Newsroom

Memphis Tours, a UK-based tour operator specializing in destination-focused travel experiences, today announced an expansion of its Egypt travel portfolio as international demand for structured cultural tourism continues to increase.

The move aligns with broader travel industry trends showing renewed interest in long-haul destinations offering historical depth, guided experiences, and professionally managed itineraries. Egypt has emerged as a key beneficiary of this shift, supported by infrastructure investments and enhanced accessibility to major heritage sites.

Expanded Egypt Trip Packages Address Evolving Traveler Preferences

In response to these developments, Memphis Tours has introduced a wider range of Egypt Trip Packages aimed at travelers seeking comprehensive, insight-driven journeys. The expanded portfolio includes itineraries designed for first-time visitors, returning travelers, and small private groups, with options spanning short cultural tours to extended multi-city programs.

The company stated that the updated packages emphasize itinerary balance, combining major archaeological destinations with organized travel logistics and licensed professional guides.

Focus on Guided Access to Key Archaeological Sites

According to Memphis Tours, the enhanced itineraries provide structured access to Egypt’s most visited landmarks, including the Pyramids of Giza, the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, the Karnak and Luxor temple complexes, and the Valley of the Kings. Several programs also incorporate Nile cruise segments between Luxor and Aswan, offering guided exploration along historic river routes.

“Travelers increasingly value context and organization when visiting heritage-rich destinations,” a company spokesperson said. “Our Egypt programs are designed to deliver historical insight alongside reliable travel coordination.” 

Portfolio Includes Flexible and Multi-Segment Travel Options

Beyond core sightseeing programs, the expanded offerings include optional extensions such as Red Sea resort stays, domestic air travel between cities, and customizable scheduling for private tour arrangements. Memphis Tours noted that this flexibility allows travelers to tailor experiences based on time, comfort, and personal interests.

The company also highlighted its emphasis on end-to-end travel coordination, covering accommodations, ground transportation, and on-site support to reduce complexity for international visitors.

Availability and Booking Information

The newly expanded Egypt Trip Packages are now available through the company’s official website. Travelers and travel professionals can access detailed itineraries, seasonal availability, and booking information at www.memphistours.co.uk/egypt.

About Memphis Tours

Memphis Tours is a travel company specializing in guided and customized tour programs across Egypt and select international destinations. The company focuses on culturally focused travel planning, combining local expertise with structured itineraries designed for global travelers. For more information, visit www.memphistours.co.uk.

Media Contact

Ahmed Saleh
english.uk.mega@memphistours.com

Enterprise automation provider Flowable has released version 2025.2 of its business orchestration platform, aiming to help organizations deploy AI-driven automation at scale while maintaining regulatory control, transparency, and operational stability.

As AI integrations spread across enterprise workflows, organizations face mounting pressure to balance speed with governance. Fragmented tools, disconnected agents, and unclear dependencies create compliance gaps and delay effective digital modernisation. Flowable 2025.2 responds to these pressures by strengthening enterprise AI governance across the full automation lifecycle, from design and deployment through runtime execution and audit.

Enterprise Context and Governance Challenges

Flowable describes this challenge as a "complexity vortex," driven by fragmented systems, risky automation, and brittle processes that slow change. While AI can accelerate individual tasks, it introduces risk when decisions occur outside standardized processes. As a result, policy updates are delayed, audit findings take longer to resolve, and teams hesitate to modify systems that appear stable but carry hidden dependencies.

These constraints limit innovation and keep AI initiatives confined to pilots rather than production use. Governance gaps often appear at handoffs between teams, across shared services, and during audits. Unclear ownership, control, and visibility of AI, rules, and automated decisions makes accountability difficult, especially when AI agents act across multiple systems.

Release 2025.2 addresses these challenges by strengthening regulated workflow automation through orchestration, governance, and visibility. This approach reduces operational uncertainty and allows enterprises to adapt processes and policies while maintaining compliance.

Multi-agent Orchestration and Architectural Flexibility

Flowable 2025.2 strengthens support for multi-agent orchestration through compatibility with the A2A specification. This enables enterprises to coordinate AI agents from different vendors and frameworks under a single governed layer, without rebuilding their architecture as AI ecosystems evolve.

This approach mitigates vendor lock-in and improves interoperability across AI frameworks. Organizations can add, replace, or scale AI capabilities incrementally while maintaining consistent governance, security, and compliance controls. Agents from multiple ecosystems can collaborate while remaining accountable within enterprise processes.

AI-Assisted Design and Safer Change Management

A central focus of Flowable 2025.2 is improving how organizations manage change in complex automation environments. The release expands AI-assisted capabilities across automation process, case, decision, form, service, and agent models, supporting a low-code AI design approach. Integrated AI assistance helps teams identify model dependencies before changes are made, reducing the risk of unintended downstream effects.

This approach supports safer modernization by helping automation teams address compliance requirements and business changes without extended testing cycles or late-stage release delays.

For regulated teams, this design-time clarity helps reduce dependency on a small number of senior specialists. It allows broader groups of developers and process owners to participate in change with greater confidence.

Impact Analysis Before Deployment

The release also introduces enhanced AI impact analysis capabilities that allow teams to assess potential consequences before changes reach production. Flowable pinpoints where rules, variables, and services intersect across workflows, giving teams early visibility into what could fail before changes are made. Teams can query where a variable appears or what breaks if a rule changes.

These insights support explainable decisions before updates reach production. Improved visibility leads to more predictable releases and reduces the likelihood of risky changes late in the development cycle. For regulated organizations, the ability to evaluate impact upfront plays a critical role in maintaining audit readiness while accelerating delivery.

Visibility, Compliance, and Human Oversight

Governance and transparency remain key priorities in Flowable 2025.2. The release improves visibility into AI behavior through timelines of agent requests, responses, and tool usage. Cost transparency improves through token usage and invocation tracking, while audit trails document how AI-driven decisions align with organizational policies.

This visibility supports internal audits, regulatory reviews, and post-incident analysis with a consistent record of automated decision-making. Teams gain clearer insight into AI behavior across agents, tools, and workflows without relying on manual reconstruction after issues arise.

The platform also reinforces human-in-the-loop AI patterns. New features allow frontline teams to request AI assistance during workflows while keeping control over final decisions. Caseworkers, underwriters, and service teams can request summaries or recommendations while retaining control of final decisions and maintaining full auditability.

"When working with long documents such as medical reports or legal filings, teams often lose valuable time," said Flowable CTO Micha Kiener. "Flowable 2025.2 helps surface relevant information directly within workflows, while ensuring that human judgment and auditability remain central to every decision."

Flowable 2025.2 improves operational stability by separating AI tasks from core transaction processing. This reduces the risk that long-running AI calls delay databases or affect system performance, helping organizations scale automation without compromising oversight in mission-critical environments.

Platform Foundations Supporting Governed Automation and Velocity

Beyond AI-specific enhancements, Flowable 2025.2 strengthens its platform foundations to support sustained enterprise adoption. Improvements include broader model validation across design environments, expanded legacy IT system integration options through Apache Camel, enhanced CI and CD workflows, and extended service-level agreement modeling.

These updates reduce operational surprises by ensuring new automation capabilities work with existing systems, governance standards, and performance goals. They connect automation performance directly to business outcomes, including full-cycle timing and service quality. This supports what Flowable describes as governed automation with velocity, the ability to innovate quickly while maintaining operational control.

More information about Flowable 2025.2 can be found on Flowable's website.

About Flowable

Flowable provides an enterprise control panel for agentic automation, that ensures centralized governance, agility, and control to un-silo processes and automate work that is connected across systems, departments, and tools. The company supports enterprises worldwide with solutions for workflow orchestration, decision automation, and governed AI-driven process optimization. For more information, visit www.flowable.com.

Media Contact

Ben Zimdahl
Marketing Content Manager, Flowable
marketing@flowable.com
+41 31 329 09 00

AGM Global Vision has announced the launch of the Rattler V3 thermal riflescope family, marking the latest update to one of the company’s most widely adopted thermal optic platforms. The new lineup builds on the Rattler series’ existing reputation for durability and field performance while introducing several technical upgrades aimed at improving image quality, ranging capability, and overall usability.

The Rattler V3 launch expands AGM’s compact thermal offering and reflects broader trends in the thermal optics market, where demand continues to grow for lighter, more capable systems that integrate advanced ranging and ballistic tools without increasing size or complexity.

Expanded Rattler V3 Lineup

The Rattler V3 family consists of four models, each tailored to different use cases and performance requirements:

• Rattler V3 LRF 35-384
• Rattler V3 LRF 35-640
• Rattler V3 25-384
• Rattler V3 50-640 (introduced earlier in January 2025)

With the exception of the 25-384 model, all variants in the series incorporate an integrated laser rangefinder (LRF), a feature that has become increasingly sought after by hunters and precision shooters operating at extended distances or in low-visibility environments.

Integrated Rangefinding and Ballistic Capabilities

Both the Rattler V3 LRF 35-384 and LRF 35-640 models feature a built-in laser rangefinder rated to 1,000 meters. The rangefinder is paired with an onboard ballistic calculator designed to assist users in making real-time firing solutions without relying on external devices.

Compact Option Without LRF Integration

For users who do not require integrated rangefinding, and/or are on a bit of a budget, the Rattler V3 25-384 offers the same core imaging upgrades found across the V3 platform in a lighter and more compact configuration. By omitting the LRF module, this model prioritizes simplicity and reduced weight while maintaining the same processing improvements and rugged construction standards as the rest of the series.

This approach allows the Rattler V3 family to serve a wider range of users, from those seeking a fully integrated precision tool to those prioritizing minimal footprint and streamlined operation.

