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An upcoming robot dog named Babo drew huge crowds in the heart of Paris last week. Developed by Vbot, a consumer technology company specializing in household robots, it features a sleek build and natural voice interaction. Babo quickly became a conversation starter among passersby who enthusiastically engaged with it — asking questions, snapping pictures, and walking alongside it.

Unlike many consumer robots, Babo is designed as a fashion-forward, companion-style device that integrates into households' existing routines. It doesn't come with remotes or a complex UI; users converse with it through natural human language.

Babo is designed to assist with everyday tasks, such as offering companionship for coffee runs, neighborhood strolls, or casual meetups. Its slim design makes it ideal to be taken out in urban settings and a sturdy build ensures it's able to tackle a variety of terrains. Babo can assist with caregiving for the elderly, carrying bags to take some load off its users, or holding a camera to capture the best moments of the day.

With spatial and relational memory, it recognizes family members, learns their preferences, and responds to spoken commands.

Babo's utility extends to sparking an emotional connection with users by mimicking natural human conversation. It offers a range of realistic facial expressions and sound effects, all of which are impressively vivid and lively.

The highly positive public reaction in Paris reflects broader interest in approachable household robots that engage emotionally as well as functionally. The data from Polaris Market Research corroborates the increasing appeal of robot dogs. Its market size is projected to reach $597 million (U.S.) by the end of 2025 and $2.76 billion by 2034, exhibiting a CAGR of 18.5% from 2025 to 2034.

According to the company's publicly available information, Babo is expected to go into mass production by the end of 2025, with international availability targeted for 2026.

About Vbot

Vbot is a consumer technology company specializing in household robots. We are dedicated to developing innovative products that seamlessly integrate into everyday life and enhance user experiences. For more information, visit www.vita.cn.

Dubai's flower delivery and subscription Double Jenya Flower Shop (DJflowers) introduces fully customized flower subscriptions, plus venue decoration and balloon services that transform any occasion into an unforgettable experience.

What started as a family passion in 2021 has blossomed into one of Dubai's most sought-after floristry brands. DJflowers, founded by Ievgeniia Kostenko, began as a personal hobby driven by passion, grew up into a floral studio real quick. Today, DJflowers is celebrated for transforming European floral traditions into modern, luxury arrangements that tell a story.

Now, the company is taking personalization to an entirely new level with the launch of its premium flower subscription service and expanded offerings in venue decorations and balloon styling.

A Subscription That Brings Spaces to Life

The company's flower subscription isn't a typical weekly delivery. It's designed for people who want fresh, beautiful arrangements that actually fit their lifestyle.

Everything is customizable at DJflowers. Clients choose their preferred styles, colors, and delivery schedule. 

Flexible pricing and personalized options ensure every arrangement creates an elegant atmosphere.

Florist Concierge: A Personal Design Partner for Every Occasion

Beyond its subscription service, Double Jenya Flower Shop has launched something new to Dubai — a florist concierge that works like having a personal floral designer on call.

Clients connect directly with DJflowers expert florists who design arrangements tailored to their specific needs. Whether matching flowers to a home's interior, creating the perfect venue atmosphere, or planning celebration décor, the concierge handles it all.

Concierge services include:

• Custom floral installations for weddings, proposals, and special events
• Balloon styling and décor that adds a playful yet sophisticated touch to any occasion
• Holiday and seasonal decorations designed to match any aesthetic
• Luxury event styling for yacht parties, gender reveals, photo shoots, and more

What sets DJflowers team apart is their belief that flowers aren't just decorations. They're mood-setters and memory-makers. Every arrangement at Double Jenya Flower Shop is designed to become part of the story — whether it's the floral arch for a proposal or the centerpiece sparking dinner conversation.

Trusted, Fast, and Built on a Foundation of Care

The company's reputation is built on more than beautiful flowers — it's built on reliability and trust. Every arrangement is a reflection of their family roots: personal, thoughtful, and crafted with care.

A Family Business That Grew Into a Dubai Favorite

What began as Ievgeniia Kostenko's personal passion for arranging flowers has grown into a brand that sets the standard for luxury floristry in the UAE. But even as DJflowers expands, the essence remains the same: flowers are more than décor. They're a way to express emotion, celebrate moments, and transform spaces.

From their customized subscriptions to full-service event styling, the company continues to redefine what it means to experience flowers.

About Double Jenya Flower Shop (DJflowers)

Double Jenya Flower Shop is a premium florist boutique in Dubai, offering unique, hand-crafted bouquets, personalized flower subscriptions, and full-service venue decorations. Founded in 2021 by Ievgeniia Kostenko, the brand has grown from a family-run passion project into one of Dubai's most recognized names in luxury floristry, celebrated for its artistry, speed, and commitment to creating unforgettable experiences. Discover more about DJflowers at djflowers.ae or join the community on Instagram @djflowers.ae.

Media Contact

Julie Herasymenko
General Manager & Head of Marketing
julie@djflowers.ae
+971 52 657 0741

Renty.ae, a luxury yacht and car rental company in the United Arab Emirates, is growing its reach in the vehicle and yacht rental markets with an expanded fleet and new digital booking options. The company now offers more than 2,200 cars and over 100 yachts, complemented by a user-friendly mobile app for convenient, instant reservations.

The UAE's position as a global hub for tourism, business travel, and luxury experiences has made premium rental services an integral part of the region's transport and leisure economy. Renty.ae's mobile app gives residents, tourists, and professionals a straightforward way to book premium vehicles and private yachts.

Founded in 2018, Renty.ae has grown from an online car rental platform into a technology-driven car rental marketplace with over 100 employees worldwide. The company operates a directly managed fleet of 550 premium and mid-range cars, in addition to a large selection of listed vehicles.

Renty.ae highlights the following offerings for customers:

• Over 2,200 cars and 100 yachts for rent, ranging from economy cars for daily use to luxury supercars and private yachts designed for events or vacations.
• Own fleet of 550 cars, ensuring availability and quality across premium and mid-class vehicles.
• Chauffeur services, airport transfers, and flexible rental terms. Options include hourly, daily, and monthly rentals, catering to short-term visitors and long-term residents.
• Deposit-free rentals and 24/7 support. The platform is designed to reduce barriers to access while providing constant customer assistance.
• New mobile application for simplified booking. It streamlines reservations with a straightforward interface, making the rental process smooth for every user at every step.

"We strive to make car and yacht rental as transparent, accessible, and technologically advanced as possible," said founder and CEO, Yevhen Parokhod. "Our goal is to create not just a service but a platform that changes the perception of rental in the UAE and far beyond."

Each vehicle, listing, and partner is thoroughly verified for accuracy and availability, ensuring a reliable customer experience built on clear communication and high service standards.

With demand for both high-end and practical rentals on the rise in the UAE, Renty.ae remains a yacht and car rental company focused on offering reliable services and flexible solutions for travelers, residents, and professionals.

About Renty.ae

Renty.ae is a Dubai-based online rental platform established in 2018. The company offers access to luxury and mid-range vehicles, yachts, and associated services, including chauffeur options and transfers. With a focus on convenience and customer satisfaction, Renty.ae serves clients from over 180 countries. For more information, visit renty.ae.

Media Contact

Renty.ae PR Team
pr@renty.ae
+971 55 856 9266

Riyadh will host the first-ever BEYOND PROFIT International Non-Profit Forum December 3–5, 2025. Organized by the National Center for Non-Profit Sector (NCNP), the event will bring together global leaders from non-profit entities, private-sector companies, governments, regulators, NGOs and other changemakers from around the world.

Designed as a catalyst for global dialogue and innovation, the forum will spotlight the latest trends, technologies, and best practices driving the non-profit sector toward a more sustainable and impactful future. Key discussions will explore financing strategies, the role of social entrepreneurship and innovation in job creation, and successful case studies that advance social and economic development.

