SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, Zoom announced that The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP®) Joint Authorization Board (JAB) authorized Zoom AI Companion as a JAB Moderate system, adding to Zoom for Government’s growing list of authorized products, solidifying the company’s commitment to the U.S. government space. Most recently, Zoom Contact Center also received FedRAMP® JAB certification as part of the Zoom for Government platform, in June of 2024.
Now, U.S. federal agencies, state and local municipalities, and approved businesses and organizations that support U.S. government missions with paid Zoom accounts will have a FedRAMP-authorized, secure AI offering available to them, all within the familiar Zoom experience. Zoom for Government was initially FedRAMP authorized in March of 2019 and received collective JAB approval in July of 2023.
Zoom AI Companion is built on a foundation of trust, security, and responsible AI, which is of the utmost importance to government agencies. AI Companion integrates into the work day seamlessly, enabling users to simplify their day by streamlining tasks through information synthesis, enhancing and optimizing capabilities, and improving team effectiveness and efficiency.
“At Zoom, we are dedicated to bringing quick availability to Zoom products to market by first and foremost understanding our customers’ needs for specific industry solutions,” said Matt Mandrgoc, head of U.S. public sector at Zoom. “We received this certification on an expeditious timeframe, which further demonstrates our continued commitment to our U.S. government customers and we look forward to continuing to add new customer-focused solutions to the Zoom for Government platform in the future.”
What is FedRAMP?
The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP®) provides a standardized approach to security authorizations for Cloud Service Offerings. FedRAMP establishes a public-private partnership to promote innovation and advance more secure information technologies.
What is JAB?
JAB is composed of CIOs and Authorizing Officials from the Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and General Services Administration (GSA). The JAB selects approximately 12 cloud products a year to work with for a JAB Provisional Authority to Operate (P-ATO). A JAB P-ATO represents a “high water mark” from the assessment perspective. Zoom for Government received its JAB accreditation on July 28, 2023.
Zoom for Government
The JAB P-ATO certification extends beyond Zoom AI Companion and covers the entire Zoom for Government platform, providing limitless human connection for government agencies and contractors. The secure all-in-one Zoom for Government platform helps customers save time, reduce costs, increase productivity, and make teamwork more meaningful. With solutions like Zoom Rooms, organizations can turn offices into modern, easy-to-use, and powerful collaborative workspaces. The Zoom API enables the integration of agency-specific applications with the Zoom for Government platform, supporting seamless workflows. And, with Zoom’s feature-rich cloud Zoom Phone system, agencies have the opportunity to consolidate their communications infrastructure right in the Zoom for Government platform.
Simple, Scalable & Secure
Zoom for Government was designed to comply with the stringent requirements of the U.S. federal government. Zoom for Government runs on AWS GovCloud, a secure network that enables customers to deploy applications and data. It is managed by U.S. persons and leverages co-located data centers within the United States. Zoom for Government has received FedRAMP Moderate, DoD IL4, and StateRAMP authorizations, as well as HIPAA and CJIS attestations. For more information, please visit: https://www.zoom.com/en/industry/government/ or reach out to fedramp@zoom.us.
About Zoom
Zoom’s mission is to provide one platform that delivers limitless human connection. Reimagine teamwork with Zoom Workplace — Zoom’s open collaboration platform with AI Companion empowers teams to be more productive. Together with Zoom Workplace, Zoom’s Business Services for sales, marketing, and customer care teams, including Zoom Contact Center, strengthen customer relationships throughout the customer lifecycle. Founded in 2011, Zoom is publicly traded (NASDAQ:ZM) and headquartered in San Jose, California. Get more information at zoom.com.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — EB5 Capital is happy to report the first I-829 petition approval in its 1900 Half Street (JF24) project, a multifamily development in Washington, DC. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issues approval of the removal of conditions of residency for EB-5 investors who have completed their conditional residency period and have demonstrated that their investment has resulted in the creation of at least ten full-time jobs for qualified workers. I-829 approvals permit EB-5 investors to be lawful permanent residents of the United States.
“We’re thrilled for all the EB-5 investors involved in this project,” said Natalia Pronina, Vice President of Investor Relations at EB5 Capital. “Securing an I-829 approval is a major milestone in the EB-5 immigration process and is a true testament to a Regional Center’s experience in selecting opportunities for investors that satisfy the EB-5 program.”
Situated directly on the riverfront, JF24 was one of the first multifamily developments in Washington, DC’s Buzzard Point neighborhood. The property consists of 453 luxury apartment units, with 17,000 square feet of commercial retail space. EB5 Capital funded $44.5 million from investors representing 16 different countries. The project was completed in 2020 and generated over 1,100 EB-5 qualifying jobs for the local economy.
To date, EB5 Capital has raised foreign investor funds across over 40 EB-5 projects throughout the United States, including 18 in Washington, DC. JF24 is EB5 Capital’s 18th project to receive I-829 approval. Now that the first petitions have been approved, additional I-829 petition adjudications for this project are expected in the coming months.
