering non-invasive aesthetic treatments supported by modern equipment. Each location focuses on safety, standardized protocols, and personalized care planning.

The network’s strength is its combination of geographic scale and individualized service. Trained clinicians conduct assessments and tailor treatments while ensuring consistent outcomes across all locations. This balance of technology, accessibility, and clinical oversight positions the brand as a notable provider in the aesthetics sector.

Ingrained Recovery

Ingrained Recovery provides medical detox and inpatient rehabilitation programs on a 50-acre wooded campus in Middle Georgia. The facility incorporates equine therapy, walking trails, and on-site amenities designed to support recovery in a private, structured environment.

Its distinguishing feature is the integration of therapeutic activities within a peaceful natural setting. The center’s multidisciplinary team combines medical oversight with experiential therapy, offering a holistic approach that appeals to clients seeking privacy and individualized care.

BelimRohr24

BelimRohr24 provides same-day drain and pipe cleaning services across Berlin, operating 24/7 with certified technicians. The company handles blocked sinks, toilets, and sewer lines with rapid response times and straightforward service terms.

Its competitive edge lies in transparency and speed. With more than 12 years of experience, the team offers two-hour response windows and clear pricing with no hidden fees. Regular maintenance options further reduce the risk of future plumbing issues for households and businesses.

WasteDoor.com

WasteDoor.com is an international marketplace for residential and commercial waste-management services across North America, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. It compares pricing for dumpsters, construction debris removal, e-waste recycling, septic pumping, portable restrooms, and more.

The platform distinguishes itself by combining instant price comparison with region-specific regulatory guides. This helps customers reduce service costs and ensure compliance with local rules. Its data-driven approach supports informed decision-making in a sector that often lacks transparency.

These 10 companies reflect key business priorities for 2025: operational clarity, transparent pricing, and service models that simplify complex tasks. Their solutions show how technology and customer-centered design continue to shape mobility, travel, healthcare, and infrastructure. Together, they illustrate how companies across diverse sectors are meeting rising expectations for reliability and efficiency.

About StartupMafia

StartupMafia is a technology-focused media outlet covering emerging companies, market trends, and innovations shaping the global startup landscape. The publication highlights practical solutions, sector insights, and business developments relevant to founders, operators, and investors. For more information, visit startupmafia.eu.

Media Contact

StartupMafia.eu Press Department
press@startupmafia.eu

Seed Group, a company of The Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum, formed a strategic partnership with RetailNext to expand enterprise-grade retail analytics and AI-powered insights throughout Dubai and the UAE. This collaboration addresses the need for data-driven strategies as UAE retailers navigate rapid digital transformation, evolving consumer expectations, and increasingly competitive omnichannel environments.

Founded in 2008 in California, RetailNext is a global leader in retail intelligence and a pioneer in retail analytics. Today, it powers more than 560 retailers from all over the world with a unified intelligence platform. RetailNext’s cloud system combines in-store traffic analytics, shopper journey mapping, and point-of-sale integration to process data from across more than 100,000 sensors. These real-time insights increase conversion rates, optimise labour allocation, and drive measurable improvements in merchandising effectiveness and customer experience.

By being part of Seed Group’s partner ecosystem, RetailNext will benefit from its two decades of expertise, regional network, and ties with the royal family of Dubai. The Group provides the innovative firm a launchpad to amplify its positioning in the fast-evolving retail market valued at over AED 300 billion.

“RetailNext brings with it solutions that add new depth to how retailers understand and serve their customers. With its ability to monitor real-time traffic, measure shopper journeys, and optimize in-store layouts, the company offers insights that can directly improve efficiency and profitability for businesses. We believe their technology has the potential to support businesses in the UAE as they work to enhance efficiency and better meet evolving customer expectations,” remarked Hisham Al Gurg, CEO of Seed Group and The Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum.

“The UAE represents one of the world’s most dynamic retail markets, where sophisticated consumers demand world-class experiences. Our partnership with Seed Group enables us to further expand our proven retail intelligence to a region that’s rapidly becoming a hub for retail innovation. UAE retailers understand that in today’s competitive environment, intuition alone isn’t enough — data-driven decision-making is the difference between market leadership and irrelevance,” said Alexei Agratchev, CEO and co-founder of RetailNext. 

