Newsroom

Empower Charleston is pleased to announce the launch of its 2026 Investment Grant Cycle and is now officially accepting applications from nonprofit organizations across the Tri-County region. Every two years, Empower Charleston brings together philanthropic leaders to collectively invest in high-impact nonprofit organizations poised for growth and creating meaningful change in the community.

The cycle will culminate at the Showcase of Nonprofits on October 22, 2026, at The Cedar Room in downtown Charleston, where selected finalists will present their work to the Charleston philanthropic community and may receive co-investments in addition to a two-year capacity-building grant.

Beyond financial support, Empower Charleston Partners provide hands-on engagement over two years, offering expertise in areas such as strategic planning, leadership development, governance, marketing, finance, and operational growth — helping organizations build sustainable capacity and expand their impact.

Empower Charleston is currently seeking innovative nonprofit organizations demonstrating measurable social impact and readiness to scale their work in the following focus areas:

Focus Areas

• Education
• Mental health and wellness
• Economic mobility

Application Deadline

Friday, March 13, 2026, at 5:00 PM.

“We look forward to learning more about the impactful work happening across our community and partnering with organizations committed to lasting change,” said Eric Thome, Advisory Board Chair of Empower Charleston.

For questions about the application process or eligibility, interested organizations are encouraged to reach out directly to Program Director Stirling Halversen at stirling@empowercharleston.org.

Apply Now: www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=ccfsc
Access Code: “EMPOWER26”

About Empower Charleston

Empower Charleston connects philanthropic leaders with nonprofit organizations to provide strategic funding, capacity-building support, and community connections that help nonprofits grow stronger, more sustainable, and more impactful across the Charleston region. For more information, visit empowercharleston.org.

Media Contact

Stirling Halversen
stirling@empowercharleston.org
+1 843-801-3072

Smart Energy Pay, an international infrastructure company focused on energy systems and digital payment architecture, has outlined its approach to the future of digital finance. The company states that long-term digital value should reflect measurable economic activity rather than market speculation. It argues that infrastructure, energy systems, and structured payment processes must work together to support digital transactions. This perspective positions energy as a central element in the development of the digital economy.

Digital Infrastructure Requires Reliable Energy Foundations

Digital platforms depend on physical infrastructure to operate. Every blockchain validation process requires electricity to power computational systems. Artificial intelligence workloads, cloud networks, and international payment systems also rely on stable energy supply. Without electrical energy, computational systems cannot function. Consequently, the digital economy cannot operate without consistent power infrastructure. This relationship places energy at the core of digital operations.

Despite this reality, many digital assets still receive attention mainly as tradable instruments. Market value often reflects sentiment and supply-demand dynamics rather than measurable economic output. This situation creates a structural gap between digital representation and physical production. In several cases, a direct connection between tokenized value and industrial activity remains limited.

Smart Energy Pay highlights the need to reconnect digital systems with real operational performance. The company believes measurable processes, such as energy generation and infrastructure activity, offer clearer reference points for digital validation.

Payment Architecture Moves Toward Real Economic Integration

Global infrastructure and energy projects operate across multiple jurisdictions and contractual frameworks. Payments within these projects often move between banks, operators, and contractors in complex settlement chains. Structured transparency becomes essential in these environments. Payment systems must support verification, compliance, and traceability across international operations.

According to Smart Energy Pay, payment infrastructure is evolving beyond basic transaction processing. It is becoming an operational layer that connects financial settlement with the moment economic activity occurs. This shift requires systems capable of validating performance events. These events may include energy production milestones, industrial output verification, or project completion stages.

Energy plays a practical role in this framework because it can be measured in real time. Energy production and consumption data can therefore support structured validation mechanisms. Such integration could support more transparent settlement models. It may also improve coordination between financial systems and industrial operations.

Smart Energy Pay Focuses on Infrastructure Instead of Market Speculation

Smart Energy Pay states that its infrastructure model focuses on operational functionality rather than speculative token value. The company integrates energy infrastructure, digital validation tools, and structured payment mechanisms within one system. The objective is to connect financial settlement processes with measurable performance data. This approach enables payments to correspond with verifiable operational events.

The company explains that speculative cycles frequently shape the digital asset market. However, infrastructure systems must operate independently from short-term price fluctuations. Industrial and infrastructure environments require predictable settlement structures. Systems that link payments with verified performance data may therefore become more relevant in these sectors.

Smart Energy Pay positions its infrastructure within this operational layer. The company aims to support payment systems that reflect measurable economic activity. This approach highlights the role of infrastructure in future digital finance models. It focuses on integrating physical processes with transparent settlement frameworks. The company states that the future of digital finance will depend on systems capable of supporting complex economic environments. Infrastructure, energy systems, and payment architecture must function together to support this development.

About Smart Energy Pay

Smart Energy Pay operates as part of Smart Energy Provider Ltd., an international technology and financial company headquartered in Hong Kong. The organization develops infrastructure that connects energy processes with digital validation and payment systems. Its ecosystem includes the proprietary Layer-1 blockchain, Smart Energy Chain, and the financial platform, Smart Energy Pays. The company aims to build globally deployable infrastructure capable of mapping industrial and energy processes into structured digital settlement environments. To learn more, visit www.smartenergypay.com and www.smartenergypays.io.

Disclaimer

This press release may contain forward-looking statements relating to Smart Energy Pay’s strategy, technology development, and views on the evolution of digital finance infrastructure. These statements reflect the company’s current expectations and assumptions and may involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes to differ materially. The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or legal advice.

Media Contact

Tahssin Asfour
media@smartenergypay.com

NeonNow has launched CX, an AI-first CX contact centre platform designed for roadside assistance and other mission-critical contact centres, including banking and finance, health, and government. The system helps emergency and roadside call centres detect distress faster, prioritise urgent cases, and reduce response times.

AI-Powered Emergency Detection and Prioritisation

The platform uses a combination of AI orchestration tools and sentiment analysis to identify stress, fear, or confusion in a caller's voice, even if they do not explicitly say they are in danger. Calls flagged as urgent are prioritised to human operators in real time, helping trained agents focus on genuine emergencies over routine service requests. NEONNOW also integrates GPS tools to locate callers who are unsure of their position, a common challenge on unfamiliar or remote roads.

"This technology supports rather than replaces human decision making," said Michael Powrie, founder of NeonNow. "Trained agents remain in control, but they now have real-time insights that help them cut through the noise during high-volume periods and identify the calls that need immediate attention."

The launch comes as Australia's road safety remains a major concern. Research indicates that prolonged emergency response times are strongly associated with higher mortality rates. Calls that take longer than 12 minutes to reach help are linked with significantly higher risks compared with responses under seven minutes. In practical terms, reducing response times by even a few minutes can make the difference between a manageable roadside incident and a life-threatening situation.

Advanced Features for Operational Efficiency

NeonNow's AI technology builds on Amazon Web Services infrastructure and incorporates automated call summarisation and compliance tracking, reducing administrative workload and speeding up reporting. It also enables predictive dispatch optimisation, which helps roadside assistance providers recommend the most suitable service provider based on location, availability, and past performance. Additionally, the system can deliver proactive customer alerts via SMS or app updates when service arrival times change, improving efficiency and reducing uncertainty for drivers.

Experts say faster emergency response is increasingly critical as traffic volumes grow and drivers travel across longer distances, often in remote areas. By integrating AI into the call process, NEONNOW allows human operators to focus on complex decisions while the system highlights callers who need immediate attention. This combination of technology and human expertise is intended to improve outcomes for both roadside service providers and the drivers they assist.

Data-Driven Insights for Long-Term Improvement

Beyond immediate response benefits, NeonNow believes that NEONNOW can help shape the future of roadside assistance in Australia. By capturing and analysing large volumes of call data, the system can identify trends, optimise resource allocation, and support continuous improvement in response strategies. According to Powrie, these insights can inform both operational planning and the development of additional AI-driven tools for the sector.