Imaging and Sensor Improvements

Across the entire Rattler V3 lineup, AGM has implemented several key imaging enhancements. All models feature sub-15mK thermal sensitivity, allowing the sensor to detect finer temperature differences and produce more detailed imagery in challenging conditions such as high humidity or low thermal contrast.

AGM recently provided a firmware update which includes the Image Boost 2.0 (an AI-enhanced imaging algorithm) with more firmware and algorithm updates in the works, delivering improved clarity, contrast, and target definition compared to previous generations. These improvements are intended to reduce image noise and enhance positive identification capabilities.

System Features and Construction

In addition to imaging upgrades, all Rattler V3 models include onboard video and audio recording, Wi-Fi connectivity, and support for AGM’s mobile app. Battery life is rated at up to seven hours on just one battery (two of them come included), depending on configuration and usage, and each optic is housed in a compact, weather-resistant chassis designed for field use in varied environments.

The RattlerV3 series was developed with direct input from our audience. AGM understands the importance of incorporating feedback from hunters and professionals who rely on their products in all conditions and applications.

Availability

The Rattler V3 thermal riflescope family is currently available through AGM Global Vision’s authorized dealer network worldwide. Additional product information, specifications, and demonstration content can be found through AGM’s official website and video platforms.

About AGM Global Vision

Founded in 2019 by experienced industry veterans, AGM Global Vision set out with a goal of being the No. 1 combined thermal, night vision and digital optics manufacturer in the country. Now available in over 100 countries worldwide, AGM now finds itself a global player in numerous product categories, including weapons-mounted thermal imaging, thermal handhelds, hybrid thermal/digital systems, traditional night vision goggles, digital day/night solutions, clip-on systems and various related accessories. For more information, visit www.agmglobalvision.com.

Media Contact

AGM Global Vision
contact@agm-support.com
+1 928-333-4300

South Florida’s Jewish community gathered this past Sunday morning for a powerful and deeply moving program honoring Holocaust memory, Jewish resilience, and the ongoing responsibility to confront rising antisemitism. The event featured Dani Dayan, chairman of Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center. His visit underscored the importance of precise language, historical truth, and moral responsibility in confronting hatred directed at Jews.

The program was attended by civic and communal leaders, including Seth Salver, Mayor of Bal Harbour, reflecting the broad community commitment to Holocaust remembrance, education, and Jewish continuity. A central focus of the morning was Yad Vashem’s historic achievement of recovering and documenting the names of more than five million of the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust. This initiative reflects Yad Vashem’s mission to restore identity, dignity, and humanity to each victim, ensuring they are remembered as individuals rather than statistics.

“Recovering five million names is not a statistic, it is five million individual lives reclaimed from oblivion. Each name represents a world, a family, a story that matters forever,” said Dayan. The program emphasized that Holocaust remembrance is not solely about the past, but about strengthening Jewish identity and responsibility in the present and future. “This visit is about honoring survivors and victims, but it’s also about strengthening the bond between Yad Vashem and American Jews who feel a deep responsibility to remember, educate, and stand proudly as Jews,” said Tamar Major, national director of Philanthropy for the Yad Vashem USA Foundation. “At a time of rising antisemitism, Holocaust memory is not optional it is essential.”

The program was graciously hosted by Rabbi Yechiel Koskas, whose leadership and hospitality helped create a meaningful and dignified setting for the community gathering. The event was generously sponsored by Sam Shamie and Nancy Shamie. During the program, Sam Shamie announced a $100,000 pledge to Yad Vashem, made in memory of his sister, in support of Holocaust remembrance, education, and historical preservation.

Two Holocaust survivors were present and addressed the audience, offering personal reflections that reinforced the urgency of remembrance and the importance of ensuring that the lessons of history are never forgotten. The program also featured remarks from Robert Garson and Tila Falic Levi, members of a U.S. presidentially appointed Holocaust remembrance advisory committee, who spoke about the global responsibility to preserve historical truth and confront rising hatred against Jews worldwide. The morning concluded with a message of unity and resolve, reaffirming that Jewish memory is sustained most powerfully through community, education, leadership, and action.

Media Contact

Warren Cohn
Founder and CEO, RocketshipPR
warren@rocketshippr.com

Massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) are distinguished by vast persistent worlds where thousands of players co-exist, each developing a character over extended periods. Unlike single-player or short-term multiplayer games, MMORPGs focus on long-term character progression and social interaction. Players accumulate experience, gear, and skills over weeks or years, forming lasting relationships through guilds, alliances, or teams. The persistent game environment, which evolves even when a player is offline, alongside features like leveling, quests, and cooperative play, defines the genre. This model has maintained interest in MMORPGs for decades. World of Warcraft (WoW), launched in 2004, remains one of the most widely played and influential titles, illustrating the enduring appeal of long-term online role-playing experiences.

Progression in MMORPGs can be substantial, leading some players to seek shortcuts. Blizzard, the developer of WoW, offers in-game level boost items to accelerate advancement, while third-party services, commonly referred to by players as WoW boost allow paying others to expedite leveling. In 2022, Blizzard took action against unauthorized boosting services because paying for assistance had become widespread. Such dynamics exemplify a core MMO characteristic: the drive to enhance one’s character and reach endgame goals often motivates players to pay for external help. Nevertheless, the fundamentals of the genre remain rooted in immersive worlds and social engagement. From EverQuest to modern MMOs such as Final Fantasy XIV (FFXIV) and Black Desert Online (BDO), long-term engagement strategies and community-driven virtual economies are central to sustaining player interest.

Key Elements of the MMO Genre

A defining feature of successful MMORPGs is a robust progression system. Players typically start at low levels and gradually improve abilities and equipment through quests, combat, and exploration. Early content provides structured guidance, while endgame objectives, including higher level caps, rare loot, and challenging encounters, engage experienced players. Games like FFXIV and The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) exemplify this balance, offering detailed quest lines, gear upgrades, and scalable challenges. Research on online games shows that persistent worlds, level progression, and character customization form core elements across nearly all MMOs. Incremental rewards for new abilities or items reinforce a sense of accomplishment and encourage continued play.

Social interaction is another hallmark of the genre. Formal group systems such as guilds, clans, or alliances, alongside matchmaking tools, facilitate cooperative play in dungeons, raids, and PvP events. In WoW, guilds often form around shared goals like raiding, player-versus-player combat, or socializing, fostering stronger player commitment. Multi-year studies demonstrate that players with greater guild responsibilities log more time in-game and are less likely to leave the game. Additional social features, including chat channels, friend lists, in-game events, and cross-server or cross-platform play, broaden engagement opportunities. The sense of belonging to a group creates informal “stickiness,” as players invest in relationships as well as character development. Social networks are critical for retention, and academic analyses have linked robust guild participation to lower quit rates.

Virtual economies in MMORPGs engage players for extended periods. Most titles implement auction houses or trading systems where gear, crafting materials, and currency circulate. These markets often follow real-world economic principles such as supply and demand. Blizzard’s economy, for example, has supported active trade in rare items and in-game gold for years. Some players, often called “gold farmers,” even earn real-world income by trading virtual currency, demonstrating the intersection of digital and actual economies. Developers must carefully balance these systems to prevent resource monopolization and address unauthorized markets, bots, and real-money trading violations.

Endgame content — activities for max-level characters — is crucial for player retention. After initial leveling, players pursue high-difficulty challenges, including large-scale raids, high-tier dungeons, player-versus-player competitions, or special events. WoW pioneered large-scale 40-player raid encounters, setting a template followed by many successors. Other MMOs have developed their own formats: FFXIV offers intricate 24-player trials and raids; ESO provides group dungeons and alliance war PvP; Guild Wars 2 features dynamic meta-events and world bosses; BDO incorporates open-world boss fights and large-scale guild PvP. Seasonal or expansion-driven content updates further sustain engagement by raising level caps, introducing fresh gear, and providing new challenges, such as WoW’s rotating Mythic+ dungeons with seasonal affixes.

World of Warcraft as a Benchmark for MMORPGs

By both design and impact, WoW has become the reference point in the MMORPG genre. Its early and sustained popularity redefined expectations for scale, revenue, and gameplay accessibility. Within its first decade, WoW reached multiple milestones that guided industry standards, at times reporting over 10 million subscribers concurrently. The subscription model, supported by regular expansion packs, proved highly lucrative, with peak revenue reaching approximately $1 billion annually. WoW’s polished graphics, intuitive interface, and accessible mechanics attracted mainstream audiences, making it “the first MMO to achieve mainstream success and remain rooted there,” effectively embedding online role-playing into popular culture.

WoW’s influence is evident in many successors. Its “holy trinity” of roles — tank, healer, damage dealer — and intuitive targeting-combat system became templates adopted across the genre. Guild mechanics and group coordination features established standards for social interaction, while the practice of scheduled content releases inspired expansion and patch strategies in other games. Elder Scrolls Online, Guild Wars 2, and Lineage titles explicitly referenced WoW when planning expansions and live-service strategies. Even beyond MMORPGs, WoW influenced cooperative gameplay and matchmaking in non-MMO titles such as Destiny 2.

Regionally, WoW’s success has been strongest in North America and Europe, consistently appearing in the upper tiers of Western MMO revenues. In Asia, its presence has fluctuated; while it experienced significant popularity in China, licensing issues led to server shutdowns in 2023, with relaunch plans announced for 2024. Meanwhile, other Asian MMOs dominate the regional market: FFXIV became Japan’s largest MMO, and BDO, developed in Korea, amassed a global audience of approximately 55 million players and generated over €2 billion in revenue by 2024. WoW’s Western dominance and its influence on global design illustrate its role as a benchmark while highlighting regional diversity in player preferences.