Drawing more than 80 speakers, and 1,500 participants from around the world, the event will gather leaders of non-profit organizations, development agencies, international institutions, social entrepreneurs, researchers, policymakers, government officials, young innovators, data specialists, financial institutions, and corporate social responsibility leaders—all united by a shared vision of empowering the non-profit ecosystem.

Through these diverse perspectives, the forum will emphasize the key strategies shaping the sector’s future and encourage stronger cross-sector collaboration. It will also underscore Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a global hub for non-profit innovation, capacity building, and sustainable growth.

BEYOND PROFIT will serve also as a dynamic platform for forming strategic partnerships, exchanging knowledge, and fostering international cooperation—ensuring that progress in the non-profit sector translates into tangible impact at local, regional, and global levels.

By hosting this landmark event, Saudi Arabia reaffirms its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and global collaboration, opening new opportunities for leadership, financing, and partnership that reflect the rapid transformation of the global non-profit landscape.

MTN has partnered with global eSIM provider KnowRoaming to launch a travel solution that gives instant, borderless connectivity, redefining how South Africans stay connected abroad. MTN Travel eSIM, is a digital-first solution that gives customers instant, flexible access to mobile data in over 200 destinations worldwide.

The collaboration brings together MTN's extensive reach with KnowRoaming's over 15 years of expertise in eSIM connectivity, delivering a service that makes staying connected abroad simpler, faster, and more cost-effective. Whether traveling for business or leisure, MTN Travel eSIM eliminates one of the most frustrating parts of travel: unreliable or expensive mobile data.

Seamless connectivity for travelers

With MTN Travel eSIM, customers no longer need to buy or swap physical SIM cards when they travel. Instead, a digital SIM profile can be downloaded directly to their device and activated within minutes. Once installed, the eSIM remains on the device, making it easy to add or top up data plans as needed.

This eliminates the hassle of hunting for local SIM cards on arrival, while ensuring reliable access to affordable data. From quick business trips to long adventures, travelers can choose from global, regional, or country-specific plans that activate instantly, meaning no airport queues, no SIM swaps.

"This partnership unlocks a new level of freedom and convenience for travelers across South Africa," said Mark Collie, CEO of KnowRoaming. "By combining MTN's reach and KnowRoaming's expertise, we're ensuring travelers can access affordable, reliable data wherever their journey takes them."

At the heart of the MTN and KnowRoaming partnership is a commitment to convenience, flexibility, and transparency, principles that reflect the evolving expectations of today's connected traveler.

Convenience means eliminating friction, with instant eSIM activation that ensures seamless connectivity the moment a customer arrives in a new destination.

Flexibility recognizes that travel is not one-size-fits-all, offering a spectrum of fixed and unlimited plans tailored to everything from short business trips to extended international stays.

Transparency underscores the importance of trust, with clear prepaid pricing that removes uncertainty and reinforces confidence in the digital travel experience.

Together, these pillars set a new benchmark for how global connectivity should work: simple, adaptable, and reliable.

"Connectivity should be simple and borderless," said Jason Probert, MTN's General Manager, Digital Services. "Through this partnership with KnowRoaming, we're making it easier for our travellers to stay connected across the world, while also placing South Africa at the centre of eSIM adoption."

Positioned for growth

The global demand for eSIMs is accelerating, with GSMA predicting that more than half of all smartphones shipped by 2030 will be eSIM-enabled. By partnering with KnowRoaming, MTN is ensuring it can meet demand, while empowering customers with more choice and control over their connectivity.

Available to both MTN and non-MTN customers, MTN Travel eSIM reflects a shared commitment to innovation and customer-first solutions, positioning MTN as a leader in next-generation mobile connectivity across South Africa and beyond.

About KnowRoaming

KnowRoaming is a global travel eSIM provider with over 15 years of experience delivering seamless connectivity to travelers in more than 200 destinations. Known for its customer-first approach and reliable technology, KnowRoaming simplifies mobile data access through flexible eSIM plans. For more information, visit www.knowroaming.com.

Media Contact

Anne-Marie Green
anne-marie@knowroaming.com
+1 365-747-5772

Flowable, a global provider of enterprise automation and orchestration software, has been recognized in the inaugural 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Business Orchestration and Automation Technologies.

The Magic Quadrant evaluates vendors based on their completeness of vision and ability to execute. According to the Gartner report, "Business orchestration and automation technology platforms unify process orchestration, connectivity and agentic features to enable enterprise-wide automation."

"We are honored to be included in Gartner's first Magic Quadrant for Business Orchestration and Automation Technologies," said Micha Kiener, chief technology officer and co-founder at Flowable. "We believe this recognition highlights our continued focus on dynamic case management, orchestration, and natively embedded agentic AI that help enterprises in regulated industries run complex work with adaptability and governance at enterprise scale."

Flowable's agentic case platform coordinates people, AI agents, and business processes in a unified, governed environment that delivers advanced intelligent automation, control, and autonomy. "Our platform is designed to coordinate humans and AI in a responsible, governed way-ensuring agility, auditability, and scale," Kiener added.

The company's capabilities including agentic case management and its orchestration framework are aligned with Gartner's definition of a Business Orchestration and Automation Technology (BOAT) platform. Flowable enables enterprises to model and automate complex, exception-driven processes across sectors such as banking, insurance, healthcare, and manufacturing. This approach ensures that critical business operations remain compliant and efficient even in highly regulated environments.

Flowable's architecture also embeds responsible AI orchestration within its core, allowing organizations to safely integrate multi-agent systems while maintaining governance and transparency. Built on open automation standards — BPMN, CMMN, and DMN — the Flowable platform promotes interoperability, flexibility, and innovation without vendor lock-in.

For a complete view of the report's assessment of the business orchestration and automation market and vendors including Flowable, access the full report here.

Gartner Disclaimer

Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Business Orchestration and Automation Technologies, Saikat Ray, Tushar Srivastava, Marc Kerremans, Arthur Villa, Cathy Tornbohm, Sachin Joshi, 15 October 2025.

Gartner is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

About Flowable

Flowable is a global provider of enterprise automation software headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. Since 2010, Flowable's software has helped organizations coordinate automation, people, and processes through a unified platform built on open standards. The company serves leading enterprises across industries where adaptability and accountability are essential. For more information, visit www.flowable.com.

Media Contact

Violet Diamanti-Race 
violet.diamanti@flowable.com
+41 31 329 09 00

NaviStone is expanding with the addition of Jeff Moore as Vice President of Strategic Agency Partnerships, a move that underscores the company’s role as a core part of today’s paid media mix for big brands focused on business-moving outcomes. As performance expectations rise and marketers face mounting pressure to prove value, Moore’s appointment brings deep expertise in data-driven media, identity strategy, and partnership-led growth to an already agile team.

Moore has spent his career helping Fortune 500 brands and global marketing and media agencies unlock the power of audience data and technology to deliver measurable results. He most recently led global partner and alliance efforts at Cordial, a marketing automation platform, following senior partnership roles at high-growth marketing technology organizations like Claravine, where he built and scaled a high-performing agency channel from the ground up, featuring work with major agencies and holding companies like GroupM, Havas, and IPG. His approach to growth blends product fluency with strategic alignment, always centering on clear and accessible outcomes.

“NaviStone isn’t just another solution in the tech stack,” said Moore. “It commands a featured and complementary role at the heart of paid media because it works. It’s provable, it’s easy to test, and it helps global marketing and media agencies deliver exactly what their clients need: materially better performance with less guesswork. That clarity is what drew me here.”

In his new role at NaviStone, Moore will lead the company’s global marketing and media agencies channel strategy, helping partners deliver results for their clients using NaviStone’s performance marketing technology. He’ll focus on accelerating adoption, creating value through integrated go-to-market efforts, and building long-term partnerships grounded in transparency and measurable impact.