About EB5 Capital
EB5 Capital provides qualified foreign investors with opportunities to invest in job-creating commercial real estate projects under the United States Immigrant Investor Program (EB-5 Visa Program). Headquartered in Washington, DC, EB5 Capital’s distinguished track record and leadership in the industry has attracted investors from over 75 countries. As one of the oldest and most active Regional Center operators in the country, the firm has raised over $1 billion of foreign capital across approximately 40 EB-5 projects. 100% of our investors’ funds are protected by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance prior to their deployment into our projects. Please visit www.eb5capital.com for more information.
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — 11x, a pioneering AI startup transforming the modern workforce with autonomous digital workers, announced closing a $24 million Series A funding round today. The round was led by Benchmark, with participation from Quiet Capital, SV Angel, Abstract Ventures, Lux Capital, Operator Partners, Visionaries, Activant, HubSpot Ventures, Project A, 20VC, 20Growth, and 20Sales.
Founded in 2022 by CEO Hasan Sukkar, 11x simplifies Go-to-Market (GTM) operations with AI-powered digital workers, allowing teams to focus on strategic work.
“We don’t target SaaS spend; we target hiring budgets. We’re in the business of selling work,” said Guillaume Roux-Romestaing, Head of Partnerships at 11x.
11x San Francisco Team
11x team after arriving to their new HQ in San Francisco.
Addressing the GTM Challenge
Over the past two decades, the landscape of GTM tools has become increasingly fragmented. The proliferation of specialized software—from CRMs and marketing automation platforms to sales engagement tools and data enrichment services—has burdened revenue teams.
“Since Salesforce was invented in 1999, the accumulation of specialized GTM software in teams has led to fragmented systems and bloated operational costs. Each new tool often requires its own integrations, maintenance, and training, ultimately eliminating any efficiency gains these tools were supposed to provide,” explained Keith Fearon, Head of Growth at 11x.
The 11x Solution
11x is redefining the workforce by developing AI-powered digital workers that autonomously execute workflows in revenue teams. By automating roles traditionally performed by employees, these digital workers can be “hired” to handle tasks efficiently and at scale.
“The key is to unbundle specific tasks traditionally performed by employees and to re-sell them,” noted Sarah Tavel, General Partner at Benchmark.
Investment to Accelerate the Development of AI-Powered Digital Workers and Expand Global Footprint
Earlier this year, 11x launched “Alice,” an AI-powered Sales Development Representative. Alice has gained significant traction by helping companies grow on autopilot by automating prospecting, multi-channel engagement, and personalization at scale. The recent launch of “Jordan,” an AI phone rep focused on inbound lead qualification, has already received interest from businesses aiming to streamline their “speed to lead” processes.
Investment Impact and Growth Plans
The Series A funding will accelerate 11x’s product development pipeline, expand its team, and enhance its global market presence, particularly in the US market, where the company has recently relocated its headquarters. The team continues to grow there, attracting key hires from leading tech companies such as CTO Prabhav Jain (former Head of Financial Services Engineering at Brex).
“In two years, we believe that digital workers will be a regular part of how companies around the world operate,” said Hasan Sukkar.
About 11x
11x is an AI startup founded in 2022 by Hasan Sukkar. The company specializes in developing autonomous digital workers that automate Go-to-Market (GTM) workflows, enabling organizations to increase efficiency and reduce costs. 11x focuses on automating roles in GTM teams such as Sales, Marketing, and Revenue Operations.
PARIS and LONDON and NEW YORK, Sept. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Akur8, the machine learning-powered insurance pricing and reserving platform, announced today that it has secured $120 million in series C funding, bringing its total raised investment to $180 million. This latest funding round was led by One Peak, a leading growth equity firm investing in software scale-ups, with participation from Partners Group, one of the largest firms in the global private markets industry acting on behalf of its clients, and historical investor Guidewire Software, Inc. (NYSE:GWRE). The new funding will significantly bolster Akur8’s ability to expand its product portfolio and fuel its growth in key global markets.
Akur8 secures $120 million in Series C funding
Brune de Linares, Chief Client Officer together with Samuel Falmagne, CEO of Akur8
Developed explicitly for insurers, Akur8 has been revolutionizing non-life insurance pricing with transparent AI since 2019. Its cloud-based, fully integrated platform empowers insurers to price at unprecedented speed, directly influencing financial outcomes and enhancing risk assessments. With the recent acquisition of the Arius reserving platform (read PR), Akur8 further expands its product portfolio and customer base, amplifying the value delivered to insurance carriers worldwide.
Akur8 secures $120 million in Series C funding
Akur8 closed its Series C funding round, bringing its total raised investment to $180 million
The new funding will be used to:
Fuel product innovation: Akur8 will invest in R&D to enrich its insurance pricing platform with two new modules:
(1) Optim, which enables insurers to determine the optimal insurance pricing strategy to meet their business objective, and
(2) Deploy, Akur8’s new rating engine, enabling pricing teams to seamlessly bring their rates into production.
Drive growth by leveraging Akur8’s recent acquisition of Arius: As Akur8 enters the insurance reserving sector, it will strategically target new market segments and bridge the gap between reserving and pricing. With its deep expertise in SaaS and AI, Akur8 will fast-track the product development of the Akur8 Reserving platform.