Character Development Systems in World of Warcraft

WoW offers multi-faceted character progression. Players begin at level 1 and advance to a cap, which has historically increased with each expansion (Dragonflight currently sets the cap at 70). Experience points are earned through questing, combat, and exploration. Level scaling ensures new or returning players can experience older content at relevant difficulty levels. Time-saving mechanisms, such as double-XP events and instant-level items, cater to players who prefer accelerated progression.

Class specialization and talent systems provide gameplay depth. Each class chooses a role, such as Tank, Healer, or Damage Dealer, and talents allow customization of playstyle. Over WoW’s history, talent trees have been streamlined into defined rows, with Dragonflight offering six rows per specialization and additional covenant or artifact abilities. Players frequently respec talents for new content, encouraging experimentation and sustained engagement.

Equipment progression drives endgame motivation. Gear quality, measured by item level, improves through dungeons, raids, PvP, and world quests. Seasonal raid tiers, PvP ranks, and weekly Mythic+ rewards create multiple avenues for gear improvement. Meta-progression features, such as relic upgrades and item enhancements, deepen progression beyond raw item level. Together, these systems foster a recurring cycle that encourages weekly and expansion-driven engagement.

Major expansions, released roughly every two years, increase level caps, add new zones, and introduce fresh mechanics. For instance, Warlords of Draenor added raid finder modes, while Legion introduced artifact weapons that grew with the player. Expansions integrate narrative and mechanical updates, motivating both veteran and returning players to pursue new development paths.

Why Players Continue to Choose World of Warcraft

WoW appeals to both newcomers and veterans. Free trials allow players to reach level 20 at no cost, and accessible leveling paths, including the “Chromie Time” feature, enable returning players to experience earlier expansions at relevant difficulty. Community resources, such as wikis, dungeon finders, and guides, support solo play while easing social integration. Casual players enjoy smooth progression, whereas veterans face complex challenges: Mythic raids, ranked PvP, Solo Shuffle, and other high-skill content.

Social structures reinforce retention. Guilds, social events, role-playing groups, and community contests foster loyalty, while in-game economies and chat channels enhance daily engagement. Studies show that guilded players log more hours and have lower attrition than solo players. Long-term investment in characters, cosmetic rewards, and legacy servers also strengthen commitment. Solo-friendly content, automated matchmaking, and scaling systems reduce barriers for new or returning players, while multiplayer coordination goals, such as Mythic+ dungeons and raid encounters, preserve cooperative challenge. Paid services like WoW Boosts, though controversial, illustrate strong demand for progression and underscore sustained engagement in the ecosystem.

Conclusion

World of Warcraft has profoundly impacted the MMORPG genre. It established subscription-based revenue models, expansion-driven content pipelines, and guild-centric social structures. Its persistent world, layered character progression, and evolving content became templates widely emulated by successors. WoW’s longevity, spanning over two decades, demonstrates that continuous character growth, social networks, and new content cycles can sustain a player base long-term. Although newer MMOs, such as FFXIV and BDO, have emerged to challenge its prominence, WoW remains a benchmark. Developers continue to measure live-service ambitions against WoW’s milestones. Its enduring appeal lies in deep character development, living communities, and consistent content updates, solidifying its status as a reference point in modern game design and a model of long-term player engagement.

About Epiccarry

Epiccarry publishes authoritative industry reports and in-depth analyses on MMORPG design, player retention, and long-term engagement. Its coverage includes recent news and academic commentary on World of Warcraft’s market performance, evolving game mechanics, and broader trends shaping the MMO genre. For more information, visit epiccarry.com.

Media Contact

Kyrylo Udruhov
k.udruhov@epiccarry.com

Nuqi Digital Wealth Limited, a DIFC-based asset management firm, through its investment banking division, has successfully arranged a $70 million three-year financing loan for Ipak Yuli Bank Uzbekistan, marking a major milestone in strengthening capital flows into Central Asia. The facility, executed through a combination of bilateral and syndication structures underscores Nuqi Wealth’s expanding role as a trusted arranger for emerging-market financial institutions.

Acting as NUQI Digital Wealth’s strategic partner in Uzbekistan, Umma Capital played a pivotal role in originating the transaction and opening the market to new international lenders. Leveraging its deep local relationships and on-the-ground expertise, Umma Capital was instrumental in introducing NUQI Digital Wealth to Ipak Yuli Bank and guiding counterparties through the country’s regulatory, banking, and execution landscape. This collaboration not only streamlined engagement with the bank’s senior management, but also helped build confidence among new investors entering Uzbekistan for the first time, reinforcing Umma Capital’s position as a key bridge between Uzbekistan financial institutions and global capital providers.

A standout feature of the deal is the speed and precision of execution. NUQI Digital Wealth managed the end-to-end funding process, delivering competitive terms for Ipak Yuli Bank amid shifting global financial conditions. The initial bilateral arrangement was completed within two months, demonstrating NUQI’s ability to mobilize capital quickly and efficiently.

NUQI Digital Wealth also secured the participation of a leading global financial institution as Lead Arranger for the syndication, further strengthening investor confidence. In addition, the firm successfully introduced new investors many engaging with Uzbekistan for the first time, highlighting rising interest among Asian capital providers in the country’s reform-driven banking sector. 

Commenting on the transaction, Dilip Samanthilaka, NUQI Digital Wealth’s managing director and head of Investment Banking, stated:

“Our objective is always to secure the best structure and the most strategic investor mix for our clients. This successful transaction demonstrates our ability to bring new global liquidity to dynamic markets like Uzbekistan, while managing the process with precision and speed.”

From the borrower’s side, Tursun Makhkamov, chief financial officer of Ipak Yuli Bank, emphasized the importance of the local partnership:

“As chief financial officer of Ipak Yuli Bank, I would like to highlight the pivotal role Umma Capital has played as our trusted advisor and representative in this transaction. Umma Capital not only safeguards and promotes the interests of Ipak Yuli Bank, but also brings deep local insight that is essential for successfully engaging with global partners. We are pleased to see Umma Capital partnering with Nuqi Wealth, as this collaboration is opening new channels of international funding and unlocking fresh potential for Uzbekistan’s capital markets.”

With this milestone, NUQI Digital Wealth further strengthens its position in arranging cross-border funding for financial institutions across emerging markets, continuing its mission to foster investment corridors between Asia, the GCC, and Central Asia.

Media Contact

Meher Gupta
director@contemporaryconnect.com

New research from healthcare consultancy Sage Growth Partners finds that 77% of health system and hospital C-suites are planning to increase participation in value-based care (VBC) models in the next two years, a marked rise since the 2023 survey.

The new report, "The C-Suite's View on Value-Based Care: Investment Heats Up Despite Cooling Sense of Progress," is the third in a series based on Sage Growth Partners' annual survey of 101 hospital and health system C-suite leaders. This installment examines executives' perspectives on VBC progress, their forecast for the near future, and how much revenue they really have at risk.

"Here's the latest plot twist on the winding journey to value-based care: despite slow progress during the last two years, many of today's C-suites are developing strategies to expand their participation in VBC models in the next two years," said Dan D'Orazio, CEO of Sage Growth Partners. "Value-based care is both a challenge for C-suites and a way to strengthen their organization's bottom line as payer dynamics evolve and macroeconomic uncertainties persist."

Key findings from the report include:

• 20% of C-suite leaders agree that the industry has made progress toward value-based care in the last two years, but that is fewer than those who agreed in our 2023 and 2022 surveys: 40% and 37%, respectively.
• 77% of C-suite leaders say their organization plans to increase participation in value-based care programs in the next two years — an increase from 57% in 2023.
• 69% of organizations are participating in an ACO, up from 53% in 2023; and 61% leverage bundled payment models, an increase from 46% in 2023.

Despite the outlook for continued VBC momentum and long-term commitments to alternative payment models, the survey results also reveal that C-suites are still far from having significant amounts of revenue at risk in value-based contracts:

• 54% of hospitals and health systems generate between 5% and 20% of revenue in VBC arrangements — but only a small percentage earn more than 20%.

"C-suite executives understand that value-based care can be instrumental as they face increasing pressure to balance improving care quality and population-level outcomes against financial performance," said Stephanie Kovalick, chief strategy officer of Sage Growth Partners. "Achieving that future requires strategic investments to overcome operational, clinical, and financial challenges."

Sage Growth Partners' independently surveyed a range of C-suite participants representing 101 healthcare provider organizations, including integrated delivery networks, academic medical centers, and independent hospitals.

The full report, “The C-Suite’s View on Value-Based Care: Investment Heats Up Despite a Cooling Sense of Progress,” is available to read the full report.

About Sage Growth Partners

Sage Growth Partners is a healthcare advisory firm with deep expertise in market research, strategy, and communications. Founded in 2005, the company's extensive domain experience ensures that healthcare organizations thrive amid the complexities of a rapidly changing marketplace. Sage Growth Partners serves clients across the full healthcare spectrum, including Press Ganey, GE HealthCare, Medecision, Xealth, LexisNexis, GoodRx, ProgenyHealth, Kyruus Health, Best Buy Health, New Jersey Brain and Spine, and Philips Healthcare. For more information, visit sage-growth.com.

Media Contact

John Gonda
jgonda@sage-growth.com
+1 616-309-4888

Vinmec Healthcare System, Vietnam’s leading private hospital network, is expanding its portfolio of premium, tailor-made services for international patients, offering a seamless and culturally attuned medical tourism experience grounded in global clinical standards.

As global demand for cost-effective and timely treatment continues to rise, Vinmec is positioning Vietnam as a new medical destination, one that combines advanced clinical capabilities, internationally accredited quality, and the hospitality Vietnam is known for.

Premium Services Tailored for International Patients

Vinmec has been advancing key specialties that are becoming central to its care for international patients.

“Vinmec is committed to delivering safe, seamless, and culturally attuned care for international patients as we strengthen Vietnam’s position in global medical tourism,” said Prof. Dr. Tran Trung Dung, CEO of Vinmec Healthcare System.

