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Research from TravelBoom Hotel Marketing, the leading data-driven hotel marketing agency dedicated to driving direct bookings, reveals that rising costs, evolving technology and shifting lifestyle preferences will dramatically impact the hospitality landscape for American consumers in 2026. 

The findings belong to TravelBoom’s proprietary "2026 Leisure Travel Study" and are based on individual responses from 500 active leisure travelers.

Hoteliers, property managers and travel marketers can access the full "2026 Leisure Travel Study" for free here.

Critical insights from the data show a significant change in the decision-making strategies that drive U.S. consumer behavior in the travel space, with flexibility, personalization and trust now representing the most urgent considerations in booking decisions. The study also sheds light on the growing influence of Gen Z and millennial travelers, whose use of AI and prioritization of “authentic” experiences, despite the inherent contradictions in that label, are steadily reshaping why, how and where people book their next vacation.

“Travelers today are more tech savvy, budget conscious and experience driven than ever before,” said Scott Brandon, CEO of TravelBoom Hotel Marketing. “Hotels that don’t adapt to these changes risk falling behind. Our latest study not only outlines the trends but also gives hotel owners and marketers a roadmap to meet these changing expectations and win more direct bookings.”

Brandon added that the insights continue the trends and shifts in consumer marketing identified in TravelBoom’s previous study, which found that Americans were approaching travel decisions with a newfound sense of financial caution and strategic timing in the face of rising inflation and economic uncertainty. Key findings from the 2026 study include:

• Flexibility is non-negotiable: 94.2% of travelers said they expect some built-in flexibility in bookings, with nearly half demanding free cancellation policies.
• AI takes the lead in trip planning: 83% of travelers — especially Gen Z and millennials — are currently using, or have expressed interest in using, AI tools like ChatGPT to decide on, organize and plan their trips.
• Cultural passions drive bookings: 80% of travelers say the local destination’s food culture influences their decision-making and more than 70% would travel for a music event, turning dining and entertainment into primary trip drivers.
• Rising costs shape decisions: Nearly 1 in 3 travelers are reducing trip frequency due to rising and stubborn inflation across all travel-related expenses, but they continue to pursue bookings to uncover opportunities that provide strong value, perks and other important lifestyle benefits.
• Consumers demand tangible loyalty rewards: 64% of respondents prefer loyalty programs that offer immediate discounts or perks, signaling a distinct shift away from complex, points-based systems that offer long-term benefits and can be seen as unnecessarily beneficial to the brands more than its customers.
• Direct-booking momentum builds: Hotel websites now drive 18% of bookings, which represents a steady increase from previous years, with hard data that shows direct channels continue to take market share away from online travel agents (OTAs) — and offer more opportunities to expand their customer base.

About TravelBoom Hotel Marketing

TravelBoom Hotel Marketing, founded in 1996 and based in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is the leading digital marketing agency for independent hotels. The agency empowers hotel owners with customized, data-fueled strategies designed to maximize direct bookings. TravelBoom leverages advanced data science and analytics to uncover insights and develop strategies that greatly enhance results for clients and reduce their reliance on third-party channels. To learn more, visit www.travelboommarketing.com.

Media Contact

Steve Sapka
steve@sapkacomm.com

Metropolitan Premium Properties, a Dubai-based real estate brokerage established in 2008, has released market insights on Dubai's Q3 2025 real estate performance, highlighting record-breaking transaction volumes and continued international investor confidence across the emirate's property sector.

According to verified data from Dubai Land Department and DXBinteract, Dubai's real estate market achieved the highest-ever quarterly transaction volume in Q3 2025, with 59,228 property sales valued at AED 170.7 billion ($46.5 billion), representing year-over-year increases of 17.2% in volume and 19.9% in value.

Q3 2025 Market Highlights

Record Quarterly Performance: Q3 2025 recorded 59,228 transactions valued at AED 170.7 billion ($46.5 billion), marking the highest quarterly transaction volume ever recorded in Dubai's real estate market, according to DXBinteract data reported by Gulf News and Arabian Business.

Nine-Month Momentum: From January through September 2025, Dubai recorded 158,200 property transactions with a combined value of AED 498.8 billion ($136 billion), representing a 20.5% increase in volume and 32.3% rise in value year-over-year, per DXBinteract via Gulf News.

Property Segment Performance: Market data shows apartments led Q3 2025 activity with 49,370 units sold at AED 94.3 billion ($25.7 billion) (up 25.9% year-over-year). Commercial properties showed exceptional growth with 1,565 transactions worth AED 4.2 billion ($1.1 billion), up 41.9% in volume. Plot sales reached 1,214 deals valued at AED 36.1 billion ($9.8 billion), up 25.7% in volume.

September Sustained Growth: September 2025 maintained upward momentum with 20,127 sales transactions totaling AED 54.3 billion ($14.8 billion), representing an 11.3% increase in volume and 21.2% increase in value year-over-year, according to Economy Middle East, indicating no seasonal slowdown entering Q4.

Off-Plan Market Strength: According to market reports, off-plan properties from developers accounted for 73% of transaction volume and 66% of market value in Q3 2025, reflecting continued investor confidence in Dubai's development pipeline.

Market Analysis

The balanced growth pattern — with value appreciation (32.3%) moderately exceeding volume growth (20.5%) — suggests healthy market dynamics supported by genuine demand rather than speculative excess, according to market observers.

Real estate professionals note sustained international participation throughout 2025, with buyers conducting thorough due diligence and making long-term strategic investment decisions rather than short-term speculative purchases.

Current market conditions favor informed, data-driven investment approaches, with professional guidance becoming increasingly important as supply increases in certain segments. Industry experts advise focusing on established locations with proven track records, developer credibility, and realistic expectations based on actual market comparables.

Key Market Drivers

Market analysts identify several drivers supporting Dubai's real estate performance, including extended visa programs (Golden Visa, 10-year residency options), expanded foreign ownership rights in strategic zones, streamlined property registration processes through Dubai Land Department, and ongoing infrastructure development including metro expansion and Expo 2020 legacy projects.

Market Context

The strong 2025 performance builds on 2024's record-breaking market, which recorded AED 761 billion in total transactions across 226,000 property deals — marking 2024 as the highest-performing year in Dubai's real estate history. The complete Q3 2025 Dubai real estate market report provides detailed property segment breakdowns and investment outlook.

About Metropolitan Premium Properties

Metropolitan Premium Properties is a full-service real estate agency established in 2008, operating in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Vienna, and other international markets. The company's team of RERA-approved multilingual agents provides property sales, rental, and management services to local and international clients across residential, commercial, and investment property segments. Metropolitan serves clients from over 50 nationalities and maintains professional relationships with leading UAE developers. To learn more, visit: https://metropolitan.realestate

FG Nexus (Nasdaq: FGNX, FGNXP) (the "Company" or "FG Nexus”) today announced that it plans to initiate its previously announced board-approved $200 million share repurchase program and is entering into an agreement with ThinkEquity to immediately begin buyback purchases. The Company will seek to purchase shares for less than net asset value (NAV) per share, which is currently estimated to be approximately $5.10 per share as of October 20, 2025.

"If the market is going to give us the opportunity to buy our own shares at a discount to our ETH value per share, we are going to take that opportunity and buy ETH at a discount. Buying back stock at current levels is not only accretive to our net asset value per share, it’s the right thing to do for shareholders. The initiation of our share repurchase program reflects our confidence in FG Nexus' ETH treasury strategy and our dedication to delivering long-term shareholder value,” said Kyle Cerminara, CEO of FG Nexus. "By purchasing below our NAV, we are taking immediate action to capitalize on what we believe represents an attractive opportunity."

ThinkEquity will make its rule 10b-18 purchases (as defined in Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) in accordance with the following parameters: up to 25% of the daily trading volume while the stock trades below $5.00 per share.

The timing and amount of repurchases under the share repurchase program will depend on a variety of factors, including market conditions, the Company's financial performance, and other investment opportunities. The Company is under no obligation to repurchase any specific number of shares, and the share repurchase program may be suspended, modified, or discontinued at any time.

FG Nexus affirms that it will not utilize its at-the-market (ATM) facility while trading below NAV, as doing so would be dilutive on an ETH per share basis. If market conditions change, however, the Company reserves the right to utilize the ATM facility in an accretive manner for the benefit of the stockholders.

About FG Nexus

FG Nexus Inc. (Nasdaq: FGNX, FGNXP) is on the Ethereum Standard, and singularly focused on becoming the largest corporate holder of ETH in the world by an order of magnitude. In order to enhance our ETH YIELD, FG Nexus will stake and intends to implement other yield strategies while serving as a strategic gateway into Ethereum-powered finance, including tokenized RWAs and stablecoin yield.