Accelerate global expansion: In addition to R&D, this funding will be instrumental in driving Akur8’s strategic expansion into key growth markets, particularly in North America. By strengthening its foothold in this region, Akur8 will penetrate new customer segments and tailor its offerings to address the unique demands of these markets.
Akur8 secures $120 million in Series C funding
Akur8 announces Series C funding backed by One Peak and Partners Group
“We look forward to collaborating closely with our new investors One Peak and Partners Group, two leading investment firms that share our vision for innovation and excellence. With their support, we are committed to accelerating our product development efforts and staying ahead of industry trends to offer an unparalleled, integrated actuarial platform for insurers globally,” stated Samuel Falmagne, CEO and Co-Founder of Akur8.
Brune de Linares, Chief Client Officer and Co-Founder of Akur8, added: “This latest round of funding will empower us to better meet our customers’ evolving needs, enhance their operational efficiency, and equip them with innovative tools to thrive in an increasingly competitive insurance landscape. We are excited about the growth opportunities and advancements this investment will unlock for our continued success.”
Humbert de Liedekerke Beaufort, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of One Peak, said: “Akur8 offers a truly unique cloud-based end-to-end actuarial platform, which leverages proprietary machine learning algorithms to inject speed and accuracy to insurers’ pricing process, whilst ensuring full transparency, auditability and control over the models created. We have been particularly impressed by Akur8’s user-friendly interface, ease of deployment, and reputation among the world’s leading insurers for its outstanding customer service. We look forward to working closely with Akur8’s seasoned executive team as they chart the next chapter of the company’s global expansion, market leadership, and innovation journey.”
Pierre Curis, Private Equity Technology, Partners Group, comments: “Akur8 has developed a differentiated, next-generation pricing platform that benefits from the increasing push for sophistication among insurers and from the growing adoption of new technologies. We are excited to support an ambitious management team committed to innovation and customer satisfaction as they embark on this next exciting phase of growth.”
Walter Billet Avocats acted as legal advisor for Akur8 in this transaction and has been advising the company since its creation. Perella Weinberg Partners served as financial advisor for Akur8 in this transaction.
About Akur8
Akur8 is transforming the non-life insurance industry with its innovative suite of pricing and reserving solutions.
Our Next Gen Pricing and Reserving Platform combines cutting-edge technology with actuarial excellence to drive business value, bringing speed, performance, transparency, and reliability to insurers of all sizes.
Akur8 serves 250+ customers across 40+ countries, including AXA, Generali, Munich Re, MAPFRE, HDI, Tokio Marine, and MS&AD. Over 3000 actuaries use Akur8 daily to build their pricing models and reserving projections across all lines of business.
About One Peak
One Peak is a leading specialist growth equity firm with $2.0 billion in assets under management that invests in technology companies in the scale-up phase. One Peak provides growth capital, operating expertise, and access to its extensive network to exceptional entrepreneurs, with a view to help transform innovative and rapidly growing businesses into lasting, category-defining leaders. In addition to Akur8, One Peak’s investments include Ardoq, Coro, Cymulate, Deepki, Docplanner, Keepit, Lucca, Neo4J, Pandadoc, Spryker, and many more. To learn more, visit www.onepeak.tech.
About Partners Group
Partners Group is one of the largest firms in the global private markets industry, with around 1,800 professionals and approximately USD 150 billion in assets under management. The firm has investment programs and custom mandates spanning private equity, private credit, infrastructure, real estate, and royalties. With its heritage in Switzerland and its primary presence in the Americas in Colorado, Partners Group is built differently from the rest of the industry. The firm leverages its differentiated culture and its operationally oriented approach to identify attractive investment themes and to build businesses and assets into market leaders. For more information, please visit www.partnersgroup.com or follow us on LinkedIn.
Media Contacts: Akur8
Vera Buttinger
Marketing Director vera.buttinger@akur8.com
+33 7 66 31 47 58
One Peak
Lauren Sharman
Head of Platform lauren@onepeak.tech
+44 7393 569004
Innovators ages 5 to 24 have until December 8 to enter NFTE’s World Series of Innovation and win prizes valued up to $1,500
NEW YORK, NY, Sept. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Interested in solving some of the biggest challenges humanity faces? Starting today, young people ages 5 to 24 can compete for prizes in the annual World Series of Innovation (WSI), presented by the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) and Aramco.
Prizes range in value from $300 to $1,500 with challenges focused on advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Eligible teams and individuals worldwide can sign up at innovation.nfte.com.
Each year, WSI harnesses the potential of young innovators, empowering them to unleash their creativity and drive positive change. This year, with Aramco’s support, the competition offers two distinct tracks: the WSI Imagination League (for ages 5 to 12) and the WSI Impact League (for ages 13 to 24). NFTE and Aramco have helped to expand the competition’s reach in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Arabic, Simplified Chinese, and Hindi. NFTE is more committed than ever to nurturing an entrepreneurial mindset, the driving force behind transformative change. Thousands of young minds around the globe will present innovative ideas and master essential entrepreneurial and design-thinking skills, equipping them to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges with creativity and confidence.