Cardiology remains a defining strength. As Asia’s first Cardiology Centers of Excellence and a member of the Cleveland Clinic Connected network, Vinmec offers diagnostics and interventions that match global standards, ranging from 3.0-Tesla MRI systems to highly advanced interventional techniques such as transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and Micra leadless pacemaker implantation. These capabilities provide overseas patients with timely access to treatments often delayed in their home countries.

The same focus on precision shapes Vinmec’s orthopaedics and sports medicine services, where 3D surgical planning, customized implants, anatomical-mapping arthroscopy, and motion-analysis technologies enable highly personalized reconstruction and rehabilitation. For athletes, active adults, and older travelers, this translates into predictable outcomes and faster recovery.

Besides, Vinmec’s oncology program offers a similarly integrated model, adhering to NCCN, ASCO, ASTRO, and ESMO guidelines. Comprehensive diagnostics support coordinated care that spans minimally invasive surgery, advanced radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and stem-cell transplantation.

Building on these established clinical pillars, the Vinmec Aesthetic Center — View Beauty combines Korean-developed aesthetic protocols with Vinmec’s advanced stem cell research platform, adhering to international standards. With a focus on natural-looking results, minimally invasive procedures, and absolute privacy, the center is trusted by international clients who value safety, discretion, and refined aesthetic care.

Elevating Medical Tourism in Vietnam

According to a recent study by Indochina Research, Vinmec is the most recognized hospital system among foreigners in Vietnam, reflecting its strong reputation and growing footprint in international patient care.

Supported by globally trained medical specialists, advanced technologies, and strategic partnerships such as its Cleveland Clinic Connected membership, Vinmec now delivers high-acuity care to patients arriving from the U.K., France, Australia, Canada, and other markets.

To enhance the international patient experience, Vinmec has implemented a dedicated service framework that ensures clear communication and culturally responsive support, including fast-track scheduling, tailored dietary and religious accommodations and multilingual guidance throughout the treatment journey.

With hospitals in key cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Ha Long, and Phu Quoc, Vinmec offers international patients not only advanced medical care but a uniquely restorative setting in Vietnam’s most iconic destinations. Whether recovering from orthopedic treatment by the sea or pursuing aesthetic or regenerative therapy in a resort environment, patients benefit from Vietnam’s natural beauty, cultural warmth, and supportive healing atmosphere.

As Vietnam emerges as a promising hub for global medical travel, Vinmec is shaping a new vision of care that is both high-tech and deeply human.

About Vinmec Healthcare System

Vinmec is Vietnam’s leading private healthcare system, with a nationwide network of nine hospitals and seven outpatient clinics. Built to international standards, Vinmec delivers comprehensive, personalized, and specialized care. The system’s key milestones include a strategic partnership with Cleveland Clinic, one of the world’s top healthcare systems, enabling global clinical collaboration and access to world-class medical standards; leading healthcare services for foreigners in Vietnam, trusted by international residents for its high-quality care, globally trained physicians, and international-standard facilities; the only healthcare system in Asia honored at the Healthcare Asia Awards 2025, receiving two prestigious accolades: Hospital Group of the Year and Technology Innovation of the Year, reinforcing its leadership in the region; owner of two JCI-accredited hospitals, meeting the world’s most rigorous standards for patient safety and healthcare quality; the first and only healthcare system in Vietnam to establish Centers of Excellence (CoEs) across four key specialties: cardiology, oncology, orthopedics and sports medicine, and clinical immunology and allergy. For more information, visit www.vinmec.com.

Media Contact

Vinmec Healthcare System
v.medtour@vinmec.com

Clean Energy Counsel (CEC), a leading boutique law firm focused exclusively on clean energy, alternative fuels, and sustainable infrastructure, announced the promotion of four attorneys to partner and 11 attorneys to counsel. The promotions reflect the firm’s continued growth, deepening leadership bench, and long-term commitment to serving clients across the rapidly evolving clean energy sector.

The newly promoted partners are Shane Devins, Kristen Berry, Gary Stapleton, and Sandra Lee. CEC also announced its first-ever Counsel class, comprised of Brett Martino, Shae Harvey, Todd Larsen, Sally Huang, Alex Smorczewski, Aretha DiClemente, Anastasia Arsenio, Jonah Brotman, Michael Davey, Brent Schoradt, and Brad Alexander.

“These promotions reflect how far the firm has come and how intentionally it is building for the future,” said Zach Crowley, partner of Clean Energy Counsel. “CEC is well-positioned to continue growing alongside its clients and the clean energy industry as a whole.”

A Boutique Built for the Energy Transition

Clean Energy Counsel was founded with a singular focus on the clean energy industry, created to serve developers, investors, utilities, and emerging technology companies navigating the commercial and regulatory realities of renewable and sustainable infrastructure projects. From its inception, the firm set out to offer an alternative to traditional full-service law firms by combining deep sector fluency with practical, transaction-focused legal counsel.

Over the past several years, CEC has experienced sustained and deliberate growth aligned with the accelerating energy transition. Today, the firm consists of 44 attorneys and five administrative professionals, advising clients across the full lifecycle of clean energy projects nationwide. While many firms have expanded through mergers or diversification into adjacent practice areas, CEC has remained purpose-built around clean energy, allowing it to scale while preserving subject-matter depth and continuity of client service.

Compared to larger firms where clean energy practices are often one component of a broader platform, CEC operates as a fully integrated clean energy boutique. Its attorneys routinely compete with significantly larger firms on complex, first-of-their-kind transactions, offering clients senior-level attention, institutional knowledge, and efficiency that reflects decades of collective industry experience.

Partner Promotions Strengthen Core Capabilities

Each of the newly promoted partners has played a central role in building CEC’s market-leading practice and expanding its capabilities across development, real estate, offtake, financing, and M&A.

Kristen Berry advises renewable energy developers across utility-scale, commercial, and industrial, and distributed generation markets. Her practice spans development-stage and commercial agreements, including power purchase agreements, virtual PPAs and hedging arrangements, EPC and O&M contracts, REC transactions, energy services agreements, equipment supply and build-transfer structures, and EV charging master services agreements. She has helped advance several gigawatts of solar, wind, and energy storage projects nationwide.

Shane Devins focuses on the real estate and land use aspects of renewable and sustainable infrastructure projects. He advises on title and survey matters, entitlements, leasing, acquisitions and dispositions, and the development and financing of large-scale solar, wind, and storage assets. His practice also includes joint ventures, M&A transactions, and cross-border investments, as well as work on sustainable agriculture and water conservation projects.

Gary Stapleton is known for his strategic approach to clean energy transactions, representing developers, investors, and emerging technology companies across solar, wind, battery storage, biomass, and waste-to-fuel projects. He also advises on infrastructure and real estate preservation initiatives and on single-asset and portfolio acquisitions in the United States and internationally.

Sandra Lee represents borrowers, lenders, tax equity investors, and buyers and sellers of clean energy assets. Her experience advising both sponsors and financing parties provides a balanced perspective that informs pragmatic guidance and efficient execution on complex transactions.

“These promotions reflect both the depth of the firm’s talent and the strength of the clean energy industry,” said Brad DeJean, founding partner of Clean Energy Counsel. “Promoting four partners at the same time signals confidence in our people, our clients, and the continued growth of the energy transition.”

Inaugural Counsel Class Formalizes Senior Leadership

CEC’s first-ever counsel class recognizes attorneys who play a critical role in leading complex matters, managing deal teams, mentoring colleagues, and serving as trusted advisors to clients across the renewable energy and sustainable technology sectors.

“This class of counsel promotions shows the depth of the firm’s senior bench,” said Jordan Dansby, partner. “Each of these attorneys can lead deals in their respective subject matter areas, train and mentor colleagues, and provide world-class service to clients.”

CEC’s counsels routinely manage transactions from start to finish, oversee client relationships, and advise on matters spanning development, project finance, M&A, tax equity, offtake arrangements, regulatory issues, and emerging clean energy technologies. Their collective experience allows the firm to handle transactions of any size or complexity with efficiency and strategic insight.

“Our counsel class consists of attorneys who are dominant in their areas of specialty,” said Kristen Berry, partner. “Their knowledge and experience make them highly sought after by our clients, and the counsel title recognizes the leadership they already bring to the firm.”

A Long-Term Leadership Model

The Counsel role at Clean Energy Counsel is designed as a long-term leadership position rather than a mandatory step toward partnership. Some counsels may ultimately pursue partnership, while others will remain in the role throughout their careers. Each path is equally valued and essential to the firm’s success.

CEC is intentionally not an up-or-out firm. Instead, it emphasizes sustainable growth, mentorship, and professional development, ensuring that clients benefit from stable, experienced teams and that attorneys can build long-term careers aligned with the firm’s mission.

Positioned for Continued Growth

With expanded partner and counsel leadership, Clean Energy Counsel enters 2026 with a durable platform built to support clients through the next phase of the energy transition. As projects become more complex and markets continue to evolve, the firm remains focused on delivering technically sophisticated, commercially practical advice grounded in deep industry knowledge.

About Clean Energy Counsel

At Clean Energy Counsel, we devote our legal power to advancing clean energy and a sustainable future. Speeding the world’s transition away from fossil fuels is what we care about most — and we believe this mission is urgent and imperative. It’s where we focus our collected experience, intelligence, and legal acumen. It’s why we’re redefining traditional law firm practices wherever they prove inefficient or self-serving. It’s the reason we prioritize the success of our clients’ projects over all other business considerations. Clean Energy Counsel provides a full range of legal services to support all types of clean energy projects at every phase in their life cycle — through development, construction, financing, and ongoing operations. We are the only mission-driven law firm focused on speeding the world’s transition to a clean energy future. Advancing clean energy isn’t just our job; it’s our hope for the future. For more information, visit www.cleanenergycounsel.com or contact the firm at 1 Sansome St., 35th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104.