The FGNX® logo is a registered trademark.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These statements are therefore entitled to the protection of the safe harbor provisions of these laws. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “budget,” “can,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “envision,” “estimate,” “expect,” “evaluate,” “forecast,” “goal,” “guidance,” “indicate,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “might,” “outlook,” “plan,” “possibly,” “potential,” “predict,” “probable,” “probably,” “pro-forma,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” “view,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result” or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. In particular, discussions and statements regarding the Company’s future business plans and initiatives are forward-looking in nature. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates, and projections. While we believe these to be reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. These and other important factors may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements and may impact our ability to implement and execute on our future business plans and initiatives. Management cautions that the forward-looking statements in this press release are not guarantees of future performance, and we cannot assume that such statements will be realized or the forward-looking events and circumstances will occur. Factors that might cause such a difference include, without limitation, fluctuations in the market price of ETH and any associated impairment charges that the Company may incur as a result of a decrease in the market price of ETH below the value at which the Company’s ETH are carried on its balance sheet, changes in the accounting treatment relating to the Company’s ETH holdings, the Company’s ability to achieve profitable operations, government regulation of cryptocurrencies and online betting, changes in securities laws or regulations such as accounting rules as discussed below, customer acceptance of new products and services including the Company’s ETH treasury strategy, general conditions in the global economy; risks associated with operating in the merchant banking and managed services industries, including inadequately priced insured risks and credit risk; risks of not being able to execute on our asset management strategy and potential loss of value of our holdings; risk of becoming an investment company; fluctuations in our short-term results as we implement our business strategies; risks of not being able to attract and retain qualified management and personnel to implement and execute on our business and growth strategy; failure of our information technology systems, data breaches and cyber-attacks; our ability to establish and maintain an effective system of internal controls; the requirements of being a public company and losing our status as a smaller reporting company or becoming an accelerated filer; any potential conflicts of interest between us and our controlling stockholders and different interests of controlling stockholders; and potential conflicts of interest between us and our directors and executive officers.

Our expectations and future plans and initiatives may not be realized. If one of these risks or uncertainties materializes, or if our underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected, estimated or projected. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, entities are required to measure certain crypto assets at fair value, with changes reflected in net income each reporting period. Changes in the fair value of crypto assets could result in significant fluctuations to the income statement results. The forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof and do not necessarily reflect our outlook at any other point in time. We do not undertake and specifically decline any obligation to update any such statements or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any such statements to reflect new information, future events or developments.

Investor Contact

invest@fgnexus.io

Media Contact

media@fgnexus.io

Meey Group, Vietnam’s leading proptech company, today announced the appointment of Léonie Nguyen as chief executive officer, effective immediately.

Strong International Network

Ms. Nguyen has served as chief strategy officer at Meey Group since January 2025 and is deeply connected within the global technology and investment ecosystem. She is an investor and advisor to leading AI and Web3 startups worldwide and has co-founded several companies in these sectors.

Before entering the fintech and proptech industries, Nguyen held senior leadership positions overseeing global supply chains and strategic partnerships at Minh Thai ATV, serving major international brands such as Lacoste, Zara, The North Face, and Adidas. She previously worked as a Project Manager at GEODIS and held consulting roles across Europe and Asia.

Nguyen holds a Master of Engineering in industrial engineering from the Université de Technologie de Troyes in France, a dual master’s degree in logistics and management, and several executive certificates from leading U.S. institutions.

Founder Joins Board Leadership

Hoang Mai Chung, founder of Meey Group, will continue as chairman of the board of directors, focusing on long-term vision and strategic partnerships. The complementary leadership structure — combining deep local market insight with global expertise — has already drawn significant interest from international investors.

Preparing for Global Expansion

As CEO, Nguyen will lead Meey Group’s preparation for a global IPO, with a focus on financial standardization, enhanced corporate governance, and international market expansion. The company is working closely with leading advisory firms including Loeb & Loeb LLP, YKVN, and Marcum Asia, and has achieved ISO 9001:2015 and ISO/IEC 27001 certifications.

Meey Group aims to expand its proptech ecosystem into multiple international markets and strengthen its partnerships with global financial institutions as part of its next growth phase.

Media Contact

Khanh Pham
truyenthong@meeyland.com

Inception Fertility, North America's largest provider of fertility services, commends the Trump administration for its policy proposal to make in vitro fertilization (IVF) more accessible.

In his press conference, President Trump announced the development of new rules permitting employers to offer supplemental fertility care benefits, similar to dental or vision coverage, and also announced the launch of a program reducing the costs of fertility medication through most favored nation pricing — measures critical in helping more Americans access the care they need to build families.

“Financial barriers remain one of the biggest reasons patients don’t move forward with treatment. That’s why expanding access to care has become just as important for leaders in this space as advancing the technologies that help those same patients,” says TJ Farnsworth, founder and CEO of Inception Fertility. “We commend President Trump for being the first President to prioritize this issue and take meaningful action to expand accessibility to family building treatments.”

Farnsworth is also the founder and president of the Fertility Providers Alliance, an organization of fertility clinic networks, independent fertility clinics, and fertility specialists committed to supporting the activities of fertility care providers by promoting innovation, cooperation, and collective action. Together with Inception Fertility, the FPA has made protecting and expanding IVF a main priority, working with White House officials and policymakers to ensure fertility care remains accessible and supported at the national level.

Infertility affects one in six couples, and the average cost of an IVF cycle can start at $15,000. Data shows that nearly 60% of U.S. employers still do not offer fertility benefits to employers, even as research shows that nearly 90% of employees would consider moving to companies that offer fertility benefits. In addition, the cost of fertility medication can represent upwards of 20% of the total out of pocket costs for treatment and medication.

Because policy changes can take months or even years, those who have been diagnosed with infertility, or are experiencing challenges in building their families, are encouraged not to delay seeking care. A reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist (REI) can help identify the underlying cause of infertility, and often times, patients who do work with an REI go on to conceive without needing IVF. For patients who do need advanced treatment options, there are financing options available.

About Inception Fertility™   

Inception Fertility™ (Inception) is a family of fertility brands committed to helping patients build their own families. Built by patients for patients, Inception's purpose is to achieve the highest bar in experience, science and medicine in an effort to enhance each patient's experience and achieve better outcomes.    

Inception's medical experts are leading pioneers in fertility care. Our doctors are some of the first to use breakthrough assisted reproductive technologies (ART) — including in vitro fertilization (IVF), preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) and fertility preservation services — and they continue to lead the industry by building on these technologies by through development, research and thought leadership.

Through its growing family of national organizations — which includes The Prelude Network®, the fastest-growing network of fertility clinics and largest provider of comprehensive fertility services in North America; MyEggBank®, one of the largest frozen donor egg banks in North America; BUNDL Fertility™, a multi-cycle fertility service bundling program; HavenCryo™, a long-term reproductive preservation and storage solution provider and NutraBloom®, a premium lifestyle brand with expertly formulated supplements to support individuals' health and wellness goals for preconception — Inception is working to deliver on its promise to push the envelope of what is possible for exceeding patient expectations.

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

Mia Humphreys
mhumphreys@kruppagency.com
+1 239-297-6592

Family-owned law firm RA & Associates has achieved a $2.4 million settlement in a recent California car accident case, underscoring its reputation for securing high-value results while delivering deeply personal client attention. The firm, which currently serves clients throughout California, is preparing to expand its legal services into Arizona and Nevada.

Founded and operated by a husband-and-wife team, RA & Associates blends the resources of a large firm with the dedication of a boutique practice, treating every client as if they’re the only one. In the last year alone, the firm has secured multiple seven-figure settlements, positioning itself as one of the most results-driven personal injury firms in the region.

“We built this firm on the belief that clients deserve both power and personal attention,” said Romel Ambarchyan, managing partner of RA & Associates. “Our size allows us to focus on each case with precision, while our results speak to the strength of our advocacy.”

Unlike larger firms where clients can feel like just another case number, RA & Associates prioritizes individualized legal strategies that maximize settlement value and accelerate results. This client-first approach has earned them a growing roster of successful verdicts and settlements.

The firm’s strategic expansion into Arizona and Nevada reflects a growing demand for high-impact legal representation that doesn’t sacrifice personal connection. RA & Associates aims to bring its proven track record of results and service excellence to even more clients seeking justice after serious accidents.