“We are thrilled to launch this year’s NFTE World Series of Innovation, an event that consistently showcases the incredible creativity and problem-solving abilities of young people around the globe,” said Dr. J.D. LaRock, NFTE president & CEO. “Past competitions have brought forward groundbreaking ideas, such as a platform that leverages AI to connect patients with medical professionals, an innovative process that transforms discarded rice husks into clean-burning fuel, and new technology designed to improve traffic efficiency and road safety. By introducing the WSI competition to an even larger audience through expanded ages and languages, we are empowering more young visionaries to address global challenges. We look forward to seeing the remarkable innovations that this diverse group of participants will bring to the table.”
“Aramco aims to support STEM education, innovation, and entrepreneurship by equipping young people with 21st century skills through outstanding programs such as WSI,” said Hadeel Al-Eisa, Aramco Corporate Citizenship Manager. “We are excited to learn more about the great ideas to be developed during this year’s challenge. We hope these inspiring, innovative solutions will help to make meaningful impacts in global communities.”
Each fall, NFTE announces new WSI challenges leading up to Global Entrepreneurship Week. The competition concludes on December 8, with winners for the Imagination League announced on February 18, 2025, and winners for the Impact League announced on April 14, 2025.
This year’s online challenges will advance the following UN SDGs:
WSI Imagination League Challenges (ages 5-12):
SDG 6: Clean Water Challenge, Aramco
SDG 8: Youth Economic Advancement Challenge
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being Challenge
WSI Impact League Challenges (ages 13-24):
SDG 6: Clean Water Challenge, Aramco
SDG 9: Solar Innovation Challenge, CBT Technology Institute
SDG 8: Youth Economic Advancement Challenge
SDG 4: Quality Education Challenge, Comerica Bank
SDG 16: Responsible AI Challenge, EY
SDG 4: Game Based Financial Learning Challenge
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being Challenge
SDG 13: Climate Action Challenge, Zuora
Learn more about the latest set of NFTE WSI innovation challenges, the sponsoring organizations, and the prizes being offered at innovation.nfte.com.
For media inquiries, please contact Angelika Seaman, 603-504-8554, or Denise Berkhalter, APR, 917-281-4362, at mediainquiries@nfte.com.
About NFTE
Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) ignites the entrepreneurial mindset with unique learning experiences that empower students to own their futures. A global nonprofit founded in 1987, NFTE provides high-quality entrepreneurship education to middle school, high school and postsecondary students. NFTE brings the power of entrepreneurship to students, regardless of family income, community resources, special needs, gender identity, race, or ethnicity. NFTE has educated more than a million students, delivering our programs in school, out of school, in-person, online, or through hybrid models. Visit nfte.com to learn more.
Innovators ages 5 to 24 have until December 8 to enter NFTE’s World Series of Innovation and win prizes valued up to $1,500
NEW YORK, NY, Sept. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Interested in solving some of the biggest challenges humanity faces? Starting today, young people ages 5 to 24 can compete for prizes in the annual World Series of Innovation (WSI), presented by the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) and Aramco.
Prizes range in value from $300 to $1,500 with challenges focused on advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Eligible teams and individuals worldwide can sign up at innovation.nfte.com.
Each year, WSI harnesses the potential of young innovators, empowering them to unleash their creativity and drive positive change. This year, with Aramco’s support, the competition offers two distinct tracks: the WSI Imagination League (for ages 5 to 12) and the WSI Impact League (for ages 13 to 24). NFTE and Aramco have helped to expand the competition’s reach in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Arabic, Simplified Chinese, and Hindi. NFTE is more committed than ever to nurturing an entrepreneurial mindset, the driving force behind transformative change. Thousands of young minds around the globe will present innovative ideas and master essential entrepreneurial and design-thinking skills, equipping them to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges with creativity and confidence.
“We are thrilled to launch this year’s NFTE World Series of Innovation, an event that consistently showcases the incredible creativity and problem-solving abilities of young people around the globe,” said Dr. J.D. LaRock, NFTE president & CEO. “Past competitions have brought forward groundbreaking ideas, such as a platform that leverages AI to connect patients with medical professionals, an innovative process that transforms discarded rice husks into clean-burning fuel, and new technology designed to improve traffic efficiency and road safety. By introducing the WSI competition to an even larger audience through expanded ages and languages, we are empowering more young visionaries to address global challenges. We look forward to seeing the remarkable innovations that this diverse group of participants will bring to the table.”
“Aramco aims to support STEM education, innovation, and entrepreneurship by equipping young people with 21st century skills through outstanding programs such as WSI,” said Hadeel Al-Eisa, Aramco Corporate Citizenship Manager. “We are excited to learn more about the great ideas to be developed during this year’s challenge. We hope these inspiring, innovative solutions will help to make meaningful impacts in global communities.”