The strategic engagement between Seed Group and RetailNext is designed to pave the way for more intelligent and customer-centric business models. It will further reinforce the UAE’s prominence as a capital of modern retail while supporting broader industry innovation in the MENA region.

About Seed Group

For over 20 years, Seed Group has formed strategic alliances with leading global companies representing diverse regions and industries. These companies have propelled their business interests and goals in the Middle East and North Africa region through the support and strong base of regional connections of the Seed Group. The Group’s goal is to create mutually beneficial partnerships with multinational organisations and to accelerate their sustainable market entry and presence within the MENA region. Seed Group has been a key point in the success of all its partners in the region, helping them reach their target customers and accelerate their businesses. The Private Office was established by Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum to directly invest in or assist potential business opportunities in the region, which meet The Private Office’s criteria. For more information, visit seedgroup.com.

About RetailNext

RetailNext, the first retail vertical IoT platform to bring e-commerce-style shopper analytics to brick-and-mortar stores, brands, and malls, is a pioneer in optimizing the shopper experience. The platform automatically collects and analyses shopper behaviour data through its centralized SaaS solution, enabling retailers to enhance real-time experiences and drive better outcomes.

RetailNext is trusted by more than 560 retailers in over 100 countries. The company helps businesses better understand the shopper journey to increase same-store sales, enhance security, and eliminate unnecessary costs. RetailNext is headquartered in Campbell, California. Learn more at retailnext.net.

For decades, women's health apparel has existed in the margins of both the fashion and healthcare industries. Functional in intent, but often uninspired in execution. Now, as femtech gains momentum, one innovator is reshaping expectations of what post-surgery garments can and should deliver. MAS Femography, the women's health apparel manufacturer backed by global apparel-tech giant MAS Holdings, is setting new standards with its Post Surgery Everyday Bra, designed and manufactured for brands looking to offer better products to women navigating life after breast cancer surgery.

A Silent Gap in Care

Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, more than 2.3 million women are diagnosed annually, with millions more living in survivorship. For those who undergo mastectomies, lumpectomies, or reconstructive procedures, recovery is about more than the clinical outcome. It is about rediscovering comfort, mobility, and identity at a time when physical and emotional vulnerability is at its peak.

Historically, apparel designed for this stage has been limited in its options. Garments that served basic medical functions without addressing the lived experiences of patients. Many women describe post-surgery bras as restrictive, unappealing, or even painful.

MAS Femography's new approach as a femtech apparel manufacturer directly responds to this gap. The Post Surgery Everyday Bra is not only built for recovery but designed with comfort  in mind. By integrating medical insight with advanced apparel engineering, MAS Femography is taking this innovation to brands, aiming to ensure that women no longer have to choose between healing and feeling human.

Design Rooted in Empathy

At the heart of the innovation is collaboration. MAS Femography worked closely with breast cancer survivors, healthcare professionals, and mastectomy specialists to understand the day-to-day challenges women face during recovery. Their feedback shaped every element of the bra's design.

The result is a garment that features soft seams to reduce irritation, wire-free support to prevent pressure on sensitive areas, and front-opening closures that accommodate limited arm mobility. Built with molded bra cups, it masks uneven breasts or asymmetries caused by breast conservation surgeries to provide a more natural appearance. Breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics promote comfort during long wear, while discreet inner pockets allow for prosthetics or inserts, offering flexibility for women with different surgical outcomes.

Unlike traditional medical garments, the Post Surgery Everyday Bra prioritizes aesthetic as well as function. Subtle design elements and carefully chosen fabrics ensure the bra looks and feels like a piece of everyday apparel, rather than a clinical necessity. For women navigating recovery, this blending of style and sensitivity can be a critical step toward regaining confidence.

Beyond Function: Restoring Confidence

Breast cancer treatment often involves profound changes to body image. For many women, the choice of clothing, especially intimate apparel, becomes a reflection of how they feel about themselves. Recognizing this, MAS Femography positions its Post Surgery Everyday Bra not simply as a supportive product but as an enabler of dignity, self-expression, and confidence.

"The vision is simple but powerful," Pilar Diaz, CEO of MAS Femography explains. "Women deserve post-surgery solutions that are supportive, comfortable, and beautiful. Recovery is not just about healing, it is about regaining a sense of self. Working with subject specialists, design experts, and professionals, we are driving the conversation openly with global brands, offering them our vast experience in manufacturing and cutting-edge innovation as we ensure survivors are met with functional solutions without overlooking such unheard, unseen issues"

This philosophy aligns with MAS Femography's broader mission as a manufacturer: to redefine how apparel can support women through every stage of life, from periods and pregnancy to menopause and post-surgery. In doing so, the brand is helping to destigmatize conversations around women's health while expanding the possibilities of what clothing can achieve.