Disclaimer

This press release was distributed through Law Firm Newswire.

Media Contact

Heather Pierce
Clean Energy Counsel
heather@cleanenergycounsel.com
+1 213-722-5384

Magic Hour today announced the launch of its AI UGC Ad Generator, a new product designed to help marketers and creators produce realistic UGC-style video ads up to 60 seconds with directable creative control. Unlike prompt-only generators, Magic Hour lets users choose the first image to anchor the ad (including the actor and product) — or pick from over 200 AI actors — then refine output by specifying the script, scene description, tone, and the actor’s emotions.

Key Facts

• Output length: Up to 60 seconds
• Starting point: User-selected first image (actor + product)
• AI actors: Choose from over 200 AI actors (or use your own first image)
• Creative control: Script + scene + tone + emotions
• Use cases: Paid social ads, creative testing, product launches, landing page videos
• Availability: Available now for paid users at magichour.ai/create/ai-ugc-ad-generator

“UGC ads work because they feel human, but producing them at scale is slow and expensive,” said Runbo Li, co-founder and CEO of Magic Hour. “We built the AI UGC Ad Generator for teams that need speed without giving up direction. You can lock the first frame, keep your product present, and iterate on script, scene, tone, and emotion until the ad matches your brand.”

Built for Performance Marketers Who Test Fast

Creative teams often need many variants across hooks, scripts, tones, and emotional deliveries. Magic Hour’s AI UGC Ad Generator is built to support this workflow by starting from an anchored first image and letting users direct the performance, not just the visuals.

What You Can Control

• First image control: Choose the first frame to set the actor and product placement
• Script control: Provide the exact words you want spoken
• Scene direction: Describe the setting and what happens on screen
• Tone and emotion: Specify the vibe and delivery (for example: confident, warm, urgent, playful, skeptical, excited)
• Iteration: Rapidly generate variations by changing the script, scene, or emotional direction

How It Works

• Upload or select your first image (actor + product)
• Enter your script and describe the scene, tone, and emotion
• Generate a realistic UGC-style ad and iterate with variants until it is ready to run

FAQ / Common Questions

What is an AI UGC ad generator?

An AI UGC ad generator is a tool that creates user-generated-content style video ads designed to look and feel like real creator content, commonly used for TikTok, Reels, Shorts, and other paid social placements.

How is Magic Hour different from other AI video ad tools?

Magic Hour starts from a user-chosen first image to anchor the actor and product, and it supports direct control over script, scene direction, tone, and emotion, so teams can iterate intentionally instead of relying on generic generations.

What is the maximum video length?

Magic Hour supports up to 60 seconds for AI UGC ads.

Do I have to use a pre-written script?

No. You can write your own script, test multiple hooks, or iterate line-by-line until the delivery matches your brand.

Can I keep my product visible throughout the ad?

The generator is designed to keep the ad grounded in your chosen starting image (actor + product). Results vary by creative direction, but anchoring the first frame helps maintain consistency.

Who is this for?

• Performance marketing teams running rapid creative tests
• E-commerce brands launching new products
• Agencies producing high-volume paid social creatives
• Creators and founders who need ads without a full production pipeline

Is it available now?

Yes. The AI UGC Ad Generator is available now for paid users.

Where can I try it?

Visit magichour.ai/create/ai-ugc-ad-generator to give it a try.

About Magic Hour

Magic Hour is an AI video and image creation platform that helps creators and teams produce high-quality content faster, from ad creatives to stylized video transformations. The platform offers a growing set of tools designed for real-world workflows, enabling fast iteration, creative control, and production-ready outputs. Learn more at magichour.ai.

Media Contact

Runbo Li
Co-founder and CEO, Magic Hour AI
press@magichour.ai

Bento, the AI-powered email marketing and automation platform serving over 4,000 small businesses, today announces Tanuki AI — an AI marketing agent that transforms plain-English descriptions into complete, production-ready email automations and campaigns.

Instead of dragging and dropping nodes or learning complex interfaces, users simply describe what they need: "create a welcome series for new subscribers" or "build an abandoned cart recovery flow." Tanuki generates the complete workflow — triggers, delays, conditions, and email content — in seconds.

Tanuki AI includes two operating modes: Ask mode, which confirms actions before execution, and YOLO mode for users who want fully autonomous building. Every AI action can be reversed with one-click undo. The assistant works across all of Bento's email editors — visual, plain text, and raw HTML — adapting to each user's preferred workflow.

For developers, Bento's MCP Server integration brings Tanuki's capabilities directly into tools like Cursor and Claude Code, enabling teams to iterate on email copy and automation logic without leaving their development environment.

"We've built Cursor for email," said Jesse Hanley, founder of Bento. "Small business owners shouldn't need to hire consultants or spend weeks learning software to send effective marketing emails. With Tanuki, you just describe what you want and it happens."

The launch reflects Bento's broader mission to make enterprise-grade marketing tools accessible to small businesses. The platform consolidates email marketing, automation, transactional email, and AI-powered customer support into a single system with simple pricing: $0.01 per contact, no per-seat fees, and no feature tiers.

Bento achieved SOC 2 Type II compliance in 2025 with zero audit exceptions and maintains HIPAA compliance, delivering enterprise-level security without enterprise complexity.

About Bento

Bento is an AI-powered email marketing, automation, and CRM platform built for small businesses. Founded in 2019, the company serves more than 4,000 businesses worldwide with an AI-native approach that lets users create production-ready marketing automations using plain English. Bento replaces multiple point solutions with a single, unified platform and offers simple, transparent pricing. The company is SOC 2 Type II compliant, privately held, and independently operated, with a 4.9/5 rating on G2 and a 5/5 rating on Capterra. For more information, visit bentonow.com.

Media Contact

Jesse Hanley
Founder, Bento
jesse@bentonow.com

Unlisted, a groundbreaking digital real estate community focused on the 98% of homes that aren’t for sale — yet, announced today that Dan Gutfreund of Signature Sotheby’s International Realty has joined the platform as the exclusive Local Expert for ZIP code 48009 in Birmingham, Michigan.

Unlisted’s technology creates new opportunities across the real estate landscape. Buyers gain access to homes that align with their lifestyle and long-term goals, not only those currently listed on the MLS. Homeowners gain insight into how their property fits within local demand and the option to connect with interested buyers on their own terms. Real estate professionals benefit from tools that elevate their expertise, strengthen community presence, and support more informed, earlier conversations with clients and neighbors.

The platform leverages publicly available data to generate a digital property profile for every home in the United States. These profiles can be searched and organized into personalized collections of homes that meet a buyer’s criteria, even when those homes are not actively for sale. For homeowners, the profiles offer visibility into interest and provide a clearer understanding of potential opportunities.

Each vetted real estate professional on Unlisted receives an agent profile that connects to every home profile within their assigned ZIP code. Only one agent is selected per ZIP code, reinforcing Unlisted’s commitment to trusted local representation, deep market knowledge, and credibility. As the network continues to grow, Unlisted remains focused on transparency, connection, and opportunity throughout the home journey.

Dan Gutfreund brings a data-driven, client-focused approach to his role as a Local Expert. Founder of DG Realty Group and one of Michigan’s top-performing agents, Dan has built a nationally recognized brand in just over a decade. He leads a team of expert advisors and has overseen hundreds of successful transactions, consistently achieving more than $100 million in annual sales.

Ranked the number one agent in Michigan for individual sales volume in 2023 by The Wall Street Journal and RealTrends, Dan has also been named among Sotheby’s International Realty’s Top 100 Realtors Globally in 2024 and 2025. His background in urban development, city planning, residential brokerage, and commercial lending allows him to offer clients a comprehensive and strategic perspective, whether they are buying, selling, or evaluating long-term opportunities.

Dan shared his thoughts on the partnership, saying, “Birmingham is a market where timing, insight, and local knowledge matter. Unlisted creates a smarter way for buyers and homeowners to understand opportunities before a listing ever hits the market, and I’m excited to bring that advantage to my clients.”

Founder and CEO Katie Hill also commented on the announcement, noting, “Dan’s leadership, market intelligence, and consistent performance set him apart. He represents the level of expertise and trust we seek in every Local Expert who joins the Unlisted network.”

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

To learn more about Dan Gutfreund, visit his Unlisted Profile or his website.

About Unlisted

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

Media Contact

Maura Racz
maura@unlistedinc.com

The Secretariat of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS) has outlined a proposal to reduce the country’s standard workweek from 48 hours to 40 hours, a reform expected to benefit approximately 13.4 millionworkers if approved. The initiative, which would require amendments to the Federal Labor Law, is currently under discussion and has not yet entered into force.

According to details outlined in the proposal, the reduction in working hours would be implemented gradually over several years. The draft establishes a phased approach, reducing the standard workweek to

• 46 hours in 2027
• 44 hours in 2028
• 42 hours in 2029
• and reaching 40 hours by 2030

The proposal also updates overtime rules by establishing the possibility of working between 9 and 12 hours of voluntary overtime per week, prohibiting overtime for minors, and introducing a cap of four triple-paid overtime hours per day, a limit that did not previously exist.

The proposal also contemplates the introduction of an electronic working hours registry as a new employer obligation, intended to support compliance with the proposed 40-hour workweek. The Secretariat of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS) would be responsible for issuing the secondary regulations governing this registry.

The proposal forms part of a broader effort by labor authorities to modernize working conditions and align Mexico’s labor framework with international standards on working time and work-life balance. According to STPS, the reform would be implemented gradually through consultations with employer organizations, labor unions, and industry stakeholders, reinforcing Mexico’s positioning within evolving global labor practices.