While the system is designed primarily for emergency prioritisation, it also enhances safety for routine roadside situations. Drivers unsure of their location, confused by vehicle issues, or concerned for personal safety can receive faster support because NEONNOW flags key indicators of distress for agents, even if the caller does not explicitly articulate the problem.

Faster response times and smarter triaging of calls are particularly important in remote areas where help may be further away. By providing real-time intelligence to human agents, NeonNow's AI-enabled system aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of roadside services across Australia.

"Reducing delays in emergency response is critical," said Powrie. "Even small improvements in how quickly help reaches someone can save lives, prevent injuries, and reduce stress for drivers and their families. NEONNOW is designed to provide those improvements while keeping trained operators in control of every decision."

About NeonNow

NeonNow is an AWS Advanced Tier Solution Provider and AWS Independent Software Vendor specialising in contact centre solutions. The company has achieved AWS Service Delivery Partner status and maintains 26 AWS certifications across its team of 15 accredited professionals. NeonNow has been recognised in Deloitte's Fast 500 APAC, the Financial Times APAC Fast 200, and as a finalist for AWS CX Partner of the Year. With a decade of AWS communications experience, NeonNow delivers NEONNOW, a comprehensive enhancement layer for Amazon Connect that brings enterprise-grade contact centre features to organisations of all sizes. NeonNow's solutions are available through the AWS Marketplace. For more information, visit www.neonnow.io.

Provident Polska S.A., a key subsidiary of International Personal Finance plc (IPF), has demonstrated significant operational momentum following the publication of the Group’s half-year 2025 (HY25) financial results. Provident Polska, which operates as a licensed payment institution offering specialized payment credit and credit cards, has played a central role in the Group’s reported 5.5% increase in pre-exceptional profit before tax to £49.9 million.

In Poland, the business has returned to a strong growth footing, delivering a 17% increase in customer lending at constant exchange rates. This performance is a cornerstone of the Group’s "Next Gen" strategy, which focuses on building products and channels to ensure propositions remain attractive to the next generation of customers.

Digital Innovation and Product Expansion

A milestone achievement for the Polish market in the first half of 2025 was the expansion of the credit card portfolio. Provident Polska reached 160,000 credit cards, supported by a fully digital offering launched during the period. The Group also noted strong demand for shorter-term products currently being trialled in the Polish market.

“We have delivered a strong first-half performance with financial results ahead of our internal plan,” said Gerard Ryan, CEO of IPF. “This was driven by high demand for our portfolio of credit products, excellent credit quality, and a continued focus on cost discipline. Our ‘Next Gen’ strategy is delivering good progress, and we are continuing to invest in our digital transformation to meet the evolving needs of our customers.”

Key Financial and Operational Performance

The HY25 results highlight several critical benchmarks from the report:

• Lending Growth: Poland’s 17% increase in customer lending contributed to a Group-wide 11% rise in customer lending.
• Credit Quality: The Group annualised impairment rate improved to 8.3% (from 10.5% in H1-24), reflecting a resilient portfolio and strong repayment performance.
• Digital Transformation: The expansion of customer apps and mobile wallets continues to drive improved customer experience and high Net Promoter Scores.
• Receivables Growth: Group receivables grew by 12%, with European home credit contributing £502 million to the closing net receivables.

Capital Strength and Outlook

The Group maintains a robust funding position with total debt facilities of £650 million and £92 million in headroom. This capital strength underpins plans for continued growth and a progressive dividend policy, with the interim dividend increasing by 11.8% to 3.8p per share.

Data references from the HY25 Presentation:

• Profit and dividend data: Slides 3 & 13.
• Poland lending growth (17%) and Group lending (11%): Slide 10.
• Credit card volumes and digital launch: Slide 6.
• Impairment and credit quality: Slide 12.
• Digital strategy and mobile wallet: Slide 7.
• Gerard Ryan quote: Half Yearly Report

About Provident Polska

Provident Polska S.A. is part of the IPF Group, a leading international provider of consumer credit. Throughout 29 years of operations in the Polish market, the company has served millions of people, focusing on ethical lending, digital transformation, and prioritizing financial inclusion alongside sustainable returns. For more information, visit www.provident.pl.

Media Contact

Karolina Łuczak
karolina.luczak@provident.pl
+48 668 313 014

Rachel Moran
rachel.moran@ipfin.co.uk
+44 7760 167637

There’s no shortage of tools that will tell a law firm whether ChatGPT mentioned their name. But generic citation data outlining where a firm shows up in answer engines doesn’t tell them which prompts they should be cited in, where they’re ranking for their targeted prompts, or how to capture more leads from AI platforms.

Custom Legal Marketing’s AI Monitor, one of the many tools in its Sequoia Platform, has been running since October 2025. The beta version, which a dozen of CLM’s law firms were plugged into for testing, initially supported Google AI Overviews, Perplexity, and ChatGPT.

For Custom Legal Marketing’s law firm answer engine optimization services, the team needed a platform that shows firms exactly where they’re strong, where they’re invisible, and what to do about the gaps, at scale. The law firms that CLM plugged into the system in October are already seeing results.

CLM’s AI tool has helped their team close citation gaps for Chicago car accident lawyers Briskman Briskman & Greenberg.

In just four months after integrating Sommers Schwartz into the AI Monitor, the Detroit medical malpractice law firm saw a 107% increase in leads from ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, and Claude.

Three months after CLM enrolled Atlanta estate planning firm Slowik Estate Planning into the platform, attorney Jake Slowik said of a new signed client, “One of my leads from ChatGPT represented everything that I look for in the perfect client.”

The success stories across the sample follow these same metrics of more citations, more answer-engine traffic, and higher lead quality.

Jason Bland, Custom Legal Marketing co-founder and CEO, expressed excitement about the early results: “The reason we launched Sequoia is because we needed an active platform that gets results. If a tool is telling us how often a law firm is ranking but isn’t giving our team the insights to outperform the firms with the highest citation share, it’s worthless. The first version of the AI Monitor delivered some nice results, and now that we’ve done this massive upgrade, we’re expecting historic improvements over the next quarter.”

A Growth Platform, Not a Scoreboard

The piece that separates this from a monitoring tool is what happens after the data comes in. The CLM AI Monitor doesn’t just report problems. It generates prioritized recommendations based on what it finds, leaning heavily on CLM’s proprietary research database.

If a firm is absent from a platform, the system looks at which sources that platform tends to cite and identifies where the firm is missing, maybe they’re not listed on a directory that Gemini leans on heavily, or they don’t have the kind of comparison content that Google AI Mode favors. Those gaps become specific action items: get listed here, publish this type of content, pursue this PR opportunity. A GEO Audit pulls all of it into a structured report that maps out the firm’s competitive position across the entire AI search landscape and lays out a concrete path forward.

Since the AI Monitor lives inside the Sequoia Platform, answer engine optimization insights feed action items directly to other departments, like LinkOps, so the SEO and AEO objectives stay in sync and work for one another.

Bridging Answer Engine Optimization with Real Leads

If a firm is being cited and featured in AI chatbots but not getting phone calls, then all that hard work building content and authority is essentially being monetized by the AI platforms with no value back to the firm. Marketing dollars are about leads and cases.

The new AI Impact Score was built around that question. It’s a 0–100 number that blends visibility with what actually happens downstream. What percentage of a firm’s organic web traffic is now coming from AI sources? Of those visitors, how many convert into a phone call or a form fill? A firm with moderate visibility but a high conversion rate will score differently than one that shows up everywhere but generates nothing from it. Different scores lead to different recommendations — one firm needs more exposure, the other needs better landing pages.

Behind the score is a full attribution chain that lays out every step: AI mention, source citation, website visit, conversion. It breaks down by platform, so a firm can see that ChatGPT mentions are driving calls at twice the rate of Perplexity mentions, or that Google AI Mode traffic has the highest form-fill rate. That kind of detail changes how you allocate effort. 