For individuals or families impacted by personal injury and looking for powerful legal representation with personal attention, RA & Associates offers complimentary consultations.

About RA & Associates

RA & Associates is a California-based, family-owned personal injury law firm dedicated to maximizing client outcomes through strategic, aggressive legal representation. Known for its high-value settlements and personalized client care, the firm is expanding its services to Arizona and Nevada to meet growing demand. For more information, visit raandassociates.com.

Media Contact

RA & Associates
info@raandassociates.com

BoldData continues under a new name: CompanyData.com. Same team, same service, but a simpler and more powerful name. After two decades of helping businesses worldwide grow with verified company data, the rebranding marks the essence of the data company: bringing clarity and accuracy to a world overflowing with information.

“More data is being generated than ever, but that also makes it harder for businesses to keep oversight,” says CompanyData.com CEO Daan Wolff. “We cut through the noise by bringing clarity and simplicity to the complex world of international data. Our worldwide company database is structured with global hierarchies and rooted in trusted local sources. From national trade registers to chambers of commerce. No scraping, no estimates. Just verified company data you can trust.”

The new name is simply the next step in that mission. Wolff: “Our new name cuts right to the point. CompanyData.com tells the world exactly who we are and what we deliver: company data that is accurate, reliable, and ready to use at scale. It’s simple, powerful, and makes our mission unmistakable.”

Looking Ahead

CompanyData.com remains committed to empowering businesses worldwide to build, sell, verify and grow, supported by accurate and official company data. With a database covering 380 million companies across 200 countries, verified at the source and ready to use at scale.

About CompanyData.com

CompanyData.com (formerly BoldData) is a global company data provider headquartered in the Netherlands, with offices in Amsterdam, Berlin, and Dubai. Since 2013, we’ve supported over 5,000 clients in 81 countries with verified, structured company data. We specialize in custom-built datasets with legal entity data, company hierarchies, contact data and B2B email data. Our mission is to make global company data simple, transparent and truly useful. Visit our new website at companydata.com.

Media Contact

Daan Wolff
d.wolff@companydata.com

Sapyen, a global provider of at-home male fertility diagnostics, has launched the UK’s first at-home male fertility testing kit, allowing men to collect a sample at home and send it to a laboratory for analysis.

The kit, designed to provide couples with faster access to initial male fertility testing and to reduce waiting times, has already been used by men worldwide, supporting couples in understanding their fertility and planning their steps in treatment. This at-home method offers an alternative to standard NHS fertility pathways, where men often face significant delays before testing.

“The NHS is running fertility care on a playbook written decades ago. Men are sent across the country for the simplest test, then told to wait months or years” said Olivia Musa, scientist and founder of The Male Fertility Clinic. “By then, couples have already spent thousands and women have shouldered procedures they may never have needed. It’s not just delay, it’s damage.”

Research shows that in current IVF practice, a significant number of men are not tested at the outset, with women often undergoing procedures first. Sapyen’s at-home kit allows men to complete the initial step quickly and from home, providing laboratory-verified results in a matter of days.

James and his partner spent several months pursuing fertility treatment before he was able to access testing through the NHS. During that time, his partner underwent multiple procedures, including hormone injections and IVF consultations, before the couple discovered that the fertility issue was with him.

“Every cycle we hoped, failed, and waited,” James said. “I watched my partner go through needles and hormones, while I waited for testing. By the time we got answers, months had passed and costs had accumulated. If we had this test at the start, we could have had clarity sooner.”

Ash Ramachandran, CEO of Sapyen, added: “One in four men in IVF are never tested. That is not an oversight; it is a systemic flaw that keeps repeating. Women are sent into £10,000 cycles of hormones and procedures before the man is even tested."

“The order is wrong, the costs are enormous, and the impact on families is devastating. Sapyen puts the first step back where it belongs: test the man quickly, at home, and give couples clarity within days. It is the baseline British fertility should have started with, and it is the standard it must have now.”

Using Sapyen’s proprietary SPX72 medium, the test preserves sperm viability for up to 72 hours during transit, enabling accurate results within days. The at-home test is available to order online across the UK, with results delivered directly to users. Sapyen’s process is designed to maintain sample integrity during postal transit, providing a reliable first step in male fertility assessment.

About Sapyen

Sapyen is the global leader in home male fertility diagnostics, pioneering solutions that make sperm testing accurate, affordable, and convenient. Its patent-pending SPX72 medium extends semen viability from 1 hour to 72 hours, enabling home collection and secure delivery to CLIA-certified partner laboratories for lab-grade analysis. Sapyen’s test kits, starting at $149, provide comprehensive insights—from semen analysis to advanced assays such as DNA fragmentation and DNA Methylation—bringing lab-grade diagnostics directly to patients’ homes. For more information, visit www.sapyen.co.

Media Contact

Ash Ramachandran
ash@sapyen.co

Carvina Capital Pte. Ltd. assesses that China’s artificial intelligence build-out continues to expand under tightened United States export controls, with procurement policies, state financing and corporate engineering programmes recalibrating where and how compute power is sourced. The consequence for investors is a clearer split in standards, software and supply chains that now functions as two partially parallel systems.

In the current fiscal period, legislative and regulatory actions in Washington require leading chipmakers to prioritise domestic customers, which constrains Chinese access to high-end accelerators over the current fiscal period. Beijing’s response centres on scale and substitution. The third National IC Industry Investment Fund allocates an estimated USD 47.3 billion in the current cycle, while a state-backed vehicle established in May 2025 deploys a further USD 49.4 billion to accelerate foundry upgrades, packaging and design tools. Government procurement guidance reinforces that publicly owned computing facilities source a majority of components from domestic producers in the present planning window.

In practice for the current planning window, corporate strategies adjust accordingly. Huawei targets a doubling of Ascend 910C output over the next twelve months, with broader Ascend volumes forecast through 2026. Alibaba introduces domestically manufactured processors that early technical assessments describe as competitive with leading United States parts for inference while improving power draw, and Tencent aligns software stacks to run efficiently on locally produced units. Secondary suppliers broaden the menu of options; MetaX unveils processors positioned for memory-intensive workloads, albeit with higher energy consumption in current tests.

Across listed markets, equity markets register the shift. Cambricon’s market value rises significantly, with the share price doubling this year and advancing by more than 500% over the preceding twelve-month period, while the trailing earnings multiple moves above 500 against a figure near 50 for Nvidia over the same period. The valuation gap, Peter Jacobs, Director of Private Equity at Carvina Capital, notes, reflects “a market that prices strategic optionality as well as cash flow, which is why investors now weigh software portability, ecosystem depth and policy continuity alongside headline performance metrics.”

On the supply, software and tooling fronts, strategic constraints remain material. High-bandwidth memory supply concentrates with three global producers, which tightens availability through the current fiscal year and into 2026. Chinese buyers secure notable volumes earlier in the year, but inventories appear finite by year-end 2025 on Carvina Capital’s analysis. Domestic alternatives are under development, with 2026 output guidance indicating a limited initial run that could equip several hundred thousand accelerator packages. On the software side, CUDA retains a wide developer base, and Chinese frameworks continue to progress from a less mature starting point in the present cycle. Lithography and manufacturing tools in legacy nodes show advances, although domestic market share in older i-line equipment remains low in the current year.

At the policy level across both jurisdictions, a geopolitical overlay complicates corporate planning. Export regimes in the United States constrain sales of advanced parts to China during the period, and regulatory scrutiny in China raises questions about supply undertakings associated with earlier acquisitions. Rare earths policy features as negotiating leverage, with China’s processing share near 90% over the preceding twelve months, reinforcing the importance of material security to end-to-end compute capacity.

For allocators considering portfolio construction, the practical effect is a bifurcated path. Training workloads that demand the highest bandwidth and most advanced packaging remain concentrated in the United States-led stack, whereas Chinese platforms broaden access for inference and for model classes that tolerate longer training cycles in the current period. The outcome, Jacobs argues, is that “effective portfolio construction calls for a two-track view of digital infrastructure, balancing secure access and a supportive developer base with the usual focus on cost and results.”

Taking a multi-year horizon into view, forward-looking timelines come into sharper relief. Expert consensus tracked by Carvina Capital suggests a five-to-ten-year horizon before Chinese platforms consistently match top-tier United States performance in complex training tasks. Measured against that interval, the near-term picture points to continued domestic substitution, selective performance parity in defined workloads and persistent bottlenecks in memory and tools. “Institutional investors who update their playbooks for a two-system world, set tolerances for regulatory swings and require evidence of software resilience across stacks will be better placed to navigate the next four quarters,” Jacobs observes, “because returns now depend on understanding how policy, physics and capital intensity interact, not on a single benchmark score.”