From an employer's perspective, the phased structure outlined in the proposal provides greater visibility for long-term workforce planning. Gradual adjustments to statutory working hours allow companies to evaluate staffing models, productivity expectations, and cost structures over time, rather than responding to a sudden regulatory shift.

For employers operating in Mexico, the proposed reduction introduces questions that extend beyond headline figures. Weekly scheduling, overtime thresholds, shift coverage, and payroll calculations are all directly tied to statutory working hours and would need to be reviewed if the reform advances.

Human Resources Mexico (HRM), an Employer of Record operating exclusively in Mexico, has been monitoring the proposal closely due to its potential impact on day-to-day employment administration. In EOR-managed structures, working hours are a core compliance element that affects employment contracts, overtime eligibility, and payroll execution.

“Changes to the legal work week don’t only affect how many hours employees work,” said Franklin Delano Frith II, general manager, principal of Human Resources Mexico. “They also influence how overtime is calculated, how schedules are structured, and how employers ensure compliance across different roles and industries. Even at the proposal stage, this is the type of reform companies should understand early.”

Based on HRM’s experience managing employment relationships in Mexico, any modification to maximum working hours would require coordinated updates across multiple areas, including employment agreements, internal work policies, and payroll systems. This is particularly relevant for foreign companies that rely on EOR models to manage local compliance while operating teams remotely or across multiple time zones.

The STPS has emphasized that the proposal remains subject to legislative debate and further refinement. The government has announced an expected timeline under which the reform would enter into force on May 1, 2026, with the first two-hour reduction to the standard workweek taking effect on January 1, 2027, subject to approval by the Mexican Congress.

Employers are not yet required to make operational changes. However, the formal presentation of the reform outlines a defined policy roadmap that companies may need to consider in long-term workforce planning.

As discussions continue, employers and industry participants are expected to follow developments closely. The proposal underscores how Mexico’s labor framework continues to evolve, reinforcing the importance of understanding not only current legal requirements but also upcoming changes that may shape employment practices in the coming years.

About Human Resources Mexico (HRM)

HRM offers employer of record services (EOR) for foreign companies that want to hire professional employees in Mexico. HRM is the most trusted EOR in Mexico for over 16 years with a physical office and Mexican expert team in Mexico. HRM offers EOR services exclusively in Mexico providing expert, public facing, red carpet service to both the client companies and client employees. For more information, visit www.payrollmexico.com.

Media Contact

Franklin Delano Frith II
franklin.frith@expandmexico.com
+52 664 748 0313

Global payments infrastructure provider Mercuryo has recently announced a partnership with Coinme to expand its fiat-to-crypto on-ramp services in the United States. This partnership utilizes Coinme’s stablecoin and crypto infrastructure to support fast and compliant conversions between fiat and digital assets.

The collaboration integrates Coinme’s stablecoin and crypto payments platform, which provides partners with U.S.-market rails for liquidity, settlement, custody, and on-ramp transaction fulfillment — infrastructure that can be as critical for international fintechs and Web3 companies entering the U.S. market.

“The U.S. represents one of the most dynamic markets for digital assets, and with Coinme’s trusted infrastructure, we can localize our global expertise and deliver solutions that truly fit the needs of American customers,” said Dilshan Dowlah, head of U.S. at Mercuryo.

Coinme said its platform combines regulated access with enterprise-grade infrastructure, including instant liquidity, automated transaction fulfillment, stablecoin support, and compliance coverage across 48 U.S. states.

“Our collaboration with Mercuryo enables people to seamlessly move from fiat into crypto, reducing friction for mass-market adoption of digital assets and Web3 use cases,” said Neil Bergquist, CEO and co-founder of Coinme. “For many global companies, it’s the infrastructure — the rails and fulfillment layer — that makes or breaks a U.S. launch. That’s exactly what we built Coinme’s CaaS platform to solve.”

By leveraging Coinme’s infrastructure, Mercuryo said it expects to scale more rapidly in the U.S., support a broader range of digital assets, and focus on user experience while Coinme manages underlying processing and compliance.

The partnership reflects continued investment in expanding reliable, scalable, and compliant access to digital assets across the United States, as demand for crypto and stablecoin services grows among consumers and enterprises alike.

About Coinme

Founded in 2014, Coinme is a leading licensed and regulated provider of an enterprise stablecoin and crypto payments platform. Coinme's global money movement platform enables a fully native and seamless crypto and stablecoin payment experience within our partners' applications. By integrating with Coinme's simple API suite, partners can quickly deploy crypto and stablecoin products and services natively on their front-end while leveraging Coinme's robust exchange and compliance infrastructure. For more information, please visit coinme.com.

About Mercuryo

Mercuryo is a payments infrastructure company focused on digital assets, providing on-ramp and off-ramp solutions and on-chain integration for Web3 applications. Mercuryo partners include Ledger, MetaMask, Trust Wallet and Revolut. For more information, visit mercuryo.io.

Media Contact

Delia Mendoza
pr@coinme.com

In the wake of the Compass-Anywhere merger, Unlisted, the real estate technology company empowering buyers and homeowners to unlock the 98% of homes that aren’t for sale — yet, forecasts what this moment reveals about future-proofing residential real estate.

“The real estate industry is at a defining inflection point, one that demands more than incremental change. The Compass-Anywhere merger prompts our industry to pressure test decades-old assumptions and reimagine existing models to truly reflect how consumers and real estate professionals operate today,” said Katie Hill, founder and CEO of Unlisted. “This moment creates necessary space for new thinking and reinforces that innovation, flexibility, and consumer relevance are no longer optional, but essential to the future of our industry.”

As consolidation accelerates across the real estate industry, a convergence of technological advances, shifting consumer expectations, and evolving legal and regulatory frameworks are reshaping how homes are bought and sold and driving change at a pace not seen in decades.

Hill added, “The merger demonstrates that long-standing foregone conclusions about how real estate works are being revisited, and true innovation is moving from the margins to the center.”

Designed to serve everyone with a stake in the housing market, Unlisted uniquely makes every home in the United States discoverable and searchable. Powered by sophisticated AI search, Unlisted opens the aperture to all homes within a specific zip code, school district, or set of criteria, not just homes listed for sale. Seeing beyond the 2% of homes that are currently listed for sale offers buyers, homeowners, and agents both transparency and choice. The national technology platform is brokerage-agnostic and promotes vetted real estate agents to both buyers and homeowners who seek local expertise when proactively exploring their options on Unlisted.

Backed by HearstLab, Hearst Newspapers, VC414, StageNext Fund, and prominent angel investors, Unlisted offers buyers, homeowners, and their real estate agents a competitive edge by providing earlier access to a bigger market.

About Unlisted

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

Media Contact

Maura Racz
maura@unlistedinc.com

The most valuable startup roles are rarely filled in public. By the time a job appears on a job board or LinkedIn, the founding team is already in place, early equity has been allocated, and the people shaping the company have joined through private introductions. This hidden hiring layer has long benefited insiders while leaving ambitious operators on the outside.

Today, Andrew Yeung and Ivor Stratford announced the launch of The Shortlist, a new monthly event series and newsletter designed to surface breakout founders and early startup roles in New York City before they go public.

The Shortlist connects exceptional engineers, designers, and GTM operators with early-stage founders at the exact moment when teams are still forming. Each month, the series hosts a highly curated, application-only showcase featuring six founders and 50 vetted engineers, and GTM professionals in a room. Founders present what they are building, why it matters, and the specific roles they are hiring for.

Alongside the events, The Shortlist publishes a bi-weekly newsletter highlighting under-the-radar startup roles and founder spotlights. The focus is on Seed through Series B companies, many led by second and third-time founders building quietly before wider attention arrives.

“Hiring at the earliest stages has always been relationship-driven,” said Andrew Yeung, co-founder of The Shortlist. “What’s changed is how many high-caliber operators want access to that moment. We built The Shortlist to create a front door to an otherwise invisible market.”

A Founder-Operator Partnership

The Shortlist was created through a partnership between Andrew Yeung and Ivor Stratford, bringing together deep community building and hands-on operator experience. Ivor has spent his career working closely with early-stage founders on hiring, storytelling, and go-to-market strategy, with a focus on helping small teams attract top talent before they reach scale. Together, the pair designed The Shortlist to mirror how startup hiring actually works at the earliest stages: personal, high-trust, and driven by real connection rather than volume.

They have brought on Sangavi Suresh to lead marketing and operations for the business. Sangavi brings experience working across early-stage teams, helping founders turn informal community momentum into clear positioning, structured operations, and repeatable growth.

Design and Creative Direction

The Shortlist’s brand and creative direction were led by brand consultant Jamie Dong, who shaped the visual identity from first principles. Her work translates the core idea of early access into a clean, editorial system designed to feel credible, modern, and intentionally restrained. The result is a brand that looks less like a typical startup and more like a trusted publication you want to be early to.

Incubated within Fibe and Powered by Morpheus

The Shortlist is the fifth incubation to emerge from Fibe, a holding company founded by Andrew Yeung, focused on building B2B experiences and communities. Fibe has hosted hundreds of curated gatherings for founders, operators, and investors, and serves as a launchpad for new formats that start offline, prioritize real relationships, and scale through quality rather than volume.

The team at Morpheus will be supporting the growth of The Shortlist. Over the last five years, Morpheus has been supporting early and growth-stage start-ups to win the war for talent.  

The launch comes as New York’s startup ecosystem continues to evolve. While San Francisco remains dominant in AI research and infrastructure, New York is seeing rapid growth in applied AI and industry-specific startups. Engineers and operators leaving big tech are increasingly choosing to build or join early-stage teams in New York rather than relocate west, creating new demand for better ways to discover emerging companies before they scale.

The Shortlistwill make its debut with its first New York showcase on January 27, with monthly events planned throughout 2025. Attendance is free, application-only, and intentionally limited to maintain high signal and real connection. The team’s primary metric is simple: hires made from presenting founders following each event.