It was important to Bland that the AI Impact Score bring real value to the platform, maintain a transparent audit chain, and serve as a metric that correlates with real-world performance. The ups and downs of the AI Impact Score are designed to mirror those of citations and leads. Bland has been publicly vocal about his disdain for vanity metrics, calling them "a waste of time and a distraction from effective law firm marketing" — so the AI Impact Score had to prove its worth before being pushed to the new AI Monitor upgrade.

Why Law Firms Can’t Ignore Answer Engine Optimization

When someone asks an AI assistant to recommend a personal injury lawyer or walks through what to do after an accident, the response names two or three firms. The firms in that answer are reaching someone at the exact moment they need help, and since most recommendations come after a series of issue-related prompts, the chatbot is essentially acting as a lead qualifier.

AI search share is growing fast, and the firms that figure out how to show up consistently now — and can prove it’s translating into calls — are going to be very difficult to displace once these platforms settle into their recommendation patterns.

What Else Shipped in the AI Monitor Upgrade

A prompt research tool that generates relevant AI queries to track based on the firm’s practice areas, so nobody’s guessing which questions to monitor. Sentiment tracking across all seven platforms, so firms know not just whether they’re mentioned but how they’re described. Spreadsheet exports are now available system-wide to connect the data to platforms not yet natively supported by Sequoia. And prompt tagging that lets teams slice data by practice area, office, or campaign. 

About Custom Legal Marketing

Custom Legal Marketing is a law firm marketing agency built for how clients actually find lawyers today. Founded in 2005, CLM combines award-winning creative and has a proprietary purpose-built AI platform, Sequoia, to help law firms stand out, get chosen, and grow in an increasingly competitive digital landscape. For more information, visit custom.legal. 

Media Contact

Jason Bland
Custom Legal Marketing
contact@customlegalmarketing.com
+1 800-789-6451

JewBelong, a nonprofit organization known for public awareness campaigns addressing antisemitism, said a recent advertising campaign on New York City taxi tops was removed before its scheduled end date. The campaign was launched amid an increase in antisemitic incidents in New York City. According to NYPD data cited by JewBelong, antisemitic incidents rose 182% last month compared with the same period a year earlier.

The campaign, which launched January 14, 2026, featured digital ads on taxi toppers across the city and was scheduled to run through March 10. According to the organization, the message displayed on the taxi toppers read: “Not gonna hide my Jewish star for a free bus ride.” The campaign used sharp, satirical language to underscore a more serious point: the compromises many Jews feel pressured to make about visibility and identity amid rising antisemitism. JewBelong said the ads were taken down the day after a New York Post article about the campaign appeared.

JewBelong co-founder Archie Gottesman said the campaign was intended to raise awareness about the experiences of Jewish individuals amid rising antisemitism.

“Why are Jewish voices being silenced in New York City at the very moment antisemitism is surging?” Gottesman said. “Our taxi campaign was created to start a conversation about the compromises many Jews feel pressured to make about visibility and identity. Pulling it sends a troubling message about when speaking out against hate becomes uncomfortable.”

Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), also commented on the issue.

“If acknowledging that Jewish New Yorkers sometimes feel compelled to hide visible symbols of their identity is considered controversial, that should alarm all of us,” Greenblatt said. “The problem isn’t the billboard. The problem is the climate that made the message resonate in the first place.” 

JewBelong said it plans to continue its awareness efforts through additional outdoor advertising. The organization is working with another outdoor advertising agency and has two new billboards that were installed this week in Brooklyn and Queens with the messages “Standing against antisemitism is standing with America” and “An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us.” The billboards, in collaboration with Larry Huch Ministries, are expected to remain in place for one year.

About JewBelong

JewBelong is a nonprofit organization and online platform focused on making Judaism accessible and welcoming to people at all stages of their Jewish journey. Since 2021, the organization has also produced national billboard and digital campaigns aimed at raising public awareness about antisemitism. Its campaigns have appeared in 42 states and are designed to reach broad audiences beyond the Jewish community. According to the organization, independent research conducted in 2025 found that JewBelong’s billboard campaigns increased awareness and prompted discussion about antisemitism among non-Jewish audiences. For more information, visit www.jewbelong.com.

Media Contact

Jenny McIntosh
Senior Consultant, JewBelong
jmcintosh@kruppagency.com

Galaxy Corporation, a Korea-based AI entertainment technology company, said Bob McCooey, vice chairman of Nasdaq, visited its headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on March 4 to review the company’s business strategy and discuss its potential path toward a U.S. listing. The visit comes as Galaxy Corporation highlights recent revenue growth, a return to profitability, and its expansion of an “enter-tech” business model combining entertainment intellectual property with AI and robotics.

During the visit, Galaxy Corporation presented its growth strategy, business structure, and long-term vision as it explores opportunities in global capital markets. The company described the meeting as part of its ongoing efforts to engage with international financial institutions and strengthen its profile with global investors.

Galaxy Corporation reported KRW 126.0 billion in revenue for the first half of 2025, representing more than 200% year-on-year growth, and said it returned to profitability during the same period. The company also said market expectations for full-year 2025 revenue exceed KRW 300.0 billion. These figures were presented by the company as indicators of its expanding scale and business momentum.

Positioning itself beyond the model of a conventional entertainment company, Galaxy Corporation said its strategy centers on an “enter-tech” approach that integrates IP, AI, and robotics. The company stated that this structure is designed to connect content creation, technology platforms, and commercial expansion, with the goal of building a more scalable business model and reducing dependence on any single content asset.

Actor Song Kang-ho, one of the company’s affiliated artists, attended the visit. Galaxy Corporation said its artist and creator network, including Song Kang-ho and G-Dragon, forms an important part of its business portfolio alongside its technology-driven initiatives.

According to the company, McCooey showed interest in Galaxy Corporation’s AI-based K-POP robot project and its virtual IP strategy. The company’s “More (The Day After Tomorrow)” project was introduced as a culture-and-technology platform exploring the coexistence of humans and digital beings, reflecting Galaxy Corporation’s efforts to develop new forms of entertainment experiences.

Galaxy Corporation said the meeting provided an opportunity to present its competitiveness as a Korea-based entertainment technology company and to further its dialogue with global capital market participants as it evaluates future listing options.

About GALAXY Corp

Galaxy Corporation is a Korea-based AI entertainment technology company developing an “enter-tech” business model that combines entertainment IP, AI, robotics, and platform-based commercialization. For more information, visit www.galaxyuniverse.ai. 

Media Contact

Seok Jonghoon
wisdom@galaxyuniverse.ai

Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology Co., Ltd. (Zoomlion) is presenting its latest construction machinery adapted for North American working conditions at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026, demonstrating the company's expanding footprint and long-term strategy in the Americas.

The exhibition, held at the Las Vegas Convention Center from March 3–7, features Zoomlion's diverse portfolio of high-end intelligent products including engineering cranes, concrete machinery, earthmoving equipment, mining machinery, and construction hoisting machinery, as well as digital construction solutions.

Tan Ruxu, deputy general manager of Zoomlion's overseas company and head of the Americas region, said the company is seeing recovering market confidence and growing acceptance of Chinese-branded equipment among North American customers, particularly in new energy and intelligent machinery segments.

Zoomlion is pursuing a differentiated approach in the mature North American market through its end-to-end direct sales model, with local subsidiaries established in key countries. The company operates assembly facilities in Wisconsin, as well as manufacturing plants in Brazil and Mexico, supported by its North American R&D center and Milwaukee operations base.

"Entering a mature market requires patience and long-term strategic commitment," Tan said. "Our goal is to build localized service networks and provide complete solutions that meet diverse regional needs, from Canada's harsh winters to varied mining applications across the Americas."

Zoomlion has participated in CONEXPO for seven consecutive editions, using the platform to reinforce its commitment to the Americas through localized operations and comprehensive service offerings. The company expects the region to become a significant revenue driver in the coming years as its investments mature.