Each fall, NFTE announces new WSI challenges leading up to Global Entrepreneurship Week. The competition concludes on December 8, with winners for the Imagination League announced on February 18, 2025, and winners for the Impact League announced on April 14, 2025.
This year’s online challenges will advance the following UN SDGs:
WSI Imagination League Challenges (ages 5-12):
SDG 6: Clean Water Challenge, Aramco
SDG 8: Youth Economic Advancement Challenge
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being Challenge
WSI Impact League Challenges (ages 13-24):
SDG 6: Clean Water Challenge, Aramco
SDG 9: Solar Innovation Challenge, CBT Technology Institute
SDG 8: Youth Economic Advancement Challenge
SDG 4: Quality Education Challenge, Comerica Bank
SDG 16: Responsible AI Challenge, EY
SDG 4: Game Based Financial Learning Challenge
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being Challenge
SDG 13: Climate Action Challenge, Zuora
Learn more about the latest set of NFTE WSI innovation challenges, the sponsoring organizations, and the prizes being offered at innovation.nfte.com.
For media inquiries, please contact Angelika Seaman, 603-504-8554, or Denise Berkhalter, APR, 917-281-4362, at mediainquiries@nfte.com.
About NFTE
Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) ignites the entrepreneurial mindset with unique learning experiences that empower students to own their futures. A global nonprofit founded in 1987, NFTE provides high-quality entrepreneurship education to middle school, high school and postsecondary students. NFTE brings the power of entrepreneurship to students, regardless of family income, community resources, special needs, gender identity, race, or ethnicity. NFTE has educated more than a million students, delivering our programs in school, out of school, in-person, online, or through hybrid models. Visit nfte.com to learn more.
AI-Media and Speechmatics today announce a strategic expansion of their multi-year partnership to deliver new and better AI-driven products to market.
BROOKLYN, N.Y., Sept. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AI-Media – the global leader in audiovisual encoding technology and AI-driven transcription and translation solutions, and Speechmatics – the market leader in speech recognition technology, today announce a strategic expansion of their multi-year partnership to deliver new and better AI-driven products to market.
This partnership brings together Speechmatics’ leading speech-to-text technology and AI-Media’s unique iCap-based encoding appliances and secure network that seamlessly embeds the technology within customers’ existing workflows and automation systems.
By integrating these capabilities, AI-Media’s LEXI 3.0 has been the first AI product to overtake the quality of human-in-the-loop alternatives in the live video market – at a fraction of the cost.
Tony Abrahams, CEO of AI-Media, shared his thoughts on the partnership:
“Our data derived from the performance of LEXI 3.0 has shown Speechmatics to be one of our most trusted engines over the last two years, consistently delivering accurate results that continue to improve. This partnership brings our two companies even closer as we co-develop and ideate innovative solutions for the future of captioning and translation.
Together, we will create solutions that are accurate, reliable and adaptable to the diverse needs of our global clientele.
This collaboration deepens the partnership that has seen AI-Media’s iCap encoding ecosystem emerge as the leading choice of broadcasters and government customers around the world looking to get the best possible performance from these game changing AI technologies from Speechmatics.”
By leveraging Speechmatics’ advanced speech recognition engine and AI-Media’s cutting-edge workflow and encoding technologies, this partnership addresses the diverse and complex needs of various industries, from broadcasting to government and enterprise sectors.
The partnership broadens Speechmatics’ reach by integrating its core technology into AI-Media’s LEXI 3.0 product.
Extending the success of LEXI 3.0 into the European broadcast market is a near term objective – Speechmatics’ emerging multilingual capabilities align perfectly with AI-Media’s growth plans.
A Vision for the Future
This new partnership elevates AI-Media to become Speechmatics’ largest live captioning market partner, marking a significant milestone in their collaboration.
“Speechmatics has become the leading Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) provider within broadcast because of our high accuracy and low latency across multiple languages, both live and offline. AI-Media has successfully integrated our technology into their market leading broadcast infrastructure to achieve impressive growth in their chosen markets, and this strategic partnership brings closer collaboration to allow for more rapid innovation and agility. As a result, global broadcasters will continue to get the best captioning service on the market and our combined strength in AI driven captioning can be utilised in a broader array of verticals,” said Katy Wigdahl, CEO of Speechmatics.
Together, AI-Media and Speechmatics are committed to integrating best-in-class technologies to set new industry standards. This collaboration is not just a technical integration but a partnership of vision and innovation, aimed at continuously evolving and adapting to the dynamic demands of the global language services market.
Visit AI-Media at IBC 2024
Experience AI-Media’s latest innovations at IBC 2024 and discover why broadcasters and organisations worldwide trust AI-Media and LEXI to transform their captioning workflows. To book a 1:1 meeting click HERE. For more information, visit ai-media.tv.
About AI-Media
Founded in Australia in 2003, AI-Media is a pioneering technology company specialising in AI language and captioning workflow solutions.
As a global leader, AI-Media provides high-quality AI-powered live and recorded captioning and translation technology and solutions to a diverse range of customers and markets worldwide.
For the first time in February 2024, AI-Media unveiled groundbreaking data showcasing the superiority of its AI captioning product, LEXI, over traditional more expensive human workflows in the live video market.