“Jeff understands exactly what agencies are up against,” said Larry Kavanagh, CEO of NaviStone. “Shrinking budgets, growing expectations, fragmented channels. He knows agencies need partners who bring speed, scale, and certainty. That’s what we’re here to deliver, and Jeff is the right person to lead that charge.”

Moore’s addition to the team comes at a time of disruption when agencies are increasingly looking for media partners who can help them go beyond the walled gardens, extend reach into underutilized channels, and prove performance in near real time through authentic and credible brand-to-consumer connections. NaviStone’s solution — which blends digital behavior with real-time modeling to reach consumers when they’re actively shopping — has become a key differentiator in the paid media toolkit.

“NaviStone is meeting a moment that’s been building for years,” said Moore. "It is clear that publicly-held agencies with a performance focus — think IPG Mediabrands, Hearts & Science, Havas Edge, Digitas, Assembly — and strong independents like Tinuiti, Horizon Media, and Crossmedia are ready for solutions that are not only innovative, but accountable. This is a platform you can measure, trust, and scale. And as outcome driven agencies respond to a rapidly shifting media landscape, they see an opportunity to embrace a reemerging performance capability that reliably moves the needle. I'm excited to help agencies driven to win discover the advantage they can bring to their portfolio in partnership with NaviStone."

With Moore at the helm of agency partnerships, NaviStone is poised to deepen its impact across paid media, helping agencies and their clients unlock new audiences, optimize performance, and scale with confidence.

About NaviStone

NaviStone is a martech platform that unlocks and activates audiences brands are missing out on today. By combining website behavior with modeling, NaviStone enables marketers to deliver highly personalized media and messaging at the exact moment a consumer is considering a purchase. This approach increases return on marketing spend up to 70%.

Headquartered in Cincinnati, NaviStone is trusted by leading brands across travel, retail, home services, and more. The company has been recognized as a Best Employer in Ohio, a Best Places to Work in Cincinnati, and a Fast 55 Award winner.

For more information, visit www.navistone.com.

Media Contact

Nikki Shenk
nshenk@navistone.com

FXCubic, a leading provider of liquidity aggregation, bridging, and risk management technology, announced that its flagship FXCubic Bridge processed over 3,000 yards in trading volume during September 2025, marking a major milestone for the company and reinforcing its position among the most trusted liquidity technology providers in the market.

What makes this achievement particularly significant is that, unlike some other providers, FXCubic’s trading volume measurement excludes both double-counted and prop trading volumes, further reinforcing the accuracy of the figures and the genuine volume passing through FXCubic’s systems regularly. This makes FXCubic’s 3,000 yards of volume in a single month one of the largest true retail volumes in the industry.

“We’re extremely proud to reach this milestone,” said Ege Kozan, CEO at FXCubic. “It reflects not only our growth but also the investment and attention we put into performance and stability, while maintaining full functionality when developing the core of our product many years ago. We’re pleased to see these efforts paying off after what has been an extremely volatile year.”

Trusted by the Industry’s Biggest Names

Over the years, the FXCubic Bridge has become the technology of choice for some of the largest and most respected brokers in the global trading industry. While already supporting the industry’s most prominent trading platforms, the FXCubic Bridge remains the most adaptable and scalable bridging solution for mid-sized and large brokers alike. Its reputation is built on unmatched reliability, speed, and transparency, helping leading brokerages maintain seamless execution and control — even in the most volatile market conditions.

Performance Under Pressure

FXCubic became widely recognized for its exceptional ability to perform under pressure, delivering stable, uninterrupted operation through periods of intense market volatility — when other systems often slow down or fail.

Its advanced architecture, intelligent protection algorithms, and proactive risk management tools enable brokers to operate with confidence and efficiency, regardless of market turbulence.

“Our clients rely on the FXCubic Bridge to deliver speed and resilience in all market conditions,” added Wassim Khateeb, CCO at FXCubic. “It’s built to protect brokers and traders alike, maintaining execution quality and stability even when markets move fast.”

Outlook for Q4 2025

With client adoption continuing to grow and trading activity remaining elevated, FXCubic expects Q4 2025 to be its strongest quarter to date, further expanding its footprint among retail-focused brokerages worldwide.

About FXCubic

FXCubic is a leading technology provider specializing in liquidity aggregation, bridge connectivity, and risk management solutions for forex and CFD brokers. Its systems are built to empower brokers to achieve greater operational efficiency and smarter execution. Backed by exceptional, hands-on support, FXCubic’s team ensures partners receive fast, personalized assistance at every stage of their growth. For more information, visit fxcubic.com.

Media Contact

Andreas Georgiou
marketing@fxcubic.com

Global skilling major upGrad has reported EBITDA profitability for fiscal year 2025, driven by sustained revenue growth, operational efficiency, and disciplined global expansion. The company reported a gross revenue of $227 million (Indian rupees 1,943 crore), which, post-Ind-AS accounting, closed at a total income of $193 million (Indian rupees 1,650 crore), reflecting sustained demand from learners and enterprises. Further, the company carries $65 million (Indian rupees 556 crore) collected but unrecognised revenue, to be recognised in the future.

upGrad posted an Ind-AS EBITDA profit (including one-time costs and other income) of $1.8 million (Indian rupees 15 crore) in FY 2025, marking a strong turnaround from an EBITDA loss of INR 33 million (Indian rupees 285 crore) in FY 2024, representing a 105% year-on-year reduction in losses. Excluding one-time costs, EBITDA profit stood at $4.4 million (Indian rupees 38 crore) versus a loss of $24 million (Indian rupees 202 crore) last year.

The company’s negative PAT reduced by 51%, from $66 million (Indian rupees 560 crore) in FY 2024 to $32 million (Indian rupees 274 crore) in FY 2025, of which non-cash items total $20 million (Indian rupees 169 crore), supported by stronger operating cash flows. With improved PAT, the skilling major reinstates focus on profitability, efficiency, and long-term value creation.

Fiscal year 2025 saw the company deepen efficiencies across functions while strategically investing in its AI-driven learning stack, career mobility infrastructure, and hybrid expansion through experience centres. Learner enrolments within the consumer segment grew by 19%, driven by AI- and tech-focused programs. upGrad’s AI and technology portfolio remained a key growth engine, reinforcing its position as one of the largest integrated AI-led learning ecosystems in India and Southeast Asia.

International markets contributed 20% to 25% of total revenue, driven by strong traction across Vietnam, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and the United States. Its study abroad division continued robust performance, expanding to 10 key destinations, including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Australia, France, Finland, United Arab Emirates, and Ireland, with Vietnam, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka next in line.

upGrad’s enterprise division expanded globally with deeper penetration across the GCC and new entries into Eastern Europe, while repeat business accounted for more than 80% of its client base, primarily across power and energy, BFSI, IT-enabled services (ITeS), and automobiles. Demand for AI-focused enterprise training doubled year-on-year, adding new clients across India, North America, Europe, and the Middle East. The placements arm also maintained strong momentum, facilitating hiring across high-growth domains such as technology, data, AI, and finance. In India, hiring demand remained strongest across Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Delhi-NCR, followed by expanding activity in Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad.

"FY 2025 has been a well-rounded year for us, adding up to our strategic expansion and long-term bets from the past two years,” saidRonnie Screwvala, co-founder and chairperson of upGrad. 

"Our moat of enabling individuals with high-value skilling is now delivering measurable ROI across markets — from India to Vietnam, the Middle East, and North America. Being founder-funded allows us to make bold, high-confidence decisions in tech and market expansion without compromising profitability. Turning EBITDA positive while scaling a deep, AI-led learning portfolio across all career stages and global markets shows that we are not just building a business — we’re building a category with structural strength and a clear path to sustained profitability. With this momentum, we are on track to achieve a CAGR of 30% over the next two to three years, reinforcing the scalability and long-term resilience of our model," added Screwvala.