Headquartered in Changsha, China, Zoomlion is one of the world's leading construction machinery manufacturers, with products sold in over 170 countries and regions.

NOWPayments, a crypto payment gateway supporting over 350 digital assets, today announced two major product enhancements designed to help merchants increase revenue and expand their customer reach: a performance-based affiliate program upgrade and the integration of global fiat-to-crypto provider Banxa.

Both updates are aimed at improving merchant acquisition and conversion efficiency within the crypto payments ecosystem.

Performance-Based Affiliate Model Drives Merchant Growth

NOWPayments has introduced a tiered affiliate structure that enables partners to earn higher commission rates based on the number of referred merchants and the transaction volume those merchants generate. The upgraded model aligns incentives with long-term performance, allowing high-performing affiliates to scale earnings proportionally to the value they bring to the ecosystem.

By strengthening its affiliate infrastructure, NOWPayments aims to accelerate merchant acquisition while rewarding sustained contribution to platform growth.

Banxa Integration Expands Checkout Conversion

In parallel, NOWPayments has integrated Banxa, a global fiat-to-crypto infrastructure provider, enabling end users to purchase cryptocurrency directly at checkout.

With this integration:

• Customers can pay using fiat even if they do not already hold crypto.
• Merchants continue receiving cryptocurrency directly into their wallets.

This removes friction for first-time crypto users while preserving the non-custodial settlement model preferred by many digital businesses. The addition of a seamless fiat on-ramp is expected to improve checkout conversion rates and broaden access to crypto payments across new user segments.

About NOWPayments

NOWPayments is a crypto payment gateway that enables businesses worldwide to accept digital assets through API-first infrastructure. The platform offers multi-chain support, recurring billing, mass payouts, and conversion tools tailored to online businesses operating in Web3 and digital commerce environments. For more information, visit nowpayments.io.

Today, UL Solutions executive John Genovesi joined GrayMatter's board of directors. GrayMatter, based near Pittsburgh, Pa., is a leader in industrial intelligence and digital transformation. Genovesi is executive vice president and president of Software and Advisory at UL Solutions, a global leader in applied safety science.

The appointment, supported by GrayMatter's investment partner Tailwind Capital, marks a significant milestone in the company's accelerated growth strategy. Genovesi brings more than 30 years of senior leadership experience across automation, industrial software and advanced digital technologies. At UL Solutions, he leads global strategy for a suite of Software-as-a-Service and advisory offerings that strengthen supply chain transparency, sustainability and operational performance for enterprise customers.

Before joining UL Solutions, Genovesi served as chief operating officer of Adapdix, an edge AI startup pioneering autonomous manufacturing. He also spent three decades at Rockwell Automation, where he held multiple executive roles, including executive vice president of enterprise accounts and software. His career has centered on building global teams, scaling cutting edge software businesses and driving high-stakes enterprise transformation.

A Natural Fit for GrayMatter's Innovation Chapter

Genovesi's background aligns seamlessly with GrayMatter's mission to modernize and digitize industrial operations. His experience spans enterprise software strategy, go-to-market excellence and large-scale, digital execution, which are core areas fueling GrayMatter's next stage of growth.

"John and I go back many years, and I've always admired the way he blends strategy and deep technical understanding," said Paul Galeski, CEO and executive chairman of GrayMatter. "He has this rare ability to help organizations see what's possible, and then actually make it happen. Bringing him onto the GrayMatter Board isn't just a strategic decision; it's a personal privilege. He's someone I trust, respect, and genuinely enjoy partnering with."

GrayMatter investment partner Tailwind Capital emphasized the value of Genovesi's industry perspective and leadership.

"John's track record of scaling complex technology businesses is unmatched," said Tailwind Partner Andrew Mayer. "His insights will play an important role as GrayMatter continues expanding its intelligent operations platform and delivering new value to customers."

Genovesi on Joining the GrayMatter Board

"I'm excited to join the GrayMatter board and reconnect with Paul and the team during such a high momentum phase," Genovesi said. "GrayMatter has always been a true Thinkers and Doers organization, one that listens carefully to operators, applies experience with humility, and focuses relentlessly on outcomes. I look forward to supporting the mission and helping drive what comes next."

About GrayMatter

At GrayMatter, smart thinking meets decisive doing. We’re the Thinkers and Doers who transform industrial operations into clarity, uncovering intelligence hidden in clipboards, legacy systems, and human memory. We partner with driven clients to deliver outcomes that matter — fueled by curiosity, grounded in community, and committed to shared success. From the plant floor to the boardroom, we help organizations think smarter and do better — by listening to the machines they already trust. For more information, visit graymattersystems.com.

Media Contact

Jeremy Boren
jboren@graymattersystems.com
+1 877-741-2410

Immigrant Invest has issued a statement clarifying Malta's investor migration framework after the country revised its citizenship legislation and discontinued its citizenship for exceptional services by direct investment route in 2025. The company outlined what the reform means in practice, which legal pathways remain available, and how high-net-worth individuals should reassess their long-term planning under the updated rules.

Legal Context and Implications for Applicants

In April 2025, Malta discontinued its citizenship for exceptional services by direct investment, which had allowed applicants to obtain citizenship after making an economic contribution and completing a residence period of 1 or 3 years.

The move followed increased scrutiny at the European Union level and broader discussions about whether investor citizenship schemes align with EU law and principles. European institutions questioned the link between financial investment and access to EU citizenship rights.

"Citizenship and residency frameworks operate within national law, and governments may amend or discontinue them," said Vladlena Baranova, head of legal and AML compliance at Immigrant Invest. "Such changes affect eligibility criteria and timelines, influencing long-term planning for high-net-worth individuals."

Lawful Residence Alternatives

Although the citizenship route was discontinued, Malta continues to operate residence-based frameworks and allows citizenship by merit under national law. These pathways remain available to qualified applicants, subject to specific legal requirements.

• Permanent Residence Option: The Malta Permanent Residence Programme, MPRP, allows non-EU nationals to live in Malta indefinitely but does not impose residency requirements to maintain the status. The required investment starts at €169,000. The MPRP does not grant citizenship later, but it offers long-term stability in Malta and access to the Schengen Area for travel.
• Tax Residence Framework: The Malta Global Residence Programme, or MGRP, is structured differently. It focuses on obtaining tax residence status and requires the payment of an annual tax of €15,000 or more. In addition, applicants make investments which, combined with the tax payment, amount to approximately €30,000. The MGRP suits individuals who divide their time between jurisdictions and prioritise tax residence rather than permanent settlement.
• Merit-Based Citizenship: In addition to residence routes, Malta maintains a citizenship framework based on merit. This pathway is discretionary and reserved for individuals who demonstrate an outstanding contribution or service to the country in areas such as innovation, culture, or the public interest. Malta citizenship by merit is not a programme and should not be viewed as a replacement for the former framework.

"Permanent residence, tax residence, and merit-based citizenship serve different purposes and lead to different legal outcomes," added Baranova. "Understanding these differences helps investors align their objectives with the appropriate legal status."

About Immigrant Invest

Immigrant Invest is an investment migration consultancy advising high-net-worth individuals in accordance with applicable national laws. The company provides guidance on residence and citizenship options across Europe and follows a compliance-first approach. The legal team monitors legislative and regulatory updates to ensure clients receive accurate and up-to-date information. For more information, visit imin-malta.com.

Media Contact

Vladlena Baranova
digital@immigrantinvest.com
+356 2033 0178

A striking waterfront residence inside the exclusive Wild Dunes community is bringing together two of Charleston’s most coveted coastal lifestyles — deepwater Intracoastal boating and walkable ocean access. Located at 27 Waterway Island Drive, the home sits along one of the most desirable stretches of Isle of Palms, where panoramic waterway views, dock access, and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean create a rare combination seldom available in Charleston real estate.