With deep industry experience and sophisticated AI technology to create solutions which streamline and simplify processes, AI-Media empowers leading broadcasters, enterprises and government agencies globally to ensure seamless accessibility and inclusivity of their content.
AI-Media (ASX: AIM) commenced trading on the ASX on 15 September 2020.
Visit Speechmatics at IBC 2024
Join Speechmatics at IBC 2024 and explore the latest advancements in Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) technology. Discover why leading broadcasters and organizations like AI Media trust Speechmatics for real-time, accurate, and scalable ASR solutions. To schedule a 1:1 meeting, click HERE. For more information, visit speechmatics.com
About Speechmatics
Speechmatics is a global leader in Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) technology, trusted by the biggest brands in the media and broadcasting industry. Our cutting-edge ASR solutions deliver the lowest latency and highest accuracy in the market, providing broadcasters with the fastest, most reliable real-time transcription services available.
Pioneering Innovation in ASR: We continuously push the boundaries of ASR technology to ensure our customers stay ahead. Our solutions not only capture spoken words but also recognize audio events such as laughter, applause, and music, setting us apart from the competition.
We’re excited to introduce Ursa 2, our latest breakthrough mode, offering an 18% reduction in errors across 50 languages, including enhanced support for Arabic dialects, Irish, and Maltese—bringing our language coverage to all 24 official EU languages. With latency reduced to under 1 second, Ursa 2 enhances real-time transcription at lightning-fast speed without compromising accuracy.
For broadcasters and organizations aiming for precision and speed in their captioning workflows, Speechmatics is the go-to choice.
Media Contact: Fiona Habben – Fiona.habben@ai-media.tv
WALTHAM, Mass., Sept. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Zenas BioPharma, Inc. (“Zenas”), (Nasdaq: ZBIO) a clinical-stage global biopharmaceutical company committed to being a leader in the development and commercialization of transformative immunology-based therapies, today announced the pricing of its upsized initial public offering of 13,235,294 shares of its common stock at an initial public offering price of $17.00 per share. All of the shares are being offered by Zenas. The gross proceeds from the offering, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses, are expected to be approximately $225.0 million. Zenas’ common stock is expected to begin trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on September 13, 2024 under the ticker symbol “ZBIO”. The offering is expected to close on September 16, 2024, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. In addition, Zenas has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,985,294 shares of common stock at the initial public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions.
Morgan Stanley, Jefferies, Citigroup, and Guggenheim Securities are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering.
Registration statements relating to the shares being sold in the offering have been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and became effective on September 12, 2024. The offering is being made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the final prospectus, when available, may be obtained from: Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10014, or by email at prospectus@morganstanley.com; and from Jefferies LLC, Attention: Equity Syndicate Prospectus Department, 520 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022, by telephone at (877) 821-7388, or by email at Prospectus_Department@Jefferies.com.
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any offer or sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.
About Zenas BioPharma, Inc.
Zenas is a clinical-stage global biopharmaceutical company committed to becoming a leader in the development and commercialization of transformative immunology-based therapies for patients in need. Our core business strategy combines our experienced leadership team with a disciplined product candidate acquisition approach to identify, acquire and develop product candidates globally that we believe can provide superior clinical benefits to patients living with autoimmune diseases. Zenas’ lead product candidate, obexelimab, is a bifunctional monoclonal antibody designed to bind both CD19 and FcγRIIb, which are broadly present across B cell lineage, to inhibit the activity of cells that are implicated in many autoimmune diseases without depleting them.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, including statements about the completion, timing and size of the initial public offering and the commencement of trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. Each forward-looking statement is subject to the inherent uncertainties in predicting future results and conditions and no assurance can be given that the initial public offering discussed above will be completed on the terms described or at all. Completion of the proposed initial public offering and the terms thereof are subject to numerous factors, many of which are beyond the control of Zenas, including, without limitation, market conditions, failure of customary closing conditions and the factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of the prospectus that forms a part of the registration statement, in the form last filed with the SEC. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and Zenas undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Investor Contact: Matthew Osborne
Investor Relations and Corporate Communications Matt.osborne@zenasbio.com
Thousands competed in the 15th edition of World Class for the coveted title
Keegan McGregor shakes his Tanqueray No.TEN Martini at the World Class Bartender of the Year Global Finals in Shanghai
SHANGHAI, Sept. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Keegan McGregor from Canada has been awarded the coveted title of World Class Global Bartender of the Year 2024 at the world’s biggest cocktail competition, celebrated in Shanghai this year. Competing against finalists from 44 regions around the world, spanning six continents, Keegan McGregor was named as the ultimate winner by an international line-up of industry legends, during the annual celebration of global cocktail culture.
Keegan of Highwayman Bar stood out amongst the other competitors by presenting a series of signature serves that celebrated community, sustainability and innovation, to earn a place at the Global Final, hosted in one of the most historic and famous cities in the world, Shanghai. The World Class competition, hosted by Diageo, sets to challenge and inspire the next generation of bartenders through a spirited contest where they are rewarded for pushing their creativity, storytelling and techniques to the next level.