The Power of FemTech Apparel

MAS Femography is not working in isolation. Backed by MAS Holdings, the largest apparel tech company in South Asia, the manufacturer has access to a global scale of resources, advanced textile technologies, and sustainable manufacturing processes. This infrastructure allows MAS Femography to translate concepts born in healthcare collaboration into scalable, accessible products that can reach women worldwide.

The Post Surgery Everyday Bra represents what industry analysts are increasingly calling femtech apparel. Garments that integrate scientific research, medical collaboration, and design innovation to address underserved areas of women's health. From cooling fabrics for menopause to leak-proof menstrual underwear, femtech apparel is forecast to become one of the fastest-growing niches in both fashion and healthcare.

A Future Where Apparel Supports Health 

With the Post Surgery Everyday Bra, MAS Femography signals that breast cancer survivors deserve more than the compromises historically offered to them. By uniting clinical functionality with thoughtful design, the manufacturer is establishing a benchmark that could influence the wider industry.

The bra represents more than a single product. It reflects a changing philosophy in apparel — one that acknowledges clothing is not only worn but lived in, especially during moments of vulnerability.

As MAS Femography expands its role in femtech manufacturing, it is helping to shape a future where women's health apparel is no longer an afterthought but a recognized pillar of care, recovery, and empowerment.

For the millions of women navigating breast cancer surgery and its aftermath, that shift has the power to redefine not only comfort but also confidence. By turning garments into instruments of care, MAS Femography is steadily reshaping the standards of both fashion and healthcare, one innovation at a time.

Branded By Story™, the South Carolina–based storytelling studio redefining how trust is built between communities and the businesses that serve them, has been awarded both the BBB Business of the Year and the BBB Torch Award for Ethics by BBB Serving South Carolina. The recognition honors the studio’s unwavering commitment to integrity, transparency, and its industry-shifting Billion-Dollar Framework™ — a system designed to help local businesses rise as the undisputed leaders of their towns.

Founded by Justus Calkins, founder and brand strategist, Austin Barnhill, creative director and partner, and supported by Scarlett, director of digital experience and partner, Branded By Story has quickly emerged as one of the most trusted branding studios in the Southeast.

A New Category for Modern Businesses: The Billion-Dollar Framework

Branded By Story created its own category, a cinematic storytelling studio built on five core engines:

• Signature Production System™ — 28 deliverables in 4 weeks
• Community-Approved™ Model — One business per industry per town
• Regional Lifestyle Storytelling™ — Story over sales
• Brand Story Capital™ — Proof over promise
• Media & Thought Leadership Engine™ — Building local icons

A Family-Rooted Mission That Fuels the Framework

“We wanted to prove that business can still be built on trust, not tactics.”

“When we started Branded By Story, we didn’t want to be another marketing company. We wanted to prove that business can still be built on trust, not tactics."

“We’re honored to shine a light on ethical businesses.”

“It’s an honor to win the Torch Award for Ethics."

“At Branded By Story, we don’t just build brands. We build belief in people, in community, and in the idea that truth still matters."

About Branded By Story

Branded By Story™ is a luxury storytelling studio based in Charleston and Seneca, South Carolina. Through its Billion-Dollar Framework™, the studio helps trustworthy businesses rise as the definitive leaders of their market through cinematic brand films, high-end identity systems, and community-driven storytelling. For more information, visit www.brandedbystory.com.

Media Contact

Justus Calkins
Branded By Story
justus@brandedbystory.com
+1 832-530-2479

Media Relations
Branded By Story
buildmybrand@brandedbystory.com

In an environment where "no-logs" has become a baseline marketing promise, SafePaper’s 2025 audit examines whether ten major VPN providers — both free and paid — actually uphold privacy under legal scrutiny. The report evaluates each service across jurisdiction, audit history, infrastructure design, transparency reporting, and privacy policy specificity to determine real-world no-logs compliance.