Positioned along the Intracoastal Waterway, the residence was designed with an inverted floor plan, placing the main living areas and primary suite on the upper level to capture sweeping water views and coastal light throughout the day. Expansive windows and multiple levels of porches frame the surrounding marsh and waterway landscape, while the home’s elevated design enhances privacy and maximizes views across the water.

Listing agent Bryan Crabtree describes Isle of Palms — and particularly Wild Dunes — as one of the most distinctive coastal environments in the region.

“Isle of Palms has always been one of the most special coastal communities in Charleston, but Wild Dunes offers something even more unique — a balance of privacy, resort amenities, and natural beauty that is increasingly difficult to find anywhere on the East Coast,” Crabtree said.

The property’s outdoor living spaces are designed to fully embrace the Lowcountry waterfront lifestyle. Just beyond the home, a sparkling in-ground pool and spa overlook the Intracoastal Waterway, creating a private retreat for entertaining or relaxing while watching boats pass along the waterway. Mature coastal landscaping and elevated terraces provide both privacy and expansive sightlines across the water.

Beyond the pool deck, a deepwater dock with boat lift extends into the Intracoastal, offering immediate access to boating, fishing, and exploring the surrounding waterways. From here, owners can easily navigate north toward Bulls Bay and the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge or south toward Charleston Harbor.

According to Crabtree, the ability to combine boating access with proximity to the ocean is exceptionally rare in Charleston.

“Homes that are just steps from the Atlantic Ocean are rare enough, but when you combine that with a private deepwater dock on the Intracoastal Waterway, you’re talking about a location that almost never becomes available. Buyers are essentially getting two waterfront lifestyles in one property,” he said.

The home itself offers spacious interiors designed for both everyday living and entertaining. A welcoming entry opens into warm coastal interiors with hardwood floors, custom millwork, and large windows that bring the surrounding landscape inside. The main living level features generous gathering spaces oriented toward the water, creating a natural connection between indoor living and the surrounding coastal environment.

Flanking the main living areas are two identical oversized office suites overlooking the water, versatile spaces that could easily function as reading rooms, sunrooms, creative studios, or plant-filled retreats — each capturing expansive water views.

Additional features throughout the home include a three-stop elevator serving all levels, a 5.5-car garage with tandem bays, a fully conditioned workshop, and a spacious conditioned cedar closet designed for off-season wardrobe storage. These rarely found amenities add both practicality and luxury to the home’s coastal design.

Yet what ultimately defines the property is its setting within Wild Dunes and its relationship to the surrounding natural environment. From the home, residents can easily walk to the Atlantic shoreline, enjoying miles of beach just moments away.

“For many Charleston buyers, the ultimate coastal location is the ability to walk to the beach while keeping a boat behind the house. Properties that offer both are extraordinarily limited, which is why homes like this tend to be held for generations,” Crabtree explained.

Wild Dunes itself remains one of the Lowcountry’s premier resort communities, offering championship golf courses, tennis facilities, private beach access, and miles of scenic walking and biking trails. At the same time, the community maintains a sense of quiet seclusion — an increasingly rare quality along the rapidly growing South Carolina coast.

For Crabtree, the home captures the essence of Charleston coastal living.

“This home captures everything people dream about when they think of Charleston coastal living — boating at sunset, quiet mornings overlooking the waterway, and the ocean just a short walk away. It’s a lifestyle that is becoming increasingly difficult to replicate anywhere along the Southeast coast,” he said.

With its combination of deepwater access, ocean proximity, expansive outdoor living, and thoughtfully designed interiors, 27 Waterway Island Drive represents one of the most compelling waterfront opportunities currently available on Isle of Palms.

About Bryan Crabtree Real Estate

Bryan Crabtree is a Charleston, South Carolina real estate broker and Realtor® with Indigo Oak | Christie’s International Real Estate, serving Charleston and Mount Pleasant. He specializes in luxury homes, historic properties, golf communities, and waterfront real estate across the Lowcountry. Crabtree works with both local and relocating buyers and sellers. For more information, visit www.therealestateexperts.com.

Disclaimer

Real estate services provided by Bryan Crabtree, realtor and real estate broker with Indigo Oak | Christie’s International Real Estate, Charleston, South Carolina. This release is for informational purposes and is not intended as a solicitation where prohibited by law.

Media Contact

Bryan Crabtree
Real Estate Broker, IndigoOak | Christie's International Real Estate
bcrabtreeiphone@gmail.com
+1 843-343-4141

Bank of the Lowcountry welcomes Tracy L. Searson as the newest member of their Charleston team. Tracy has joined the Ravenel branch as the company’s newest vice president and commercial relationship manager.

Chase Talbert, executive vice president and market president for Charleston, is “excited to welcome Tracy to the team as we expand our presence in the Ravenel Market.” He noted that “with her deep roots in the community and 30-plus years of banking experience, Tracy brings valuable insight and leadership. Her arrival comes after the Ravenel branch’s renovation, strengthening the bank’s commitment to serving the growing community."

“I am grateful for the opportunity to assist the St. Paul’s community and support their financial needs,” added Tracy. “I look forward to making a positive impact on Bank of the Lowcountry’s team, its clients, and our community.”  

As the company’s second location, the Ravenel branch of Bank of the Lowcountry has been serving its community and neighbors for over 25 years. With the building’s new renovation and Tracy’s addition to the team, Bank of the Lowcountry is reinforcing its commitment to provide excellent, responsive service to the Ravenel community and the surrounding area. From deposit accounts to loan products, Tracy and the rest of the Ravenel team are determined to meet the needs of the community as growth and development continue to bloom in the lowcountry.

About Bank of the Lowcountry

Based in Walterboro, Bank of the Lowcountry provides a variety of traditional and online banking solutions to meet the needs of customers throughout the Lowcountry. Find out more at BankLowcountry.com and follow Bank of the Lowcountry on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Media Contact

Samantha Murdaugh
communication@banklowcountry.com

Andreozzi + Foote, together with Florida-based co-counsel Horowitz Law, has filed a civil lawsuit in the Circuit Court of the Tenth Judicial Circuit in Highlands County on behalf of five women who allege they were sexually assaulted at a Sebring healthcare practice operated by physician Dr. Jorge Zeledon.

Since August 2025, authorities have filed multiple criminal charges against Dr. Zeledon in separate cases involving allegations from more than a dozen individuals. Those criminal proceedings are separate from this civil lawsuit, which involves allegations brought by five women and examines whether responsible parties failed to protect patients.

The lawsuit names Kidney and Internal Medicine Specialist of Central Florida, Jorge I. Zeledon, MD, PA, and Marta E. Arango-Zeledon, his wife, as defendants. Jorge I. Zeledon, MD, PA is a professional association through which Dr. Zeledon operated his medical practice. The lawsuit alleges that these entities breached their duty of care to the plaintiffs by ultimately failing to protect them from sexual battery by Dr. Zeledon.

According to the complaint, four of the plaintiffs, identified by pseudonyms to protect their privacy, allege they were subjected to medically unnecessary and non-consensual sexual touching by the physician during routine examinations at the practice located at 6801 Highway 27 North, Suite C3, in Sebring, Florida.

One plaintiff alleges that once, while she accompanied her father to his appointments with Dr. Zeledon, the doctor put her hand on her back and then buttocks. According to the suit, she did not allow her father to see him again, fearing she would be groped at future appointments.

Several plaintiffs allege repeated incidents occurring across multiple appointments; one alleges inappropriate touching spanning from August 2019 to November 2023. According to the lawsuit, this sexual misconduct did not arise from any diagnosis or treatment.

The complaint further alleges that Dr. Zeledon engaged in similar unwanted sexual conduct with other female patients. It also alleges that his wife, who worked for the practice, knew or should have known that he was unfit to continue treating patients and failed to intervene, report the conduct, or protect patients, despite being directly informed of sexual assault and harassment allegations before the plaintiffs’ abuse ended.