About Carvina

Carvina Capital Pte. Ltd. (UEN: 201220825D) is a Singapore-based investment firm established in 2012. The company focuses on research-led, long-only public equity strategies for institutional and professional investors, and it is evaluating offerings that could be made available to retail clients. Its disciplined risk framework and evidence-based research process are designed to compound capital through full market cycles. Further information is available at carvina.com.

Media Contact

Huacheng Yu
media@carvina.com

Unlisted, a groundbreaking digital real estate community focused on the 98% of homes that aren’t for sale—yet, today announced that Beth Dickerson, one of Boston’s most accomplished and respected luxury real estate professionals, has joined as the exclusive Local Expert for buyers and homeowners in ZIP code 02116, encompassing Boston’s historic Back Bay neighborhood. Dickerson joins her Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty colleague, Brian Caluori, as a Local Expert.

Unlisted’s platform is designed to bring visibility and opportunity to all sides of the real estate ecosystem. Buyers can discover homes they love beyond what’s listed on the MLS. Homeowners gain new tools to see real interest in their property and explore their options. Agents gain a powerful way to expand their expertise and make meaningful connections with both buyers and sellers in their market.

Using publicly available data, Unlisted creates a digital property profile for every home in the country. These searchable records allow buyers and agents to build curated lists of homes that match their criteria—even if they aren’t on the market. Buyers can then join a Waitlist for the homes they love, signaling real interest and creating a new channel of communication between homeowners and agents.

Each Local Expert selected by Unlisted receives an agent profile linked to every home in their ZIP code. Only one agent is chosen per ZIP, spotlighting their market knowledge and credibility. As Unlisted expands its national network, its mission remains clear: to empower buyers, homeowners, and agents through transparency, connection, and possibility.

With nearly three decades of dedication to Boston’s luxury market, Beth Dickerson has built a legacy defined by excellence, integrity, and results. Her record includes over $3 billion in career sales and membership in the prestigious Billionaire Club, underscoring her influence at both the local and global levels. A longtime Back Bay resident and trusted name in the industry, Beth has represented more than 3,000 properties, earning recognition from The Wall Street Journal, The Robb Report, and Boston Magazine. Her success is rooted in her relationship-driven approach, discretion, and unmatched ability to guide clients through Boston’s most exclusive neighborhoods.

“Boston’s real estate market thrives on trust, relationships, and timing,” said Dickerson. “Unlisted aligns perfectly with that. It allows me to give my clients more visibility, more opportunity, and more control without pressure or limitation.”

“Beth’s reputation speaks for itself. Her experience, integrity, and connection to Boston are unmatched,” said Katie Hill, founder and CEO of Unlisted. “Having her represent 02116 brings incredible value to both homeowners and buyers.”

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

To learn more about Beth Dickerson, visit her Unlisted Profile or BethDickerson.com.

About Unlisted

Unlisted focuses on the 98% of 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. For more information, visit UnlistedHomes.com.

Media Contact

Sophia Jacomet
sophia@unlistedinc.com

AVIDLOVE unveiled its first-ever grand runway show, “Day & Night Spark,” marking a defining moment in the brand’s journey to empower women through fashion, confidence, and purpose. Held ahead of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, the show wasn't just a product launch — it was a bold statement of AVIDLOVE’s creative vision and evolving identity as a force in the lingerie industry. With a theme designed to capture the full emotional rhythm of a woman’s day, the event was an immersive experience that blended artistry, empowerment, and innovation.

At the center of the spectacle was international supermodel Coco Rocha, who opened and closed the show with signature elegance and charisma. Her appearance not only elevated the prestige of the event but also embodied the brand’s message of self-expression and individuality. The runway showcased four distinct collections — from the relaxed elegance of Lazy Morning Spark to the dreamy sensuality of Sweet Moonlight Spark — offering a full spectrum of styles that celebrated both comfort and confidence, day to night.

A Legendary Opening and Finale: Coco Rocha Lights Up the Stage

Commanding the spotlight with unmatched elegance, Coco Rocha opened and closed the AVIDLOVE “Day & Night Spark” runway show, embodying the brand’s message of confidence, sensuality, and self-expression. 

For the show’s opening, Coco appeared in a piece from the “Lazy Morning Spark” collection — a soft, ethereal mesh nightdress with delicate floral lace detailing and a deep V neckline. Designed with breathable, skin-soft fabric and a flowing silhouette, the look struck a balance between relaxed elegance and subtle allure. Lace-trimmed side slits and adjustable spaghetti straps offered both comfort and visual intrigue, perfectly capturing the collection’s theme of effortless morning beauty.

Closing the night in the “Sweet Moonlight Spark” series, Coco returned in a shimmering satin and lace chemise that radiated romantic sophistication. With its floral lace halter neckline, scalloped trim, and a flattering, body-skimming cut, the gown exuded quiet glamour. The soft sheen of the fabric under runway lights evoked moonlight on skin — bringing the evening to a poetic, graceful close.

From start to finish, Coco’s appearances bookended the show with iconic presence, enhancing not just the style but the symbolic resonance of AVIDLOVE’s celebration of femininity in all its forms.

A Voice from the Brand: Redefining Lingerie’s Role

Speaking at the event, AVIDLOVE Chief Marketing Officer Sidney Sun shared insight into the brand’s evolving philosophy: “As one of Amazon's most beloved and trusted fashion lingerie brands, AVIDLOVE is committed to redefining what lingerie means to women, from comfort to confidence, from product to emotion. ‘Feel Every Spark’ represents more than a campaign — it marks a new chapter for us. Through innovation and care, we aim to light up more women’s lives across the globe, becoming their first choice for lingerie.”

This perspective underscored AVIDLOVE’s broader commitment to transforming lingerie from a functional garment into a vehicle for emotional and social empowerment.

Empowerment on the Runway: A Celebration of Diversity and Impact

Beyond the spotlight on Coco Rocha, the “Day & Night Spark” runway show brought together a remarkable lineup of guests and participants who added depth, diversity, and heart to the event — making it not just a fashion showcase, but a meaningful celebration of representation and empowerment.

Also gracing the stage were models and influencers from a wide range of backgrounds, skin tones, and body types. Their presence reflected AVIDLOVE’s dedication to inclusive beauty and a more realistic portrayal of femininity in fashion.

In the audience, leaders from the Know Your Lemons Foundation joined the event in support of the ongoing partnership with AVIDLOVE. As part of its continued partnership with the Know Your Lemons Foundation, AVIDLOVE launched the Pink Limited Edition Series — a soft pink lingerie line supporting breast health education. From October to December, 10% of proceeds go directly to the foundation. Each purchase includes a self-exam guide and a heart-healing lucky card, blending fashion with purpose.

From celebrated influencers in the plus-size and Latinx communities to health advocates and fashion-forward voices, the diverse cast of runway and event participants helped amplify the core message of the night: that true beauty thrives in authenticity, inclusivity, and purpose.

A New Chapter for AVIDLOVE

The “Day & Night Spark” runway show marked more than just AVIDLOVE’s debut on the Global fashion stage — it signaled the beginning of a bold new chapter for the brand. Through striking collections, a celebration of diverse beauty, and meaningful partnerships, the event captured AVIDLOVE’s evolving mission: to empower women not only through beautifully crafted lingerie, but through purpose-driven storytelling and inclusive representation. With a clear vision to become a trusted global brand, AVIDLOVE is redefining lingerie as a space where comfort meets confidence, and where fashion becomes a force for connection, care, and empowerment.

About AVIDLOVE

Through striking collections, a celebration of diverse beauty, and meaningful partnerships, the event captured AVIDLOVE’s evolving mission: to empower women not only through beautifully crafted lingerie, but through purpose-driven storytelling and inclusive representation. With a clear vision to become a trusted global brand, AVIDLOVE is redefining lingerie as a space where comfort meets confidence, and where fashion becomes a force for connection, care, and empowerment. For more information, visit avidlove.com.

Media Contact

Dana Li
pr@avidlove.com

XlentPay, an innovative all-in-one digital finance platform, launches in Canada today, setting a new standard of speed, simplicity, and security in money management. Built for both personal and business use, XlentPay offers a seamless mobile experience that combines smart financial tools with regulatory-grade compliance.

From paying bills and getting paid to tracking spending and managing cash flow, XlentPay makes it simple — all in one sleek, user-friendly app.