Founded in 2015, upGrad is one of Asia’s largest integrated skilling and lifelong learning majors, powering the complete learning cycle of individuals. It offers a range of online and hybrid skilling programs and certifications under its B2C portfolio and facilitates top Indian and global universities to offer their diploma, master’s, and executive doctorates, with all degrees awarded solely by the respective universities, supporting every career stage of individuals, from first job to boardroom. Additionally, select programs are tailored for enterprise clients under the corporate skilling division, along with other recruitment and staffing services. More details can be found at www.upgrad.com.

(Exchange rate: $1 = 85.46 Indian rupees)

WuXi AppTec, a global contract research, development, and manufacturing organization (CRDMO), recently hosted its 2025 Investor Day, showcasing the company's continued leadership as a trusted partner in global drug discovery, development, and manufacturing. The comprehensive presentation highlighted WuXi AppTec's sustained high-growth trajectory, market-leading position, and expanding capabilities across its integrated CRDMO platform.

WuXi Chemistry CRDMO Platform Drives Significant Growth

WuXi AppTec's chemistry division, operating as a global CRDMO platform, reported exceptional performance with revenue reaching $2.3 billion in the first half of 2025, representing a 33.5% year-over-year increase. The integrated platform serves 2,550 clients across 15 global sites with 23,445 employees as of June 30, 2025, reinforcing WuXi AppTec's position as a trusted partner to pharmaceutical and biotech innovators worldwide.

"Our CRDMO business model continues to drive sustained high growth by integrating drug discovery, development, and manufacturing into a single open-access platform," said Dr. Minzhang Chen, co-CEO of WuXi AppTec. "This integrated approach continues to prove it reduces drug development timelines and helps advance breakthrough medicines for patients globally."

The company's small molecule pipeline has grown to over 440,000 compounds, with 412 new molecules added to the development and manufacturing pipeline in the first half of 2025 alone. Notably, WuXi AppTec supported eight small molecules approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration between 2024 and the first half of 2025, demonstrating the company's critical role in bringing innovative therapies to patients.

WuXi TIDES: Unlocking Significant Growth in Next-Generation Modalities

WuXi AppTec's TIDES (oligonucleotides, peptides, and conjugates) business continues unprecedented growth, with revenue reached $0.71 billion in the first half of 2025, and expected growth over 80% year over year in full year revenue. The division has established itself as a key player across the CRDMO value chain, helping deliver vital therapeutics to patients worldwide.

Dr. Minzhang Chen highlighted the division's expansion: "WuXi TIDES is driving more complex oligonucleotide and peptide conjugate therapeutics faster to patients.” In the third quarter of 2025, its total reactor volume of solid-phase peptide synthesizers exceeds 100,000 liters, supporting the growing demand for next-generation therapies."

The global peptide therapeutics market is projected to reach $160.3 billion by 2030, while the oligonucleotide therapeutics market is expected to grow to $31.5 billion by 2030, positioning WuXi TIDES for continued substantial growth.

Operational Excellence and Digital Innovation

WuXi AppTec demonstrated its commitment to operational excellence through "WuXi Speed," achieving faster plant construction and ramp-up times. The company has reduced plant ramp-up periods from 22.6 months in 2017 to just 2.4 months in 2024, accelerating products to patients through proven operational playbooks.

The company has implemented comprehensive digital systems with over 90 application systems covering all aspects of operations, achieving "smart" operations that enhance efficiency and maintain quality standards. This digital transformation supports WuXi AppTec's zero critical FDA observations record in 2024 and reinforces its position as a trusted partner meeting the global regulatory standards.

Global Reach and Regional Growth

WuXi AppTec's global footprint continues to expand, with strong revenue growth across key regions in the first half of 2025:

• North America: 38.4% year-over-year growth
• Europe: 9.2% year-over-year growth
• Japan, Korea, and rest of world: 7.6% year-over-year growth

The company's diversified geographic presence across Asia, Europe, and North America ensures resilient operations and enables faster, compliant market access for therapies worldwide through multi-jurisdictional regulatory expertise spanning FDA, EMA, and NMPA guidelines.

Commitment to Sustainability and Global Health

Building on its 25-year legacy as a trusted partner, WuXi AppTec continues its commitment to global health and sustainability. The company has achieved carbon neutrality across discovery operations and remains committed to net-zero emissions by 2030. Compared to its 2020 baseline, the company has reduced water usage intensity by over 36% last year.

About WuXi AppTec

Building on 25 years as a trusted global CRDMO partner, accelerating regulatory approvals and powering next-generation therapies across the innovation spectrum, WuXi AppTec remains dedicated to enabling breakthrough medicines and global health.

WuXi AppTec is a trusted partner and contributor to the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries, providing R&D and manufacturing services that help advance healthcare innovation. With operations across Asia, Europe, and North America, we offer integrated, end-to-end services through our unique CRDMO (contract research, development, and manufacturing organization) platform. We are privileged to work alongside nearly 6,000 partners across more than 30 countries, supporting their efforts to bring breakthrough treatments to patients. Guided by our vision that every drug can be made and every disease can be treated, we are committed to advancing breakthroughs for patients — one collaboration at a time.

Learn more at wuxiapptec.com.

Heart disease now claims over 940,000 lives each year in the U.S., and rates of type 2 diabetes and obesity have more than doubled since the 1990s. Fitness coach Harsha Pakhal says these trends reflect how modern life has replaced healthy habits like movement, balanced eating, and rest with stress, convenience, and inactivity. Drawing on years of experience working with clients, he outlines the five biggest health risks of neglecting exercise and nutrition—and how to get your health back on track.

1. Heart Disease

Heart disease is the world’s leading cause of death, and it’s increasingly affecting younger adults. Diets high in fried and processed foods, long hours of sitting, and constant stress raise blood pressure and cholesterol, putting strain on the cardiovascular system. Over time, fatty deposits form inside the arteries, restricting blood flow and forcing the heart to work harder, which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Here’s what you can do to lower your risk:

• Move for 30 minutes a day to keep your heart strong and blood flowing.
• Cut down on fried and processed foods and eat more whole, natural meals.
• Take time each day to relax and manage stress to support heart health.

2. Type 2 Diabetes 

A generation ago, Type 2 diabetes was mostly seen in older adults. Now it’s appearing in teenagers and young professionals. If you eat a lot sugary snacks, drink soda, or skip exercise, your blood sugar levels stay high. The body releases more and more insulin to handle it, but over time your cells stop responding. That’s called insulin resistance. As sugar builds up in the bloodstream, it leads to fatigue, weight gain, and long-term damage to your eyes, kidneys, and nerves. 

Harsha Pakhal recommends beginning with these simple, sustainable habits: 

• Choose whole grains and fruits instead of sugary snacks and white bread.
• Take a short walk after meals to help your body control blood sugar.
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay balanced and reduce cravings.

3. Fatty Liver Disease

Fatty Liver Disease occurs when excess fat builds up in the liver, making it harder for the body to filter toxins and process nutrients. As the liver stores unused calories as fat, it becomes inflamed and scarred, which can progress to serious conditions like cirrhosis or liver failure if left untreated. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common chronic liver condition worldwide, now affecting about one in three adults. In the U.S., cases have tripled since the 1980s, driven by diets high in sugar and processed foods and sedentary lifestyles. 

To help prevent fatty liver disease, try making these small but effective lifestyle changes:

• Eat fewer processed foods and sugary drinks and focus on whole, balanced meals.
• Exercise regularly to help your body use stored fat instead of sending it to the liver.
• Maintain a healthy weight and get regular checkups to monitor liver function.