Civil Lawsuit Alleges Liability

The lawsuit asserts claims of vicarious liability and direct liability against Kidney and Internal Medicine Specialist of Central Florida and Jorge I. Zeledon, MD, PA, alleging the entities are legally responsible for misconduct that occurred within the scope of the physician’s role at the practice and that, because of his role as a managing partner, Dr. Zeledon’s actions are indistinguishable from those of the practice.

In addition, the lawsuit brings a claim for negligent retention and supervision against the practice entities and Marta E. Arango-Zeledon, the wife of Dr. Zeledon. The defendants owed the patients a duty of reasonable care, and they knew, or should have known, that Zeledon was unfit, dangerous, and a threat to the safety and welfare of women entrusted to him for medical services, according to the suit.

The complaint further alleges that there were multiple prior complaints of sexual misconduct involving Dr. Zeledon, including reports made to law enforcement and/or the Florida Department of Health.

Due to their psychological, emotional, and physical injuries resulting from the alleged misconduct, plaintiffs seek compensatory damages. They are also requesting a jury trial.

“Patients place immense trust in the physicians who treat them,” Benjamin Andreozzi, partner, Andreozzi + Foote, said. “This lawsuit alleges that Dr. Zeledon abused that trust and used his position within his own medical practice to harm patients. Civil litigation provides a way to examine his conduct and pursue accountability.”

Attorneys representing the women believe additional individuals have experienced similar conduct and encourage anyone with information or concerns to come forward. Individuals seeking a free and confidential consultation may contact Andreozzi + Foote at info@vca.law.

About Andreozzi + Foote

Andreozzi + Foote is one of the nation’s leading sexual abuse law firms with a history of representing survivors in cases against large and powerful organizations including Penn State University, the Boy Scouts of America, and the Catholic Church. The trauma-informed Pennsylvania-based sexual abuse lawyers at Andreozzi + Foote are committed to obtaining life-changing results for victims and their families. Managing Partner Ben Andreozzi hosts "Justice Interrupted," a podcast that gives survivors of child abuse and their advocates a national platform. For more information, visit www.victimscivilattorneys.com.

Media Contact

Maria Smith
Andreozzi + Foote
marias@vca.law
+1 717-807-5808

Great Lakes Engineering Group celebrated over two decades of bridge infrastructure services, reflecting on its growth while advocating for safer bridges nationwide. Founder and President Amy Trahey, P.E., reflected on the milestone to highlight the growing urgency of strengthening bridge safety and infrastructure planning across the United States.

America’s infrastructure is aging faster than it is being renewed, a reality that civil engineers have been documenting for years. According to an article published in The New York Times, the average bridge is over 40 years old, and about 42,000 of them are structurally deficient. The American Road & Transportation Builders Association has similarly reported that roughly one in three U.S. bridges requires repair and replacement. Trahey insists that these figures are a reflection of the mounting exposure to risk across transportation networks that millions rely on daily.

Great Lakes Engineering Group works within that pressure point. The Michigan-based firm specializes in bridge design, structural inspections, underwater engineering, and complex infrastructure evaluations. Trahey believes the industry’s core challenge lies in sustained prioritization.

“We have been putting duct tape on structural problems for decades,” she says. “If the deck is failing, if corrosion is reducing load capacity, if joints are compromised, you address the root cause. You don’t patch it and defer the real solution to the next funding cycle.”

Trahey believes fragmented funding models contribute significantly to the problem. She points out that transportation funds are often drawn from gas taxes, general funds, and periodic allocations. In her view, this could create uncertainty that makes long-term capital planning difficult. Furthermore, Trahey has observed that when it comes to funding allocation, infrastructure often gets treated as a line item rather than a foundational system.

“Everyone wants strong schools, reliable healthcare, and emergency services, and those are essential,” she says. “But infrastructure connects all of it. Close one bridge, and a 10-minute commute becomes a 40-minute detour. School buses would reroute, emergency response times might stretch, and communities would feel it immediately.”

With that complexity in mind, Trahey highlights that the consequences of postponed maintenance can compound over time. She points to a condition-rating framework often prevalent within agencies, which categorizes structures as good, fair, or poor. Without sustained intervention, she insists, fair structures can slide into poor condition while previously sound assets deteriorate. “By the time you fix the worst structures, the next tier has already declined. It becomes a cycle that is financially and operationally exhausting,” she explains.

The Federal Highway Administration has reported that preventive maintenance can be a cost-effective means of extending the service life of bridges, reinforcing Trahey’s argument that early investment can yield measurable long-term savings. She believes lifecycle cost analysis should guide decision-making more consistently than short-term budget relief. “If you were building your own home, you would design the foundation correctly, inspect it, and use quality materials,” she says. “Infrastructure deserves that same dedication because families are traveling over it every day.”

Safety concerns extend beyond the traveling public to the workers who maintain these systems. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports thousands of work zone injuries annually, a figure that underscores the risk faced by inspectors and construction workers. Trahey believes stronger protective measures and clearer accountability are imperative. As Trahey shares, “Construction professionals deserve more than minimal barriers and hope. If enhanced protective systems reduce exposure to traffic hazards, they should be prioritized. Accountability cannot wait for tragedy.”

Trahey also highlights workforce capacity as another structural challenge, even in the availability of funding. She argues that experienced engineers and certified inspectors aren’t domestically available in large numbers, and reliance on outsourcing complex structural analysis abroad may introduce inconsistencies in standards and oversight. “You should trust technical advisors who understand the regulatory environment and who live with the consequences of their work,” she says.

To address systemic gaps, Trahey supports dedicated transportation funding, expanded public-private partnerships, and user-fee models such as tolls that align infrastructure usage with revenue generation. She believes stable funding enables agencies to plan proactively. “There has to be an injection of sustained investment. You cannot design, inspect, and rehabilitate critical infrastructure on uncertainty,” she says.

Civil engineering, she notes, has always evolved in response to lessons learned. Within that context, she believes the next phase must strengthen regulatory and financial frameworks with equal emphasis. While temporary solutions may ease immediate budget pressures, Trahey argues that they shift greater costs to the future and, in doing so, jeopardize long-term safety. That precariousness, in her view, needs to be addressed with sustained investment and effective leadership willing to treat infrastructure as essential, not optional.

“No one should question whether a bridge is safe when they cross it,” she says. “If we are doing our job correctly, the public never has to think about their safety being at risk every time they drive over a bridge.”

About Great Lakes Engineering Group

Great Lakes Engineering Group (GL Engineering) is a civil and structural engineering firm specializing in bridge-related infrastructure services. Founded by Amy Trahey, P.E. in 2000, the company provides bridge design, inspection and scoping, underwater inspections, and construction engineering services for public agencies and private clients. The firm has worked on projects at the state, county, and municipal levels, supporting the planning, evaluation, and maintenance of transportation infrastructure. GL Engineering emphasizes technical quality, professional development, and innovative problem solving to deliver efficient, cost-effective engineering solutions. For more information, visit glengineering.com.

Media Contact

Amy Trahey
info@glengineering.com

Gene Saunders, founder and chief executive officer of Project Lifesaver International, has been named one of CIO Today’s "Top 5 Most Influential Business Visionaries to Follow in 2026." The recognition highlights his leadership in public safety innovation and his role in transforming search-and-rescue operations through technology-driven solutions.

Recognition for Public Safety Innovation

The honor underscores Mr. Saunders’ decades-long commitment to improving outcomes for vulnerable individuals prone to wandering due to cognitive conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, autism and Down syndrome. Through Project Lifesaver International, he has helped build a structured, technology-supported model that equips first responders with tools, training and protocols designed to locate missing individuals quickly and safely.

A Career in Public Service

Mr. Saunders’ career in public service began in 1963, when he entered the U.S. Army after graduating from Norview High School in Norfolk, Virginia. He later served as a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne and continued his military leadership through the National Guard, the Civil Air Patrol and the Virginia State Guard.