Keegan McGregor celebrates winning World Class Global Bartender of the Year 2024
Themed ‘Future Legacy’, this year’s event proved that the future of bartending has never been more exciting, with the discovery of unique flavour combinations and cocktail concepts that are reflective of the vibrancy seen in the best bars around the world.
As part of his journey, the winner showcased how Scotch Whisky can come alive and elevate a new generation of serves using technology, with a bespoke Johnnie Walker Blue Label serve. He was also challenged to create a duo of drinks reimagining both his home city and Shanghai featuring indigenous ingredients alongside Don Julio tequila. For his home city, Halifax, Nova Scotia, he showcased his take on a dish called Hodge Podge – a stew with local harvested vegetables – and took elements of that to create a twist on a classic eggnog. A Ketel One vodka challenge saw Keegan tasked with creating a cocktail initiative that supports the growth of the hospitality community in his neighbourhood in Halifax. He also created three pioneering gin cocktails with Tanqueray No. TEN, which took the judges on a journey through bartending history and into the future, with each drink paying tribute to an industry legend.
The Singleton challenge was about designing an ingeniously theatrical Single Malt Scotch whisky serve, blending taste with sound. The culmination was The Shanghai Showdown final challenge, which saw Keegan along with seven other finalists create an immersive bar pop-up experience that transcended the boundaries of bartending and set the tone for the future of cocktail culture.
Keegan McGregor is crowned Diageo World Class Global Bartender of the Year 2024 in Shanghai
Some of the industry’s most respected and awarded talent, including Agostino Perrone, Director of Mixology at London’s Award-Winning Connaught Bar, Ryan Chetiyawardana, mastermind of the Mr Lyan empire, Julie Reiner from NYC hot-spots, Milady’s and Clover Club, alongside an elite team of bartenders and bar owners from behind some of the world’s most celebrated bars formed the judging panel throughout the week.
Keegan McGregor, World Class Global Bartender of the Year 2024, said: “My World Class journey started six years ago, so it’s a really special experience to be recognized as the World Class Global Bartender of the Year 2024. The camaraderie amongst the competitors this week has been both inspiring and has kept me going. The biggest piece of advice I was given was to be myself and that’s exactly what I did.”
Kevin Delaney, Global Senior Brand Manager of World Class, said: “World Class has gone from strength to strength over the last 15 years and grown a reputation as a hotbed of trends and a pinnacle of bar culture. This year’s program truly feels like the culmination of a decade and a half of learning and growth for our program and global hospitality community. Shanghai is a unique meeting of traditional and modern and the city set the scene for an incredible week of creativity, professionalism, and hospitality at its best. Diageo has long been committed to celebrating the best of this wonderful industry and tonight we celebrate this year’s winner but also everyone who has been part of World Class over the last 15 years. I couldn’t be prouder of Keegan and can’t wait to be a part of this exciting new chapter of his journey as World Class Global Bartender of the Year”.
Cocktail lovers and industry experts travelled from across the globe to be part of an innovative and dynamic three-week programme of highlights. The World Class Cocktail Festival, accompanying the competition, showcased the best of Shanghai and the surrounding area’s cocktail and bar scene with over 100 venues activating with unique events and menus. Special guest shifts were held at Shingo Gokan’s host of award-winning Shanghai bars, Speak Low, Sober Company and The Odd Couple; Coa Shanghai, a Mexican-inspired cocktail bar specialising in agave spirits and cocktails; Hope & Sesame Guangzhou, ranked No.14 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars; Epic, an award-winning cocktail bar by Cross Yu, showcasing Shanghai Local Culture and Disco Era, and Japanese-influenced Suzu Bar, Shanghai. Last year’s World Class global winner, Jacob Martin, also hosted a guest shift at the luxury Mandarin Oriental hotel, in nearby Guangzhou.
World Class’s international cohort of industry experts did more than judge challenges and takeover the city’s bar scene, they also participated in the first-ever World Class Mentorship program and contributed to Industry Forum. This consisted of seminars, workshops, and group discussions, focussed on discussing the industry’s hottest and most discussed topics of the moment, which are faced by global hospitality businesses and professionals in every region. These included “Vibe Architecture” with Julie Reiner, Adrián Michalčík, Shelley Tai and Ervin Trykowksi, which immersed attendees in the essential elements of constructing a sensory landscape that perfectly complements consumer offering. “Content is Queen” with Jing Zhang, Global Editor-in-Chief of Jing Daily, Kaitlyn Stewart of @likeablecocktails and Giuliana Pe Benito, Global Culture Manager for World Class and Tanqueray, was hosted by Gillian Cook, Global Head of Culture for Diageo Luxury. Together, they looked at the unique solutions today’s content creators bring to the challenges in luxury brand building and reaching audiences in the digital age.
ABOUT KEEGAN MCGREGOR
Born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Keegan fell in love with hospitality while touring Canada, after studying Classical music in New Brunswick.