For more information, applications, and upcoming events, visit The Shortlist’s website or follow its newsletter and social channels:

• Website: www.shortlistnyc.com
• LinkedIn: The Shortlist NY
• X: @TheShortlistNYC
• Instagram: @theshortlistny

About Fibe

Fibe is an events and media company based in New York City. Our mission is to create extraordinary experiences to gather, educate, and inspire founders, investors, and tech professionals. Key team members include CEO Andrew Yeung and Head of Partnerships Jacob Solano. For more information, visit www.meetfibe.com.

Media Contact

Andrew Yeung
andrew@meetfibe.com

John J. Malm & Associates announced today that the firm has secured a $300,000 out-of-court settlement on behalf of an Illinois woman who was seriously injured during an unprovoked pit bull attack at a public dog park. The incident occurred after the defendant, who was watching and exercising the pit bull for his mother-in-law, allowed the animal off leash despite clear signs of aggression. The attack left the plaintiff with hand injuries requiring surgical intervention, permanent scarring, and ongoing limitations affecting her dominant hand.

According to witness accounts, the plaintiff had been playing fetch with her own dog at the Montrose Beach dog park, located on the lakefront in Chicago, when the defendant arrived with the pit bull he was supervising. Almost immediately, the pit bull began lunging and snapping at other dogs. Concerned about the escalating behavior, the plaintiff attempted to move away. As she was doing so, the defendant released the pit bull from its leash. Once unleashed, the dog charged directly toward the plaintiff and her dog and initiated an attack. After the plaintiff separated the animals, the pit bull lunged again and bit her on the hand.

The plaintiff sought emergency treatment for the injury. Before she left the scene, the defendant provided his phone number, only to later deny responsibility when contacted by authorities, claiming he was merely a “good Samaritan” who happened to be present. It was not until a lawsuit was filed and evidence was presented that he finally acknowledged that he was, in fact, the person in control of the pit bull during the attack.

“Dog owners and anyone temporarily responsible for a dog must take responsibility, not only for controlling the animal but for being truthful when someone has been harmed,” said Chicago dog bite attorney, Jason Schneider, of John J. Malm & Associates. “Our client did nothing wrong. She was supervising her pet in a designated dog park when an aggressive, unleashed pit bull was allowed to run freely. We are pleased to have reached a result that holds the responsible party accountable for the harm caused.”

Case Overview and Investigation

The firm conducted a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the attack and the defendant’s initial denial of responsibility. A witness statement confirmed the pit bull’s aggressive behavior even before being released from the leash. Medical records documented the nature of the bite injury, the emergency treatment, and the nerve repair surgery performed on the plaintiff’s dominant hand.

Attorneys at John J. Malm & Associates obtained photographs of the injuries, park conditions, and communications between the plaintiff and the defendant. This evidence established that the defendant was the individual exercising custody and control over the pit bull, making him responsible under the Illinois Animal Control Act.

Injury, Treatment, and Long-Term Impact

The plaintiff suffered lacerations to her right hand and pinky finger, including a nerve injury requiring surgical repair. Before surgery, the exposed nerve caused extreme pain upon contact, and her physicians advised there remains a risk she may never regain full sensation in the finger.

She now has permanent scarring on her dominant hand and continues to experience fatigue and discomfort when gripping or carrying objects for extended periods. These long-term limitations and the trauma of the attack were central to the settlement negotiations.

Liability and Legal Issues

Under the Illinois Animal Control Act, liability applies not only to dog owners but also to any person who has custody or control of a dog at the time it causes injury. Here, the defendant brought the pit bull to the park, handled the leash, and made the decision to release the animal despite its aggressive behavior.

His initial refusal to acknowledge his role added complexity to the case and required additional investigative efforts. Ultimately, witness accounts, medical documentation, and communications tying him to the pit bull established his responsibility.

The firm evaluated both economic losses, emergency medical care, surgery, rehabilitation, and non-economic losses including permanent scarring, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of normal life.

Why Some Defendants Deny Responsibility After a Dog Attack

An incident like this one highlights a pattern sometimes seen in serious dog bite cases. When confronted with an unexpected and violent attack, the individual responsible for the dog’s behavior may experience fear, embarrassment, or panic, emotions that can lead them to deny involvement or minimize what occurred. Psychologists note that denial is a common defense mechanism triggered when a person feels overwhelmed by guilt or anticipates legal or financial consequences. Some dog owners or handlers fear repercussions ranging from civil liability to the possibility that the dog may be removed from the home or even euthanized, which can further motivate denial. In dog bite cases, especially those involving powerful breeds like pit bulls, this may lead to attempts to shift blame, deny control of the dog, or claim that the incident never happened.

“In this case, the defendant even misled the responding animal control investigator, claiming that he did not own a dog and did not have a dog at the park that day. When we see these behaviors, we know exactly how to respond. Our litigation team knows how to confront these situations with facts and to ensure that the truth is brought forward and accountability is established,” said Illinois pit bull injury attorney, John J. Malm.

Damages Recovered Through Settlement

The $300,000 settlement reflects the seriousness of the plaintiff’s injuries, the permanence of her scarring and nerve damage, and the defendant’s clear responsibility under Illinois law. Settlement negotiations included medical records, surgical reports, witness accounts, photographs, and documentation of the plaintiff’s ongoing functional limitations.

“Our goal is always to ensure that victims of dog attacks are fully compensated for both the visible injuries and the long-term consequences they must live with,” said Illinois dog bite lawyer, John J. Malm. “This case shows how quickly an uncontrolled pit bull can cause life-altering harm. We are proud to have secured a result that will assist our client with medical costs, future care needs, and the permanent effects of this preventable attack.”

Safety and Prevention and Dog Parks

John J. Malm & Associates emphasizes that safe and responsible handling of dogs, whether owned, borrowed, or temporarily supervised, is essential in shared community spaces. Dog parks require heightened attention to behavior, leash policies, and truthful reporting.

“When an individual chooses to take a dog into a public space, the responsibility to control that animal is absolute,” said Malm. “Honesty, accountability, and compliance with safety rules are essential to preventing serious injuries.”

About John J. Malm & Associates Personal Injury Lawyers

John J. Malm & Associates is an Illinois personal injury firm that serves clients throughout the Chicagoland area and its western suburbs with offices in Naperville and St. Charles. Our top-rated personal injury lawyers represent injured victims of automobile accidents, medical malpractice, product liability, work injuries, nursing home abuse and neglect, dog attacks, slip-and-fall and premises liability, wrongful death, and other accident and injury claims. For more information, visit www.malmlegal.com.

Media Contact

John Malm
John J. Malm & Associates
marketing@malmlegal.com
+1 630-527-4177

Magic Hour, an AI video and image creation platform, today announced updates to its text-to-video and image-to-video products, enabling creators to produce up to 60-second videos using Sora 2 and Veo 3.1 through a longer-form workflow designed for publish-ready outputs.

Many generative video models are optimized for short clips. Magic Hour’s approach generates a longer video by sequencing multiple short generations into a single timeline and applying continuity controls designed to improve visual consistency across segments so the final output reads as one piece of content rather than a collection of disconnected clips.

“Creators don’t want eight or ten seconds. They want a complete idea,” said Runbo Li, co-founder and CEO of Magic Hour. “Short clips are useful, but they break down when you’re trying to tell an actual story. We built this so longer videos can feel coherent from start to finish.”

How It Works (High Level)

• Text-to-video: Users start with a prompt. Magic Hour generates an ordered shot plan, produces the segments, then assembles them into a single video output.
• Image-to-video: Users start with a reference image to anchor key visual elements. Magic Hour generates the segments and assembles the final video while carrying forward selected visual cues across the output.

Why This Matters

Short-form generations are effective for rapid concepts, but longer formats support use cases that require pacing and structure, including product demos, short narrative sequences, marketing creatives, and social content where context matters.

Additional Product Launches Included in This Update

• Z-Image Turbo: Faster image generation for high-throughput iteration
• Qwen Edit: Image editing using the latest Qwen model integration
• Talking Photo: Animate a still image into a speaking video format
• Kling 2.5 Turbo: A fast mode for short-form generation and rapid iteration

Availability

The 60-second workflow is available now in Magic Hour’s text-to-video and image-to-video products. Availability and performance may vary based on model capacity, queueing, and workload complexity.

About Magic Hour

Magic Hour is an AI video creation platform that helps creators and teams generate and edit videos using text and images, with workflows designed for practical outputs and repeatable creative control. Learn more at magichour.ai.

Disclaimer

Sora, Veo, Qwen, and Kling are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Magic Hour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by these entities.

Media Contact

Runbo Li
Co-founder and CEO, Magic Hour
press@magichour.ai

ForensisGroup, the nation's top expert witness services firm, is celebrating 35 years of providing top-tier, fully vetted expert witnesses through High Touch High Tech™, personalized service to law firms and businesses nationwide. Since its founding in 1991, ForensisGroup has set the industry standard for expert witness consulting, supporting over 30,000 high-stakes cases across a wide range of industries, effectively becoming the most trusted partner for complex litigation where reputations and significant outcomes are at stake. The firm's impact, however, is intentionally designed to reach far beyond the courtroom. This milestone represents not just three and a half decades of professional excellence, but a journey rooted in a profound commitment to the human side of justice.

A Legacy of Excellence and Unmatched Expertise

From its inception, ForensisGroup charted a different course. The firm is a pioneer in expert witness services, being the first to offer a unique, high-touch approach that distinguishes it from massive, unvetted expert directories. This approach reflects the belief that meaningful expert engagement requires individualized consideration of both the case and the people involved. In an era of AI-driven databases, ForensisGroup's personalized, hands-on methodology ensures that high-risk litigators receive not just any expert, but the right expert. The firm's rigorous vetting process, grounded in a commitment to Nothing But The Truth®, ensures that every expert is not only a leader in their field but also an effective communicator capable of delivering objective, science-based testimony. As The Experts of Experts®, ForensisGroup has become the top choice for attorneys handling high-stakes litigation.