In 1968, Mr. Saunders joined the Chesapeake Police Department, where he rose to the rank of captain. He founded and commanded the department’s SWAT team for 23 years, leading more than 800 missions and overseeing specialized operations across multiple units.

The Development of Project Lifesaver

The turning point in Mr. Saunders’ career came from frustration during search-and-rescue missions involving missing individuals with cognitive impairments. He witnessed the emotional toll on families when searches ended in tragedy.

Determined to find a better solution, Mr. Saunders studied wildlife radio-tracking technology and adapted it for human use. In 1997, he developed the concept that became Project Lifesaver. By 1999, the program was established within the sheriff’s office, and in 2001, he retired from law enforcement to dedicate himself fully to expanding the initiative.

A Structured, Technology-Based Model

Project Lifesaver introduced a proactive system that combines radio frequency transmitters with specialized training for public safety agencies. Instead of relying solely on large-scale search operations, trained teams can deploy targeted tracking methods to significantly reduce search time and crew requirements.

Mr. Saunders has long emphasized practical efficiency and has noted that traditional searches for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease can last many hours and require extensive personnel. At the same time, a properly implemented tracking program can reduce both time and cost.

Leadership and Ongoing Impact

Under Mr. Saunders’ leadership, Project Lifesaver has expanded internationally, supporting member agencies across the United States and abroad. The organization focuses on accountability, continuous training and measurable results. He often shares a simple leadership principle: “You’re only as good as your last operation.” He encourages agencies and leaders to remain disciplined, stay calm in crises and continue refining their methods.

CIO Today’s recognition highlights not only technological innovation but also sustained humanitarian impact. Mr. Saunders leads a nonprofit organization and has consistently stated that his mission is service-driven rather than profit-focused. His work reflects a career defined by operational excellence, community collaboration and persistence.

Mr. Saunders remains active in national search-and-rescue organizations and serves on the board of trustees of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. He continues to speak at universities and public safety forums, advocating for improved preparedness and the integration of technology.

About Project Lifesaver

Founded in 1999, Project Lifesaver is a public safety nonprofit focused on helping protect and locate individuals with cognitive conditions who are at risk of wandering. The program provides law enforcement and search-and-rescue teams with specialized tracking technology, training and response protocols to improve recovery results. Today, Project Lifesaver supports agencies across the country and worldwide, helping to bring vulnerable individuals home. For more information, visit projectlifesaver.org.

About Marquis Who’s Who

Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who’s Who in America®, Marquis Who’s Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who’s Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who’s Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com. 

Media Contact

Project Lifesaver International
saunders@projectlifesaver.org
+1 877-580-5433

Coupang, a U.S.-based technology leader in digital services, has been named to LexisNexis’s 2026 Top 100 list of global innovators for the second year in a row. The LexisNexis list was included in the firm’s report, published today, “Innovation Momentum 2026: The Global Top 100.”

According to LexisNexis, inclusion on the Top 100 list reflects the measurable improvement in Coupang’s patent portfolio over the past two years, and appearing on the list for two years in a row highlights the company's growing innovation momentum.

The Top 100 Global Innovators are identified by LexisNexis through an extensive analysis of the quantifiable improvement of each company’s patent portfolio over the prior two years, using the Innovation Momentum methodology adapted from the Patent Asset Index.

“We’re honored by this recognition, which reflects our efforts in advancing innovative technologies to redefine the future of commerce and expand the global reach of U.S. exports to new customers in new markets,” said Coupang Chief Global Affairs Officer Robert Porter. “We’re proud of our many employee inventors who are driving innovations that allow Coupang to serve our international customers with excellence and collaborate more closely with our selling partners.”

Coupang’s innovation program has been steadily growing in recent years, resulting in notable growth across the company’s patent program:

• The cumulative number of patents issued to Coupang worldwide has risen from 91 in 2015 to 3,919 in 2025, an average annual growth rate of 45%.
• Coupang has been issued 354 patents in the U.S. alone.
• From 2024 to 2025, Coupang was issued 933 patents in South Korea.
• Since 2021, Taiwan has issued 1,132 patents to Coupang.
• The number of employee inventors named in Coupang patent filings reached an all-time high of 736 in 2025.

"Coupang's second consecutive appearance on the Top 100 Global Innovators list reflects a patent portfolio that encompasses breadth across technologies and depth in quality,” said Marco Richter, Senior Director of IP Analytics and Strategy for LexisNexis Intellectual Property Solutions. “Coupang's patent assets show that the company prioritizes intellectual property as a core strategic driver in the business, an approach which pays dividends in strengthening the business for continued success."

Coupang employee inventors — and their inventions — are well-distributed across the company’s businesses and functions, including Global Operations, eCommerce Engineering, Ads & Marketplace, Customer Experience and Retail. For example:

• In Coupang’s retail business, machine learning enables systems to continuously analyze real-time purchase trends and intelligently manage the distribution and inventory of millions of products across the company’s network of fulfillment centers.
• For Coupang’s video streaming service, Coupang Play, the company developed a smart gateway system that monitors server loads and speeds in real-time, dynamically directing each video segment to stream from the most optimal server to enable more users to enjoy crisp, smooth video delivery even during peak traffic periods.
• For Coupang Eats, the company’s food delivery service, the company developed a system that intelligently adjusts the "recommended prep time" for restaurant orders by applying machine learning to each restaurant's real-time workload and operating mode. By sharing accurate timing for each order, the system minimizes driver wait times and ensures customers receive their food while it's still at its freshest and best.

Coupang has invested billions of dollars into building its end-to-end logistics infrastructure, which integrates cutting-edge technology such as artificial intelligence and custom robotics. With technology underpinning every aspect of its global business, Coupang provides unmatched delivery speed and service quality to customers in the U.S. and 190 countries and regions around the world and exported more than $5 billion in U.S. goods and services in 2025.

In addition to this recognition from LexisNexis, Coupang recently earned second place on Fast Company’s list of the world’s most innovative companies in the Retail category in 2025.

About Coupang

Coupang is a technology and Fortune 150 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CPNG) that provides retail, restaurant delivery, video streaming and fintech services to customers around the world under the brands that include Coupang, Eats, Play, Rocket Now and FarFetch. For more information, visit www.aboutcoupang.com.

About LexisNexis Intellectual Property Solutions

LexisNexis® Intellectual Property Solutions brings clarity to innovation for businesses worldwide. We enable innovators to accomplish more by helping them make informed decisions, be more productive, comply with regulations, and ultimately achieve a competitive advantage for their business. Our suite of search, workflow, and analytics solutions enables companies to be more efficient and effective at bringing meaningful innovations to our world. We are proud to directly support and serve these innovators in their endeavors to better humankind. For more information, visit www.lexisnexisip.com.

Media Contact

Marisa Lee
press@coupang.com

Riyadh concluded the activities of Riyadh International Disputes Week 2026 (RIDW26), held from February 1 to 5, with high-level participation from government and judicial leaders, judges, legal and arbitration experts, and business leaders from around the world.

The conference discussed the theme “Predictable Dispute Resolution in Uncertain Times” through several tracks addressing the role of strong governance, legal clarity, and effective dispute resolution in building trust and stability. The week featured an intensive scientific program that included opening and keynote speeches, as well as five specialized panel discussions focusing on developing the dispute resolution industry and exploring its global growth prospects.

One of the week’s most prominent events was the Arab Judicial Forum on the New York Convention, which brought together 50 judges from 22 Arab countries and 20 international experts in commercial arbitration. The forum examined challenges related to the application of the 1958 New York Convention, the scope of judicial oversight of arbitral awards, and the interpretation of public policy as a ground for refusing enforcement, in addition to reviewing comparative judicial precedents.

The forum was organized by the Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration, the International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA), the League of Arab States, and the Arab Center for Legal and Judicial Research and Studies. Its sessions contributed to deepening shared understanding of arbitration award enforcement mechanisms and enhancing the predictability of judicial rulings, positively impacting the stability of commercial transactions, attracting investment, and strengthening institutional integration between the national judiciary and the arbitration system.