4. Osteoporosis and Muscle Loss

Harsha explains the cause of osteoporosis: “When people don’t move regularly or get enough protein and nutrients like calcium and vitamin D, their bones and muscles weaken over time.” This makes them more prone to fractures, joint pain, and mobility issues as they age. Strength training, daily movement, and a nutrient-rich diet help keep the body strong and resilient.

These easy changes can go a long way in keeping your bones strong and healthy:

• Do resistance or weight-bearing exercises several times a week to build strength.
• Eat enough protein and calcium-rich foods to support bones and muscles.
• Get regular sunlight or vitamin D to maintain bone density and prevent weakness.

5. Depression and Anxiety

Exercise and nutrition play a powerful role in emotional health and overall mental balance. Regular movement increases endorphins and serotonin, which improve mood and focus, while nutrient-rich foods keep energy steady and help regulate stress. Research shows that people who are inactive or eat poorly are significantly more likely to experience depression and anxiety. Over time, poor lifestyle habits raise stress hormones, disrupt sleep, and make it harder for the brain to stay resilient.

You can support your mental health by focusing on these everyday habits:

• Move your body for at least 20 minutes a day to boost mood and reduce tension.
• Eat balanced meals with protein, healthy fats, and colorful produce to stabilize energy.
• Set a regular sleep schedule and limit screen time before bed to support mental recovery.

About Harsha Pakhal Fitness

Harsha Pakhal is a fitness coach and personal trainer dedicated to helping people build strength, confidence, and lasting healthy habits. With years of experience working one-on-one with clients, he focuses on practical, sustainable changes that fit real life. His approach combines movement, nutrition, and mindset to help others not just reach their goals, but create a lifestyle that supports long-term health and balance. For more information, www.harshapakhal.com.

Media Contact

Jessica Brown
info@mercurynewsmedia.com

The Global Artificial Intelligence Innovation Movement and Evolution (GAIME) Conference 2025, organized by CERFODES, will convene in Kampala, Uganda, from October 30–31, 2025, reflecting a turning point for inclusive AI collaboration.

Bringing together over 5,000 delegates from more than 180 countries, GAIME Conference 2025 seeks to transform how artificial intelligence is designed, shared, and applied across global contexts. The summit focuses on practical collaboration, verifiable ethics, and innovation equity,  ensuring that AI development serves communities as much as it serves industry.

“This is more than a conference; it’s a global working lab for responsible innovation,” said LaMine N’tambi-Sanogo, managing partner at CERFODES and founder of GAIME Conference. “Kampala is where ideas meet accountability. Every project discussed here must demonstrate measurable value for people, not just technological novelty.”

Innovation with Accountability at the Core

GAIME Conference 2025 will introduce the AI Intelligence Profile System, an advanced collaboration platform developed by CERFODES researchers to match delegates and institutions based on verified expertise, research interests, and complementary objectives.

The system, designed under GDPR-compliant data governance protocols, ensures transparency and security while enhancing global collaboration efficiency. The Intelligence Profile system will be able to connect Ugandan agricultural startups and Berlin-based AI researchers, producing collaborative models for explainable AI applications in precision agriculture.

According to LaMine N’tambi-Sanogo, “The Intelligence Profile system is designed for intentional collaboration rather than coincidence. Every connection formed through GAIME Conference can be tracked, documented, and reproduced across disciplines, ensuring measurable outcomes that extend beyond the two-day summit.”

Bridging Technology, Ethics, and Development

GAIME Conference’s agenda integrates key themes that connect technological innovation to human-centered outcomes. Plenary sessions will cover AI in education, digital inclusion, ethics in automation, sustainable data ecosystems, and AI policy frameworks aligned with the African Union’s AI Strategy (2024–2034) and UNESCO’s global ethical guidelines.

The conference’s Policy and Practice Forum will include contributions from representatives of Howard University's Center for Applied Data Science and Analytics, the African Union Commission, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, ensuring that the summit’s recommendations align with international development priorities and national implementation pathways.

“GAIME Conference has earned its credibility because it doesn’t operate in abstraction,” said LaMine N’tambi-Sanogo.“Each session is designed to produce verifiable outputs,  frameworks, pilot programs, and research agreements that can be audited, published, and sustained.”

Kampala: A Strategic Hub for Global Collaboration

The decision to host GAIME Conference in Kampala underscores a deliberate shift in global innovation geography. Uganda’s capital, known for its growing tech ecosystem and regional leadership in AI ethics and digital infrastructure, provides a model of how emerging markets can anchor global technological conversations.

The GAIME Conference 2025, taking place exclusively at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala, will feature interactive workshops, startup showcases, and AI impact demonstrations designed to connect Uganda’s innovation ecosystem with global research and policy networks.

“The location is symbolic,” noted N’tambi-Sanogo. “It reflects a future where innovation leadership is no longer confined to a few centers of power. Kampala is proof that credible, scalable, and inclusive AI can emerge from anywhere.”

From Dialogue to Measurable Impact

GAIME Conference 2025’s key outcome will be the release of the “Kampala Impact Charter on Collaborative AI”, a consensus document summarizing commitments, frameworks, and verifiable project milestones established during the summit.

Following the conference, CERFODES will coordinate the GAIME Impact Observatory, a continuous evaluation platform tracking the progress of collaborative projects formed at the event. The observatory will issue annual progress reports publicly accessible through partner repositories and international research databases.

Additionally, a Joint Innovation Fellowship Program will be announced at the conference, pairing graduate researchers from African universities with international institutions for AI ethics, agricultural automation, and digital policy research.

“These deliverables ensure that GAIME Conference isn’t just a headline,” added N’tambi-Sanogo. “They form a traceable legacy of applied collaboration,  where ethics and technology move forward together.”

Institutional Collaboration and Verified Partnerships

The GAIME Conference 2025 proudly collaborates with a distinguished network of partners, including the African Union, Howard University’s Center for Applied Data Science and Analytics, the Privacy and Data Protection Office, the Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

Together, these institutions are working to advance responsible AI innovation, enhance data governance frameworks, and drive sustainable digital transformation across the continent. Their collaboration ensures that GAIME 2025 generates tangible, long-term impact through actionable and inclusive initiatives.

About GAIME Conference

The Global Artificial Intelligence Innovation Movement and Evolution (GAIME) Conference is a flagship initiative of CERFODES, an international Pan-African consulting firm dedicated to advancing responsible innovation across Africa and the world.

GAIME Conference convenes researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and organizations to collaboratively design and implement practical frameworks for ethical and inclusive artificial intelligence. Through its combination of AI-powered participant mapping, verified partnerships, and open-access reporting, GAIME Conference ensures that each conference leads to tangible, measurable impact across the global AI landscape.

For more information, visit www.gaimeconference.ai.

Media Contact

LaMine N’tambi-Sanogo
connect@gaimeconference.ai

In honor of National Military Family Month, Aspire Houston Fertility Institute (Aspire HFI) proudly recognizes the dedication and sacrifice of our nation’s military families by expanding access to fertility care.

Throughout November 2025, Aspire HFI will offer 15% off all treatment services for all active-duty and retired military patients who schedule their new patient consultation during the month. As an added token of appreciation, military patients seen for consultation on November 20, 2025, will receive a complimentary new patient consultation and diagnostic ultrasound.

This initiative underscores Aspire HFI’s commitment to making family-building care more accessible for those who have served — and continue to serve — our country.

“Our military families give so much to protect our freedoms, and at Aspire HFI, we believe they deserve the same opportunity to grow their families with compassionate, high-quality care,” said Dr. Rhiana Saunders, Reproductive Endocrinologist & Infertility Specialist at Aspire HFI. “It’s our honor to support their dreams of parenthood through this special initiative.”

Fertility challenges are more common among military personnel than in the general population, and Aspire HFI recognizes the unique needs and circumstances that service members and veterans face when pursuing fertility treatments. By offering this promotion, the practice aims to reduce barriers to care and provide a meaningful way to give back to the Houston military community. 