“We didn’t just build another digital finance app — we built a modern money platform for the way Canadians live and work today,” said João Monteiro, CEO of XlentPay. “XlentPay is fast, transparent, and flexible — whether you're managing your personal finances or running your own business.”

Now available on the Apple Store and Google Play, the XlentPay app gives individuals and entrepreneurs powerful digital tools to manage money smarter. Open an account in minutes, send and receive funds, track real-time insights, and skip the hassles of traditional banking — no branches, no paperwork, no waiting.

Key Features:

• Fast account setup – Open in minutes, fully online
• Multicurrency accounts – CAD, USD, EUR, GBP, AED & BRL
• Virtual and physical cards – Spend globally, your way
• Real-time insights – Smarter money management
• Low fees, no surprises – Transparent pricing you can trust
• 24/7 support – Help whenever you need it

XlentPay is a fully authorized Money Services Business (MSB) in Canada, registered with FINTRAC under MSB Registration Number C100000337. The platform complies with Canadian financial regulations to ensure security, transparency, and peace of mind for users.

“We take compliance seriously. Being FINTRAC-registered isn’t just a requirement — it’s a reflection of our commitment to trust and accountability,” added Andreas Orphanides, chief compliance officer of XlentPay. “Our users deserve a digital finance experience that feels modern without compromising on safety.”

XlentPay enters the market at a time when demand for digital-first financial solutions is rapidly growing. With Canadian consumers and small business owners increasingly seeking alternatives to legacy banking models, XlentPay offers a smarter, simpler, and more empowered way to manage money — built from the ground up with the user in mind.

About XlentPay

XlentPay empowers businesses and retail customers with cutting-edge digital finance solutions. By offering secure, transparent, and seamless financial services, the platform redefines the user experience through advanced multi-currency management, intuitive digital accounts, real-time financial insights, and tailored business tools. Designed for a fast-moving global marketplace, XlentPay provides the technology and infrastructure businesses need to thrive — especially where traditional banking falls short. Led by seasoned experts in payments, banking, and technology, XlentPay was built to tackle the challenges of modern financial operations, enabling even high-risk industries to operate with greater control, transparency, and efficiency. Its mission is to deliver a secure, innovative, and globally accessible digital finance experience that empowers individuals and businesses alike. Fully authorized by FINTRAC in Canada under MSB Registration Number C100000337, XlentPay complies with all Canadian regulations, ensuring the highest standards of security, transparency, and trust. Learn more at xlentpay.com.

Media Contact

Andreas Georgiou
press@xlentpay.com

Howly is thrilled to announce the expansion of its platform to offer real-time expert guidance for home appliances alongside its existing technology, auto, and legal support services. With this expansion, customers can get help from vetted, highly-qualified technical experts for devices, phones, or appliances within minutes using Howly’s user-friendly website.

The new offering addresses the vulnerability of conventional troubleshooting methods for home appliances, which rely on manual textbooks, web surfing, or video tutorials that do not necessarily apply to a person's specific situation. These approaches typically lead to conflicting advice, time wastage, and even lethal mistakes.

To highlight the contrast, imagine two scenarios. In the first scenario, the user frantically searches online for ideas to fix an urgent issue with their washing machine. That path typically involves hours of trial and error, visiting forums, or watching video tutorials. In the second scenario, a client connects with a Howly expert who provides step-by-step instructions particular to the very specific model and problem. The expert also explains the reason behind every step in order to reduce risk and accelerate resolution.

A recurring user complaint has been frustrating manuals that omit important information, are in the wrong language, or contain technical terms the user doesn’t understand. By contrast, Howly's experts can offer solutions for specific equipment and circumstances, thereby avoiding some of the most common traps such as voided warranties or hardware damage from improper procedures.

The second distinction is cost efficiency. One subscription from Howly grants access to a large pool of professionals across multiple areas for one set monthly price. While users may still incur extra costs, such as replacement parts and technician visits, they can rest assured that their appliance is fixed correctly and get back to living their lives.

What also sets the service apart is its method of communication. Instead of providing hard-to-understand, and possibly incorrect instructions, Howly experts explain not just what to do but why it needs to be done. This makes it easier for users to see the reasoning behind each step taken and builds confidence, all while avoiding unnecessary dependency on external guidance.

The implementation of home appliance support is a strategic step towards making problem-solving easy and pain-free to continue Howly's mission. Amidst a new tech-centered world, saturated with possible hitches and glitches, Howly aims to provide instant expert assistance that is accessible and reliable.

About Howly

Howly is a subscription-based service offering live expert assistance in consumer electronics, home appliances, automobiles, legal, and document services. Subscribers have access to verified experts who deliver individualized guidance and explanations in real time. For more information, visit howly.com.

Media Contact

Anastasiia Stadnik
pr@howly.com
+1 888-831-1776

EchoTwin AI today announced a pioneering collaboration with Tajmee’e, Tadweer Group’s dedicated waste collection subsidiary, to pilot next-generation artificial intelligence for urban environmental monitoring in Abu Dhabi. Over the next three months, Tajmee’e will deploy EchoTwin AI’s advanced spatial analytics and compliance technology, aiming to set new standards for operational efficiency and sustainability across its collection fleet.

The initiative centers on EchoTwin AI's CityView platform, which leverages cutting-edge AI—including sophisticated visual language models (VLM)—to instantly scan and interpret urban environments. This technology identifies a range of waste management challenges, such as bin overflow, sand build-up, and unauthorized dumping, through precise scene recognition and context-aware analysis. Select Tajmee’e vehicles will be equipped with EchoTwin’s intelligent systems, enabling real-time oversight of cleanliness and environmental quality throughout Abu Dhabi. The partnership highlights Tadwee Group’s aligned with strategic ambition of diverting 80% of waste from Abu Dhabi landfill by 2030.

Company leaders emphasized that this pilot project is more than a technical upgrade for Abu Dhabi—it’s a stride toward a much larger data-driven progress and smarter city management future. By integrating live analytics, Tajmee’e plans to boost transparency, accelerate response times, and contribute to Abu Dhabi’s long term strategic vision for sustainable, cleaner and safer urban living for all citizens. EchoTwin AI will oversee the installation process and provide performance analytics, ensuring tangible outcomes and insights upon completion of the pilot.

Chris Carson, CEO of EchoTwin AI, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with Tajmee’e in this important initiative. Our goal is to demonstrate how real-time spatial intelligence can transform municipal fleet operations, strengthen compliance, and support the development of cleaner, more sustainable cities.”

Ashly Alex, CEO of Tajmee’e, said: “This partnership reflects Tajmee’e’s commitment to innovation and continuous improvement in service delivery. By adopting AI and real-time analytics, we aim to enhance visibility across our operations and improve response times to waste and environmental issues. The initiative also aligns with Abu Dhabi’s wider vision to advance sustainability, operational efficiency, and the use of emerging technologies in environmental management.”

Matt Rogers, Executive Director of Technology and Digital at Tadweer Group, commented: “Technology is one of the foundational pillars of Tadweer Group’s operations and a driving force behind our ambition to modernise the waste management sector. This mindset is reflected across our operations at Tajmee’e, our state-of-the-art waste collection subsidiary. This pilot is an opportunity to harness the true power of advanced data analytics and AI to transform how waste is monitored, collected, and managed. This initiative is a step toward building smarter, cleaner cities and positioning Abu Dhabi at the forefront of digital innovation in circular waste management.”

About EchoTwin AI

EchoTwin AI is a leader in infrastructure intelligence, redefining how cities are managed. Powered by a proprietary visual intelligence engine with full spatial reasoning, EchoTwin transforms municipal fleets into mobile urban sensors—creating living digital twins that provide real-time insights into infrastructure, compliance, and safety. By enabling municipalities to proactively monitor, predict, and resolve issues, EchoTwin helps build resilient, self-healing, and sustainable urban ecosystems. More than “smart cities,” EchoTwin is advancing the era of cognitive cities—urban environments with the awareness to see, think, and act on challenges in real time. Learn more at www.echotwin.ai.

About Tadweer Group

Tadweer Group, part of ADQ, an Abu Dhabi-based holding company, is leading the way in promoting sustainable waste practices and establishing new benchmarks for the circular economy. The company’s strategic vision is aimed at revolutionizing waste management by unlocking the value of waste.