As part of investing in young legal talent and building future arbitrators, the seventh edition of the International Commercial Arbitration Moot concluded, with wide participation from student teams representing colleges of Sharia, law, and legal studies from 25 countries. Over a nine-month journey, participants gained practical experience in international commercial arbitration, including drafting legal memoranda and conducting oral pleadings in a simulated case under the supervision of a select group of international arbitrators and experts.

The week witnessed the organization of an international forum marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), highlighting the depth of the Kingdom’s partnership with international organizations and showcasing UNCITRAL’s role in unifying international trade law and supporting global investment stability, while underscoring Saudi Arabia’s position as a trusted host for major international legal events.

RIDW26 recorded strong organizational momentum and broad participation, with 95 live events organized by 74 host entities, involving 59 member organizations and institutions, and supported by 18 sponsors. A total of 380 speakers participated in the week’s activities.

More than 8,300 active accounts were created on the week's platform, while on-site attendance exceeded 6,100 participants representing 104 nationalities, reflecting the growing international character of the event and its standing as a global forum for dialogue on dispute resolution.

Participants affirmed the importance of sustaining this professional momentum and strengthening partnership between the national judiciary and the arbitration system, commending the Kingdom’s success in bringing together a diverse international gathering and in consolidating Riyadh’s position as a leading regional and global hub for legal dialogue and the future of commercial justice.

About Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA)

Established by Saudi Cabinet Decree in 2014, the Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration is an independent, non-profit organization providing arbitration and mediation services in line with international standards. Headquartered in Riyadh, SCCA manages domestic and cross-border commercial disputes, offering modern procedural rules and institutional support. Its mission is to ensure efficient, neutral, and enforceable dispute resolution that fosters business confidence and legal certainty in Saudi Arabia and the MENA region. For more information, visit sadr.org.

Markets.xyz, the 24/7/365 multi-asset trading platform, today announced that its perpetual oil market served as a live price discovery venue during Saturday's escalating geopolitical tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States, a period during which traditional commodity exchanges were closed and retail and institutional traders globally had no access to legacy markets.

As news of the conflict broke over the weekend of February 28, 2026, traders on Markets.xyz actively priced the macro event in real time through the platform's $USOIL perpetual listing, with notable activity also recorded across its Gold and Silver perpetual markets. The episode drew coverage from Bloomberg, which highlighted how 24/7 perpetual commodity markets on platforms including Markets.xyz responded to the Iran risk while Wall Street remained offline. Oil, Gold, and Silver collectively drove approximately 47% of platform volume on March 1 as traders sought real-time exposure to geopolitical risk.

Markets.xyz is currently the only platform where traders can access oil markets 24 hours a day, seven days a week, entirely onchain, removing the intermediaries, geographic restrictions, and business-hour limitations that have historically defined commodity trading. The platform's commodity pricing is powered by a partnership with Kaiko, a regulated market data provider, delivering institutional-grade reference prices in a continuous, non-custodial environment.

"Traditional market infrastructure was built for a world where geopolitical risk politely waited until Monday morning," said Justin Greenberg, co-founder and CTO of Markets.xyz. "That world no longer exists. This weekend is yet another example of the real and growing demand for continuous price discovery in macro assets, and that the infrastructure to meet those demands now exists."

The event highlights a structural gap in legacy financial markets: when global events break on a Friday evening or Saturday morning, retail traders and even sophisticated participants have no mechanism to hedge or express a view until exchanges reopen. Markets.xyz was designed specifically to eliminate that gap, providing a borderless and brokerless environment where geopolitical, macroeconomic, and commodity risk can be traded around the clock.

Founded in Singapore in 2025, Markets.xyz provides access to equities, indices, commodities, rates, and additional financial instruments from a single interface, with infrastructure built to serve both retail and professional traders.

About Markets.xyz

Created by Kinetiq, Markets.xyz is a cutting-edge trading platform providing traders with 24/7/365 access to a wide range of financial instruments including equities, indexes, commodities, rates, and more. Built on Hyperliquid, the platform is designed to give both retail and professional traders seamless, around-the-clock access to global markets from a single non-custodial interface — meaning you retain 100% control over your assets at all times. Markets.xyz is committed to breaking down the barriers of traditional market hours, empowering traders to capitalize on opportunities whenever they arise. Learn more at markets.xyz and follow on X.

Media Contact

Justin Greenberg
justin@kinetiq.xyz

BrYet US, Inc. (“BrYet”) — a biotechnology innovator focused on developing curative therapies for advanced cancers — announced today that it has filed an Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its lead drug, ML-016. Upon approval, the IND will support the expansion of BrYet's ML-016 clinical program with additional trials in the United States.

“Submitting our first IND application is a major step forward for BrYet, bringing us closer to delivering new therapeutic options for advanced cancer patients worldwide,” said Dr. Mauro Ferrari, president and CEO of BrYet. “This milestone reflects decades of scientific research behind our unique approach to treating cancer, based on our proprietary platform for targeting phenotypes.”

Last year, BrYet received Australian approval to begin its first-in-human clinical study of ML-016. The broadly scoped Phase I/II trial will enroll patients with any primary or metastatic cancer involving the lungs or liver, with the first patient dose expected to be administered in the second quarter of 2026. The U.S. IND will expand the clinical program with a focus on specific indications.

ML-016 has shown strong therapeutic efficacy in preclinical models, achieving long-term survival in about 50% of test animalsin multiple metastatic tumor models. GLP preclinical data reconfirmed the strong safety profile of ML-016 and BrYet's platform for targeting phenotypes.

About ML-016

ML-016 is comprised of an amino acid polymer conjugated to doxorubicin with a formulation that includes BrYet's proprietary Si-PlateloidTM technology, designed to target the vascular endothelium of blood vessels in the tumor microenvironment. The amino acid-drug conjugate is released into the tumor, where it forms exosome-like vesicles. 

These “exosomoids” are designed to be preferentially taken up by cancer cells including those that have previously been resistant to therapy. Through the mechanisms of cellular trafficking, the exosomoid vesicles are intended to be transported to late-stage endosomes and lysosomes, where the increased acidity releases the cytotoxic agent into the cell nucleus.

About BrYet

BrYet is a privately held biotechnology company developing potentially first-in-class therapies for patients suffering from cancers for which there is no current curative treatment. BrYet’s lead asset, ML-016, is being developed for cancers of the lungs and liver, including advanced primary malignancies and metastatic spread from primary cancer that originates in other organs or tissue of the body. The company’s fundamental belief is that upon localization in the lungs and liver, these cancers acquire molecular transport phenotypes that are conserved regardless of site of origin and are largely independent of molecular mutations and their continued evolution. BrYet designs multi-component new chemical entities and formulations, which are directed against the fundamental aspects of these cancer-associated, organ-specific transport phenotypes. The company’s proprietary platforms include the Si-PlateloidTM  and the mathematical formalism for designing the multi-component drugs, termed Transport Oncophysics. BrYet believes that similar approaches may provide advances against other forms of presently incurable cancers, as well as other pathologies of the lungs and liver. For more information visit bryetpharma.com.

Safe-Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning BrYet and its business. These statements are based on the beliefs of, assumptions made by, and information currently available to the company’s management. When used in this document, the words “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “believes,” “plans,” “predicts,” “should,” “could,” “will,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from expectations. Factors that could contribute to these differences include the results of studies and clinical trials, regulatory approvals, challenges in clinical trials, the ability to retain employees, research and development expenses, reliance on third parties, intellectual property issues, competition, future funding needs, economic conditions, and other industry-specific risks. You should not place undue reliance on these statements, which are current as of the date of this press release. BrYet does not plan to update these statements unless legally required.

Media and Investor Contact

BrYet US, Inc.
2450 Holcombe Blvd., Suite 1520, Houston, TX 77021, USA
info@bryetpharma.com