Eligibility and Restrictions:

• Offer valid for active U.S. military members, reservists, or retired veterans who present a valid military ID at the time of consultation.
• 15% discount may be applied toward a single cycle treatment.
• Offer not applicable to patients currently enrolled in a clinical trial or research study.
• Complimentary consultation and diagnostic ultrasound available only for consultations on November 20, 2025.

About Aspire Houston Fertility Institute 

Aspire Houston Fertility Institute (Aspire HFI) is part of The Prelude Network, North America’s largest network of fertility clinics. Aspire HFI is committed to providing advanced reproductive medicine through innovation, compassion, and personalized care. With multiple convenient Houston-area locations, Aspire HFI offers a full range of fertility services including IVF, IUI, egg freezing, LGBTQ+ family-building options, and genetic testing.

To learn more about the Military Family Month initiative or to schedule a consultation, visit www.aspirehfi.com.

About The Prelude Network

The Prelude Network® (Prelude), the fastest-growing network of fertility clinics and largest provider of comprehensive fertility services in North America, is the clinic network of Inception Fertility™ — a family of fertility brands that touches every part of the fertility journey, including diagnostics and treatment to financial accessibility.

Each clinic, as part of Prelude, is committed to delivering the highest level of personalized fertility care by the nation's leading reproductive endocrinologists, embryologists and practitioners by focusing on an excellence in science, medicine and the patient experience.  The growing Prelude Network has more than 90 total locations nationwide, offering a wide range of fertility services including egg freezing, IVF, genetic testing, LGBTQ+ fertility options, and egg/embryo storage, among others.

Those clinics within Prelude include Aspire Fertility Austin (Texas); Aspire Fertility Dallas (Texas); Aspire Fertility McAllen (Texas); Aspire Fertility San Antonio (Texas); Aspire Houston Fertility Institute (Texas); Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago (Illinois); Center for Reproductive Medicine (Florida); Indiana Fertility Institute (Indiana); IVFMD (Florida); Main Line Fertility (Pennsylvania); NYU Langone Fertility Center (New York); NYU Langone RSNY (New York); Pacific Centre for Reproductive Medicine (Canada); Pacific Fertility Center (California); Regional Fertility Program (Canada); Reproductive Biology Associates (Georgia); Reproductive Science Center of New Jersey (New Jersey); Tennessee Fertility Institute (Tennessee), and The Reproductive Medicine Group (Florida).

Media Contact

Carrington Gilbert
Aspire Houston Fertility Institute
cgilbert@aspirehfi.com
+1 702-927-9317

LEIadmin has introduced a centralized platform that allows wealth and asset managers to oversee the entire lifecycle of their clients’ Legal Entity Identifiers (LEIs) — from setup to renewal — all while staying fully compliant with international regulations.

Since its inception, LEIadmin has established itself as a global LEI management partner, now active in more than 300 jurisdictions and serving over 347,000 clients. With LEIadmin, wealth and asset managers no longer need to juggle multiple tools or manual processes. The platform brings registrations, renewals, transfers, and ongoing upkeep of Legal Entity Identifiers into a single, secure system. This unified setup not only lightens the administrative load but also improves the accuracy of critical data. Automation offers an additional level of benefit. The effective operation of compliance teams is facilitated by reminders, mass processing tools, and accessible audit trails.

“I believe our partnership with LEIadmin is now more than six years long, and they have exceeded our expectations. LEIadmin saved my colleagues and me a lot of time and effort, and I am more than happy to pass on my sincere gratitude to their team,” said Voldemars Strupka, deputy head of private banking at Signet Bank and a long time client of LEIadmin.

LEIadmin is built for scale and precision — it provides wealth and asset managers with a central control point for every LEI task. For firms managing multiple clients, LEIadmin supports bulk registrations and renewals (e.g., uploading lists via Excel), letting operations teams process hundreds of LEIs in one go.

The centralized system is built to make life easier for financial institutions. Team efficiency is significantly improved by simultaneously processing large volumes of LEI codes and receiving automated alerts about code expirations. Manual load and extra costs are reduced and LEIadmin now offers competitive pricing for both new registrations and renewals. Because the platform is completely compliant with international standards (MiFID II/MiFIR and EMIR), businesses no longer need to worry about regulations. 

DNB Asset Management, one of the largest Nordic asset managers, reduced costs by 50% and cut administrative work fivefold after switching to LEIadmin. Within weeks, the firm transferred and renewed its entire LEI portfolio for five years, eliminating manual, time-consuming processes. This case highlights how wealth and asset managers can achieve both compliance and efficiency while freeing resources to focus on clients and investment strategy.

LEIadmin also integrates via APIs so that LEI processes can be embedded directly within a firm’s existing infrastructure (onboarding tools, compliance systems, client-portals, etc.). This means firms don’t have to switch between systems — registration, renewal, and lookups can all happen behind the scenes in real time. To support data integrity, the platform offers an LEI Lookup API that retrieves validated reference data (e.g. confirming whether an LEI is active and the associated legal-entity details).

About LEIadmin

LEIadmin is a global platform dedicated to simplifying the management of Legal Entity Identifiers (LEIs). With a focus on efficiency, compliance, and data accuracy, the company supports financial institutions, wealth managers, and businesses worldwide in registering, renewing, transferring, and maintaining valid LEIs. LEIadmin’s mission is to remove complexity from regulatory compliance by providing secure technology, bulk-management tools, and expert support that make LEI lifecycle management simple and accessible. Learn more at leiadmin.com

Media Contact

LEIadmin Team
sales@leiadmin.com
+44 77 003 0503

For over a decade, DSF Antique Jewelry has been dedicated to curating and presenting one of the world’s most distinguished collections of antique and vintage fine jewelry. Renowned for its commitment to quality, rarity, and condition, DSF has become an international destination for collectors and connoisseurs who appreciate the enduring artistry of historical design.

The DSF collection spans centuries of craftsmanship, featuring fine quality pieces from the Art Nouveau, Edwardian, and Art Deco eras, alongside signed creations by legendary houses including Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany & Co., and Boucheron. Each jewel tells a story of creativity and innovation — a tangible expression of beauty that transcends time and continues to inspire admiration among discerning collectors worldwide. Discover the Art Nouveau and Art Deco jewelry collection.

In addition to its exceptional jewelry, DSF Antique Jewelry presents a selection of decorative and collectible objects, from gold vanity pieces to intricate objets d’art, each chosen for its artistry and historical significance. Every piece in the collection is carefully examined for provenance, craftsmanship, and authenticity, ensuring that clients acquire not merely adornments but true works of art.

With a rapidly growing global following and recognition from leading publications such as Business Insider, The Daily Mail, Reuters, and L’Officiel Monaco, DSF Antique Jewelry continues to honor the legacy of fine design while bringing the world’s rarest treasures to a new generation of collectors.

Explore the DSF Antique Jewelry collections at dsfantiquejewelry.com.

About DSF Antique Jewelry

DSF Antique Jewelry is a New York–based purveyor of exquisite antique and vintage fine jewelry in gold and gemstones. We curate museum-quality pieces emphasizing design, rarity, and exceptional condition. Our clients include private collectors, investors, curators, and luxury enthusiasts worldwide. For more information, visit dsfantiquejewelry.com.

Media Contact

DSF Antique Jewelry
nyc@dsfanntiquejewelry.com

In Xiuzhou, Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province,“Xiu” is more than just a city’s name—it embodies a mindset open to the world. With an open business environment, rich cultural heritage, and a constantly pulsing spirit of innovation, Xiuzhou exudes a unique urban character: openness, ambition, inclusiveness, and a forward-looking energy. It is this dynamic spirit that drew Osama, a businessman from Pakistan, to the city. Inspired by Xiuzhou’s vitality and warmth, he documents his perspective of China, capturing stories that reveal the city’s soul.