"We founded this industry with a simple mission: to connect our clients with the absolute best expert for their case,” said Mercy T. Steenwyk, president and CEO of ForensisGroup. "That mission is as personal to us today as it was 35 years ago. In today’s AI revolution, our personalized approach is more critical than ever; when everything is on the line, the human touch is irreplaceable. We act as an extension of our clients’ legal teams, providing the experience, personal attention, and resources necessary to find the right expert witness to bring the truth to each case. Because at the end of the day, every case requires clarity, accuracy, and Nothing But The Truth, supported by objective analysis across scientific, technical, and environmental disciplines. Our 35-year track record is a testament to our unwavering commitment to that mission."

A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Complex Litigation

This commitment to clarity is brought to life through the firm's remarkable breadth of expertise. ForensisGroup has expert witnesses in their network that cover a broad range of legal expertise, including niche technical disciplines. The firm's extensive network of experts sit across four distinct categories: business, engineering and construction, environmental, and science.

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

This multi-disciplinary approach allows ForensisGroup to provide comprehensive support for even the most complex cases, from copyright and trademark disputes to large-scale environmental litigation. The firm is the top source for business expert witnesses, including intellectual property, finance, and accounting specialists, and the founding leader in engineering and construction expert witnesses across all technical disciplines.

Commitment to Social Responsibility

The firm's impact, however, is intentionally designed to reach far beyond the courtroom. As a woman and minority-owned small business, the company is deeply committed to corporate social responsibility and serving as a Force For Good™. For 35 years, the firm has been actively involved in charitable work and philanthropy, donating $25 for every contract signed to one of three non-profits. These initiatives include providing nutrition-based vitamins and educational scholarships in the Philippines, as well as planting over 8,500 trees, reflecting a deep-seated belief in nurturing a better world.

Looking Forward

As ForensisGroup celebrates its 35th year, it remains steadfast in its dedication to its founding principles of justice, Nothing But The Truth, human connection, purpose-driven service of being a force for good in changing human experience for the better. The firm will continue to be the best partner for finding expert witnesses quickly and efficiently, leveraging its 35 years of experience to help clients achieve success in their most high-stakes cases.

“For 35 years, we’ve stood for truth, professionalism, and purpose,” Steenwyk reflected. “Looking ahead, we will continue to innovate, educate, and advocate; ensuring that our pursuit of justice continues to make a positive difference for generations to come.”

About ForensisGroup

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

SKYX Platforms Corp. (NASDAQ: SKYX) (d/b/a SKYX Technologies) (the “Company” or “SKYX”), a highly disruptive smart home platform technology company with over 100 pending and issued patents globally and over 60 lighting and home décor websites, with a mission to make homes and buildings become safe and smart as the new standard, today announced it has joined the NVIDIA Connect Program, gaining access to NVIDIA’s cloud and AI ecosystem to support the development of SKYX’s all-in-one smart home platform and hub, as well as its broader portfolio of advanced smart home products. 

SKYX’s all-in-one smart home platform and hub comprises numerous safety, security, and smart home features including Wi-Fi and repeaters, AI ecosystem, voice, and app controls, 911 emergency calling feature, smoke and CO detectors, thermostat, speakers, room-to-room intercom, emergency light, safety night light, color changing light, among others.

 The NVDIA Connect Program, cloud, and AI ecosystem accelerates and offers significant advantages for SKYX’s all-in-one smart home platform and hub including the following:

• Access to NVIDIA's world-class GPU-accelerated AI development ecosystem, including advanced frameworks for speech recognition, anomaly detection, real-time analytics, and scalable cloud inference.
• Advances the Company's vision of transforming the ceiling into the AI-powered brain of the home, enabling the all-in-one SKYX platform to deliver intelligence across six distinct domains, such as voice, audio, safety, environmental, behavioral, and predictive.
• Powers a secure, privacy-first cloud infrastructure leveraging NVIDIA's GPU and DPU technologies to process anonymized device data, enabling fleet-wide learning while ensuring enterprise-grade security and data protection.
• Supports the Company's long-term roadmap, including next-generation safety intelligence, computer vision, healthcare applications such as elderly monitoring and fall detection, and whole-home connectivity through Wi-Fi mesh extension, Matter protocol and capabilities.

Joining a global ecosystem of AI innovators leveraging NVIDIA technology, reinforcing SKYX's commitment to delivering the most intelligent and comprehensive smart home platform available.

SKYX Patented All-In-One Smart Home Platform and Hub

Khadija Mustafa, SKYX’s senior AI advisor and former global business and AI leader at Microsoft and G42, said; “This is a significant development that positions SKYX to lead the smart, safe home and AI solutions category. Since joining SKYX as Lead AI Advisor, our focus has been on expanding the company’s AI opportunities and capabilities. Aligning with NVIDIA and its programs was a top priority from the outset. NVIDIA’s Connect Program and broader AI ecosystem provide SKYX with meaningful advantages to accelerate innovation, strengthen differentiation, and lead the advanced smart and safe home segment. Combined with SKYX’s progress in home safety standardization, this collaboration has the potential to be truly game-changing for homes and buildings.”

Rani Kohen, founder and executive chairman of SKYX, said; “This is a significant and very exciting development for SKYX. The NVIDIA Program gives us a tremendous advantage toward our safe and smart home goal. Utilizing NVIDIA’s programs and the benefits of its Connect and AI ecosystem can be game changing for our Company and Shareholders.”   

For SKYX All-In-One Smart Platform and Hub Video Demo, click here.

About SKYX Platforms Corp.

As electricity is a standard in every home and building, our mission is to make homes and buildings become safe-advanced and smart as the new standard. SKYX has a series of highly disruptive advanced-safe-smart platform technologies, with over 97 U.S. and global patents and patent pending applications. Additionally, the Company owns over 60 lighting and home decor websites for both retail and commercial segments. Our technologies place an emphasis on high quality and ease of use, while significantly enhancing both safety and lifestyle in homes and buildings. We believe that our products are a necessity in every room in both homes and other buildings in the U.S. and globally.

SKYX’s technologies provide opportunities for recurring revenues through interchangeability, upgrades, AI services monitoring, and subscriptions. Company is focused on the “Razor & Blades” model and its product range includes its advanced ceiling electrical outlet (Razor) and its advance and smart home plug and play products (Blades) including its advance and smart home plug and play platform products, lighting, recessed lights, down lights, EXIT signs, emergency lights, ceiling fans, chandeliers/pendants, holiday/kids/themes lights, indoor/outdoor wall lights among other. Company’s plug and play technology enables an installation of lighting, fans, and smart home products in high-rise buildings and hotels within days rather than months.

Company’s total addressable market (TAM) in the U.S. is roughly $500 billion with over 4.2 billion ceiling applications in the U.S. alone. Expected revenue streams from retail and professional segments include product sales, royalties, licensing, subscription, monitoring, and sale of global country rights. For more information, visit www.skyplug.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this press release are not based on historical facts, but are forward-looking statements. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “can,” “could,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “evaluate,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “might,” “objective,” “ongoing,” “outlook,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “probable,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “target” “view,” “will,” or “would,” or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. These statements reflect the Company’s reasonable judgment with respect to future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which have outcomes difficult to predict and may be outside our control, that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include statements relating to the Company’s ability to successfully launch, commercialize, develop additional features and achieve market acceptance of its products and technologies and integrate its products and technologies with First-party platforms or technologies; the Company’s efforts and ability to drive the adoption of its products and technologies as a standard feature, including their use in homes, hotels, offices and cruise ships; the Company’s ability to capture market share; the Company’s estimates of its potential addressable market and demand for its products and technologies; the Company’s ability to raise additional capital to support its operations as needed, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all; the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern; the Company’s ability to execute on any sales and licensing or other strategic opportunities; the possibility that any of the Company’s products will become National Electrical Code (NEC)-code or otherwise code mandatory in any jurisdiction, or that any of the Company’s current or future products or technologies will be adopted by any state, country, or municipality, within any specific timeframe or at all; risks arising from mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and other collaborations; the Company’s ability to attract and retain key executives and qualified personnel; guidance provided by management, which may differ from the Company’s actual operating results; the potential impact of unstable market and economic conditions, including recent measures adopted by the federal government, on the Company’s business, financial condition, and stock price; and other risks and uncertainties described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. There can be no assurance as to any of the foregoing matters. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by U.S. federal securities laws.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Management considers earnings (loss) before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, as adjusted, an important indicator in evaluating the Company’s business on a consistent basis across various periods. Due to the significance of non-recurring items, EBITDA, as adjusted, enables management to monitor and evaluate the business on a consistent basis. The Company uses EBITDA, as adjusted, as a primary measure, among others, to analyze and evaluate financial and strategic planning decisions regarding future operating investments and potential acquisitions. The Company believes that EBITDA, as adjusted, eliminates items that are not part of the Company’s core operations, such as interest expense and amortization expense associated with intangible assets, or items that do not involve a cash outlay, such as share-based payments and non-recurring items, such as transaction costs. EBITDA, as adjusted, should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, pre-tax income (loss), net income (loss) and cash flows used in operating activities. This non-GAAP financial measure excludes significant expenses that are required by GAAP to be recorded in the Company’s financial statements and is subject to inherent limitations. Investors should review the reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure to the comparable GAAP financial measure. Investors should not rely on any single financial measure to evaluate the Company’s business.

Media Contact

Jeff Ramson
PCG Advisory
jramson@pcgadvisory.com