As the sole custodian of waste management in Abu Dhabi, Tadweer Group is committed to deploying advanced technologies and fostering strategic partnerships in support of the UAE's sustainability objectives, working towards its goal of diverting 80% of Abu Dhabi’s waste away from landfill by 2030. In 2025, the organization also launched Tajmee’e, a world-class, AI-powered waste collection service with the aim to build a cleaner and more sustainable future for the Emirate. In addition to its commitment to Abu Dhabi, Tadweer Group has ambitious international goals, striving to make significant contributions to sustainable waste management beyond the UAE.

For more information, visit www.tadweer.ae.

Media Contact

Chris Carson
CEO, EchoTwin AI
chris.carson@echotwin.ai

The divide between German thoroughness and Anglo-American speed represents one of global business's most persistent cultural tensions. Where Silicon Valley startups proudly launch minimum viable products and iterate rapidly, many German firms prioritize comprehensive planning before market entry. This philosophical difference, though far from universal, continues to shape international commerce, creating both friction and opportunity in an increasingly interconnected economy.

Yet reducing this to simple stereotypes misses crucial nuance. Germany hosts thriving startup ecosystems in Berlin and Munich, while American aerospace and pharmaceutical companies exemplify Germanic meticulousness in their decades-long development cycles. Understanding these tendencies requires examining their historical roots, current manifestations, and evolving future.

Historical Foundations: More Than Stereotypes

Germany's reputation for engineering excellence emerged from specific historical circumstances. The post-war Wirtschaftswunder (economic miracle) demanded products that could compete globally based on quality rather than price. Companies like Volkswagen, Siemens, and Bosch built their international reputations on products designed for long-term reliability, turning the ‘Made in Germany’ label into a symbol of trust. This was not merely a preference but an economic necessity for a small, war-damaged nation that needed to maximize the value of every export.

The data supports this strategic focus. According to Germany Trade and Invest (GTAI), German companies hold 16% of global mechanical engineering markets despite representing only 1% of the global population. The Fraunhofer Institute reports that German manufacturing defect rates average 3.4 per million opportunities, compared to 6.8 in the United States and 8.2 in the United Kingdom. German products command price premiums averaging 20% above global competitors, according to Roland Berger analysis, justified by superior reliability and longevity.

This focus on quality extends beyond manufacturing. The German Mittelstand—small and medium-sized enterprises forming the economy's backbone—often dominate narrow global niches through exhaustive specialization. Screw manufacturer Würth controls 40% of the global market for specialized fasteners, while Krones holds 25% of the bottling equipment market. These hidden champions succeeded through patient refinement, not rapid expansion.

However, painting all German businesses with the same brush ignores significant exceptions. Berlin-based incubator Rocket Internet built its empire by rapidly cloning successful American business models. Founder Oliver Samwer explicitly rejected traditional German methodicism: "There's nothing wrong with copying if you execute better." Zalando revolutionized European e-commerce through aggressive experimentation and market testing, burning through €2 billion before achieving profitability—anathema to traditional German business philosophy. Fintech startup N26 achieved unicorn status by iterating quickly rather than perfecting slowly, launching in new markets within weeks rather than years.

Similarly, characterizing all Anglo-American firms as "move fast and break things" adherents overlooks numerous counterexamples. Boeing typically spends 7 to 10 years developing new aircraft models, with the 787 Dreamliner alone requiring over $32 billion in development costs over a decade. Johnson & Johnson averages 12 years to bring pharmaceuticals to market, conducting trials with ‘Germanic’ thoroughness. General Electric's gas turbines undergo thousands of hours of testing, with individual components assessed for 30-year lifecycles. These companies succeed through meticulous planning, not Silicon Valley speed.

Contemporary Manifestations: A Spectrum, Not a Binary

Modern business practices reveal a spectrum of approaches rather than a simple dichotomy. Research by INSEAD business school examining 500 product launches across industries found that German companies averaged 24 months from conception to market, while American firms averaged 14 months, and British companies 16 months. Yet variance within countries often exceeded variance between them: German software companies averaged just 8 months, while American medical device manufacturers averaged 36 months.

The automotive industry illustrates this complexity perfectly. Traditional German automakers like Mercedes-Benz and BMW typically maintain five to seven-year development cycles for new models, with extensive testing protocols covering millions of kilometers. American electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla compresses this to two to three years through rapid prototyping and over-the-air updates. Yet Volkswagen's new electric vehicle division, led by former BMW executive Herbert Diess, deliberately adopted Tesla-style agility, launching the ID.3 in just three years. Meanwhile, Ford's electric F-150 underwent traditional lengthy testing, including 500,000 miles of durability trials in extreme conditions.

Software development shows even greater nuance. Germany's software giant SAP built its dominance through comprehensive enterprise solutions requiring extensive customization and implementation projects often spanning 18–24 months. Yet younger German software companies like Celonis and Personio embrace agile methodologies and continuous deployment, pushing updates weekly rather than annually. Meanwhile, American financial software companies like Intuit combine rapid feature releases with ‘Germanic’ attention to accuracy and compliance, understanding that tax software errors carry severe consequences.

The startup ecosystem challenges traditional narratives. Berlin now ranks among Europe's top startup hubs, with German venture capital investments reaching €17.4 billion in 2023, according to EY research, representing a 300% increase from 2018. Many startups embrace fail-fast methodologies. Delivery Hero, Germany's food delivery giant, expanded to 50 countries through rapid market entry and quick pivots. Conversely, Silicon Valley increasingly recognizes that some sectors, such as healthcare, autonomous vehicles, and financial services, require more ‘Germanic’ thoroughness to navigate regulatory requirements and safety concerns. Waymo, Alphabet's self-driving subsidiary, has spent over 15 years and $30 billion developing its technology, rejecting pressure for premature commercialization.

Cross-Border Challenges: Where Cultures Collide

Cultural differences create real challenges in international collaboration, often manifesting in unexpected ways. McKinsey's 2023 survey of 200 cross-border joint ventures found 67% of German-Anglo partnerships cited "planning methodology differences" as primary friction points. German respondents reported frustration with what they perceived as inadequate preparation, while Anglo-American partners felt constrained by excessive analysis. These differences extend beyond planning and bureaucracy to communication styles, decision-making processes, and risk assessment frameworks.

A senior executive at a major German automotive supplier, speaking on condition of anonymity, described partnering with a British technology firm: "They wanted to start coding immediately and refine through customer feedback. Our engineers insisted on complete specifications first. We spent three months arguing about the development process before writing a single line of code. Both sides thought the other was being unreasonable."

These tensions manifest in measurable outcomes. European Business Review research found that German-American joint ventures took 40% longer to reach initial milestones than partnerships between culturally-similar nations, though they showed 25% lower failure rates after five years. This suggests that navigating cultural differences, while initially challenging, may produce more robust outcomes. The study tracked 150 partnerships from 2015–2023, finding that successful collaborations explicitly acknowledged and planned for cultural differences, creating hybrid processes that leveraged both approaches.

The COVID-19 pandemic unexpectedly highlighted these differences. Oxford University and AstraZeneca developed their vaccine through rapid iteration and parallel processing, a classic Anglo-American approach, conducting multiple trial phases simultaneously. BioNTech, the German company behind the Pfizer vaccine, maintained systematic development stages despite unprecedented urgency, though they compressed timelines through 24/7 operations. Both succeeded, demonstrating that different methodologies can achieve similar endpoints. Interestingly, BioNTech's Turkish-German founders, Uğur Şahin and Özlem Türeci, credited their success to combining German precision with entrepreneurial agility—a conscious cultural synthesis.

Institutional Factors: Why Differences Persist

Cultural business practices do not exist in isolation but emerge from broader institutional contexts. Germany's dual education system, combining classroom learning with apprenticeships, produces workers deeply trained in specific crafts. Approximately 1.3 million Germans enter apprenticeships annually, spending three to four years mastering particular skills. This creates a workforce oriented toward expertise and precision rather than flexibility and generalization.

Capital markets also reinforce cultural differences. German companies rely heavily on bank financing, with relationship banking encouraging long-term stability over rapid growth. The Hausbank system, where companies maintain decades-long relationships with primary banks, provides patient capital supporting methodical development. American firms, conversely, depend more on equity markets that demand quarterly results, incentivizing faster product cycles and visible progress. British markets fall between these extremes, with London's financial sector providing diverse funding options but emphasizing shorter-term returns than German banks.

Regulatory environments further shape business approaches. Germany's extensive worker protection laws, including (almost) mandatory works councils in companies with over 500 employees (if workers want it), necessitate thorough planning for changes. Codetermination laws requiring employee representation on supervisory boards mean German firms must build consensus before major decisions. American at-will employment and minimal consultation requirements enable rapid pivots. These structural differences make German companies more deliberate and American firms more agile.