Recently, the Xiuzhou Media Center successfully hosted the filming of the urban-themed short film “What is ‘Show’” in Xiuzhou. The film features Osama as the protagonist, telling his experiences and impressions of life in Xiuzhou from his perspective. The short film creatively connects the Chinese character of “Xiu” in “Xiuzhou” with the English word “Show,” highlighting the city’s open spirit and innovative vitality through four dimensions: industry, culture, technology, and daily life.

A New Bond with China

In 2011, Osama came to China for his studies and was deeply attracted by the country's prosperity and vibrancy. Five years later, he chose to settle in Xiuzhou, Jiaxing, and began working in foreign trade. At that time, his impression of Xiuzhou was still limited to it being “the hometown of woolen sweaters in China.” Now, he has established his family and career here, fully integrating into city life and witnessing Xiuzhou's development.

On the Industrial Frontline

During the filming process, Osama visited YTO Skyhub to learn how products from Xiuzhou are shipped to global markets. At the Honghe Sweater Market, he explored the “SweaterPi” platform, which uses AI technology to intelligently create the latest styles, achieving efficient design and production integration. He also participated in the Sweater Culture Festival, gathering with buyers from various countries to experience the innovative vitality and international influence of Xiuzhou's sweater industry.

Experiencing Cultural Charm

In the film, Osama explores Xiuzhou's folk customs and intangible cultural heritage—from harvesting water chestnuts and weaving with palm leaves to making rice dumplings and appreciating farmer paintings. He even attempted to paint a Pakistani truck in the style of farmer paintings. “Although we speak different languages, we can communicate through our works,” Osama said, “culture truly knows no boundaries.”

Touching the Edge of Innovation

The short film also captures scenes of Osama visiting technology companies in Xiuzhou. He learned about the research progress of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles at the Yangtze River Delta Research Institute of Beijing Institute of Technology (Jiaxing), experienced AI music creation at Tencent Music, interacted with digital humans at Silicon-based Technology, and experienced VR immersive scenarios at Himalaya. “In Xiuzhou, technological innovation has already integrated into daily life,” he noted.

Experiencing the Beauty of Life

Towards the end of the film, scenes of Osama's daily life in Xiuzhou are recorded. In his leisure time, he enjoys walking with his family at Ginkgo Swan Lake, tasting local snacks at Jiangnan Mall Food Street, and watching football matches at the sports field.

“I love life in Xiuzhou,” Osama said with a smile. “I hope this short film allows more people to see an open, inclusive, and vibrant Xiuzhou.”

PlanetWEST, a pioneering environmental technology firm, today announced the launch of its revolutionary carbon capture system, MIDAC (Micro-Intelligent Direct Air Capture), specifically designed for the megacities of the Gulf Arab states. This initiative directly addresses the severe air pollution and accelerated climate change impacts facing the region, offering a tangible solution for cleaner air and a healthier environment.

The Gulf states is experiencing rapid warming, increased extreme heatwaves, water scarcity, and significant air quality challenges due to high concentrations of PM2.5, PM10, and black carbon particulate matter. Cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam consistently report alarming levels of these harmful pollutants, exacerbated by natural dust storms, industrial activities, and urbanization.

MIDAC represents a significant leap in localized air purification. Uniquely engineered to integrate with existing vehicle radiator systems, MIDAC actively draws in ambient air, capturing microscopic PM2.5 and larger PM10.0 particles. These hazardous particulates are then securely stored for responsible disposal or recycling. The system is designed for in-country manufacturing, fostering local expertise and economic growth.

"The air quality crisis in many global cities demands innovative and scalable solutions," said Chris Catlin, CEO of PlanetWEST. "With MIDAC, we are offering a tangible pathway to healthier urban environments. Our focus is to make an immediate, positive impact."

By directly capturing pollutants at a localized level, MIDAC aims to create cleaner, cooler micro-environments, contributing to improved public health and supporting the region's efforts to achieve sustainable air quality standards and combat climate change.

About PlanetWEST

PlanetWEST is a leading environmental technology company dedicated to developing cutting-edge solutions for global environmental challenges, fostering a healthier planet for future generations. To learn more, visit www.planetwest.net.

Media Contact

Chris Catlin
ccatlin@planetwest.net

AirTalk Wireless, powered by AirVoice Wireless, has announced a $50,000 donation to DAV "Disabled American Veterans" to help strengthen communication access for veterans across the United States. The partnership aims to connect DAV’s nearly one million members with reliable wireless services that support their independence and well-being.

The contribution represents AirTalk Wireless’ first collaboration with DAV, a nonprofit founded in 1920 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932 to assist veterans and their families in securing the benefits they have earned. The funds will be used to help veterans stay in touch with loved ones, access healthcare and employment resources, and remain engaged in their communities.

Connecting Those Who Served

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, AirTalk Wireless provides qualifying customers under the federal Lifeline program with free 4G LTE or 5G smartphones — including Apple and Samsung devices among others — or SIM cards, along with free monthly service that includes data, unlimited talk and text, and international calling to more than 200 countries and territories.

The company’s latest partnership with DAV aligns with its ongoing mission to bridge the digital divide and make essential communication tools accessible to underserved communities, including veterans, seniors, and low-income families.

Henry Do, chief executive officer of AirTalk Wireless, shared:

“At AirTalk, we take great pride in serving over one million subscribers by helping to bridge the digital divide. For many, connectivity is more than just a convenience — it’s a lifeline to education, healthcare, employment, and loved ones. We’re honored to partner with DAV to extend this support to veterans who have served our nation.”

Supporting Lifeline Access for Veterans

Veterans who qualify for the federal Lifeline program through an authorized provider like AirTalk Wireless can receive a free smartphone with monthly data, unlimited calls and texts, free international calling, all without contracts or hidden fees.

Eligibility typically includes having a low income or participation in federal assistance programs such as Veterans Pension, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

DAV CEO and National Adjutant Barry Jesinoski said the collaboration would make a meaningful impact for veterans nationwide: “We are excited for this partnership with AirTalk and look forward to helping even more veterans access the care they deserve. AirTalk helps veterans stay connected to their communities and care providers, no matter their financial situation.”

Bridging the Digital Divide

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to narrowing communication gaps for underserved Americans. AirTalk Wireless, established in 1999 by AirVoice Wireless, offers government-supported phone and broadband services through programs such as Lifeline, which was created by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 1985 to make essential telecommunications more affordable for low-income households.

Through Lifeline, eligible consumers receive monthly discounts on phone or internet service to maintain access to vital resources, including healthcare, education, and emergency services. 

Each qualifying household may receive one non-transferable benefit which ensures unbiased distribution and continued access to communication.

About AirTalk Wireless

AirTalk Wireless is a U.S. telecommunications provider headquartered in Houston, Texas. The company offers nationwide wireless services through government assistance programs, providing millions of Americans with affordable access to smartphones and data plans. More information is available at airtalkwireless.com.

About DAV "Disabled American Veterans"

DAV "Disabled American Veterans" is a nonprofit charity with nearly one million members dedicated to empowering veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. DAV helps veterans access benefits, secure healthcare, and reintegrate into civilian life while advocating for their interests on Capitol Hill. Visit www.dav.org to learn more.

Media Contact

Emily Shelton
media@airtalkwireless.com

The market for lower middle-market capital and M&A advice is cluttered with advisers who confuse activity for outcome. Yanne Capital rejects that trade. The firm’s model is uncompromising: experienced professionals who have worked at bulge-bracket institutions now apply that judgment to bespoke, outcome-driven work for founders, owners and sponsors. The result is transaction excellence — executed with precision, discretion and commercial clarity.