Read the full audit and VPN-by-VPN breakdown on SafePaper: "Decipher 10 No-Logs VPNs Policies & Practices (Free & Paid)"

What “No-Logs” Really Means in 2025

For something so widely claimed, “no-logs” remains widely misunderstood. At its core, the term suggests that a VPN provider does not record or store any data that could identify what a user did online, or when, or from where. But in reality, not all logs are equal — and not all “no-logs” claims mean the same thing.

VPNs inevitably collect some information to operate. This might include aggregate server load, bandwidth usage, or crash diagnostics. These are functional, non-identifiable metrics. The concern arises when providers store real IP addresses or DNS querie. Those are identifiers — and they’re exactly what a true no-logs VPN must avoid retaining.

In today’s climate of subpoenas, data-sharing alliances, and court-mandated compliance, understanding what “no-logs” actually entails is the first step. The second is knowing how to verify it — something the next section breaks down in five testable criteria.

The Five Criteria for Verifying a No-Logs VPN

Marketing slogans are easy to write. Verifiable privacy is not. To move beyond blanket claims, SafePaper’s 2025 audit evaluates each VPN against five independent dimensions. Together, they form a framework that any user can use to assess whether a provider’s “no-logs” promise is structurally sound — or built on ambiguity.

1. Jurisdiction: The legal layer that overrides everything

Where a VPN is incorporated matters as much as how it’s built. Countries that are part of intelligence-sharing agreements — such as the Five Eyes (U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, New Zealand) — may compel providers to collect and disclose user data, often under gag orders. By contrast, countries like Panama, Switzerland, and Singapore offer legal environments that make user data requests less likely and easier to resist.

A VPN headquartered in a high-risk jurisdiction cannot guarantee user privacy, regardless of its infrastructure. In several cases, SafePaper notes, providers located in the U.S. or EU have complied with subpoenas despite advertising no-logs policies.

2. Infrastructure: RAM-only servers and private DNS

Legal resilience is one half of the equation; infrastructure is the other. RAM-only servers — those that store all data in volatile memory — are wiped clean with every reboot. This minimizes the chance that session data lingers or can be forensically recovered. Similarly, running private DNS resolvers prevents DNS queries from leaking to third parties like ISPs or public DNS services.

SafePaper flags providers who still rely on disk-based servers or use third-party DNS resolvers as structurally weaker — even if their privacy policies claim otherwise.

3. Third-party audits: Proof, not promises

Independent audits conducted by firms like Deloitte, Cure53, or KPMG provide external validation of a VPN provider’s systems. These audits often examine backend logging systems, access controls, and whether servers are configured to retain any identifying data. While one audit is useful, recurring audits over multiple years show ongoing accountability.

4. Transparency reporting: A record of resistance

Transparency reports document how often providers receive data requests from authorities and whether they comply. Providers that routinely publish these reports — and maintain a record of zero user data disclosures — demonstrate both legal resolve and technical safeguards.

Conversely, the absence of a report may signal that a provider is unable or unwilling to show its record of resistance.

5. Privacy policy specificity: Clarity vs. convenience

A “we log nothing” policy may sound reassuring, but it’s often too vague to be meaningful. The most credible providers break down exactly what data they collect, why, and under what technical or legal conditions. Policies that explicitly state what is not logged — such as IP addresses, DNS queries, session metadata — offer more confidence than blanket statements or legalese.

SafePaper’s audit highlights that overly generic or overly absolute privacy policies often mask exceptions — and that fine print matters.

Paid VPNs: More Expensive, Not Always More Secure

When it comes to premium VPNs, many users assume that paying for a service guarantees superior privacy. However, SafePaper’s 2025 audit uncovers a nuanced truth: while some premium providers have impressive technical measures, their legal vulnerabilities — especially in certain jurisdictions — can compromise their no-logs claims.

If you're hesitant to commit to a long-term subscription but still want strong privacy protection, consider monthly VPN plans that offer flexibility without compromising on security.

NordVPN, ExpressVPN: Strong Privacy, Stronger Jurisdiction

Premium VPNs like NordVPN, and ExpressVPN generally receive high marks for their privacy infrastructure. Both of them have implemented cutting-edge technologies like RAM-only servers and private DNS systems, which drastically reduce the risk of data retention.

NordVPN

Based in Panama, which has no mandatory data retention laws and is not part of the Five Eyes alliance. This provides a safer legal framework, making NordVPN one of the most secure options in SafePaper’s audit. 