Evolving Practices: Convergence and Differentiation

Globalization drives both convergence and differentiation in business practices. Multinational corporations increasingly adopt hybrid approaches, tailoring methodologies to specific challenges. German industrial giant Siemens maintains traditional thoroughness for critical infrastructure projects while embracing startup-style innovation labs for digital ventures. Their Next47 venture unit operates with Silicon Valley velocity, investing in startups and rapidly prototyping new technologies, while the core business remains methodical.

Academic research supports this hybridization trend. Professor Andreas Engelen from the University of Düsseldorf studied 150 German companies entering international markets between 2015–2023. He found successful firms consciously adapted their approach based on market context: maintaining German precision for technical products while adopting Anglo-American speed for consumer services. Companies that rigidly maintained home-country practices showed 35% lower international success rates than adaptive firms.

The data suggests younger generations may accelerate this convergence. A 2024 Deloitte survey of business students found that German respondents increasingly valued "adaptability" and "speed to market," while American and British students showed growing appreciation for "quality" and "long-term thinking." This generational shift could reshape national business cultures over coming decades, though institutional inertia may slow change.

Strategic Synthesis: Leveraging Both Approaches

Rather than viewing ‘German thoroughness’ and ‘Anglo-American speed’ as incompatible, successful organizations leverage both strategically. Amazon applies Germanic precision to its logistics infrastructure, planning fulfillment centers with obsessive detail while maintaining startup agility in service development. Their two-pizza teams can launch features within weeks, but warehouse automation projects undergo years of optimization.

German sportswear giant Adidas combines traditional product quality with rapid fashion cycles learned from American competitors. Their Speedfactory initiative attempted fully automated, localized production, enabling two-week concept-to-customer cycles—radical for a German manufacturer. Though ultimately discontinued, the experiment demonstrated German companies' willingness to challenge cultural defaults.

Consulting firm Roland Berger analyzed 50 successful cross-border acquisitions and identified key success factors. Companies that explicitly acknowledged cultural differences during integration planning showed 2.3 times higher success rates than those assuming cultural alignment. Most successful acquirers created dual-track processes: maintaining target company practices where speed mattered, while implementing their own standards where reliability was paramount. Cisco's acquisition of German company Kalpana succeeded by maintaining German engineering standards while accelerating market entry timelines.

Future Trajectories: Technology and Sustainability

Looking ahead, technological and environmental trends may reshape cultural business practices. Artificial intelligence and automation could reduce the speed-quality trade-off by enabling rapid iteration with fewer errors. Digital twins allow Germanic-style testing without slowing physical development. BMW uses digital twins to simulate millions of driving scenarios before building prototypes, combining thoroughness with speed. Agile methodologies, originally from software, increasingly influence traditional manufacturing, with Bosch implementing sprint-based development, even for physical products.

Climate change and sustainability demands may favor German-style long-term thinking. The European Union's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive requires companies to consider multi-decade impacts, potentially spreading German planning culture globally. Tesla's success partly stems from Elon Musk's ‘Germanic’ obsession with manufacturing efficiency combined with Silicon Valley innovation speed, suggesting sustainability leaders need both approaches.

Conclusion: Embracing Complexity

The narrative of German thoroughness versus Anglo-American speed contains truth but obscures greater complexity. While cultural tendencies persist, influenced by historical legacies and institutional structures, successful companies increasingly transcend simple categorization. Modern business success requires cultural fluency, understanding when to apply which approach rather than dogmatically following one philosophy.

For international business practitioners, competitive advantage lies not in perfecting one approach but in fluidly moving between them. Companies that can be thoroughly ‘German’ when reliability matters and boldly experimental when speed counts will likely outperform those locked into single methodologies. As borders blur and businesses globalize, the winners will not be those who are most ‘German’ or ‘American’, but those sophisticated enough to be both, and neither, as circumstances demand.

Article provided by Thim Werner, CEO of BDG.

Meey Group, a pioneering force in Vietnam's real estate digital transformation, is accelerating its international IPO journey. In early October, the Group launched a series of strategic initiatives in the United States and Singapore, engaging with leading global financial and technology institutions. These moves underscore the firm's determination to integrate Vietnamese technology enterprises into the global capital markets and realize its vision of transparent and sustainable international listing.

Connecting with Global Capital Markets

On Oct. 7, Meey Group’s leadership team undertook a business mission to the United States, engaging with international partners across technology, finance, and advisory sectors. Notably, the delegation held meetings at Nasdaq MarketSite headquarters in New York to gain insights into international capital market operations, transparent information disclosure requirements, and governance standards for technology enterprises.

Hoang Mai Chung, chairman of the board of Meey Group, affirmed: “The IPO represents a strategic turning point in terms of positioning and credibility for Meey Group. This is a transformation process from a growth-stage technology company to an internationally standardized corporation — transparent, sustainable, and globally competitive.”

During the preparation phase, Meey Group has partnered with Loeb & Loeb LLP (USA) and YKVN (Vietnam), two leading law firms providing comprehensive legal advisory throughout the IPO process; alongside Marcum Asia, an international auditing firm with extensive expertise in the technology sector; and quality certification organizations including TÜV Nord (Germany) and the British Standards Institution (UK). Through these partnerships, Meey Group has perfected its governance system according to international standards, obtaining ISO 9001:2015 certification for quality management and ISO/IEC 27001 for information security, establishing a foundation for transparency and operational reliability.

Previously, on Oct. 3, Meey Group’s leadership participated in the Investor Track event organized by Golden Gate Ventures, a leading Southeast Asian venture capital fund, in Singapore. This forum brought together international investment funds, global technology corporations, and promising enterprises from the region.

At the event, Meey Group representatives had the opportunity to meet and exchange with senior leaders from world-leading corporations and numerous strategic investment funds. Significantly, Meey Group was the only Vietnamese technology enterprise present at this gathering, affirming its position and the international investment community’s interest in the comprehensive proptech ecosystem that Meey Group is building.

According to company representatives, participation in major financial forums enables Meey Group to directly access international investment networks, expand collaboration opportunities, and strengthen the image of Vietnamese technology enterprises in the eyes of the global financial community. This also provides a crucial foundation for Meey Group to progressively realize its international IPO roadmap, which has been planned well in advance.

The presence of Vietnamese technology enterprises at major global financial centers demonstrates a clear shift in integration mindset and the capacity to meet international standards. Meey Group’s proactive establishment of relationships with global financial institutions and certification organizations represents a critical foundation for advancing closer to the goal of listing on international markets.

Thorough Preparation for the Journey “Beyond Borders”

Meey Group has defined its international IPO as a long-term strategy, aimed at both expanding capital resources for development and elevating governance capabilities and transparency according to global standards. This proptech enterprise is implementing a methodical preparation roadmap, strictly adhering to international standards, with the objective of building a modern governance system that ensures confidence among domestic and international investors.

On its journey to expand scale and capabilities, Meey Group continues to develop a comprehensive proptech ecosystem, targeting the complete digitalization of Vietnam’s real estate value chain.

From its startup phase, Meey Group has identified technology and data as core values across its entire real estate financial technology ecosystem. Meey Group’s products, including Meey Map, Meey CRM, Meey 3D, Meey Atlas, and others, serve as tools for transactions, management, and providing data solutions, valuation, and market forecasting, creating unprecedented transparency in Vietnam’s real estate sector. The company's products have been deployed across numerous provinces and cities domestically and are gradually expanding throughout Southeast Asia.

The integration of AI into management, transactions, and real estate data analysis has enabled high automation rates, enhanced user experience, and improved operational efficiency. Investment in core technology platforms provides the foundation for Meey Group’s readiness to expand regionally and globally.

Chung shared: “The international IPO is an opportunity for Meey Group to introduce itself to the international investment community, demonstrate Vietnam’s technological capabilities, and commit to sustainable development. We are focused on upgrading governance standards, operating transparently, and professionalizing the entire system according to global standards.”

From a startup in the real estate technology sector, Meey Group is transforming into a technology corporation with international vision, laying the groundwork for a Vietnamese proptech model deeply integrated into global financial and technology markets. With its international IPO strategy, the enterprise has affirmed its internal capabilities and demonstrated the pioneering role of Vietnamese enterprises in the digital economy era.

Media Contact

Khanh Pham
truyenthong@meeyland.com

As Iceland’s low-cost airline Fly Play abruptly ceases operations, thousands of travelers have found their Icelandic adventures suddenly on hold. In response, Campervan Iceland, one of the country’s leading camper rental companies, has announced a customer-first policy designed to ease the disruption.