Too many owners and boards endure protracted processes that waste time and value. They see decks recycled across the same filtered networks, endless partner calls, and term sheets that arrive late or never. Yanne Capital tightens the mechanics of a deal without the noise. Materials are prepared to answer the exact questions senior allocators will ask in the first conversation. Outreach is targeted to decision-makers who can sign term sheets or operationally support the business. Negotiations are led by people who understand where value is made, preserved and, when necessary, defended.

“Our work is transaction excellence,” said Alex Özdemir, founder and managing partner at Yanne Capital. “We don’t measure ourselves by the volume of solicitations or the size of total conversations. We measure ourselves by the quality of investor engagement, the speed at which decisions are made, and the certainty of close. That is how a boutique should behave when it inherits bulge-bracket craft.”

Yanne Capital operates globally but with a boutique posture. The firm covers the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, relying on deep personal relationships into family offices, operator-led funds, strategic acquirers and institutional allocators. Those relationships matter because the right counterparty can change a company’s trajectory. The firm’s remit spans equity and structured equity, bespoke debt solutions, strategic M&A and advisory on complex recapitalizations. The choice of structure is a surgical decision to preserve optionality and align incentives, not a marketing checkbox.

Clients engage Yanne Capital for a direct line to senior judgment. Teams are staffed by professionals who have executed at scale and who now prefer the speed and nuance of lower middle-market work. They run processes that compress unnecessary steps, keep decision paths short and ensure negotiations remain focused on the commercial levers that actually matter. For owners who value certainty over theater, that approach delivers higher-probability outcomes and preserves value through disciplined structuring and negotiation.

Beyond capital raises and M&A, Yanne Capital advises on restructuring, refinancing, carve-outs and strategic partnerships. The firm helps companies evaluate practical alternatives when liquidity is constrained, when growth needs recalibration, or when a strategic partner can add distribution, procurement or operational capability. That work is often less glamorous but more consequential: stabilizing cash flow, reshaping capital stacks, or pairing a company with a partner that turns a product into a distribution-scale asset.

Yanne Capital also works with sponsors and family offices on direct investments and co-invest structures, advising on valuation discipline, governance alignment and exit planning. The firm assists boards and management with scenario planning, stress-testing models and negotiating covenants that reflect realistic upside and defensible downside protection. Post-close, Yanne Capital remains engaged where appropriate, helping to coordinate integration workstreams, measure KPIs tied to earnouts, and preserve the mechanics that enable the business to hit its plan.

The firm’s approach to engagements is pragmatic and confidential. Yanne Capital typically begins with a tight scoping phase to define objectives, identify realistic timelines and surface critical commercial levers. From there the team prepares decision-grade materials, coordinates diligence and manages negotiations directly with senior counterparts. That structure reduces noise, focuses boards on the decisions that matter and shortens the path from mandate to executed agreement.

"'Unlocks access to strategic capital in the mid-market' — the phrase echoes what we actually deliver,” said Tuna Yılar, co-founder and managing partner at Yanne Capital. Strategic capital matters when it brings optionality: commercial partnerships, distribution channels or operational know-how that go beyond liquidity. Yanne Capital’s role is not to sell a fashionable narrative but to run the transaction with clarity, speed and durable terms.

Yanne Capital measures success in practical terms: shorter decision cycles, higher conversion of senior-level meetings and ultimately signed agreements that reflect real alignment. The firm’s teams take ownership of execution from first outreach through close, working alongside management and boards to defend valuation, streamline diligence and secure terms that allow companies to pursue their next chapter.

For owners and sponsors who want senior-level judgment without institutional drag, Yanne Capital offers a disciplined alternative: independent, global, relationship-driven and obsessed with the transaction. For more information, visit www.yannecapital.com or contact Alex Özdemir, founder and managing partner, at alex.partnership@yannetr.net.

About Yanne Capital

Yanne Capital is an independent, global investment banking boutique focused on delivering transaction excellence for lower middle-market transactions between $10 million and $600 million. Backed by over $15 billion in transactions, the firm leverages senior professionals with bulge-bracket backgrounds to provide outcome-oriented advisory and execution that emphasizes fit, discretion and closing certainty. For more information, visit www.yannecapital.com.

Media Contact

Alex Emin Ozdemir
Founder and Managing Partner
alex.partnership@yannetr.net

H. Tony Yılar
COO and Managing Partner, Yanne Capital
tony@yannecapital.com

SideDish, the innovative salad dressing and condiment brand founded by three-time New York Times bestselling cookbook author Alex Snodgrass, also known as The Defined Dish, today announced the appointment of Reno Yanes as chief executive officer.

Yanes brings extensive experience scaling CPG brands with a proven track record of success. Yanes spent the last five years at luxury pantry staple brand Truff, most recently serving as chief operating officer, where he helped drive rapid expansion across retail, e-commerce, and club channels. Prior to Truff, Yanes held leadership roles at Primal Kitchen, further strengthening his expertise in building better-for-you brands within the condiment and dressing category. He is also a co-founder of The Oak Group, a natural foods brokerage providing Whole Foods Market support across a variety of categories.

With deep knowledge in brand strategy, operations, and category growth, Yanes is set to lead SideDish into its next phase of national distribution and heightened brand awareness.

“I created SideDish to reimagine everyday condiments, delivering bold flavors, real ingredients, with a better-for-you approach to a category that regularly relies on overly processed ingredients,” said SideDish founder Alex Snodgrass. “Reno’s leadership marks a major milestone. His expertise in scaling premium brands will ensure SideDish continues to grow while staying true to our mission.”

As CEO, Yanes will oversee retail expansion, brand development, and investor relations. His goal: establish SideDish as a household name in the $30 billion-plus condiment and dressing market by offering products that combine health, flavor, and versatility.

“I’m thrilled to join SideDish at such a pivotal moment,” said SideDish CEO Reno Yanes. “We have an exciting opportunity to disrupt the category with clean-label, chef-inspired products that make simple, flavorful, better-for-you meals accessible to families everywhere. Together with Alex and the team, we’re building something truly special.”

Launched in 2022, SideDish was designed to bring ease, simplicity, and bold flavor to the kitchen without relying on overly processed ingredients. The brand currently offers six flavors: Greek Vinaigrette, Classic Ranch, Honey Dijon, Creamy Sesame, Miso Caesar, and Chipotle Ranch. Made with 100% avocado oil and free from refined sugar, gluten, dairy, and preservatives, each bottle delivers vibrant, crave-worthy taste. Now available nationwide at Whole Foods Market, SideDish has already captured a devoted consumer following.

About SideDish

SideDish is a multi-purpose dressing collection featuring bold flavors and simple ingredients. Founded in 2022 by Alex Snodgrass — also known as The Defined Dish and a three-time New York Times bestselling author of "The Defined Dish," "The Comfortable Kitchen," and "Dinner Tonight" — SideDish offers six versatile flavors that bring ease, simplicity, and flavor to kitchens nationwide. All SideDish products are dairy-free, paleo-friendly, preservative-free, and contain zero added sugar. They can be used as a dip, marinade, or dressing for salads, bowls, and more. Learn more at getsidedish.com and follow on Instagram @getsidedish.

About Alex Snodgrass aka The Defined Dish

Alex Snodgrass is a Texas-raised author, recipe developer, and culinary creator who has built a community of more than 1 million followers. She is known for sharing healthy, mostly Whole30- and paleo-compliant recipes that add a Texas twist and the bold flavors she grew up with. Snodgrass is a three-time New York Times bestselling author of "The Defined Dish: Whole30 Endorsed, Healthy and Wholesome Weeknight Recipes" (2019), "The Comfortable Kitchen" (2021), and "Dinner Tonight" (2023). In 2022, she launched SideDish, a collection of better-for-you dressings and condiments designed to make mealtime delicious and easy to share with loved ones. She lives in Dallas with her husband and two daughters.

Media Contact

Kirby Allison
kirby@kirbyallisonpr.com