ExpressVPN

Based in the British Virgin Islands, also benefits from a strong privacy jurisdiction. Both providers regularly update their transparency reports and undergo frequent third-party audits, confirming their commitment to a no-logs policy.

Mullvad, Norton and IPVanish: Legal Exposure Overrides Technology

While all three VPNs: Mullvad, Norton, and IPVanish — boast strong technical features, they share a common vulnerability: their location in jurisdictions with high data retention obligations.

Mullvad

Despite being one of the most privacy-conscious providers with RAM-only servers and a clear no-logs policy, is based in Sweden, a member of the 14 Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance. This poses a potential risk because Swedish authorities could, in theory, demand data from Mullvad under the alliance’s surveillance agreements. In 2023, Mullvad’s infrastructure was put to the test during a police raid, and it was confirmed that no user data was found. While this proves the effectiveness of its no-logs systems, Sweden's jurisdiction remains a risk for privacy-focused users.

Norton and IPVanish

Both headquartered in the U.S. (a member of the Five Eyes), face a more immediate risk. The U.S. government can legally compel these providers to collect and hand over user data. Norton, though it employs RAM-only servers, still operates under U.S. jurisdiction, which inherently introduces a level of exposure. Similarly, IPVanish faced a significant breach of trust in 2016, when it was revealed that the VPN provider had provided connection logs to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security during a criminal investigation. While IPVanish has since implemented RAM-only servers and continues to improve its security, this past incident remains a critical cautionary tale.

Free VPNs: When Legal Foundations Beat Marketing

The general belief is that "free" VPNs come with hidden risks, often tied to data collection or selling user information. While some free providers rely on advertising revenue or data sales to sustain their service, SafePaper’s 2025 audit finds that reliable free VPNs can still offer robust privacy protection — when backed by a solid legal foundation and strong technical implementation.

ProtonVPN, Hide.me, and X-VPN: Strong Legal Foundations, Effective Tech

Among the free VPNs analyzed, ProtonVPN, Hide.me, and X-VPN stand out as exceptions to the general rule. These services may not charge a fee, but their privacy practices are built on rock-solid legal and technical foundations.

ProtonVPN

Based in Switzerland, a country known for its strong privacy laws, operates without mandatory data retention requirements. SafePaper’s audit confirms that ProtonVPN adheres to a strict no-logs policy, while also undergoing annual third-party audits for transparency. Despite not using RAM-only servers, ProtonVPN’s fully encrypted disk storage offers an alternative safeguard, ensuring that no logs are retained after use.

Hide.me

Based in Malaysia, another non-member of intelligence-sharing alliances, employs RAM-only servers across its entire network. With a track record of publishing transparency reports since 2013, Hide.me has demonstrated its commitment to no-logs privacy. While Malaysia’s privacy laws are less well-known compared to Switzerland’s, the lack of data retention requirements gives Hide.me a stronger legal standing than many other free providers.

X-VPN

Headquartered in Singapore, also benefits from a favorable legal environment, operating outside the reach of Five Eyes or similar alliances. X-VPN uses RAM-only servers and private DNS, offering the same technical protections as its paid counterparts. It also maintains a history of transparency reports dating back to 2017, proving its accountability over time. Although it is still undergoing its first third-party audit, SafePaper’s review indicates that X-VPN’s commitment to privacy is credible.

TunnelBear and Windscribe: Solid Tech, Risky Jurisdictions

Not all free VPNs can claim the same level of privacy protection. TunnelBear and Windscribe, both based in Canada (a Five Eyes member), face a much higher level of legal risk despite implementing solid technical measures like private DNS servers and RAM-only architecture.

TunnelBear

Acquired by McAfee in 2018, has long been known for its strong security features. However, its Canadian headquarters places it within the Five Eyes jurisdiction, subjecting it to legal requests for data. Although it has passed several independent audits for app security, its lack of transparency regarding no-logs compliance raises concerns for users prioritizing jurisdictional safety.

Windscribe

Another free provider with strong technical capabilities, including RAM-only servers and private DNS resolvers. However, it operates out of Canada, which means it is vulnerable to legal requests from government agencies. Windscribe does regularly publish transparency reports, but its jurisdictional risk remains a concern.