“Even if your reservation was non-refundable, we’re allowing customers to keep their booking fee for up to one year and use it toward a future trip,” said a spokesperson for Campervan Iceland. “We know many visitors have been dreaming of exploring Iceland’s landscapes for months — and we don’t want that dream to be lost because of an airline’s bankruptcy.”

Fly Play, founded in 2019, had become a popular option for travelers seeking affordable flights to Iceland and transatlantic routes to Europe and North America. The airline officially ceased operations on September 29, 2025, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded and disrupting travel plans for many who had booked tours, hotels, and rental vehicles across the island.

Campervan Iceland’s decision to implement flexible rebooking options comes at a critical moment for Iceland’s tourism industry — a sector that relies heavily on international visitors and seasonal flight routes. By allowing travelers to rebook their campervan rentals within the next 12 months at no extra cost, the company aims to help visitors keep their Iceland plans alive despite the current uncertainty.

“Our priority is simple: to stand by travelers during uncertain times,” the spokesperson added. “This is not just about bookings — it’s about keeping trust and hope alive for those who still want to experience Iceland.”

Industry experts have noted that Fly Play’s collapse highlights the volatility of post-pandemic air travel, especially among low-cost carriers facing high fuel prices and seasonal fluctuations. Despite these challenges, Iceland’s tourism sector has shown resilience, supported by strong domestic operators such as Campervan Iceland, which continue to adapt to global travel disruptions with customer-oriented solutions.

“Iceland has faced many external shocks over the past decade — from volcanic eruptions to economic turbulence — yet its appeal as a destination remains strong,” said the spokesperson. “We believe that by showing flexibility and understanding, we can help maintain travelers’ confidence and contribute to Iceland’s reputation as a welcoming and reliable destination.”

Campervan Iceland’s initiative has been well received by both domestic and international travelers. The company encourages affected customers to reach out directly via its website or customer service channels to discuss rebooking options. It also advises passengers who booked through travel agencies or used credit cards to contact their providers for potential compensation regarding flight cancellations.

By taking a proactive stance, Campervan Iceland not only supports its customers but also reinforces the collaborative spirit that defines Iceland’s tourism ecosystem — where airlines, local operators, and travelers share the same goal: keeping Iceland open and accessible to the world.

About Campervan Iceland

Campervan Iceland is a leading camper rental company offering travelers the freedom to explore Iceland’s stunning landscapes at their own pace. With a diverse fleet of modern, fully equipped campervans and motorhomes, the company provides an all-in-one travel experience for adventure seekers year-round. Committed to comfort, safety and sustainability, Campervan Iceland helps visitors discover Iceland’s natural wonders — from waterfalls and glaciers to volcanoes and hot springs — with flexibility and peace of mind. For more information, visit www.campervaniceland.com.

Customers affected by the Fly Play bankruptcy are encouraged to contact Campervan Iceland directly by email or telephone, where the company’s support team is prioritizing all related inquiries. The company has reinforced its customer service capacity to ensure every affected traveler receives personalized assistance and a swift response, reflecting its ongoing commitment to transparency and care.

Media Contact

Campervan Iceland
info@campervaniceland.com

Unlisted, a groundbreaking digital real estate community focused on the 98% of homes that aren’t for sale—yet, today announced that Jaclyn Mason of The HEIDER Company at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty has joined the platform as a Local Expert for buyers and homeowners in Boston, representing the 20016 ZIP code. Mason joins other Sotheby’s International Realty colleagues, notably Daniel Heider and Melanie Hayes of The HEIDER Company.

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 tool 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 the properties are 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.

Jaclyn Mason, a Washington native and Principal of Mason Design LLC, brings a unique blend of real estate expertise, artistic sensibility, and deep local knowledge to the nation’s capital. Specializing in luxury sales across Northwest DC, Jaclyn combines her background in art and interior design with extensive market insight to guide clients with sophistication and precision. Her track record includes landmark sales in Georgetown, Kalorama, Spring Valley, and Wesley Heights, along with industry recognition such as Best of Zillow and the GCAAR Sales Award. Licensed in DC, Maryland, and Virginia, Jaclyn is known for her professionalism, integrity, and design-driven approach to helping clients achieve their goals.

“My passion is helping clients find not only the right home, but the right fit for their lifestyle and vision,” said Mason. “Unlisted gives me another way to be a resource for homeowners and buyers in DC, opening the door to opportunities that might otherwise remain hidden.”

“Jaclyn’s reputation as a trusted leader in Washington real estate is matched by her commitment to excellence and community. We’re proud to have her represent ZIP code 20016 on Unlisted.” said Katie Hill, founder and CEO of Unlisted.

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

To learn more about Jaclyn Mason, visit her Unlisted Profile or her website.

About Unlisted

Unlisted focuses on the 98% of 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. For more information, visit UnlistedHomes.com.

Media Contact

Sophia Jacomet
sophia@unlistedinc.com

The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) has launched the Global Audit Committee Center in Washington, D.C., positioning it as a first-of-its-kind global hub for strengthening audit committees, shaping regulations, and equipping members with advisory tools, best practices, and training.

The initiative comes amid what the IIA described as a “critical gap” in resources for audit committee members, particularly standardized policies, oversight training, and frameworks that help boards navigate their fiduciary responsibilities. By centralizing guidance, the Center aims to enhance board effectiveness and reinforce corporate governance worldwide.

As part of the rollout, the IIA appointed Abdullah Saleh Alshebeili, the CEO of the Saudi Authority of Internal Auditors and Secretary-General of the Arab Confederation of Internal Auditors, as Chairman of the Center’s board. His appointment underscores the IIA’s intent to bring together subject-matter experts from across the globe to strengthen audit committee structures, reinforce governance frameworks, and advance international best practices.

The Center’s initial focus will be on roughly 1,500 audit committee members within Fortune 500 companies, a key segment of an estimated global base of 165,000. Plans call for expansion through partnerships with professional institutes and associations, with training delivered in multiple languages to broaden accessibility.

The IIA said the Center will provide strategic guidance, curated educational resources, and high-level events designed to boost board confidence and strengthen ties between audit committees and internal audit executives. The launch also reflects priorities set out in the Internal Audit Vision 2035, which urges closer alignment between audit committees and internal audit executives.

By establishing the Center in Washington, the IIA is betting that a more structured approach to oversight will gain traction among global boards, particularly as investors and regulators press for higher standards of governance.

Media Contact

Ahmed Gari
info@iaicdacademy.org

From packed stadiums to bustling downtown streets, major sports events have long played a pivotal role in the Washington, D.C. area. Beyond the excitement of game day, these events drive significant economic activity, influence urban development, and reshape how residents and visitors experience the city. Understanding their impact offers a window into the region’s evolving landscape.

Economic Ripple Effects on Sports Events

When a marquee sports event comes to town, the effects reach far beyond the field. Hotels fill up, restaurants see a surge in business, and local transportation systems experience higher demand. The recent Washington Commanders stadium deal approved by the D.C. Council highlights the significant economic impact major sports events and developments can have on the Washington, D.C. area, reshaping local sports entertainment and urban development. Large-scale events often create thousands of temporary jobs and can generate millions in tax revenue, benefiting city budgets and supporting public services.

Changing Fan Engagement and Local Businesses

Sports fans in the D.C. region are increasingly engaging with their favorite teams in new and diverse ways. While attending games in person remains a cherished tradition, many now participate remotely through digital platforms, live streams, and interactive experiences. This shift has encouraged local businesses to adapt, offering special promotions and watch parties to capture the attention of fans who might not make it to the stadium. Additionally, some audiences are exploring sports beyond traditional venues, including alternative platforms such as offshore sports betting, reflecting evolving fan engagement habits and the broader diversification of sports-related activities.

Urban Development and Community Identity

Major sports events and new stadium projects often serve as catalysts for urban renewal and community pride. Investments in infrastructure, public transit, and neighborhood amenities frequently accompany these developments, leading to lasting improvements for residents. The presence of high-profile teams and events also helps shape the city’s identity, fostering a sense of unity and shared experience among diverse communities. As Washington continues to grow as a sports destination, the interplay between economic opportunity and civic engagement remains a defining feature of the region’s future.

In the end, the influence of major sports events in Washington, D.C. extends well beyond the scoreboard. They energize Washington's local economy, inspire innovation in fan engagement, and contribute to the city’s ongoing transformation as a vibrant, connected community. Exploring these impacts offers valuable insight into how sports continue to shape the capital’s story.