Keegan has the simple goal of always making sure his customers have a warm welcome – feeling like they’ve been invited into his house for a kitchen party and have the right drink in hand. He continuously strives to help grow the pub-dominated market by educating his customers and peers, and bringing more attention to the world of spirits. This year was Keegan’s third time competing in World Class Canada.
ABOUT WORLD CLASS
World Class is on a mission to inspire people to drink better and create unforgettable experiences in the process. Whether at home or in a bar, World Class encourages consumers to think and care about what, where and how they drink, and in doing so, discover the best of cocktail culture.
World Class has supported, trained and inspired over 400,000 bartenders across the globe for the past fifteen years, while partnering them with the world’s finest spirits. World Class is the authority on the global drinks industry for information on the latest drinks, trends, cocktail recipes and industry insight.
ABOUT WORLD CLASS INDUSTRY FORUM
World Class is a global gathering of the world’s most respected and celebrated talent, and through the World Class Industry Forum initiative, the conversations that spark creativity are nurtured. The Industry Forum is providing a platform that unifies the community and encourages leading voices to share insights, discuss impact and build a lasting legacy for those in the industry. From the introduction of technology infused mixology to vibe architecture, the art of curating an emotional connection for guests, the community remains committed to transforming cocktail culture and delivering next level experiences for each and every cocktail lover. This year’s World Class Industry Forum also saw a brand-new one-on-one mentorship programme introduced, offering the finalists the opportunity to receive dedicated time and bespoke guidance from some of the industry’s world-leading talent, including the World Class Hall of Fame.
ABOUT DIAGEO
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits and beer categories. These brands include Mortlach, Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray, and Guinness. Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.
Bitget Acquired 1.7M Users in August, Monthly Report Highlights
Bitget Acquired 1.7M Users in August, Monthly Report Highlights
VICTORIA, Seychelles, Sept. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company has shared its August 2024 transparency report highlighting significant growth, adding 1.72 million users despite challenging market conditions. The cryptomarket saw sharp declines, with Bitcoin falling below $50,000, but Bitget remained resilient by integrating new features and advancing strategic initiatives.
A key highlight was the integration of Apple Pay and Google Pay, allowing users to convert fiat to crypto. This enabled Bitget’s on-ramp capabilities, making it easier for users to buy and trade cryptocurrencies globally, supporting over 140 fiat currencies and 100+ cryptocurrencies.
Bitget appointed Hon Ng as Chief Legal Officer, reinforcing its focus on compliance and regulatory engagement. With over 20 years of experience, Ng now leads efforts to expand in new markets and strengthen regulatory dialogues worldwide for Bitget. This appointment aligns with the company’s goal of advancing crypto adoption through strong compliance.
In August, Bitget’s platform showed impressive growth, offering 800 tokens and 900 spot trading pairs, with daily trading volumes of $400 million in spot markets and $7 billion in futures. The platform’s protection fund remains strong at $400 million, ensuring user security.
“Bitget’s constant innovation and advancements in security has made it one of the fastest growing exchanges. Adding over a million users consistently month-over-month has been a huge achievement for us and also shows the increasing participation in crypto from a wider audience,” says Gracy Chen, CEO at Bitget.
The introduction of new products, such as the Bitget Booster Platform, was also launched to connect crypto influencers with projects, offering content creators generous commission rewards. Additionally, the launch of P2P Shield strengthened security for peer-to-peer transactions, protecting users from fraud.
Bitget also achieved ISO 27001:2022 certification,showcasing its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of information security. As the platform expands, these developments keep Bitget strong as a leader in the crypto industry while ensuring user security and asset protection.
The platform currently boasts 185,000+ pro traders and over 840,000 copy trading followers, leading to more than 90 million successful trades. Profits from these trades have resulted in over $500 million in gains, with $23 million shared by elite traders.
On Bitget Wallet side, the decentralized wallet from Bitget’s ecosystem introduced an MPC wallet with Telegram log-in, simplifying Web3 access by allowing users to create keyless wallets through their Telegram accounts. This innovation enhances security and usability, complemented by a new Telegram trading bot that offers real-time market updates and facilitates meme coin trading. Additionally, Bitget Wallet has integrated token lists from Four.Meme and Sun Pump for TRON and BNB Chain memecoins, upgraded transaction features, and pledged 2 million $TRX to subsidize gas fees, making trading faster, cheaper, and more user-friendly.
Established in 2018, Bitget is the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 25 million users in 100+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a world-class multi-chain crypto wallet that offers an array of comprehensive Web3 solutions and features including wallet functionality, swap, NFT Marketplace, DApp browser, and more. Bitget inspires individuals to embrace crypto through collaborations with credible partners, including legendary Argentinian footballer Lionel Messi and Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist) and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team).
Risk Warning: Digital asset prices may fluctuate and experience price volatility. Only invest what you can afford to lose. The value of your investment may be impacted and it is possible that you may not achieve your financial goals or be able to recover your principal investment. You should always seek independent financial advice and consider your own financial experience and financial standing. Past performance is not a reliable measure of future performance. Bitget shall not be liable for any losses you may incur. Nothing here shall be construed as financial advice. For more information, see our Terms of Use.
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