Takeaways for Users: How to Vet a VPN Yourself

After reviewing 10 leading VPNs through the lens of five key criteria, SafePaper’s 2025 audit provides essential insights into what users should prioritize when selecting a VPN. Whether you’re paying for a premium service or opting for a free VPN, these three core questions can help you assess a provider’s true commitment to privacy:

1. Where is the VPN based?

Jurisdiction is the single most important factor when it comes to privacy. If a VPN is based in a country that is part of an intelligence-sharing alliance (like the Five Eyes), it is subject to laws that could force it to collect and share user data with authorities. Look for VPNs headquartered in countries with no mandatory data retention laws and those outside surveillance alliances — such as Panama, the British Virgin Islands, Singapore and Switzerland. These jurisdictions offer the best legal protections for user privacy.

2. What technical measures does the VPN implement?

The right infrastructure can make a significant difference. VPNs that use RAM-only servers ensure that no data is stored long-term, reducing the risk of logs being accessed. Private DNS servers further protect against leaks, preventing your browsing behavior from being exposed to third-party entities. Ensure the provider uses strong encryption, regular server audits, and has transparent privacy policies that are easy to understand.

3. Has the VPN been independently audited?

A third-party audit is one of the most reliable ways to verify a VPN’s no-logs claims. These audits examine the provider’s backend systems and security infrastructure to confirm that they’re following their public privacy policies. It’s a good sign if the VPN has undergone regular audits over multiple years. If a VPN hasn’t been audited, or only conducted an audit once with no follow-up, that should raise a red flag.

The Bottom Line: Don’t Settle for Promises — Demand Proof

In 2025, privacy demands proof — not promises. The VPN industry is flooded with marketing slogans and vague claims, but real privacy protection requires more than flashy ads. For users who prioritize privacy, it’s not enough to simply trust a VPN’s claim of “no-logs.” Demand the evidence, and make your choice accordingly.

About SafePaper

SafePaper is an independent digital privacy publication based in the U.S., focused on trustworthy, no-fluff guides for everyday internet users. Its team of researchers manually tests VPNs, browsers, and privacy tools to help users stay safe, stay informed, stay free. To learn more, visit safepaper.io.

Media Contact

Paige West
support@safepaper.io

Tough Leaf, a leader in subcontractor sourcing and certified-vendor compliance, today announced the launch of ClearSource, a new platform that simplifies how general contractors find, verify, and track small and certified subcontractors (MBE, WBE, DBE, SBE, VBE, SDVOB, etc.) before bid submission.

ClearSource combines subcontractor discovery, documentation verification, outreach, and participation tracking in one system — replacing spreadsheets, directories, and manual follow-ups with a single workflow.

“General contractors need a simpler way to find qualified subcontractors and maintain accurate compliance records,” said Wissam Akra, CEO of Tough Leaf. “ClearSource unifies those steps in one platform, and with ClearComply, we’re extending that same visibility into the construction phase.”

ClearSource Key Capabilities

• Find qualified subs in seconds by trade, location, and past experience
• Automatically verify certifications, insurance, union status, and past performance
• Integrations with existing procurement tools
• Track outreach and participation 
• Generate clear, one-click solicitation and good-faith reports

Integrated Platform Expansion

Alongside ClearSource, Tough Leaf introduced ClearComply, expanding the company’s capabilities into during-construction compliance. The module manages documentation workflows, mid-project participation updates, reporting for owners, and payment compliance support throughout project delivery.

These launches are part of Tough Leaf’s broader strategy to provide an end-to-end compliance platform supporting teams from bid through closeout. The full suite now includes:

• ClearSource: Subcontractor sourcing, targeted outreach, documentation verification, and participation tracking in one place.
• ClearSpend: Spending and participation tracking to help teams understand where dollars are going and how they align with project goals.
• ClearComply: During-construction compliance, including documentation workflows, mid-project participation updates, owner and agency reporting, and field-level support.
• Managed-Service: Full-service subcontractor sourcing, validation, and outreach executed by the Tough Leaf team.

Early Access Pricing

Tough Leaf is extending early access pricing to the next 10 general contractors who join before December 31, 2025. Interested firms can connect with our team through the early adopter form for details.

About Tough Leaf

Tough Leaf helps clients meet participation goals by finding, verifying, and managing certified subcontractors. The company’s platform replaces manual sourcing and compliance tracking with automated workflows, improving accuracy and visibility across teams. For more information, visit toughleaf.com.

Media Contact

Stephanie Seril
VP of Growth, Tough Leaf
stephanie@toughleaf.com
+1 650-776-2074